บท 32: The Trio

'What a monster…'

Cu Ren's gaze rested on Liu as he watched the young boy casually establish his victory. Never in his life had he experienced such swiftness and skill from someone younger than him.

'That last strike of his… that power…'

It was beyond unbelievable.

Cu Ren found himself holding back his sweat, and he willed himself not to display too much of his shock. It was already shameful enough that he lost. He couldn't afford to show any other form of weakness.

"H-huh…?" Cu Ren widened his eyes as he watched a hand stretched toward him.

"Let me help you, Master Cu Ren."

It was Liu. Liu's hand was outstretched, inviting the defeated Cu Ren to take it as a support to retun to his feet. Usually, after a fight, doing such a thing displayed respect for the defeated foe. However, considering how awkward the situation was, it was also possible that the outstretched hand was a form of ridicle.

However…

'Look at how he's smiling so warmly. His eyes too… they've changed so much.'

Liu's face was the bastion of purity. His compassionate eyes and wide smile showed no ill will. The outstretched hand was simply an extension of his innocent desire to help.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Thank you, Liu." Cu Ren smiled, grabbing the boy's hand and rising as a result. "You've really grown, haven't you?"

"Thank you… for taking care of me all this time." Liu responded with a soft demeanor.

It seemed he remembered how much trouble he caused his seniors and teachers—especially when he first arrived. However, everyone in the Sect could testify that Liu was the most generous soul that existed there.

'He readily agrees to train those who come to him for help. He also helps out in filling our roles in helping students grow. He gets along with the students, and he is also very friendly with the teachers…'

The current Liu was completely separated from the snotty brat that he first met nine years ago.

'I can't wait… to see how much you grow—at least, with the little time you have left here.'

"You were so awesome, Liu!" Cucao sceamed, donning a wide smile.

His usually long stature remained, and he was the tallest of the bunch. That was to be expected, considering he was two years their senior—making him 17 years old, or at least almost.

He was currently with Liu, as well as Peng, as the three of them walked away from the training field towards the foot of the tallest mountain in the Sect.

"You were like 'splooossshhhh', and Master Cu Ren was like 'bleuuuughh', and everything was like 'boooommmm!'"

As he kept making exaggerated smiles, he also patted Liu on the back, rubbing his nose with some form of pride—not that he deserved to feel that way or anything.

"What did you think of the fight, Peng?" He must have gotten tired of hearing his voice, so Cucao decided to drag the only other person besides Liu into the conversation.

"..." Focus was now on Peng, as she placed her delicate-looking fingers on her glossy lips and entered deep thought.

Her long dark brown hair danced with the wind, and she was currently a head shorter than Liu, who was, the same way, shorter than Cucao.

Everyone now called her a beauty, and it was very common for boys to drown her with a lot of attention at this point. Her body had matured to the point where her chest and backside popped out nicely.

Simply put, she had a curvy body—much better, compared to others her age.

To avoid the myriad of boys that disturbed her, Peng chose to proactively hang out with this duo—Liu and Cucao. In no time, the three became an inseperable trio, and they often hung out in their spare time.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason Peng found herself in this company.

"Well… she gave Liu a smile as she glanced at him with a bright smile. "I thought it was a great match."

Slowly her cheeks turned pink, causing her look away almost as soon as she looked at him.

'What are you doing, Peng? Can't you just look at him and talk to him without freaking out?!' She thought to herself, nearly pulling her hair out. 'L-let's try again. Compliment him right this time and—'

"Thanks, Peng." Liu's calm voice suddenly echoed, instantly shutting down the tumultuous thoughts that pervaded her.

"W-well, its nothing. I was just stating f-facts, you know? N-no big deal…" Her automatic defensive reaction kicked in, and she folded her arms while looking away.

Even after many years, she had been unable to change this reflex action.

"Haha! Is that so? Still, thank you. You too, Cucao. It's really nice to see the fruits of your efforts pay off." Liu gave a soft smile that pulled Peng in.

As the boy stared at his arm, fixated on the callouses and rough patches that littered his palm, she could only feel admiration towards him. She felt like drawing closer to him at that moment.

"Not that you would know anything about the fruits of your efforts, Cucao. Still as lazy as always, aren't you?"

In a split second, Liu's expression darkened—or rather, turned cold. He gave Cucao 'the stare', causing the tall senior to gulp and sweat.

"Hehe… well…"

Cucao had tried many times to get into the serious game, but always relapsed in it. In the end, even though he was 17 years—already old enough to return to the outside world—he was deemed as unqualified to do so.

"Well, whatever. It's your choice, after all." Liu sighed, shrugging a little. He took is gaze to Peng, almost catching her staring at him with stars in her eyes.

"Ah, yes, Peng." His smile returned, and a form of radiance converged on his face. "This time… I didn't stain my robe."

The moment he said it, Peng's face turned pink—no, more like boiling red—and she turned frigid.

"Y-yesh…" She could only manage to utter. "... G-good job."

Liu laughed heartily as he continued walking with his friends, almost at the foot of the mountain they were escorting him to.

'I defeated Cu Ren, and I've come this far in my training. All that's left is the Final Form in the technique, and I'll be ready…' His smile widened and his heart leaped.

'I'm almost there, Yui. Just a little more, and I can finally stand by your side!'