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38.81% Learning To Live As A Cultivator / Chapter 125: Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Five - I admit defeat

Chapter 125: Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Five - I admit defeat

The martial artist frowned as these words entered his ears.  "What is this you say?" Wasn't this just satisfying a curiosity?  He could move on from this now and not let his imagination distract his daily rituals.  Although, looking upon that flushed face with wide, watery eyes, all framed by a halo of black and white, he found that his throat was terribly dry and his 'curiosity' stirring once more.

"D-do you l-like m-me?" These words tailed off into a murmur, a whisper of hope and a touch of discomfort in them.

"This was a show of gratitude from this Lord," Jin Li replied, tartly.  "No need to make such a deal over it."  Without his glasses to shield his eyes, the hurt flashing within them was clear to see and Jin Li felt an ache within his chest.  But before he could examine this strange feeling, he felt Leon begin to push him away.  Of course, the alchemist's weak limbs could do nothing to move him, should he not allow it, however, he had achieved his aims... hadn't he?

Leon rolled off of the bed, grabbing his glasses as he went and began to gather up the tea cups and place them by the bowl of water he used to clean dishes.  "D-don't d-d-do that again," he said, his back still facing the other, causing an irritation to rise in that man as he watched Leon.

"You dare make demands of this Lord?" Jin Li said, his voice low with anger. 

"Wouldn't d-dare," Leon replied, but there was no submissive tone to his voice.  It was simply resigned.  "B-b-but k-k-kisses should b-be reserved f-for lovers a-and m-m-married p-people.  If you t-t-truly w-want t-t-to Thank m-m-me, w-words are s-s-suff... enough."  Jin Li clicked his tongue but said nothing in response.  This insubordinate boy was not worthy of his kisses anyway.  But it seemed Leon was not quite finished speaking back to him.  "I th-think that after S-Sun h-h-has finished h-his b-b-bath, you should g-go b-back."

"I will not!" Jin Li took to his feet and yanked Leon's arm in anger to turn him around, causing the other to cry out in pain and surprise.  "This Lord has honoured you with my protection and care and even allowed you to serve this Lord and you wish to discard all of this? Over a kiss? It was not that good of one either!" Jin Li sneered and that ache returned in his chest as he witnessed the boy's face fall completely. 

"Hate you," Leon murmured, before slipping from his hold.  He knew how the other was, the other was like a storm after all; descending suddenly, striking out with his words and actions, sometimes offering shelter at his heart, but otherwise blustering and cold.  But did lightning not cause agony when it struck?  Did the rain not pour water from the heavens to drown indiscriminately when it heavily fell?  Leon felt weary and cold.  "J-just d-do as you want.  You always d-d-do anyhow." 

*****

In the meantime, Sun was returning with a barrel of water obtained from the cold, clear depths of the lake.  It was peaceful there, had been disturbed only by the boy's grumbling, but even he could not deny that the tranquility setting would be a wonderful place to sit in meditation and cultivate.  He had vaguely wondered if there were a secret depths to the lake, like a hidden treasure trove, or a spirit crystal, but dismissed his imaginings.  If it really was a spiritual place, there would be a guardian beast by now and all he'd seen is fish and dragonflies.  It was just a lake.

As he carried the barrel, which was about three quarters his height and weighed, now filled with water, much more than him, he noticed that there was a girl hovering outside Leon's hut. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her brown curls had spilled slightly from her jade pin's, teasing her pale neck. Sun immediately reddened as he recalled this person. He was pretty certain that when they met last, he was preparing for a bath then as well!

"Stupid man," she was muttering beneath her breath. "How could you be so mean to your shou!" Sun frowned at the unknown word and called out;

"What are you doing?"

Maimai jumped with surprise, not expecting there to be another person! Ah! It was the rival shou! She threw the other a wide smile, causing the youth's face to redden more. She quickly ran to his side and whispered conspiringly; "I came to visit senior Leon, but there was an argument and it was a too awkward to appear!" And things had been going so well, she'd even born witness to a most interesting development and had to retreat to prevent the bleed threatening her small nose. But that hot and cold gong, such a difficult mountain for any little shou to conquer!

"An argument?" Why would Jin Li bother fighting with his servant? And for that matter, what servant dared defy his Master? But then, Jin Li had never really treated Leon like a servant, just used to speak of him as such... and he hadn't done that in a while either...

Maimai nodded, a soft sigh escaping from her lips, just as her best friend walked unhappily out of his home. He paused, startled as he noticed both Sun and Maimai in his garden. Feeling his drooping figure was pitiful, she said aloud; "I came to see if there were any sugar biscuits left!"

"N-n-no," Leon admitted, turning his mind aside from just who had eaten them all! "B-B-but we c-could ask at the F-Food Hall."

A scowling Jin Li appeared behind him at that moment, his face as thunderous as the storm Leon had compared him to. He looked at Sun still carrying the barrel filled with water. "We are going back first," he commanded, coldly. Sun shared a glance with Maimai before noticing Leon's defeated appearance. That must have been one hell of an argument, Sun thought to himself.

