The training grounds of the Heaven-Seizing Dragon Sect.

I felt a bit bad about it, but after talking with Aria I needed some fresh air to gather my thoughts and decided to take a walk.

The sun was high in the sky now. Probably around noon, judging from the position.

I took a bite from a steam bun I hid away earlier and glanced around the compound as I walked down the path leading from Xinxin’s private grounds to the main compound.

The path transitioned into a paved road the moment that the threshold between the compound and Xinxin’s grounds was crossed.

Glancing back, I noticed that a solid wall had replaced the path I took. Well, at least it appeared that way.

It was a simple bounded field. Nothing too complex, considering anyone with enough power and knowhow could force their way through. Of course, unless they were like me and had a convenient power like Information Concealment, Xinxin would have immediately realized it and showed up to deal with the person who had that bright idea.

I shrugged it off and took a bite from my steam bun before making my way deeper inside the sect grounds.

Off in the distance, in the main courtyard at the center of the compound, there was a group of young men and women running weapon drills. They all wore matching uniforms, the familiar white martial arts robe with a cloth belt, emblazoned with a dragon on their side.

“That One Tin guy really cared for my disciple that much, huh?”

The guy wasn’t around anymore to talk to, but considering how well everything was running and the discipline those students showed, it was clear how much thought and effort he put into crafting the place.

I took another bite from my steam bun and frowned. “I wonder what the problem was between those two in the first place?”

It was an idle curiosity. Wang Tian hadn’t seemed all too bad of a person. While the arranged marriage was definitely uncalled for, he seemed to be the type of guy who would have cared for his wife properly at least.

I shrugged and finished up my steam bun.

Whatever the case, he left behind plenty of resources for Xinxin to use.

That much at least I could thank him for.

Past the courtyard was the main building of the sect compound.

Xinxin should be there somewhere, going about her administrative duties. That is, if my disciple was working and not slacking off-

A young woman snuck out from a side door of the main building.

I was still a fair distance away, but I could make out the basic features of the young woman at least.

Pristine pale skin, like carved white jade. Long black hair like silk spun from the night sky…

It seemed like my disciple was shirking her duties.

The young woman glanced around the area and then, seeing no one in the immediate area, she covered herself in shadows and carefully snuck away.

I sighed. “Looks like I’ll have to teach her another lesson.”

The young woman ran off, heading towards the road leaving the sect grounds and towards the greater part of the Sun Kingdom as a whole.

Before she could reach it though, I closed the gap and grabbed her shoulder. “And where do you think you’re going, Girl?”

She stiffened, slowly turning around to look at me.

As she did, I dropped Information Concealment and fixed her with a stern gaze.

“I… wished to explore the city?”

Hearing that voice, I froze.

It was similar, but it wasn’t the same. While her voice was as melodious as Xinxin’s, it was a more intellectual tone. Carefully measured.

I narrowed my eyes, carefully taking in the young woman’s features again.

She was definitely a beauty on par with Xinxin. In fact, she even shared similar features. A delicate face that seemed sculpted from pure white jade, silky black hair. But it was only similar in how a sapphire and a ruby could both be called gemstones.

However, now face to face, I could see the differences.

The young woman was definitely a calamitous beauty like Xinxin, but her features were more Western than Oriental with sharper cheekbones and a higher brow. But the clearest difference lay in her eyes.

Instead of the wide, starry amethyst eyes that I expected, a pair of half-lidded ruby ones stared back.

The darkness that had been hiding the young woman from view faded away, perhaps realizing that trying to escape was futile.

I stared at her for a moment longer and then shook my head, pulling my hand back.

The young woman blinked and then tilted her head. “Are you not going to bring me back?”

I spun around and walked away. “I got the wrong person. Not my problem if you get kidnapped.”

A case of mistaken identity.

Maybe I was more shaken by Aria’s presence than I anticipated if I was messing up like that.

…It was probably a good idea to keep this encounter secret.

I didn’t think my precious disciple would appreciate it very much knowing I mistook some other girl for her.

Footsteps echoed from behind.

I glanced back to see that the young woman was following me. I shook my head and kept walking, picking up my pace.

Beyond the courtyard, around the corner to the marketplace… Even then, the footsteps kept echoing from behind.

I stopped and turned around. “What do you think you’re doing, Girl?”

The young woman shrugged and said, “Following you.”

I crossed my arms. “And the reason for that is…?”

