When Chongyue and the Second Brother saw Yujin holding Chi Xiao, their expressions turned grave. Yujin, sensing their seriousness, tried to hand the sword back.
Although it was already drawn, when Chongyue attempted to swing it lightly, the blade stopped mid-air as if hitting an invisible wall. The same happened when the Second Brother tried. Only in Yujin's hands did the sword move fluidly, like flowing water.
"…Chi Xiao has accepted you as its master."
When Chongyue and the Second Brother tried to wield it, an invisible force applied counter-pressure to the blade, rendering it immobile. The fact that Yujin could wield it when they couldn't meant only one thing: Chi Xiao had chosen him.
And this, while the sword had found no master within all of Yan.
If this news reached the capital, what would happen? The Second Brother had handed the sword to Yujin assuming it wouldn't be drawn, but now that Yujin had drawn it, he was likely to face reprimands from both above and below.
Seeing the Second Brother trembling and pale, Chongyue pressed his temples and looked at Chi Xiao.
"For now... it would be best to put it back in the wooden box."
"Yes, well. It's not like I particularly want it..."
Yujin actually felt sorry for the Second Brother, who might get scolded by the Emperor. Yujin was content with the sword Aorn had made for him. Even if Chi Xiao carried the legend of dragon-slaying, Yujin didn't think it was much different.
Chi Xiao was placed back into the wooden box. The Second Brother wrapped it tightly in cloth, as if to ensure it would never come out again.
"Then, I will take my leave..."
The Second Brother hurried away. Unless he spoke of it, this incident would remain a secret known only to Chongyue, the Second Brother, and Yujin.
"Hmm."
Chongyue cleared his throat and looked at Yujin again. His gaze held a mix of curiosity, as if looking at a strange specimen, and a hint of unease.
The Stars. They had felt fear upon seeing Yujin’s stars. And now, Yujin had drawn the Dragon-Slaying Sword, Chi Xiao. It was natural for Chongyue's gaze to be mixed with subtle caution.
"…Please don't look at me like that."
"What kind of look?"
"Like you're wondering if I'm going to draw Chi Xiao and attack you later."
"Oho! I trust Sir Yujin wouldn't do such a thing!"
"Since when have you called me 'Sir'?"
"Starting now."
"..."
Meanwhile, while Yujin was talking with Chongyue, Theresis and Shining were sitting on a bench, looking out at the green fields. Thanks to their skills, they had finished their work for the day early, but with nothing else to do, they remained by the fields.
Theresis glanced at Shining.
A child of unknown origin. All he knew was that Raquelamalin had taken her in. Yujin seemed to know the answer but didn't say. Honestly, Theresis just hoped this child wouldn't hinder Yujin’s path.
However, Shining had her own worries. She was continuing her physical training and learning swordsmanship from Yujin. The problem was that she couldn't keep up with Yujin’s teachings.
Yujin had taught her physical training and basic swordsmanship well. The problem was what came next. Techniques. That was where Shining and Yujin hit a wall.
"Excuse me..."
Her relationship with Theresis was awkward.
But more than the awkwardness, she wanted to know if she was strange, or if she simply lacked the talent to follow Yujin’s teachings. Shining asked Theresis, Yujin’s longtime friend, for an answer.
"…What is it?"
Both were socially awkward, so their conversation was stilted. When working, they just did what needed to be done efficiently, making things even more awkward.
"You know I'm Master's disciple, right...?"
"I heard about it in Kazimierz. You and a kid named Kiril... he taught you."
"Lately, there's been a problem."
Yujin’s teaching method. Her inability to follow it. She learned the basics well, but she didn't know why she was struggling now. Hearing her lament, Theresis understood immediately.
The basic swordsmanship Yujin taught Shining was likely the Kazdel Military Forms.
A style created by Yujin and Theresis. There was no way he wouldn't know it.
But what came after...
"Yujin doesn't have a talent for teaching, but fundamentally, the problem isn't with you. It's with Yujin."
Theresis began to speak.
Theresis had watched Yujin since childhood. Yujin had no trouble mimicking others' movements. He could clumsily copy a technique after seeing it once, and almost perfectly after seeing it twice. Moreover, once he learned something, he never forgot it.
Back in the slums, his physical condition was different from adults, but now it was the same. Mercenary sword techniques. Techniques seen in media. Without explanation or instruction, Yujin copied them just by 'seeing.'
