Young Masters

"Cool move a the end though."

The man clothed in black didn't say a word, and the Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect took a step closer.

"Giving you Qi the properties of a blade then wrapping your hand with it... A classic Technique of the Tiger Sect. Claw, Fang... Each Sect has different ways of describing it. But that's what it is, in the end. Your hand becomes your blade."

The man clothed in black took a sip and continued looking down the edge at the numerous people passing by.

"But that raises two issues."

"It does?" Lei figured that engaging in conversation might be the best thing to do for now.

"It does indeed. One," The Young Master raised his index finger. "You're not a Solo Practitioner."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because it's a classic Tiger Sect Technique." The Young Master said with a smile.

Lei took a calculated risk. A gamble.

If the Tiger Sects describe it as turning your hand into a Tiger's claw or fang then...

"It's also a classic Dragon Sect Technique. The Winged-"

"Right, right." The Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect interrupted, and his smile widened. "But that's where issue number 2 comes in. I couldn't sense your Qi at all."

"So?" Lei shrugged.

"You have talent."

"Thanks?"

Lei shook his head internally.

'He read it completely wrong... But it makes sense. This Inventory thing is proving incredibly useful. If he couldn't sense it, then it's safe to assume that the Inventory is something out of this world, not an Item or Technique that came with the System. Interesting... I doubt this is where he was during the fight. He probably only saw the end of it. Because of how dark that alley is, he couldn't see that blade.'

"Join my Sect." The Young Master said with a malicious smile. "You would make a good Disciple."

To anyone, being invited this way would be an honor. But to Zhao Laohu, who is supposed to be a Young Master, it stung a bit.

"I'll think about it." Lei said before turning away from the edge of the terrace.

He, of course, wasn't going to think about it even for a bit. But there was no denying that the difference in strength was a great one.

The Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect reached into his robe,

"Care for a smoke?"

Lei was intrigued. In the Young Master's hands were cigarettes, but they looked different from those he was used to.

"No, thanks."

"Suit yourself." The Young Master walked towards the closest lantern lighting up the terrace.

With a swift swing of his hand, both cloth and wood were cut.

'Too fast and...' Lei did his best not to look worried or impressed. 'He didn't touch it. His Qi cut those... This is what he thinks I did there, huh? Damn-'

"Mm." The Young Master nodded before pulling the lit candle out of the cut lantern and using it to light up his cigarette. "Doing it to cut through flesh and bone would be tough, even more me."

"Um..." Lei scratched his head. "Keep trying?"

"I will."

"Okay..." Lei started walking away and,

"You killed a Disciple from my Sect. You think you can go that easily?"

"Mmm... Well, you don't seem too mad." Lei smiled, before continuing to walk away.

***

'Fuck. Fuck. Fuck...'

The instant that he had left the Young Master's field of vision, his steps got faster and faster as he went down the stairs.

The terrace he had been standing on earlier was on the sixth floor.

'That was dangerous. At least, he isn't following me. I killed a Disciple but he didn't really care... I guess that follows my current understanding of how Young Masters are.'

About to step outside the building, Lei took a deep breath in.

'He's curious about me, which is good. Makes it a bit less likely that he will try to fight me. If he sees me running though... That'll cause trouble.'

Lei felt a sudden shiver go up his spine.

'Sun, Rika, Jun, Qi, and now this... This really turned into a productive night.'

He stepped out of the building.

'My Sect should be to the left...'

Lei took three steps in that direction and,

Crack-

Pieces of rubble took to the air.

'Should have expected that!!' Lei thought to himself, as the Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect landed on the ground.

His long and golden hair flew upwards before falling at once as the Young Master stood up.

Lei didn't turn around.

In fact, he hadn't even stopped walking.

"Oh, Young Master!"

"It's a pleasure seeing you here, Young Master!"

Lei's goal had been to get lost in the crowd.

The Young Master of the Flamboyant Vermillion Tiger Sect ignored all.

"I went along with it, but now I'm just confused. What was the point of that?" He walked forward, and the crowd parted. "What are you doing, Zhao Laohu?"

Lei's eyes suddenly widened.

'Interesting...' He thought to himself, as he continued walking away.

***

The Young Master of the Ravenous One-Eyed Tiger Sect kept going, through crowds, from one alley to the next, trying to lose the one he assumed to be pursuing him, while keeping in mind the direction in which his own Sect was.

"It's been... Five years? Or has it been more than that?"

'Fuck...'

Zhao Laohu raised his gaze, and there he was. Seated coolly on the edge of a balcony with his legs crossed.

"I lost to you then. But I'm pretty sure I'm stronger now."

'Even Villains have Rivals, huh?'