Chapter 41: Are You the One Looking for Me?

"Who do you think you are, calling out our Master Long like that?!" one of the instigators from the opposing group shouted, pointing a finger at Aragorn's face. However, an elderly man standing beside him waved his hand, signaling for the man to be quiet.

 The elderly man, Master Long himself, addressed Aragon calmly:

 "We're not here to cause trouble. We just came to politely request that your school consider changing its name. I've heard that your Master, Taro, was a disciple of the esteemed Mutaito. Muten School... even Mutaito himself wouldn't have dared to claim such a title. I think it's better to make the change sooner rather than later."

 Aragon frowned:

 "The name was chosen by my Master himself. As his disciple, I have no right to change it without his consent."

 Immediately, someone sneered:

 "Then go fetch that turtle of a Master of yours! Let him come out and change it himself!"

 Aragon's temples throbbed as he snapped:

 "How many times do I have to tell you? My Master is away and not at the dojo! I'd ask that you wait until he returns to discuss the matter of our school's name!"

 "Ha! Yeah, right! My guess is your Master heard we were coming and ran off on his own!"

 "Or maybe he's just hiding in his shell like a coward!"

 "Don't push it too far!- Aragon roared, pointing at the man who had just mocked him."

 "What, not happy? If you're upset, fight us! That's what we're here for anyway!- one of the opponents said, rolling up his sleeves as if ready to charge."

 "Fine! A fight it is! You think we're afraid of you?!"

 "No need for our senior brother to deal with you; I'll knock you down myself!" shouted one of the younger disciples of Muten school, clearly unable to hold back any longer.

 However, Aragon knew he couldn't give in to anger. Time and time again, he suppressed his fury. He was currently the strongest fighter in Muten School. If even he lost, the dojo would have no one left to defend it until Master Taro returned.

 "Enough."

 Master Long, who had been silently observing, finally raised his hand. The crowd behind him immediately quieted down, a testament to the authority he commanded.

 Smiling harmlessly, Master Long said to Aragon:

 "Let's all calm down and listen to this old man. You see, young one… oh, you must be Master Taro's senior disciple. Since he's not here, I suppose that makes you the one in charge of the dojo for now, doesn't it? Now, your Master hasn't returned for quite some time, and surely we can't just sit around waiting indefinitely, can we?"

 "Here's a proposal: this old man hasn't sparred with anyone in years, but I won't take advantage of you. Let's have a match. If I can't defeat you within 100 moves, we'll leave without another word. But if I do beat you within 100 moves… well, all we ask is for Muten to change its name. How about that?"

 Turning to his companions, Master Long asked:

 "No objections from anyone, right?"

 "Of course not!"

 "No objections!"

 "We'll leave it to Master Long!"

 As expected, the group unanimously voiced their agreement.

 Aragon's expression darkened. Inside one of the dojo's rooms, Yumeko supported her mother, her face livid with anger as she muttered:

 "These people are shameless! Big Brother Aragon has only been training under Father for a few years. How can this old man even think of picking a fight with him? Does he have no shame?!"

 "Do you think he can last 100 moves, Master Tsuru?" One of the younger disciples asked Tsuru, who stood to the side.

 "I doubt it… That man, Long, while he was defeated by my Master in the past, still has genuine skill. And from the looks of it, he's already mastered Ki techniques. Aragon's a promising talent, no doubt, but with Master Taro gone for so many years, no one has been around to guide him properly. His progress is naturally limited." Tsuru said, shaking her head.

 By now, Master Long had already removed his outer robe, revealing a loose martial arts uniform underneath.

 "Please, let's begin." He said, maintaining the dignified demeanor of an elder.

 Aragon had no choice but to step forward at this moment. Even if he lacked confidence, he had to face the challenge. Walking up, his expression grim, he clasped his hands together and said:

 "Please."

 "Go, Master Long! Show him what real skill looks like!"

 "Let him see what true mastery is!"

 The disciples of the Muten School flushed red with anger, glaring at the jeering group on the other side. But their opponents only returned the glares, their eyes filled with provocation.

 "Hah..." Aragon let out a deep breath, steeling himself. He assumed his starting stance, ready to fight.

 Master Long chuckled casually, standing with apparent carelessness, his posture seemingly full of openings.

