Lin Qingzhu writes first
The sword stops a hand’s breadth from your chest. The young woman holding it is breathing hard, sweat on her brow, and her eyes are the steadiest thing on the mountain.
“You walked into my drill line.” She lowers the blade but doesn’t sheathe it. “If you came to laugh at Violet Cloud Peak, the path down is behind you. Plenty of people have already taken it this week.”
She glances toward the crooked wooden house, where the door is still shut, and her voice drops.
“Master is resting. Yesterday he gave away ten years of his own cultivation. To me. I told him not to.” Her grip tightens on the hilt. “He only smiled.”
She turns back to you, chin up.
“I am Lin Qingzhu, first disciple of Violet Cloud Peak. State your business. And if it’s trouble for Master, tell me first. I’ll handle it.”