The first thing they did upon return, after delivering the package, of course, was visit Han Li and express their thanks. Her amazing craftsmanship allowed them to stay alive after all.
On the way Lee exchanged fifty contribution points and purchased a small package of expensive incense as a gift. The old artisan took it without a change in her expression and outwardly ignored their gratitude, though.
She said to Xiao Lian, "You’re uncle ca by few days ago. He was deeply disappointed you didn’t craft your weapon yourself."
"Sorry." Was the only thing the boy could reply.
"Is there a way for us to carry our staffs on the back?" Lee changed the subject, seeing his friend blush in sha, "They are fine to use as a long cane while walking, but when riding a horse I’d love to have two free hands."
"Now you’re riding horses? What would your father say?" Han Li snorted at Xiao Lian, angrily. It seed she was set on schooling the boy, and completely ignored Lee.
Xiao Lian’s head hung low and this ti he couldn’t even apologize from how ashad he was. Lee had no clue why, though.
Fortunately, after berating Xiao Lian, Han Li turned to him. Funny enough, her tone didn’t change much.
"Can’t you figure it out yourself?" She said, "Look!"
She went over to her skinning rack and picked up a couple of leather straps. Then she made nooses at the ends, tied a couple of knots, and passed the short staff back to Lee who watched her work completely amazed.
The woman clearly was over seventy, probably older considering she had ignited a spark, but she was much more dexterous than he had ever been.
"How was it?" She asked, after passing the short staff over and grabbing Xiao Lian’s to repeat the process.
Lee knew she wasn’t asking about the strap, and said, "Your craftsmanship is godly! The swords saved our lives. In fact, we didn’t have a clue how good they were until Xiao Lian killed that bandit and ..."
"Oh?" This ti it was Han Li’s turn to be surprised, "Little Lian did? Huh ..."
Then she thought for a bit, and said, "Go and pick up a combat technique to learn. Otherwise you’ll be waving swords around like kitchen knives!"
Even Lee felt so redness rushing to his cheeks. The madam guessed correctly – that was exactly how both of them fought.
Before they left, Han Li gave a small lecture on how to properly take care of their weapons. Since they weren’t elental artifacts, they required regular maintenance, no matter how well crafted they were. One couldn’t just run around treating them like hatchets or butcher knives – they had to be cleaned, oiled, and properly stored in the shafts that were used as walking sticks.
As the result, following Han Li’s instructions, Lee spent another seventy contribution points, purchasing the necessary tools for the sword maintenance. He didn’t care for being wasteful – the items were worth it.
The next thing they did was visit the Hall of Knowledge. Han Li was right – they needed a combat technique for the swords to be utilized as such.
On the way, they mostly walked in silence, when Xiao Lian said, "You’re probably wondering what was all that about ..."
"Not really." Lee honestly said. He usually didn’t care for the private matters of others.
Xiao Lian took his answer as him being polite, and decided he owed a proper explanation.
He said, "You already know my uncle is the elder of Refining Hall. But my father ... is the patriarch of Xiao clan."
He was surprised by the lack of reaction from Lee, but continued, "They wanted to beco an artificer, like them, and were disappointed I chose to join the Hall of Ascension."
"Why did you join the Hall of Ascension?" Lee asked.
"I want to beco really strong!" Xiao Lian said.
"Are they weak?" Lee asked.
"Who? My father and uncle? No." Xiao Lian said, shaking his head, "They are incredible elental lords, both at the middle stages, although I’m not sure how many elental law’s have they comprehended."
"So? What’s the big deal? Beco an elental master and then go craft stuff if you want to. If not, you’ll think of sothing." Lee said.
He wasn’t certain he understood the last part, and he surely wasn’t the best to give advice regarding relationships with parents. But in this case it didn’t seem to be that bad – clearly there was no deep conflict.
"Thank you, brother Lee!" Xiao Lian said.
This was the first person who didn’t try to persuade him to fight for the position of the head of the Xiao clan. Of course, if Lee knew what the Xiao clan was, his advice might’ve been different.
While talking, the two arrived at the Hall of Knowledge. The central square was as busy as always, but in the library there were very few people.
The junior elder on duty was a woman in her mid or late thirties. When they entered, she was engrossed in reading a thick, yellowish scroll.
To not waste ti they imdiately went up to her, and Xiao Lian asked, "Hello, Senior Sister! Could you please help us to choose a combat technique?"
Like always when he talked to a lady, he was blushed beet red, and while speaking mostly stared at his toes.
"What is wrong with you?" She was probably annoyed by the disturbance more than by the form of address, but picked on the first thing that ca to her mind, "I’m Junior Elder, not your fellow disciple!"
Realizing Xiao Lian was about to faint from the stress, Lee said, "We deeply apologize! Earlier we noticed how young you looked and were confused why a disciple would be working here. But now everything makes sense! Sorry, Junior Elder!"
Seeing Lee’s honest expression, she softened, and asked, "Next ti be more careful! What are you here for?"
"I’d like to acquire a cultivation technique for myself." Lee said, "A general one, that could suit any elent."
"Oh? You don’t have a strong affinity?" The junior elder said, "The sect has one that’s actually quite good. It’s popular in your situation, but there’s a reason for that. Practice it, and in a year or two you’ll discover your true affinity. On very rare occasions people find out heavens have gifted them with a unique mutation."
"Like ice?" Lee asked.
"Mhm." She nodded, "You’re probably thinking of Li Hanchen. A remarkable fellow, but spends too much ti with that trouble maker Chi Yanzhen."
Then she sighed, looked at Xiao Lian, and asked, "Sothing for your timid friend?"
"We are interested in a general staff combat technique and technique that consists of a one-hit lethal sword attack." Lee said.
The junior elder glanced at the short staffs on their backs, and nodded.
"Follow !" She said, "But why would you need a sword technique? And such an oddly specific one."
"During our last mission we encountered a situation where we unexpectedly had to pick up swords." Lee lied through his teeth without a change in his expression, "But we didn’t even have a clue how to properly hold them."
"You can learn the basics in the outer sect’s arena belonging to your hall, you know?" The junior elder said.
"Mhm. But it’s good to have sothing special hidden up your sleeve." Lee said.
She stopped at one of the shelves, searched for a bit, and asked, "Are you willing to pay five thousand points for a single move? There are no special combat techniques for non-cultivators. This is the closest one to what you described, but it’s supposed to be used by creating a burst of elental power during an attack."
"Sounds great!" Lee said, "Could you suggest sothing regarding the staff combat, or it would be better for us to learn it by practicing in arena?"
She walked over to another shelf, searched, and then pulled out another scroll. Then said, "This one is kind of basic, but also five thousand contribution points. It’s twenty thousand for combat techniques and five thousand for the cultivation technique."
"Great! Please subtract everything from here!" Lee said, and passed his token.
The junior elder did throw a strange glance at him, but Lee knew he looked like a pauper, but didn’t care.
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