"What happened, Brother Wudi?"
It was late afternoon, the sun casting long shadows across the academy grounds, when Trainee Yan approached Trainee Wudi, his voice laced with genuine concern.
He had noticed his friend's increasingly downtrodden mood throughout the day.
"I'm really falling behind everyone, Brother Yan. I haven't even managed to open a single Acupoint."
Trainee Wudi sighed, a soft, defeated sound, his gaze fixed on some distant, unseen point.
"Is that so?"
When Trainee Yan heard Trainee Wudi's confession, a wave of sadness washed over him. As someone blessed with exceptional talent in martial arts, coupled with his unique lightning Martial power, he had already ascended to the rank of a Martial Artist.
Yet, Trainee Wudi seemed to lack such inherent gifts; he didn't even possess as much martial talent as an ordinary human. Fortunately, his friend compensated for this with his sharp intellect—he was smarter, wiser, cleverer, and undeniably intelligent.
"I don't think Martial Art is for me,"
Trainee Wudi conceded, a wry, self-deprecating smile gracing his lips, followed by a light chuckle that held a hint of resignation.
"Don't feel down, Brother Wudi. I'm sure you just need time,"
Trainee Yan said, patting his friend gently on the back, offering sincere consolation. His touch was firm, a small gesture of encouragement.
"Let's leave."
With that, Trainee Yan and Trainee Wudi exited the Martial Cultivation Hall together, their footsteps echoing softly in the now quiet corridor.
The Martial Cultivation Hall, a grand building located on the eastern side of the academy, was a place specifically designated for Martial Trainees to cultivate their inner energy in peace and without any disturbance.
Within its walls, shelves lined with various Martial Art manuals and instructional scrolls could be found, primarily basic guides detailing the fundamental understandings of martial art cultivation.
As they walked out of the building, they were immediately bathed in the warm, golden sunlight of the afternoon, its rays glittering with myriad colors upon the dust motes dancing in the air. The crisp, clean scent of the academy grounds filled their nostrils.
"Brother Wudi, Brother Yan, fortunately, I found you two here."
A soft and beautiful voice, clear as a mountain spring, called out to them the moment they stepped into the open. Both boys turned their attention to the source and saw Trainee Tang walking towards them.
She was dressed in a flowing green gown today, a color that perfectly complemented her delicate features, making her resemble a young fairy descending from the heavens.
"Sister Tang, you are here as well? What a pleasant surprise!"
Trainee Yan's face lit up with an eager smile. He immediately stepped forward to greet her, his enthusiasm as boundless as ever.
"Yeah, I thought, why don't I hang out with you brothers?"
She returned his smile, a polite yet radiant curve of her lips that seemed to shine more brightly than the moon at night, reflecting the afternoon sun.
"....."
Trainee Wudi remained silent, his expression unreadable, but he quietly fell into step beside them, following their lead.
As they walked around the academy grounds, Trainee Yan and Trainee Tang seemed to be having a wonderfully pleasant time, their conversation flowing easily, punctuated by laughter and lighthearted banter.
Trainee Wudi, in contrast, remained mostly silent, his presence a quiet shadow beside their lively exchange.
"Brother Yan, I want to be honest with you."
Out of the blue, Trainee Tang's demeanor shifted. Her voice became remarkably serious, causing Trainee Yan to feel a sudden prickle of unease, a premonition that something significant was about to be discussed.
"What's the matter, Sister Tang?"
He asked, his curiosity now tinged with a touch of apprehension.
"As you know, I am the Third Young Lady of the Martial Tang Family. In our family, there are Four Great Halls that form the very foundation of the Martial Tang Family."
She spoke plainly, introducing him to the inner structure of her powerful clan.
"What do you mean?"
Trainee Yan questioned her, a slight frown creasing his brow. Although he could guess what she was trying to say, he chose to feign ignorance, allowing her to elaborate fully.
"Our Martial Tang Family comprises four Great Halls: The Thousand Poison Hall, Myriad Weapon Hall, Netherworld Hall, and Dual Flower Garden Hall."
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling gently, calming herself before continuing.
"I am part of the Dual Flower Garden Hall because my mother is the daughter of the Dual Flower Garden Hall Master."
She revealed, her voice carrying a note of pride.
"Cool!"
When he heard her revelation, Trainee Yan couldn't help but offer an impressed compliment. Being the granddaughter of a Hall Master within such a prestigious family was certainly not something to scoff at.
After all, Hall Masters in any of the Nine Noble Households were equivalent in standing and power to the revered Murim Elders.
"Hehe,"
She chuckled softly, a delicate sound.
"Although it is cool for me to be the granddaughter of the Hall Master, it is not necessarily easy being the heir to the Dual Flower Garden Hall."
A subtle, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her lips.
"What do you mean?"
Trainee Yan probed, eager to understand the hidden complexities.
