People in the Alliance, Time Management Master

"He not only missed, he was also attacked back!"

"That man is even happier than Yaso!"

……

Hearing the whispers, Elder Suma raised an eyebrow in displeasure. Although this was the outcome he wanted, he was still a little upset that Yasuo had suffered a setback.

Ahri and Syndra were quite pleased.

"Oh~ So this is 'Hasaki'? That's amazing." The fox girl hugged her tail tightly, looking surprised.

“Just playing normally.” Syndra glanced at her, making no attempt to hide the pride on her face.

They only become slightly more harmonious when praising Mu Bai.

“You are stronger than I imagined, Mr. Mu Bai…” Yasuo stared at the red mark on the back of his hand, inwardly cursing his impulsive arrogance.

If this wasn't a friendly sparring match but a real life-or-death battle, that last blow could have crippled one of his arms...

"You flatter me." Mu Bai bowed slightly, changing his sword-wielding stance from one hand to two.

Following the rules of honor, the two began to walk around each other.

The swordsmen stared at them nervously, barely daring to breathe—the contest was about to be decided in the next round.

Yasuo closed one eye and stared at the blade with the other, then used the blade to split Mu Bai's figure in two.

He needed to find a weakness... even the slightest possibility could be the key to turning the tide of the battle.

In contrast, Mu Bai was much more relaxed. He wasn't in a hurry to attack, nor did he want to find weaknesses in his opponent. He just needed to wait and then counter each move as it came.

As the competition reached its most intense moment, everyone held their breath in suspense. Even Elder Suma let out a silent sigh, indicating that this was the most high-level sparring he had ever witnessed.

After circling around for three laps, Yasuo finally moved.

He harnessed the power of the wind through his sword and the soles of his feet, achieving incredible speed and launching exceptionally fierce attacks.

No one could see when they fought.

After the two dark figures flashed by, their positions were switched.

Yasuo's confident smile froze on his face as he watched helplessly as his wooden sword was cleaved in two. Not only that, but a bloody gash also appeared on his left cheek, as if a warning from his opponent.

"Thank you for your concession." Mu Bai bowed again, announcing the end of the competition.

At the same time, he was also a little surprised—although he won, it wasn't without cost. In the instant their swords clashed, Yasuo forcibly changed angle and slashed at his abdomen.

If it weren't for the protection of the wind shield, this strike would have also caused him damage.

"I'm honored..." Yasuo collapsed to his knees, his eyes lifeless.

Normally, the end of a match would be accompanied by applause, but the kendo dojo was eerily quiet at this moment.

No one spoke, no one applauded. Everyone stared wide-eyed at Yasuo in disbelief.

That arrogant genius... just like that, he lost?

Although they had considered the possibility of Yasuo losing before the match began, the fact that he lost so quickly and so decisively...

What was supposed to be a learning experience turned into watching Yasuo embarrass himself?

"Disperse, everyone." Elder Suma waved his hand at the crowd. "The competition ends here. Those who need to train, continue training; those who need to rest, continue resting."

"Wow~ so fast~" Ahri shook her fox tail vigorously, looking very happy.

"Just my usual performance." Syndra said nonchalantly, but a look of pride appeared on her face.

Elder Suma took Yasuo away, and the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only a slender, composed disciple behind.

He carried two steel knives on his back, walked up to Mu Bai, and respectfully bowed.

"Hello Mr. Mu Bai, my name is Yong En. Do you have a moment to chat with me?"

Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly. In the match just now, he saw many things that Yasuo hadn't seen.

For example, he discovered that Mu Bai was actually using the Wind Control Sword Technique—even though Mu Bai was trying his best to hide it, there were still clues to be found.

This sword technique is absolutely not to be passed on to outsiders...

"No problem, let's chat," Mu Bai said with a smile.

Chapter 43 Who could resist a fox who calls out "Onii-chan"?

Looking at the young swordsman before him, Mu Bai was filled with emotion.

Yone, Yasuo's half-brother. He is humble, cautious, and self-aware, adhering to loyalty and the principles of brotherhood, and has played the role of protector for his beloved family since he was very young.

He may not be as talented as Yasuo, but he far surpasses Yasuo in terms of hard work. He is never jealous of his younger brother, even though the latter often unintentionally hurts his pride in jokes.

In fact, Yasuo deserves much credit for being noticed by Elder Suma – it was his persistence that moved Elder Suma, leading him to discover Yasuo's talent.

