The Old Sweeper

The two sides were both lost in the sweepers words. Yet the sweeper himself then proceeded to ignore the two groups and began to sweep the stone floors full of fallen leaves.

The broom he carried as previously stated towered over many people, but the sweeper seemed to use it as if normal broom without any discomfort. This perhaps could be considered normal, but the ease in which he carried what seemed to be a thick and dense steel shaft was unbelievable. The only discomfort was for those who heard this person sweep. The brush was made out of ten evenly spaced metal fang like thistle that didn't bend or change as they impacted the floor instead they violently scraped against each other both giving no leeway to the other creating a horrible song.

Lucia said, "Old sweeper you should leave, this isn't the place for you to mess around."

Lucia spoke without the slightest bit of courtesy or respect in her voice, even though the old sweeper was an adult and also an old man as his nickname suggested.

Instead it was Ara who spoke politely, "Sir you should retreat to the inner halls this place is quite dangerous."

Yet the old sweeper ignored the two the same even with the differing attitudes.

Aqua honestly didn't care about the sweeper either, but for some strange reason she couldn't help but instinctively want to be away from him as if he was a natural disaster.

Lucia huffed, "You old bag of bones hurry up and leave! Didn't you hear me and my sister?"

Lucia barked again yet similarly she got no response and now an already agitated Lucia was ready to go and beat this person up. Yes perhaps they needed to be careful and mindful of their attitudes and actions with those from the Ice Pavilion, but Lucia never intended to do that in her own sect what she was considered to be a princess.

All martial artists are arrogant. That was the way in which many would describe the central regions. In fact many expected it, to be a martial artist was to be one who wished to carve their own destiny. While normal people resigned themselves to rules and law of the world such that if their lord put the death sentence on them all they could do is die, martial artists revolted and chose what way they died. Similar to how if a man chasing a girl if hesitant loses out, a martial artist must be naturally arrogant to a level.

Yet Lucia was arrogant beyond that. The three tailed sect unlike most other sects was a lone alien sect, that meant it was under no one's thumb, but Conversely typically the martial arts and teachings as well as lineage was shallow with even their resources being somewhat bare in comparison to the dynasties and the sects under them. This wasn't the lone sects fault, in fact many actively tried to receive disciples to enlarge their strength, but for any person especially the hot blooded arrogant youths who typically held the majority of new disciples if not complete majority the dynasties and the sub sects could be seen as a supermodel rich girl who's dad was a gang boss and the lone sects pretty girls who didn't have much to offer. Yet the three tailed sects defying almost all of that had a pretty reputable reputation and strength only being about three or two level below a dynasty. Furthermore Lucia was the most talented of the sect masters three disciples and received great respect and large quantities of resources from all she met in the sect and lower sects.

Except for Lucia's senior sister, senior brother and master no one dared talk rudely in front of her, never would they even think of disrespecting her so blatantly and haughtily such as the sweeper did. Lucia was the type of person who enjoyed a compliment even if it wasn't about her, but someone she knew. Yet the sweeper another servant of the sect had not only been rude today in front of the Ice Pavilion he had done it for all the time he has been at the sect. Lucia was forced formerly to handle her anger towards the behavior of the servant considering she thought herself as one who would reach the peak of martial arts and the servants would remain background characters. Yet now he was insulting her and her senior sister's honor, if that was not bad enough the Ice Pavilion was also there to witness the whole affair. No one liked their dirty laundry for the world to see especially prideful martial artists who took steps to look impressive and magnificent.

Yet just as Lucia was about to flutter away and hit possibly killing or severely injuring the sweeper Ara grabbed her hand tightly. Ara then flashed a deep glare which implied for Lucia to shut up and stay still.

Lucia thought Ara didn't want Lucia to further insult the sects grandeur by fighting a non martial artist. Yet Ara's eyes didn't imply that instead there was visible worry as she looked at the indifferent sweeper.

Yet mixed with that worry was excitement and fighting spirit.

Thinking things through once more, Ara took a deep breath and stepped forward and looked all the more domineering like a unrelenting king, "Very well since sister is so keen on fighting. Allow this one to exchange skills."

With that Ara pointed with her chin and Yen moved down and took out his sword from the sheathe strapped to his back and made a sword stance with her feet heavily and deeply planted into the hard stone below. The formerly lethargic and quiet aura around him rippled and a roaring might surged.

Aqua felt quite strange the new attitude of Ara and looked towards the sweeper before looking behind her shoulder. She sighed and repented in her thoughts, "Ah, I don't know why this overtly cautious girl is suddenly so energetic to fight, but it definitely can't be anything good. Of course I'm not scared, but I don't any problems to occur. Yet I've climbed atop the tiger and now I can't get off."

