Sword Empress’s POV
’...What do I even want?’
Every ti I resolved to find that boy and apologize, I found myself denying the possibility that soone else might be him. To think that even at this level, I still couldn’t fully grasp my own heart.
’...Maybe it’s because so much ti has passed.’
It’s been ten years. A span long enough that it’s more likely he couldn’t endure the harshness of the world and lost his life. Honestly, even if I found him now, I wouldn’t know what to say. I kept telling myself I’d apologize, but I couldn’t clearly say how I’d make up for his ruined life and lost ti. With each passing year, the words I’d prepared lost their aning.
For a boy not yet of age back then, ten years was a precious ti—too valuable to casually claim I could compensate for. It was the golden period of his life, and I’d ruined it because of my own fault.
Even if I found him now, how could I possibly repay that debt? No—wouldn’t it be rude to even show my face to him? What if he’d overco his pain and was living well now, a young man—wouldn’t I just dredge up old wounds for no reason?
’What good is reaching this level... when I’m still so lacking at dealing with people?’
My master was right—people are harder than the sword. Not a single word of hers was wrong.
"Miss, are you in there?"
Startle.
I’d been so lost in self-reproach, neglecting my surroundings, that I hadn’t even noticed the Masked Golden Ghost approaching outside the carriage.
"Ahem, what’s up?"
"Mind if I co in?"
"Do as you like."
He parted the tent flap and stepped inside. Seeing him in the midst of my turmoil made my heart ache even more.
"I noticed earlier you couldn’t eat properly because of , so I brought so food. If the drinking crowd’s too much, you can eat in here."
He held a plate piled with food. I waved it off without looking closely. At my level, skipping a few als wasn’t a bother, and as a Taoist, I avoided rich or aty dishes—leaving little I could eat from a rowdy n’s drinking party.
"I appreciate the thought, but a Taoist—"
"I heard you avoid rich food and at, so I asked and picked stuff accordingly. I brought it anyway, but if it’s still inconvenient, just leave it."
"..."
Sure enough, it was mostly grains and vegetables, minimally seasoned. And then—
"Where’d you get fruit...?"
There was a red fruit I hadn’t seen earlier.
"They’re rchants, aren’t they? I figured they might have fruit among their goods, so I bought so. Luckily, it’s fresh."
"Fruit’s expensive this ti of year, isn’t it?"
"Thanks to you, I’m riding for free, right? And you’re covering my drinks—would I skimp on this much?"
Though I couldn’t see his face under the hood, I felt him smiling.
"We’re traveling to Anhui together, aren’t we? If there’s anything uncomfortable or to avoid, we should adjust for each other. A one-sided relationship where only one sacrifices isn’t good. I’d like to get closer to you, Miss."
"W-What...!"
"Haha, I don’t have many acquaintances in the secular world, so don’t take it too seriously."
A common ploy. I’d dealt with tricks like this plenty of tis before.
Flap flap.
’, a man! How dare he flirt so shalessly!’
That’s how it should’ve been, but my face flushed red. I’d long mastered resisting heat and cold, yet my body felt warm. As I fanned myself with my hand to cool off, he set the plate down and stepped out.
"Oh, and Miss, don’t worry too much about what I said earlier."
"I barely rember her now. That woman."
Swish.
With that, he left the carriage.
"...Was that consideration?"
I’d scolded him without knowing his story first, yet he ca to comfort because I seed troubled.
’T-The younger generation these days must be taught this stuff separately.’
Flap flap.
I thought I’d gotten used to it, but the heat rising to my face wouldn’t subside easily.
"Hoo..."
To think I’d feel this way at my age. He was a scary one. I hadn’t heard rumors of him being a womanizer, but this wasn’t the work of an amateur. The emotions he stirred felt pure, yet his skill was undeniable.
Crunch.
To calm myself, I picked up the food he’d brought and took a bite. It wasn’t amazing, but it was decent enough. And the fruit—
Crunch.
The juice was wonderfully sweet. A lingering sweetness danced in my mouth.
Protagonist’s POV again
’Befriending a peak master can’t hurt.’
Most martial artists never reach that realm in their lifeti. She looked barely in her twenties yet had that level of skill—a true monster among monsters. How high she’d climb in the future was exciting to think about... but that wasn’t my concern, since I’d return to the mountains anyway.
’Co to think of it, soone like her might have a nickna.’
I wasn’t well-versed in the Central Plains’ affairs, but a figure of her caliber—unless she hid her skills tightly—surely had a title.
’She’s from Huashan, uses a sword, and is a young woman... Sword Peak? Sword Flower?’
Honestly, I didn’t know how nicknas worked, so those were my only guesses. Though "Sword Flower" gave an eerie chill for so reason—not a title with good vibes. It felt like one that’d bring bad luck to whoever had it or once did. I didn’t want to get close to it. I’m a fortune teller, after all—I can sense vibes like this.
’Since she promised to cover drinks... I should stick close in Henan.’
She said she’d pay for liquor until Anhui, so that should include sightseeing in Henan too. She seed familiar with Henan, so if I played it right, she might even guide . Even if she didn’t know much, just tagging along was a win.
A peak master, after all. I’d considered hiring a guard for safety before this trip, but she blew that worry away just by being here. Sticking by her side guaranteed my safety in Henan, and building rapport now might let suggest places to visit later. I didn’t say we should adjust to each other’s comforts for nothing.
That’s why I’d picked up a knife after so long. Ten years of cooking weeds in the mountains had taught how to coax decent flavor from minimal seasoning. It couldn’t match secular cuisine, but it wasn’t inedible. Even Master praised it sotis.
"Judging by how you sliced those veggies earlier, you’ve cooked a lot, huh?"
"A lot, yeah."
"Haha, whoever your wife is, she must be well-loved. There’s real affection in your knife work."
"..."
Affection? Don’t make laugh. I felt no affection for that wretched woman.
["See that tree? You planted it when you ca of age, and now it’s grown taller than you. Back then, it barely reached your knees."]
That woman...
"..."
...Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to look for a gift won might like in Anhui.
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