He loved his family and his brother, and from a young age, he supported the whole family on his frail shoulders.

But this sensible boy was killed by his own beloved younger brother in the future.

A tremendous tragedy.

Mu Bai's trip was not only to ask Elder Suma to shatter Riven's greatsword, but also to prevent this tragedy from happening.

If Elder Soma hadn't died, Yasuo wouldn't have been forced to defect, and Yone wouldn't have been killed by Yasuo.

The benefits of doing so are obvious—it saved two precious lives.

However, there are also drawbacks—if Yone hadn't died, he wouldn't have met Azakana, nor would he have gained that powerful and evil force.

Mu Bai once wondered if this decision was really the right one.

Now, he's figured it out.

This decision may not be the most correct one, but it's what he most wanted to do. That's enough.

What do you want to talk about?

Inside the lounge, Mu Bai knelt on a futon, mimicking the locals' posture, and asked.

Ahri and Syndra didn't come along, so the two of them were the only ones in the lounge, where they could talk about any sensitive topic.

"Wind-Riding Sword Technique," Yone said bluntly. "I'd like to talk to you about the Wind-Riding Sword Technique."

"Yes, no problem."

"You... know how to use the Wind-Riding Sword Technique, right?"

"Yes," Mu Bai admitted frankly.

"So that's how it is..."

Yongen cautiously adjusted his posture, looking slightly nervous. The Wind-Riding Sword Technique was strictly forbidden to be passed on to outsiders; if an outsider knew it, it meant that at least one of their own had secretly taught it to them.

The most crucial thing is... he has a premonition that the "traitor" in the side story is Yasuo.

Because he had noticed a clue during the previous competition—the wind shield.

That was a half-finished skill that Yasuo created himself; even Elder Suma didn't know about it. But there's another very strange point... why is Mu Bai's Wind Shield stronger than Yasuo's?

He hasn't even fully mastered Yasuo yet...

"If I may ask..." He stared intently into the other's eyes, as if trying to uncover some secret, "Who taught you your Wind-Riding Sword Technique?"

Sure enough, it's that same problem again...

It's quite troublesome to say the same thing twice.

"Elder Suma knows the answer." Mu Bai decided to shift the blame onto Elder Suma.

Rather than being questioned again, it's better to let the more authoritative Elder Suma explain. What he says will be more acceptable to Yon and won't seem too abrupt.

He will tell you everything you want to know.

"Well... alright, thank you very much." Upon hearing this, Yong En knew that asking any further would be ungrateful, so he immediately stood up and bowed, displaying impeccable manners.

....................................

By the time Mu Bai returned to Uncle Asa's house, the sun had already passed its zenith.

The two elderly people were working in their vegetable garden not far from their home—with Riven, who was determined to atone for her sins.

Mu Bai tiptoed into the guest room, took out a map, and prepared to plan his itinerary after leaving the village.

Why be so stealthy? Because if Ahri and Syndra find out he's back, there's bound to be another "top-tier tug-of-war".

Opportunities to be alone like this are rare, so I must make the most of them and enjoy them to the fullest.

A person, a pot of tea, a chair, a map—a peaceful and serene existence.

Ah, that feels so good...

"Mu Bai~ Has my Mu Bai-chan returned~" The sudden voice startled Mu Bai.

Well, it's impossible for me to be alone now.

He turned his head and stared at the door. First, he saw a pair of fluffy fox ears peeking through the crack in the door, followed by a flawless, pretty face.

"Oh~ Maki Shiro-chan is here after all~"

"...How did you know I was here?" Mu Bai asked helplessly. "And where did you learn the word 'sauce' from?"

"Hmm, my nose is very sensitive~ I smelled a sweet scent as soon as you came back~"

Ahri sat down naturally beside him and lent Mu Bai three tails to hug, acting as if she didn't consider herself an outsider at all.

"As for the word 'sauce'... I found it in your memories~ Actually, I don't know what it means, but you seemed to really like this suffix in my memory?"

"..." Mu Bai suddenly regretted giving the life essence to this fox spirit.

Decomposing memories is indeed a pretty powerful technique...

"Oh right, I remember there's a nickname... Oh... Onii-chan? I think that's what it's called?"

"Stop!"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing! Just don't say anything..."

"Eek~ You're blushing?" The fox girl narrowed her eyes, licked her lips, and extended a finger to touch the other's chin. "Let me see~"