Forge a path to success.

Chapter 264 The Heartless One is Practicing Repaying Kindness (Part 1)
In the afternoon training ground, the assassin sat under the statue of a god and tapped his bamboo knife with his knuckles.

"This is the best point to exert force," he said. "The knife needs to be longer; a short knife isn't enough."

"What if we launch an attack from within an inch of the enemy's range?" Qingye asked.

"Getting that close is tantamount to death."

"That's so extreme..."

"This is the most extreme swordsmanship in the world." The assassin stood up, sword in hand. "Try it again."

"Please advise!"

The training bamboo swords clashed and swung, sweat dripping down Qingye's face. Slashes, thrusts, dodges, then iaido. Hit. Another attempt, this time the first strike landed. The third, the fourth…

On the seventh attempt, she parried the blade with her swift sword, preventing the slash from landing. Chu Hengkong released his grip on the hilt and aimed for his wrist, but Qingye parried by throwing her sword aside and then swept her leg towards Chu Hengkong's lower body. Chu Hengkong slid to the side to dodge the sweeping kick, but Qingye slapped the ground with her backhand and delivered a powerful kick. As she kicked, she changed her move again, wrapping her long legs around Chu Hengkong's neck and twisting her waist to throw him away.

However, the joint lock had no effect. Chu Hengkong maintained his balance with his powerful core strength, standing motionless. He then grabbed Qingye's waist, and Qingye hurriedly loosened her legs and spun around, trying to retreat. Chu Hengkong seized the opportunity and pressed forward, his forearm restraining Qingye's neck, pinning her to the ground.

The two were now extremely close, and Qingye felt like she was pressed against the other person like a sack. She quickly closed her eyes and pounded the ground three times: "I surrender! I surrender!"

"Using a throw against an opponent stronger than you?" Chu Hengkong didn't relax at all. "I think you really need to reinforce your lessons on failure."

"I thought of a new trick and wanted to try it out..." Qingye covered her eyes.

"If I were three times larger than I am now, would you use this fighting style?"

"I'll honestly use a knife," Qingye admitted. "Abandoning the knife and using my fists is a bad idea."

“You didn’t use this fighting style before because your overgrown physique gave you the illusion of becoming stronger,” Chu Hengkong said, relaxing his grip. “That’s why I told you to adjust it.”

"I want to be an adult a little longer..." Qingye said softly.

She covered her face with her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed beneath it. Her sense of touch had become more sensitive after her physical growth; when restrained by joint locks, she felt as if she were being pinned down by an assassin, with only a thin combat suit separating them.

Chu Hengkong noticed her strange behavior, stood up and patted her head: "Don't be thinking nonsense."

"It's not good for Mr. Chu to use bedroom techniques on girls!" Qingye said angrily.

"If you care so much, then use fewer joint locks in combat and hold your sword steady," Chu Hengkong said. "See, it'll be over when you're within an inch of each other."

Today's sparring session is over. Chu Hengkong put down his bamboo sword and walked out of the training ground. Qing Ye lay sprawled in the center of the field, and after a long while, he lowered his hands and sighed softly.

"I've been taken care of again..."

Back in Huilong City, Chu Hengkong truly began teaching her the Huangtian Style. The swordsmanship of the Fate Master was beyond their ability to fully explain, but observing and learning from him would greatly benefit her understanding of martial arts. Even though she only repeatedly studied the three strikes, Qingye felt her swordsmanship was far superior to before. Even back on Shura Island, she was confident she could surpass those young people who weren't geniuses.

But this wasn't entirely due to her own efforts. Whether it was Lord Yexing or Lord Chongming, she was always looked after by her seniors on her adventures. But the one who looked after her the most was undoubtedly Chu Hengkong. Without him, Qingye would have died on the battlefield long ago.

Qingye found it difficult to define her relationship with Chu Hengkong. They were comrades-in-arms, yet also like senior and junior; friends, but more than just pure friendship. If they were just friends, she wouldn't have made those jokes… Was it because she admired Mr. Chu, or something else…?