The young woman paused for a bit and then said, “I’m curious. You’re human… but you feel like a Demon Lord.” She tilted her head and said, “Why is that?”

“None of your business is what that is.” I frowned and then said, “Now hurry up and find someone else to bother. I don’t have time to idle away with a girl like you.”

The last few beautiful young women I came across had caused me enough trouble.

I didn’t need another to pile on top of that list.

The young woman frowned and then said, “But weren’t you walking aimlessly, Mister?”

I blinked and then shook my head, turning back around. “Whatever. I’m not involving myself with you any further.”

People were staring now. While there hadn’t been any at first, since we had stopped, the onlookers had taken notice of the young woman’s beauty.

I briefly considered reactivating Information Concealment and leaving her behind… but I had a feeling that I’d get scolded for that by Xinxin later. At the same time, I couldn’t just get rid of the witnesses… and I had a feeling someone annoying would pop up soon to try and show off in front of that beautiful young woman too.

It was annoying.

I glanced around, wondering whether I should throw caution to the wind anyway and just knock everyone out.

At that time, the crowd parted. In the distance, a trio wearing the Heaven-Seizing Dragon Sect uniform marched forward emitting a dangerous dark aura. Leading the group was a young man with gray hair and crimson eyes. Behind him, there was a crimson-haired woman and a man with short cobalt hair and steely gray eyes.

I didn’t know the first person, but I recognized the two behind him. If my memory wasn’t wrong, and it shouldn’t be, they were those two-bit Demon Archfiends back at the capital.

It seemed like they had managed to avoid getting killed and even joined up with Xinxin’s side.

I could sense a story behind that, something I’d have to ask Xinxin about later. But for now, I was just happy to get that girl out of my hair.

The young woman noticed the three and tried to hide.

Before she could, I grabbed her by her shoulders and held her in front of me. That done, I looked up at the group of demons and said, “I presume you three are looking for this?”

The gray-haired man’s eyes widened and he ran forward. “Eve!”

I shoved the girl towards the guy and then took a step back.

The girl, Eve, grimaced as the man pulled her into a hug. “Big brother-“

“What were you thinking, sneaking off like that?” The gray-haired man stepped back and stared at Eve’s face. “This isn’t our home!”

Eve shrugged. “I was bored. All anyone does around here is train and eat.”

“That’s because it’s going to get dangerous soon! We went over this already!”

At that time, the crimson-haired woman walked over and bowed her head. “I apologize for her bothering you, Sir.” She raised her head and said, “The young lady has been… Hm?” Her eyes widened and she took a step back. “You’re that man!”

I nodded my head and smiled. “Glad to see that you two have wizened up. I’m not sure how you managed to escape, but things wouldn’t end well for you if you acted up like that here.”

The cobalt-haired man walked over and said, “So you were indeed a master from the East.” He bowed his head and said, “I apologize for disturbing you yet again.”

I stared at the two and then, seeing their sincerity, shook my head. “I’ll let it be for now since you seemed to be helping my dear disciple.”

The crimson-haired woman blinked. “Dear disciple? But the only one we are aiding is-” Suddenly, her eyes widened.

At the same time, the gray-haired man dragged Eve over and lowered her head. “Now, apologize!”

Eve raised her head and said, “Why? Father said that a Demon Lord should never bow their head-“

“And he also said to take responsibility for your actions!”

“But Nero-“

“No buts!”

“…Hmph.” Eve lowered her head and mumbled, “I apologize for bothering you, Mister.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

The gray-haired man, Nero, let out a deep sigh. Seeing that his sister wasn’t going to do any better, he turned and gave a deep bow. “I apologize for her actions, Miss Faith’s Sifu.” Nero straightened and said, “She’s been sheltered for quite some time, so she still hasn’t learned any common sense.”

Eve scoffed. “Speak for yourself. I heard all about how you- Mmph-!”

Nero covered Eve’s mouth and then gave a nervous smile.

I sighed. “Whatever. Just be careful to not cause a ruckus.”

Nero nodded. “Will do, Miss Faith’s Sifu.”

I shook my head and walked off, deciding it was a better use of my time then being dragged into that comedy group of demons.

Information Concealment activated, shrouding me from view once more, and I set out again on my walk.

…Maybe I should look for the sect’s treasury? I’m sure my beloved disciple wouldn’t mind if I took a few things to speed up my recovery…

HappyVainGlory

Not much to say today other than thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you Friday!