023 The Rat Race

[POV: Kang Wen]

A few days passed peacefully in the hidden forest camp.

Kang Wen gradually learned the rhythm of life among the trees. It wasn’t bad. He couldn’t quite say it was good, either. The daily chores reminded him of his early years as an outer disciple in the Steel Sky Sect with endless errands, sweeping, fetching water, and chopping wood. The difference was the abundance of spiritual resources here. The forest brimmed with rare herbs, spirit fruits, and natural qi veins perfectly suited to each person’s spiritual roots. It was as if the woods themselves provided whatever a cultivator needed for steady progress.

The only real drawback was the absence of proper cultivation manuals or formal instructors. Senior Wo Li made up for that by sparring with them whenever asked, offering guidance through direct combat that sharpened their techniques far better than any lecture could. As for the other two companions, Kang Wen still didn’t know what to make of them. The bald monk Guo Yimu acted like a spoiled young master from a wealthy clan, his rotten personality and hidden treasures giving him away. The young lady Li Ming seemed to hold some special status as well; Xing Ning treated her with unusual respect, and Senior Wo Li never forced her into menial labor. In fact, she often volunteered for it herself.

In the end, Kang Wen decided it would be safest for the young master to remain here. Xing Ning was well-protected under Senior Wo Li’s watch and appeared to be viewed favorably by the group. The young master had even been gifted a precious sword that made even Kang Wen’s heart ache with envy.

On the morning of his departure, Xing Ning stood before him with a reluctant expression.

“Senior Kang Wen… do you really have to go and leave me here?” Xing Ning asked quietly, voice laced with worry.

Kang Wen placed a steady hand on the young man’s shoulder and spoke with calm conviction. “This is for the better, Young Master. Learning from Senior Wo Li will be invaluable to your growth. Besides, the sect is at a sensitive time right now, especially in locating the traitor who caused the incident in the secret realm.”

It was a lie by omission. The search for the traitor had nothing to do with why Kang Wen wanted Xing Ning to stay behind. He had deliberately withheld the truth: the Steel Sky Sect and much of the domain were still under heavy attack. The important thing was that Xing Ning remained safe. He was the living legacy of their sect. The Sect Leader had long ago imprinted the core sword arts and cultivation methods directly into the young master’s bloodline. It was a secret technique passed down from their founding ancestor’s unique constitution. As long as that bloodline endured, the Steel Sky Sect could rise again like a phoenix from the ashes.

Guo Yimu leaned against a tree nearby, sweeping lazily with his broom and complaining loudly. “Aiyo… now there’s no one left to share the chores with. Who’s going to help this poor monk carry water and chop wood every morning?”

Li Ming crossed her arms, looking genuinely disappointed. “Tch. I’ll lose a decent sparring partner. Senior Kang’s sword moves were getting fun to dodge.”

Kang Wen cupped his fists respectfully toward the two of them. “Guo Yimu, Li Ming… This Kang Wen thanks you both for looking kindly upon the young master. Please continue to treat him well in my absence.”

He then turned toward the treetop where Senior Wo Li sat reading a novel, legs dangling casually from a thick branch. Kang Wen bowed deeply.

“Senior Wo Li, this junior thanks you greatly for everything you have done. I will repay this kindness ten-fold when the opportunity arises.”

Senior Wo Li didn’t even look up from his book. He turned a page and remarked casually, “No need. Just stay safe.”

Kang Wen straightened, a complex mix of gratitude, worry, and determination settling in his chest. With one last glance at Xing Ning, he mounted his flying sword and rose into the sky, leaving the peaceful forest camp behind.

The Sword Frenzy had a sect to return to and a war that refused to wait.

…

..

.

I felt bad for Xing Ning. He still didn’t know the full truth. Kang Wen had mentioned something about a war in his sect, and it clearly wasn’t over yet. I could have told Xing Ning everything right then, but I had to respect Kang Wen’s resolve.

If I was going to give the young master the push he needed, it had to come from something he sincerely wanted, not from me forcing the information on him.

I dropped down from my tree, stuffing the novel I had been reading back into my storage ring. “What do you think, Xing Ning?”

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Xing Ning hesitated, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. “I felt like Senior Kang Wen was lying to me,” he admitted quietly. “He’s never been good at hiding things from me… but he still tried.”

It seemed he really had no idea about the scale of the conflict, but the fact that he had caught the lie showed he wasn’t completely clueless after all.

Guo Yimu, who had been leaning against a tree, suddenly dropped his usual monk act and spoke in a surprisingly serious tone. “Of course he’s lying.”