Chapter 50: Finding My Cousins
As my team departed, I adjusted the mask on my face, tugging at it slightly to ensure its secure fit. Only by touching a specific array under the mask on the right side of my face could someone remove it.
This precaution was something I had obtained from the librarian in case I ever needed to conceal my identity while doing something.
I leaped from tree branch to tree branch, the surroundings gradually blurring as I employed the Rushing Bull Steps technique.
Since the attack occurred so early in the exam, I was far from the center of the island where other participants gathered. However, with the speed at which I moved, it didn't take long before encountering some outer disciple teams and participants. Despite my efforts to remain unnoticed, I swiftly passed them by. Whether they were engaged in combat, conversation, or jesting, none of it concerned me.
As I walked past some trees, there was a tall young man with a long, horse-like face sitting on one of the large tree roots. His gaze locked onto mine, tracking my movements. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be an applicant rather than someone from the sect.
"Finally, someone crosses my path," he smirked and stood up. "Good! I've been eager to test the Hundred Mortal Grade Techniques I've mastered against someone from the Blazing Sun Sect!"
He sprang toward me, moving like a leaf, then as light as a feather. Despite employing two techniques that seemed compatible, he didn't use them simultaneously.
Even with the excited smile on his face, the young man exuded a scholarly air. "I challenge you, stranger! Succumb to my techniques, for I am the son of the White Mane Royal Family Scholar! My name-"
Before he could finish his sentence, I swiftly employed the Rushing Bull Step technique and stood before him, delivering an elbow to his stomach. His eyes widened, gasping for air as he collapsed to the ground with his eyes rolling to the back of his skull.
Had he not pursued me, I wouldn't have retaliated so forcefully. He seemed talented enough to master many techniques. However, the number of techniques did not mean much compared to mastery and compatibility between techniques. His hundreds of techniques paled compared to only my Rushing Bull Step.
"Next time, speak less and learn to use two techniques simultaneously," I advised, though I doubted he could hear me in his current state. But cultivators were weird, so he might.
Ultimately, he had challenged me directly, so I showed him leniency, propping his body against a tree and covering him with leaves to shield him from wild beasts or hostile disciples. Then, I resumed my journey.
Recalling the faces of those I was tasked to assist in this examthe Liu Clan twins. There was only a pair of those I could remember. They were roughly my age, and Liu Feng had encountered them previously.
I continued past numerous other teams, remaining vigilant for any signs of suspicious activity. While I might not be able to intervene with inner disciples abusing their power, I aimed to steer clear of such people if they were anywhere close.
Song Song's behavior hadn't left a favorable impression of how the inner disciples acted. Coupled with the issues involving the arrogant young master, it was hard to view the inner sect members as anything other than pompous.
While pondering these thoughts, I stumbled upon a particular team of four engrossed in conversation. Two of them, Liu Lia and Liu Long, were twins who bore a striking resemblance. Liu Lia, the girl, sported long hair, while her brother had opted for a shorter cut. With dark hair, dark eyes, and slightly above-average looks, they seemed unassuming at first glance.
Contemplating how to approach and retrieve them without revealing my identity beneath the mask presented a dilemma. Resorting to lethal measures to safeguard my secret wasn't a consideration, nor something I desired. The day had already seen more than enough bloodshed.
Taking a deep breath, I crouched down, and in an instant swifter than even my own perception, the world around me blurred. I landed amidst their group. It took a moment for them to register my presence; their eyes widened in surprise. Swiftly, I seized the twins by the back of their uniforms and leaped away before their teammates could react.
"Wait!" one of their companions called out, while the other gave chase. The remaining teammate attempted to use a martial art technique, his palm gathering wind in a telltale sign of impending action.
Observing their camaraderie with my younger cousins, I decided not to inflict harm upon them. A smaller team would prove more advantageous. Even if they united, their chances against the selected eliminators seemed slim based on their performance thus far.
Despite the two troublesome youngsters in my hands, I swiftly created enough distance from the guy chasing us.
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"Release us!"
"You coward!"
My cousins struggled in my grasp, attempting to strike my hands. Relinquishing my hold, they dropped to the ground as I perched atop a nearby tree. Assuming defensive stances, they prepared for a fight.
"That's unwise. With only five-star Body Tempering, the best decision in your situation is to flee," I advised.
Ignoring my counsel, they frowned and clenched their fists.
