Chapter 50

'When I think about it, he did come to visit me regularly.'

Although Danmuchi didn't treat him any better, he wasn't warm either, so Danmubi treated Danmuchi somewhat coldly. Because of this, the cousins had never been on good terms.

'But in the end, he tried to protect Via…'

Even though she knew that Danmuchi couldn't handle them alone.

"Then, who is he…?"

At that moment, Danmuchi glanced over.

Lian flinched and turned around. Huayun, who was petting the white cat Bai Lian, blinked.

Lian thought for a moment that it was reasonable for Danmuchi to ask. Danmuchi didn't think Huayun was Lian's servant.

After all, with his jet-black hair tinged with red, sharp features, and clear facial features, despite his indifferent gaze, the sharpness in his eyes made him look like a young master from a prestigious family.

"Uh, Huayun is…"

"He's our young master's servant."

While Lian hesitated to introduce him, Huayun quickly answered. Lian almost burst out laughing.

Although Huayun's attitude didn't seem servant-like at all, no one in the room found it strange.

Lian introduced Huayun again.

"Huayun, Wu Huayun."

"I am Danmubi!"

Danmubi, who wanted to join her sisters' conversation, raised her hand and shouted, causing laughter to spread in the room.

Meanwhile, Lian subtly used his mind's eye. Although he couldn't immediately unfold his fan, he could easily read simple information from the air.

Danmuchi

Traits: Bamboo / Two-faced / Forward-looking

Luo Cheng Twelve Swords: 2 stars

Wu Huanbao: 3 stars

Talent and Potential: Medium-High (中-上)

Concerns: Can't understand Luo Cheng Twelve Swords, left-behind sweets, the future of the family

Help: How about trying a saber?

Lian swallowed dryly. How could the symbol of integrity, bamboo, and two-facedness coexist in his traits?

'And what's this about a saber?'

If his talent and potential were 'Medium-High,' he had enough talent to live a decent life as a martial artist with effort. With a proper weapon, it would be even better.

'But in his previous life, there was no mention of Danmuchi using a saber…'

Why?

This was a sensitive topic to discuss. Although the Danmu family had saber techniques, they were primarily focused on swords. If he suggested using a saber instead of a sword here, it would be seen as a challenge to the next family head. Especially by Danmuxian.

Seeing Lian's deep thoughts, Danmuchi frowned, thinking Lian was hiding something.

"By the way, Lian, you had a sparring match with the Jin family, right?"

His voice was stiff, as if he was displeased, causing Lian to roll his eyes.

"It just happened… You would have won easily too."

"Good that the Jin family isn't that great."

Danmuchi crossed his arms and continued.

"How did the sparring go?"

"The Jin family kid used a saber like this…"

As Lian spoke, a thought flashed in his mind, and his eyes lit up.

If he described the saber technique well, Danmuchi might become interested.

"It was really cool! Amazing. It moved so swiftly! Chop, chop! Slash, slash!"

Lian broke a nearby branch and moved his hands to mimic Jin Zongxia's movements during the sparring.

"Hmm."

"It was really fast when he swung it like this! I've never learned saber techniques, but it was impressive!"

Danmuchi listened attentively and then, with a maturity beyond his years, concluded.

"Even though you were sick for a long time, you can still win against such opponents. But to become a true martial artist, you need to keep practicing."

"Ah…"

Lian was taken aback. How could he be so uninterested in the Jin family's saber technique?

"Who are you learning from now?"

"Uh, I…"

Lian swallowed dryly.

The children of the family all learned sword techniques from their parents, but Lian couldn't. His father had passed away, and his mother hadn't mastered martial arts.

So, it was natural to think he learned from another instructor who taught sword techniques in the family.

"Grandfather taught me."

"…The Grand Patriarch?"

"Uh-huh."

Danmuchi's eyes widened, then he slowly took a deep breath. He seemed to be thinking about various things.

Since his cousin was sick, the Grand Patriarch must have paid attention to him. He was in Hangzhou, so he couldn't do anything.

"I will also learn from Grandfather!"

Danmubi, who had been listening, raised her hands and shouted.

"Y-You should. When Via memorizes the Thousand Character Classic."

"I already memorized it!"

"Really? When?"

Lian's eyes widened. It seemed Danmubi had memorized it while he was a bit negligent with her studies.

"Uh… yesterday."

Danmubi lowered her hands and avoided Lian's gaze. Lian narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Really? You memorized it yesterday? If you lie, you won't get any more sweets."

"Al… almost all."

"Do you know what 'almost' means?"

"Five hundred out of a thousand…"

As Lian laughed, Huayun added.

"But it seems like seven hundred."

"I'll memorize the rest soon. Right?"

Danmuchi, who had been watching them, turned her head without saying a word. Lian grabbed her sleeve.

"Cheng, if I have questions later, can I ask you?"

"Why me? You can ask the Grand Patriarch."

His voice was so sharp and cold that most nine-year-olds would have cried and let go.

"The Grand Patriarch is helping me because I started learning late…"

"Fine, do as you please. But don't be noisy or disturb me when I'm studying!"

"Got it, got it."

Lian closed his eyes and smiled. Danmuchi turned her head and left, saying she had something to do.

The back of her neck was bright red as she walked away.

* * *

"Was that family's saber technique really that good?"

After finishing his flute practice, Lian put away the fragrant red lacquer and looked up.

Huayun, who was gently petting Bai Lian, had a neutral expression, but Lian sensed his irritation.

His expression seemed to say, 'It wasn't that good, was it?'

"Are you talking about the story I told Cheng about the Jin family?"

"Yes."

Lian felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed the back of his head.

"I thought Cheng might be better suited to saber techniques than sword techniques."

"…Really?"

"That's why I tried to praise the saber technique a bit, hoping to spark some interest. But it didn't work out as I hoped…"

Lian's voice trailed off in embarrassment.

"Hmm, a saber?"

Huayun raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes, looking thoughtful.

"…So you suddenly started praising someone else's saber technique?"

"It was the closest one I saw."

"It didn't seem to have any effect at all, did it?"

Lian pressed his forehead with the flute he was putting away, looking dejected.

"Did you feel the same way?"

Huayun nodded.

"How could she be interested in the story of someone she lost to?"

Lian pondered.

"How can I get Cheng's attention…"

He trailed off and looked at Huayun.

"…Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Sigh. I couldn't get her attention, so how can I get the attention of a cousin I just met?"

Sighing deeply and putting down the flute, Huayun looked at Lian with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"No… your forehead has a mark."

"Is that important right now?"

"There's a round mark like a ring in the middle of your forehead."

Lian reached up to touch his forehead and sighed deeply. Huayun chuckled, then his eyes widened as Lian suddenly approached.

"Why, why are you doing that?"

"I can't be the only one to suffer."

"Suffer? You did it to yourself!"

"I had to do it myself, but I'll do it for you. Don't worry."

"Really!"

Lian caught Huayun, who was trying to run away, and left a round mark on his forehead before letting him go.

Lian laughed loudly, and Huayun slumped, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

"I won't learn."

"What?"

"I won't learn martial arts!"

Huayun shouted and turned around. Lian, surprised, widened his eyes, then smiled and quickly ran to Huayun.

"Are you going to learn martial arts?"

What did he mean by refusing to learn now?

It meant he had decided to learn.

"What are you talking about? You just said you won't learn."

"Wow, Huayun! When are you going to start? Via will start soon, so you can learn together? Yes, that's a good idea! It will be fun to learn together."

Lian was so excited that Huayun couldn't help but laugh.