When the Huashan Sect was in the midst of preparing for their upcoming event, I returned to the residence after finishing my afternoon training.
Normally, I should be preparing to return to the three families by now—
'This situation has gotten a bit complicated.'
Since Gulinghua expressed her intention to return to the three families, it would be necessary to delay the timing a bit.
Especially since she mentioned going to the Sword Empress as well.
'Does she mean to go together?'
Her words about going to the Gu family might imply that she wants to go together.
Since she said she would come and talk to me later, I can hear it then.
Shen Yi also mentioned that he would come and talk to me—
It was time to wrap up various matters.
'First, I need to visit Mei Hua Xian.'
Even if I don't go, Mei Hua Xian might need to approach me, but as a junior, it would look better if I take the initiative.
There are also things I need to request from her.
'For that, I need to meet the Sword Empress first.'
When I go to Mei Hua Xian later to make a request, I plan to seek the Sword Empress's help.
That's why I had already mentioned it to her beforehand.
While organizing my plan, I returned to the dormitory. From a distance, I saw Wei Xue hanging laundry and she noticed me, approaching.
"Master!"
"What brings you here? I haven't seen you much lately."
She had only been visible during meal times for the past few days, so it felt a bit strange to see her now.
'Is she busy? She looks tired.'
Wei Xue's face looked a bit gaunt.
Given her exceptional physical strength, it seemed unlikely that she would be exhausted just from being busy.
"Is something wrong?"
"Me?"
"You look very tired."
So I just asked her directly.
Since it wasn't just anyone, if Wei Xue looked this tired, there must be something going on.
Wei Xue smiled with her eyes.
"I'm fine! Nothing's wrong!"
She placed her hands on her waist and puffed out her chest.
It was as if she was showing that she was healthy and fine.
Seeing this, I chuckled and tousled her hair.
"Ouch!"
I was doing things casually that I used to hesitate to do.
Looking at her, I realized how much she had changed.
After tousling her hair for a while, I said to Wei Xue.
"Want to go out and take a look around today?"
"Really!?"
Wei Xue was surprised and asked in return.
Is it that surprising?
I rarely went out unless there was something specific to do...
Wei Xue's eyes were wide open in surprise.
"When...now?"
"Are you busy? If you have more work to do—"
"No! I'm done! All done, not a bit left!"
"Ah, okay, that's good."
She seemed so eager to prevent me from canceling that she shouted hastily.
I tried to suppress the corners of my mouth from curling up and said to Wei Xue.
"I'll wash up quickly and come out, so wake me up a bit and take me out."
"Yes...yes? Take me out?"
"Hmm?"
"Yes?"
Wei Xue looked at me as if she didn't understand what I meant.
But she soon realized it was about Nan Gong Bia and glared at me.
"Isn't it a bit much to leave her behind?"
I tried to make a weak excuse, but it was clear it wouldn't work.
Of course, Wei Xue has her own personality, so she only glared for a moment and didn't say much.
She just sighed and went to wake up Nan Gong Bia.
I felt a bit guilty, but it seemed there was no other way.
'That I'm starting to have these worries is surprising.'
Even to myself, it was surprising.
Thinking about someone was a difficult thing.
After washing off the slight sweat from training and changing into clean clothes, I came out to see Nan Gong Bia clinging to Wei Xue.
"...Sis, you're heavy...!"
"Mmm..."
"What are you two doing?"
Nan Gong Bia still looked half-asleep, leaning on Wei Xue.
Of course, with the weight difference, Wei Xue was being covered by Nan Gong Bia.
Lately, it seemed Nan Gong Bia had been sleeping a lot. Is something going on?
"If you're sleepy, why don't you go back and sleep? We can go out later."
Hearing this, Nan Gong Bia suddenly straightened up.
She still looked a bit tired, but she seemed to want to show that she could go out without any trouble.
She then rummaged through her sleeve and took something out.
"Silk veil...?"
Surprisingly, it was a silk veil.
I guess she brought it because I told her to use it often.
Even though she had a certain aura that made people look, wearing the veil had reduced the attention.
Though she didn't go to crowded places often, the looks she received were burdensome.
Nan Gong Bia must have been satisfied with using it.
"You're well-prepared."
