ragginovel Chapter 32 No one can force you
Chapter 32 No one can force you
Lu Yuan rolled out of bed and pushed open the door.
The moonlight was beautiful in the courtyard.
There was no one around.
He took a deep breath and got into position.
Rock-Smashing Palm!
He broke through the thin barrier the instant he struck with his palm.
The palm strike made no sound of air being cut, but the stone pillar in the corner of the courtyard instantly split in two.
He then unleashed several more palm strikes.
Ding!
[Martial Arts Progress: Rock-Shattering Palm: Mastery (2001/2000)]
He didn't stop.
Green Wind Step!
With a graceful step, his figure transformed into a wisp of wind under the moonlight.
The mastery of the Azure Wind Step emphasizes quick and agile movements within a small space, which is extremely fast but also consumes a lot of energy.
At this moment, he pushed his speed to the limit, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and turned back.
When I landed, I was slightly out of breath, but my steps were lighter and more steady than before.
Ding!
[Martial Arts Progress: Azure Wind Step: Perfect (5006/10000)]
......
Until two beep codes sounded.
Lu Yuan then stopped.
He stopped his stance, then suddenly realized something and turned around.
In the corner of the courtyard, a slender figure stood there at some unknown time.
The moonlight fell on her face, making her features look like a painting.
The person who arrived was Qin Zhao.
Her face was still a little pale, and her body had clearly not fully recovered.
The two looked at each other for a moment, but neither spoke first.
After a moment of silence.
"...It's so late."
Lu Yuan finally spoke, his voice a few decibels lower than usual.
"Um."
Qin Zhao did not explain why she was there, nor did Lu Yuan ask.
"Is your injury healed?"
"alright."
Qin Zhao spoke softly, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Another silence followed.
"Miss Qin," Lu Yuan said, "Regarding that day... thank you, if it weren't for you..."
Qin Zhao didn't speak, he just looked at him.
Lu Yuan wanted to say, "It's better if we keep our distance," but he swallowed the words back.
It's not that I don't want to say it, it's that I can't bring myself to say it.
He has lived two lives and has never felt that he owes anyone anything.
But looking at her pale face, I suddenly realized that if I said those words, I would probably regret it for a long time.
Qin Zhao suddenly smiled.
There was no blame or grievance in that smile.
She just smiled quietly.
It was as if they had anticipated his attitude.
"I've come to say goodbye. I'm going to school, the Royal Martial Arts Academy." She paused, "and I probably won't see you much anymore."
Lu Yuan knew about her engagement, but he didn't bring it up at the moment; he simply nodded.
"That's great."
Seeing his stubbornness, Qin Zhao suddenly stepped forward.
Lu Yuan did not dodge.
It's not because we can't avoid it.
Qin Zhao tightened his grip on his arm and buried his head in his shoulder.
The moonlight cast their shadows onto the blue brick floor, merging them together so that they were indistinguishable. Lu Yuan felt her shoulders trembling slightly, but her voice was steady.
"Lu Yuan, I don't want to achieve much in martial arts."
From childhood to adulthood, my father taught me swordsmanship, and I practiced it all, but I never aimed to become a martial arts master.
I just want to... stay with the person I love and spend my whole life with them.
Lu Yuan remained silent.
His hand rested on her back, neither pushing her away nor tightening his grip, but simply sitting there quietly.
Qin Zhao's voice came from his shoulder.
"What would you do if one day I was forced to marry someone I didn't love?"
silence.
But this time it's not about pretending to be stupid.
Lu Yuan looked down at her hair.
He recalled the way she pulled him aside in the dense forest, that instinct that flashed through his mind.
He remembered how she instinctively took that blow for him.
It reminds me of the lantern festival.
I remember drawing my sword for him from under the arena.
......
Having lived two lives, this was the first time Lu Yuan didn't know how to use reason to weigh the weight of something.
Then he spoke.
"Then I'll go and steal the bride. I'll beat down all those who are forcing you," he said, "until no one is forcing you anymore."
Qin Zhao's shoulders stopped trembling.
After a moment, she released her grip and took a step back.
She quickly wiped the corner of her eye with her hand, and when she looked up, a smile was on her face.
"Then I'll take it seriously."
"Um."
Qin Zhao turned and walked towards the moon gate.
She took a few steps, then stopped and looked back at him.
"Take care of yourself."
"……Take care of yourself."
She pushed open the courtyard gate and went outside.
The figure quickly disappeared behind the door.
Lu Yuan stood there, staring blankly in the direction Qin Zhao had just left.
I stood there for a long time.
Then he looked down at his hand... He hadn't dared to use force when his hand was on her back.
As he turned to walk toward the door, an old voice came from the shadows in the corridor.
"Young Master Yuan, you're awake?"
Lu Yuan paused. Old Huang was squatting behind him, holding a bowl of medicine.
"...Old Huang."
"This old servant is here."
"How long have you been squatting there?"
Old Huang thought about it.
"Not long after. From the time the young master began practicing footwork."
Lu Yuan took the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.
......
On election day, the city of Qingzhou was deserted as everyone flocked to the city.
The central training ground was packed with people, with all three thousand seats filled, and even the stone steps in the aisles were crowded.
Important figures from various factions in Qingzhou City were also invited to come and witness the event.
The sect leader of the Iron Bone Sect, Tie Qianshan, sat upright in the central viewing platform, with Tie Heng and Han Tieshan standing on either side.
"Sect Master, it's been a long time since you've been so attentive to the disciple selection election!"
Han Tieshan asked casually.
"Isn't it rare to meet someone you really like!"
Tie Qianshan smiled and pointed in a direction.
"Tie Heng, that's the Lu Yuan you were talking about, right?"
Tie Heng repeatedly agreed.
One month ago.
After Tie Heng returned from the Lu family for the first time, he reported to Tie Qianshan about the genius that the Lu family had produced.
Tie Qianshan also sent people to investigate.
To his surprise...
This young man was completely unknown just three years ago.
In just three short years.
He rose to prominence.
Later, he awakened his Qilin bloodline in front of a large audience.
Such an amazing boy aroused his deep curiosity.
If these rumors are true...
Why not just accept him as a personal disciple?
"Sect Master, you actually came in person."
Zhao Tianxiong wore a fawning smile.
Tie Qianshan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"And who are you?"
Tie Heng said in a low voice, "Sect Master, he is Zhao Tianxiong, the head of the Zhao family in Qingzhou City."
"The Zhao family?" Tie Qianshan pondered for a moment.
"That guy named... Zhao Li... is he your son, right?"
"Yes...yes, it is my son. He has exceptional talent and aptitude, and also..."
Tie Qianshan didn't intend to respond, casually interrupting, "Then let's see the results. If they're outstanding, our Iron Bone Sect will accept them."
Seeing this, Zhao Tianxiong didn't know what to say and could only awkwardly laugh and retreat.
Walk to one side of the venue.
"Ha, some people just want to do things that are met with indifference."
Lu Youde sat to one side, his tone full of sarcasm.
"Hmph, so what?"
"You think your Lu Yuan can pass the election smoothly?... "
Lu Youde's expression changed: "You dare..."
"Oh, Patriarch Lu. I didn't say anything!... The way you're talking makes it sound like I'm about to do something!"