~~~
The Eastern Port City Tournant arrives in an almost unreasonably short amount of ti. At least, that is how it feels like to Liu Jin.
The young child takes a deep breath to calm down while he looks at himself in the mirror.
His height is average for his age, which ans those who are closest to him are all taller than him. Liu Jins face is slowly starting to change into that of a teen, and his skin has beco sowhat pale since he passed Nine-Headed Snake Gods trial. Even though he often has to walk under the sun to deliver dicine, he shows no signs of tanning. It makes his red eyes stand out more.
The Inner Disciple robes fit him well, almost as if they had been made with his exact asurents in mind. It may very well be that is the case. Compared to his Outer Disciple robes, these ones feel to be even more high quality and resistant to damage.
Today, hell find out just how durable they are.
Liu Jin passes by Old Jiangs door on his way to the stairs. A frown appears on his face as he does. Naturally, Master is not going to the tournant. Soone like him has no interest in such a small spectacle. That is what he said. Indeed, Liu Jin never imagined he would say anything else.
However, his Master is sleeping in today.
He didnt use to do that before. Old Jiang always had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, a benefit of what were likely centuries of cultivation.
Now though
Liu Jin swallows and keeps walking. It is as Father said. If he just tortures himself thinking about it, hed be wasting his ti. Master wouldnt approve of that. Right now, the only thing he can do is focus on the tournant. It might not be worth speaking about compared to Masters impending fate, yet at least it is sothing he can do sothing about.
His father waits for him down the stairs. Curiously, there are no patients.
The clothes fit you well, his father says with an approving smile.
Liu Jin shuffles awkwardly at the praise. He is grateful for the scarf that hides his embarrassed expression. It is the scarf he acquired from the bandits in New Moon Town. Even though it clashes with his high-quality clothes, Liu Jin has grown fond of it.
Besides, his new robes dont have enough red for his tastes.
Give a mont. I need to take care of a few things. Well leave together after that.
Liu Jin blinks.
You will be going with to the tournant, Father?
You are participating, are you not? His father raises an eyebrow. Did you think I wouldnt want to watch my son compete? The clinic can close for a day or two.
I thats
The truth is that it hadnt once occurred to Liu Jin that his father would want to watch him. While his father was the one who arranged for him to be accepted into the Xiao Sect, matters of martial prowess are not sothing he has ever shown interest in. Many Eastern Port City Tournants have gone by without his father paying them the slightest attention.
That is why Liu Jin never once thought his father would close the clinic to go see him. It is only upon hearing his fathers words that Liu Jin realizes how much he wants his father to be there.
But Father, what about?
Liu Jins gaze darts towards the stairs. His aning is obvious, even if he doesnt say it.
Will Master be okay if they both leave?
Masters condition is stable, Liu Jianguo says. It is not going to get better, but it will also not grow worse. Trust when I say Master would have known weeks in advance if sothing serious were about to happen today.
I see... In that case, it would be an honor if Father were to watch my matches.
His father smiles.
I would not dream of missing them.
~~~
The Eastern Port City Tournant is always held in the comrcial district. In the months leading up to it, renovations and expansions are made to the arena as needed. Already many people are standing in line, waiting to be allowed in.
There are so many people, Liu Jin says as he looks around. The streets are completely full, making it hard to walk without bumping into soone.
It is the first ti Liu Jin has seen the comrcial district so busy. Although he has lived in Eastern Port City all his life, he has never once watched the Eastern Port City Tournant. His father never showed any interest in it, so Liu Jin never paid it much attention either, choosing to focus on his dical duties instead.
It is only to be expected. His father moves through the crowd with far more ease than Liu Jin, likely a sign of greater experience. Tournants tend to be popular among the people. Even though it is certain that the Xiao and Yun Sects will claim the top spots, that doesnt stop people from wanting to see the matches. The disciples of the strongest Sect and Clans of the city will test their might against each other. That is not sothing the average person can see every day. This encourages people to co in droves, which, in turn, stimulates financial activity as people eat, drink, and gamble.
Liu Jin lets out a small hum.
I never thought of it like that.
That is only to be expected. You have never taken much interest in such things, which is largely my fault. This will be your first tournant in more ways than one, whereas I have seen many and participated in many as well.
Liu Jin almost trips.
His head slowly turns towards his father, who keeps walking as though he hadn't said anything out of the ordinary. Liu Jin waits for a sign. The paling of his skin. The widening of his eyes. Anything that could indicate that his father hadnt ant to share that information.
It never cos.
It ans that, just now, his father did an to share his past with him.
Liu Jin swallows, his nails digging into his palms as he walks beside his father. There are dozens of questions he wants to ask, and it takes every ounce of control he has to stop himself from blurting them out all at once. He is afraid of what will happen once he speaks.
Perhaps then, his father will rember his past is not sothing he has ever talked about.
Yet, if Liu Jin remains silent, he will not learn anything new.
Father participated in tournants before?
Liu Jin tries to make his voice sound as casual as possible. His throat feels unusually tight. His words sound awkward and stilted to his ears, enough to make him cringe. However, his father does not seem to notice.
