Repaying Debts

Ting! Ting! Haaa!

Mikoto and Yang Xin spared with war-like intensity. With her cultivation sealed, Yang Xin was drenched in sweat and panting. Her form and execution had progressed by leaps inbound as she practiced the phaseless sword art and multiple battle techniques.

They lived a life as bandits, taking money and low-grade equipment. All of it used to train Yang Xin. Countless swords shattered to pieces, and demolished armor laid in the courtyard their temporary home.

Pah! Another sword shattered.

"Good! Yang Xin, you are improving." Kai clapped as he watched the spare come to an end.

"I want you and Mikoto to get to the surface. It would be best if you tempered yourself a bit more. I'll let Mikoto decide when to take off the suppression seal."

"Why are you sending us away?" Mikoto asked with suspicion.

"I plan to join the blood demon clan for a bit. There's a young talent with potential. I also have been hearing talk of a particular tournament approaching. I want all of us to participate."

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During the weeks that followed, Kai took an indirect approach to Wei Guan Yu. He visited her in the dead of night and during her training sessions. He would spare with her and give her brief glimpses of higher blood laws. But not once did she see his face.

She began to look forward to their encounters, to beat him in both cultivation and martial arts. Not many could challenge Kai in the lower realm. But he knew if he wanted to face life or death situations, the best place to travel was the infamous nine-layer death land.

This day, Kai entered the Blood demon clan with an insane request that would change the clan forever.

_________________________________________________________

"Patriarch Wei! A man is here to seek an audience with you." A guard spoke nervously.

Wei Zhao, the blood demon clan patriarch, opened his eyes but remained in the lotus position. "What man?" he asked.

"He carries Wu Lan's Blood cursed spear." the guard replied.

Wei Zhao couldn't contain his shock as his eyes widen involuntarily.

"Show him to the main hall." Wei Zhao ordered, then vanished from his spot.

The next moment he appeared. Wei Zhao stood in front of his daughter. "Yu'er, he has finally come. The man that wields Wu Lan's spear."

Wei Guan Yu smirked, 'finally, I can look into the eyes of the man that toys with me as a pass time.'

"Then you should receive him," She replied aloud.

"Will you not come to greet the senior?" Wei Zhao asked.

"Maybe. For now, I will continue to cultivate."

Wei Zhao sighed and shook his head. Out of respect for his daughter, Wei Zhao left her in peace.

When Guan Yu could no longer sense her father, she shot from her seat and sifted through her wardrobe to find the most acceptable attire.

Guan Yu adopted a beaming smile that stretched from ear to ear. "You're the one," she said with absolute certainty.

In the main hall of the blood demon clan, Wei Zhao sat at the end of the hall as Kai floated in, hovering just a few inches above the ground. Not once did his feet touch the ground.

"Ashikaga Kai greets Patriarch Wei Zhao," Kai spoke with respect.

'This...why?' the patriarch thought to himself.

"It is my honor to be visited by Senior. May I ask what brings you to my humble clan?"

Kai looked around. 'If I am wrong, their reactions should tell me.'

"I am here to pay a debt to Lady Wei Xiao Bao," Kai observed everyone closely. Some looked confused. Others seemed to be familiar with the name but couldn't quite pin it. However, the elders and Patriarch Wei Zhao looked beyond startled.

"W-what debt could senior owe our great ancestor?" Wei Zhao stammered through his question.

The clan also became just as anxious when they realized that Wei Xiao Bao was their great Ancestor, Wei Xiao Bao.

"Senior Wei Xiao Bao has gifted me much. Never had I thought I would meet Blood Fiends in this lowly realm. For you to be here, I knew you must have descended from her."

"B-blood Fiends?" an Elder asked.

'He seems genuinely confused. It seems like they have lost their heritage like my Ashikaga clan.' Kai thought in his heart.

"I will explain in time. For now, I wish to take Wei Guan Yu... as my disciple." Kai waited for the elders and patriarch to recover from the shock.

According to their Young Miss, Kai is the Blood Spiritual God in the minds of the Blood Demon Clan. To take Wei Guan Yu as his disciple would be an honor that eclipsed all Nether realm achievements, besides becoming a disciple of Nether Spiritual God.

"I know it must be a lot, but I assure you I am qualified. I am an expert amongst a few. As you know, not many can call themselves a Spiritual God." Kai added.

"Forgive me, Senior. But it is common for disciples of Spiritual Gods to never return to this lowly realm." Wei Zhao felt saddened as he thought about the stories of the people who were once chosen by the Lord of Nether.

The elders understood his perspective.

" I am a selfish father. I want my daughter to split the havens, but I can't help the need to have her need me." Wei Zhao sighed.

"Patriarch Wei. I will stay in your Blood Demon Clan until the Lord of Nether's Disciple selection. If she can pass the selection, then you should worry about losing your daughter. "Kai explained.

Patriarch Wei was pondering the situation when the doors of the main hall blew open. Wei Guan Yu appeared dressed in an ethereal crimson red dress that lightly clung to her mature figure, her hair was up in a Hanfu style, and her makeup complimented her fair skin, amber eyes, and plump pink lips.

"Wei Xiao Bao..." Kai gasped

Wei Zhao glanced at Kai as he heard the name of his ancestor. Wei Zhao stared intently at Kai's face as Guan Yu's beauty captured Kai.

'Does Yu'er favor the great ancestor? If Senior has seen Wei Xiao Bao before, he must be after Yu'er because of the resemblance.' thought Wei Zhao.

'This man... He looks younger than I imagined. He's quite handsome as well." Guan Yu thought in her heart.

"Wei Guan Yu greets the Lord of Blood." Guan Yu spoke loud and clear as she bent her back.

"Miss Wei, I was wondering when you would join us. Your father and I were just discussing your future."

"I don't understand."

"Yu'er, Lord Ashikaga has offered to take you as a disciple."

Wei Guan Yu took a step back as she gasped. The dress, the makeup, the hair, and the late entrance. All of it was useless.

'He isn't playing with me. We never had fun. He sees me as a child that needs guidance. Ahh, this is so embarrassing.' Guan Yu took a deep breath.

She bent her back once more and changed her greeting. "Disciple Guan Yu greets Master."

Her hands slightly trembled, and she clenched her jaw. The next moment she felt a strong hand lift her up. However, it wasn't who she expected.

"Father?"

"He's gone... I advise you to wake up early tomorrow. Tomorrow, everything changes."