Chapter 19
The next days flew by. When the group wasn't cultivating in their rooms, they were out practicing in a large courtyard located behind the manor.
Drakkel's clanmates already had a routine down and because they cultivated skills besides Sword Energy strengthening, they were also more nimble than he and Rillian Adore. However, Drakkel was at the level of Sword Epiphany and at the Pinnacle at that. It didn't take him long to catch up.
Rillian Adore, however, was the only one who was still struggling, so they gave him a more strength based role in their dance.
Aurien Wavel, who was good at cooking and medicine, was also very good at choreography. It only took him two days to decide where to fit Drakkel and Rillian Adore in their dance and so they could focus on practice for the remaining days.
So, when the night they were to perform arrived, they were ready.
The courtyard where they practiced was the place they were set to perform. It was a large grassy area with a pavilion at the center. Around the pavilion were several stone paths that wound around the cement base and extended out like the rays of the sun to different parts of the manor.
The group made sure their weapons were properly hidden and their hats were well-fitted so that they wouldn't slip off.
The Forging Rivers Swords Clan members who followed the official were seated on a table overlooking the covered pavilion and an array of delicious foods were laid out for their enjoyment along with some wine.
Their conversation was loud, so even Drakkel and his clanmates could hear it. Through the quiet of the air, the voices drifted over, clear and concise.
“I’m very glad you all agreed to come with me. So, in addition to your pay, I would like to reward you with this performance.” The official said.
Clan Leader Tianle laughed. “Thank you! Actually, we are happy to help. After all, with the threat of another Demon King like Demon King Fael just over the horizon, we have to make sure that ordinary citizens like you are protected! And it's good that you chose our clan too! After all, we have brave and powerful people amongst our disciples as well!
Even when compared to the top clans, we aren't too bad. In fact some say that we would have actually become one of the top clans if the Sword Summit wasn’t interrupted by that evil-doer!
Speaking of him, did you know that my son actually battled the new Demon King in the past?! He even came back with severe injuries! Because of this, he couldn't participate in the Sword Summit and had to recuperate at home! But that didn't stop him. Now that he’s healed, he is trying to join the fight against the new threat. And you can feel safe in good hands…”
He continued, “I don't like to brag, but actually, if it was my best disciple, Litoren Bovis that was there instead, forget Demon King, Drakkel Fin wouldn't even be good enough to be considered a stain on my shoe! My disciple would have taken care of him then and there. Isn't that right?”
A new voice joined the conversation. “Yes, master.”
“See?” Clan Leader Tianle said.
The group drowned out the rest of the chatter as they were about to begin the performance.
Meanwhile, Drakkel shook his head at Clan Leader Tianle’s shamelessness. The man was blatantly incorrect and he still spoke about it unabashedly.
Between Clan Leader Tianle and his son, Tifon, where one was shameless and the other was weak and misguided, there wasn’t much to see. In fact, if it weren't for Litoren Bovis who was known to be an obedient and competent disciple, the Forging Rivers Swords Clan would probably not have amounted as much as it had today.
Musicians from a new inn that was set up in the town came to perform music for their troupe’s dance.
Once the music started, they stepped out and began.
Like an immortal traversing the clouds, using each one as a stepping stone and gliding through the air, they flew. For the more difficult maneuvers, Rillian Adore and Drakkel were left out, their companions flying into the air while they danced on the ground.
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The dance described two immortals fighting each other with spectators hovering around them. It was meant to display a fight between the Goddess of flowers Filta Lorne and her betrothed, God of Earth, Haros Stagnan. She was forced by her family to marry him even though she loved another.
There was a rule that if a man wanted to win the hand of an engaged lady, he could duel her fiancé. However the one she loved was too weak to fight. He was only a fairy of grass while she was a goddess of flowers. So, she fought in his place against her fiancé and against the words of those who forced her.
In the end, though she won, those who were against her union with the fairy, took the opportunity to kill him during the fight while he was unprotected.
In pure agony, she wept over his dead body before stabbing herself in the chest with her sword and dying in front of the ones who had forsaken her.
After that, the grass fairy was said to have returned to his primordial form- a single blade of grass. But surrounding that primordial form was always a sea of flowers.
This sea of flowers was said to have been located somewhere within the mountains in between Lunala Isle and Waning Crescent, hence it received the name, “Flowering Mountain.”
