Chapter 72: Destination

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    Liu Jin walks and walks and walks.

    The sun falls and rises and then falls and rises twice more. Throughout it all, Lei Kong trails behind him. He does not say anything, and neither does Liu Jin. In fact, Liu Jin does not even seem to acknowledge Lei Kongs presence, nor does he seem to acknowledge the world around him.

    It is only when they come across a large rock formation that Liu Jin finally comes to a stop. He walks over to it, sits under its shade, and closes his eyes to the world.

    Hours pass.

    Hours pass and Lei Kong remains there, watching in silence. He waits and waits. He does so until he cant do it anymore.

    Master

    I do not recall giving you permission to address me in such a way.

    The words are delivered tonelessly. Liu Jins expression does not change even for an instant. He does not even bother opening his eyes.

    However, there is no mistaking the sharp rebuke in Liu Jins words.

    Faced with this negativity, Lei Kong nodsthough Liu Jin cannot see himand opens his mouth to try again.

    Bos

    Lei Kong stops, his words caught in his throat.

    Lei Kong is in the late stages of the True Realm. By no means can he be called weak. He is a soldier with plenty of combat experience. If he has ever been looked down on in the past, it is because of the sorry state of his meridians. Lei Kong is definitely not someone who can be taken lightly. In matters of martial might, he is far superior to Liu Jin.

    And yet, when faced with the angry glare on Liu Jins face, when faced with the violence radiating from such a young child, Lei Kong cannot help but feel like a mouse in front of a snake.

    Do. Not. Liu Jin hisses. Call me that.

    Lei Kong closes his mouth, his teeth making an audible click as he does, and nods, unable to tear his gaze away from the cold red eyes peering into his soul.

    The eyes close once more, and Lei Kong cannot help but breathe a sigh of relief. Those eyes do not belong to a child, and they certainly do not belong to a healer. They unnerve Lei Kong, and that, in and of itself, is worrisome. No matter how he looks at it, the one before him is a child, a very gifted one considering how he fought the soldiers in Eastern Port City but still a child.

    And yet

    Lei Kong shakes his head and tries to put the matter behind him. It would not do to bother his mind with needless things. Such is not his duty. His duty is to serve the child before him. Lei Kong waits until the sun has started to sink into the horizon and tries again.

    If I may be so bold as to ask, what seems to be the problem?

    I wonder. Is there any point in starting a question with if I may be so bold if you do not even wait for permission before continuing?

    Liu Jins tone is not friendly in the slightest, yet Lei Kong considers it a victory that Liu Jins eyes remain closed.

    Oh, well. No matter. Quirks of verbiage aside, do you not find your question rather pointless? You know full well what the problem is. You had a hand in creating it, after all.

    More words. It is the most Liu Jin has spoken in days. Lei Kong steels himself and pushes on.

    What I mean to say is Lei Kong frowns, trying to figure out how to best phrase his thoughts. I can see my lord is meditating.

    Lei Kong flinches in preparation for the inevitable outburst and is pleased when it does not come. My lord, it seems, is an acceptable mode of address.

    I can see that you have eyes. What of it?

    My lord is meditating. That much is true, but I do not think my lord is cultivating.

    It isnt rare for some cultivators to find places in the middle of nowhere and stay there for years, cultivating. However, that does not seem to be the case with Liu Jin. Lei Kong can barely feel him taking in any ambient Qi.

    This rock formation provides a pleasant shade, but that is all it offers. If cultivation was my lords intent, then we could have kept walking until we found a suitable Dragon Vein. Similarly, if physical comfort was what my lord was after, we could have kept walking until we found a forest or town. Why did my lord deem it fit to stop here to meditate?

    Because I am angry.

    Liu Jin pinches the bridge of his nose.

    In other words, you are telling me I cannot do anything right now. My only option is to wait until this situation sorts itself out.

    ... that is one way to interpret my words, my lord.

    Liu Jin snorts as he reaches into his robes.

    In that case, I seem to have wasted my time. Although perhaps that was for the best. I do not think I can call my current thoughts clear, but they are certainly clearer than when I woke up.

    Lei Kongs eyes grow as Liu Jin pulls out a pouch and reaches into it. His whole arm disappears inside of it.

    A spatial pouch!

    That is so. It is fairly valuable. Will you kill me and steal its contents?

    Liu Jin asks the question with complete indifference. He does not even look at Lei Kong. However, the effect the question has on Lei Kong cannot be more different. The young man recoils from Liu Jin as if struck.

    Never! He shouts, bowing. My lord, I could never do something like that.

    I see.

    Completely unmoved by Lei Kongs words, Liu Jin pulls out a map and opens it on his lap. Liu Jin traces it with his finger, his lips pressed against each other.

    I dont suppose you remember in which direction you ran when you left Eastern Port City?

    South, Lei Kong answers. Hiding inside the Storm Dragon Empire did not seem wise.

    I see, Liu Jin says, this time looking at Lei Kong, his eyes rather curious. Still, it does not last. His attention soon goes back to the map. We walked for quite a few days after that. Considering the position of the stars, we must be in this area.

    Liu Jin taps a spot on the map.

    Where should we go from here, my lord?

    Where should we go? Liu Jin chuckles. I wonder.

    Liu Jin looks up at the sky, but it is not the moon or the stars he is looking at. All his attention is focused inward.

    Where should he go?

    No, perhaps that is the wrong question. Rather than asking where he should go, he should be asking himself what is it that he needs to do and what is it that he wants to do.

    What does he want to do?

    Rest for a hundred years.

    What does he need to do?

    Liu Jin sighs. The map is stored, and the pouch secured around his waist before he stands.

    I have decided.

    Where to, my lord?

    Five Bats City. I am going to Five Bats City.

    The sky is dark, and the dawn is still far away.

    Liu Jin takes the first step.

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