No Longer In This World

Within the Yotsuyu Clan, Kurusu Kunoichi was a samurai of considerable status.

This was not only because of Kurusu Kunoichi's superb swordsmanship, but also because he had been entrusted with protecting Yomogawa Ayame, serving as her personal bodyguard.

Thus, when Fang Li chose to challenge Kurusu Kunoichi in the Martial Contest, it was not only due to triggering a side quest but also because he intended to use Kurusu Kunoichi as a line to connect with Yomogawa Ayame.

After all, Fang Li's Main Mission Two was closely tied to Yomogawa Ayame, making contact with her absolutely necessary.

Now, Fang Li had finally met Yomogawa Ayame.

"Hello, Miss Ayame." Fang Li greeted Yomogawa Ayame politely.

However, in Kurusu Kunoichi's eyes, this greeting was far too casual.

"You bastard, how dare you greet so carelessly." Kurusu Kunoichi glared at Fang Li, speaking in a low voice. "Lady Ayame is the eldest daughter of the Yotsuyu Clan. It wouldn't be strange if she inherits the position of leader and becomes the ruler of Aragane Station someday. At the very least, add 'Lady' to her name."

In response to Kurusu Kunoichi's veiled threat, Fang Li rolled his eyes, too lazy to even acknowledge him, which made Kurusu Kunoichi feel the urge to draw his blade.

Instead, Yomogawa Ayame suddenly spoke as if struck by realization. "So you're the Wanderer who defeated Kunoichi?"

Kurusu Kunoichi, who had been about to lose his temper, suddenly looked as if he had swallowed a fly, his expression turning constipated.

Seeing this clearly, Fang Li felt a surge of amusement and deliberately replied with a smile, "Yes, I am the Wanderer who defeated Kunoichi."

Kurusu Kunoichi's heart immediately felt choked.

Originally, Kurusu Kunoichi's pride was higher than that of an average samurai, and his strict, serious personality made him place great importance on the dignity of a samurai. His every word and action were rigid, almost a model of bushido.

Yet, this samurai, proud of his status, had been defeated in public by a Wanderer with no martial arts training.

How unwilling Kurusu Kunoichi must have felt was easy to imagine.

Thus, Kurusu Kunoichi had been pestering Fang Li these past few days, trying to overturn his previous defeat.

Now, not only had the defeat not been overturned, but the very person he was most devoted to protecting had mercilessly struck at his sore spot, with the other party rubbing salt in the wound. How could Kurusu Kunoichi not feel miserable?

"...In terms of real strength, I would never lose to you." Kurusu Kunoichi stared intently at Fang Li, speaking through gritted teeth. "Don't get too cocky, Wanderer."

"I'm not being cocky, you know?" Fang Li spread his hands and said, "It's just that you refuse to accept it, so I'm giving you a little reminder, hoping you'll keep up the effort and work harder in the future."

With that, Fang Li even patted Kurusu Kunoichi on the shoulder with an 'I'm doing this for your own good' expression.

At that, Kurusu Kunoichi's expression truly became as constipated as one could get.

"Hehe..." Yomogawa Ayame couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

Little did she know, that laugh was a critical blow to Kurusu Kunoichi.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to mock Kunoichi." Yomogawa Ayame smiled softly, her gaze shifting to Fang Li. "I just find Mr. Fang Li very interesting."

"Interesting?" Fang Li was surprised, almost blurting out, "That was just everyday banter among a bunch of bad friends back when I was in school."

"School?" Kurusu Kunoichi was taken aback.

"School?" Yomogawa Ayame was even more astonished. "So, Mr. Fang Li has attended a Private School?"

Under the surprised gazes of Yomogawa Ayame and Kurusu Kunoichi, Fang Li realized he had misspoken.

In this era, attending school was no simple matter.

Most of the land outside had already been taken by the Kabane.

Each station could barely defend itself.

A Private School was a privilege only for those with status and position.

Fang Li recalled that in this era, Private Schools open to commoners were almost nonexistent nationwide, with only elementary institutions like the Terakoya remaining.

Thus, anyone who could attend school was generally someone of importance.

And by all logic, a Wanderer would never have had the chance to attend a Private School, right?

So, if Fang Li really had attended a Private School, it would likely invite suspicion.

Fang Li fell silent for a moment, then smiled at the two and said, "There's nothing to be surprised about. The place I used to live did have schools, but that place is no longer in this world."

Hearing this, Yomogawa Ayame and Kurusu Kunoichi both fell silent.

"I see." Yomogawa Ayame said with a hint of sympathy, "The station you lived in has fallen?"

"After the station fell, you managed to survive and fled here alone, didn't you?" Kurusu Kunoichi closed his eyes and said in a low voice, "No wonder you never learned martial arts but are much faster than ordinary people."

Clearly, Yomogawa Ayame and Kurusu Kunoichi assumed that Fang Li's former station had been overrun by the Kabane, that he had survived alone, struggled to live on land full of Kabane, and eventually fled to Aragane Station, where he was taken in.

This explained why Fang Li had attended school and, despite having no martial arts training, possessed decisiveness and speed far beyond the average person.

Of course, this was merely their own assumption.

Fang Li hadn't lied.

After all, the place where Fang Li used to live did have schools, and that place was indeed no longer in this world.

"B-but that's alright. Surviving is already a good thing." Yomogawa Ayame seemed to want to comfort Fang Li and said, "How about this, Mr. Fang Li? Come serve as a samurai in the Yotsuyu Clan."

"A samurai?" Fang Li's expression turned odd.

"Forgive my bluntness, Lady Ayame." Kurusu Kunoichi frowned and said directly, "This fellow has some skill, but he lacks a martial arts foundation. Becoming a samurai would be inappropriate."

"Inappropriate?" Yomogawa Ayame blinked, looking somewhat innocent. "But didn't Mr. Fang Li defeat Kunoichi? Isn't that enough?"

"I..." Kurusu Kunoichi's eye twitched violently, and he couldn't help but roar inwardly.

Why do you have to bring that up?!

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