In the distance, Dugu was completely unaware that the rumors of him were getting more and more outrageous. Although the family head had arranged for someone to spread rumors to enhance his reputation, it obviously wasn't Layla.
Completely oblivious to the rumors blowing out of proportion, Dugu leisurely walked along a stone path to the manor gate.
Right now he was mentally preparing to spend some time with his cousin.
After passing through a beautifully paved road lined with bushes and flowers, Dugu Yun caught sight of a wave of beautiful golden hair.
At the gate was a woman with an easy-going expression sitting peacefully on a wheelchair resting her palms on a blanket that was draped over her legs.
As she looked up, her golden hair swayed along. The pale wavy golden hair was like molten gold leisurely flowing under the last lights of the setting sun.
Her amber eyes glistened with a faint hint of calmness and curiosity.
The woman was sitting upright on her wheelchair, her figure carrying a sense of vitality and elegance despite her injuries.
When she caught sight of Dugu, the woman happily grinned and waved. Her delicate lashes blinked, staring at the approaching Dugu.
Her gentle smile reminded Dugu of the warm autumn harvest with wheat swaying in the breeze.
Much like the image of a mature older sister who cares very very much about her younger brother.
But he wasn't convinced!
No matter how gentle and kind she was now, it couldn't erase the scars left on the 4 year old Dugu's heart.
The experience of two lifetimes told him that the more pleasantly a woman smiled at you, the more likely you were in trouble.
Either she was targeting your kidneys or she was after your life.
This was his cousin…Rubia!
Dugu bravely marched forward with a solemn face.
It had been several years since they last met. Although he had returned for a while now, Rubia had been holed up in her room recuperating.
This was their first formal meeting after several years. The place was the same but the people were different.
The two people locked eyes. One a beautiful amber and the other a glossy obsidian like the dark night.
Rubia took the initiative and greeted Dugu.
"Hey hey hey. Long time no see cousin! It feels like friends meeting again after a long journey."
She opened her arms and invited Dugu for a warm hug.
The atmosphere was cordial and the two exchanged pleasantries.
"Let's go! The city has changed a lot since you last left. Oh…and our favorite ramen place. I bet you'll be surprised!" Rubia joyfully pulled Dugu hands that were full of callouses.
The rough hands really made Rubia feel the passing of time. The little boy was now a little man. And she was no longer the strong resourceful little girl.
Dugu was also a little surprised at her maturity. His older cousin was like a graceful noble lady now. She was no longer the violent tomboy who liked to give vicious beatings.
Dugu Yun took the handles of Rubia's wheelchair, gently and carefully pushing. The two soon left the premises of the Yun manor excitedly chatting.
The duo's trailing voices soon became inaudible.
"Hey hey hey, little Dugu guess what. I'm really excited. There's so many places that I want to show you…this and that."
"Oh and when we're done…"
"Let's go shopping!"
"...." In the far distance, Dugu inexplicably shivered.
Newly Unlocked:
Layla Character Card (non-evolvable): A bit dull-headed. Maybe her mind is clogged with too much fanfiction. Has dreams of becoming a best selling author despite her status. Enjoys the feeling and attention brought by boasting. Future super popular writer but maybe not in the way she expected. (★★★★)
Rubia Character Card (evolvable): Dugu's older cousin. Very cheerful, protective, and friendly like that mature big sister next door you've coveted. But if you fail to do the chores she can become the shura and beat you up. Very optimistic despite her current setbacks. (★★★★)
Yun Family Mom & Dad Character Card (non-evolvable): Special effects card. Not very useful except in special occasions. Their names are Lily and Ling Yun. (★)
Dugu Character Card (evolvable): Cautious and has a fear of persecution. According to him, it's very easy to suddenly die without knowing how. He seeks strength for a peace of mind. Very easy going normally. (★★★★★)
(sometimes i have no idea what im writing. Just trying to fill up word count ehe :3 )
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Su Harbor City
In a hidden room under the Rand family residence, a rickety old man set cross legged on a futon mediating.
The herby aroma of incense wafted in the air. The special herbs in the incense was very expensive due to its unique mind calming properties.
The martial practice of a grandmaster martial artist often involved sharpening the mind and spirit in order to reach the saint level.
