Dawn broke.

Qin Lu woke to the familiar ache in his bones. He stretched his stiff limbs, grabbed a wooden bucket, and yawned as he shoved open the courtyard gate.

“Time to fetch water.”

As he stepped onto the dirt path, the gate to his left creaked open.

A hulking youth squatted by the entrance. In one hand, he held a cup; in the other, a willow twig he used to scour his teeth.

Qin Lu recognized him immediately. “Nie Feng, the neighbor.”

“Fellow Daoist Nie. First time meeting you. Hope we can get along.” Qin Lu raised his left hand, waving with practiced enthusiasm.

Nie Feng glanced up. He spat a mouthful of water onto the dust and spoke in a flat drone, “New here?”

“Yes, just moved in. I am Qin Lu.” Qin Lu set down the bucket and clasped his hands in a polite salute.

“Oh.”

Nie Feng dropped the single syllable, stood up, and turned back into his courtyard.

Bang.

The door slammed shut.

“Uh…”

Qin Lu stood frozen, hands still clasped, staring at the wooden planks.

Neighbor Lu Xian had mentioned Nie Feng was cold, but this wasn’t just cold. It was dismissive.

“What did ‘oh’ even mean?”

“One day, I will put a fist through that face.” Qin Lu grimaced, shaking a fist at the closed gate.

A moment later, he shook his head.

“Forget it. No point taking it personally. The guy is probably just socially stunted.”

Qin Lu picked up his bucket and headed for the river.

…

Drawing talismans. Cultivating.

The hours bled away. By the time afternoon arrived, Qin Lu had just finished a talisman when visitors arrived.

It was Cao Mo, missing for several days, and Auntie Li, her face plastered with heavy makeup.

“Auntie Li. It has been a while. Please, come in.” Qin Lu beamed. Seeing Auntie Li was like seeing a catalog of potential wives. In this backward world where news traveled by foot, Auntie Li was a walking, talking dating app. Essential software for a new device.

Auntie Li strutted into the courtyard, her eyes scanning the premises.

“Who would have thought? Big Mouth, you actually had the money to move into the Market District. Nice place.”

Cao Mo followed, chest puffed out. “See? Told you he is different now.”

“He certainly is.” Auntie Li laughed.

“Not at all. Nothing has changed. I just happened to earn a few spirit stones.”

Qin Lu smiled modestly, then leaned in. “Might I ask, Auntie Li, what brings you here today?”

“Haha, what else? To introduce you to a match, of course.” Auntie Li sat on a stone stool, grinning.

Qin Lu took the seat beside her. “Is it Widow Zhang?”

“Oh. No, not her.” Auntie Li’s smile faltered. She sighed. “I forgot to tell you about Widow Zhang. There is no chance there. Best stop thinking about her.”

“Alright.”

Disappointment flickered across Qin Lu’s face.

As a modern soul, he understood the ancient wisdom: In youth, one chases young girls; only in middle age does a man truly understand the wisdom of Warlord Cao.

He wasn’t obsessed with widows, but hearing the door was closed still stung.

“Tsk. Now that you live in the Market District, your status has risen. Widow Zhang is beneath you. Today, I am introducing someone fresh and lovely.” Auntie Li giggled.

“Which family?”

“A good one. Come. I will take you to see her right now.”

Auntie Li stood up, grabbed Qin Lu’s arm, and dragged him toward the gate.

“Hey.”

Qin Lu stumbled. “Isn’t this a bit rushed?”

“What rush? Good things should be done quickly.”

This…

Two minutes after entering, Qin Lu found himself being hauled out of the Market District.

…

On the road, Auntie Li briefed him.

“The girl is twenty. Fresh, lovely, third layer of Qi Refining. She runs a food stall with her elderly father.”

To avoid looking cheap, Qin Lu spent two spirit stones on a basket of spirit fruit.

The trio left the Market District and entered the Slums.

“Right, Big Brother, someone came looking for you at your old place yesterday,” Cao Mo said suddenly.

“Who?”

“Don’t know. Asked where you went. Of course, I didn’t say a word.” Cao Mo looked proud, fishing for a compliment.

“Oh. I see.”

Qin Lu’s mind raced.

Creditors? Old friends of the original owner?

He shook his head. “No use guessing.”

He patted Cao Mo’s head. “Good job. Never tell strangers where I live.”

Cao Mo blinked his small eyes. “Hehe. You can count on me.”

Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead.

“Let go of my mother!”
“Little brat. You are looking for death!”
“Ah!”

Thud.

The sounds of violence drifted from a nearby house. Qin Lu exchanged a glance with the others.

Chaos was common in the Slums.

“Caution first. We should not get involved. Best to keep our distance.” Qin Lu grabbed Cao Mo’s arm.

Messy affairs made enemies.

But Auntie Li stared at the house, her face draining of color.

“Ah! That is Widow Zhang’s house!” She bolted toward the commotion.

“Ah?”

Qin Lu stared at her retreating back.

“Big Brother, let’s go look!” Cao Mo tugged his sleeve.

Qin Lu hesitated for a heartbeat.

“Alright.”

They ran.

Auntie Li reached the door, pointing a trembling finger inside.

“Chen Er’gou! What do you think you are doing? Let go of Widow Zhang right now!”

“Get lost, you damn matchmaker! Beat it, or I will cripple you!” A vicious voice roared from within.

Qin Lu arrived at the door, standing shoulder to shoulder with Auntie Li.

Inside, three burly men loomed. On the floor lay a delicate woman. Beside her, a boy of three or four stood with arms spread wide, blocking the path of the thugs.

Bullies cornering a widow. Classic.

But when Qin Lu saw their faces, his blood ran cold.

He recognized the man in the middle.

Triangular eyes. Like a viper.

This was the man who had ambushed him with Fang Hu.

Enemies had crossed paths.