"It's...comfortable."
"Master! Should I call Wu Lian?"
"Hmm?"
I had already told the guards that I would be going out, so I thought Wu Lian would be waiting.
'Why isn't Wu Lian here?'
Actually, it would be fine to leave him behind, but if I did, he would surely complain when he came back.
Especially since he had already scolded me for getting hurt last time.
He had asked why I kept going out alone when I had a perfectly good guard.
'That was because it was an emergency.'
Wu Lian, who had said that, might have something going on.
Surprisingly, Nan Gong Bia provided the answer.
"He went to a duel."
"He went to a duel?"
"With a Huashan Sect disciple."
"Disciple? Who?"
The Huashan Sect disciple Nan Gong Bia mentioned...it couldn't be Gulinghua, so it must be someone else.
"Ying Feng?"
"Uh..."
Wu Lian went to a duel with Ying Feng?
Suddenly, what was he talking about?
Wu Lian, who had been refusing duels during his guard duty, even with Nan Gong Bia and others.
"He also had a duel with me."
"What...?"
I couldn't help but ask in response to Nan Gong Bia's words.
He had a duel with Nan Gong Bia? I hadn't heard about this.
I don't know how she took my reaction, but Nan Gong Bia quietly added.
"...I lost."
I didn't ask who lost.
I could tell from Nan Gong Bia's strangely shadowed expression.
'If she had a duel with Wu Lian...'
Even with all the skills I had acquired, Wu Lian's martial arts were still at a higher level than mine.
Recalling how the sword team members had invited Wu Lian back to the family.
'If we consider the level, Wu Lian is definitely not an ordinary person.'
He might not be able to match Ying Feng, but he is definitely not weak.
It's not something a young man who has just passed his youth could achieve.
"A duel... Is there some wind blowing?"
Nan Gong Bia looked at me sharply. Feeling uncomfortable, I asked.
"Why?"
"His...mind is a bit understandable."
Whatever she mumbled, Nan Gong Bia quickly returned to her usual expression.
Wei Xue was hugging Nan Gong Bia's waist and looking at me, asking when we could leave.
Since this was a sudden story, I wouldn't have known if Wu Lian wasn't here.
So, it would be fine to leave him behind, right?
If anything, there are other guards...
As I was about to leave, Nan Gong Bia said to me.
"When you come back...let's have a duel..."
"..."
I was taken aback by Nan Gong Bia's words.
Oh, right...
Thinking about it, a lot of time had passed since the day we agreed to have a duel.
Since he had a duel with Ying Feng, it should be fine.
'Though it feels a bit creepy thinking about my past life.'
I couldn't keep refusing forever, so I had to accept it eventually.
"Let's do it when I come back, if there's no other business."
"•••!"
Surprised by my clear answer, Nan Gong Bia's face showed a rare change in expression.
Especially the corners of her mouth.
Seeing the corners of her mouth trying to curl up, I chuckled and started to walk.
Is this something she likes so much?
Considering the travel time, it would probably be night when I return.
If there's no other business then, it would be good to have some time.
'Since there were no problems when I had a practice match with Ying Feng, it should be fine.'
Unless I use my powers excessively like when I fought the blood demon, I think it should be fine.
After looking around and having a quick meal, I returned.
Nan Gong Bia's expected duel didn't happen.
Because something came up.
"Finally, you're here."
When I returned from looking around, Shen Yi was sitting in my room.
Lately, it felt like I had a lot of visitors.
Ying Feng, the Sword Empress, Gulinghua, and now Shen Yi.
'I think I heard he was coming...'
I vaguely remember the Sword Empress mentioning it. However, only Shen Yi came, not the Sword Empress.
"What brings you here..."
"I came to check on your condition. Why are you so surprised?"
"No, I'm just a bit taken aback."
Feeling the sharp gaze of Nan Gong Bia from behind, but what could I do... He came to check on my condition.
In the end, I gave her a look that said we'll do it later, and Nan Gong Bia disappeared with a slightly pouting face.
"Did I come at a bad time?"
Shen Yi seemed to notice and cleared his throat.
"It's fine. You took the time to come here."
"You're a good one, sitting down then."
The examination started immediately and didn't take long.
Because there were no issues with my body except for the demonic aura.
