Chapter 15 – A Warm Group of Visitors

Li Guanqi was momentarily bewildered, wondering whose child that was.

“That girl has a strong physique but looks no older than five or six.”

He did not dwell on the matter and pushed open the courtyard door.

As soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned. The place was breathtaking. Compared to this, his home in Prosperity Village was practically a pigsty...

A stream flowing down from a spring atop Heavenly Lightning Peak wound its way through the front yard. A small bridge arched over the water, with strange rocks scattered around and various conifer trees standing tall.

Passing a stone table, he entered the house and found himself in a vast main hall roughly six zhang wide. The furniture was all brand new and made of redwood.

Beyond the main hall were three bedrooms—one master room and two guest rooms.

The environment here was just perfect. There was even a small piece of land in his backyard for the spirit garden. The soil was nearly black, dusted with a layer of green powder—likely the fertilizer used to maintain the spirit garden’s soil.

A gentle knocking came at the door. Li Guanqi hurried over to open it, but before he could, a soft voice called out, “Junior Brother, slow down~ No need to rush.”

Li Guanqi was surprised for a moment.

Heavenly Lightning Peak disciples? Didn’t Elder Xu say the disciple initiation ceremony would be tomorrow?

Creak~

He opened the courtyard door to find seven or eight people standing outside, all slightly older than him.

Each of them wore a warm smile. One carried a cotton bundle, while others held essentials like a wooden tub.

When they saw the strip of cloth tied around his eyes, their eyes flashed with heartache.

They wore white sect robes with a bolt of purple lightning embroidered down their shoulders. A flag on their chests displayed a purple “雷” (lightning) character.

This group's leader was a tanned girl who looked about eighteen or nineteen. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her face was shaped like a goose egg. Her features were delicate, and she had large, bright eyes.

The girl looked authoritatively at the people beside her, then pointed at his eyes, suggesting they watch their words.

“Greetings, Junior Brother. I am a disciple of Heavenly Lightning Peak’s second elder. My name is Gu Ran. You just need to call me Senior Sister,

hahaha

,” she said warmly.

She pointed at the other disciples. “They are also disciples of the Heavenly Lightning Peak—your senior brothers. We came here to check on you, just in case you didn’t have a cotton pad for your bed.”

Li Guanqi quickly stepped aside and saluted them with a smile. “I am Li Guanqi. Greetings, Senior Brothers and Senior Sister.”

He continued, “Don’t stand at the door. Come in and have a seat.”

Gu Ran gestured for the rest to enter. A few tall senior brothers made a beeline for the master bedroom, unrolling the cotton pad and blanket for Li Guanqi.

Looking at the busy group, Li Guanqi felt his heart stir.

He had always kept his past experiences hidden in the depths of his heart. Even his current personality stemmed from gradual changes since living with Su Xuan. Perhaps he had also intentionally imitated his grandfather’s nonchalant personality.

Gu Ran came to his side and grabbed his arm, leading him on a very slow walk.

“Walk slowly as you get familiar with the layout. There’s a step beneath your foot here. In ten steps, you’ll reach a stone bridge. To your right is a stone table, and to your left is a pond. Be careful when walking back later.

“I picked up your sect uniform from Internal Affairs. Try it on later to see if it fits. If it doesn’t, I’ll exchange it for another set.

“From now on, consider Heavenly Lightning Peak your home. We’re your family. If you ever need help, just shout ‘Heavenly Lightning Peak’ at the sky. We’ll do our best to help you out!

“If anyone dares bully you, just tell me. Sister Gu will stand up for you.”

Despite the long introduction, they had not descended the bridge yet, showing just how slowly they were walking. She continued to lead him slowly by holding his arm.

“Big Head! Wrap some bamboo around the corners of the furniture. Don’t just stand there.”

The tallest young man smiled sheepishly and said hurriedly, “Alright, Senior Sister.”

“Little Junior Brother, if you end up being the only one Elder Xu recruits today, you’re going to be the youngest disciple of Heavenly Lightning Peak.

Haha.

”

“If you need anything, just look for Senior Sister Gu! That’s what I did when I first arrived. Sometimes, I feel like she’s more worried about me than my actual mother.”

“Big Head, are you itching for extra training? Hmm?”

“

Hahahaha!

You’re always asking for a scolding, brat.”

“It’s been three years! Finally, I have a junior brother.”

Listening to their sibling-like bickering, Li Guanqi felt like he had entered another world. Their voices were like the warmth of spring sunlight or a gentle mountain stream, like a warm current that seeped into his heart.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Tears slipped from the black cloth covering his eyes.

He could endure Zhao Yuanlin humiliating him before the crowd, claiming that he had sold his sister for money.

He could admit to everyone that he was a blind, lowly beggar.

He could even laugh at those who mocked him, comparing them to dogs barking for no reason.

However, he could not endure a drop of concern shown by a few strangers.

Drip!

Gu Ran paused, then quietly wiped his face with her hand. She looked at the others and muttered, “What are you all looking at? Don’t you all have things to do? Hurry up, we have to start cultivating in half an hour!”

Then, she gently handed Li Guanqi a set of brand-new white robes and said, “Go change into these. Let’s see if they fit.”

Li Guanqi smiled. Hugging the clothes, he said softly, “Thank you, senior brothers and senior sister. I’m honored to be your junior brother.”

He started to bend down. He saw that everyone avoided him, but he still proceeded to bow. Gu Ran reached over and tugged at one of the guys’ hair, stopping him before he could say something foolish.

Li Guanqi got up and smirked. “Senior Sister, if you pull Senior Brother’s hair again, he’s going to go bald...”

As he spoke, he turned his head as if looking directly at her.

Gu Ran froze, then waved her hand in front of his eyes. She said cautiously, “You can’t see, can you?”

Li Guanqi removed the strip of cloth to reveal his shocking white eyes.

“I am completely blind, but... I have opened my heart’s eye.”

“What? This brat tricked us!”

“Yeah! I thought he actually couldn’t see! I’d just finished wrapping the corners of this table!”

“Brothers! Beat him up!”

Everyone swarmed over, then tackled and wrestled Li Guanqi playfully.

In the end, a few of them said, “It’s time for us to go! See you guys at the Martial Arena. I want to challenge Senior Sister today!”

“

Tsk~

You think you’d win? We’ll see.”

“Also, should we take a few jobs tomorrow? I’ve been so broke recently...”

As the group departed, Gu Ran looked at Li Guanqi in his new white robes and nodded approvingly. “Not bad! A handsome guy like you should wear white!

“That sword box of yours is gigantic. Did an older relative give it to you? Is there a sword inside?”

Li Guanqi scratched his head. He did not know what was inside either.

Gu Ran grinned, then turned to leave. “Rest up, Junior Brother. The disciple initiation ceremony starts at seven sharp tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

After everyone had left, Li Guanqi looked at the room, which was different from when he arrived.

The corners of his lips curled into a soft, contented smile.

That night, he slept very soundly.