She's been hesitant to joke around lately because last time she said something, she actually got hugged... and in the painting, she was completely naked...

"Oh, really! Don't overthink it, Miss Qingye!"

Qingye rolled around on the spot for a while, then sat up with a thud, slapping her cheeks vigorously: "Anyway, I must repay the kindness I've received so much from you. I'll think about all this other stuff later!"

An eye for an eye must be retaliated against, and a favor must be repaid. Whether they are friends or seniors, if you have received help, you must repay the kindness, and do so double. This is the heart of a true sect leader!
There was no time to delay any longer; if she had an idea, she had to act on it as quickly as possible. Qingye hurriedly went to the cafeteria, bought a bento box, and brought it back to her single room. She tied a red headscarf around her neck, took out paper and pen, and resolved to complete her plan to repay the debt of gratitude in one afternoon.

If we're talking about repaying a debt of gratitude, it's nothing more than giving the other person something they like or helping them with chores. But as for Mr. Chu's favorite thing…

"It must be martial arts..." Qingye muttered to herself.

Just like Mr. Nightwalker's teachings, it's always best to solve everything with swordsmanship. Mr. Chu taught her the Radiant Heaven Style, so it's only natural that she would repay him with her family's Musou Reverse Heart Style, and even the patriarch would approve. However, Qingye still harbored a doubt in her heart.

—Has he already learned it?
After all, he is Chu Hengkong... a genius who can learn to draw his sword with a reverse blade just by looking at him a few times... They have fought side by side quite a few times, and recently they have been practicing together frequently. I always feel that he has been learning it in secret without her noticing, but he is just not using it because he is concerned about her feelings.

Qingye summoned his shadow clone and began simulating the scene of imparting swordsmanship. The shadow Qingye leaned against the wall, displaying the signature nonchalant expression of an assassin. Qingye walked over and bowed deeply: "Mr. Chu, to express my gratitude, please allow me to teach you swordsmanship. I beg you!"

Shadow Night raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled: "Then thank you very much. I am very interested in dual-wielding, teach me the Twin Wind Slash."

Qingye lay face down on the bed, letting out a silent scream.

Just as I expected! Absolutely! After a moment's thought, he'd choose a less essential move, pretend to learn it a couple of times, and say, "I understand, thank you, Qingye"—but that move was undoubtedly something he'd secretly learned long ago, and mentioning it now was purely a polite gesture. This is absolutely something that guy would do!!
Shadow Night continued to imitate, lowering his voice to mimic the assassin's inner thoughts: "Actually, I'd rather learn the Slaughtering Sword or the Reincarnation Blade... but since they are Night's secret swords, it's best not to bring them up now."

"Don't be so considerate of other people's feelings in this kind of situation, it's so annoying!"

Qingye angrily threw the pillow, and her shadow Qingye caught it with one hand, mimicking the assassin's light laughter. Qingye grabbed her clone and rubbed it wildly: "No, no, absolutely not. In the end, Mr. Chu is the kind of guy who won't take advantage of others for nothing... We need a 'lighter' return gift that he can't refuse..."

"How about chocolate or a homemade bento?" Shadow Night suggested.

That's... a good idea!
Qingye clenched his fist and tapped his hand. On Shura Island, female students give chocolates to their friends and family every year. Skillful girls also help make handmade bento boxes, bombs, shuriken, or prosthetic bodies. The gifts aren't just for boyfriends, but also for seniors, teachers, and friends. Because it's not directly related to romance, but rather a custom to express gratitude, it's perfectly healthy and without any psychological burden!

"This is it. If we start making chocolate now, it can be ready by tomorrow morning." Qingye rolled up her sleeves. "Go and buy me the ingredients and the recipe book."

“Running errands is no problem, but will Mr. Chu really like our chocolate?” Shadow Night pondered. “His daily meals are quite good, aren’t they…?”

Qingye froze instantly, as if struck by lightning.

Yes, that's right.

