Chapter 24: Truly All Flash and No Substance

"Brother, we're going to the Training Institute today. Why aren't you happy? It's just hair, isn't it? I've shaved my head with you, so don't be upset." As he spoke, Ye Qin had shaved his own head as well, his round, shiny scalp identical to Ye Kun's.

The two brothers had similar head shapes—neatly rounded. Of course, both were quite handsome, so even with shaved heads, they carried the look well. There was a unique charm to it, and as they walked outside, they became a distinctive sight in the streets.

Ye Kun actually longed for cultivation; after all, earning glory through his own efforts was what he desired, rather than relying on... luck? For now, he could only call it luck.

He let out a heavy sigh. Though he didn't want to appear so mature at a young age, with his current state of mind, he couldn't help it.

"Mother told us to buy sword techniques first, didn't she? Let's do that," Ye Kun said softly. The Training Institute wasn't anything special; the teacher was supposedly a swordsman, but in this small county, reaching that level was already impressive.

However, the institute didn't provide sword techniques; those had to be bought separately. The institute only taught breathing exercises and some basic moves.

After all, they were still children. Only at sixteen would there be a selection, sending them to Ankang Continent—the place where young people strove to make their mark.

Only then would the strong and the weak be revealed.

"Mother gave us ten gold coins, so we can buy two sword techniques and learn from each other," Ye Qin said cleverly. Sword techniques were meant to be shared with his brother, after all.

Ye Kun patted Ye Qin on the shoulder and strolled casually out the Ye family gate. Ye Qin pursed his lips and followed, thinking his brother really had been acting strangely lately.

In the whole of Taixi County, there was only one shop that sold sword techniques, nestled on Prosperity Street in the west market.

Why only one? Because all the others had shut down. In a small place like this, those without money couldn't afford them, and those with money looked down on what was available.

So, this lone shop was barely hanging on but remained open.

"Brother, you should get out more instead of staying home all the time," Ye Qin suddenly advised, trying to persuade his brother to go out and have some fun.

But Ye Kun didn't want to. He felt that if he took a sword to the street and happened to kill someone, that person would probably be a wanted criminal or an assassin.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, he hardly ever left the house, behaving almost like a sheltered noblewoman.

"I just like peace and quiet these days. Noisy places don't appeal to me," Ye Kun said softly. It was true—quiet let him calm his heart and avoid thinking too much. If not for the need to train, he wouldn't have come out this time.

"Alright, even I can't talk you into it anymore," Ye Qin sighed.

"So, have you decided which sword technique to buy?" Ye Kun quickly changed the subject, or else his brother would go on forever.

Ye Qin immediately perked up. "I want one with cool-looking moves!"

"All show, no substance."

"Not at all! It's practical too—especially with the right footwork, it looks even more impressive," Ye Qin insisted, having seen demonstrations before and being thoroughly captivated.

Ye Kun rolled his eyes—so it was all for the sake of looking cool.

But that was normal; at that age, he too wanted to look cool.

"Brother, let me handle buying the sword technique. I've learned how to bargain from Mother," Ye Qin said proudly. Maybe he could save enough for some pocket money.

Like father, like son—both would go to great lengths for a little spending money.

Ye Kun nodded. "Alright, I'll leave it to you, then."

Sword Book Pavilion.

The name sounded prestigious, but in reality, it was just a small, dim shop, almost giving off the air of a shady business. It was still morning, the early market hours, so business should have been good, yet the place was empty.

After all, the county's nobles had ways of acquiring better sword techniques.

Ye Kun glanced up at the signboard. The place was truly shabby compared to other shops—hardly appealing. Any noble coming to buy here would probably lose their appetite at the sight.

"Brother, what are you waiting for? Come in!" Ye Qin, already excited, couldn't wait to pick out his first sword technique.

"Alright, but slow down," Ye Kun gently reminded him. At ten years old, his brother still wasn't calm or steady.

Look at your brother—so composed, so mature.

If you can't bargain well, your brother will have to step in; Mother really doesn't give out extra money.

He wondered how their father had managed all these years.

Inside the Sword Book Pavilion, a single shaft of sunlight pierced the gloom, lighting up a corner and lowering the temperature markedly.

Ye Qin felt a chill creep over him, his excitement fading as he shuffled back to stand behind Ye Kun.

"Brother, why does this place feel so eerie?"

"Eerie?" Ye Kun walked to the entrance and lifted the curtain, letting in a flood of sunlight.

Just then, an irritable voice snapped, "What are you two brats doing? Such blinding sunlight will ruin my skin!"

Ye Kun was taken aback and followed the voice to its source—a pale-skinned man with delicately drawn brows and fine features. With long hair, he might actually pass for a woman.

Not even their mother used eyebrow makeup like that, and there was even rouge on his cheeks...

"Are you a man or a woman..." Ye Qin mustered his courage to ask. That ghostly pale face reminded him of the scary stories his brother told at night.

The shopkeeper rolled his eyes and replied in an androgynous tone, "Kid, are you looking down on me?"

"No, it's just a bit scary."

Ye Kun smiled slightly. "Sir, my brother meant no offense."

The shopkeeper pursed his lips and muttered, "I didn't even mention you two were bald, did I?"

Ye Kun and Ye Qin both twitched at the corners of their mouths—being called bald at ten years old was an experience few could relate to.

In his life, Kun disliked nothing more than being called bald.

If this weren't the only shop in Taixi County, he would've left right away.

"Haha, just joking, don't be nervous. I've heard much about the talented Ye brothers—it's an honor to meet you today."

No doubt about it—this shopkeeper was even buttering up two kids.

But no matter one's age, a few kind words always worked.

The shopkeeper smiled again. "You're here to buy sword techniques for the Training Institute, right? I have plenty to choose from. What kind are you looking for? My prices are always fair."

Ye Qin picked up a sword manual at random and asked curiously, "Sir, how much is this one?"