After both Nanming and Jing-U were done with the meal, they paused for a bit, letting the food and drink settle in their stomach, receiving the laughter of the jampacked inn.
After a few seconds, Jing-U break the silence in-between them with a question.
"If its fine for you, what reason do you have in entering the Jianghu?"
"…what?"
Nanming who just got pulled from his trance, shifted his attention to Jing-U and requested for the question to be repeated, this time he put his entire focus on the conversation.
"Entering the Jianghu, I heard that most of them wanted to chase their dreams, attain wealth or become the most powerful, the unparalleled under Heaven!"
He repeats, his voice picking up some octave along the way before he makes that exaggerated gesture again as he speaks.
"…Hmm, a dream"
Nanming vacantly murmured to himself, does his wish to become human a sort of dream? It probably is. But he can't exactly say that out loud, so he decided to tell Jing-U about his other dreams.
"I have a question, that I wanted an answer to"
Nanming eyes travels towards the many men drinking and eating, chatting and wallowing in their own problems, those who laugh and those who barks in frustration.
The clerks who had trouble keeping up with the orders, the cashier counting on exchange and tips, before finally landing on a small child who had only a small piece of bread for him to eat, he looks haggard and dirty, but that singular piece of bread was enough to make him smile.
All the people here had their own stories, their own life, their own struggle and pain, all far too different from himself, Nanming never tasted any of the mediocrity of life, the normalcy it had.
All he had known about this world was the bleak, colorless grey filled with only naked dead and blood. Only the absurd and the cruel world, and the isolation that comes with his power that had become a curse.
And all this culminated in a series of questions.
"Why did this world exist? Where only death and pain remained, why do people choses to persevere and live through it all?"
Nanming gaze then drift by towards his own mug of tea, its empty save from a small liquid that cannot enter his mouth and bits of leaf stuck on the rim of it.
"And why do I exist? What purpose do I have in life? Or does this world need any of me to begin with"
And a final question that has been hanging at the back of his mind, resurfaced after he watched the cruelty that the guards enact over someone who just wanted to voice his belief.
"And why are we cruel to each other?"
And at that, Jing-U was stumped. For all he knows, Jianghu is a lawless world where the only true law is that the weak got eaten, only power, wealth and wit can let One survive it.
It's the only place where Humans truly become a beast, overridden by their base instinct as they selfishly chased their own desire in disregard of other people. Or perhaps, Jianghu is the place where humans truly become human.
'The Taoist Sect teaching was that the Jianghu had lost their Humanity'
Jing-U though drift by towards that singular statement, but seeing Nanming, how he acted and the way he almost jumps to save the cart driver previously is an anti-thesis to what he knows about Jianghu.
He is kind, altruistic even, disregarding what he can gain to save others, that's why he thought that he must've be the Wudang Sect Wandering Hero, but it's probably not. Nanming sees this world in a curious lens, as if he is a child not knowing anything, and thus everything he sees is something new that deserves his awe and curiosity over.
And finally hearing the reason as to why he descends to Jianghu was not to chase glory or to enact revenge but to simply find an answer, is certainly the closing line of his character in the eyes of Jing-U.
Someone who is too kind and too innocent for this world.
"…In my opinion, the reason why we are so cruel to each other…"
Jing-U begins to speak up, swirling the stale, yellow ale in his cup. The cheap alcohol is evidence of what he himself could have. But he discards all that fakeness, all because he wanted to be authentic, to taste the True, Real World. To be just himself, and now, by Nanming question, he can be just that.
"It's because this World demand more of us, it is such a place that everyone has to become someone else just to survive"
Jing-U words were attentively received by Nanming, Jing-U who warily held off his tongue in fear for Nanming to refutes all his words, were now emboldened seeing how Nanming acted, silent and listening.
"And that someone else, is our own dark desire, so Humans become evil, all because of this world of Dog eats Dog, and the same Dog would then be swallowed whole by the World itself"
Jing-U, for a second his face is that of deep contemplation, before it recedes gradually, back into his usual self.
