Kanzaki's voice carried a calm finality, steady and without any lingering trace of earlier unrest.
"The coming year will be dedicated entirely to rest and recovery. Unless something unforeseen occurs, I will not launch any new expeditions."
He turned his gaze away, tone even and emotionless, as if the brief moment of intensity had never existed.
"During this time, I will find a way to fully heal your leg condition."
Hanya watched his profile in silence. The faint light in her eyes slowly dimmed. She had long prepared herself for this kind of answer. Lowering her gaze, she replied softly, "Thank you for your efforts, Lord Kanzaki."
From the next day onward, Kanzaki rarely left his residence. The laboratory lights burned around the clock, and the air stayed thick with the mingled scents of various medicinal herbs.
Hanya often waited quietly outside the door. Sometimes she reviewed the latest battle reports from the Cloud Knights. Other times she simply stared at the closed entrance, lost in thought. Over the years she had followed him across countless battlefields strewn with enemy corpses and rivers of blood. She and her sister had stood at the edge of the Underworld more times than she could count, only for Kanzaki to pull them back into the world of the living each time. Just like the day Cangcheng fell… when he had snatched them from Shuhu's grasp.
The feelings she held for him had long since grown far beyond the simple respect of a subordinate for her superior. Perhaps her sister felt the same, though she was far more reserved about it. If things stayed like this for the rest of their lives, walking the path of the expeditionary force together with the shared dream everyone held, maybe that would not be so bad after all.
Hanya pulled herself from her thoughts, checked the time, and turned toward the training grounds. Everything in existence would eventually pause. Only time marched on without mercy for anyone.
In the blink of an eye, several months slipped by.
The expeditionary force that Jingliu served in finally returned. Upon learning that Kanzaki was currently on leave, a flicker of joy—almost impossible to detect—crossed her cold, frost-like crimson eyes.
After completing every required post-battle procedure with brisk efficiency, Jingliu hurried home, impatience burning in every step. Yet the house stood empty. At this hour her two seniors were probably still training at the camp. But where was Master?
Just as she hesitated, wondering whether she should reach out through her jade abacus, the laboratory door—normally accessible only to Kanzaki—slowed open.
"Master!"
Seeing him step out with that familiar expressionless face, Jingliu called out instinctively. She could not hide the bright excitement ringing in her voice.
While fighting on distant battlefields she had often taken out the Silver Moon Jade Pendant, fingers tracing its surface as longing for her Master welled up inside her. Now, seeing the very same pendant she had personally carved and given him before her first campaign tied securely around his sleeve, a soft warmth reserved only for him bloomed in Jingliu's eyes. The corners of her mouth curved upward without her permission.
"I'm back. I've taken one more step toward the goal you set for me."
"Mmm."
Kanzaki gave a slight nod and a low hum before turning toward the door. The small smile on Jingliu's lips froze instantly.
Of course… she should never have expected anything more. She still was not strong enough. She could not yet help Master, so naturally she had not earned his praise or approval. It had only been a standard medium-scale battle on the Xianzhou. Nothing worth special notice.
"Master, where are you going?"
"Training."
"Your disciple will accompany you!" She quickened her pace to fall in beside him.
Normally, after returning from a long expedition, she would need proper rest. Yet right now she had no desire to be alone. She only wanted to stay close to her Master, to feel that unique sense of security only he could give. Or perhaps… simply looking at him was enough to bring the peace she craved. This was exactly what drove her to fight with everything she possessed, to grow stronger so she could stand beside him and walk forward together.
Master… you are all I have. I must stay by your side… or I fear I might truly lose myself one day…
Kanzaki did not notice the nearly dangerous depth of his disciple's thoughts. Hearing that she wished to join him, he offered no objection.
"You may come along. But if you give up halfway, I will drag you back to continue."
"I will persevere," Jingliu answered without hesitation. The stiffness around her mouth softened once more.
