Off to Malirin Forest

As Core Elder Ren watched Shui from a close distance, he couldn't help but release a small chuckle.

"My apologies; I just can't help but be amused by the fact that someone stronger than I am ranks below me. Don't you find organisations to be such a strange thing, Shui?"

It wouldn't be strange if the elder had heard about his strength from Reinhart, but Shui had a feeling that the elder had seen through his cultivation. It impressed him, but also made him wary.

"No. While it might work for beasts, if we made it so that only the strongest had the right to lead, then there would be no one to understand the weak. Of course, it would be preferable for a leader to have some degree of strength, but they need not be the most powerful."

Core Elder Ren nodded. "Indeed. With that being said, do you believe Kate is fit as a leader?"

"She," Shui paused for a moment to organize his thoughts. "For better or worse, her personality is straight forward. She wouldn't stomp on the weak for being weak, but I also don't think she would allow them to stay weak. She has the charisma to lead, but I'm not sure if I could trust her to maintain an organisation."

"You mean?"

"If she took responsibility for an organisation, then just as she always strives for improvement, she would expect the same from those under her. It might succeed, but will those above her wish for that?"

"You make a good point. What about yourself?"

"Hmm, if I seriously intend on being a leader, then I would take the same stance as her. The main difference would be that I would account for those afraid of us growing above our station. Still, I don't believe I'll be in that position any time soon."

"Is that so? A shame, that is. Now, I'm assuming you came because you needed some assistance."

"You could say that, yes. I don't know if they've told you, but I made an agreement with Kate and Reinhart to get them custom artifacts. I'll need Reinhart's presence for his artifact, but Kate's is complete."

Shui placed the box with the gloves on the desk and pushed it towards Core Elder Ren. The elder took up the box and weighed it in his hand, but didn't open it. Shui wouldn't have minded if he wanted to take a look, but pushing for it would make it seem like he wanted to show off, so he didn't bring it.

"I've certainly accepted it. I believe you'll be going on a mission soon."

"Yes. I'll try my best to return in time to see her put them on, but please tell her not to hold back on my account."

"Very well. I wish that your mission goes well."

"Thank you, Core Elder."

Like this, they concluded their discussion, and Shui left the office. Shortly after his departure, the elder could no longer stop himself from violently coughing. The coughs continued for a few minutes, and when they were over, blood wet his lips. 

"This much from just a peek? Truly such a frightening young man."

After leaving the collective administration headquarters, Shui paid a visit to Luke's residence, but as Tark had said, he wasn't present, so he left the core section. It was harder to conceal himself when leaving the cave, but he managed without getting caught. 

Fatty and Serina left on their mission two days later, and the following day it was time for Shui to do the same. Their team was to gather at the manor entrance, where they would be seeing each other for the first time. Although he assumed they would all be his enemies, Shui didn't expect to run into anyone he recognised. However, to his surprise, there was someone he faintly remembered from about ten years ago. Even so, he didn't plan to greet them since they had never talked before, but they approached him.

"It's nice to meet someone from the same clan after all these years. My name's Lute. Do you remember me?"

"Yes. You're Lus' son, right?"

"That's right. Say, how was he after I left?"

"I'm not sure how he was before, but I didn't hear that he changed much."

"I see. It's such a shame. If I had known that that incident would happen, I would have gone back to visit."

The young man showed a forlorn expression as he brought up his father, but Shui didn't feel a sliver of sympathy. Lus was his uncle and a blacksmith as skilled as Bartos within the Heaven clan, but he was also one of those on hostile terms with him and Bartos. Even though he had died in the same battle as Bartos, Shui felt more respect for Nalos and Nate than for him. 

He suspected that Lute was sent to get close to him so that he could lead him into some trap, but he decided to pretend to get along with him. He felt that there was no need for him to fear their tricks, so he might as well see them through. The other three members of the team were inner section disciples Shui didn't recognise, but like Lus and Shui, they were at the sixth level of the Soul Realm.

Since he had already proven that he was strong enough to easily triumph over those in the late Soul Realm, he saw their cultivations as a measure to lower his guard. Regardless, Shui planned to brush off all tricks, complete the mission, and visit his sworn brother while he was at it. 

While Shui's team was heading to Malirin Forest, Lisa finally gained the courage to read his letter. Thanks to the majority of the inner section keeping an eye on him, she was able to avoid him as long as she didn't visit places he was likely to be at. Still, she spent most of her time in 'seclusion', not that there had been much progress in her cultivation. It wasn't yet a heart demon, but she could tell that it would be difficult to move forward unless she settled her feelings regarding Shui and, Clyde. 

The letter was short and straight to the point. Shui was inviting her out for a continuation of their previous date. She did feel happy that he still remembered their date, but that joy swiftly crumbled once she recalled the image of the girl he returned with.

The Wild Princess was famous throughout the city, so naturally, Lisa knew about her. They had even gone on a few missions together. That was why she was clearer than most about how cute and kind she was. Even after Shui was invited by Cassandra, Lisa believed that she still had a chance. However, when she saw the two of them returning hand in hand, she felt it. There was no way for her to get in between them.

"That's right. It's so obvious, so why am I taking so long to accept it?"

Despite speaking of surrender, the fire of hope flickered as she read the letter once more.