As they were nearing the end of the dance, Drakkel sensed a sword energy attack heading his way.
He was suspended in the air and could have dodged it, but the maneuver necessary to do so would require the skill of a Sword Fighter above Sword Hero.
Because he didn't want to reveal himself, he decided to take the attack head on instead. He braced for impact, but before it could land, Rillian Adore swiftly grabbed his leg and dragged him down, catching him in a bridal carry.
With Drakkel in Rillian Adore’s hands, the two gracefully floated to the ground, completing the dance.
What should have been a fight of hate and love between two immortals turned into a quarrel between two lovers that made amends in the end.
The official stood up and started clapping. “Amazing performance! Truly amazing! How did you do it?”
Seeing that Rillian Adore didn’t let him go after a while, Drakkel patted his shoulder lightly to let him know that he needed to be put down.
As he did, Ri'en who was watching from afar, went up to the official. “It's a trade secret. If they revealed it, wouldn’t their elusive and mysterious reputation be in shambles?”
The man vigorously nodded. “Of course! It was my mistake! Now I see why they have earned their name! They are truly the image of ancient swords wielded by immortals.”
The five slightly bowed their heads toward the official.
Meanwhile, Litoren Bovis stood up. “I apologize for that just now. I was concerned. Since you all wear veils, there could be demon spies hidden among you. So I took the liberty to test you with our Sword Energy Needle technique just now. Since you didn't dodge it, you all must be the real deal.”
He cupped his hands, “I’m truly sorry for being disrespectful towards you.”
Ri’en waved a hand in front of his face. “It's ok, it's ok! They understand. But they've had quite a fright now. I’ll let them return to their rooms and I can see you off tomorrow, alright?”
Litoren Bovis nodded.
Clan Leader Tianle stepped forward. “What gracious hospitality! Truly befitting of a Town Lord. I can even see that your people are happy as well. What say you sir, official?”
The official answered, “Oh, I agree. But in the end.” He cupped his hands in the direction of the imperial palace. “It will be up to his Majesty to decide.”
Clan Leader Tianle nodded.
Ri’en then said, “If we're done here, everyone can go back now and prepare for tomorrow and if you want any additional food and drink, a servant can bring it to your room.”
The official nodded. “Fine! I see! I’ll retire for the night! I’ve had good food and a good show! Now I can say that I've seen this troupe too! No one will look down on me for missing out anymore!”
Ri'en smiled.
The official continued, looking at the Troupe, “I really don't want to keep you all here anymore. I’m sure you’ve had a scare. You can leave.”
The group bowed their heads before leaving. All the while, Drakkel was prepared for any sudden changes.
Litoren Bovis wasn't simple. His own master hadn't thought of it, yet he actually gleaned an issue and even took action before anyone else.
If it weren't for Rillian Adore, his cover would have been blown whether he took the attack head on or not.
The Sword Energy Needle Technique was a specialty of the Forging Rivers clan, but compared to using real needles like the Hidden Desires and Powdered Vessel Swords Clans, it wasn't very effective.
It was much like an arrow, but unlike an arrow it would dissipate in the person's body and would not be strong enough to travel through. Although one could get seriously injured if they took the attack head on, as long as they got immediate medical attention from a Sword Fighter with Medical Cultivation like someone from the Powdered Vessel Swords Clan, the survival rate was nearly 100 percent.
Considering this, the simple act of healing the wound caused by the attack would have revealed Aurien Wavel and dots could be connected from there.
As for if it didn't hit, dodging or blocking it would have already revealed him.
Because of its effectiveness and the fact that any simple sword energy attack could push it back, the Sword Energy Needle technique wasn't used by many members of the Forging Rivers Clan. However, in matters like this, it's usefulness showed.
When they made it back to their room, Drakkel finally relaxed. They were far too close to getting caught. He was only lucky that Rillian Adore was there to cover for him.
But he couldn't depend on him all the time. From now on, he had to be more careful.
As he laid on his bed, he thanked Rillian Adore for what he did.
In response, Rillian Adore only nodded his head before settling in to sleep.
They decided that since Densai Forest was so far from them, they would first stop at Raging Rivers, then Nevermore. From Nevermore, they would leave early in the morning to head to Densai Forest.
