BIRTH OF DRAGON WARRIORS
10 - Master Zhuang

"Master Zhuang ..." Chu Kai muttered softly and continued to step up every step of the stairs.

He breathed slowly and imagined his first encounter with that figure of Master Zhuang. Chu Kai had actually only heard rumors about the figure of Master Zhuang being so powerful.

It was said that Master Zhuang was the best martial expert who was even more powerful than the Elders of the Wushi Mountain Sect. He did not settle down somewhere, but some say that Master Zhuang lived alone on the Skull Mountain which was the most dangerous place in the Middle Mainland.

Chu Kai had just recalled what people had said about Master Zhuang when his footing suddenly became slippery. He flinched and almost slipped.

"W-What's this?" Chu Kai watched the stairs he was treading. He also unhesitatingly took off his shoes and socks.

"Mn? Not slippery?" Chu Kai was astonished that the staircase he was treading barefoot was not slippery at all, when he had almost slipped before.

Chu Kai stepped back and only three steps that he barefoot-self side of the stairs immediately fell down in a way that was not at all elegant.

Chu Kai slumped down while exclaiming, his stomach hit the stepladder and he tried to reverse position. Now it was precisely his butt that hit every step of the ladder and his body could not be held at all.

"Waaa...!"

Wei Zhang Zihan who was standing in front of the first foothold heard a voice. He frowned when he saw Chu Kai's rapidly degenerating figure.

Wei Zhang Zihan flinched, he did not have the time to dodge. He fell from being hit by Chu Kai's leg and what was worse was the position of the fall that actually befell this foreign youth.

!!!

Chu Kai groaned as his head and butt ached, moreover it became increasingly the moment something heavy hit him.

!!!

Chu Kai's eyes widened when he realized his current position and what object had fallen over him. He was shocked because the heavy object was none other than Wei Zhang Zihan, his body instantly became stiff.

Wei Zhang Zihan made a move, he was amazingly shocked by the situation that had changed so quickly.

"....................."

"....................."

"Geez!!"

Wei Zhang Zihan gasped at a cry. He immediately woke up and looked at who had made the sound. Surprise was seen on the face of a figure who was none other than one of the Wushi Mountain Sect disciples.

"Young Master Wei?!" that Mountain Wushi Sect disciple shut his mouth. He bowed respectfully and then ran away with a face full of shock and also fear.

Wei Zhang Zihan brushed off the dust on his clothes and began to face the cause of all this. He looked at this annoying young man.

"Not shameless. What the hell are you doing?"

Chu Kai was shocked because Wei Zhang Zihan's voice was so sharp and cold. His voice was slow as he said, "I'm in pain now. My buttocks, back and head hurt from being hit by a ladder. You also fell and hit me, squabble ... I thought I was a prick,"

"Who started it first?"

"I didn't mean it, sorry..."

Wei Zhang Zihan clenched his hands together before starting to sigh softly. He also extended a hand that made Chu Kai flinch.

"Young Master Wei ...?" although it had not been a full day of Chu Kai being in the Wushi Mountain Sect, yet he had already seen many dislike expressions from the people on him.

Several disciples to the point showed clear hatred and not a few wanted to fight to prove he deserved to become a Dragon Swordsman, a title he did not even imagine at all.

Chu Kai knew Wei Zhang Zihan's character, this figure was an untouchable Sacred Swordsman. Everyone was so impressed and respectful to him. There were rumors that Wei Zhang Zihan's discipline made him the most trusted law enforcer and rumors that he came from the imperial family were the biggest.

Chu Kai blinked, he held his breath as he received a helping hand from this young man. He did not expect to be helped to stand up after being rummaged.

"How are you doing?" Wei Zhang Zihan asked without tone and the action again surprised Chu Kai.

"Ehm ... It still hurts." Chu Kai grimaced and was convinced that his back must have been blisters.

"So now ... Are you still going up there or postponing it to meet Master Zhuang?"

"No, no, no." Chu Kai shook his head slowly, "I still have to go up. I'm going home,"

Chu Kai said, "After all ... Master Zhuang isn't waiting for me?"

