บท 24: Fated Bond
The Sword Saint's eyes appeared distant, but her smile was genuine.
The purity of her goals moved Liu. His skepticism vanished, and all he was left with was complete awe. As his respect and affection for the Sword Saint grew, so did his longing to remain with her.
He wanted to see more—to know more—about her.
"So much tragedy occurs in this world every day. It hurts me so much to the point where I can't bear it. And yet, I am too limited to stop it myself. This cycle of pain, misery and death. I am unable to put it to an end."
Hearing this, Liu's chest tightened with resolve, and he clenched his fist in determination. He didn't know about any other person who had heard her story, but for him… he could no longer back down at this point.
"I-I… I want to help! Your goal of stopping this cycle. I want to help you!"
He should have just laughed at her and called her dreams unrealistic. However, after witnessing the beauty of the sunrise, and seeing what she had done for these children, and then hearing about her past, as well as her hope for the future, Liu couldn't do it.
He couldn't resist the allure of her dreams.
"Really? You'll help?" She asked, a smile forming on her face.
"Yes! I'll help you."
"Haha… well, thank you. That brings me relief. Then, Liu, you need to grow up to be healthy and strong."
"Definitely!"
Her smile broadened once she saw him tighten his fist and smile with determination. Liu was absolutely serious.
"We're in this together, okay?"
"Yes, Sword Saint! We're in this together!"
"Ufufufufu." Suddenly letting out a soft chuckle, she closed her eyes for a moment and raised her hand to her lips. "I apologize for that. It's just… Calling me Sword Saint is a bit…"
Liu's cheeks burned even more, and an awkwardness took over him. Still, he had come too far to back down. Seizing his chance, he took a step forward and raised his voice.
"S-so… what should I call you? W-w-what is your name?"
Why was his heart beating so rapidly? Wasn't it just a name?
No, Liu knew it was far more than that.
Getting to know the Sword Saint more than anyone else—calling her by her true name, rather than simply saying 'Master' or 'Sword Saint', had a certain allure to it.
"My name? It's Yui. I'm Yui."
Hearing this, Liu thought the name suited her perfectly. The elegance she exuded was perfect for the name. And so, as his eyes captured her beauty, his lips moved to utter the words he had heard.
"Yui…"
Suddenly, the Sword Saint's expression changed. Her cheeks turned bright red, and tears fell from her eyes.
"A-ah…"
It was the very first time Liu was witnessing this side of her. The Sword Saint—no, Yui—was crying.
"It's been so long since anyone called me that."
Liu felt his heart race. Hearing how he was the first to call her by her name made him feel warm inside. He felt so special—so happy to have been told her name.
"Even when you cry… you're still so beautiful." Once again, he made the mistake of leaking out his thoughts through his lips
"W-well…"
Thanks to his indiscretion, both of them stood opposite each other, their reddened faces sending the right message to each other.
"Thank you, Liu. I haven't smiled like this in a while. I am convinced that our meeting that day was the work of fate."
"I-I'm happy to hear that."
"We share a link in our Souls, thanks to the treatment. Plus, I know your secrets, and you now know mine…" Yui spoke, her tone soft and smooth. "Which is why, after thinking about it for some time, I want to make you an offer."
Right there and there, on the great mountain called Pei Min, they immersed their gaze on each other. The Sword Saint drew closer to Liu, and he did the same.
"Will you be my disciple?"
A disciple was different from any other member of the Sect. They were the personal responsibility of their master. Yui was asking this of Liu—the chance to be the direct responsibility of the Sect Leader.
"Of course, you'll have to call me 'Master' during official times, and in the public. I'll also personally oversee your training and education. You might have to spend a lot more time up here than with your peers. I know it could be difficult, which is why I am aski—"
"YES!"
"Huh? Yes?"
"Yes! I'd gladly be your disciple!" Liu's face was shining much brighter than even the sun. His wide smile threatened to tear his face apart.
"But the inconveniences. Think it through a bit—"
"I don't mind!"
Why would he mind? Wasn't this what he wanted all along? To spend more time with Yui, and to stand by her side? He wanted to help her achieve her dreams—not from the sidelines, but directly beside her.
He didn't know exactly when it happened, but… Yui had become the most precious person to him.
"I desire to be your disciple!" He bowed, for special effect.
He simply mimicked what Cu Ren did the previous day, but it felt off. The fact that Yui was giggling lightly proved that he had gotten it wrong.
It warmed his heart to hear her laugh, regardless.
'Whenever you call my name… whenever you speak… whenever you laugh, or smile, or cry….' Liu's smile brightened as he gazed upon her cheerful countenance.
'... You make me happy.'
"Alright, then. Liu, I henceforth make you my disciple. Done!" Yui snapped her fingers, and voila, he had become hers.
It all felt surreal to him, but he was feeling the embers of hope that he had thought died out after the tragedy he witnessed those months back.
The two of them no longer witnessed the training exercise done by the Sect members, or how the instructors carefully ensured every single child was working hard.
They only looked at each other, locking their pinkies together, as if it was the most natural thing to do. Their smile unchanging, their eyes unfettered, and their hearts racing, they forged a bond that would never be broken.
"Done!" Liu responded.
A bond that would guide his life, and the lives of everyone around him.
And eventually… the same bond that would take him on the path to becoming the strongest.
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[A/N]
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I really like the dynamic between Liu and Yui (Their names seem oddly similar), so I spent these couple of chapters building on it.
In any case, its time to delve further into the story. Please continue to support this book. I appreciate it a lot.
Also… Timeskip incoming.
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