The worst that could happen was losing consciousness. She had already fainted countless times during the harsh training regimens Master had assigned her over the years. She was long used to it. After all… Master would never abandon her, would he?
Jingliu had tried to picture what the training would be like, yet the reality far exceeded anything she had imagined. She stared at the massive waterfall plunging from the clouds above, feeling the terrifying force of the descending water. How could any person possibly stand beneath such power?
Noticing her stunned expression, Kanzaki spoke two simple words.
"Scared?"
"…It is simply much larger than I expected. I was a little surprised…" Jingliu admitted honestly.
Scared? Not exactly.
Hearing her answer, Kanzaki glanced at her from the side.
"Then keep up."
Without another word he walked straight to the edge of the falls, casually shed his outer robe, and stepped directly into the heart of the raging water curtain. The water crashed against the rocks with thunderous roars, sending sprays of mist exploding outward before slowly fading into the distance.
Jingliu hesitated for only a heartbeat. She removed her armor and outer clothing, leaving only her chest wrap, then followed closely behind.
The instant she entered the waterfall's embrace, the overwhelming impact drove her straight to her knees. The water hammered relentlessly against her shoulders and back. Every single second felt like being struck repeatedly by a massive hammer. She grit her teeth and fought to steady herself, glancing sideways through the heavy mist at the figure beside her.
Kanzaki stood firm in the most violent part of the falls, his body as steady as an iron stake driven deep into the stone, completely unmoving.
The gap between them was vast.
The gentle light in Jingliu's eyes was washed away by the raging current, replaced by that familiar, almost obsessive determination. She adjusted her breathing, clenched her jaw, lowered her center of gravity, and poured every ounce of strength into remaining upright.
Yet the moment she managed to straighten, her head felt as if it had been struck head-on by a starship. Everything spun violently, a deafening ring filled her ears, and she collapsed forward into the deep pool below.
Jingliu dragged herself out of the water and forced her way back into the waterfall from the edge. Not long after, she fell again. Twice. Three times…
Kanzaki remained completely still the entire time, eyes closed, silent as a statue.
Two hours passed. The setting sun painted the rising mist with a soft golden hue. Jingliu's limbs had gone completely numb. She held her standing posture through sheer willpower alone. She had lost count of how many times she had fallen. At her best she could endure for perhaps fifteen minutes, while Master had not moved even once in two full hours.
She never asked when it would end. Master was never gentle or comforting like ordinary elders. Even during these brutal training sessions he maintained that same indifferent demeanor. She already knew what she needed to do from the many years they had spent together.
With that resolve, Jingliu eventually reached her limit. Her vision faded to black as she fell forward one final time, sinking into the deep pool.
Kanzaki opened his eyes and immediately dove in after her.
Moments later he carried her ashore and gently laid her down in a dry spot.
"Hm?"
Noticing something still tightly clenched in his disciple's hand, Kanzaki looked closer. The familiar shape made him pause. It was the Silver Moon Jade Pendant he had once given her… She had not released it even after falling into the depths of the waterfall.
In her unconscious state, Jingliu had returned to the day Cangcheng fell. Blood and screams filled the air. A crimson shadow blotted out the sky, followed by two brilliant sword lights. One had saved her from the jaws of an abomination. The other had carried the silent dying wish of another, pulling her away from that nightmarish demon star.
Jingliu curled up unconsciously, murmuring in a broken voice.
"…Master, don't go… Please don't leave your disciple… I beg you…"
"I will do anything you ask, Master. Anything at all… I beg you…"
Kanzaki let out a silent sigh and set aside her battle armor. He took out a soft towel and carefully wiped the water from her face, then gently dried her soaked, ice-colored hair. Finally he draped his jacket over her, lifted her with rare tenderness in his expression, and slowly walked toward the docked star skiff.
---
Bonus chapters
200 - Stones
400 - Stones
600 - Stones
And so on, do you best!
Also visit my patreon for advance chapters to all my work!
(patreon.com/LizTL)