Third party’s PoV

  With the first round of the second group ending, the crowd hollered as Lu Huan was announced victorious. But even louder was their reaction when Lady Mirza not only leaned into the woman's arms as they kissed but also how they entered their own world for a moment.

  Many were whistling and cheering for them. Yet, in the sumptuous viewing box for qualified candidates: a certain Fan Shu began to be more and more aggravated as she watched the source of her souring mood: Lu Huan, a tall and imposing woman as she walked over to them.

  There were many things she couldn't accept: from Lu Huan’s attitude at the beginning of the fight that saw her lose an arm. To her roughshod way of fighting, breaking all techniques with only unrelenting might and dizzying speed. To the way she behaved with the healing lady. But to Fan Shu, the worst was trying to understand how she got that spear.

  Being part of the Fam clan, and even more so as the rightful heir of the Righteous Spear: she recognized the weapon. A weapon that was thought lost nine years ago when the righteous spear herself fell in battle.

  Fan Shu was brimming with anger, something that alerted the other winners around her.

  < Lady Fan, are you well? Did something happen to anger you as such?> The young disciples of the Wudang sect asked her. Shocked to see this jade beauty, the flower of Kui city: seething like a manner-less mortal.

  He wasn’t alone in thinking this, as even the members of the waiting staff were anxious just looking at her, each of them wondering if they had done something to displease her. Orders were whispered as attendants were swapped, while refreshers were brought in and distributed.

  < A chilled Oolong tea Ma’am? Made with fresh spirit dew and Evercold ice of the northern region.> A young woman brought a pot to her as She tried her best to school her face, remembering where she was standing.

  < Thank you very much. And as to your question, respected Taoist: I just didn’t expect our fellow winner to wield such a weapon. Nothing else.> Her voice was sweet, almost too much, yet the disciple didn’t notice it as he smiled. Relieved to hear that this jade beauty wasn’t in any distress, his attention momentarily shifted to Huan’s weapon before returning to Fan Shu’s.

  < I see, I am afraid I am not that well versed in any weapons other than the sword. It is so rare to see one spear wielder, I can understand the surprise of seeing another. Shouldn’t Lady Fan rejoice instead of being angry? This might be a good opportunity to exchange pointers with a fellow practitioner of the same art.> He said, a simple smile on his lips as he tilted his head.

  < I see, you have my gratitude for this profound wisdom you’ve given me. I didn’t think of it, perhaps I could ask her to exchange some pointers at a later date. Who knows, Maybe I will see her in the final.> Fan Shu let out a small sigh as she rolled her eyes as she turned around.

  Her eyes crossed with the woman as she jumped over the railing to their private booth at the edge of the arena. The tall woman’s gaze was riveted to hers and when she realized that, she knew that something was going to happen. From the way she walked to her demeanor and her serious and still expression, she was like a blade ready to be drawn.

  Yet, a certain someone took the initiative before both of them could react.

  < Congratulations on your victory, Lady Lu. Quite the feat of will and perseverance to keep fighting when your arm was severed. It was quite enlightening to see how masterful your ability to spear with only one arm was, giving ideas on how to further deepen my own mastery of swordsmanship. And for that, you have my thanks.> The young disciple of the Wudang sect cupped his hands to his chest and gave a small bow to Lu Huan, more of a nod than anything. Yet the way his eyes gleamed with curiosity and amazement seemed to pull Lu Huan out of her focus.

  She returned the greeting with the same gesture. Completely discarding the presence of Fan Shu.

  < Thank you, disciple Taoist Chun. I cannot fully take credit for my way of fighting, for it is one born of desperation, where my survival required me to use everything at once. As you can see, It seems that I’ve grown soft since meeting my partner. But I am glad you were inspired to further your own way forward.> Lu Huan talked with calm and poise. Yet the inflection wasn’t lost on her listener but for two different reasons.

