Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 342: Coming home (2)

Those who practices heavily with weapons usually have coarse and rough hands but Arial hand is smooth, like he never holds even swords. 

She even dare say, that her teacher hand is smoother than hers.

This is because Arial have reached such a level of control of internal energy, that the internal energy repairs the damage he has done to his own body. 

It seems Xiyun in her excitement rant all she knows about Arial city. But Arial is saying this for her safety.

'You will leave me here, Teacher?' There is a sense of anxiousness in Xiyun tone. 

And a little fearful too of what her teacher might say. Did he…Is he…. does he not trust her?

'What are you talking about? I don't understand.' Arial does not understand where this question is coming from.

Quickly Xiyun kneels and there is a tear in her eyes. 

'Do you want to abandon your pitiful disciple, Teacher?' 

'No, no.' He finally understands what Xiyun is implying. It is not Arial intention to abandon Xiyun at all. But Xiyun has misunderstood his noble intention.

'There is a dangerous journey ahead of us. I need to hide until my internal energy recovered completely. My wound is also not yet healed.'

'So, wouldn't two people would be safer- ' 

'No, I don't want you to risk your life. If you too, are killed because of me, I could never forgive myself.' 

Xiyun finally understand her teacher inner dilemma and she felt touched by the sincerity of her teacher words. 

She got up from kneeling and said with all the sincerity she can muster.

'If I die teacher, in result of protecting you, there is no other honourable death I can imagine. I, Xiyun am many things. Mischievous, naughty and aloof sometimes but I am not an ungrateful person. If because of fear of death, I leave teacher here, what would that make me as your disciple? If I die, I will never blame you, teacher. I am your disciple. As the teacher teaches the disciple so does the disciple teaches the master. If the disciple need to learn to respect their teachers, the teacher need to learn to love their disciples and trusting their decision. If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.'

Arial look at Xiyun as his estimation of Xiyun rises.

'HAHAHA. Who would have thought you would fight me to this degree, Xiyun just to protect me? Fine. If that is what you feel, then I will not worry about you and I will not question your choices. I have made a fine disciple. Do any of the martial art sects have such a self-sacrificing disciple like you? The Abbess is stupid letting you go, and the others are stupid for not recognizing you. I, Arial also not a person lacks of gratitude. Xiyun seeing that you possessed such virtue in you, I promise, I will raise you to be a talent that will shakes this world.' 

Xiyun nodded and smile. 

Arial then get up and stood at the edge of the cave, bringing his weary body to look at the sunset, Xiyun holding him up as the red dusk began showing its beauty, the yellow sun begins hiding his face, calling the beautiful moon to replace him. 

Xiyun look at the direction Arial is watching.

Arial look and said, looking far into the opening horizon of red, with gratitude as he survived another day 

'I am coming home'

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LIGHTMONTH 2022

Arial parted with Xiyun in Acro and he told her to learn the technique after one and a half year. 

Xiyun insisted that she need to accompany Arial right in front of his castle door but Arial has already recovered much of his internal energy and his internal injuries are healing nicely. 

And it is clear that Xiyun need to see the world a little bit more. 

Now that she is known as the disciple of the Central Celestial, people would think twice before messing with her. 

At least Arial reputation will protect her in her journey on the martial art world. 

They parted in an inn, and there is a hint of sadness in Xiyun to separate with her teacher but she accepts it wholeheartedly. 

Her teacher is like the wind, come when he wants to, but also leave whenever he wants too.

The reason Arial told Xiyun to learn the technique after one and a half year, when it was supposed to be three years is because this discovery Arial made a few weeks ago.

It seems for inexplicable reason Xiyun internal energy increase by leaps and bounds. Arial has his suspicion of course. 

He also felt his recovery is faster than he first imagined. Is it possible the tea and wine…Nah, this is ridiculous! He quickly dismissed the idea. josei

Xiyun is not that smart enough to create strengthening pills. 

Only certain people can do that, with years of researching the properties of herbs, with countless of trial, of errors and retrial. 

Arial never have any strengthening pills and he still turn this strong. 

And from what Arial could see, Xiyun while possessing a strong mind, and a quick understanding of martial arts, even she is not that proficient in medicines or poisons.

Maybe it is just because of the innate talent of Xiyun. He convinces himself. Then he keeps on walking into the city, already changing his tattered clothes to a better one.

When he walks on the city people who see him and recognize him quickly kneel. It is not that hard to recognize him. 

Even though they may not have seen him before, everyone knows that the Vermont's has white hair, white as snow and the Vermont's are the lords of the region of the bountiful Arrandy. 

Who does not know this fact is not qualified to trade in the city of Acro, Arrandy greatest city.

'Lord Arial, welcome home' the people of Acro that recognize him kneel and followed by the others. 

Those merchant that doesn't know him when they heard the ruckus and the deferential attitude they employed looking at him also understand something.

They also quickly kneel. The guards then come down from the city wall and quickly tend to his need. 

The reason why the guards come down faster than light from the high castle wall, it is because they fear they will be blame by the duke for not receiving him well and without any honours befitting of a noble of such high stature. 

After all such story is not uncommon in other places. Their lord is known to be generous and love by the people, but who knows with noble? 

They are like a tiger. Sometimes they are happy and they will reward you. When they angry they will devour you. 

More so, the Vermont's. Even their crest is a dragon. Who dares incite the wrath of such family tempered by blood and steel? 

Their rise is through war, through battle, uniting the South of Aetherland through marriage, the north by steel, the other family like Blacktons and Whitetree through words and blood.

Their name itself is associated with battles and war. Such is the fate of a family rising through blood. 

In other part of the continent people bow to the King of the Kingdom but here in Arrandy, the Duke is the highest authority, people bow to him and only him.

The guards spotted a while ago a white hair man, a young man, but with a long flowing white hair entering the city with a majestic gait, and they instinctively know that this is someone of a high position.

Then and only then, their minds began remembering of their lord that resides in Soaring Dragon Castle, the House of Vermont, the lord of the city, the Duke of Arrandy.

'I need a horse, guard' Arial ordered. 

'RECRUIT' the muscly guard yelled. A young man come forward and drops his gaze when he looks at Arial.

'Get the finest horse from the stable and give it to our lord.' He then turned to me. 

'My lord, please wait a while. My subordinates will come shortly with the horse.'

A few moments later the horse is deliver to me. Arial took it and with a dash, the horse galloped to the castle, like the homecoming of a great hero. 

To home.

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