Aqua pointed her hand towards a larger than average fat man who held two thick metal bracers on his hands.

The two faced each other and everyone else became quiet.

The fat man moved in a rapid pace with even his small steps full of spring and jump.

The fat man closed the distance until the two were only a short distance away, a distance a small leap could cover.

The fat man kept bobbing up and down with his knees permanently in a slight bent posture.

Then suddenly he pounced heavily and came very close to Yen. His fist flashed and was already speeding forth like a canon ball. Yet that wasn't the fastest movement the fat man made, as soon as he reached the close distance to Yen he steadied his legs making them resemble ancient trees that could stand heavy winds and violent lighting. So from those legs the fat man's fist seemed to become heavier and heavier.

Yet Yen simply retreated a slight bit and swung his sword down in one quick movement.

The incoming fist slammed heavily against the fast sword, but the two simply pushed each other back.

The bracer wrapped around the fat man's fist sparkled with lights as two powerful metal clashed.

Yet Yen who's sword which repelled backwards overhead seemed to come face to face with the fat man.

Right as the sword was shot away by the collision with the fist, Yen pulled his shoulder out of it's socket and did a full circle with his sword now a mm away from the fat mans throat.

Yen smiled and said, "I win."

The fat man shook violently at the words Yen casually said. Fear overtook him and he fell on his bottom.

Saying this Yen slightly bowed.

Yen didn't continue to look and instead popped his shoulder back in place.

Lucia then showed a haughty expression and asked, "Is that all you people can do? With this coming to challenge my sect how audacious!"

Yet Aqua ignored Lucia's raving and instead looked at the fat man and said, "Junior brother Jasper you indeed have great strength and impressive speed, but you think too Orthodox. A swordsman may be just as wild and unruly towards rules as a heathen. You need to be open to prevent such cheap tricks winning against you."

Aqua although a bit prideful kept her senior sister attitude and instead of berating of feeling angry, felt the need to enlighten her junior brothers and sisters. In fact this was the main reason she had come. Although the three tailed sect was a very unique sect, it was a still just a slightly bigger ant with a slightly harsher bite. Yet they had their uses to the Ice Pavilion.

Aqua pointed towards another well built girl.

The sun drew it's ark across the sky and finally only a deep orange had begun to spread.

Lucia had fought three disciples before losing and Yen had fought the remaining seven only losing on the seventh one and drawing a tie with the sixth one he fought.

All the while Aqua had advised and explained to her juniors on where they lose, they then deeply analyzed their own battle and gained great understanding.

Yet Ara even though Yen showed a great fight and Lucia a good ability for her age, had an ugly expression.

Ara thought, "What fight, what exchange guidance. They are using us like combat dolls, they don't even look at us as opponents. They are looking down upon us."

Ara expected this, but hoped that her junior brothers abilities as well as junior sisters could make them feel horror and shock. Yet it seemed as if they weren't even slightly disturbed.

Ara breathed out deeply and said coldly, "Very well Aqua, you have made your challenge and finished it, now leave."

Ara lacked any of the basic courtesy she had shown before, she utterly furious and felt even that show of face was too much.

Ara then walked quickly, perhaps the fear of her masters absence being suprisingly leaked had left a deep impression.

Yet Aqua was quicker, "Ara, we still have our match."

Ara frowned, "Aqua don't take it too far. This is still the three tailed sects territory! You have shown not courtesy and respect for your opponents. Now leave, this is my final decision."

Aqua realized that words no longer held any precedence here. She dashed out with her large figure, suprisingly she had a great nimble like form.

She appeared beside Ara with a few quick leaps and heavily threw a fist.

Ara moved even quicker and he sword flew out of its sheathe like a pouncing tiger.

Yet to everyone's surprise Aqua caught the sword, causing a small shower of blood. Yet Aqua kept a mean grin the whole time.

Aqua said as if not feeling an ounce of pain, "You see? A martial artist must be willing to roll in the dirt and get salt in the wound."

Aqua then dragged the axe in the other hand which was obviously a two handed Axe upwards in a quick flash.

Ara tried with all her force to cut Aquas hand and retrieve her sword, but Aqua just held it tighter such that Ara could barely move it.

Ara had to leave her sword behind and narrowly dodged, but a thin Bloody line crossed from her lip to her left eye.

Aqua snickered, "Now why did you have to make me ruin that pretty face of yours?"

Aqua prepared to move forward seemingly lost in the heat of the battle.

She went for a killing blow.

Yet suddenly the previously indifferent sweeper swung the broom in his hand's and a fierce gale struck Aqua. Her heavy and powerful body seemed like paper in a tornado and flew past the sect gates, down the long staircase to the bottom of the mountain.

The sweeper then kept sweeping as if indifferent.