Chapter 27: A Heavenly Thunder Descends

Soon, Dongmen Meng arrived at the Sword Book Pavilion. As soon as she stepped inside, her expression stiffened. The shopkeeper was bent over, scrubbing bloodstains from the floor, muttering to himself from time to time.

“I’ve hated bald heads all my life!”
“From now on, I’ll never do business with bald people!”
“Don’t let me see those two bald kids again—anyone who could give birth to them must be ruthless!”

Dongmen Meng’s face darkened instantly. She lowered her voice and asked, “Are you saying I’m ruthless?”

The shopkeeper was startled, turning to look. His gaze flashed with surprise, but he quickly composed himself. “Ah, a guest! What sword technique do you need? This store has more than you can imagine.”

Dongmen Meng stared at him, and he could sense her presence, marveling inwardly.

“What happened with the blood?” she asked.

“Nothing much, just killed someone who didn’t know his place,” the shopkeeper replied with a light chuckle, not bothering to hide it.

“Who?”

“Someone from the Nine Palaces Pavilion.”

“And those two sword technique books?”

The shopkeeper’s face fell. “Madam, your two children are too ruthless. Nine gold coins to buy what the Nine Palaces Pavilion wanted, and now I’m taking the blame. The blow to my soul is considerable.”

“Nine gold coins?” Dongmen Meng ignored everything else. Hadn’t Qin Qin said ten?

“Yes, nine. Bought two books, and I even gave away two more. The ones I gave away were the real treasures.”

“Oh, so the people from Nine Palaces Pavilion don’t know who you sold them to?”

“Of course not. I’m a man of principles.”

“I understand.” Dongmen Meng turned and walked out, leaving the shopkeeper utterly bewildered.

After a long while, he grumbled, “There’s not a single good one in that family! Clearly, I can’t stay here any longer. Better to head for Ankang Continent.”

Dongmen Meng, after leaving, made up her mind: tonight, when Qin Qin returned, she would let her know just how miserable it was to hide private money.

Learning from your brother is one thing—but now you’re learning from your father how to stash cash?
Getting clever, sprouting wings, are we!

Meanwhile, Ye Qin, oblivious to the trouble brewing, had already arrived at East Street with Ye Kun, where the Cultivation Institute was located.

At the entrance, the plaque bore the bold characters “Cultivation Institute,” flanked by stone lions, giving off an imposing aura.

Several children their age were waiting at the gate for it to open. Among them were their old rivals, Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen, as well as Ba Wanqing, the county magistrate’s daughter. At ten, Ba Wanqing was graceful and poised, her noble status making her both admired and feared by the others.

Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen were “conspiring” once again.

Their grand scheme? To teach those bald brothers a lesson. If they failed in this lifetime, they’d die with regret!

“The cultivation rooms are different from private schools; they allow sparring,” Feng Dian said with a mischievous grin, already picturing Ye Kun begging for mercy on the ground—a scene that thrilled him.

Yuan Zhen nodded. “Exactly. My father bought me an Earth Profound Sword Technique from Ankang Continent. I’ll really put them in their place then!”

“Yes! All these years, they’ve stolen the spotlight. If I don’t get even, I’ll never sleep well!” Feng Dian declared, making it his life’s ambition.

“Exactly! I’m still a little sleepy even now!”

“Yes, the weather’s been hot lately. I need my dad to buy some cooling stones. They’re really refreshing.”

“Really? Where do you get them? I’ll have my father buy some too.”

Just moments ago, they’d been fired up to “finish off” the bald brothers, but the topic abruptly shifted to buying cooling stones.

Ba Wanqing walked up to Ye Qin and smiled, “Did you get the sword techniques?”

“Wanqing, I did, and—”

Before Ye Qin could finish, Ye Kun interrupted, “We both got them.”

Ye Kun felt a bit puzzled himself; his younger brother had grown close to Ba Wanqing these past years, even going on outings to East Lake together.
Supposedly to discuss sword techniques—but likely discussing life itself.

If not for their age, they might already be well on their way in life.

Ba Wanqing frowned slightly at Ye Kun. Ever since they’d met, he’d kept her at arm’s length, and she couldn’t figure out why—she hadn’t done anything to him.

Ye Kun wasn’t actually rejecting her; his actions just gave the wrong impression. Ba Wanqing, being precocious, naturally read too much into things.

Ye Kun simply wanted his brother to keep a low profile. Their parents seemed strict, and such matters were best kept secret.

Ye Qin chuckled awkwardly, which made Ba Wanqing a little unhappy. Why did he always listen to his brother? His brother was stingy, never teaching him anything.

Just then, thunder rumbled overhead, the sky suddenly alive with lightning and roaring clouds.

Clearly, a heavy storm was brewing.

A steward from the Cultivation Institute stepped out and called, “Children, the weather’s unfavorable today. We’ll postpone until tomorrow.”

A group of eager children had come to train—only to be sent home at the first sign of thunder.
What kind of cultivation room was this? At least Ye Kun thought it was outrageous. Shouldn’t training occur in harsh conditions?
Training in the rain was even better—why wait for a fine day?

BOOM!
Thunder crashed again overhead, shaking the heavens.

Bolts of lightning flashed in the distance, startling the children—many of them had never seen such fierce storms before.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky!

It struck right in the midst of the children. Zhang Tiantian’s face changed dramatically, unable to react in time.

Crack!

“Damn!” That was Ye Kun’s final monologue.

Everyone was stunned—the lightning hit Ye Kun directly! Even Ye Qin, standing right beside him, was unharmed.

“Brother!” Ye Qin came to his senses, scooping up Ye Kun’s charred body. How tragic...

“Quick, take him to the medical pavilion!” Ba Wanqing urged, anxious at such misfortune—struck by lightning, just like that!

Zhang Tiantian rushed over and picked up Ye Kun. “Young master, let’s go home!”

“Al—alright, Uncle Zhang...” Ye Qin was beside himself, following Zhang Tiantian home.

Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen stood dumbfounded for a long while before grinning from ear to ear.

“Karma! This is karma! Struck by lightning—what a sight!” Feng Dian trembled with excitement, as if he’d reached the peak of his existence.

Yuan Zhen was so thrilled he could barely speak. “Heavens! From now on, you’re my father! Strike him dead—serves him right for showing off! He got what he deserved!”

“Come, let’s celebrate. Too good!”

“Let’s go!”

The two little rascals swaggered off, arms around each other, as if heading for the city’s pleasure quarters.