  < Ah! I was wondering why you were acting so familiar with Fairy Mirza. Partners, you say? I see, please forgive my confusion. I took a vow of celibacy when I was young and didn’t have time to cultivate my understanding of such things. All I can say is that I am happy that your partner brought you to such a place where despair is no longer a driving factor.> The two women looked at him surprised, clearly not expecting him to be this open or understanding of these matters. Yet, Lu Huan’s ever-existing steel front cracked again in a small grin.

  Fan Shu’s mask of serenity twisted again. And to her horror, the woman that was causing her all this anguish caught on to the change.

  < It seems that Lady Fan here is displeased with me.> The curt words cut deep as Fan Shu never expected to be put on the spot like this. And she was growing increasingly more frantic due to the blunt treatment she was receiving.

  Lu Huan’s PoV

  < Y-you! It is unladylike to call out someone like this, but I guess I shouldn’t expect more from someone who fights like a savage beast.> She huffs and turns her head away.

  'Really? What’s this petty barb?' { She just insulted us?! And you call this petty? She dares again and again to disrespect us. Do something or I will do it myself!}

  ' No, I don’t think I will. I expected something more. Something sharper. But this is like a child throwing a tantr—'

  < I don’t really understand what Fairy Mirza sees in you, did you extort her or perhaps blackmail that delicate woman? That or she might be mentally defici—>

  < You dare, you actually dare? You can insult me all you want, but bring my sorceress into this and I will end you.>

  { THERE WE GOOOOO~!} 'Shut up!'

  I nearly failed to stop my hand from reaching her small, thin, and Oooh so fragile neck. I could hear something thrumming from my spear as my grip tightened around its metallic shaft.

  < Hmph! And what are you going to do about it? Get your arms chopped off, again? That your ability to end me, or lack of thereof doesn’t matter right now. But what does is: how did you get this weapon? Did you steal it from someone? Or did you pillage a grave to get it?> She looks with so much contempt at me.

  'It's as if she is begging me to punch her in the face.' { Then do it? We can both feel that you want to.}

  < Why does that matter to you?> ' I am better than this. Even if I wanted to do it, I gave my word to Iulia to not make a mess. To be different, and that starts by not giving in to my impulse.'

  {Big words, we can just say we slipped and made a mistake.}

  'And disappoint her?' {...}

  'Thought so.’

  < Because this spear looks to be the exact same one The Righteous Spear Fan Dan used. And it is not a mystical weapon for the likes of you to use.> She pointed at my spear before her face twisted even more into shock and disgust. Looking at it, somehow I managed to activate the other inscription.

  < WHAT DID YOU DO TO IT?!> She shrieks as she tries to rip it out of my hand, but utterly fails. Not because I didn’t let go. But because it appeared stuck to my hand, and no matter how much strength she used, even pumping her whole body full of ki: she wasn’t able to make it budge from where it rested on the ground against my now open palm.

  I feel my anger washing out as I feel my face heat up. Joy? Yes, that is it. I am happy. I thought as I let myself laugh.

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  < Not a thing. Iulia was right, there is healing and peace in laughter, and I already feel better. My thanks, cousin.> I feel myself smiling a bit more, a light and enjoyable sensation in my chest and face as I see this foolish woman’s face turn to one of disgust and shock.

  { You could have said that even the spear deemed her unworthy!} 'I could, but I won’t. She seems to be struggling enough inside her own mind as it is.'

  < I am no cousin of yours, you are but a thief and a savage. Nothing the Fan clan would ever recognize as one of ours.> She was loathing the idea and didn’t bother to hide it. The people around us were silent, but now that I was paying more attention to this emotional stuff, I could see that they were all shocked by what was happening.

  Taking a step back was perhaps the best advice Iulia gave me. And despite struggling to apply it consistently, the moments I do feel good.

  < What are you smiling about?> I turn and see Iulia standing by my side, her hands on her cocked hips as she looks at me. I feel myself flutter, the sensation still novel as I still struggle to notice it when it happens.

  < I was thinking about you, and how right you were about taking a step back. And how peaceful it is, and how grateful I am that you are in my life.> I lean over to her and take her hand. Kissing the back of it as I hold her gaze with mine.

