Mage's Cultivation Journey 15

I carefully examined the situation while I closed in. Yu Xing stood in front of the five men, while the rest of the crowd had pulled back enough to create a large gap around them. There was no hint of internal energy in any of the five, just strong, burly men, deriving their confidence from the bulky clubs they carried. 

I also noticed that they were slow to act, observing the crowd. Their strategy was obvious. They were waiting to pull a crowd before they reached Yu Xing for a lesson. It had been a common tactic in the streets back when I lived in the street. 

A gang that wanted to establish themselves would pick a target that resisted them, or provoke one and push his boundaries until he retaliated to create a paper-thin excuse before delivering a merciless beating, teaching others the cost of resisting them. 

I was glad for it, as their delay gave me the chance to close in. While Yu Xing’s attitude to defending someone without understanding the situation was reckless, I didn’t blame him. For one, if it wasn’t for his exact recklessness, I would be dead, so complaining would be more hypocritical than I had a stomach for.

And, in practical terms, as long as I manipulated the situation somewhat, it could turn into an advantage. His reckless disregard for common sense to protect a young woman was exactly the kind of arrogant reaction that a young man who recently learned that he belonged to a family of martial artists would have. 

While it wasn’t as good as carefully staging a show in a more controlled location, I wasn’t in a place where I could hope for perfection. 

I approached, mingling with the crowd, where Yu Xing couldn’t see me. 

“You dare block our path, kid. You’re courting death!” the one at the front threatened Yu Xing, but even as he declared, his gaze was on the crowd, his smile growing at the whispers. His enjoyment was clear. His attitude was of a bully, feeding off fear, thinking that it made him more than what he was. 

Yu Xing shifted slightly, his stance angled just enough to protect the girl behind him. He said nothing, just raising his fist in preparation. I moved to the side, catching the sight of the girl that he protected. 

The moment I got a glimpse of her, I understood the reckless decision of Yu Xing. She was dressed in rags, and her face was dirty, but neither was enough to conceal her beauty, enough to put a target on her back. 

But, I was sure that she wasn’t just a village beauty. A part of was her stance, defiant even in her fear, but her hands suggested more. They had calluses, but they were very localized on her fingertips, the kind that would come from some kind of string-based musical instrument. 

Scion of a rich family facing problems of her own, I most likely. 

“One last chance, kid,” declared the bully, unhappy with Yu King’s silence. “Turn back and leave, or I’ll beat you into a bloody pulp.” 

The girl’s hands clenched helplessly, whispering something to Yu Xing before she made a move to step forward. I didn’t need to hear it to know she offered to give herself up. The cynical part of me suggested that it was the best way to make sure Yu Xing sacrificed himself, but to her credit, she looked genuine at her offer.

“No,” Yu Xing declared as he shifted slightly, an answer to both sides, declaring his intention to protect her. 

The declaration surprised the bully, mostly due to his confidence. His next words proved that, despite being a bully and an enforcer, he wasn’t stupid. He spun his club slowly, trying to look confident, but he tensed, likely assuming Yu Xing had a reason for his confidence. "Easy now, kid. No one wants to hurt you. We’re just taking her to Boss Duan. He needs a servant, and she owes us.” 

The shout about Boss Duan had been louder than necessary. Combined with the glance in a certain direction toward the center of the refugee camp, it was clearly a subtle call for reinforcements. 

Yu Xing didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. His body shifted just enough to threaten them, showing his confidence. That unsettled the thugs enough. 

The first move came soon after. The bully didn’t want to act, that was much clearer. It was a wide swing, one that would barely hit Yu Xing even if he didn’t move, ready to retreat. Yu Xing could have handled it in many different ways, including shattering it with a punch. 

He chose to lean back, letting the stick pass in front of his nose, the wind enough to shuffle his hair, but he didn’t even blink. 

It was good to see him following my suggestion about not revealing his martial arts style unless he had no other choice. His smooth expression after an attack was more intimidating, showing confidence. 

The one that swung his stick seemed to take the lesson, but that had been ruined by one of his lackeys. “How dare you stand against us!” he declared, rushing from behind. He swung his club while learning forward. If Yu Xing dodged, the stick would slam into the girl. 

Yu Xing took half a step forward, and grabbed the stick. Against an ordinary fighter, he didn’t need to use any technique. Just a gentle release of raw essence had been enough to counter the momentum. Before the attacker could recover, Yu Xing drove his elbow into the man’s gut. 

The thug doubled over with a wet wheeze.

The crowd gasped.

The fight was inevitable. The five attacked, while Yu Xing countered. I paid little attention to it. During our travels, he had figured out the way to use his essence without his style. 

The new freeform style was significantly underpowered. The might of the internal energy was significantly lower without the transformation, but that was only a problem against a martial artist of the same rank. 

No, I was focusing on the people arriving from the camp. There was a crowd, but I soon caught one with internal energy, moving with a purpose. His internal energy wasn’t particularly strong, giving the signs of the Initiate stage, likely merely Beginner.  

It wasn’t a battle that Yu Xing couldn’t handle, but an ambush might force his hand to reveal his style, so I carefully shuffled toward him. The fact that he chose to watch Yu Xing rather than acting allowed me to sneak behind him. My presence went unnoticed … until I pressed my finger on his back, blocking his energy flow.

His internal energy flared reflexively, which played into my hand. I let it flow for half a breath, watching his energy climb from his stomach to his lungs, and started to transform. 

I let that, because it was the first chance I had to allow such a thing. I wanted to see if the other styles relied on their lungs to transform. Only, that question didn’t receive an answer … because he used Furious Wind Style. 

I wasn’t surprised enough to freeze. I blocked the flow, but without injuring him.  

He froze.  

“Don’t court death by blocking the path of my young master,” I whispered into his ear, keeping my finger on his back. “Understood?” 

“Y-yes, exalted one,” he whispered. I pulled my finger back, knowing he wouldn’t dare to attack. I wanted to ask him questions, including the fact why he actually knew Furious Wind Style, but our current situation would not allow any interrogation.  

“Good, keep your mouth shut about us, and disappear,” I said. He beat a hasty retreat, not even throwing a glance toward their men who just collapsed on the ground, helpless. 

I departed from the crowd and went back to our small camp, my mind already churning about the encounter, wondering if facing the exact style was a coincidence, or if there was a greater mystery behind it. More importantly, regardless of the source, was it better to abandon Dongxi, or stay here. 

Both sides had their merits. The addition of Furious Wind school members certainly complicated things, but it came with opportunities; including a potential way to acquire more advanced techniques, which would be useful. 

After some thought, I still decided to stay. It was risky, and I was reluctant to take risks in an unfamiliar world … but ultimately, it wouldn’t matter. The people here treated martial arts like we treated magic, a source of power and authority. Inevitably, it would be hoarded and kept secret, and any attempt to delve deeper would come with enemies. 

Not too different from my rise as a mage. 

“We have to wait and see,” I muttered, and focused on cooking. Soon, Yu Xing returned, accompanied by the young girl. 

I prepared to delve into my role as the servant-protector of a young man who was on a journey to prove himself. A smirk bloomed on my face as I imagined the way the kid would react when I acted as his servant. 

It would be immensely entertaining.