Sword Dancers

I was deep in thought. The system's modifications should have erased any disadvantages that were present in my body. That means this body was modified to be as perfect as humanly possible in order to finish my missions perfectly. The modification ranges from increased physical prowess to enhanced intelligence. It also gave me an above average facial structure. Rather than having unparalleled handsomeness, I was given a face that was accepted by all.

"Thanks for your help bro! The guy ran when he saw your robes." the relaxing guy said.

Now that I think about it, the clothes he wore were unlike the ones the Spirit Sword Sect disciples used. The young man in front of me was tanned and muscular. The coarse linen robe that was torn here and there, made him look like a martial artist. He had an unyielding air thanks to his prominent brows and he looked like the fighter-type side character from a shonen TV show who trained endlessly to overcome his negative traits. However, unlike that type of character who was usually dumb or cursed to be the comedic relief, the one in front of me exude intelligence and tact. He had saved two lives today. The first was the woman who was immediately consoled by the people around her right now, and the second was the culprit who ran away.

"You're a cultivator?" I asked the fighter.

He looked troubled. He shifted his eyes to the left and right while scratching his head. The words he's trying to formulate bumbled out of his mind. He finally let go of it all and wryly smiled.

"Unfortunately, my spirit root dried up. Please don't ask about it since it's a personal matter to me."

I nodded. Looking at the fighter in his entirety, I felt more and more convinced. He looked like a good disciple candidate. Although he talked like a martial artist, he was not boorish both in words and behaviour.

"Where were you going, if you don't mind me asking? You're not here to be a disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, right?"

"No, no. The great Spirit Sword Sect was just a small detour in my journey. I really wanted to see it no matter what. I will leave the town tomorrow morning with a caravan where I was hired as a guard."

"I see. Where can I meet the head of the caravan? I'm offering myself to join you."

The fighter was in disbelief.

"Are you sure? Can't you fly on your sword?"

"Ahem. Sometimes we need to experience the mortal world ourselves. I don't need any silver, just some food and a place to sleep."

"Alright then, I'll bring you to him."

He took me to a spacious inn called The Dancing Swords. True to its name, there were a bunch of women doing a sword dance. The atmosphere was quite lively, at least until I entered. As soon as they saw me, all of them stopped everything they were doing. Though it was not really because of me, more like because of the robe I'm wearing. The fighter guided me to where the caravan head was sitting. He asked me to wait while he informed the caravan head about me. While I was waiting, the atmosphere gradually turned warm. The ones having conversations continued their conversations, the sword dancers continued their dance, and the ones who were eating continued their meal. I could feel gazes coming towards me though. It was from the sword dancers. One of them walked toward me after their dance had finished.

"Sir cultivator, do you have time right now?"

I looked towards the fighter as he mouthed that the caravan head had accepted my offer.

"I have time. What do you need?"

"It's like this. Me and my sisters were trying out a sword dance technique called The Four Swords of The Four Seasons. We haven't managed to do it correctly yet, even when we followed the instructions. Can sir cultivator help us see where our wrongs lie?"

Fuck. I know zilch about the sword. I'm not even a cultivator. I don't know how to help you, lady.

"Can I see your routine first?"

The sword dancer nodded and prepared her sisters for their new dance. It looked as if I was grading their graceful movements, but I was pushing the call-a-system button in my mind.

'System! System-emon! Please help your host out!'

[The Four Swords of The Four Seasons. A sword dance technique created by immortal Cang An and her sisters, who were posing as the Dancing Swords inn's sword dancers. It was a technique based on a formation called The Four Swords of The Compass that corresponds to North, South, East, and West. The North-man took on the stance of the Black Tortoise, focusing on lunging stabs that closed every gap in the formation. They could also be placed at the forefront to block attacks. The South-man used the stance of the Vermilion Bird, they have to strike wildly. They have to do the reverse of every strike. If they strike downwards then their next one must be upwards before they can move to other strikes. By doing so, everything they face shall perish. The East-man follows the Azure Dragon, they have to intercept every enemy attack and create opportunities for each member of the formation. The West-man must be like the White Tiger. They will focus on raw power. Their strike must be forceful that it would break anything and everything.]

'Fuck, an immortal posing as a sword dancer. This world is getting dangerous by the minute. Still, a four-man formation? It lacked something in my eyes.'

[Yes, your judgment is correct. The original was a four-man formation that used five nodes. By making it about the four seasons, they took away the central node where the Qilin was supposed to reside. It was the part that everyone in the formation needs to learn first to stabilize the somewhat distinct nature of every node.]

'I see. Thanks for the help, talk to you later.'

The sword dancers had finished their dance. Even though I knew they were immortals, cultivators who had managed to attain immortality by birthing a nascent soul, I find myself unnerved. Maybe because they're posing as mortals. Eating and drinking with their customers and having fun.

"What do you think, sir cultivator?" the sword dancer asked.

"Where's the fifth season?"

The sword dancers looked confused.

"There are only four seasons, right?" she asked her sisters.

"Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter." one of them replied.

"That's the seasons we have here, sir cultivator."

I shook my head and sighed to look mysterious.

"There will and always will be five seasons in this world, but one of them is a false one. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Transitory."

"Transitory?" the sword dancer parroted.

I nodded.

"Before Spring, there Transitory lied. Before Summer, there too Transitory lied. It goes on and on to the endless future from the innumerable past, birthing four in five."

The sword dancers muttered "four in five… four in five. Four in five!"

They took their swords and began their dance anew. This time it was four people that had their own individual differences but united when the time came. Bringing the total number of people to five in their dance. Everyone in the inn was observing them with bated breath as if finally came to a close. Their dance that could've continued for eternity slowed into stillness.

The sword dancers came forward and bowed. They thanked me for my teachings. One of them who I suspect was immortal Cang An, the one who asked me to see where their problems lie, came to me with some personal questions.

"Sir cultivator, you have helped us sisters but you left us without your name. What should we call you?" she looked at me with upturned eyes.

Lady, you're a friggin immortal. Please act in a way that befits your status.

"I'm just a humble nobody. Pay me no heed, please."

"We can't do that to the one who taught us something. A teacher for a day, a father for life!" she replied with zeal.

Oh my god. I don't have a daughter as big as you.

"Joe. My name is Joe."

"Sir cultivator's name is Cho? That's a beautiful name."

Beautiful my ass. It's Joe, not Cho. Though I can't really say that out loud.

"Thank you very much. Now please excuse me, ladies, I have somewhere to be."

[PP +4. Total PP is 4. System notes: That's quite small… yikes.]

The system fully used its privilege to take a jab at me. Just wait, I'll return it tenfold. In good faith of course, because it had helped me greatly since I came here.

With piercing gazes from the sword dancers, I made my way to where the fighter is. He was conversing with the caravan head when he saw me approaching. Another seat was added to the table and he introduced me to the caravan head.

Ah, I really can't wait to gather 6 more PP. Once the Y.E.E.T. was ready, I'll gather the materials needed in order to craft a dungeon ASAP.