"…Is that even possible?"
"It is for him."
Normally, it's impossible. Theresis initially thought he was the strange one, lacking talent. But after seeing Yujin slaughter mercenaries, thugs, and human traffickers with those techniques, he realized.
Ah! I'm not strange; that bastard is abnormal!
Genius. While others took one step, Yujin took ten. That suspicion was confirmed during his training with Netsalem.
One day, Netsalem called a Knight of the Royal Court to teach Yujin proper swordsmanship. The knight, honored by the call of Netsalem, a hero of the Sarkaz, gladly responded, only to have all his techniques stolen by Yujin in a single day.
Yes, in a single day.
"…???"
"Surprisingly, it's the truth. When taught properly, he learned everything in a day."
What did the Royal Knight say seeing that? Instead of being angry, he asked Yujin with shining eyes if he wanted to join the Royal Court and fulfill his dreams right then and there. Fortunately, Netsalem stopped him, so Yujin didn't join the Royal Court.
Yujin’s eyes were special. A power distinct from the ordinary.
"So it's not you who's strange, it's Yujin. And while you have talent too... he's a monster on a different level."
Theresis understood Shining's anxiety. Learning well at first, then hitting a wall.
But it would be stranger not to hit a wall. Yujin probably tried to teach Shining special techniques he had selected, not ordinary ones. That's what being the first disciple means.
"I thought I could catch up. But now he's gone too far."
That was Theresis's lament.
He thought he could catch up with effort, but after the events in Kazimierz, Yujin had crossed a wall that Theresis couldn't even see and disappeared somewhere.
He wished Yujin wouldn't carry so many burdens alone.
"Don't try to go too fast. You are normal. If you climb the stairs slowly and overcome walls... you will find your own answer someday."
Hearing Theresis, Shining nodded. It was true she had been impatient. She didn't have much time. Meeting a teacher like Yujin was a miracle in itself.
If she hadn't met Yujin, what would have become of her? She didn't want to imagine it, but she could assert that her end wouldn't have been good.
"…Yes, thank you for the advice."
However, this serious conversation was cut off by Yujin, whom they were talking about.
A loud crash came from behind. Turning around, they saw Yujin running towards them, raising dust, using Arts to enhance his legs. Theresis looked at Yujin quizzically, until he saw something shooting towards Yujin's back, emitting a vivid red light.
"Theresis, Shining! Help me! A haunted sword is chasing me!"
Wondering what nonsense this was, they looked closer and saw a sword chasing Yujin.
Floating in mid-air.
"…What the."
"Mister?"
"Don't just watch, help me!"
After Yujin declared he didn't need the sword, he and Chongyue had walked outside. They were having a normal conversation about the vein explosion when suddenly, red light flashed, and the sword shot out, aiming to smash Yujin’s head.
Shattering the wooden box and tearing the cloth. Behind it was the Second Brother, exhausted from chasing the sword, and Yujin had ended up here after a chase with the sword.
"Are you loved by a haunted sword now?"
"Does this look like love?! It's flying around trying to smash my head!"
Theresis looked at him pitifully, then turned his head away. Leaving Yujin to handle it himself.
Though it was unclear how long the chase would repeat.
Shu was walking after finishing her work.
Worried that there might be contaminated areas she hadn't seen, she had been meticulously checking every corner of Dahuang for a week. Until yesterday, Yujin was with her, but today he was absent due to Chongyue's summons.
She was grateful for Yujin’s kindness. Though excessive, she felt he cared for her.
Nian teased her, but Shu hadn't thought much of it until now. Realistically, there was a significant age gap and different backgrounds. Something like a novel romance where she falls for Yujin wouldn't happen. She was busy enough managing Dahuang.
"Hmm...?"
Lost in thought while walking, she heard the sound of vehicles from afar. Being in a remote mountainous area, vehicle sounds were rare. Visits from Yujin, Theresis, and other family members were the only outsider visits.
This time was different. Like a merchant's visit. Several vehicles arrived loaded with goods. Caravan supplies for long journeys and various items. Those goods brought small joy to the residents of Dahuang. Goods from the outside world.
A person stepped out of the lead vehicle. He wore flawlessly thin and luxurious clothes, and people followed him.
"…You've returned."
"It's been a while, Sister."
Shu’s brother, Jie (Jie). A merchant by trade.
With this, all the family members who could gather were now in Dahuang.
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