~~~

Night follows day. Day follows night.

The march of time stops for no one, and only those who stand in the highest peaks of cultivation can ignore it.

Eventually, all things must pass.

Liu Jin felt great pride and relief upon defeating Xiao Fang. Yet, those positive feelings lasted only until he found his Master in poor health. The moment that happened, they were replaced by worry, fear, and guilt.

However, those too have faded away.

Old Jiang opens his eyes during the afternoon of the next day. From there, it only takes one more day before he is back on his feet.

His Master laughs and pretends he is as strong as ever, yet Liu Jin can see the differences. A slight slowness to his steps. The discomfort that appears on his face for a fraction of a second every now and then. The way tasks that seemed like second nature to him now force him to put a little effort into them. Other people would not be able to notice these things, but he can.

His Master is not well.

His Master is not well, and there is nothing he can do about it.

“I expected you to be happier.”

“Huh?”

Liu Jin looks up, startled. Xiao Nan stares back at him with slight concern.

Xiao Nan had shown up at his doorstep to deliver his new robes. For someone like Xiao Nan to lower himself to such a mundane task would normally be unthinkable. However, it’s clear to Liu Jin that Xiao Nan is just using it as an excuse to spend some time with him. The moment Liu Jin opened the door, Xiao Nan gave him the clothes and invited him out.

The two are now in a tea house located in one of the inner districts of Eastern Port City. As its location implies, it is a fancy place. The walls are decorated with gentle greens and gold ornaments. The lights and windows are all perfectly placed, so each table receives just the right amount of illumination.

If Liu Jin weren’t wearing his Inner Disciple robes, he’d feel woefully out of place.

“I apologize, Elder Brother,” Liu Jin says. “Obviously, I’m happy to have become an Inner Disciple. My mind is just… elsewhere right now. Master gave me a hard medical problem I have not been able to solve.”

It is not a lie.

Liu Jin has to repeat that to himself several times in his head. It is not a lie, so he’s not lying to Xiao Nan. If he isn’t telling Xiao Nan the full truth, it is because he does not feel comfortable doing so. Even if this is Xiao Nan, Old Jiang’s condition is not something he wants to talk about.

Certain things are best kept private.

Xiao Nan is his friend. His best friend.

Old Jiang is his Master.

“Ah, say no more, Little Brother.” Xiao Nan’s eyes are full of understanding. “I understand completely. Uncle is a harsh teacher who delights in tormenting his students. I have suffered plenty under his tutelage.”

A chuckle escapes Liu Jin’s mouth. The haunted look on Xiao Nan’s face at that moment is comical.

“I am serious, Little Brother! You have no idea how many tedious things Uncle has me running around doing,” Xiao Nan says, patting his chest for emphasis. “I am a fighter. If my life were as simple as just knowing who to beat next, I’d be happy. Instead, I get saddled with all sorts of complicated jobs. Old people truly have no consideration for those who are enjoying their youth.”

Xiao Nan sighs miserably and shakes his head, though Liu Jin can tell he’s exaggerating for his benefit.

“I guess that brings me to the reason I brought you here.”

Liu Jin blinks. He had assumed Xiao Nan was merely taking him out to celebrate. However, now that he thinks about it, this place is far too formal for Xiao Nan’s tastes.

“I’ll be leaving Eastern Port City for a while.”

Xiao Nan looks uncomfortable as he says it. It is a rare look on him. His Elder Brother is usually easy-going about everything, almost as if there is nothing that can faze him. The only time Liu Jin recalls seeing Xiao Nan being completely serious is in New Moon Town. The expression on his face right now is not at that level, yet it makes Liu Jin worry.

“How long?”

Even though he asks the question, he already has a pretty good idea of what type of answer he is going to receive.

“I am afraid I will not be able to watch you and Xiao Fang participate in the tournament.”

It is the answer he expects, and Liu Jin is surprised at how much it disappoints him that Xiao Nan won’t be there.

However, that is not what is truly important.

Xiao Nan’s presence has always been a source of safety for Liu Jin. Elder Hui’s appearance during his spar with Xiao Fang showed Liu Jin just how much he depends on Xiao Nan’s aid.

What would have happened if Xiao Nan had not arrived at that moment?

Certainly, Elder Hui would not be bold enough to attack him. No matter how much Xiao Fang dislikes him, it is not to the point where he would remain quiet after seeing something like that. However, Liu Jin has no doubt that Elder Hui is fully capable of doing many things without Xiao Fang noticing.

Just what is that man up to?

Elder Hui was there when Xiao Fang challenged him. In fact, it may be that the idea of doing so came from Elder Hui. However, why would he do that? Does Elder Hui disapprove of him? If so, did the spar change his mind, or has it merely reinforced Elder Hui’s opinion?

There are too many unknowns. A man in the Heaven Realm is not someone Liu Jin wants as an enemy.

“There is no need for you to worry,” Xiao Nan says. Liu Jin’s emotions must have shown on his face. That or Xiao Nan is just really good at reading him.

It is probably both.

“You are Uncle’s son-in-law. You are not someone who has to worry about being attacked. You are better protected than you realize.”

You do not need to worry about Elder Hui.

That is what Xiao Nan’s eyes are telling him.

“If anything truly worries you, do not hesitate to go to Uncle. If he’s busy, Elder Gang is also an option.”

“The Elder in charge of Inner Disciples?” Liu Jin distantly remembers talking to the man once or twice while the preparations for the wedding were underway.

“He is trustworthy.”

Unlike Elder Hui. Xiao Nan does not say it, but there is no need for him to do so. Liu Jin wonders if maybe his promotion was to place him further away from Elder Hui’s influence.

