''Tan Wei, Sect Master of Tiger Peak Sect.''
He says, his voice low and hesitant. His eyes linger on my expression, as if looking for something specific.
Taking a moment to process the situation, I can't help but wonder what's going on.
There's no way...The man I want to kill and decapitate is drinking beer with me at the same table. What are the odds?
My outer appearance betraying my inner thoughts, the edges of my lips are still curled in a soft smile.
''A Sect Master? Now I see why people don't dare to casually sit down and drink with you.''
Following his lead, I finish the beer in one go and set the cup next to his.
He bursts into laughter, the sound of it reverberating through the inn once more.
''Hahaha! You truly aren't local!
He rubs his belly as the laugher shakes his entire body, seemingly having the time of his life.
''Anyone else would be already begging for forgiveness!''
The cheerful atmoshpere is gone in an instant. The solemness returns to his eyes as he recalls the topic at hand.
''Those damned disciples of mine… they make a mess of everything they touch.''
His voice drops lower and lower, each word edged with more bitterness than the last.
''Stealing, attacking, threatening whoever they meet… but what can I do? They don't respect me. Not the slighest bit.''
He stares into the corners of his empty cup, fingers holding it tightly in his palm.
''I never even wanted this seat. Not once. My father...The circumstances forced it on me, and now I wear the title of Sect Master while my own disciples tarnish its name.''
I give him an understanding nod, my hand signalling to the waiter that it's time for another round.
''I won't lie to you, Mr. Tan. I did hear some...rumors about the Tiger Peak Sect.''
Leaning back on my chair, I quickly follow up, my voice full of warmth,
''But after talking to you like this, I'm beginning to have doubts about their integrity.''
Tan Wei snorts, he clicks his tongue and his smile turns into a bitter one.
''Rumors my ass. Every last one of them might as well be carved in stone.''
He shakes his head, his shoulders dropping lower with every passing second.
''I don't know what you've heard, but if it's related to my disciples, then it's likely all true.''
Sigh...
After a long sigh, his hand rises to rub his temples, resignation written across his face. After a moment, he waves his hand, as if casting his worries aside.
''But enough about me.''
His eyes lift from the table, steadying on mine.
''Tell me about yourself, boy. What brings you to a place like this?''
I offer a faint smile, letting just enough sorrow creep into my voice to sound convincing.
''As I said earlier, my name is Xu Cheng. Once a young master, now a man with no place to call home...''
I pause, lowering my gaze as if an image of a disturbing memory crosses my mind. My fingers tighten around the empty cup, as if desperate to cling to anything.
''A powerful cultivator came for us, stronger than anything we could resist. He cut down my father...decapitated him in front of an entire estate...In front of me...''
Hooo...
With a sharp exhale, I raise my hand and signal to the waiter for another round.
''With his death, the Xu family...my family fell soon after. Enemies took advantage of it and attacked us from all sides, taking whatever was left for taking. Those that swore loyalty to us before never showed their faces...''
I glance up, meeting Tan Wei's eyes across the table.
''So here I am, wandering from place to place, trying to find a place that I can call my home.''
Tan Wei exhales heavily, his scarred eye narrowing as if understanding the pain behind my words. He taps a finger against his cup, then shakes his head with a bitter smile.
''Boy… no one should have to watch their father die like that. I may carry the title of Sect Master, but I know all too well what it means to be powerless in the face of an adversity.''
He leans in slightly, his finger pointing towards his scar.
''Do you know how I got this scar?''
He doesn't wait for an answer.
''Years ago, when I was still young and reckless, a rival cultivator showed up at our gates. My father, Sect Master at that time, was the first one to stand his ground.''
Tan Wei's gaze drifts past me, as if the scene is replaying itself right in front of his eyes.
''I was arrogant enough to believe I could help. One careless step, and the enemy's blade was already at my throat. My father...He...''
He pauses briefly,
''He threw himself between us. That strike… it nearly took my eye, but it was his heart that it pierced.''
His hand tightens into a fist.
''He struck the bastard down even as his life faded out, protecting me and the sect until the very last breath. His final words…
Tan Wei's voice quivers for a moment,
''…were to take care of the sect in his stead.''
He leans back, the weight of memory pressing into his muscular shoulders.
''That was the day I inherited both this scar and a seat I never wanted.''
.
.
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[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 691]
[Trauma: +523/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]