Zhao Ming woke up to the warm glow of m sunlight filtering through the wooden ttice windows. The faint aroma of rice pe and side dishes reminded him that breakfast was ready. He sat down to eat, sav the simple yet fulfilling meal.

  Just as he finished, Murong Xue appeared at his door, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Without warning, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him outside.

  "e on, time for saber practice!" she decred.

  Zhao sighed but followed along. They moved to the courtyard, where Murong Xue demonstrated several fluid saber movements, expeg him to follow. He did his best to mirror her, feeling the weight of the on in his grip.

  Before long, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei arrived, eager for their m sparring session. The two brothers challenged each other first, their ons g with raw iy. Zhao watched, takial notes oeiques.

  Liu Bei joihem ter, arriving with a calm demeanor after a m discussion with his teacher. Once everyone had firaining, Guan Yu turo Zhao.

  "Brother Zhao, do you want to e with us to the bcksmith?" he asked.

  Before Zhao could dee, a system notification fshed in his vision:

  [Forced Quest Activated: Visit the Bcksmith and Provide Insight. Unlock: Metallurgy Skill and on Design]

  With no choice but to accept, Zhao nodded. Murong Xue, seeing that he was occupied, excused herself to meet her sect friends.

  The group arrived at the bcksmith’s workshop, where an old, burly maed them. His sharp eyes sed the group before settling on Zhao. With a knowing smirk, he teased, "Ah, you didn’t bring the young miss with you today?"

  Zhao shook his head. "Spare me from unnecessary trouble, senior."

  Chug, the old man turned his attention to the brothers. "What brings you here? Looking for ons?"

  The three hesitated, uain about what they wahe old maured to the dispyed ons. "Take your time and see what suits you."

  As they browsed, Zhao struck up a versation with the old man. "What metals do you typically use for f?"

  "Mostly iron and brohe bcksmith replied. "They are reliable and readily avaible."

  Zhao’s eyes gleamed with i. "Have you ever sidered using high-carbon steel? It make ons sharper and more durable."

  The old man stroked his beard. "Iing... Tell me more."

  Zhao quickly expihe f process, providing a brief outline of the steps required to produce high-carbon steel. The old man nodded in approval. "We try that."

  Meanwhile, the brothers had made their choices. Guan Yu wanted a spear, Zhang Fei preferred a polearm with a snake-like curve, and Liu Bei requested a double-edged sword with engraved details.

  Zhao took a brush and paper, sketg designs for each on. The old man examihem and made minor adjustments befreeing te them.

  As they prepared to leave, Zhao received a system notification:

  [Quest pleted: on Crafting sultation. Reward: Enhanced Knife – Iructible, Sharp with Bleeding Effect.]

  Later, Zhao made his way to the Murong Mert Guild to buy supplies for his jouro Anxi. There, he met Murong De, who reparing for his own trip to Linhuai by ship.

  "It would be wise for you to travel with a caravan," Murong De advised. "A group is heading to Anxi in a few days. You should join them."

  Zhao agreed, knowing that traveling alone would be dangerous.

  That evening, his teacher summoned him for a discussion. "You must be cautious in Anxi. There are many forces at py."

  Their versation was interrupted by a servant, who annouhat Murong Jin wished to speak with Zhao. His teacher gave him permission to go.

  Murong Jin weled Zhao with a posed expression. "I want to give you some advice. Be careful in political matters, and do not trust easily."

  Zhao nodded. "I will keep that in mind."

  Jin then asked, "Would you sider joining the Murong family? We could provide you with resources and influence."

  Zhao smiled. "I wish to see the world first."

  Murong Jin chuckled. "That is the spirit of youth. Go, then, and make the most of your journey."

  As Zhao walked back through the estate, he passed by the Moonlit Melody Pavilion. Soft music filled the air, drawing him closer.

  Peeking inside, he saw Murong Xue pying the guqin while Senior Sister Liu pyed the flute. The harmoween their instruments created a seremosphere.

  They noticed him aured for him to join them. "Sit with us for a while," Xue said with a smile.

  "Where are Fang and ?" Zhao asked.

  "They have no i in music," Senior Sister Liu replied. "They are busy with martial training."

  After chatting for a while, they pyed another song. Zhao was captivated by the melody and asked, "What is this piece called?"

  "It has no name," Xue replied. "Perhaps you give it one."

  Zhao thought for a moment. "How about 'Moonlit Reunion'?"

  Xue and Senior Sister Liu exged gnces and nodded approvingly.

  "Since you have enjoyed our performance, you must pay with a poem," Senior Sister Liu teased.

  Accepting the challenge, Zhao posed a short verse:

  Beh the silver moon sht,A melody drifts through the night.Echoes of souls, both near and far,Bound by fate where moonbeams are.

  His poetic words left them both impressed.

  As the night deepened, Zhao wahe estate, lost in thought. The journey ahead was uai exhirating.

  A system notification appeared:

  [New Mission Unlocked: Jouro Anxi – Unknown Challenges Await.]

  Looking up at the moon, Zhao took a deep breath. His path was set, and tomorrow, a neter would begin.

  With a quiet resolve, he returo his room, packed his belongings, and y down to rest.

  End of Chapter 7