"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow."
Alice rubbed her head, frowning as she looked up at the sandbag spinning overhead.
The old training hall had been completely transformed. Plum-blossom stakes of every size and thickness stood everywhere, while sandbags hung from the ceiling, swinging back and forth to strike at random.
After Tian Dao left, and Liu Tian no longer needed a place like this to train, the hall became Alice's private training ground, where she could hone her dodging skills.
After all, she was already past the ideal age for training. And while Alice had considerably more martial talent than Liu Tian, when it came to adapting to martial arts, she only just met the minimum requirements.
Unless something unexpected happened—like her suddenly awakening an ability to manipulate electricity—she would probably spend her whole life hovering outside the entry level. At best, with enough money invested, she might get lucky and become a second-rate Martial Artist who couldn't beat even a beginner in training.
For that reason, Liu Tian had no intention of forcing Alice to practice martial arts. But since she wanted to join them in exploring ruins, she should at least learn how to run away, right?
With that in mind, Liu Tian had consulted the martial arts master Tian Dao and learned a Secret Martial Art designed specifically to train footwork and evasion: Shadow Seeking Dragon Step.
According to Tian Dao, Shadow Seeking Dragon Step was only a third-rate Secret Martial Art overall, but it was easy to learn and quick to master. It also excelled at dodging within a small area. If someone trained with it until they reached the Martial Artist level, they could easily evade up to three handguns or a single rifle.
Liu Tian had practiced it a little himself. Thanks to the control a Martial Artist had over his own body, he had mastered it in just ten days. Its effects on his effort panel were as follows:
Shadow Seeking Dragon Step: Level 1, Effect: Lightness (Level 1). Every three levels thereafter, Lightness increases by two levels. Can be upgraded, can be fused.
Since its effect was completely overshadowed by Heavenly Martial Killing Dao, learning Shadow Seeking Dragon Step had made no difference to Liu Tian. It had merely given him a few more tricks for dodging in close quarters.
Perhaps that was also why Tian Dao, despite being proficient in countless schools of martial arts, had taught Liu Tian nothing beyond Heavenly Martial Killing Dao.
With effects that included a stronger physique, lightness, and explosive killing moves, Heavenly Martial Killing Dao could replace the benefits of training in most internal and external martial arts.
Some special Secret Martial Arts might surpass Heavenly Martial Killing Dao in certain areas when trained to their limits, but none could hold a candle to its all-around improvement.
So before reaching his own limits, and before needing to broaden his skill set to improve his combat ability, Liu Tian had no reason to waste time learning things that were useless to him.
After all, in Tian Dao's eyes, Liu Tian's martial talent was nothing special—at best, he was an ordinary person. If Liu Tian hadn't happened to cross Tian Dao's path when the latter was heartbroken and ready to give up, Tian Dao would never have taken him on as a disciple.
Liu Tian had grown through diligence and instruction from a renowned master. If he had divided his attention among other martial arts before breaking through to the Fighting Master level, he might never have made that breakthrough at all.
If the foremost fighter in the world couldn't even get either of his only two personal disciples to the Fighting Master level, where would that leave Tian Dao's pride?
"You fell again?" Liu Tian looked around to make sure the training hall was undamaged before asking with concern, "I told you before—you've only just gotten the hang of the plum-blossom stakes. Focus on building a solid foundation. Don't rush to make things harder for yourself. You're not ready for that yet."
"Ehehe, I wanted to push myself and see what I'm capable of." Alice, dressed in training clothes, got to her feet and gently tapped her right fist against her head, acting coy. "Don't you always say I have infinite potential?"
Liu Tian was taken aback. He hadn't expected Alice to remember something he'd said offhandedly. He chuckled. "That's because I have potential. Do you?"
"Huh? I don't?"
"Even if you do, you can't bring it out when you haven't even mastered the basics." Liu Tian smiled. "Spend a year building your foundation, and take it one step at a time. You have plenty of time, and your talent is better than mine. There's no need to rush."
"You're lying." Perhaps because they had grown closer, Alice was no longer as reserved as before. She said whatever came to mind. "I asked Teacher Tian Dao. Reaching a level just one step short of Fighting Master at seventeen—even with his careful instruction—means you must have more talent than almost everyone else."
"My talent is only a little better than an ordinary person's. Your talent is much better than mine, Brother Tian."
"My talent isn't that great, either." Liu Tian shrugged. "I just work hard."
"Talent plus hard work is the secret to success, right?" Alice rolled her eyes prettily. ""
"?" As the two chatted, Liu Tian furrowed his brow. His keen senses picked up unfamiliar footsteps outside the door.
Flat-soled leather boots. The steps were steady yet hurried, belonging to an adult man.
"Knock, knock, knock, knock!" The visitor sounded anxious, but still knocked quite politely. He was clearly no enemy.
Even so, to avoid any danger, Liu Tian went to open the door himself. The visitor was clearly an old gentleman from the Hundred Flowers Kingdom. He wore a warm smile, a black tailcoat over a white shirt, and a neatly pressed, finely knotted tie. A carnation—the Gayn Family's flower—was pinned to his chest.
The visitor was clearly connected to the Gayn Family.
And indeed, he was—
"Butler Gimon!" Before the man could introduce himself, Alice had already happily called out his identity. She hurried over as well. "It's been so long! Are Mom, Dad, and my brothers back?"
"Good afternoon, Fourth Young Lady." The man addressed as Butler Gimon greeted her with a smile, then turned his gaze to Liu Tian. "You must be Young Master Liu Tian. Thank you for looking after our young lady these past few days—and for saving her life a second time."
"There's no need to be so formal." Since the man wasn't an enemy, and Liu Tian could easily tell he wasn't even as strong as one of his hands, he relaxed and stepped aside as he replied, "Miss Tia has already paid me for saving her. We don't owe each other anything."
"A few antiques' worth of viewing privileges are nothing compared to the Gayn Family's beloved daughter." Butler Gimon bowed in gratitude. "Earl Eddie had intended to come in person, but news that the Queen was gravely ill arrived suddenly, and he simply couldn't get away. If you're willing, Young Master Liu Tian, the Gayn Family will host a family dinner to thank you in person once things have settled down."
"There's no need. Perhaps another time." Liu Tian looked up at the sky, as if he could hear a ship docking in the distance. "By my calculations, my father should be back soon. We may have to return to our hometown."
"Alice, since your family has come to take you home, let's stop here for today." Liu Tian turned to her. "After this, I'll probably have to return to the Crimson Cloud Empire to visit my possible younger brother or sister. If the door isn't open tomorrow, it means I've already left."
"While I'm away, make sure you keep practicing. If things get difficult, just mention Master. I'm sure anyone would be willing to do him that small favor."
Liu Tian wasn't a fool. He had some idea why Tia had been so earnest lately, and why Allen kept looking for excuses to approach them. That was also why he was willing to make a promise here on Tian Dao's behalf—a promise that might prove useful.
Liu Tian wasn't fond of relying on an elder's reputation, nor did he like making promises for someone else. But when he didn't have the ability to help himself, he had no choice.
For that reason, he hadn't promised too much. Given how he felt about Alice and Tia, he might have made a more far-reaching promise, even without knowing the undercurrents in the Hundred Flowers Kingdom well.
But without knowing Tian Dao's stance, Liu Tian wouldn't overstep. This was as far as he could go.
"Then, goodbye." Butler Gimon's eyes lit up at those words, while Alice looked a little confused. But she had always been the type to stop thinking about things she couldn't figure out if they weren't bad, so she simply waved and said,
"Goodbye!" Liu Tian said softly. "Until we meet again."
Before you continue