It has been three more days since we started our journey together.
The mountain path is particularly rugged and narrow, making it impossible to ride in a carriage, so we have to walk.
"...Grandfather has disappeared."
Weixia, who was walking quietly beside me, said softly.
Weixia was carrying a box containing a treasure from Huashan.
When Weixia spoke with a sad tone, Shen Noya appeared.
[How interesting, I can't even feel any divine aura.]
After attaching to me, it seemed that Weixia couldn't see him, but he said he often talked to Weixia before I absorbed the aura of the treasure.
Weixia has a keen sense, whether she realizes it or not.
It's the same when looking for Bige, she shows a different side in peculiar situations.
Is this also a kind of talent?
[She is indeed very refined; if she grows up to be like this, she might become the most beautiful woman in the world.]
'Why are you evaluating a child like this?'
Indeed, if I think about Weixia when she grows up, it would be more than enough.
But right now, she still looks very young. She hasn't even lost her baby fat.
'She keeps eating sweets, so it won't go away.'
Of course, to me, she looks much better than before.
It's also fun to tease her.
"A little further and we'll reach the valley."
This was what Xin Xian, who was walking ahead, said.
Thanks to the guidance of Huashan, the journey has been a bit easier.
It was much easier to find the way.
As Xin Xian said, after walking for about an hour, the valley appeared.
Since night would soon fall again, we stopped and prepared to camp.
"Little Hero."
While sitting with Weixia and eating dumplings by the river, Yingfeng approached.
"Yes."
I learned over the past few days that Jianlong is quite talkative.
In a different way, he gives off a vibe similar to Pang Wujin.
Oh... I don't really like that?
But what Yingfeng said to me was surprisingly unexpected.
"Would you like to have a meal together when we get to Shanxi?"
"Out of the blue?"
"I rarely see fellow juniors, so I just felt happy."
What's his intention?
Looking at his face, I don't really feel any particular intention...
The more kind-looking someone is, the more likely they are to have ulterior motives, so I couldn't easily accept it.
"I don't know if you'll like it, but it's the best place for dumplings in Shanxi."
"Let's go together sometime later."
What a nice person.
[...Crazy guy.]
"But you said you've never seen other juniors?"
"I've seen a few, but... I didn't really talk to them. Everyone seemed to have their own territory."
The juniors Yingfeng mentioned are probably the Five Dragons and Three Peaks.
Since they are all born with talent, they are likely to have clear boundaries.
[There's a sense of frustration from someone who can't achieve something.]
'Can't you just be quiet?'
[From what I see, you also seem to have reached a level that's hard to achieve at your age. So what's the problem?]
As Noya said, if we set aside the matter of reincarnation and fortuitous encounters, it could be seen that way.
'You don't seem to react to the idea of reincarnation, so maybe you can't read it?'
He quickly realizes when it's about himself, but he didn't say anything about this.
That was fortunate.
I didn't want to talk about this.
While I was organizing my thoughts, Yingfeng continued.
"Since you're also a family member of the accident..."
Yingfeng's words reminded me of something I've been curious about since last time.
Why does Yingfeng call his younger brother "Shigu"?
Aren't they both third-generation disciples? Since we were already talking, it was a good time to ask.
"Yingfeng, Master..."
"Little Hero, since we're getting along, can I ask you something?"
I was about to ask, but I was interrupted by Yingfeng.
But "getting along"?
We're not that close, are we?
Yingfeng's friendliness was surprisingly fast.
Of course, I want to keep some distance.
"...What do you want to ask out of the blue?"
"It's nothing much..."
Why is he scratching the back of his head so shyly?
It looks strangely fitting for such a handsome guy, which makes me feel really bad.
After a brief hesitation, Yingfeng spoke.
Really, he looked like he was mustering up courage.
"...Do you want to spar with me?"
"No?"
I blurted out a habitual response.
Then a ridiculous feeling washed over me.
Isn't this a bit too aggressive for someone who just suggested having a meal together?