"Hmph, I remember. Come on up," Wei Zhang Zihan stepped first and was followed by Chu Kai who was carrying his shoes and socks.

"Young Master Wei, you must be careful. As it got higher and higher, the ladder somehow became slippery."

Wei Zhang Zihan frowned when he heard Chu Kai say. He said nothing and kept going.

Tian Chuang's path was not as good as that just by being slippery. Each step of the ladder will be painful and heavy for anyone who steps on it. Even Wei Zhang Zihan remembered one of the disciples of the Wushi Mountain Sect who felt like they had been pierced by a needle while stepping on the steps of the Tian Chuang Path.

But what was with this young man named Chu Kai? He even took off his footwear just like that and rested on every rung of the stairs as if nothing had happened. His complaints were different from the usual disciples of the Wushi Mountain Sect.

"Young Master Wei, over here. I slipped here," Chu Kai became somewhat afraid if he were to fall again.

Wei Zhang Zihan was breathing slowly, he was using his spiritual energy so that Chu Kai would no longer experience the same thing. They continued walking until they arrived at the top of the Peach Flower Hill.

The first thing Chu Kai saw when he arrived at the top of the hill was a sitting table made of stone. The table was under a peach tree with dense flowers. There was a man sitting in front of that table and with an admirable appearance. Chu Kai had even thought that the figure had just come out from within the painting.

Wei Zhang Zihan fused his hands together and bowed respectfully. Chu Kai who saw the action also began to imitate Wei Zhang Zihan although it was still too awkward.

"You're finally here,"

Chu Kai was stunned for a moment. The voice of the man who kept his eyes closed sounded clear and soothing. He gasped as he saw an eye gesture from Wei Zhang Zihan telling him to Master Zhuang's place. He also nodded immediately.

"Tea peach blossom, are you interested in trying it?" Master Zhuang was so courteous and even pitiful of tea for Chu Kai. He made the young man who had a scar on his right cheek jerk.

Wei Zhang Zihan again saluted before walking away. Chu Kai realized it too late and he was shocked to be left behind along with this figure of Master Zhuang. You can be sure the nervousness is getting worse now.

"You looking for me?" master Zhuang's voice was so calm. His facial expression was a symbol of peace.

Chu Kai swallowed. He tried to calm himself down and began to open his voice. "I-i ... I'm actually very happy to see Master Zhuang this close. Bbt ..."

"You don't like this place?"

Chu Kai shook his head, "Mom-not so. Um... To be honest, I still didn't expect to be in this place. I never dreamed of becoming a Dragon Swordsman at all, so ... When I'm the only ordinary person is chosen it feels ... Totally shocking."

Master Zhuang smiled faintly and then said, "Humans will not know what kind of future the heavens have outlined to him. But one thing to know is that whatever you do now, will determine your future. Your destiny ... It could have just begun,"

Chu Kai lowered his head and thought of a few things before exhaling. He said slowly, "I haven't been here a day. But I've seen the attitude of the disciples in this place. Some openly dislike me, some challenge me to fight because I feel that I do not deserve that title. There are also those who show their dislike and avoid me. Some were even forced to be kind by getting orders from their Elders,"

Chu Kai sighed and said, "I myself also feel that my place is not here. That's why I wanted to meet you and ask if there might be a mistake,"

"Always like that,"

"What?" Chu Kai gasped at Master Zhuang's brief remark. He blinked and noticed this figure before him.

Master Zhuang said, "Always like that. Strong people, special people, people who have advantages that others do not have will be difficult to accept humans in general. If they were not amazed, then they would definitely be envious. Being envious ... It'll make them hate you,"

Chu Kai looked at the figure before him, he did not speak. Master Zhuang who realized this calmly asked, "What do you want in this life?"

"What?" Chu Kai flinched, he blinked a few times and muttered a question from the figure before him.

Chu Kai gently rubbed his nape and said, "I've never thought about that before. I thought I was just ... Want to live quietly and peacefully. That's,"

"Then what else?"

Chu Kai looked up for a moment, he returned to thinking and timidly said. "I ... Also actually wanted to get closer to Miss Xia Ling Qing, but well ... I know it's not possible at all. After all my first meeting with her was ..."

