章 50: Chapter Fifty - Sun wishes to be my rival?
The following morning brought a surprise to Leon that had him waking suddenly, a morning condition that inflicted most men at some point. It probably did not help that Jin Li had moved in the night to sprawl over him, partially spooning him. One long leg was now lying over his right calf and an arm was draped over his waist, his fingers not to far a stretch from the place now causing him problems. He swiftly slid out from beneath Jin Li, who simply shuffled over into the warmth he left behind.
He sighed inwardly, hoping his problem would solve itself before it became noticeable. Thank goodness his clothes were layered loose robes, more space to hide beneath.
Leon wandered into the empty bedroom across the room adjoining both after retrieving his glasses, where he relieved himself in the situated chamber pot before washing his face and hands. He then took to sitting in that middle room to wait for the other boys to wake from their slumber. As he could not just sit still and wait, but felt like there would not be time to cultivate properly, he took out his carving knife and a partially shaped piece of wood and spent an hour peacefully carving.
In fact, what he was working on was a koi fish; he had intended to give to Jin Li and it was based upon the embroidery of the worn silk robes he had first appeared before him in. But then Jin Li had moved out of his hut, so it had remained unfinished. He was not sure which rune to inscribe upon the leaping scaled fish either, for Jin Li was strong and able to protect himself. Good health seemed to be more of an omen for the future to one still young. He did think about carving 'good digestion' but if such a rune existed, he didn't know it. So in the end, he chose Good Fortune, feeling that this was an all round sort of rune.
It was already finished and he had began to carve a new talisman, one carved in the shape of a lotus flower, when he heard the occupants of the bedroom stir. Jin Li came out first with Sun following in his shadow.
"What are you doing?" Jin Li asked, he had been disgruntled that Leon had not been in the bed with him. He claimed to himself that this was because he could not guarantee the other would not do something foolish while he slept, like allow himself to be bullied or cultivate before his new level was stable. He did not need to keep rescuing his servant; it required too much of his precious time!
"Carving," Leon replied, placing his unfinished piece and knife to one side. He then picked up the koi fish carving and offered it to Jin Li. "For you."
Jin Li took the small piece between his fingers to gain a better look at it. His lips involuntarily curved. The youth was improving. He turned it over to notice the strange symbol embedded in the back and ran his finger over the lines. As always, there was a smooth loop on top of the carved piece in order that it could be threaded onto and attached to something else. Jin Li went to grab his sword from the bedroom. He attached the talisman to one of the tassels upon the hilt of his sword.
As he had been inspecting the gift, so had Sun, but unlike Jin Li who was pleased with it, he looked upon it with scorn. What was with this cheap knickknack? How could his most talented and under appreciated hero be pleased with that?
Sun looked up to Jin Li for several reasons, the smallest being that Jin Li clearly had the aura of a young master, he even wore those slightly worn silks and cheap linen with such majesty, it was hard to consider him as perhaps being down on his luck. Sun had witnessed his skills in the sparring sessions, knew of his cultivation level, which had caused the envy of all of his peers, but most of all Jin Li happened to have been there when he needed him most.
When the group of boys and girls, newly enrolled, had been brought by griffin to the martial arts outer school, there was naturally some shoving and postering as placement among themselves went wanting. As someone lacking in height and physical strength, Sun had quickly been targeted. One might have thought that the Teachers would put a halt to this, but the Teachers were smarter than that. Instead, they were swept into a lesson where their skill sets would be determined. They all headed to the arena where the first test was a free for all. The goal was to remain on a raised stage until the end.
Unknown to the students, the Teachers did not care who came out on top. This lesson was for these hot headed youths to let loose steam. None would be able to outrank all those already enrolled and with more experience than them, so no matter what 'standings' they came to between themselves, there was already someone greater close by. Also those who fell flat here would likely work hard to rise later.
Sun was targeted by four individuals looking to 'score a point' right off of the bat. It was most unfair. While he could have easily dealt with two, four would have been pushing his luck, even with his fast reflexes. And they were quick to realise just how fast he could move as one of their number fell off of the stage when rushing to get him. The other three stepped back before moving as one, denying him freedom to get out of their way. And then Jin Li came along. He simply lowered himself and swung out his leg, his opponents feet swept from beneath him, then he thrust the pummel of his sword into the second after he removed the threat of the first and then used his knee to destable the stance of the third. He then simply moved on.
Yes he did not intend to rescue Sun at all, but the boy was blindsided by how bright he looked and how perfectly timed his moves were and to his utter joy, he was assigned to share a room with this knight in shining armour. He figured it was fate and that Jin Li and he would become excellent friends, comrades of arms, two brothers upon the battlefield of life. Only, it wasn't working out that way and Sun now placed the blame upon Leon's narrow shoulders. Clearly this servant did not know his place! Surely he was only in the school to provide Jin Li with pills to aid his cultivation and yet Jin Li shared food with him, a bed with him, moved to protect him when he was endangered and even took pathetic gifts from him with a smile.
Sun did not like Leon at all and felt soon that he would have to show the boy his place.
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