"Eh!" Sun then complained suddenly. "But what about my bath...?"


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ebonsolaris Ebonsolaris

This chapter was difficult for me, not sure if I am happy with it at all! Also, fixed some mistakes in the last chapter that I forgot to deal with before posting it in a mad rush! Sorry that this chapter is late as well.

Chapter 126: Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Six - Jin Li is not winning either

The jarring sound of metal clashing upon metal echoed throughout the outer school arena, but this first ringing noise was followed in quick succession by the same again and again. The two swords crossed paths again, but there was an angry pause, before the wielders of both pushed back with force, sliding across the stone floor, before retaking their stances. Both of the wielders were strong, both were skilled, but one was emersed in a silent fury that was impairing his judgement. He was quickly suppressed by the other.

"Enough!" Bowyer declared, feeling dissatisfaction from this fight. "Jin Li, What is wrong with you? Your mind is not in this arena."

Jin Li refused to meet his gaze, turning his face to the side as he denied Bowyer's observation. "It's nothing."

The man sighed. He'd been looking forward to this spar with the youth; it was always a challenge to meet with Jin Li's unusual moves and in there lie a certain thrill that he couldn't experience elsewhere in this school. His Teacher had taught him too well! Only the higher cultivation of his seniors could now suppress him, their techniques were generally worse than his own. Jin Li's cultivation was only a half step lower than his own, thus they were well matched.

"Clearly it's not nothing," Bowyer argued, seeing to his blade before sheathing it. Still, Jin Li was unwilling to admit to the problem.  His black Phoenix eyes seemed to darken and become as icy as the frozen wastelands of the north in winter.

Within the stands, Sun and Pike could clearly hear their conversation, now their blades ceased meeting one another in battle. And on hearing Bowyer's words, the older man turned to the youth beside him and queried; "Why is Jin Li in such a sour mood?"

"Ah," Sun said, not bothering to censure his words; he'd had to waste points on a cultivation bath, when he could have had a perfectly good one at Leon's place yesterday, had it not been for Jin Li. "He and Leon had an argument."

"Really? What about?" Pike asked as Bowyer walked over. Jin Li followed, his usual arrogant posture masking only a little of the cold, dark aura spilling out of him. Sun looked wary as Jin Li glared his way, but as it happened, he had no idea what the pair had argued about and could only shrug. "I can't imagine it, Leon in an argument."

"There was no argument," Jin Li denied. "My al... he rejected this Lord's good intentions. Seeing as this is what he has chosen, this Lord refuses to bother with him anymore!"

The two men glanced at each other and quickly read between the lines. They had spent a fair bit of time with both Leon and Jin Li over the past lunar months and had witnessed the possessive streak in the youth before them and his usually hidden tender side, both were brought out by the small alchemist. And how could they have not noticed how Leon would let Jin Li's harsh words and selfish actions brush over him like petals floating on the wind, yet the boy would worry about the martial artist, even after expressing his confidence in him.  Clearly whatever was between them was not simple friendship.  But one was a naive, shy boy and the other a difficult, somewhat oblivious youth, not an easy pair to overcome hurdles and speak of feelings.

Both men sighed and Pike patted Jin Li's shoulder unsure whether to offer advice or not.  After all, they were single men as well.

"Hey! Hey, Jin Li!" Turning around, the group saw a first year running towards them, across the arena. The slightly rotund youth was flushed of cheek, but not perspiring and he wasn't out of breath. He paused for a moment and the colour in his face began to deepen as he said; "There's this girl looking for you."

"Not interested," Jin Li said instantly, while Sun sighed. This was not the first time a female had expressed her interest in his roommate and Sun had to avoid the more persistent ones as they chased him in order to get to their target! Lottie was half a foot taller than him and twice his stature, it was frightening to be hunted by that one!

"She said she had a gift for you," the first year continued as if Jin Li had not spoken, his eyes clearly a little dazed. "Some pills."

Just as he spoke these words, said girl stepped out of the shadows into the arena, her shoulders squared back and her demeanour both confident and self assured, though her eyes fell downcast after meeting with Jin Li's. She wore silk robes of pale jade with emerald and purple peonies embroidered upon them.

The first year blushed more brightly as he stared at her for a moment before babbling on; "She said that she's part of the alchemist's inner school now, so her pills should be much more to your liking than before."

The youth sneered slightly and turned glance at Sun. "That girl, do I know of her?"

"Ah, she's the girl Merylin!" Sun recalled, the girl had left an impression on him, but it wasn't a favourable one. "She's offered you her pills before. Apparently they were quite good. But you turned her down then as well."

"I did? When was that?"

"Back when Leon lost his glasses and you were helping him."

"That small alchemist offered no gratitude then either. Bah! This Lord is right to wash ones hands of him."

The first year opened his mouth to remind them of the waiting girl, but shut it again in the wake of Jin Li's increasingly dark appearance. Pike and Bowyer glanced at each other once more and sighed inwardly. Definitely oblivious.


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