Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 135: Master In Dreams

Guan wanted to respond with the dignity of a noble, but his words emerged tinged with rage, sorrow, fear, and pain. "You killed my attendant! You're no noble! Attacking an unarmored man? With a battle intent? Inside an inn?

You are a Qi master attacking a harmless Qi initiate."

The foreign noble leaned in, his expression unchanging. "You dare to question my honor? I am Li Xian, the most esteemed noble warrior in all the lands. The only law I acknowledge is the Way of the Warrior. Surrender now, or meet your end here."

Guan stared into that flawless visage, devoid of any emotion, and felt an urge to defy it. His father would have done so. But the will to survive overcame him.

"I yield," Guan uttered, despising himself for the words.

"These Eastern warriors are all talk," Li Xian scoffed. "We will reign supreme."

With that, he entered the inn. A few of his warriors dismounted and followed him inside, leaving Guan alone in the courtyard next to his second attendant's lifeless body. The young attendant was gone, and Guan couldn't shake the thought: I am responsible.

But the ordeal wasn't over. Zhi, ever the courageous one, Guan's first attendant, met his end in the doorway of their corner room.

One of the foreign warriors tossed Guan's belongings out of the window, laughing as they did so.

Guan knelt beside his attendant's body on the stone floor. After what felt like an eternity, the innkeeper approached him as the bells signaled the time for evening meditation.

"I've informed the local magistrate and the village chief," the innkeeper said, his voice tinged with regret. "I am truly sorry, Master Guan."

Guan found himself at a loss for words.

I caused the death of my attendants who served me so diligently. How am I so useless? I have been bested and have surrendered. I should have chosen death.

Why had he yielded? In that moment, he felt that death would have been a more honorable choice. Even the innkeeper looked upon him with pity.

Li Zhuang, cousin to the silver-haired warrior who called himself Li Xian, was meticulously cleaning his sword, scrutinizing the tip where he had relentlessly struck the attendant named Zhi, breaking his defense until he was defeated and lifeless. His blade had suffered some wear and would require the skills of a Qi smith to restore its sharpness.

Li Xian sipped tea from a jade cup as his attendants removed his Qi armor.

"You were injured by the man in the courtyard," Li Zhuang said, pausing his cleaning. "Don't deny it. He left a mark."

Li Xian dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "He was flailing aimlessly. It's insignificant."

"He breached your defense," Li Zhuang observed. "These people from the Eastern Kingdoms are not as weak as we thought. Perhaps we will encounter worthy opponents." He glanced at his cousin. "He struck you with force," he noted, as Li Xian massaged his wrist for the third time in a short span.

"Nonsense! They lack true arts and skills," Li Xian retorted, taking another sip of his tea. "They only know how to battle the wilderness and its beasts. They've forgotten the art of fighting men. I will change that. I will make them stronger, more formidable warriors." He nodded to himself, affirming his own thoughts.

"Did the master in your dreams reveal this to you?" Li Zhuang inquired, genuinely intrigued. His cousin's communion with this mysterious master in his dreams had brought prosperity to their entire clan, but it remained a subject that puzzled him.

"I am merely a vessel for the Heavens. My master guides me to the right path," Li Xian declared, devoid of any irony.

Li Zhuang sighed, hoping to see a glimmer of humor in his esteemed cousin but finding none. "You proclaimed yourself the greatest warrior in the realm," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.

Li Xian shrugged as Zhen Wei, his senior attendant, began to unfasten the Qi armor covering the wound on his wrist.

"I am going to be the greatest warrior in all realms," Li Xian declared. "The Heavens chose me because I am the foremost warrior in the empire. I have triumphed in a war, engaged in twelve duels without sustaining a scratch, and vanquished foes in every arena I've entered."

Li Zhuang rolled his eyes. "Fine, you're the most formidable warrior in existence. Now, why have we ventured to the Eastern Kingdoms, other than to intimidate the locals?"

Li Xian sipped his tea. "My master says a fate vortex has opened up in these lands, and this is where I will gain my dukedom. I intend to win and become the duke. Essentially, with the support of the title of Duke, I should be able to enter the imperial sect."

"Has your master confirmed this?" Li Zhuang inquired.

"Do you doubt my guide?" Li Xian's eyes narrowed.

Li Zhuang stood and sheathed his sword. "I simply choose not to accept everything at face value—whether it comes from you or anyone else."

Li Xian's eyes glinted dangerously. "Are you implying that I'm dishonest?"

Li Zhuang offered a wry smile. "If we keep this up, we'll end up dueling. And while you may be unparalleled in combat, I've given you a fair share of bruises."

Their eyes locked, and Li Zhuang met Li Xian's intense gaze without flinching. Years of familiarity granted him this courage.

Li Xian sighed. "Couldn't you have asked this before we embarked on this journey?"

Li Zhuang chuckled. "When you say 'fight,' I fight. You command: 'Gather your warriors; we shall conquer the Eastern Kingdoms to make you Duke.' I respond: 'Excellent, we'll all become wealthy and influential.'"

"Exactly!" Li Xian grinned.

"But when you claim that a master visits you in dreams and says you are heaven's chosen, and this master is providing you with explicit strategic and political counsel—" Li Zhuang shrugged.

"We're meeting with Lord Qian tomorrow. We will be using him" For the first time, Li Xian seemed uncertain.

Li Zhuang seized the opportunity. "What does your master in your dreams want?"