Blood and soil
*Swish* *Swish*
Yang Ding sharpened his sword on the whetstone. His hands moved with utmost precision as it hadled the sword.
With one hand on the scabbard and the other hand wrapped around the tip he pushed his sword back and forth as it slid on the whetstone.
The sword had turned dull after hunting so many monsters.
He raised his sword and placed it on his palm as he examined its sharpness.
"Good."
He nodded. He sheathed his sword back in its scabbard. He put aside the equipment and also got rid of the blood-soaked water as he finally came out of his chambers.
Outside Su Yang was waiting for Yang Ding.
As Yang Ding came out his face brightened up to a fitting smile.
"Let's go."
Meanwhile Yang Ding was emotionless, his face unwavering as he walked away.
Usually Yang Ding had a queue of patients waiting for their turn. Yang Ding had quite the reputation in the clan for his medical expertise.
But, it was still too early in the morning so there was no queue in front of Yang Ding's chambers.
Yang Ding would have waited for patients in the usual scenario. But today rather than monotonously curing people which brought him very little gain, Yang Ding chose to explore new possibilities.
"Yes!" Su Yang exclaimed.
He ran behind Yang Ding as he cought up with him who was nonchalantly walking away.
After a few turns they found the exit of the clan. Yang Ding was wondering as usual where the kid was taking him to. But, Yang Ding chose to follow. They passed through the roads, and walked through the market place as they finally arrived at the entrance of Seer's woods.
Why was Su Yang taking him to the wilderness? Yang Ding had questions but more importantly he was getting imatient.
"How far is this place?"
Su Yang stopped as he turned around to reply.
"Not much far, we are almost there. It a bit inside the Seer's woods."
Yang Ding furrowed his brows. His lips pursed in thought.
"Inside the wilderness. Why would someone live there?"
"Ah, that… he is a bit different. He believes that a true cultivator should try to be one with nature. He tells me all the time that only by being one with nature can one truly walk on the dao of cultivation. Maybe because of that he likes to live in such places."
Yang Ding held his chin.
'Such a weirdo,' He thought.
Yang Ding shrugged. He didn't care. All he wants is to satisfy his curiosity.
Both of them walked into the woods.
"Roar!"
An ice bear appeared!
Su Yang was panic-stricken and made a quick attempt to run. His face turned ghostly pale. He was just at the first stage of the Ice profound realm. How can he fight with this beast?
Whenever he encountered such beasts all he could do is make a run.
On top of that Yang Ding was a doctor with a low cultivation level. He couldn't expect him to fight a beast like this anyway.
In the Black Pearl Nation, those that practice Medical Arts are forbidden to practice Martial Arts. It is a taboo for a disciple to practice both martial arts and medical arts at the same time.
With no martial arts background and a low cultivation base, how could Su Yang expect Yang Ding to fight?
When Su Yang faced such a situation he would make a run at the first encounter. The beast owing to its huge torso is easy to avoid. But would Yang Ding be able to do the same?
"Run!" Su Yang shouted as he turned his back to Yang Ding and began to run. Nothing came to his mind. He just hoped that Yang Ding would be able to make a quick decision and run like him.
*thud*
A huge sound crept in his ears.
'Did the beast uproot a tree with its charge?' He thought but he didn't dare to turn back and see what happened.
But the uncertainty that had gripped his heart caused him to not notice where he was heading. His feet got stuck in a tree root that was protruding from the ground as he tripped and fell.
His hands clashed with the wet forest floor. The muddy soil soiled his clothes. He turned around to his horror but what he saw made him squeak.
There he was. Yang Ding standing with a sword in his hand. There was no scabbard on it. The sword dripped blood as it flowed through its length. Releasing his killing intent that would pierce one's soul. The best was already dead had fallen on the forest floor with its head detached.
The sound that Su Yang mistook for the uprooting of a tree uprooting was instead the declaration of the defeat of the beast!
Su Yang gulped. Yang Ding's appearance was etched in his heart. With his clothes fluttering in the wind and blood splattered on his face, he looked like a true martial artist! Not a serene doctor that saves lives.
Why was Su Yang never able to perceive this side of Yang Ding till now? It was always there but Su Yang had always ignored it.
Su Yang gulped.
He pushed his body up and stood again on his two feet. He walked towards Yang Ding. He didn't dare to ask about anything. Neither about Yang Ding's martial art nor of his past. He just knew that with this man around, he would face no danger in these Seer's Woods, that is if he doesn't oppose him in any way.
The two stood opposite each other. The difference between them could be perceived from their appearance.
While Su Yang was smeared in mud, Yang Ding was died in blood.
Where one could only run away, the other one gallantly fought.
How long has it been since Yang Ding and Su Yang were of the same cultivation level?
Not many days have passed. Yet there was such a great difference between the two.
"What happened? There is nothing written on my face! Show me the way!" Yang Ding scoffed.
"Yes."