บท 45: 45. Someone Is Looking For Him
Looking at Xingqiu's expression, Ryūhei knew that Xingqiu was… upset. Perhaps, Xingqiu heard someone grumble after reading his novel, or perhaps it was something else that hurt his pride as a writer.
As a musician and artist, Ryūhei understood the value of appreciation, he understood that it felt good as it could also help in the work. But, praise and appreciation weren't all that necessary if he needed to be honest. Aside from external boost, it was just another form of external validation. The more focus on getting appreciation, the less focus on the objective goal. It might even cause the passion to deteriorate. After all, in certain positions, it was expected that some people wouldn't really get the appreciation they deserve.
"If you're seeking praise for your work, you're doing your work for the wrong reason entirely. Do what you do for your own satisfaction. Present it to the public, but don't make their reactions your basis for emotional or cognitive comfort!" Ryūhei advised him.
Life is subjective. Opinions about merit and value are all subjective. It is a mistake to take a subjective opinion about merit and value while attempting to transform it into an objective. After all, subjectiveness is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.
Understanding what Ryūhei meant, Xingqiu nodded.
"You're right. I don't need to think too much."
Ryūhei slapped his shoulder with a laugh.
"Haha. If you're doing good, you should be proud of yourself. What you need is time. So you don't have to worry if your work doesn't sell well on the first day."
Hearing Ryūhei's words, Xingqiu felt a little relieved that someone understood what he was feeling.
— — — —
The time was already past noon.
In the Feiyun Slope, two little boys called Mu Chen and Gao Fei heard the passersby saying that the only manga shop in Liyue Harbor once again released new volumes.
"Eh, that's too fast. I haven't read the fourth volume of Dragon Ball yet."
"Same here. Our favorite novel was just released a week ago. So we don't have time to read the manga."
Mu Chen is a Dragon Ball fan, while Gao Fei is a One Piece fan. Even though their preferences differ, they still share their passion for science fiction. That was the reason they got along pretty well.
"What was the last chapter of the Dragon Ball manga we read? It was the second round in the tournament thingy, right?" Gao Fei asked.
"Yup, I was kinda excited when Master Roshi's training got them stronger."
They didn't visit the manga shop last week as they just found out that their favorite novel released a new volume. So, they were preoccupied with the novel while ignoring the manga. In fact, they were kids from good families, so they still need to study as well, not just spend time reading fiction.
"In that case, I'll ask my father for money." Mu Chen said to him and Gao Fei responded with a nod.
"Oh. Me too. I heard that the price is already 4000 Mora."
"Then let's go back first and meet here again later."
After a few minutes, the two of them meet again and head to Manga Impact.
Luckily for them, they came after mid-day. Otherwise, they couldn't get in as the shop was overcrowded with people after everyone knew new volumes of the manga were released.
"Oh, Gao Fei. It seems that is the manga everyone was talking about recently." Mu Chen pointed at the poster on the wall. The poster was none other than Food Wars: Shokugeki no Sōma.
"Yeah. I saw my mother reading it and trying to make food that was in the manga. Since the manga is about cooking, I didn't bother reading it. Well, let's get inside."
Upon entering the shop, they were greeted by a woman, the shop employee, and the chill atmosphere from the portable air conditioner. When they looked around, they saw the young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild talking with a person that had the same trait as the shop employee.
At that moment, Xingqiu walked out of the shop with Ryūhei. And they seemed to want to discuss something.
Gao Fei was curious, so after their figures disappeared, he asked.
"Aunty, who is that person? He seems to be an important person because he can talk equally with Master Xingqiu."
When Gao Fei asked that, Mu Chen was also eager to know.
"He's the owner of this shop." Atsuko replied with a smile.
"Really?"
"Ah, too bad I didn't recognize someone as great as him earlier. Otherwise, I'd like to have his autograph."
Then, they talk about complete nonsense before they buy all the manga they haven't read.
They didn't go back home directly, but sat on the seat inside the shop.
And Mu Chen immediately read the Dragon Ball manga.
The fourth volume starts from chapter 37, where the second match of the world tournament is between Yamcha vs Jackie Chun.
When Mu Chen saw Jackie Chun's appearance…
"Eh, why does this old man look like Master Roshi himself?"
Gao Fei beside him who was reading One Piece nodded after taking a look at the page Mu Chen was reading.
"Now you mention it. He does resemble Master Roshi." Then, he stopped reading the One Piece manga since the Arc in Dragon Ball was more interesting to read.
***
When the official struck the gong to announce the start of the match, Yamcha immediately took a stance. Oddly enough, Jackie Chun looked too calm while Yamcha saw a lot of openings in Jackie Chun's defense.
Since an old man like Jackie Chun could even pass the preliminary, Yamcha knew that he was irregular. Unfortunately, Yamcha still evaluated Jackie Chun too low. None of his punches and kicks landed on Jackie Chun as he could dodge every single strike with little trouble.
"You are really missing a lot. There are still a lot of excess movements in your attacks."
"Wha–" Yamcha couldn't believe that the old man in front of him had such smooth footwork. Then, Yamcha warned him. "If you're gonna underestimate me this much, I'll have to show you my technique."
"Oh, show me then!"
Then, Yamcha cried out.
"Wolf Fang Fist!"
Even though Yamcha had released his technique, Jackie Chun still dodged it effortlessly. And in an instant, he appeared behind Yamcha while raising his left hand as if he wanted to wave. However…
"I'll give you some soft wind as a present."
*Swoosh*
Jackie Chun used his left palm to deliver a blast of wind and sent Yamcha flying outside the ring.
***
"Wow. Just waving his hand can send a person flying. Perhaps I should try to learn martial arts. Who knows if I can perform a blast of wind without having a Vision? Or perhaps Kamehameha, just like Master Roshi. Hahaha." Mu Chen laughed in excitement.
Many clans and families in Liyue practice their own martial arts, but the martial arts shown in Dragon Ball are different, because they can release energy in the body which is used as an attack.
Ever since Ryūhei released the third and fourth volumes of Dragon Ball, in which Master Roshi trained Goku and Krillin, many martial arts families and clans started weight training.
Even Ryūhei himself was baffled when he accidentally saw them doing weight training from the top of Mt. Tianheng the other day.
— — — —
Meanwhile.
After Ryūhei came out of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, a woman with a horn accessory on her head… no! Rather, those must be real horns. She faced her back against him. But when she heard someone come out through the door, she turned around. Fair skin, light blue hair, and purple eyes. When he saw her clothes… he didn't know how to put it into words. She wore a tight-fitting leotard, bareback, and black stockings or something alike. It was impossible to hide her sexiness through her outfit.
She clasped her hand while lowering her head.
"Hello!"
"Ah, hello." Ryūhei responded by doing the same.
"Umm… This is our first meeting. I—My name is Ganyu. Erm… You must be Niwa Ryūhei, are you?" She asked slowly and Ryuhei could see her nervousness as if she was kind of… a very meek person.
Although he found her outfit somewhat…incredible. He didn't dare to look directly as something might wake up from its slumber. So, he just stared at her face, or rather her horns.
However, that made her uncomfortable as she immediately covered her horns while making an excuse.
"This–this is just an accessory. Please don't stare at them that much!"
She wasn't good at lying. But, since it was too rude to stare at her horns all the time, Ryūhei shifted his gaze and responded.
"Ah, sorry. I'm indeed Niwa Ryūhei. What can I do for you?"
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