...
Yawn...
It's morning already...?
This technique... it will be perfect for the battlefield. But the learning curve is... complicated.
I've managed to grasp most of it, but only on the battlefield will the technique show its true colors.
Knock, knock.
''Ye, it's me, Yuexin.''
A gentle knock echoes through the room, pulling me back to reality.
...Ye?
''I'll be out in a minute.''
I pack some rations along with the Crow Shroud Technique and make my way to the corridor.
In front of my door is Yuexin, black circles around her eyes, as if she didn't get much sleep. On the other hand, her clothes are even more elegant than before...
''You don't look too good, is everything alright?''
As soon as she heard my words, her expression became even worse. With a 'hmph', she turns on her heels and starts walking towards the courtyard.
...
Girls...
.
The courtyard wasn't too far away. The closer we got, the louder the metallic sound. Armor clashing against armor, weapons sharpening on a whetstone.
The army organized, ready to depart at a moment's notice. Wenji, the family butler, could be seen walking around with a notepad, ensuring that everything was correct and accounted for.
''Everything will be fine... right?''
Yuexin tugs on my robe again, her gaze looking down.
''Cheer up. Everything will be fine the moment our forces combine.''
I give her a nudge, my tone both reassuring and confident.
She doesn't speak, just looks at me and nods slightly.
Not long after, the butler gave us a brief rundown of everything and we departed towards the Lan family.
The ride was calm, without any incidents. After all, no bandits would dare even approach an army of 300 strong.
However, the closer we got to Qingyuan City, where the Lan family resides, the more eerie the atmosphere became.
People within the villages hid when they saw us, as if we were not the first ones to arrive.
After a brief investigation, it seemed that another army had made its way through the village, their attitude not as amicable as ours.
''The Xu family is on the move.''
...
Wenji says, his voice grim, his eyes glued to Yuexin.
Hearing the news, the worst kinds of thoughts rushed through her mind.
''We need to hurry up, fast. What if my family is already fighting...?''
Her voice shaky, worried. She keeps pacing back and forth within the carriage, not satisfied with our current pace.
''Calm down, Yuexin. I won't say I know how you feel, but if you want to be of help, you must be in good shape.''
Despite my best attempts, her worries did not lessen at all. In fact, they got worse.
I did my best. If you don't listen to me, I couldn't care less.
Leaning back into my chair, I close my eyes and relax.
I'm the one who needs to be in a good state. This battlefield is mine.
...
..
.
The walls of Qingyuan City rose in the distance, smoke already curling above the rooftops. Shouts, distant cries, and the dull roar of clashing steel reached us even before the gates.
The carriage stopped in its tracks. Butler Wenji jumped down first, shouting orders at the soldiers to form ranks.
Yuexin pushed the curtains to the side, her face as pale as snow.
''Oh no... we're too late.''
Outside the carriage, villagers, townsfolk, and even cultivators ran in disarray. Some clutched children, some carried their belongings, while some disregarded everyone else, injuring them in the process. Everyone had one thing in common: fear.
My lips curled into a smile, imagining a scene where I would be the cause of it.
Just how much Fear would I get...?
I'll find out soon.
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Early Stage▸ +]
[Fear Points: 38]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 1500]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!
Powerstones: If we can reach 70 power stones in a week, I will make one more chapter a day for 1 week. Let's do it!