Chapter 7: Venture outside the city

The sect had remained in the area, dating back hundreds of years. Over that time, many people moved near it, businessmen, farmers, martial arts practitioners, artists, cooks, and many more. The area was under their supervision. 

...

Where are we going again? The little girl had a leather back held tight with a drawstring. I glanced at her hands and forearms. A thick layer of dead skin covered the already scared hands. But instead of inviting weakness and pity, these hands invited contagious courage and will. 

I smiled as my sandals clapped along the dirt path. I lifted my hands. I will routinely check all subsidiary sects in their respective cities.

I see, Master. I will make sure not to hold you back.

Do not worry about that. I trust you. And you are important as well. 

And for the first time, the little girl stared at me with a dubious face. What ulterior motives do you have, old man? You are never this kind.

I lifted my hand again, and the sound of a wack spread through the forest, bouncing off the trees and mountainside. 

"Someone has gotten tough over the last couple of months? Let us see how strong your body has become!" The little girl did not hear my words but felt my feet squeeze the ground—a sudden weight on the soft dirt and mud. 

The little girl brought her hands up. 

My right fist flew and slammed into the side of her head, I felt the muscle of her forearm block my hand. 

She moved quickly, her left foot twisting, tearing apart the roots of the grass and fauna. Her knee lifted to her stomach, and she pushed out. 

I relaxed my stomach and steeled it at the last moment. The palm of her foot slammed into my stomach and pushed me into a tree. I bounced off, and she launched forward. 

She angled the left foot outside my right foot, and the right leg swung forward, an unavoidable axe drawing near my head. 

My eyes were wide open, and I watched the bruised and battered shin draw closer. I lifted my left leg and knee. And shot it towards her inner thigh. 

The shin slammed against the side of my head but had lost all force. 

"Haha! Perhaps this old man is getting too senile. To think a child like you is putting some pressure on me." 

I watched the girl pout and turn around. 

"Ah, what did I say wrong? There is no need to make that face, child, aish." 

Her back held stiff and strong, "what is she so worried about?" I continued to walk with her and smacked her shoulder. 

She turned her head to stare at me.

Why the long face? She kept quiet for a moment, then moved her hand. 

I shouldn't have been able to get that close to you, Master. This time, the eyes looked a bit lost. The grey in them is a little more murky. 

I won't croak so soon. I have fallen and gotten up many times, child. And in the end, I was the last one. It will be your turn, so understand my teachings best.

How can you be so welcoming to your inevitable death? 

I'm scared just as you are scared. So loosen your back a bit more. I am not different from you, and I will make sure we both enjoy this vacation together. 

Is this not for the sect?

A vacation is a vacation.