Chương 1: The Prologue
"No. Our time is short, but yearning is endless. Life on earth passes in an instant, and only God knows whom I will encounter and miss. How can I stay rooted to the spot and let time slip away?"
"If that's the case, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to the mortal world for her."
"Chaos is about to set in."
"If the mortal world is in a mess, I will defend it. If Hell opens, I will enter it. If the ocean rages, I will sail through it. If anything tries to stop me, I will destroy it."
"But is it worth it?"
"I'm not afraid of the pain and suffering that humans are plagued by. Because of her."
"Separation Resentment is above all. Love sickness brings the greatest agony out of all afflictions."
"I'm not lovesick."
"Oh? For whom did you get that engraving then?"
"For those whom I mustn't miss in life."
"Isn't that love sickness?"
Ehi smiled nonchalantly and casually swept her hair. "It's alright, I lose all the time. I'm used to it by now."
She absent-mindedly repeated the answers to the conversation that they frequently had, but did not notice the conflicted, hesitant look in Otache's eyes. When he heard her answer, Otache's expression darkened. However, she didn't notice it.
"Ehi!" Otache stared at her for a long while. In the end, he could not resist taking a step forward. "Can't you spend more time practising your martial art techniques? Power is widely respected in the Five Region Continent. A person who learns martial arts but never improves will be met with cold stares and many difficulties when they travel the realm. You… Have you never thought of trying harder to improve your situation?" he said in a low voice.
He paused before adding, "Even if you did it only for me?"
Even if you did it only for me.
Ehi Gocho felt a stirring in her heart. When she looked deeply into Otache's eyes, she was able to see his hesitance, unease and even a faint hint of pain. The pain caused the bottom of her heart to ache. She recalled that the disappointment in his gaze had been appearing more and more frequently during the past few days.
The instant Ehi opened her mouth, she felt the urge to tell him the secret she had been hiding at the bottom of her heart. She wanted to tell him that she was not bad at practising martial arts. The reason she was unwilling to practise the Mystic Essence's internal energy was because it clashed with her sect's Cleaving Nine Heavens martial arts. She also wanted to tell him, 'Just a little more. One day, I'll make you proud. You won't have to be mocked and humiliated because of me anymore. You will never again lose your dignity or be placed in a difficult position. Just… Not yet!'
Her Teacher's reminders before they parted were still ringing in her ears. 'Never reveal your original martial arts to any sect.'
Ehi Gocho had sworn a heavy oath that she could not break.
Otache was loyal to his sect and infatuated with martial arts. If she told him the truth, the Mystic Essence Sect's leader would be informed sooner or later.
Ehi Gocho took a deep breath and fluttered her thick eyelashes. Her bright, pure gaze was reflected in the eyes of Otache, whose gaze carried a trace of despair due to his long wait.
"Otache, I have tried my best…"
Otache stared at her. After a long while, he exhaled slowly. When he heard her answer, the anxiety and despair in his eyes dwindled and was replaced with a sense of resignation and helplessness.
Suddenly, he changed the topic. "In a year, the True Martial Arts Meet that will be held in the Heaven Demon Dynasty Capital will bring together expert martial art practitioners from all seven kingdoms. The participants will be tested in martial arts, the art of war and strategies to fight for the top seven positions in the world. The winners will have control over the military power of the seven kingdoms. Teacher said that Yuan and I will represent the Mystic Essence Sword Sect. I will be rushing home tomorrow to prepare for the competition."
As he spoke, his voice held little emotion. The glistening sun over the distant mountain shone its rays down on Otache, whose back was facing the light, making him appear distant. He had an indistinguishable expression on his face.
Ehi Gocho's heart shuddered as she smiled reluctantly. "The two of you are the most outstanding pair of disciples in the Sword Sect. Lord Tai Yuan has even bestowed you with the title Pearl Jade Double Swords. It is only natural that the Mystic Essence Sword Sect would send both of you to compete."
As Otache stared deeply at her, his voice sounded strange. "Ehi, I would actually rather that this title refers just to the two of us."
The smile on Ehi Gocho's face became even more strained. She also wished as much. No matter how generous a girl was, she would never want her beloved to be paired up with another girl and be proclaimed a perfect match.
As the sunset passed quickly, the sky, that had been previously alight with romantic hues of red, orange and purple, was now only left with a shade of faint red. As it shone through the green leaves, it made Otache, who remained standing three feet away, seem unreal.
A wave of unexplainable nervousness rushed from the bottom of Ehi Gocho's heart, making her heartbeat quicken. This intense sense of unease gave her an ominous feeling. She had to say something now. Otherwise, she would not get another chance in the future.
"Otache, I need to tell you-"
"Ehi, I need to tell you something." Otache suddenly cut her off quickly. If he spoke slower, he would never get the words out. "My family has sent me a letter. They have arranged for me to marry Yuan, and her family has agreed. The wedding will take place after the True Martial Arts Meet."
The words that Ehi Gocho had intended to say suddenly got stuck in her throat.
She raised her eyes and stared at Otache. However, he was not looking at her. Instead, he was gazing at a half-withered flower as he talked rapidly.
"Considering your current situation, my family would not allow us to be together. The Yuan family is related to the imperial family. Despite my family's background, my status is lower compared to theirs. We didn't expect much from this proposal, but I heard that Yuan agreed personally. Since the Yuan family has already given their word, there is no reason to break the engagement. Plus, my family cannot afford to offend the Yuan's family."
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