"But that's my opinion, and I'm barely qualified to talk like this, haha…"
He offers a last awkward smile and laughs before he averts his eyes, shame taking over his heart, he cannot believe he just said that as if he was morally superior to judge the World.
"No, I take your words as a consideration when I achieve an epiphany"
Nanming spoke, closing his eyes as he recalled Mantai words.
"I should seek knowledge by way of understanding this world, and those who lived in it"
Jing-U was taken aback by such wise words, it's something authentic, a realistic view culminating in a single statement.
"Yes, I hoped you will reach an answer to your question"
Jing-U smiles, and as he gulped whatever was left of that stale ale, he stands up, reinvigorated once more.
"And now that I'm full, let us head over to the Merchant guild! That recipe book is waiting for us!"
Nanming nods at Jing-U sudden release of excitement, something inside him was relieved that he returns to his usual self.
What he sees when Jing-U explained his opinion, was a sight of a man who is confused, like he is drifting in life. But it seems its only momentarily, he didn't know if whatever he did or said has played a part in bringing Jing-U old self back.
.
.
.
The Merchant Guild is located near the city center, and it doubled as a market. With the mass of merchants, traders and buyers, this place is total chaos where the only straightforward thing is the endless haggle between each side.
What Nanming finds unique however, is how often he sees people buying in bulk, straight from the crate, the hush hush agreement and handshake of the many traders and merchants making a sort of deal whilst being surrounded by their respective bodyguard.
What he had seen in the Street of Jiangnam and Kuxin is nothing compared to the suffocating, flowing free market.
The sheer volume of people here makes him wonder, just how can they search for the Golden Boar?
"Jing-U, do you know where we can find someone who knows him?"
"Just walk, the Golden Boar has many associates handling his trade, someone with loose mouth will soon overspeak"
Jing-U said with confidence as he purposely walks close to a lot of the discussing merchants and traders, some ignore him, simply taking him for a lost traveler, others wouldn't hesitate to throw a suspicious glance and even threaten him to move.
Nanming would then feel an intense gaze locking them as they move, it's a very threatening one, filled with murderous intent. And when Nanming shifts his head to seek the source of that gaze, it disappears as fast as smoke in wind.
He thought that it might be Yi Ling, but if it's her, someone is bound to scream, and guards would've poured in to detained her. Knowing what she is like, its clear Yi Ling is among the Killing Stars Jing-U spoke of.
So, it must be someone else, Nanming warily bumps towards Jing-U and leans to his ear.
"Someone is following us"
"…Damn, where are we?"
Jing-U react, wearing an innocent and confuse face, Nanming understood instantly his intent and play along.
"You say we can get horse here…"
"Well, I just follow the trail of horses, but we ended up here"
Jing-U scratches his head and open his map, trailing his fingers alongside it to trace and find where he is.
At the same time, Nanming tried to feel for the gaze once more, it lingers still, so he decided to give Jing-U a code that they are still here.
"Maybe we should just ask around back at the inn, we won't go anywhere like this"
"…Maybe you're right"
Jing-U stuffed his map back into his bag and walks away, well, pretends to walk away.
Nanming followed behind him, the gaze can no longer be felt, but just in case he should enter Deep Focus and make sure that they have truly left.
It took quite some time for him to filter out all the unwanted voices, footsteps, horse neigh, broken crate, shattered urn and bickering. Until the voice he seeks reveals itself.
"They left… Report… Golden Boar… At Huashi"
The broken words were the only thing he could pick up, and simultaneously it's the most useful. Nanming looked at Jing-U and leaned in once more.
"The Golden Boar is at Huashi"
"…"
Jing-U looked shocked at Nanming words, his eyes blown wide but he soon suppressed it. He then washed the expression from his face and told Nanming to follow him, he didn't ask any questions on whether he was telling the truth or not.
"Follow me, lets catch some horse"
Jing-U then walks fast, his stride long and paced, Nanming easily matched his step, and they both soon got out of the Merchants Guild and towards some horse stables.
