"How terrifying."
The boy codenamed Feng spoke in wonder.
The powerful people he usually saw in the kingdom were different. They were so elusive he rarely caught a glimpse of them, and even when he did, they never seemed particularly strong.
With that thought, Feng glanced at his teacher beside him and at Old Guo, who looked frail and smiled through narrowed eyes.
The monsters out at sea were nothing like them. Even without making a move, they radiated a palpable aura that sent shivers down his spine.
Until now, the most terrifying presence he had felt belonged to His Highness.
"They're formidable in every way, without a single weakness," his teacher said gravely, his gaze settling on Roger and Golden Lion Shiki.
He had realized as much from that brief observation.
Pure mastery of Swordsmanship alone was nowhere near enough to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.
He sighed softly. "It seems I'll disappoint the King."
"You're still young, Gai Nie."
Old Guo took it in stride. They had come to take part in the Swordsmanship Tournament; winning the title of World's Greatest Swordsman was not an absolute requirement.
Gai Nie had become a Great Swordsman at just twenty, the kingdom's foremost swordsman at twenty-four, and was only twenty-eight now.
His strength would have been more than enough in the Great Xia Kingdom. But if he meant to make his way across the seas with the title of World's Greatest Swordsman in his sights, it was not enough.
It was not too late for him to realize that. He had stood at the top for too long; feeling pressure again after so many years would do him good.
"Still, this is the new generation at sea. If only I'd come out sooner." Old Guo sounded regretful. He could see just