The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: From the Moment He Picked Up Qu Feiyan

When Shen An read the novel, he felt more pity for Qu Feiyan than any particular liking for her. If he were to meet her in real life, he would probably keep his distance.

Because she's such a fun-loving person, she doesn't really consider other people's feelings.

But now, when this girl is actually sitting next to him, her reddened eyes fixed on him, Shen An truly feels that another side that words cannot fully describe.

He sensed a rabbit-like panic and unease hidden deep within those feignedly cunning eyes; behind her seemingly carefree words and actions lay a confusion and resistance to her identity as a "demon cult witch." The sense of dissonance between her true self and her identity was so intense that she needed to pretend to be indifferent to everything to protect herself.

Qu Feiyan stared blankly at Shen An, looking at his sincere and gentle smile, and felt the tension in her heart, which had been taut all along, quietly loosen at this moment.

Hoe... Martial arts... Farming... Injuring people...

So, it's such a simple principle?

"I..." Qu Feiyan opened her mouth, a thousand words welling up on her lips, but only a nasal "Mmm!" came out. She nodded heavily, her eyes slightly red, but she grinned and gave Shen An a smile brighter than the sun.

"Why do you seem to have caught a cold?" Shen An murmured, listening to her nasal tone.

A cold? What is Brother Shen talking about? Qu Feiyan was confused. Just as she was about to ask, she saw Shen An reach out to his forehead.

Qu Feiyan's petite body suddenly stiffened, and then the warmth of that hand seemed to flow from her forehead to her heart...

Before she could even properly feel it, Shen An withdrew his hand, saying something that was hard to understand: "It's okay, I don't have a fever, I'm just a little cold."

Just as Qu Feiyan was feeling somewhat lost, a warm, reassuring blue robe was draped over her shoulders.

"There's not much sun in the mountains in the morning, and the air is humid and cool by the stream, so it's best to keep warm."

Qu Feiyan then belatedly realized that she was indeed a bit cold in this makeshift, coarse cloth outfit.

However, she could never figure out which was more comforting: the outer robe or Brother Shen's words.

"No...no need, I'm not cold," Qu Feiyan protested softly, wanting to take off her clothes, but she couldn't bear to. Although her grandfather doted on her, he was a careless man who had never paid attention to such small things. This feeling of being taken care of made her feel a little lost, yet also a little greedy.

"Be good." Shen An reached out and gently pressed her shoulder to stop her movements, saying softly, "In this world, nothing is more important than your own body."

This statement was actually part of Shen An's habitual way of thinking; in the world of martial arts, martial arts skills are far more important than health, since even the healthiest person can't withstand a single sword strike. But to Qu Feiyan, these words were incredibly novel.

Which martial arts master doesn't value martial arts skills and reputation more than their own life? But Brother Shen says that good health is the most important thing. This simple yet practical truth is more distant than "the greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people," but it is much warmer than "those who obey me prosper, those who oppose me perish."

She suddenly realized that Brother Shen's world was completely different from the martial arts world she knew.

She was tempted to go inside.

Thinking of this, she felt a little embarrassed, buried her head in her clothes and nodded vigorously, letting out a muffled "hmm" sound. The sound came from the wide robe and had a cute, slightly muffled quality.

"It's getting late, I have to go back." Shen An glanced at the sky. "Xiao Ruoyun, you should go find your grandfather too."

His main fear was that if she really got sick, her grandfather would come and end his life.

Qu Feiyan knew she had stayed a little too long, and if she didn't leave soon, her grandfather might really come looking for her. She reluctantly took a few steps, but then, as if she had made up her mind, she ran back and stood in front of Shen An.

"Brother Shen, I'd like to ask you for a treasure. Would you be willing?"

"How could I refuse? However, I don't have any treasures."

"I just want your sword."

"A sword?" Shen An hesitated. It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with it; in fact, he already felt that the current sword was a bit too light. He planned to forge a new sword that would be more suitable for his Songshan Kinetic Sword Technique when he got back. His main concern was that it was a weapon, and handling it carelessly would be dangerous. It was like a child asking their parents for a gun—they certainly wouldn't give it to them.

Qu Feiyan never expected to succeed. She and Brother Shen were just strangers who met by chance. In the eyes of a swordsman, the sword is almost a second life. She just wanted Brother Shen to reject her properly so that she could leave more easily.

But when she actually saw Shen An hesitate, a wave of sadness welled up in her heart, and her eyes instantly dimmed.

You have to have both – women and children. That's how it is.

Moreover, she was just a little girl.

Seeing her pitiful state, Shen An's heart softened immediately. Moreover, he thought to himself that this little girl was no ordinary little girl. She had grown up in the Sun Moon Cult and had seen and played with all kinds of weapons. To her, this sword was at most a radish knife.

Shen An picked up the heavy iron sword, its blade wider than Qu Feiyan's arm. He carefully wiped the dust off the scabbard with his sleeve, then walked back to her, sighed, and squatted down to be at her eye level.

"Ruoyun, it's not that I'm reluctant to give you this sword. It's just that it's too heavy and very sharp, and I'm afraid it will hurt you."

Not because you're reluctant to part with me? Is it because you're worried about me? Qu Feiyan suddenly raised her head, and what came into view was Shen An's gentle gaze.

Shen An held the sword horizontally and presented it to her with both hands, his movements solemn and serious.

"I can give it to you, but you have to promise me one thing: be careful not to hurt yourself, and don't use it against someone who doesn't want to hurt you, okay?"

Brother Shen is really willing to give me his sword!

Qu Feiyan stretched out her trembling hands and took the sword. The iron sword felt cold and heavy in her hands, and she stumbled, almost losing her grip. The sword was too heavy; she could only hold it in her arms, like clutching a life-saving piece of wood.

At this moment, she didn't feel like a demonic witch rejected by heaven and earth, nor like a wild child without parents.

When she received the sword, she was completely taken aback and was deeply moved. Overwhelmed with emotion, she buried her head in her green robe and began to sob uncontrollably while holding the sword.

This time it was Shen An's turn to be surprised, and he hurriedly asked, "Ruoyun, what's wrong?"

Qu Feiyan raised her head, her face streaked with tears, yet beaming with joy. Two streams of tears cascaded down her cheeks, washing away the grime and revealing her fair, jade-like skin. She smiled and said, "I'll remember!"

Shen An just smiled, thinking to himself, "What an adorable girl. I wish she were my sister."

"If only he really were my brother," Qu Feiyan thought, then suddenly asked, "Will Brother An come to practice swordsmanship again tomorrow?"

"Here it comes."

"See you tomorrow, Brother An!"

After saying that, she hugged the long sword that was more than half her height, put on the outer robe that reached her calves, turned around, and ran with all her might into the depths of the mountains and forests.

Why are you calling me "Brother An" now? Looks like I've gained a lot of goodwill towards you; the plan should have been exceeded.

Shen An watched her skipping figure and thought to himself.