  Her blush and soft smile is enough to make my heart beat harder and increase this fluttering sensation in my stomach.

  < Is that so? I am happy you do, but perhaps you could explain to me why your cousin is glaring at you like this? It is rather annoying and disturbing, to be honest.> While I dislike exchanging barbs like this, Iulia has quite the panache when she does. The gap between her soft and delicate appearance and spicy tongue is always a delight to witness.

  < I am not her cousin! Did this aberrant woman put this idea in your head? Of course she did, what am I even saying?> She palms her face as I hear her gnashing her teeth in annoyance and frustration.

  < Oh no, not her. Your grandmother, Lady Meili Namgoong of the Fan clan herself. Here, read this if you do not believe me.> She then pulls something from her sleeve: that letter. I recognize it only thanks to her shit-eating grin tugging at her lips.

  I am now actively struggling to not laugh as I watch the rude woman’s face decompose and turn aghast.

  < This has to be a forgery… You… There’s no way…> She looks up at me and back down at the letter, her head bouncing back and forth for a while as she turns blank.

  < So, that’s that. I came by to warn you that: while you are all qualified for the next round, any attacks made toward other participants outside of the sanctioned time and place will lead to a prompt disqualification and ban from signing up for any other event in this city. With that said, farewell. Catch you later, Huan~> She swipes the parchment back as she states toward the entirety of the room before taking her leave. A bounce to her step as she goes just like she appeared.

  Aside from the mortified Fan Shu and a perplexed Chun, the others had already taken their leave. Not wanting to be part of the Fan clan’s debacle.

  { So you’re not going to do anything about it? About how she threw mud in our face? At Iulia's too?} My inner demon asks, clearly frustrated with me not giving in.

  ' No, If she manages to get to the finals, then maybe make her regret her words. But even then, she is not worth the effort of humiliating and disappointing Iulia.'

  That really made her stop and think. But being who she is, her answer was predictable. { What if she swears to take revenge for this humiliation and trains in seclusion to then get her revenge when she is stronger than us?}

  ' You talk as if I will stop training and learning. That’s not the case. I think I can see what Iulia was saying when she told me that you are my ego personified. You show and tell me all these things, all these fears, doubts: these what If scenarios. But it’s fine, there’s no need to stand guard like this. Plus, we have better things to do than punish every slight that comes our way, you know?'

  { Like what?} She was growing more irritated, but in exchange, I was growing more calm and relaxed.

  'Spending time with Iulia?' {... I see.}

  ' Doesn’t it feel good to be at her side? To know that she will be there for me, for… Us?'

  {... Yes.}

  'I am glad the two of us can come to agree to this.'

  I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings as I took one of the pitchers on a nearby table and served myself a glass of chilled tea. Hmm~ A nice Oolong Cold brew.

  Looking up, I could see that the current match was reaching its end when someone called out to me.

  < A wager then.> It was Fan Shu. She was looking both coy yet annoyed as she joined back with me, her own cup in hand as she poured herself a refill.

  { She really has no shame. You better make her shut her mouth, I am already pissed at how you make ME feel. I don’t need this puny brazen brat trying to spout her delusion nearby.} I chuckle at that.

  'Sure, and same. The less bothered we are the better.'

  < No, and I am not interested. You have nothing of value to me anyway.> I don’t even look at her as I shoot her proposal down.

  < At least hear me out…>

   Taking another page out of Iulia’s book, I confront her again.

  Yet the moment I turn my head to her, she looks like she just swallowed a really sour lemon. Her face is red from embarrassment.

  < Y-you!?... How> 'How she asks?' I roll my eyes at her, bewildered she even asks. Before a thought strikes me.

  < Wait a moment… How old are you?> Her face flushed as she roars with rage.

  < What’s that to do with that?!> Yup. This reaction pretty much confirms it.

