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36.53% SWORDCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Nameless Nobody / Chapter 19: The Sword Saint [Pt 2]

章 19: The Sword Saint [Pt 2]

Liu's muscles pulsated as he watched the woman's gentle expression transform into a slight glare. He felt a pang in his heart and almost regretted saying anything. But how could he have kept silent? This was undoubtedly a beauty standing before him.

"How could you tell?" Her calm voice tickled his ears, lacking any hint of malice. Nevertheless, Liu still felt uneasy. It seemed he wasn't being given much of a choice in the matter.

As the answer to her question was so obvious, lying or staying silent would have been even sillier. "You... look like a woman," he said, gesturing towards her cute, round face, porcelain skin, and accentuated curves. It was plain for anyone to see.

"Ah, I see. You are indeed quite peculiar." As abruptly as the glare had appeared, it vanished without leaving a trace. In its place, a natural smile bloomed on her lips, causing Liu's heart to skip a beat.

Still, Liu remained confused. Wasn't she a woman? What was so peculiar about his response? Now that he thought about it, he recalled Yisheng and Cu Ren addressing the Sect Leader as a male. What was going on?

"I am indeed a woman. However, no one here knows this. Using advanced Spirit Arts, I have disguised myself as a man for centuries. Sometimes I forget which one I am." She gave a soft smile. "You're the first to figure it out."

Liu stared blankly at her, not knowing what to make of everything she had just revealed.

'Centuries? She doesn't look any older than twenty-five!'

Not only that, but she mentioned Spirit Arts. According to what he knew about this world, Spirit Arts belonged to the North Continent, while Martial Arts were more prevalent in the East.

'Are we in the North?' He thought to himself.

In any case, the woman before him didn't seem to be lying. Plus, it really did seem like everyone accorded her the respect of someone worthy of her title. She really was the Sword Saint.

'This Sect… no wonder it feels weird. Is this what Spirit Art is about?'

From the little he heard from stories and murmurs around, he had deciphered a little about how this world operated.

The strong stood tall, while the weak were trampled upon. However, what made these people strong? It wasn't advancement in technology or science.

No… it was Arts.

Arts were special techniques that seemed almost Magical and highly improbable, but Liu knew better than to doubt their existence. He had seen many strange things in his old life, and his Reincarnation was yet another proof that the supernatural existed.

Arts were divided into three.

Martial Arts for Warriors.

Spirit Arts for Spiritualists/Shamans

Beast Arts for Tamers.

These three had various uses and functions, and they were also prevalent in distinct parts of the world. He didn't think he could completely count on words of people, but they knew how this world operated better than he did.

He didn't have a reason to completely doubt them.

"You seem to have a lot on your mind. Questions, I presume." The Sword Saint snapped Liu from his inner thoughts, causing him to finally pay attention to her.

Liu couldn't believe his eyes. Her face was so close to his, he could feel her breath on his skin. He was completely caught off guard and his head jerked backwards, leaving him in a flustered mess.

"Uwahh!" he exclaimed, his cheeks ablaze with pink. His eyes were wide with shock and his heart was beating a mile a minute. He couldn't believe he had let himself get so distracted.

"Damn it! How could I have zoned out like that?" Liu thought to himself. He was beyond embarrassed.

The Sword Saint noticed Liu's discomfort and let out a light chuckle. "Ufufu... I didn't mean to fluster you. My apologies." Despite her apology, Liu felt like he was in an awkward position.

But he knew that she was the woman who had saved his life, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her power and ability. He knew that he needed to make a good impression and get on her good side.

So, he decided to take her up on her offer to answer any questions he might have. "Um... how old are you? How come you look so young?" he blurted out without realizing it.

The Sword Saint smiled. "Well, it's not polite to ask a lady her age, you know," she said teasingly. "But I'll let you in on a little secret - I'm pretty young compared to other Practitioners of my level."

Liu nodded, remembering the myths and tales he had heard about Practitioners. It was said that they could live for hundreds of years and achieve true immortality after attaining a height of Enlightenment.

The idea seemed absurd, but what if it were true? The mere thought of speaking with someone so powerful made his body stiffen.

The Sword Saint noticed his discomfort and flashed a sweet smile, assuring him that there was nothing to fear. Her words were soothing, yet he couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered within him. If it weren't for the rumors he'd heard about her, he wouldn't have thought she was capable of harming anyone.

He mustered up the courage to voice his doubts. "That's not what I've heard about Sects," he said, staring at her warily. "This is a Sect, isn't it?"

There was a moment of silence as the two sat opposite each other, eyes locked in a tense stare. The Sword Saint broke the quiet, confirming his suspicion. "You're right. This is indeed a Sect. However, you are confusing the practices of the perverse Sects with the true aim that every Sect should strive for."

He listened carefully as she explained the purpose of a Sect, her words pure and genuine. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "A Sect exists for the purpose of its members. The children within it shouldn't be groomed for the sake of the Sect. Rather, the Sect should be groomed for the sake of the children."

Her words struck a chord within him. He was taken aback by her sincerity and honesty. "That is the purpose of this Sect, Liu. It is to help you." She spoke his name, and he felt a chill run down his spine. How did she know his name?

His heart raced as he stepped back, putting some distance between him and the Sword Saint. She looked so harmless and beautiful, but he could sense that something was off. "You...how do you know my name?" he stammered, his body quivering with fear.