The Rand family's ancestor was now at a critical moment in his martial arts career. This year he was already 137 years of age and his lifespan was running out. If he couldn't break through to the saint realm this year, he could only prepare to sleep in a coffin.
But the problem was that he was already old. He could feel the vitality in his body slowly slipping away making the already difficult barrier to sainthood even more arduous.
He was unwilling though! He was at the peak of grandmaster! Just a step away from the legendary saint!
No matter what means, he was ready to sacrifice to touch the illusionary saint.
Ding–
A bell outside the secret room rang and a few moments later someone entered.
"Ancestor, there's an urgent matter. Out of the 238 undercover agents scattered throughout the city, several spies we've inserted into the Yun family reported that the second child of the Yun family is back. Will it impact our plans?"
The ancestor opened his haggard eyes. Within the depths of his eyes hid a chilly gloom. The influence of age still couldn't wipe away the murderous aura he had accumulated from numerous battles.
"That so-called genius that disappeared several years ago?" The Rand ancestor stroked his beard with his bony arms. "The one that was said to have joined a hidden world sect?"
The middle aged man opposite to the ancestor cupped his hands, "Precisely sir."
"The spies also reported rumors that the second child has reached the legendary martial saint…"
The term "hidden world sect" was used to describe a martial arts school usually hidden within the deep mountains and valleys away from the distractions of the world. The deep wilderness usually housed many dangers so such sects were usually established by extremely powerful hermits.
The Rand family ancestor snorted.
"Humfph. It must have been overexaggerated. Reputation is a fleeting thing. The Central Plains is extremely vast. The so-called genius is nothing. How many prodigies were so revered in the beginning yet failed to become a saint? "
"Saint is not just about talent or I wouldn't have so much trouble. Luck, accumulation, and a great opportunity between life and death are just a few of the trivial necessary components."
"Besides…a dead genius is no longer a genius but a corpse." The ancestor leisurely waved his hands obviously not taking the rumors to heart. "Just carry along with the original plan."
"By the way, find someone random to test him just to make sure. And don't reveal any traces."
The middle aged man hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
"There's one more thing ancestor, one of our spies managed to recover this drawing."
The middle aged man took out a folded piece of paper and respectfully handed it to the ancestor.
"Oh?"
The ancestor raised his eyebrows in doubt and unfolded the paper.
Within the paper was a drawing of a young boy performing an extremely strange pose. The body was lifted into the air with a single arm. (fyi baki pose)
Hmm, this posture kinda resembles…crane? The ancestor was puzzled.
Was this boy's sect some branch of an animal style school? Perhaps a relative of Crane Kung Fu or Tiger Boxing Hall?
Unfortunately this single drawing was not of much use to him. Martial arts was a long formula consisting of many aspects like diet, breathwork, medicinal baths, movement of qi, and exertion of force.
It was impossible to derive the answer by taking a small section of a long equation.
Though it couldn't hurt to try.
Thinking of this, the ancestor propped his rickety body up.
With a thunderous breath, the muscles across his body swelled. Like a balloon being blown, even the wrinkles in his skin smoothed out.
'Plop'
The ancestor firmly planted his right palm against the ground and swung his body until it was parallel to the ground. Then he placed his left hand on his right shoulder and slightly tucked his legs.
Like a bird standing on one leg–
The entire set of actions was completed extremely smoothly without any exertion like a preprogrammed robot.
Although he was old, he was still a genuine grandmaster.
A puzzled expression slowly spread across the ancestor's face.
(゜-゜)
"...."
What? That's it?
The movement was so simple that he almost thought someone was kidding him.
But that was impossible. He knew the middle aged man didn't dare to play any tricks in front of him.
And it was also impossible for that Yun family boy to be practicing fake martial arts right?
What was the problem then?
The posture had no technical aspects as if it was some kind of performance art meant for display not fighting.
To the untrained layman, the move might be difficult but to him it wasn't even a warm up.
He could remain in this stance for several days!
Was that Yun boy randomly gesturing?
Or could it be…. That his martial arts experience was too low to see the subtleties of this stance?
This was completely possible if the martial arts was of the saint level or originated from a real super class school.
No. Give it another try!
--------Authors note: what's painted there is the crane form! its from baki if you reognize it :) (his signature move!) just a warm up but maid thought it was pretty awesome and painted it--------