Chapter 5 Maeve Walker

Words : 0 Updated : Jul 18th, 2024

Standing beside the dry well, Ryan's face turned grim as he sized up the two figures who had found him. He knew a fight was inevitable, and a single misstep could mean his death. There were two girls before him. The one in front wore a pink skirt, accentuating her developing figure. Her beautiful eyes looked like polished dark gems. Every breath from her bright teeth and alluring red lips carried a delicate fragrance. There was no doubt that once she grew up, her beauty would cause the downfall of kingdoms. The other girl stood respectfully behind the first. She was a rather pretty servant girl who followed her mistress wherever she went. "Oh! Maeve? Why are you here?" Ryan asked calmly, though he was still startled and shaking, trying to suppress his fear. He cursed himself silently, "Damn it! I still got tailed. I should have been more careful!" Maeve's appearance made him brood. If she could find him, would others be far behind? Maeve Walker was believed to be a rare genius in the Walker Clan, just as Ryan had once been in his own clan. But Ryan speculated that she was even more talented than he had been—when Ryan had just reached the sixth grade of Dermal Fortification, Maeve had already broken through the seventh. Ryan's first encounter with Maeve was during a training session several years ago. To improve himself, Ryan had ventured into a mountain range where ferocious beasts were known to dwell. He soon spotted a heavily injured and beautiful young girl—Maeve. Her life was clearly at risk, so Ryan had cut short his trip to save her. He healed her wounds with his internal power and personally escorted her back to her clan. Maeve was so grateful for Ryan's help. Ryan was surprised to learn that Maeve's grade at Dermal Fortification was even higher than his own. They shared a mutual admiration and began sparring together, enjoying their time as martial arts practitioners. But when Ryan's spiritual meridian was destroyed and his cultivation base was removed, he hadn't seen her again. He understood why—a genius had no need to spar with an ordinary person. He didn't hold a grudge against her. "Hey, I get it. You've come to claim the bounty. Gonna arrest me and get those 200 silver coins?" Ryan scoffed. He didn't want to think that way, but the possibility had occurred to him. Ryan sighed and thought to himself, "Who would have thought my friend could become my enemy over some coins?" The young servant got mad and spoke, "Her ladyship is far richer than that paltry reward! How could you say such a thing?" As she shouted at Ryan, he could feel a stirring in the air. She was gathering energy. He recognized it immediately—the fifth grade of Dermal Fortification. Clearly, she was ready to fight Ryan over her mistress' honor. Before anything could happen, Maeve snapped, "Stop!" Hearing Maeve's order, the servant noticed her misbehavior and stopped. The stirring subsided, and Ryan was safe for the moment. Maeve continued, "Ryan, I owe you my life, so I'm here to return the favor. This is my way of saying thanks." "Oh? Are you saying that trash like me once saved a noblewoman like you?" Ryan faked a smile and continued, "When did that happen? How could I forget a thing like that? Thanks anyway, but I wouldn't have you lower yourself to save me. I'm dead already. So leave me alone, please." Ryan was young and stubborn, and he was proud. Even though he was in the darkest time of his life, desperately in need of help, he wouldn't accept it from Maeve. It felt like pity, like he was an animal caught in a trap. Help like that he didn't need. Hearing no response from the two, Ryan thought for a while and continued, "Okay, fine. If this is really how you feel, just don't reveal my hiding place. Can you help with that?" Without any reply, Maeve stood quietly, studying the man in front of her. This wasn't the proud, confident warrior she used to spar with. This was a broken young man. She felt a pang of disappointment. Receiving no answer, Ryan had no intention of continuing the conversation, so he turned and prepared to leave. "So you don't care about your own life, do you? But what about your father's?" Maeve's remark made him pause. She waited to see his reaction, then continued, "If the Noel Clan can't track you down in the next few days, they'll probably just kill your father. Vengeance will demand you show yourself." Ryan froze. Maeve had just told him a hard truth. Whether he wanted to believe it or not, what she said made sense. He didn't care about his own life, but he wouldn't let anyone