The Devil Sword Swordsman
Ch. 30 - Science of Lan An
"I'm not a person here, we are from the Qing Empire. My mother was one of the king's concubines, but with her social status the mother who was the son of the merchant used to make bad people look at us."
Lan An continued, "because of the other people's incitement Father finally expelled us from the kingdom, I can't do anything about it. But I promise I'll make the man regret throwing us away."
Both of Lan An's hands clenched with his hardened jaw, appearing flashes of emotion within the look of his eyes. Xin Fai patted the shoulder of her new friend.
"I won't hate you for it" he smiled as wide a smile as he could.
They finally entered a simple house, seen a very beautiful woman coming out of the house.
"Anne... You finally got a friend, ah what's your name if you know?" The woman smiled sweetly. Xin Fai alone could see this woman was more beautiful than the dragonfly demon woman from Huo city.
"Mother, don't embarrass me." Lan An gave a rude snort, she went to the kitchen to continue her mother's work, which was cooking.
"My name is Xin Fai."
"What a good name. Sit down, I'll prepare some food for you."
Before long a boiled crab with a smoke puff on it came, Xin Fai could smell the smell of the food was very tempting.
"Eat, don't be shy."
Lan An also had a meal with Xin Fai, they were like they were having a game of eating. Many laughs intensified their friendship until Lan An finally explained about the mustika in his hand.
Lan An explained to her mother that Xin Fai had helped her get back Mustika 7 Season which was the only precious treasure they had. Lan An's mother thanked Xin Fai.
"Mustika 7 Seasons?"
"Mustika 7 Seasons is one mustika that is targeted in the Qing Empire. You know, it's very expensive to sell."
Although he did not understand what mustika was for, Xin Fai could feel an unusual force coming out of the object.
After filling the stomach as promised Lan An took Xin Fai to a rather barren forest. Under the heat of the sun, the two stood facing each other.
"First of all, you must make a determination."
Xin Fai frowned in surprise. "Didn't you put up the horses, or at least the inner power?"
Lan An laughed as she left her waist. "You know? That's what makes even great warriors kneel under my feet!"
Lan An's statement was certainly not a lie, Xin Fai only realized that when Lan An explained.
"With a strong determination though, would you be blind, deaf, have no fancy clothes, have nothing! You'll be the strongest!"
Lan An's burning spirit reminded her of the figure she had longed for, Her father.
Lan An threw him a wood, then played such a unique sword technique. Rough yet powerful.
Xin Fai could not avoid the thump from Lan An, he retreated further and further back without being able to put up any meaningful resistance. In front of Lan An he could not dwell at all.
"Where did you learn all this?"
"I sometimes peek practice sparring at a college around here and learn it as much as I can."
Lan An's honesty stunned Xin Fai again, just by seeing that she could practice on her own. "And this..."
Lan An took out a book in his hand. "The Book of Seven Keys."
"Haha..." Lan An's typical laughter sounded loud, although her voice was like a male duck but Xin Fai still laughed when he heard it.
"You can have it if you beat me."
"Me-beating you?!" Xin Fai's laughter stopped changing with a surprised expression.
"Yes. But this time I'm asking you to get all your skills out. Don't consider me your friend. Think of me as a sin. Yes, sins. Just like those who have committed crimes out there."
Lan An continued after taking a breath. "Sin must be blotted out in this world. Then you should not hesitate in killing them, it will complicate your development."
Every word from Lan An's mouth was like bewitching Xin Fai, a hint of awe he felt from a simple little boy like him.
"Well, I won't hold back."
Xin Fai let out a little of his inner energy.
"Don't use energy inside!"
"What?!"
Lan An twitched her nose stick weakly, she tried to explain. Of course slowly so that Xin Fai could understand his point
"Look, in this world you don't always have to depend on the inner energy. One day when your inner strength runs out and you're in a life-and-death position, who's gonna help you?"
Xin Fai's face slightly changed hearing that. "My own self?"
"Just right! Smart kid! Let's practice again."
Xin Fai was somewhat flattered to hear the praise, usually just a stupid word she got and it came from the mouth of a wolf.
"Your concentration is good enough, but you're making a lot of gaps around you."
"Don't attack the opponent if your own resolve still wavers, didn't I tell you before?"
"Direct your sword at one point, you should be able to fuse with your sword. That's how the warriors say it!"
The direction from Lan An made Xin Fai fix all his techniques that turned out to be messy, even though his breath was severed but Xin Fai still did not want to miss any knowledge given by Lan An.
Lan An gave a lot of pointers, after succeeding at the beginning he decided to start serious training.
This time Xin Fai was still retreating a few steps when their wood clashed against each other, even so at least he could hold on for a few minutes so as not to retreat as easily as before.
Lan An explained Xin Fai's weakness in some places, such as her attack being too wide or the way of holding wood that greatly hindered movement.
The evening sky was adorning that day, they were lying on the ground looking at the orange sky. "I haven't practiced like this in a long time..."
Xin Fai smiled bitterly, if without training alone Lan An's strength was that big especially if training himself to the maximum.
"I can't win from you."
"Hahaha," Lan An was still with his trademark grin. "You can take it from me tomorrow. If you want to come here before sunrise. We're going to lure something ferocious!" Lan An so fiery explained. Xin Fai smiled weakly still exhausted.
He began to understand why Lan An had no friends all along, because the child's face was so rough. He looks savage but is kind-hearted. One more thing Xin Fai could realize, he could not determine one's character just by looking from his appearance.