“But enough of that!” Xiao Nan brings his palms together and puts a smile on his face. “It saddens me that I won’t see you two fight in the tournament, but I’ll be sure to congratulate you when I return. There is just one more thing I wanted to show you.”

Liu Jin blinks again. There is more?

Xiao Nan reaches into his sleeve and pulls out a piece of paper.

“Here,” he says, passing it to Liu Jin, who quickly starts reading.

“As you can tell, it’s the list of those chosen to represent our Xiao Sect in the Eastern Port City Tournament.”

Liu Jin can see that. His name is there, as is Xiao Fang’s. Unsurprisingly, Su An and Big Nose Li’s names are also there.

“I thought the final decision would be made tomorrow.”

It is the reason why Su An did not visit today. She is doing her best until the end to make a good impression on the Elders. A pity for her. If she had come to visit him in the morning as usual, she’d have been able to see Xiao Nan.

“We say that, but the decision is actually made months in advance. So? What do you think, Little Brother?”

Liu Jin’s eyes move from Xiao Nan to the list of names.

This list…

“Elder Brother, these people are…”

Inner Disciples.

He doesn’t say it out of fear of being overheard. With the exception of Xiao Fang, the names on the list all belong to Inner Disciples. While Liu Jin understands most Core Disciples are too old to participate in the Eastern Port City Tournament, it is not as if there aren’t any under eighteen years of age.

So why send Inner Disciples?

Xiao Nan smiles approvingly. “Good of you to notice, Little Brother. It seems the girl you keep around is doing a good job educating you on the important Inner Disciples. However, all I can say right now is that it is part of an arrangement between the Xiao Sect and the Yun Sect.”

An arrangement? Liu Jin furrows his brow in thought.

From what he has heard, the Eastern Port City Tournament is being held later than usual due to the Yun Sect asking for it. Does that mean they also requested that both Sects only send their Inner Disciples, or was that request made by the Xiao Sect?

“In case you are wondering, it was our Xiao Sect who asked for this condition.”

Ah, so it was the Xiao Sect who asked for only Inner Disciples to participate. In exchange for waiting a few months for the tournament to take place, both Sects agreed to only send Inner Disciples? Maybe it was something like that?

But why?

“Is this for Xiao Fang’s benefit?”

“That is one reason,” Xiao Nan admits. “The times when I participated in the Eastern Port City Tournament are over. I’m too old for such things now. It is time to let the young disciples take the stage.”

In other words, it is time for Xiao Fang to show he has what it takes.

And if he is participating, that must mean Yun Han definitely will as well.

The heirs of the two majors Sects in Eastern Port City will meet in the tournament.

“Oh my! What a coincidence it is to meet you here!"

That voice.

The moment he hears it, Liu Jin’s fingers dig into the table. It is only his great self-control that prevents the wood from cracking.

“Doctor Wu,” Xiao Nan says. If he is bothered, he does not show it. He greets the man with a smile on his face. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“Indeed!” The fat man lets out a deep laugh as he rubs his belly before making eye contact with Liu Jin. “Young Liu Jin, it is a pleasure to see you again. I must congratulate you. I heard you finally broke through that nasty bottleneck."

“It is a pleasure to see you as well, Doctor Wu,” Liu Jin lies. “I did not realize news of my recovery had already reached your ears.”

"Why wouldn't they?” another voice speaks. “You are quite a famous person nowadays. Some black-hearted people probably thought you'd remain in the First Level of the Inner Realm forever, but we were quite pleased to know you were finally rid of that malady. It is a pity I never got the chance to treat you. Healing you would have been a good demonstration of my skills.”

Wu Yan.

Doctor Wu’s son.

He is someone who beat Liu Jin quite a few times when they were kids. Naturally, seeing him doesn’t bring him the slightest bit of joy. The words that came out of his mouth don't help in the least.

By saying he could have fixed Liu Jin’s problem, Wu Yan is also implying he is superior to Liu Jin in medical skill. No, it’s more than that. He's saying he's superior to Liu Jin’s father even though he's no more than a child.

"What a curious thing to say," Liu Jin muses. His tone doesn’t give away how much anger he feels at that moment. "My condition is something that my father couldn't cure, yet you think you could have? Was it not my honored father who succeeded where yours failed? Are you perhaps saying you have already surpassed your father's skills to be able to challenge mine?"

Wu Yan’s face flushes with anger, a vicious retort ready on his lips. However, Doctor Wu's hand gently lands on his shoulder before he can utter it. The doctor laughs once more.

"Please, do forgive my son's enthusiasm. He's eager to prove his skill. As his father, I am happy to say he'll soon get the opportunity to do so. I am proud to announce he will be overseeing the health of the participants in the Eastern Port City Tournament.”

What?

Unlike Liu Jin, Xiao Nan does not look the least bit shocked.

“For someone so young to be chosen for that duty is quite impressive. Congratulations, young Wu.”

“I thank you for your praise. Naturally, I will do my best during the tournament to ensure everyone remains in good health.”

“That’s my son,” Doctor Wu says, patting his back. “Come on, let’s go to our table. Have a good day!”

Liu Jin waits until the two are gone before he speaks.

“Elder Brother?”

“Yes?”

“You knew they were going to be here.”

“I did.”

“You knew Wu Yan would be the medical official for this tournament.”

“I did.”

“I trust there is a good reason for it.”

“There is.”

“I see.”

“Is Little Brother starting to understand what is expected of him?”

Liu Jin glares at the spot Doctor Wu and his son occupied not too long ago.

“I am.”

~~~