Three days later, in Zhuo City, Ms. Genesis gazed at the bustling street, fascinated by all the strange and wonderful things—especially the brightly colored garments displayed in the cloth shops.
The siblings were both starving. The food they had was barely enough to sustain them along the way, and now they searched the streets, hoping to find something to eat.
Mr. Oblivion wrapped the half-meter-long chains around his arms, wearing a ragged shirt beneath his tiger-skin coat. The long sleeves just managed to cover his shackles—he wanted to avoid attracting attention.
Jing Ke sighed and started eating as well. After several rounds of wine, a guest suggested a contest for everyone's entertainment.
Immediately, Jing Ke's face darkened. He glared at Simon Su. The surrounding swordsmen also looked displeased—losing in front of everyone would make life difficult, but winning would bring favor.
One contestant lost, clearly unwilling to accept defeat. Nearby sat a swaggering man with a thin mustache and lavish clothes, exuding arrogance.
"Our Lord Simon Su is seeking to recruit strong warriors. If you have the skills, you'll be handsomely paid."
A man called out from the stage. The swordsman who had just won received his payment from the recruiter and then joined the others, sitting down with satisfaction.
But in just a few seconds, Mr. Oblivion knocked the swordsman to the ground. Cheers erupted around them, while the defeated swordsman looked deeply embarrassed. Suddenly, Jing Ke stepped forward.
"There's one spot left. Warriors, step up quickly!"
Jing Ke spoke, helping the defeated swordsman up, while Mr. Oblivion laughed.
In the crowd, Mr. Oblivion spotted a swordsman about his own age—sturdy and youthful, hesitating to take the stage. His face was honest and upright.
Just then, a swordsman stepped onto the stage and drew his sword.
"Blades and swords are blind—little brother, are you sure you don't want to borrow a weapon?"
Ms. Genesis warned, but Mr. Oblivion swept his arrogant gaze around the room. The swordsmen, having witnessed his skill, knew that unless it was Jing Ke, none stood a chance against him.
The swordsman clutched his neck, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Lord Simon Su's eyes lit up with excitement, and he signaled the announcer with a glance.
"Is there any other warrior willing to give it a try?"
Just then, the sharp-eyed young man leapt onto the stage. With a swift motion, he drew his sword. Mr. Oblivion watched intently, not letting his guard down for a moment. He could tell this swordsman's blade gleamed coldly, and his gaze was fierce—far more formidable than the others.
"What's your name? You seem strong. I'm Mr. Oblivion."
Jing Ke smiled.
With a swift motion, Jing Kerr's sword struck from a cunning angle, thrusting toward Mr. Oblivion. Sparks flew as the blade scraped across the chains on Mr. Oblivion's right hand.
Mr. Oblivion grunted in response, understanding the point. Jing Ke sat down and took out some bamboo scrolls, reading them.
Mr. Oblivion roared and swung his chains. Jing Kerr raised his sword, defending himself and repeatedly knocking aside the chains that whipped toward him.
Their battle made the onlookers break out in cold sweat. Each clash was razor-sharp, every attack carried lethal intent.
Jing Ke smiled and set down the bamboo scrolls.
Suddenly, with a ripping sound, Jing Kerr's sword, quick as lightning, sliced the edge of Mr. Oblivion's coat, leaving a gash.
"Oblivion!"
Ms. Genesis suddenly shouted from below the stage. Jing Kerr was startled and hesitated for a split second—Mr. Oblivion seized the moment, grabbing hold of him in a tight embrace. With a thud, Jing Kerr reversed his grip and struck Mr. Oblivion's back with the hilt of his sword.
"Stop!"
For fun, Mr. Oblivion practiced writing with Jing Ke for a while, but soon grew bored and gave up. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"You two, there's no need to fight any further. Both of you, come with me."
Mr. Oblivion let go, swallowing hard, while Jing Kerr sheathed his sword. Their eyes met, exchanging a silent understanding. At that moment, Ms. Genesis approached.
Jing Ke had already noticed someone at the door but said nothing. Ms. Genesis seemed quite interested and came closer. Mr. Oblivion watched Jing Ke teaching his sister to write, then turned away to sleep.
Mr. Oblivion explained, and Lord Simon Su glanced over, immediately breaking into a smile.
"All together, then."
Sadness flickered in Ms. Genesis's eyes. Jing Ke immediately bowed.
"Miss, you can have this room to yourself. I'll share one with your brother."
Jing Kerr said politely. After Ms. Genesis entered, Mr. Oblivion grinned at Jing Kerr.
"You're strong too, Oblivion."
After settling in, it wasn't long before a servant arrived with hot water. The siblings were still very hungry, but since Lord Simon Su was about to host a banquet, they had to wait a bit longer.
As they were leaving, Ms. Genesis grabbed Jing Ke.
"You take the bed. As long as I have shelter from the wind, that's enough for me."
Jing Ke gave Oblivion a curious look, then smiled.