"It means that, as the successor to the Hall, I must raise my own force and build my own faction before inheriting my grandfather's position in the future, after my mother."
She explained the rigorous requirements placed upon her.
"Didn't you say the Hall Master is your grandfather, so how is it that you can only inherit the position after your mother?"
Trainee Yan was visibly confused. What was going on? Was he not grasping the gist of the conversation, or was the whole situation genuinely perplexing?
"It means that, after my grandfather, my mother would inherit the position. Only after her can I become the Hall Master, which would at least take another twenty to thirty years."
She clarified, her patience unwavering.
"Oh, I see now."
Trainee Yan finally understood the lineage and the long path ahead of her. But then, another question formed in his mind.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because I want you to join the Tang Family as part of my faction, to become my faction member."
Her eager gaze locked onto his, her intent now laid bare.
"....huh?"
Looking at Trainee Tang's earnest, expectant expression, Trainee Yan couldn't help but feel utterly speechless.
He didn't even have the heart to directly deny her request, yet he deeply harbored a reluctance to enter the complex, often dangerous world of the Tang Family.
He suddenly found himself caught in a great dilemma, a silence falling between them, heavy with unspoken considerations.
"If you were to join my faction, I will promise you both a high position within my faction, immense wealth, and unparalleled fame and fortune."
She gently rested her slender hand on his shoulder, a feather-light touch, her beautiful eyes meeting his, trying to convey the sincerity of her offer.
"So, what do you say?"
"...I… I…"
Trainee Yan found himself completely unable to utter even a single word, his mind reeling, leaving him utterly speechless and trapped in the unexpected proposal.
"I may be rude to say this, but please forgive me, Sister Tang, for this idiot here will not join you, nor the Martial Tang Family."
Suddenly, Trainee Wudi strode between them, his presence an immediate barrier, physically separating Trainee Yan from Trainee Tang.
"What do you mean, Brother Wudi?"
She asked, her voice light, almost inquisitive, as her long green sleeve wove a graceful arc in the air when she gestured with her hand. Her composure was remarkable, betraying no immediate anger.
"It means that, even if he were to join you, can you guarantee the main element of the problem?"
Trainee Wudi's voice was firm, cutting straight to what he perceived as the core issue.
"What do you mean? Didn't I say I would give him fame and fortune, as well as a high position and wealth?"
Her voice rose slightly, a hint of genuine confusion in her tone.
"You may give him the worldly attachments desired by every man bound by mortal desire, but what about his security? Can you guarantee his protection?"
Trainee Wudi's questions were pointed, pressing.
"...That's not hard. I can ask some of my men to protect him in the dark "
Trainee Tang responded, her brow furrowing slightly, considering the practicalities.
"So, in other words, you can't."
Trainee Wudi retorted, his tone unwavering. A subtle tension, an internal conflict, settled between Trainee Wudi and Trainee Tang. It wasn't hostility, but rather a clash of perspectives, as they clearly weren't on the same logical ground.
"At the very least, he will be safe,"
She insisted, though a note of uncertainty had crept into her voice.
"Yes, but he would also be the target of far greater enemies."
Trainee Wudi's argument remained resolute.
"That, I can't argue nor deny about."
Trainee Tang conceded, a reluctant admission escaping her lips.
"If you can't guarantee his safety, then you should not drag this idiot, who only has talent for martial arts but has not developed into a full-fledged martial master yet, into such complexities."
Trainee Wudi couldn't help but frown deeply, a wave of frustration washing over him at how lightly this esteemed young lady seemed to regard someone's potential life and safety.
"If he were a full-fledged martial artist, there would have been no problem joining your faction. But he is just an undeveloped seed that only has the potential to grow into a mature tree; yet, at the end of the day, he is only a seed with potential and no strength to speak of."
As Trainee Wudi articulated this crucial point, Trainee Tang fell into deep thought. Her bright eyes, which had been so eager moments before, now showed signs of serious contemplation.
With a slow, deliberate movement, she turned her head to face Trainee Yan, who stood silently beside Wudi, his lips twisting into a wry, almost embarrassed smile.
"I see."
She then turned back to face Trainee Wudi and let out a deep, understanding sigh. Her gaze held a new respect.
"Forgive me for my rash decision. For now, I shall take my leave." She cupped her fist in her palm, offering a formal bow, a gesture of apology and respect, before asking for permission to depart.
"Let us meet later."
With that, she turned swiftly and left, her green dress swaying as she walked away, disappearing amongst the other departing trainees.
After Trainee Tang had left, Trainee Yan immediately expressed his profound gratitude to Trainee Wudi for intervening and helping him out of what had quickly become an awkward and difficult situation. Trainee Wudi, however, didn't say anything in response.
He simply began walking forward, a determined look on his face, with Trainee Yan following silently behind him, still processing the day's events and the revelation of the complex world around him.