Preferring action over further dialogue, I aimed to illustrate our divergence. Employing the Rushing Bull Step technique once more, I blitzed past them and stood before them before their gaze could shift. Their widened eyes belatedly grasped the situation.
"I'm your cousin."
Despite my declaration, they remained skeptical. The long-haired girl leveled an accusatory finger at me. "Cousin Feng has long hair."
Even if I wasn't him, they should have pretended to believe me, considering the overwhelming strength difference between us. Yet, being youthful, likely no more than fifteen years old, I exercised leniency and sighed.
They could learn in the future. I was dumb during that age too.
Leaning in close to them, I lifted my mask to reveal my face. Their eyes widened in recognition, and they nodded in unison, followed by clasping their palms and fists together and bowing deeply at the waist.
"Juniors greet Senior Cousin Feng!" they exclaimed simultaneously.
I scratched my head, uncertain of how to handle such deference. It felt awkward to receive such respect. "You can just call me Feng, or Liu Feng at most."
"That would be disrespectful," asserted the long-haired twin. "My sister and I would be showing too much disrespect to one who is our senior by acting like that."
Ah, so the one with the long hair was the brother?
Glancing at Liu Lia, the short-haired girl, I inwardly pitied her. Not only did she lack... physical attributes to show the difference between them. But their resemblance made it challenging to discern between them.
Yet, having a twin with cultivation talent must be reassuring. Given the longevity of cultivators, friends and family often passed away early on, but having a talented twin was a constant source of support and trust.
"We are colleagues and fellow cultivators, and we will work together as long as we're in the outer sect. So, there is no seniority between us," I reasoned.
They appeared uneasy at the notion, exchanging a glance they likely assumed I hadn't noticed. With a slight nod, they seemed to acquiesce. Before they could respond, I put back on my mask.
"We should depart before encountering more trouble. If we encounter anyone else, refrain from addressing me as your cousin. I wear this mask for a reason," I whispered.
They both nodded, the brother about to speak until the sister hushed him with a finger to her lips, urging silence. He complied, casting a worried glance my way.
They took my words too seriously as if they were my subordinates. No need for such formality here, though it wasn't the place to discuss it.
"Let's go," I said, leaping onto a nearby tree branch, signaling for them to follow.
Nodding, they glanced around anxiously. The sister spoke up, "Uh... we don't have a movement technique."
The sooner we left, the safer we'd be. So this wasn't a good thing, but we would have to do with this.
"Don't worry, I'll travel at a slower pace so you can keep up," I assured them, setting a manageable speed.
As the sun dipped low, we encountered no trouble. However, I sensed movement about a hundred feet away. In the fading light, I recognized the red-haired guy strolling past us.
He glanced at me, our gazes briefly locking before he narrowed his eyes and continued on his way.
Huh? What was that about?
I shrugged off the momentary exchange and refocused on escorting my cousins, ensuring their safety along the journey.
Before long, we reached the sandy beaches where my chubby friend and the rest of my team awaited. Swiftly, I removed my mask and stashed it in the inner pockets of my robe before drawing attention.
"Guys," I called out, catching their attention. My once-chubby friend now slimmed down, waved in acknowledgment, appearing to be in the midst of a meal. Without delay, I briefed them on the situation. "These are my cousins. Please look after them for a while as I attend to other matters."
"Of course," Yong Cho nodded after swallowing his food. "Your cousins are in good hands. Anyone who dares trouble them will meet my fist."
Grateful for his assurance, I smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I owe you one."
"What's there to owe? Friends help each other without keeping score," he chuckled.
His words echoed sentiments he often expressed, yet they sounded more resolute in his current form.
As I turned to leave, my cousins bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Thank you for everything, Honorable Senior Cousin Feng!"
This title seemed to lengthen with each exclamation.
Rolling my eyes, I walked away, unwilling to correct them. However, before disappearing into the forest, I paused and called out, "Enough with the formalities. We're family, after all."
Without waiting for a response, I continued on, the forest enveloping me in its familiar sounds. Fortunately, luck had favored me and led me to my cousins swiftly.
Perhaps my mind, tainted by exposure to danger, had anticipated a struggle before getting them. Yet, such scenarios were rare among disciples. However, a few bad apples tarnished the reputation of many others with their arrogance.
The first mission was done, now it was time for the second one.
I turned my focus to the next and final task at hand.
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