The rough looking man there eyed at them when they enter, but before he could say anything, Jing-U tossed a single gold coin to his face.
"Don't ask any question boss, give me two of your fastest horse"
The man looked shocked, his face wears a stupefied expression before he grabs the gold coin that glitters in the sun, making sure it was real by bending it just slightly and finding that it easily buckles under his fingers.
With reverence, he then stuffed the glittering metal into his pocket and pointed towards two black mares that are still eating some hay, Jing-U unceremoniously mounted one of them and Nanming quickly followed suit.
He didn't know how to mount a horse, but even when he clumsily tried to hold onto its reign, the horse tried to facilitate his effort by raising its neck and calming down while Jing-U horse seems unhappy that he mounts it so suddenly.
"Hyah!"
Jing-U commands the horse to giddy up, it offers a neigh before it gallops willingly into the street, Nanming tried to do the same, but his horse seems to understand what he wants and gallops as well, following Jing-U.
Both of their horses are at a steady pace in the busy street of the Town, but as soon as they went out of the gate, both horses picked up their speed and raced down the road, dodging rock and people alike as their swift movements accompanied by the rhythmic sound of their gallop trembles the very ground.
Nanming can move faster than the horse, but he can only feel the rushing air when he is on horseback, the feeling is new to him, and for a single, rare moments, his vision was swarmed with color.
As he saw the green of the leaf, the brown of the dirt, the black fur of the horse and what surprises him, is Jing-U grey hair. He thought his hair was black, but it's not, gray hair is a rarity, just like Nanming white hair.
But as soon as it comes, the sooner it'll leave. Nanming vision was awashed once more in grey. Nanming felt sad for a moment that the rare moments when he gets to truly experience something new fleet pass swiftly like his horse.
"We're here"
Jing-U said, he stopped right where the roads were forked to the left, and the path there still has fresh ruts of carriages track, heavy enough to dig deep into the earth.
If Chu Xin words were true, about the Golden Boar being fat, the fact that the carriages he rode with are heavy enough to cause that kind of scar on the ground is clear evidence that he is near.
Jing-U dismounted off from his horse, Nanming did the same. Jing-U then slap the back of the horses to send them off, which they did while vocalizing their frustrations by neighing very angrily.
"Don't unsheathe your weapon first Nanming but be prepared to fight"
Jing-U said as he prepared his Cleaver by tying its rope around his waist and dropping his bag to somewhere safe.
Nanming heed his words and he hovers his hand near the handle of his sword, as they walk down the path, they were flanked once more by a sea of trees, Jing-U gaze warily shift from left to right, trying to see if any ambush was in front.
Nanming himself hears some step moving away swiftly, the disturbed leaf is a void to where they once were.
"We've been spotted"
Nanming said, so Jing-U drop his guard and walks casually towards the gate, perplexing Nanming for a second.
"If we are spotted and no one is attacking us, that means its fine for us to continue"
Jing-U said, Nanming nods to his reasoning and walks at the same pace that he did.
And soon, a massive gate came into view, intricately carved with an ornament of Golden Boar, it glitters suggest that it was made from a real Gold.
In front, ten guards carrying with them spears and sabers posted up, they are far more heavily armored than even the guards from the Town.
"State your reason!"
The bulkier of the guards said, Nanming assumes he is the leader of the guards.
"We've come to meet with the Golden Boar"
Jing-U said, to which the guards then snort before he and the nine others walk closer, their weapons brandished and ready.
And as the sound of crunching boots closes in, it stopped just meters away from both Nanming and Jing-U, who is by now standing at the ready at any attack launched towards them.
"Do you have any invitations?"
The guards leader asks, crossing his arms.
"No"
"That means you are an intruder! Captures them both!"
At his words, all nine of the guards springs forth and charges at Nanming and Jing-U.
