Chương 105: Spiritwood Grove (III)

We actually stayed in the shade of the tree for three days total while Long Tao, essentially, beat the basics into them. I had to admit... he was kind of right. Not in the 'yes, let's beat kids until they act the way we want them to', but in that they did get much better. Even I could see it. There were fewer useless movements while they executed the martial arts, they didn't get as winded as quickly as they used to, they were far more patient, and they were very clear on their strengths and weaknesses.

I mean, none of it mattered--they still got their shit kicked in the exact same manner as three days ago, but it was clear that Long Tao was now putting in, like, 1. 3% effort as opposed to the 0. 7% that it used to be. Two interesting bits happened--in that two status windows popped up. One for fixing Xi Zhao's art--the one he learned from the sect, the one I already improved once. I did spend the 60 points (wasn't it cheaper?!) to fully fix it, and it turned into low-Sky tier art, actually.

I haven't taught him yet, but I will as soon as he stops wincing any time he moves more than two fingers. The other time it popped up was actually just a moment ago--Long Tao demonstrated a sword technique (one of his own, actually) for Xi Zhao as a means of showcasing what a 'distracted sword' can do. And, surprisingly, a window popped up. [--unknown Martial Art Analyzed] [...] [Do you wish to spend 100 Creation Points to view all 13 faults that could be remedied?] Now, 100 points was a lot.

I mean, it was a whole-ass-art. But... my curiosity got the best of me. I mean, I'd still be left with 200, and as long as I had some banked, it should be... fine. [Art Analyzed] [Name: Voidcleaver Blade, First Mantra] [Type: Weapon Art] [Rank:???] [???] [Flaws Found: 13] [Destructive Flaws: 1] [Critical Flaws: 0] [Major Flaws: 3] [Minor Flaws: 9] [...] [Minor Flaw 1: art requires imbuement of Void Qi for most optimal use] [Minor Flaw 2: swapping the sixth and seventh movements would be more optimal] [...] [Major Flaw 1: art was primarily created for severing the void and forging pathways through it; it has been altered and adjusted to be used as a killing art, but a lot of the original strength of the art has been lost in conversion, dropping its rank] Stolen novel; please report. [...] [Destructive Flaw: art was made for '?????' Humans can only draw up to 0. 5% of its total capability] [...] [Does the host wish to reconstruct the 'Voidcleaver Blade' martial art?] [Partial Reconstruction Cost: 1, 000, 000 (art evolves into '???')] [Complete Reconstruction (making it wholly useable by humans): 500, 000, 000 CP (art breaks just barely into '???' rank)] Yeah. I ain't reconstructing shit. Though, logically, the 100 points was a total waste, it... honestly wasn't. Just the fact that Long Tao knows something like this tells me I've been severely underestimating him. The question is... does he know that the art wasn't made for humans?

And, far more importantly, who was it made for? I decided to ask. Well, not ask ask, but more like... skirt around it. Dance like we do with oh-so-many things.

"I've never seen that art before," I said. The three kids were resting, eating, and nursing both bruised bones and egos, while Long Tao sat down to meditate against the tree.

"There are billions of arts neither one of us has seen before."

"Hm. Few as complex-seeming as that one."

"... oh?" He opened his eyes and looked at me, smiling.

"This might be interesting."

"What?"

"If you can guess what the art is, even broadly," he said.

"I'll grant you an answer to any question you have. An honest one. If you can't, you'll do the same for me. What say you?" Hey, did my gambling habits rub off on all of them?! But it's not a bad bet. The question is... will he admit to it?

"Fine," I said, deciding to go for the bombshell and live with however it implodes.

"Broadly?"

"Broadly."

"... I got the sense that the art... wasn't made for you."

"Hm?"

"No, not you, but more... not for humans."

"..." He fell silent, his gaze abruptly tearing through my soul, as though wanting to peek into the depths of my mind. Honestly... it chilled me more than that pillar that tore open the sky. It felt as though I was being looked at by something decidedly inhuman, and I immediately regretted it. Goddammit! Me and my damned mouth! It really will get me killed!

"The more I learn about you, Master," he said, his demeanor calming completely, lips curling into a smile as he chuckled.

"The less certain I get of my own instincts. You're right. The art wasn't made for humans. Rather, it wasn't made at all. An old sword that gained sentience developed it for its own use. My father merely glanced at it once and managed to mimic a small portion of it."

"One day, you'll have to let me meet that father of yours. Sounds like I'd be better off adventuring with him."

"One day," he chuckled yet again.

"Ask, then. What do you want to know?" What did I want to know? Oh, I don't know, about a billion things, to be honest. Like, how did you die? Who are you? How come I couldn't find any mention of 'Divine Blade', a supposed legendary figure from just ten thousand years ago, when I found records of some random snakes from 2 million years ago? Why did you reincarnate here and now? And many, many more. But at the moment... I didn't really care about any of them.

I knew that he didn't seem to mean me or the kids any harm. And as for who he was... I mean, aren't I holding just as big of a secret to my identity?

"Why are you suddenly helping them?" My question seemingly surprised him as his closed eyes jostled open once again, an incredulous, though rather brief, look adorning them.

"That... is your question?"

"That's my question."

"..." He paused for a moment before replying.

"Because we're not in a sect anymore."

"E-eh?"

"This isn't a sheltered form of training, where they get to spar within limits and where old people can interfere to stop them from dying. A singular mistake does mean death, not just having your ego bruised for losing a spar. I can't protect y--I can't protect myself and them at the same time," he was just about to say 'you', wasn't he?! Wow. I know he's actually an old monster, but being told that I needed protection by someone who looks like he's fifteen... sheesh. Talk about a bruised ego.

"I don't want us to fight frequently, not until they are much stronger."

"It doesn't matter," he said.

"You have a... peculiar group, Master. The likes of which the heavens love testing. Whether we reside in a sect or somewhere in some cave in a random mountain range, fights will come, one way or another. It's best you embrace them early and recognize that, once your stamina improves, you'll be joining us."

"Ah."

"You should rest," he said.

"I get a strange feeling tomorrow... it won't be as calm."... ah, goddammit.