Speaking of which, Mr. Chu hails from that strange, dusty island called "Earth," a place whose material comforts probably surpass 99% of the entire Submerged Realm… He lives a first-rate life in Dragon City, never hesitating to go on dates to upscale restaurants. Giving a man like that some rustic, handmade chocolate…

Shadow Night conjured a ball of shadow to represent the chocolate and presented it with both hands: "Um, Mr. Chu! I made this chocolate to express my gratitude. Although the shape is ordinary, it is full of heart... Please accept it!"

A look of confusion and helplessness flashed in Qingye's eyes. She took the "chocolate," took a bite, and smiled, "Thanks, Qingye, it's delicious."

"This is absolutely unacceptable!!"

"It's become a social response that I can't refuse out of politeness! Aaaaaaah!"

Qingye and Yingzi both collapsed onto the bed, like two stranded miniature dolphins. Their thinking was too limited; repaying a debt of gratitude with this attitude would only lead to embarrassment. So what other way was there—not in terms of combat power or material gifts, but in a way that genuinely reciprocated the favor and maximized their own strengths…

"...To repay him with your body?" Qingye screamed.

"No, no, Miss Qingye, I'm not such a frivolous woman!" Shadow Qingye protested softly.

"Not that kind! I'm talking about the kind you often see in anime... you know..." Qingye held up a finger, "The fanservice scene where they're repaying a debt of gratitude!"

Shadow Night gasped: "Maid outfit? Sailor uniform? School swimsuit?"

"That's way too outrageous!"

"But Miss Qingye, you cannot repay this kindness without being prepared!"

"Miss Qingye, you thought you were prepared, but then you found out you stepped on someone else's landmine! Wouldn't that be even worse?"

The two women, in a state of confusion, exchanged a glance and made the same decision.

"Find an off-field assist—!"

Two minutes later, Vande, who was engrossed in flipping through a magazine, suddenly felt a blinding flash before his eyes. He blinked and found himself sitting in a specially made toy chair, with a small cup of iced milk tea beside him. Qingye and Shadow Qingye sat opposite him at the table, both resting their chins on their hands, their expressions gloomy.

"You really have a unique way of thinking. You developed a time-accelerating technique and then used it for kidnapping," Vande said.

"Vander, I have an important question I'd like to ask you, and I would be very grateful if you could help me with it." Qingye emphasized.

"Oh, this is really the first time I've seen a request for help treated like a kidnapping." Van der swaggered over, slurped up his milk tea, and said, "Speak up, you've come to the right person. What don't I know!"

Qingye nodded gratefully, then stammered, "It's just... well... I've been trying to think of a way to thank Mr. Chu for his kindness these past few days... This is purely a preparation to repay a debt of gratitude, and it has absolutely nothing to do with personal feelings..."

"Go on, I'm listening."

Qingye pursed her lips nervously: "I mean... after all, this is a very personal matter... and, you know, a very private one. So I wanted to ask you, what type of person does Mr. Chu like in private?"

Vande stared at the shy, bashful girl, finding it hard to reconcile her with the ruthless killer of heretics. It carefully considered Qingye's words, pondering the source of this incongruity.

Repaying a debt of gratitude... Qingye... that involves a very personal topic, and besides, she's from Shura Island...

That's it.

Van der immediately understood.

—She must want to make handmade bento boxes.

This is a well-known custom on Shura Island, and as a native, Qingye is naturally no exception. However, being a pampered young lady who has never lifted a finger in the kitchen, she would feel uneasy about cooking. Therefore, she specifically came to do her homework to find out what ingredients the other person likes, which is truly admirable.

The girl is taking this so seriously, we really need to give her a good helping hand!
Vande's eyes crinkled into crescents as he confidently declared, "You've come to the right person! I know exactly what our relationship is, and what he likes to eat."

"Oh, I didn't expect you to know even this, Vande..." Qingye exclaimed in surprise.

Van der recalled the moments he spent with his buddies and came to a conclusion that was absolutely correct.

"In my opinion, although he has a wide range of tastes, his favorite is still seafood."

Qingye jumped up, her face turning deathly pale with shock.

"—He likes fish?!"

(End of this chapter)