Many tis. His father hums as he thinks back. I believe I was sixteen the first ti I participated in a tournant. I was quite brash back then.
He is doing it.
Liu Jin cant believe it. His father is talking about his past.
Liu Jin does not know what combination of events has caused this to happen. Right now, he can only thank the Heavens for granting him such a gift!
What happened?
I won. His father says it as if the matter is not worth ntioning. Much like this one, it was a relatively small tournant. At the ti, it seed like a safe way to test my strength.
Although the things he is speaking about would doubtlessly make so peoples eyebrows rise if they happened to overhear them, his father does not bother lowering his voice. In a crowd like this one, he has no reason to. Everyone is talking. Everyone is laughing. Everyone is arguing. His fathers words barely make it a foot away from him before they are drowned by the noise all around them.
However, thats not the case for Liu Jin. For him, it is as if the crowd does not exist. Only the words that co from his fathers lips exist. The noise of the crowd is nothing compared to them.
Were there other tournants after that?
Many, his father admits. To be honest, I have long lost count of how many tournants I took part in. At first, I rely wanted to hone my strength. There is no real substitute for actual combat experience, and tournants are a good way of finding suitable opponents.
It is weird to hear his father talking about such subjects. His father has never really concerned himself with matters related to fighting. Instead, he has always put his focus on being a doctor. It is odd to know there was a ti when such a thing wasnt true.
However, I soon learned there were other benefits to tournants.
Such as?
The prizes, for one. Participating in tournants can be a good way of acquiring money and other resources. Besides, strong people gather in tournants, which also makes them a good place to scout potential allies.
Ah, Master talked about this, didnt he?
His father is soone who used to have people working under him. Is that what he did in the past then? Go from tournant to tournant to seek those who would ally with him?
Liu Jin wants to ask, yet he does not dare interrupt his father.
Winning in sufficiently large tournants also makes it easier to beco notorious. Fa is a necessity for certain things. Unfortunately, fa also breeds envy. It is all too easy for grudges to form as a result of a match. Make sure to watch out for that, son. Your na is already known throughout the city, but after today, people will know your face as well. Make sure you do not start needless feuds.
Liu Jin nods as he absorbs his fathers advice.
While it is true most of Eastern Port City knows his na by now, they know him as the son of a crippled doctor or, more recently, as Xiao Shuangs husband. After today, people from all over the city will have the chance to see his face and see his performance in combat.
Liu Jin does not really care for being known as soone strong. If at all possible, Liu Jin would rather just be known as a good doctor. However, he has no intention of giving a lousy performance. He already knows it is impossible for him to win the tournant. Even discounting Xiao Nans request, his level is not good enough for sothing like that.
However, at that mont, Liu Jin resolves himself to not only pass the group stage but also to at least win his first two matches.
I will do my best, Father. I
Boss! Liu Jin cringes with his whole body as Su Ans voice cuts him off. The girl waves from a few yards away, already making her way through the crowd.
Doctor Liu! It is good to see you! Su An is almost jumping in place by the ti she reaches them, doubtlessly happy at being chosen for the tournant. Liu Jin personally does not understand why she is so surprised.
Shes an Inner Disciple in the Nascent Realm.
It is good to see you are doing well. I assu you were waiting for my son to take him where the rest of the delegation is?
Su An nods.
Participants are to enter through another gate. We also need to et up with the other mbers first.
Liu Jin almost wants to cry! He cant bla Su An for this, but he almost doesnt want to go. Who knows if his father will still be in a talking mood by the ti the tournant is over? This has been the most he has said about his past in years!
There is no telling when another chance like this will appear again!
In that case, do not let stop you. Take care, my son. Do enjoy yourselves.
Ill make sure he will, Doctor Liu! Boss will dominate the competition!
Even as she speaks, Su An is already dragging him away. Liu Jin sighs, mourning the missed opportunity.
Are you okay, Boss? Su An asks, finally noticing his mood.
Yes, Liu Jin says after a while. I am.
Liu Jin takes a few seconds to mourn before shaking his head and clearing his thoughts.
Where are we supposed to et the others?
He asks the question to Su An, but it is not her who answers.
Finally! I have been waiting for hours!"
Ah, so it is here.
Making sure to keep his expression as stoic as possible, Liu Jin ets the eyes of Big Nose Li. The Inner Disciple has grown in height, cultivation level, and nose size.
Hours? I was under the impression it was still quite early.
Big Nose Li crosses his arms and draws himself to his full height, big nose pointed to the skies.
The Young Master says the Xiao Sect must set the standard for others to follow!
Big Nose Li says that, but Liu Jin is certain Xiao Fang has definitely not been waiting for hours. Most likely, he had Big Nose Li doing it for him.
Follow , Young Master Xiao Fang is waiting.
As soon as Li shows them his back, Su An starts making faces at it even as she follows him. Liu Jin fights the urge to chuckle. Amusing as that is, this is not the ti to antagonize Big Nose Li.
They have a tournant to win.
~~~
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