C48 Mi Xueyin's Difficulties
Long Song City was teeming with nearly a million residents and transients combined, making the task of pinpointing a single individual's location akin to searching for a needle in a vast ocean. However, the presence of a mage significantly expedited the process, and Choo Qin, a Sorcerer at the pinnacle of his craft, possessed an exceptionally broad range of perception. A mere sweep of his senses was all it took to detect the presence of a person nearby.
Sure enough, after leisurely wandering the city, Choo Qin swiftly picked up on Mi Xueyin's aura. He also realized, for the first time, that Mi Xueyin's home was surprisingly close to the house he had purchased near the academy, separated by merely four or five streets.
"Hmm?"
Upon catching sight of Mi Xueyin, Choo Qin was taken aback to see her not in her usual white attire but instead dressed in a light purple gown. Trailing behind her were four oddly dressed men who bore the appearance of street thugs.
Choo Qin's brow furrowed in confusion. How could he reconcile the image of a well-behaved student with that of street ruffians? As they walked, the leader of the group, a tall thug sporting a small green dragon tattoo on his arm, continuously berated Mi Xueyin, deepening Choo Qin's frown.
He trailed them until they reached a somewhat rundown house. The tall thug muttered a few curses, tossed a small bag of gold coins to her, and then sauntered off with his cronies.
With a stoic expression, Mi Xueyin watched the thugs depart before she entered the courtyard and shut the door. Despite her usual resilience, she couldn't help but let tears escape.
Choo Qin had initially intended to offer comfort, but seeing her in such a vulnerable state, he knew she wouldn't want to be seen by anyone else, so he abandoned the thought.
After a minute or two, she composed herself and proceeded to the wood bucket in the firewood shed, preparing to draw a hot bath.
Choo Qin refrained from extending his senses further; he wasn't one to pry. Nonetheless, he couldn't shake a sense of unease.
The challenges Mi Xueyin faced were likely even more daunting than he had imagined.
In the following days, the academy granted a brief holiday due to the sudden unavailability of his mentor.
Choo Qin had shadowed Mi Xueyin twice, observing her each time as she ventured out with a group of thugs, only to end up in a certain courtyard.
The destination of her journeys was a place known as the Golden Garden, a den of pleasure that likely resembled a dance hall.
Choo Qin was relieved to see that Mi Xueyin had not been violated.
Had that been the case, he would have undoubtedly felt a sense of alienation.
Within the ramshackle courtyard lay an elderly person on a boat, presumably the grandmother who had raised her from childhood.
Mi Xueyin had spent nearly all her earnings on medicine for her grandmother and even used her modest magical abilities to aid in the old woman's daily recuperation.
Choo Qin was deeply moved.
Had it not been for a whim of his, he would have remained oblivious to the extent of Mi Xueyin's hardships. It was the first time he felt a sense of compassion for the girl.
After much deliberation, Choo Qin resolved to take action.
Mi Xueyin's aptitude for the Sorcerer's path was commendable. She might not reach the pinnacle of success, but a comfortable life was well within her grasp.
Yet, she was in the throes of her most challenging times. Whether driven by camaraderie or touched by her devotion to her grandmother, Choo Qin was eager to extend a helping hand in this easily accomplished act of kindness.
