An Affair (Part 2)

Chapter 24

Kaihime looked at the old fellow before her, whose mouth was full of nonsense, and truly could not understand. This is my future superior? This is a noble Great Xia warrior?

"Who dares to engage in a private fight within the camp?" A sharp shout came from behind the tents. A red-faced man entered Kaihime's field of vision. His left arm was missing, making him a cripple, yet Kaihime sensed intense danger from him. Every hair on her body stood on end.

"It was this little bitch. I kindly asked whether she was one of the young lord's people, but she drew her blade on me instead. She's really turned the heavens upside down." Old Li clutched at his parent's sleeve like a child bullied outside, tattling away.

Xu Liyan looked helplessly at Old Li. At such an advanced age, the man was still so timid. His martial skills were not low, but he feared trouble. If they had not been old brothers for decades, Xu Liyan truly would not have wanted to bother with him.

"Young lady, what are you doing here? Do you not know that private fights are forbidden in camp?"

"Reporting to my superior, I was sent by His Highness the Heir Apparent to learn the art of treating injuries. I have long admired Great Xia martial arts, so I wished to exchange pointers with this officer. I did not understand the rules. I beg my superior's forgiveness." Seeing that the red-faced man did not attack immediately and instead questioned her, Kaihime took the opportunity to sheathe her weapon and answered with a proper salute.

"I am also quite interested in Fusang Swordsmanship. Since fortune has granted us this chance today, how can I fail to see it for myself?" Xu Liyan could tell from Kaihime's expression that she submitted in words but not in heart. If he did not make her concede wholeheartedly, there was no telling what trouble might arise later.

Xu Liyan drew the saber at his waist and assumed a stance that looked exceedingly casual. Yet after drawing her sword and circling half a turn around him, Kaihime found herself unable to strike. A sharp, fierce aura naturally radiated from Xu Liyan, making even her fighting spirit tremble faintly. She was both nervous and excited. She already understood that she had encountered a true master today.

The two faced off for a moment, neither making a move. They were like two wary beasts suddenly meeting in the wilderness; before either was certain, neither would lightly bare its fangs.

In the end, Kaihime could not hold herself back. She raised her blade and slashed diagonally, a gleaming flash of steel arriving before Xu Liyan's face in an instant. Xu Liyan remained in that casual stance, dragging his saber upward in a sweeping slash. Clang! With a thunderous crash, both retreated a step.

Kaihime did not hesitate again and darted forward once more. Her wrist was faintly numb. The force transmitted through the other man's blade in that last exchange had been extraordinarily great. More importantly, it carried a heavy, resilient strength. She already knew that Xu Liyan was no ordinary soldier, but a cultivator—the strongest opponent she had ever faced. Yet the saber art she cultivated emphasized an unstoppable momentum. Since she had begun fighting, no matter how powerful her opponent, there was only one road before her: charge ahead unto death.

The ringing clashes of weapons sounded without pause. More and more soldiers were drawn over, most of them elderly men past their prime. They surrounded the pair, pointing and gesturing as they offered comments and critiques. Only a small number lavishly praised the martial skill of both sides; most eyes, however, had fallen upon Kaihime's long, slender legs.

"Who is this girl? That outfit should be Fusang armor, right?"

"This is that female Fusang leader who's having an affair with the Heir Apparent. Didn't expect her to actually have some skill."

"Why is she so tall? She's even much taller than those Fusang men. The Heir Apparent's taste isn't bad at all. Look at those long legs—they've got some kick." The people around them erupted in a lewd burst of laughter, clearly in wholehearted agreement.

Unable to break through Xu Liyan's defense after attacking for so long, Kaihime's arms were beginning to ache from the recoil of his strikes. Hearing these shameless old men babbling beside her made her burn with humiliation and indignation. She had shown exceptional talent on the path of martial arts from an early age. Years of bitter cultivation had tempered her will until it was as firm as refined steel, but now a crack seemed to have appeared in that steadfast martial heart.