"No, brother, you sleep. I'm used to wandering—sky for my blanket, earth for my bed."
Mr. Oblivion chuckled and, without further ceremony, lay down on the bed, laughing to himself. Jing Kerr met his gaze and laughed as well.
"Here, take the mat—it's at least a bit softer."
Mr. Oblivion said, pulling up the mat and tossing it to Jing Kerr.
Night fell on Su Manor, lanterns glowing brightly. Well-dressed guests filled the banquet hall, the clinking of cups and plates mingling with the crisp, elegant music played by musicians.
After the guests had all arrived, Mr. Oblivion, Ms. Genesis, Jing Kerr, and the other swordsmen entered the hall.
The swordsmen were seated near the entrance. Platters of roast pork filled the table, its aroma wafting through the air. Ms. Genesis and Mr. Oblivion could barely wait to eat, but Jing Kerr quickly stopped the siblings with a gentle hand.
"We mustn't take the host's offering before he does."
"Everyone, everyone—I'm Simon Su. Today, I've recruited eleven talented individuals, and I'm in great spirits!"
Simon Su stood, raising his wine glass and toasting everyone. Congratulations echoed through the hall. Finally, the meal began, and the siblings ate ravenously.
Jing Kerr sighed and started eating as well. After several rounds of wine, a guest suggested a contest for everyone's entertainment.
Immediately, Jing Kerr's face darkened. He glared at Simon Su. The surrounding swordsmen also looked displeased—losing in front of everyone would make life difficult, but winning would bring favor.
With a scrape, Mr. Oblivion stood up.
"Anyone willing to come up? I've just eaten my fill."
Seeing Mr. Oblivion's rugged demeanor, some whispered and laughed. Soon, a swordsman stood to challenge him, and the two faced off in the banquet hall.
But in just a few seconds, Mr. Oblivion knocked the swordsman to the ground. Cheers erupted around them, while the defeated swordsman looked deeply embarrassed. Suddenly, Jing Kerr stepped forward.
"Lord Simon Su, we came here to repay your kindness, not to get caught up in this sort of rivalry. We're rough men, not performers for amusement."
Jing Kerr spoke, helping the defeated swordsman up, while Mr. Oblivion laughed.
"Might makes right."
With that, all the swordsmen grew even more displeased. Ms. Genesis stood up, grabbed Mr. Oblivion's arm, and pulled him back. Simon Su smiled and waved it off.
"Making enemies as soon as you arrive—don't do that again."
Ms. Genesis warned, but Mr. Oblivion swept his arrogant gaze around the room. The swordsmen, having witnessed his skill, knew that unless it was Jing Kerr, none stood a chance against him.
After the banquet, the swordsmen all left, but none gave Mr. Oblivion a friendly look.
"Brother Oblivion, I know your skills are exceptional, but was tonight's approach really appropriate?"
Mr. Oblivion lay down, patting his belly.
"It's not my fault they're weak. If they can't compete, why blame me?"
Jing Kerr smiled.
"The Master said: skilled in martial arts but lacking in culture—just a brute."
Mr. Oblivion grunted in response, understanding the point. Jing Kerr sat down and took out some bamboo scrolls, reading them.
Mr. Oblivion glanced over and chuckled.
"What's the point of those things?"
Jing Kerr smiled and set down the bamboo scrolls.
"To you, Brother Oblivion, scholars must seem inferior to warriors, right?"
Mr. Oblivion nodded, then got up and walked over, picking up the bamboo scrolls and flipping through them carelessly.
"I can't read a single word of this."
"Why don't I teach you to write?"
For fun, Mr. Oblivion practiced writing with Jing Kerr for a while, but soon grew bored and gave up. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Ms. Genesis entered, smiling brightly.
"Miss Genesis, are you interested as well?"
Jing Kerr had already noticed someone at the door but said nothing. Ms. Genesis seemed quite interested and came closer. Mr. Oblivion watched Jing Kerr teaching his sister to write, then turned away to sleep.
"By the way, Miss Genesis, Brother Oblivion, your names are quite unusual. Is there a story behind them...?"
"He traded his 'Oblivion' for my 'Genesis.' That's all there is to it."
Sadness flickered in Ms. Genesis's eyes. Jing Kerr immediately bowed.
"Forgive me."
The next morning, everyone was summoned by Simon Su.
"Alas, everyone, my son was recently humiliated by the He family. He is my only child, and I can't bear to see him suffer. That's why I recruited you all. Today, my son is scheduled to duel with a member of the He family. I'm counting on all of you."
Beside Simon Su stood a fair-faced youth, his face still marked by injuries. The group immediately cupped their fists and bowed. Mr. Oblivion smiled, excitement shining in his eyes.
As they were leaving, Ms. Genesis grabbed Jing Kerr.
"Without me around, Oblivion tends to lose his reason. Please look after him."
Jing Kerr gave Oblivion a curious look, then smiled.
"I'll do my very best."