The rustling of pages turning was crisp and pleasant to the ear.
But Li Feiyu found the sound thoroughly annoying.
He stopped paying attention to Han Li, who was buried in his reading, and trotted back to the edge of the pool. He pulled his long blade from the mud and started practicing on his own.
Han Li glanced sideways at him. Seeing that the fellow had so much energy to spare, he ignored him and focused his attention back on the things in his hands.
"One glance, ten lines" — that expression was probably invented for someone like Han Li. A thick volume was quickly skimmed through, and without even looking up, he grabbed another book and kept reading.
His eyes narrowed as he read, occasionally showing a contemplative expression. His gaze stayed locked onto the page, unwilling to look away for even a moment, and his head swayed back and forth with his eyes' movement — quite the picture of a scholar nodding along to his books.
Time flew by. One volume after another of the "Blinking Sword Manual" was swiftly browsed through by Han Li.
After finishing the eleventh manual, he suddenly stopped his incredible reading and tossed the book he had just finished back into the bundle.
He closed his eyes and rested his mind for a while.
Once his spirit had recovered somewhat, he sat cross-legged right where he was and activated the Changchun Technique, replaying everything he had read from the dozen or so books in his mind.
Before long, Han Li's face became a kaleidoscope of expressions — now excited beyond measure, now frowning in deep thought, now grimacing in dismay.
He didn't know how much time had passed before he finally opened his eyes — only to be startled by what he saw.
Li Feiyu's head had somehow crept right in front of his face, so close their noses were practically touching.
"What are you doing? Weren't you practicing your blade work?"
"Junior Han, what time do you think it is? And you're asking me silly questions like that." Li Feiyu pulled back and curled his lip.
Only then did Han Li notice that the light around them had grown dim.
He looked up at the sky. It had turned a hazy gray — evening had already set in.
"Ha! Time really does fly. I didn't notice at all that so much time had passed."
Han Li stood up and stretched his limbs.
"So, did you find anything interesting in those books?" Li Feiyu gazed at him with eager eyes, hoping to hear the final verdict from his mouth.