threaten his father. To spare his father from death, he had to be humble and accept help. Nothing else mattered right now. Feeling a weight in his mind, Ryan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he turned toward Maeve again, opening his eyes with a stern look. "Maeve, what exactly are you trying to say?" Maeve answered, "Two days from now, emissaries from Soshill Sect will visit Stonebridge City for recruitment. Take this token. They'll accept you as a disciple once you show this token to them." As Maeve spoke, she tossed a white token at him. Along the sides of the token were exquisite snowflake patterns surrounding the word "Soshill." "Becoming a disciple of the Soshill Sect is the only way out. Once you're a disciple, you won't have to run and hide anymore. The Noel Clan can't afford to offend Soshill Sect, so both you and your father will be safe." "Soshill Sect..." Hearing the name, Ryan's eyes twinkled with hope and ambition. "Such a precious token. Shouldn't you keep it for yourself or give it to disciples from your own clan?" Ryan asked, confused. "They don't need it. You do. As I said, this is my thanks for saving me," Maeve continued with a stern face. "I don't want to owe you anything. We're even now." Maeve turned and left. The servant took out a cloth bag hidden in her sleeve, letting it drop into her hand with a gesture. She walked toward Ryan and hung the bag around his neck. "Poor guy! There are three hundred silver coins in it. The last thing you'll receive from her ladyship," the servant said coldly. "By the way, our lady has been recognized as a special disciple by one of the innate spirits. And you're just an ordinary warrior. Don't misunderstand anything. Don't try to contact her again. Don't even dream of it!" With a scornful look, the servant turned and left too. "Crack! Crack!" Ryan gritted his teeth as he watched the servant's silhouette recede. Anger filled his chest. The servant's words cut into Ryan's heart, ripping into his pride. He couldn't do anything but clench his fists. His lips were bitten so fiercely they bled, and his fingernails pierced his flesh. In Ryan's right fist, the token had been bent almost out of shape. If he continued to crush it, adding one more iota of strength, the token would break along with his hopes. Wrath welled up, pulling him from sanity. Before Ryan lost control, his father's face flashed across his mind. He came back to his senses, keeping his father firmly in his thoughts, and finally loosened his fists. Still, he couldn't endure the servant's humiliation. Ryan ripped open the cloth bag and threw it to the ground with great force. He stomped angrily on it to vent his rage, then walked away, leaving the bag behind. Two days later, Stonebridge City held a magnificent celebration to greet the arrival of the emissaries from the Soshill Sect. Statues of heroes and gods were paraded through the streets, and rites symbolizing victory over chaos were enacted. Fireworks could be seen and heard too. On this striking occasion, Ryan had been completely forgotten. His arrest was temporarily suspended. Led by their masters, disciples from all martial clans in Stonebridge City gathered in the largest square. Among the martial clans present, three stood out with great reputations and authority: Noel Clan, Walker Clan, and Stone Clan. "Hahaha, Nelson, I heard a young master from your clan, Nicholas Noel, has been enrolled by one of the innate spirits from Soshill Sect. Congratulations!" beamed Quenton Stone, the master from Stone Clan, clapping Nelson on the shoulder. "Nelson, this is a blessed event. I couldn't be happier for you!" echoed Harvey Walker, the master of the Walker Clan. "Huh! You two old foxes. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy the same blessings!" Nelson Noel replied, frowning. "Haha!" The three masters exchanged knowing looks and burst into laughter. They felt proud of their descendants, as their clans had finally connected to the Soshill Sect. Though they smiled joyfully like old friends, they kept a wary eye on each other. If one grew weak, the other two would immediately ally and turn against the feeble one. The rest of the martial clans brooded, knowing they had no hope of rising in Stonebridge City this generation. They would remain mediocre and wait patiently for their time to shine. "Boom!" A rumbling thunder eclipsed the noise of the fireworks. Suddenly, two giant birds descended into the square, their wingbeats creating a small storm with gusts of wind.

Chapter 5 Maeve Walker

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