After leaving the restaurant, Ian Song noticed that Lily Qi kept sneaking glances at him, her eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.
"Do you have something you want to ask me?" Ian stopped and looked at her.
Lily nodded and asked, "Are you the number-one expert under heaven?"
"Why do you ask that?"
Lily pondered and said, "Because I thought that middle-aged constable just now was really strong. If he had swung that saber at me, I definitely couldn’t dodge it, but you flicked a peanut and sent his blade flying, then used another peanut to blast him right out of the restaurant.
My skills are better than the so-called top ten experts, and that middle-aged constable was even stronger than me, so he must be one of the top ten. But you’re even stronger than him—if you’re not number one, then what are you? Tell me, did I analyze that right?"
"Analyze my ass!" Ian said, speechless. "With those half-baked moves of yours, you wouldn’t even make the top ten thousand, let alone the top ten!"
Lily protested, "That’s not true! My three masters all said my skills could make the top ten!"
Ian laughed, "You’re just a silly girl. Your masters only said that to make you happy. Do you even know how martial artists are ranked?" Not waiting for her answer, he continued, "Martial artists are divided into fourth-rate, third-rate, second-rate, and first-rate. You’re only third-rate, and you seriously lack combat experience. Any real third-rate fighter could beat you senseless, let alone second-rate or first-rate ones. That constable just now was a second-rate expert—do you really think you could block his saber?"
"Huh, am I really that weak?" Hearing Ian’s explanation, Lily looked utterly dejected. Suddenly, her eyes lit up: "What level are you? Are you a first-rate martial artist?"
"A bit stronger than first-rate," Ian replied.
"Then can I take you as my master?" Lily asked expectantly.
"That depends on how you behave," Ian said.
Seeing Ian didn’t agree right away, Lily quickly said, "I can give you lots of silver! My dad has tons of money!"
"Sure, if you give me ten thousand taels of silver right now, I’ll take you as my disciple!" Ian said, eyeing her playfully.
"Can I pay you later?"
"No way!" Ian refused flatly, then changed his tune: "But if you behave well in the stronghold, I might consider taking you as a disciple."
The two chatted as they walked toward the city gates.
They’d already accomplished what they came to Peacehold City for—now it was time to head back to the stronghold.
But they hadn’t gone far from the city gate when they spotted a tall, black-robed man standing with a sword.