Chapter 8 008: Don't judge a book by its cover (Thanks to the main character, Gao Mei +1)
“Um… Mr. Qi…”
Shen Tang hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
Qi Shan lifted her eyelids slightly and said calmly, "Just say what you have to say. I don't like people who beat around the bush or are not straightforward."
“Then I’ll be frank—if it’s convenient for you, Mr. Qi… could I follow you for a few days?” Shen Tang seemed a little embarrassed. “I know my status as a fugitive will cause trouble, and I shouldn’t trouble you, sir, but I’m unfamiliar with this place and really don’t know what to do…”
Qi Shan is able to make good use of her literary talent. Such a good opportunity to get free tutoring classes, wouldn't it be a shame not to seize it?
This is a rare opportunity; you won't find another chance like it.
If we can learn more about Wenxin, we will be able to better integrate into this unfamiliar world in the future.
Shen Tang made full use of her young age and pitiful appearance to show weakness and try to arouse other people's sympathy.
Qi Shan, however, did not show the slightest pity in her eyes.
He simply watched with interest the seemingly pitiful and innocent young man with his head down.
A newbie who barely understands the control of the literary mind dares to confront a third-class hairpin head-on and not be at a disadvantage. How can he be a down-and-out little puppy?
It's clearly a wolfhound pup with sharp teeth and a menacing look in its eyes!
Although its fangs are still tender, once it gains confidence, it can devour people.
To appear weak?
This trick might fool others, but it's not enough to deal with him.
Qi Shan lowered her eyelids, her fingers playing with the dark blue monogram hanging from her waist as a belt.
After thinking for a long time, he said, "It's not impossible, but we'll have to part ways when we get to the next town, or you'll regret it."
Shen Tang asked him in surprise, "Regret? Why?"
Qi Shan pointed to the sword at her waist and asked, "Do you think this sword of mine is just for decoration or a useful weapon?"
Shen Tang: "..."
Qi Shan laughed and said, "Young man, don't think that someone who helps you is a good person. My troubles are much bigger than yours, a fugitive. Not just me, but in the future, be wary of anyone who dares to travel alone, whether they are wearing a literary monogram or a martial tiger tally."
Shen Tang blinked and muttered something in a low voice that Qi Shan could hear.
"...Mr. Qi, you underestimate me."
Qi Shan sneered inwardly.
This young man is indeed not innocent, but Shen Tang's request is not excessive.
I'm just following along. Since I've already helped once, I might as well help again. Consider it a way of seeing things through and making connections.
The two built a campfire in a sheltered spot.
Qi Shan was taking a short rest with her sword clasped in her arms when she heard Shen Tang's stomach rumbling. Before she could even drift off to sleep, she heard Shen Tang's stomach rumble.
He opened his eyes and looked at the latter. Shen Tang clutched his stomach and laughed awkwardly, "I walked for seven or eight hours in shackles during the day and only ate one spoiled pancake, which is why I made such an unseemly sound... I'm sorry to have disturbed your sleep, sir..."
Shen Tang's stomach was rumbling, and he couldn't pretend he hadn't heard it.
So he took off the water pouch and food bag from his waist and handed them over.
"Let's eat something to tide us over first."
Shen Tang didn't stand on ceremony with anyone.
Thank you.
Only after the slightly cool and soft dry food slid down my throat and into my stomach did the intense, burning hunger subside slightly.
Despite being starving, she only ate half and left the other half untouched.
Qi Shan was somewhat surprised, but didn't say anything.
This incident also made him lose his sleepiness. He took out a scroll made of tanned animal hide from his bag and began to read it carefully by the campfire.
Shen Tang vaguely saw the words "Word Spirit" on it, which piqued her curiosity, and she seemed to be engrossed in looking at it.
Qi Shan couldn't concentrate as she was stared at by her curious and bright eyes.
He sighed softly: "Curious?"
Shen Tang hugged her knees, smiling shyly, "Hmm, I'm curious! Wenxin is really amazing, could you perhaps teach me, sir?"
Qi Shan said, "You're really not being polite."
"Didn't you say that you dislike people who beat around the bush and are not straightforward?"
Qi Shan: "..."
He didn't say anything about teaching people.
However, the scrolls in his hands were not rare items; they were just some well-known and common spiritual words that he had compiled. They were essential lessons for strategists, and Shen Tang gradually came into contact with them when he went to study in bookstores or academies in slightly larger towns.
Furthermore, the power of words is a very stream-of-consciousness thing, and most of it can only be understood intuitively and cannot be explained in words.
The same words of wisdom can be mastered by some, but others may never even get a grasp of them in their entire lives.
Only words that suit oneself or that one can comprehend can be mastered and used with ease.
"See for yourself," Qi Shan said generously, lending out the scroll. "If you don't understand, ask again."
Overwhelmed with curiosity, Shen Tang took it, but after reading just one line, she was completely dumbfounded.
Qi Shan: "Don't you recognize the characters on it?"
If that's the case, there's nothing he can do to help.
Shen Tang shook her head.
"I recognize the words above. I just want to ask, are things like 'quenching thirst by looking at plums'... also considered words of magic?"
"Of course. Don't be fooled by its concise and short nature, just like the Martial Arts Word of Power. Its power is not to be underestimated and it is one of the few Words of Power that strategists must master. If the user has a strong literary mind and uses it properly, it can even determine the outcome of a war at a critical moment."
Shen Tang was dumbfounded.
"Which side... will win or lose the war?"
“Of course, using this saying can boost the morale of an entire army.” Seeing Shen Tang’s suspicious look, he thought Shen Tang had misunderstood that words of power were all very long, so he said, “This word of power was originally very long, recorded in the chapter on falsehood, ‘When Cao Cao was on a campaign, he lost his water supply and his army was thirsty. So he ordered, ‘Ahead there is a large plum grove, full of fruit, sweet and sour, which can quench thirst.’ When the soldiers heard this, their mouths watered, and they were able to reach the water source ahead.’ But after being refined, it was reduced to only four words.”
Shen Tang opened her mouth slightly, her expression one of opening the door to a new world.
"Then this... is scattered like stars?"
Qi Shan said, "We can arrange our troops and engage the enemy in battle."
"Cut the weeds out completely?"
"Boosting the morale of soldiers is extremely costly and should not be used lightly."
Shen Tang pointed at the scroll and asked again, "Walking into a trap?"
Qi Shan said, "It is mostly used for troop deployment and to disrupt the enemy's formation, causing them to lose their composure."
There's no need to ask any more questions.
Just by looking at Qi Shan's densely packed notes, you can tell that every single one was for military campaigns.
No wonder he said he wasn't a kind person.
Looking at these literary works and the simulated military formations drawn on the scroll, Shen Tang knew that this guy was a fanatic who preferred offense to defense and ambushed people in the bushes; he practically had "I'm a LYB" written all over his face.
"Mr. Qi, I have another question."
Qi Shan believed her evil words.
We've only known each other for a short time, but she already has questions in every few sentences. After asking one question, she'll definitely ask another.
but--
Thinking of Shen Tang's literary talent, he narrowed his eyes and became more patient.
"Go ahead and ask."
As Shen Tang read on, he discovered that it contained not only literary spirit and martial spirit.
To be honest, she didn't really understand the difference between the two.
Aren't they all very good fighters?
What are the specific differences between literary talent and martial prowess?
Qi Shan: "..."
He once again wondered which remote, uncivilized place Shen Tang was; every question was beyond his expectations.
QWQ This is a timely update, so it counts as the second update. I'll go finish writing the remaining part of the new side story by the author.
(End of this chapter)
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