"Hmm... Truly a remarkable body. What kind of change has made your energy so stable...?"
While he called it an examination, it felt more like Shen Yi was conducting research.
The meaning in his eyes was clear.
'•••If he really wants to open me up, what should I do?'
His words from last time were probably a joke.
They had to be...
I gave vague answers to his various questions.
Shen Yi showed great interest in the technique of the Gu family that expels demonic aura, but since he wasn't a martial artist, it was hard to explain in detail.
That was my excuse.
There was no way to explain it anyway.
Saying something like, "Our technique is just like that, I don't know much about it," should be enough.
Of course, it would be a bit awkward if Shen Yi came to the family with this and asked.
'But I doubt he would come to the family.'
Shen Yi was a sought-after figure throughout the Central Plains.
He wouldn't come to the Gu family just to find Shen Yi.
Hopefully.
In the end, Shen Yi sighed, seemingly disappointed at not finding anything.
"Well, you seem to be in good health."
"•••Why do you sound disappointed?"
You don't like it when I'm healthy?
"Of course not."
"Right? It must be my imagination."
Shen Yi subtly avoided the question and quietly took out a wooden token from his sleeve and handed it to me.
"Take it."
"What is this?"
"Can't you see? It's a wooden token."
"I know it's a wooden token, but what's it for?"
"I'm a doctor, so I don't have much to give you."
Shen Yi seemed to be trying to give me something. I said I was fine with the treatment, but what else was he trying to give?
"I don't have much to give, but I have this from the past. If you take it to the Beggar Sect later, you'll be treated well."
"Why are you giving this to me?"
The feeling I got suggested it wasn't an ordinary item.
Especially since it was related to the Beggar Sect...
It felt strangely familiar, like the black token Peng Wujin had given me before.
"I originally wanted to give it to someone but couldn't. Consider it a commission fee."
"A commission fee...?"
"Yes, I have a favor to ask of you."
Indeed, I thought it was a significant reward to just give it to me.
There must be a reason.
'He's not really trying to open me up, is he?'
If that was the case, I would run away immediately.
"When you leave, I heard the Sword Empress will be going with you."
"Ah, I heard she will, but I'm not sure yet."
First, as the current leader of the group, I need to give permission for her to accompany us.
And I'm not sure if the Sword Empress, who just finished treatment, can leave the Huashan Sect.
The problem was what Shen Yi said next.
"I also have some business with the Gu family, so I need to go with you."
"Really?"
"I've already told Tao Hua, and I'm not the type to be refused, so it should be fine."
Shen Yi seemed to assume I would give permission and had already talked to Mei Hua Xian.
"•••Why?"
"Hmm?"
I said it without thinking.
It was out of frustration.
Why are they all trying to gather at my place, leaving their good neighborhoods behind?
'Is there honey on my place?'
I even thought that.
- I understand what the Alliance Leader wants, but do you think I can do it?
- I've seen the girl, but I didn't verify it further because of Tao Hua's words.
- I may be called Shen Yi, but I'm not a god.
- The Sword Ancestor was silent, then finally asked.
- Then, do you also think it's impossible...?
- ...
- Shen Yi doesn't lie about treatment.
- The Sword Ancestor believed this one fact.
- Therefore, he could understand the answer from Shen Yi's expression and silence.
- Realizing the Sword Ancestor had noticed, Shen Yi sighed deeply.
- It's difficult to tamper with the energy of a human, especially a non-martial artist.
- The time and resources required could potentially uproot the family.
- ...
- •••Those things are...
- Alliance Leader.
- The Sword Ancestor's words were cut off by Shen Yi.
- Before that, I have a request to make to the Alliance Leader. I think that should come first.
- ...
- I won't give any answer until then.
- It was a firm and unreasonable statement.
- If he refused, that would be the end of it.
- But the Sword Ancestor was not in a position to give such an answer.
- It was a ray of light in the dark.
- Recalling his granddaughter's smiling face, the Sword Ancestor gathered his resolve again.
- Relying on the faint light, he wrote a letter.
- ...
- ...
- The first page read "Alliance (盟)."
- The letter was to be sent to the current martial alliance leader, Luo Jian (乐剑) Zhang Tian.