*

*

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[A/N]

The mystery continues to unfold.

Is the Sword Saint good? Is she evil? What will emerge from this encounter?

Please keep supporting me to see more.


章 20: Sweet Lullaby

Liu's palms were slick with sweat as he gazed at the woman before him. Though she didn't seem menacing, a growing suspicion gnawed at him. How did she know his name? Her friendly tone sent chills down his spine.

"Calm yourself, Liu." The Sword Saint's words were soft, nearly soothing his tense muscles. Yet, Liu struggled to regain control. His body trembled, and indecision consumed him. He wanted to trust her, but survival instincts warned him not to.

As Liu's nerves reached a fever pitch, he narrowed his eyes and backed away slowly. The Sword Saint watched him with a knowing gaze.

"You are suspicious of everyone and everything, aren't you? Given the life you've led, it's not surprising." Her words struck a chord with Liu. He realized the implications of her statement, and the anxiety in his chest deepened.

"Your perception of reality is both a blessing and a curse. It can help you survive, but it can also hold you back." The Sword Saint rose gracefully to her feet, and moved closer to the petrified boy.

Liu's feet refused to budge, as though an invisible force held him in place. The closer she came, the faster his heart raced. Until finally...

"Liu, will you listen to me?" The Sword Saint stood mere inches away from him, her lovely scent of plums enveloping him. Liu's tension ebbed away, and a strange sense of calm washed over him. His thoughts became clearer, and his heart rate slowed.

As their eyes met, Liu felt his soul resonate with hers. Something inexplicable had happened between them.

"How do you know my name?" Liu asked, his apprehension and suspicion melting away. In this moment, it was just him and the Sword Saint.

She smiled slowly, nodding gently. Her delicate pink lips parted, and words spilled out. "When I healed you before, I resonated my Soul with yours. As a result, I was able to glimpse your memories."

It sounded fantastical, but Liu felt it was true. He felt a strange connection to her. "Our Souls still resonate. It's a bond we share. I had to do it to save your life… I apologize for the consequences."

Liu's heart beat faster, but not with fear. Something about her presence was calming, almost transcendent. He had never felt such peace before, and he couldn't explain why.

"The Sword Saint must have used her Spirit Arts to save you from certain death," he thought. "This Astral Form of hers must have limited her, yet she still rescued me. How amazing was that?"

"You saw my memories. Then, you know?" Liu's voice trembled as he gazed into her deep azure eyes.

"Yes. You come from another world, Liu. You've suffered a great deal there and here. I am truly sorry. Your poor soul." The Sword Saint's voice was soft, but Liu could feel the weight of her empathy.

Pity was the last thing he desired. He had never solicited anyone's concern, nor did he care for their sympathy. Liu knew that well. Yet, in this moment, he couldn't help it.

"A-ah...?" He was surprised by the tears streaming down his face. He tried to stop them, but they flowed in abundance. Liu couldn't contain the bitter flow, so he stood powerlessly, watching his pathetic display of sadness.

His heart ached, and he clutched at it deeply, paralyzed by the pain. Why was he feeling such a rush of emotions now? Why was he being so worthless? Why? The more he tried to struggle and halt the flow, the stronger the current became.

"It's fine, Liu. It's alright now. You don't have to keep fighting it." A gentle hug from the Sword Saint stopped him in his tracks.

Kneeling before him, she buried his wet, snot-filled face in her pure white robe. As his filthy face soiled her shoulder, Liu felt his body quake. He smelled more of the plums, but more importantly, he felt his heart melt.

His lips trembled incessantly, and his vision blurred thanks to the tears. His little legs gave up strength, and before he knew it, he had surrendered completely—just as the Saint told him to.

"You can let it all out, Liu."

Hearing his name, the beautiful name his mother had given him, made Liu remember the face of his goddess. The woman who had raised him for five whole years...he saw her in his thoughts.

She was smiling at him.

"M-mom..." He croaked, tears streaming down his face. "Mom, is that you?"

He was enveloped in the embrace of the Sword Saint, but the sensation was akin to his mother's loving hug. Though his mom was not physically present, Liu couldn't let this profound emotion go unanswered.

"Mom...please...stroke my hair. Mom...mom," he whispered, his voice quivering.

Just as he thought his words would fade into the silence, he felt a tender touch on his hair. A smooth hand ran through his jet-black locks, gliding seamlessly over their rough surface.

Liu remembered the sensation he had almost forgotten. He wept uncontrollably, releasing everything he had bottled up for years. All the sorrow, pain, and hatred he had accumulated over time melted away in that moment.

"You're a good boy, Liu. You're a good boy," the Sword Saint spoke with affection and care.

And then, in the shrine, something changed. Liu didn't realize it yet, but something had blossomed within him. It might not have been what he had expected or desired, but it would shape his life in ways he never thought possible.

As Liu lay in the Sword Saint's arms, his eyes closed, and he drifted off to sleep. He held onto her, and she held onto him, locked in that embrace for the entire night. It was then that Liu had the sweetest dream.

"Rest well, my dear Liu," the Sword Saint whispered, gazing at him with the purest of affections. Her pale skin contrasted with his dark hair, but she didn't seem to mind. Her eyes were only on Liu.

"You're safe now," she said, and for the first time in a long while, Liu believed her.


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