The problem was Yingfeng's reaction afterward.
"What? Why not?"
'Why not, you brat...'
He has a completely innocent look, as if he doesn't understand why I'm refusing.
That made it even more ridiculous.
"Why do you suddenly want to spar?"
"I heard that to get closer, you need to fight and exchange blows. Isn't that right?"
"...Who said such crazy things?"
"Our Sect Leader did."
"....."
[Cough... Cough!]
Yingfeng's shocking statement made Shen Noya have a fit.
Did the Sect Leader of Huashan really say such a bizarre thing? Is that true?
Is this really a Daoist sect?
[...Cough, it's not exactly wrong.]
'But it sounds wrong to me.'
Noya is trying to defend it, but it's clearly wrong.
Especially in a Daoist sect, using such a combative method to get closer... it's not like we're bandits.
[Bandits! Huashan is one of the most dignified and proud Daoist sects.]
'Don't shout so loud...'
Yingfeng's clear eyes, as if asking what's wrong, were even more terrifying.
It was clear, this guy is like Pang Wujin.
"Then, you don't want to spar with me...?"
"...Why do you sound so disappointed?"
Please, take the moisture out of your voice. I'm warning you.
It's creepy when a guy talks like that.
"You can spar with other disciples."
It's not like Yingfeng is the only third-generation disciple at Huashan.
As a symbol of the Nine Great Sects, the number of disciples must be enormous.
Yingfeng laughed bitterly at my words.
"Other disciples don't enjoy sparring with me."
"Oh."
It wasn't hard to understand from his gloomy face and meaningful words.
A bizarre talent is a source of fear for ordinary martial artists.
Especially in an era like this, when stars are falling.
Jianlong (Sword Dragon).
Thinking about the name he bears, it must be a difficult trial for the other Huashan disciples living in the same era.
If it weren't for Juxi, he would have been the top junior.
It was obvious just by looking at him.
Comparing him to Leilong would be embarrassing.
The youngest Plum Sword Master of Huashan.
He was a genius who could make the plum blossom, which others can only achieve in their late teens, at a much younger age.
For the third-generation disciples of a similar age who train with him, he must be the biggest obstacle and burden.
While they are just learning to infuse their swords with inner energy, he can already make the plum blossom.
'The problem is that the gap will never close, no matter how much time passes.'
Even just watching from the side, I can see that. And sparring with Yingfeng?
This means I would have to climb the path of self-righteousness and heart demons, which a martial artist should never take.
If I were in their position, could I have endured it?
Thinking about my past life, where I was beaten by my sisters, it might be the same, but honestly, wouldn't it be even harder from the sect's perspective?
"Leaving that aside, why are you inviting me to spar?"
"I thought you would be fine."
Yingfeng's words made me frown.
I could feel his confidence and self-assurance in his skills and talent.
I could also sense his passion for the sword.
The reason he invited me to spar is that he thought I was on the same level as him when he judged our realms.
[The kid has a good eye.]
I agree, and so would Shen Noya, who can objectively observe my body.
Still, a sudden spar?
As if reading my reluctance, Shen Noya spoke.
[Why don't you do it?]
'You say that so easily because it's not your problem.'
[There's no real reason to hesitate, is there?]
Noya was right.
If it's a light spar, there's no need to keep my distance.
It's just a spar.
I have no fear of losing.
I've experienced too many losses to let it affect my emotions.
It's just that...
Really, just that.
I don't want to get involved with the people of Huashan.
That's all.
[What are you feeling guilty about?]
'...Don't read my mind so casually.'
"Little Hero?"
Yingfeng called me with a puzzled look. I hesitated to answer.
No one would know now.
It was something only I needed to know.
The problem was that I couldn't see it as a simple matter.
While I was spacing out, Shen Noya spoke.
[Whatever you feel guilty about, if you really feel that way, why not just do it?]
"....Hmm."
