Why Did Old Man Yang Snatch the Incense Kid in Sword of Coming? (剑来) — Chen Ping'an (陈平安) returns to the small town only to face Cao Jun’s (曹峻) blade theft and Old Man Yang’s cold shoulders. But beneath the surface, a hidden deal with Qi Jingchun (齐静春) forces the mysterious elder to protect the boy—by taking away the very spirit of incense and prayers.
The Cold Truth Behind “Not Worth It”
Chen Ping'an walked into Old Man Yang’s (杨) shack expecting nothing. The old man barely looked up. When Chen asked if his parents’ souls could linger in the town like Gu Can’s (顾璨) father, the answer came flat and hard: “No.” Two syllables that crushed any remaining hope. Then came three more: “Not worth it.” Chen’s face went pale. He had always been careful around Yang—he didn’t even bring the shoulder-tapping troublemaker inside, afraid the kid might talk back. Respect meant nothing here.
But as Chen turned to leave, Yang’s hand shot into empty air. He pulled out a tiny figure made of incense ash and prayer smoke—the Incense Kid. This wasn’t a random grab. It was a rescue mission disguised as theft. Yang had seen what Chen couldn’t: the boy was carrying dynamite. Qi Jingchun’s hairpin, the sword embryo Little Fengdu (酆都), even the tiny sword energy from Sword Mother—every gift was a target on Chen’s back. The Incense Kid? The biggest target of all.
Why? Because she wasn’t just any spirit. She was the condensed soul of a thousand years of literary fortune from Lizhu (骊珠) Cave Heaven, plus all the moral merit Qi Jingchun had built through a lifetime of teaching. Giving her to Chen would be like handing a baby a live grenade. Yang didn’t explain. He never does. He just acted—quick, quiet, final.
A Deal Sealed Without Words
Qi Jingchun knew exactly what he was doing when he made that deal with Old Man Yang. The terms were simple: Yang would take the Incense Kid away, and in return, he would keep Chen Ping'an alive. No contract. No witnesses. Just two old players on a cosmic chessboard moving their pieces. Qi bet on Yang’s sense of obligation. Yang accepted without hesitation. That’s the thing about Old Man Yang—he never hesitates. Every one of his moves looks random, even reckless. But they always land exactly where needed.
Think back. He was the one who ordered Li Huai’s (李槐) natural talent sealed away. Not out of cruelty—out of strategy. If Li’s bones had been exposed too early, every power in the region would have torn the town apart fighting over him. Same logic here. The Incense Kid wasn’t a blessing. She was a curse in cute packaging. By taking her, Yang removed the bait before the trap could spring. Chen had no idea how close he was to being devoured.
Even Cao Jun’s attempt to steal Little Fengdu was a warning sign. That sword embryo came from Suishan(穗山) Mountain’s god, requested by the Wen (文) Sage himself. If a piece like that draws thieves, imagine what a thousand-year spirit of incense would bring. Yang didn’t just take the Incense Kid. He pulled a burning fuse out of Chen’s hands.
The Subtle Shift in Old Man Yang’s Eyes
When Chen walked away from Yang’s shack that day, he felt nothing but cold rejection. But if he had turned around, he might have noticed something strange. Yang’s usual indifference had a crack in it. Just a hairline fracture. The old man had never cared about anyone’s feelings before. Why start now? Because Qi Jingchun’s bet wasn’t just about obligation. It was about potential. Yang saw something in Chen that he hadn’t seen in centuries—a boy who kept getting back up even when every answer was “no.”
That’s why Yang pulled the Incense Kid out of thin air the moment Chen left. Not to hide her. To protect her. And to protect Chen from her. The same logic applied to Cui Dongshan (崔东山) when the Old Scholar sent a message through the Incense Kid about crabs having six knees and two pincers—a joke about being broke. Yang didn’t interfere then. He only steps in when the stakes are life or death. And this time, they were.
Make no mistake: Yang hasn’t gone soft. He’s still the same cold, calculating player who sealed Li Huai’s bones and ignored Chen’s pleas about his parents. But the game has changed. Qi Jingchun’s piece—the Incense Kid—is now in Yang’s hand. And that means Chen Ping'an gets a bodyguard whether he knows it or not. The boy will keep stumbling into danger. And Yang will keep silently cleaning up the mess. That’s the deal. That’s always been the deal. Chen just doesn’t know he signed it yet.