  < Everything? Look, cousin Shu. I was angry, ready to break your neck for insulting my woman. And while I didn’t do it because I am trying to stop jumping to violent and rash decisions. You still need to take responsibility for your words. You being a child is making it a lot more bearable to not end you. That doesn’t mean I won’t have you apologize for your earlier words.> I put my hand on her shoulder, trying to appear calm and gentle. But the way she looks at me when the "break your neck" part comes up lets me know I still have more work to do.

  < W-Why are you telling me this?> She trembles. Her voice is shaky as she struggles to look me in the eyes.

  < Because I am doing what Iulia calls a "show of good faith". I come clean and explain to you what was going on in my head. Because your behavior screams that you were sheltered. Not only that, but also that you were never really taught proper ways of speaking to people, about boundaries.> I communicate what I managed to piece together: the reason why I felt that something was off about her. About her whole behavior.

  Taking a deep breath, I try again. < So, once again. How old are you?>

  She looks down, her flush deepening as shame radiates off of her.

  < ... Fifteen.> { Crazy how being three years older and having grown up at the Blood Demon Cult makes you more mature, huh?}

  'Could you stop? I would have been in the same state as her if I had sheltered, but instead, I am who I am. Why are you trying to pick a bone with me now?'

  { Screw off. Go ask Iulia, I don’t know!} She yells back before diving back into my unconsciousness.

  < Fifteen? That would do it. You are not the first person I see trying to make this sort of deal, thinking they are stronger and more important than everyone around. Do you know how many of them end up?> She shakes her head.

  < They end up dead because they annoyed the wrong person. Because they don’t really care about the consequences of their actions.> She swallows hard as her body stiffens up. Good, maybe she will come to understand. Hopefully.

  < T-then I just have to get stronger, right?> I shake my head, making her confused.

  < Three of the things I’ve come to understand is this world we live in: people are surprisingly durable. Spite and hatred are a potent source of motivation and luck exists to spite people. Get it in that head of yours, cruelty and suffering only sow more of themselves. I still don’t fully get it myself, but I am trying. So If I can stop you from committing assisted suicide, I will. Because you are a child, and also my cousin at that.>

  Iulia’s PoV

  The first rounds made for interesting fights. A bit dull without the ability to use Ki, but with this being a martial arts exhibit I can’t do anything but bear with it. Still impressive.

  Really gory though, but I guess that’s come with the territory of martial arts. ‘Sometimes, they don’t get up.’ That is what the chief physician told me earlier. Even in the best case, one wrong move and poof. You’re dead during a sparring match.

  I try to not dwell too long on that train of thought as I walk back to pick up Huan. All qualified fighters were invited to stay at a special pavilion by the town Lord. All costs were covered for the next few days until the final.

  As I get closer to the winner’s booth. I am surprised to find Fan Shu and Huan being on somewhat stable speaking terms. What happened?

  < Hey, didn’t expect the two of you to talk after your earlier altercation.> I say as I sit in Huan’s lap. To which she wraps her arms around me and pulls me in. I giggle as I let her do, seeing Fan Shu a bit annoyed.

  < That’s because I didn’t know she was that young. Plus she never really had someone to care for her and tell her off and why when she misbehaved.> My blunt warrior says as she rubs her chin between my ears. I can feel my tail wagging behind me as I snuggle closer.

  From the way Miss Cousin is reacting, I can say that she is quite jealous.

  < Sorry girly. I only like this feminine-shaped brick wall here. Plus, how old anyway? So hard to tell with your cultivators ?>

  < Fifteen.> Huan says.

  < Fifteen! Practically a baby! Just kidding, still. Try to be careful about what you say, will you? I’ve seen people be beaten for less. Not that beating people is a normal or reasonable thing to do in a regular context.>

  < Older cousin Huan told me already. And I am really sorry, I’ve said something really mean about you to my older cousin. That you were m-mentally deficient.> She looks down, shame filling her face. Damn, Huan did quite a number on her, didn’t she?

  < That’s fine, I don’t really care about what others say about me. I have better things to do anyway.> I say snuggling closer to Huan.

   She lifts her head, brightening up a bit.

  < Sure, shoot. What’s eating you up?>

  < How did you two meet?>