 "He's got some skill…" Tsuru observed from the side, narrowing his eyes slightly as he spoke under his breath.

 For a moment, neither fighter made a move. Aragon was already sweating, his eyes glued to every minute motion Master Long made, his feet cautiously shifting on the ground.

 Finally, it was the youthful impatience in Aragon that gave way. With a loud shout, he charged forward!

 "He's lost." Tsuru shook his head.

 Master Long smiled faintly. With an almost casual motion, he raised his palm and effortlessly blocked Aragon's punch. His movements were as agile as a monkey, evading a surprise kick with ease. Then, with a precise and devastating elbow strike, he hammered into Aragon's chest!

 A dull pain erupted in Aragon's chest, nearly making him feel as though his ribcage had been crushed.

 "Muten School?"

 The smile on Master Long's lips turned colder. His strikes intensified, his hands blurring into a flurry of afterimages, landing one blow after another on Aragon's body. Bang! Bang! Bang! Where was the need for a hundred moves? Against a seasoned master like this, the gap in experience was too vast. Even with all of Aragon's talent, he was thoroughly overwhelmed.

 "Too young! What's with Taro? How could he leave his student like this, disappearing without a trace?" Tsuru shook his head.

 He knew Taro was no coward. If he hadn't shown up by now, it was likely due to being far away or tangled in some external crisis preventing his return.

 "Ugh!" Aragon let out a grunt as Master Long's kick sent him flying. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed onto the ground.

 "Senior Brother!" The disciples of the Muten School shouted anxiously.

 "Big Brother!" Yumeko couldn't hold back any longer. She rushed out of the house, kneeling beside Aragon and holding him up. Seeing his bloodied face filled her heart with pain.

 "Yu, I'll be fine… I just… I've brought shame to Master…" Aragon's face flushed with humiliation and anger. Tears welled up in his eyes as he coughed up another mouthful of blood.

 "Heh…" Master Long approached Aragon, a smug smile on his face.

 "That's enough, Long." Tsuru landed between them, his cold gaze fixed on Master Long.

 "What? We haven't hit a hundred moves yet." Master Long replied with a sly grin.

 Tsuru let out a cold laugh:

 "Bullying the younger generation? What kind of skill is that, Long? Why don't you and I have a match instead?"

 Master Long shook his head with a smirk:

 "We're here to settle something with the Muten School. What business does the Tsuru School have in this? What's the matter? Are you planning to abandon the Crane School and join your senior brother's Muten School?"

 Tsuru replied:

 "I am Taro's junior. We are of the same sect. If he's not here, what's wrong with me taking care of some dogs that come biting at the door in his stead?"

 "You!" Master Long's eye twitched, and he was about to retort when suddenly—

 Tsuru's expression shifted. His face showed shock as he looked up at the sky. At that precise moment, a barely perceptible black shadow descended from above!

 Bang! A loud crash resounded as something struck the ground, sending dust flying in all directions.

 "What was that?"

 "What just fell?"

 The rabble behind Master Long murmured in confusion.

 "So, he's finally come back…" Tsuru was inwardly shaken, utterly stunned by the speed Taro had just displayed. Still, his face bore a smirk that wasn't quite a smirk as he let out a faint scoff.

 In the center of the swirling dust, amidst the spiderweb-like cracks on the ground, stood a figure. Not particularly tall, but radiating an aura of unshakable authority, the man slowly rose to his full height.

 "Master!"

 "Father!"

 From the ground, Aragon and Yumeko gasped in a mix of shock and joy. The moment they recognized who it was, tears streamed uncontrollably from their eyes.

 Gesturing for his disciple and daughter to stay back, Taro stepped forward. He patted Tsuru on the shoulder, gently moving him aside, and walked directly up to Master Long, stopping just before him.

 Taro simply stood there, silently gazing at Master Long. Yet, despite the lack of visible aggression, there was an unmistakable pressure. Though Taro's gaze met Master Long's on equal footing, it felt as though he were looking down on him, scrutinizing from a lofty height.

 His calm eyes betrayed no clear emotion. It was impossible to tell if he was angry—or entirely indifferent.

 In the midst of the silence, Taro's voice rang out, composed and measured:

 "Were you looking for me?"

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