[As a martial artist, it's a good thing when someone challenges you to a spar. Why hesitate? If you're going to be so hesitant, just cut it off.]
Crazy, what does he mean by "cut it off"?
It's a rather crude and low-level statement for a historical Daoist, but it's not wrong.
In the end, I calmly stood up and said to Yingfeng.
"...Let's spar."
Sometimes, it's okay to go along with it.
"Ooh!"
"Master... are you fighting?"
Weixia, who had been eating dumplings and watching me, asked worriedly.
I gently stroked her head.
"No, it's just a way to get closer."
[That's right, that's right!]
Of course, it's based on Huashan's standards...
Weixia, who was leaning into my touch, said in a happy voice.
"Win for me!"
"I'll try my best."
******************
We found a suitable flat area for the spar.
In the meantime, Yingfeng said he would go to Xin Xian to report.
When he returned, there was a large bump on his head.
Xin Xian, who appeared with him, gave me a slight bow.
"I'm sorry... My junior is still immature."
"It's fine. It's just a spar, after all."
This was the first "proper" spar I had after reincarnating.
After being involved with so many crazy people, it might be a bit ambiguous to call it a spar.
Despite the reason for the spar, many Huashan disciples gathered to watch.
"What's going on? What are they doing?"
"Yingfeng is sparring with the young hero from the Gua Sect."
"...In this situation? He must be crazy."
"When he comes back, I'll tie his arms and legs so he can't do this again."
"Block his mouth so he can't even breathe."
"Then he might die."
"There's a way to revive him, I guess."
...It sounds like a scary conversation.
"Is this okay?"
I asked Yingfeng about the brutal talk, but he didn't seem to mind.
"It's fine. I'm good at running away."
Ah, he's just resigned to it.
The increasing number of spectators was a bit distracting, but I tried to stay calm.
Yingfeng took a stance with the wooden sword he received.
[Oh, that's proper. Well-trained.]
Stance is the most common indicator of how long a swordsman has trained and how well they have mastered the basics.
Yingfeng was almost perfect in this regard.
It showed that he not only had talent but also put in a lot of effort.
"Huff..."
I slowly exhaled and gathered my inner energy. The red mist gradually enveloping my body was impressive.
The color, which had faded, returned thanks to Shen Noya.
Yingfeng's eyes sparkled.
At the same time, something flickered at the tip of his wooden sword.
It was very small and weak, but it was clearly a plum blossom.
'He's not planning to go easy, is he?'
Starting with the intention to test me, he immediately brought out the plum blossom.
His sincerity, more than I expected, made me chuckle.
If I take it lightly, I'll get criticized.
"Start."
When Xin Xian said this, we were almost ready.
Yingfeng immediately swung his sword.
I gathered my inner energy at my feet and leaped.
Despite the time spent gathering my senses, the match was over in an instant.
Bang!
A loud noise echoed through the forest, and dust flew around.
"Ugh!"
With a strange scream, Yingfeng flew far away.
On the flat ground, I stopped, looking bewildered.
This wasn't something I did.
I didn't even get close to Yingfeng.
But suddenly, he flew away.
'...An ambush?'
I didn't sense any killing intent.
The thick dust made it hard to see, but I could feel someone's presence where Yingfeng had been standing.
"Uh...?"
I gasped when I sensed the presence.
It was a familiar presence.
"What...?"
It was a presence that shouldn't be here.
Why do I feel the presence of someone who should be swinging a sword in Anhui Province?
The dust was carried away by the wind.
"...Ah."
The owner of the presence spoke softly.
Standing in the empty spot where Yingfeng had flown away was her.
Her disheveled martial robe and hair suggested she had been in a battle.
Despite the harsh and dirty conditions, her fair skin and refined appearance remained unchanged.
She noticed me and her blue eyes turned toward me.
She smiled.
Very brightly.
"I found you..."
Her beautiful voice echoed in my ears.
I hoped it was an illusion, but it was a presence that couldn't be an illusion.