Chu Kai suddenly turned pale as he remembered Xia Ling Qing's kick and the girl's rough-pitched remark to him. He swallowed and became somewhat scared.

Master Zhuang smiled faintly and then said softly, "Life of calm and peace will not be obtained easily. You have to make it happen and this is the job the warriors are carrying,"

"You may have seen and may have experienced it yourself ... There were many demonic beasts that came and attacked the settlement. They not only destroy, but also kill anyone and not everyone is able to protect themselves and their families."

Master Zhuang said, "It is the duty of warriors to protect people like you. Keep the peace so that everyone can live in peace. But when the world of warriors is in danger, who can protect them?"

Chu Kai looked at the figure before him. He was not ignorant of the dangers that warriors had been facing all along. They were not only fighting demonic beasts, but also facing other warriors who had evil intentions.

Chu Kai breathed slowly and then opened his voice, "I ... I have great admiration for the warriors, but I never thought of being part of them because I knew ... It was a world where I wouldn't be able to live quietly."

"To create a quiet life, there are people who are willing to risk their lives. There are also those who are willing to stay up all night to make their loved ones sleep well. We protect, continue to protect and will remain that way for peace."

"..............." Chu Kai watched the man before him and seemed to think before then listening to this figure in front of him speak again.

Master Zhuang said, "Although it is very dangerous and life is at stake, but there are still many people who still choose to be part of the warriors. They even without hesitation left a comfortable life in order to maintain peace. They want to be heroes. You ... Don't you have that kind of dream?"

Chu Kai blinked a few times before then lowered his head. He said, "I had a dream like that too, but only a childhood dream. And after I grow up ... I think that it's better to live my simple life,"

"Dreams cannot be easily forgotten. Do you really not have it anymore?"

Chu Kai was stunned. He was silent for a moment before he started to catch his breath. He lowered his tone of voice as he said, "I am actually ... I want to be a swordsman. But my motivation is other. I ... Want to become a swordsman to be seen by Miss Xia Ling Qing,"

Calling the name of the beautiful girl made Chu Kai smile and slightly embarrassedly said, "Master Zhuang must not say this to anyone. I really like Miss Xia, I admire her so much. She's beautiful, great and very amazing. I thought if I became a swordsman, I would be able to get closer to him. Miss Xia will be able to see me, but ..."

Chu Kai exhaled and then continued, "If I say this ... I will feel like I have tarnished the world principles of the warriors who are trying hard to maintain world peace. So I thought ... I won't think about being a swordsman while I still haven't got any other motivation."

Master Zhuang snorted and chuckled. His actions made Chu Kai surprised. He smiled and then said calmly, "You have a good motivation. It's even the best motivation ever,"

"Really?!"

"Mn, right. The warriors strive to be strong in order to maintain peace and protect their loved ones. While you wanted to become a swordsman in order to be recognized by someone special, it was amazing in my opinion. Why are you burying in this very good dream?"

"Is that really a good dream?" Chu Kai became sparkling. He had never had any support before. Even when he told his friend about his dream, they would ridicule and laugh at him.

"Master Zhuang's. You're not kidding, are you?! Is this really a good dream? It's not because it's related to being a Dragon Swordsman or anything like that, is it?"

"No, it's about you." Master Zhuang smiled gently. He breathed slowly and then said, "What if this was the case. We forget about the title of Dragon Swordsman first. You stay here for a month. You can become a student and study under the auspices of the teachers in this place. If you don't like it in the end, then I won't force you anymore. Ms?"

"Annex?" Chu Kai blinked.

"Yes, a month. But you mustn't make trouble like being a naughty disciple or daring to escape from this place prematurely."

"An month yeah ..."

"A month is not a long time," Master Zhuang lifted the cup on the table and drank his tea.

Chu Kai considered Master Zhuang's words before taking a deep breath. He looked at the man before him and then nodded slowly. "I will try it, but Master Zhuang must keep his promise. Master won't send Wei's Swordsman Zhang Zihan again and force me to stay here,"

"Mn, deal. Let's have some tea,"

"Oh,"

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