A leisurely day

Shiyun sat down in front of the zither in the backyard, her fingertips lightly plucking the strings, and a piece of "Pure Heart and Universal Benevolence Mantra" flowed out like water.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, his brows furrowed slightly, as if pondering the force of a certain note.

Xi Jiang, carrying a stack of newly dried medicinal herbs, passed by, stopped to listen for a moment, and suddenly spoke.

"The third paragraph, Yuyin is too impatient."

Shiyun opened her eyes, her fingertips hovering over the strings.

"Okay, let's practice some more."

Xi Jiang nodded and placed a packet of dried mint leaves on the side of the zither table.

"Soothes the throat."

Shiyun smiled slightly, and the zither music resumed. This time, the notes were as gentle as the wind.

On the training ground, Chen Ze's sword cleaved through the morning mist, and wherever the sword's edge passed, fallen leaves silently split in two.

The eldest brother squatted on the weapon rack watching the excitement, his colorful headgear damp with dew.

"Chenze, you've been practicing this 'Snowfall Without a Trace' move for three months now, haven't you?"

Chen Ze sheathed his sword and swept his gaze coldly over them.

"The way of the sword has no end."

The eldest brother grinned and jumped down.

"Then I'll try it too!"

He grabbed a wooden stick and waved it around haphazardly, only to trip over the hem of his colorful clothes and fall into a mud puddle with a thud.

"..."

The eldest brother got up, covered in dust, and wiped his face.

"...Maybe I should go practice lightness skills instead."

In the study, Jianyu chewed on the pen, his brows furrowed, with a copy of the Thousand Character Classic open in front of him.

"Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless..."

She read it aloud, her fingers tracing patterns on the paper.

"These characters are even harder to decipher than the sword manual!"

Dog Egg squatted by the inkstone, his beady eyes full of disdain.

"Idiot! Even I can recite it!"

Fried fish doesn't work.

"Then you carry it!"

Dog Egg held his head high and chest out.

"Heaven and earth, black and yellow... Yellow... Braised chicken rice!"

Fried fish: "..."

Xi Jiang pushed open the door and came in, carrying a bowl of sweet soup.

"Take a break before you study again."

Pan-fried Fish's eyes lit up. He took the bowl, gulped it down, and wiped his mouth.

"Brother Xijiang, please teach me to read!"

Xi Jiang nodded, lightly tapping the paper with her fingertip: "This character is pronounced 'zhi,' the 'zhi' in 'to set one's mind on something.'"

Pan-fried fish earnestly repeated: "Zhi..."

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

In the kitchen, Zui Qingfeng, wearing an apron and holding a cleaver, was slicing potatoes into thin strips.

The eldest brother peeked through the doorframe, shocked. "Old Zui! You can actually cook?!"

He didn't even lift his head, drunk on the breeze.

"You need to find something to do before you quit smoking."

Chen Ze stood aside, sword in hand, and said coldly.

"The shredded potatoes are too thick."

With a flick of his blade, Zui Qingfeng sliced ​​the potato into strands as thin as hair.

"Satisfied?"

Chen Ze: "...It's acceptable."

Fried Fish hopped in, holding a bunch of wild scallions in its hand.

"Brother Zui Qingfeng! This can be used to fry eggs!"

Zui Qingfeng took it and casually patted her head.

Go wash your hands.

The eldest brother was dumbfounded.

"Old Drunkard, you've changed."

Drunk Breeze smiled.

"What, it's not okay?"

The eldest brother shook his head: "Okay, it's just a little scary."

In the pavilion in the backyard, Shiyun and Xijiang were playing chess.

Black and white intertwine, and murderous intent lurks beneath the surface.

Shiyun, holding the white pieces, pondered for a long time before finally making her move.

Xi Jiang looked up at Shi Yun.

"You hesitated on this move."

Shiyun smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

"Because your trap is too obvious."

Xi Jiang smiled slightly and tapped the chessboard with a black piece.

"What about this move?"

Shiyun's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly reached out and pressed down on his wrist.

"etc."

Xi Jiang: "?"

Shiyun picked up a white chess piece from the chess basket and placed it in Xijiang's palm: "You took the wrong one."

Xi Jiang looked down and realized that she had unintentionally picked up a white piece.

He coughed lightly, his ear tips turning slightly red.

"...Thank you."

Shiyun lowered her eyes and lightly tapped the chessboard with her fingertip.

"continue."

On the training ground, the eldest brother finally succeeded in climbing onto the roof, his colorful headgear shining brightly in the setting sun.

"I did it!"

He shouted excitedly.

Drunk Breeze leaned against a tree, smoking a mint-flavored cigarette, and said lazily.

"Congratulations, you've mastered the basics of light footwork."

The eldest brother retorted, "I call it extraordinary talent!"

Chen Ze, carrying his sword, passed by and coldly delivered the final blow.

"A talent that's been honed through seventeen falls?"

Boss: "..."

Jianyu ran over carrying Gou Dan, looking up and shouting.

"Boss! Dinner's ready!"

Dog Egg flapped its wings.

"Eat! Eat!"

The leader laughed heartily, leaped down, and his colorful robes drew a dazzling arc in the air.

"Smack!"

He landed face down.

Everyone: "..."

The eldest brother got up, wiped off the dust, and grinned.

"A mistake, a complete mistake!"

As night fell, a small stove was set up in the courtyard of the Hundred Birds Gang.

The group sat around, roasting sweet potatoes and drinking hot tea.

Shiyun played the zither, Xijiang brewed tea, Zuiqingfeng rolled a cigarette (still minty), Chenze polished his sword, the eldest brother and Jianyu fought over the last piece of roasted sweet potato, and Gou Dan nestled on Zuiqingfeng's lap and dozed off.

The melodious sound of the zither and the fragrant aroma of tea filled the air.

The leader suddenly raised his teacup: "A toast to the Hundred Birds Gang!"

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and raised their glasses.

Zui Qingfeng: "Respect to your efforts."

Chen Ze: "Respect for the Way of the Sword."

Shiyun: "Respect for kindred spirits."

Xi Jiang: "Respectfully, tomorrow."

Pan-fried fish: "A toast to roasted sweet potatoes!"

Dog Egg looked up groggily.

"A salute to... a salute to Master's peak of chicken life..."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Under the starlight, the lights of the Hundred Birds Gang remained as warm as ever.