A Small Accident

Li Ke recognized that emblem. Or rather, anyone who lived in Ionia would recognize it.

The seal of the Kinkou Order.

It was a sect that maintained the balance of the world, ruthless and powerful.

And necessary.

There was naturally a reason magic was so widespread in Ionia.

It was called the First Lands because humanity here was relatively sparse and had done comparatively little damage to nature. The soil here was indeed special as well, and its people had long learned to live in harmony with nature. As a result, the spirit realm—or rather, a dimension filled with magical power—overlapped with Ionia.

This brought enormous quantities of magical energy to Ionia and made almost everyone here a mage. But it also brought undesirable consequences: the mutation of plants and animals.

Magical materials and beasts with magic were commonplace in Ionia. Powerful magical beasts and other creatures from the spirit realm would naturally cross its fragile barriers and enter this world as well.

The most famous among them were the Yazakana, demons that grew by feeding on their hosts' negative emotions. With nothing more than a child's negative feelings, a previously weak Yazakana could become a powerful demon that required a formidable demon hunter to defeat. That was why everyone living on this land needed to maintain a "balanced" state of mind.

Because no matter what one felt, overly intense emotions could indeed attract demons.

Among the demon-hunting sects, the strongest and most trusted was naturally the Kinkou Order—the sect of Shen, Zed, Shi... the sect without Shi, as well as Akali, the Fist of Shadow, and Kennen, that electric rat.

Generally speaking, whenever they had to take action, it meant something serious had happened.

Quickly pulling out a clean cloth and wrapping up the beef and peanuts, Li Ke grabbed his sword and rushed toward the carriage that was about to depart, calling out to the masked Kinkou disciple.

"Wait! Wait! Are you heading to the next town? Could you give me a ride?"

Li Ke had no intention of waiting around for a week for nothing. This was not the future, where a carriage promised in a week would definitely arrive in a week. All kinds of accidents could happen.

So even though he knew this was muddy water, he still had to wade in.

"..."

The long-haired Kinkou disciple glanced at the driver. The driver considered it briefly, then nodded.

"It won't delay us much."

As the driver, he did not want Li Ke to wait in vain for so long either, so he spoke up on his behalf. The long-haired disciple looked at the emblem on Li Ke's belt, frowned slightly, and spoke.

"You're Elder Souma's disciple?"

Her crisp voice still carried a hint of childishness. Clearly, she was a young Kinkou disciple. Judging from her voice, she was probably only twelve or thirteen.

Li Ke was somewhat surprised. Disciples going out on missions at such a young age were quite rare, but if she was from the Kinkou Order, no one would question it.

"That's right. Elder Souma's disciple."

"You're Yasuo? The one and only person who mastered the Wind Technique?"

Li Ke frowned and blurted out, "Why are you insulting me?"

The long-haired disciple tilted her head in confusion and looked toward the driver. The driver gave an awkward laugh.

"Mr. Yasuo's reputation really is... well... yes."

Understanding dawned on her. The Kinkou disciple looked at the exquisite sword in Li Ke's hand and finally agreed.

"But you must ensure your own safety. A nature spirit on this road is about to turn foul. When I drive it away, I may not have a hand free to protect you."

So it was an exorcism?

Li Ke nodded to show that he understood, then followed the long-haired disciple and jumped onto the carriage.

Such things were not uncommon in Ionia. A nature spirit somewhere would often absorb enough negative emotions to become a demon, then settle nearby and inconvenience the people around it.

Li Ke had seen Elder Souma deal with such things, and he had seen other Kinkou disciples do the same. But this was the first time he had seen someone so young. It was not as though he had no way to resist himself. Blades could not harm incorporeal evil spirits, but once they materialized, they no longer possessed physical immunity.

Slaying demons was not solely the work of demon hunters. They were simply the professionals.

As the carriage swayed gently along, Li Ke kept examining the girl seated across from him.

Her body was slender yet powerful. The exposed skin of her waist and abdomen was lined with muscle, but not bulky; she had the physique of a trained athlete.

Interestingly, the rest of her was wrapped up tightly, while only her waist and abdomen were completely exposed.

Of course, Li Ke had no right to criticize her. The climate here was humid and stiflingly hot, so he usually left his shoulders and upper body bare. Otherwise, it was genuinely uncomfortable.

In terms of attire, the two of them were much the same.

But this outfit...

Li Ke looked at her weapons and found that they were not the sickle and kunai used by the female hero named Akali, but two kunai.

Clearly, the chances of this girl being Akali were slim. The Kinkou Order had more than just one female disciple, though it was rare for one so young to be sent out on missions.

The ride was indeed rather boring, and now the peanuts and beef he had brought aboard filled the carriage with their fragrance. Li Ke spoke awkwardly.

"What's your name? Going out on missions at such a young age—does the Kinkou Order lack manpower that badly?"

The female disciple froze for a moment. She looked at Li Ke with an odd expression, her gaze settling on the half-eaten flatbread still in his hand.

"Before worrying about me, you should finish the flatbread in your hand."

She was rather speechless. In her eyes, this young man was far too careless, just like those younger disciples. He did not seem...

very smart.

Huh?

Li Ke froze. He instinctively reached up to scratch his head, only to realize he was still holding the flatbread he had taken out earlier. Staring blankly at the bread bearing his teeth marks, then at the girl's amused gaze, he thought it over and took another bite.

He had already embarrassed himself, so there was no need to worry about it anymore. Besides, there might be a fight later. Eating something was not a bad thing.

The young girl in Li Ke's eyes could not help rolling her eyes. She finally understood why this young man felt so familiar.

Because he and... were both like wild boars, completely incapable of understanding embarrassment.