In Fusang, every master who had taught her martial arts had eventually been defeated by her hand. Yet because she was a woman, no matter how great her talent, she could not obtain a cultivation method. Even Fusang's cultivation methods could only reach the Mysterious Realm; they were rotten, half-finished goods. She had come to Great Xia not only to find a good home for the women under her command, but also to win military merit at the risk of her life and beg her lord's household to grant her a copy of the Breaker Manual. Yet now, facing a one-armed cripple, she actually felt unable to resist.

Kaihime lost focus for only an instant before she felt her hand grow light. Her katana had already been knocked several yards away. Bitterness filled her heart, and she stood there in a daze. Thinking of her wishful fantasy, two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Girl, why are you crying? You can't take it already? I've been beaten by Old Xu more times than I can count, and I've never cried once. Do you know what he used to do?"

That annoying Old Liu again. It was because of him that I rashly challenged Xu Liyan. Now I can neither advance nor retreat, all thanks to him. Kaihime glared furiously at the gloating drunkard, fire blazing in her eyes. Her surging rage washed away the ashes in her heart.

"Girl, why are you looking at me like that? I'm the commanding officer of the wounded soldiers' camp, your superior. Let me tell you, Old Xu used to be the old prince's personal guard. He's a Mysterious Realm expert! Losing to him is only natural!"

Roar! Laughter burst out all around them. Kaihime's appearance after her weapon had been sent flying had greatly amused this group of old men. It was exactly like their own sons and nephews believing their wings had grown strong enough to fly, only to get soundly thrashed afterward and stand there as though their souls had been knocked out of them.

"A Mysterious Realm cultivator?" A monstrous storm surged through Kaihime's heart. She knew exactly what status a Mysterious Realm cultivator held. In Fusang, a Mysterious Realm cultivator was a king-like existence. Even Fusang's strongest, Miyamoto Musashi, was only at Xuan Rank cultivation. Only the dwarven leader hailed as a member of the Thunder God Clan was an Earth Rank expert.

"Kaihime thanks Elder for your guidance. I have benefited greatly. I hope Elder will not hesitate to offer further instruction in the future. I beg you!" Kaihime gave Xu Liyan a deep formal bow. The tiny trace of dejection she had felt had long since flown who knew where. This was a Xuan Rank expert! She had fought him for so long; she had every reason to be proud!

"Guidance? That is not impossible. But you must make clear what relationship you have with His Highness the Heir Apparent." Xu Liyan found this tenacious Fusang girl more pleasing to the eye the longer he looked at her.

"Well... At the time, Steward Lin was unwilling to take us in, but His Highness the Heir Apparent took the initiative to keep us." Kaihime's thoughts raced, and she played a little trick, making it clear that her relationship with Qin Mo was indeed unusual. For that hazy, illusory chance at cultivation, she no longer resisted the "special relationship" between herself and Qin Mo.

"I knew it! Why would His Highness the Heir Apparent take women into the army for no reason? She's a maid traveling with the army!" Old Liu's irritating voice entered Kaihime's ears. Her ears turned red, but now there was only embarrassment in her heart, no anger.

"Since you have come to the wounded soldiers' camp, you must fulfill your duty. First learn the skills of treating injuries properly, then speak of other matters." Xu Liyan's face remained as calm as ever. After saying a few words, he turned and left, while Kaihime stood straight and saluted him out.

"Girl, don't glare at me either. Could you have met Old Xu without me? Old Xu has neither sons nor daughters. If you win his favor, all that skill of his will be treasure beyond price!" Old Liu felt somewhat intimidated as he looked at Kaihime. The girl was quite beautiful, but her temper was fierce as well, and she had an unclear relationship with the young lord. He had to straighten things out with her, lest she bear a grudge against him later.

"This subordinate thanks General Liu. This subordinate was greatly offensive just now. I beg my superior to punish me!" Kaihime's attitude became incomparably proper as she bowed deeply to the ground.

Hearing Kaihime address him as "General Liu," Old Liu's drunkenness rose again. He threw back his head and laughed. "Girl, I'm not boasting—who in Prince Heng's Residence doesn't know I'm a lucky general? Come on, I'll take you to see the unique skills of our wounded soldiers' camp!"

Then, in the open space behind the tents, Kaihime saw a huge fat pig wrapped from head to toe in gauze and bandages, bouncing about full of life.