Jing-U unsheathe his cleaver, its steel reflects the sun glares as he points it towards one of the guards who wields a spear, when he flinched and closed his eyes from the sudden light, Jing-U dashed and cut the tip of his spear before he gracefully spin towards the other guards that had a spear and did the same action.
Though the guards from Jing-U parts were starting to get dismantled, those of Nanming parts were already smacked unconscious. As Nanming swiftly sidestepped and dodged all the attacks from the guards, like a dancer carrying a sword.
As a guard thrust his spear, aimed at Nanming's throat. He was shocked to find him crouching down before he slammed his sheath into the guard's head.
TWACK
The sound it creates was so loud and grotesque that other guards seem hesitant to approach him, and Nanming is quick to capitalize on their lag to smack other guards wielding a saber.
"What the fuck are you all doing?! Its just the two of them!"
The leader bellows out, and with a frustrating grunt he unsheathes his own saber and rushed towards Nanming mid dodge.
The leader thought he got him, but as he found his saber failed to cut anything since Nanming blocked it with his sheath, he soon spins out of the bind to try and smack the leader in the nape of his neck.
But there is a reason why he's the captain, his other hand grabs Nanming sheath mid motion,
"Argh!"
Though his grunt suggests that the act still hurts him regardless, the other guards who saw this chance, deliver a strike to Nanming. All three of the spear wielding guards thrust their weapon straight to Nanming throat, and what he did next is a surprise and shock to everyone.
BLAM-BLAM-BLAM
He let go of his sword and with his palm, he redirects all the spear thrust away from him, the guards weren't even allowed a single moment of shock and awe before Nanming fists and legs crash to everyone on their chest.
CRASH-CRASH-CRASH
All three of the guards were pushed off considerably far away from Nanming flurry of fist, and as the leader tried to make sense of the situation, he saw as Nanming blue aura flares to life. Engulfing everything around him in its wild, flame like dance.
"Demonic fist style: Decimation"
And as it all converges into his fist, creating a raw energy from his palm as he sends it towards the leader torso.
BAM
His armor was crushed from the sheer power of Nanming's attack, and he was hurled across the terrain and into the sea of trees, toppling down about 4 of them at his impact.
What was left of the leader is a mess of exploding metal of his armor and the severe bruises right where he was hit, otherwise he is alive.
Jing-U was just about done as he knocked the last guard with the back of his cleaver, he failed to notice the technique Nanming use but he did see the burly leader fly into the distance.
"Woah! So, you're an Energy Manipulator! That's so cool!"
Jing-U said excitedly as he walked to Nanming, Nanming who already picked his sword back up rotated the wrist of his punching hand slightly, feeling that his control over his own energy had been better than when he was still in the academy.
But before he could react, the door of the manors gate open, Nanming and Jing-U stand at the ready, expecting a wave of guards, but what they see is a woman, her hair flows down to her waist, disheveled and unkempt.
Her face makes a lazy smiling expression, as her tanned skin of beautiful brown complements her golden eyes. And those eyes are what makes Jing-U shiver in fear.
"I-Impossible"
He muttered, but before Nanming could ask, the woman quickly spoke with a condescending tone.
"What's this? Those sorry ass guard finally got their deserved beating, by a brat no less"
She said, in her left hand, she held a smoking pipe that she sucks on for quite a while, before she exhales the smoke out.
"I senses some insane energy and thought that one of my peers or one of those Profaned One were at the doorstep, guess I was wrong"
She then unsheathed a golden saber; its twin sharpened edge catches the light before she pointed it towards Nanming.
"Oh well, you'll do as a distraction, I'm fucking bored ya know?"
Nanming responded to her threat by similarly pointing his own sword towards her, but Jing-U suddenly urged Nanming to run.
"Nanming, we have to go!"
"Why?"
"Its one of the Killing Star!"
The women lips then formed into a scrutinizing and contemptuous smiles, before she stored her smoking pipe away.
"That's right you brat, I'm Xu Hui Cheh, the Blade Demon! And now, you'll be hunted 'till dead!"