Sir, Only the Strong Deserve to Have

"Hurry, search everywhere!"

"We must find her today!"

A pathway paved with slate, moss growing along its edges, winding and ancient.

The sound of hurried footsteps filled the air.

The streets were crowded with people.

Amidst the anxious and panicked expressions of passersby, a large number of martial artists scurried through various corners of the city, desperately searching for Wu Yingxue. This extraordinary martial artist might very well lead the martial world into a new era.

Unfortunately, no matter how meticulously they searched, no one could find a trace of Wu Yingxue.

Some speculated that she had already gone into hiding, while others guessed that she might have disguised herself.

"Damn it!"

"Where on earth could she have gone?!"

The senior members of the martial world, tasked with leading the search, grew increasingly distressed as twilight settled over the city. They lamented the missed opportunity for the martial world to experience unprecedented growth.

In reality, Wu Yingxue hadn't gone far, nor had she resorted to disguise. All she had done was change into a simple, elegant gown.

There she sat, with Xu Xi, in a small, humble eatery.

While enjoying their meal.

She quietly observed the frantic search of the martial artists outside.

Dressed in her understated attire, the noble lady seemed to have a completely different aura, ensuring that no one recognized her true identity.

"Yingx, your plan is remarkably effective," Xu Xi praised.

Even though her appearance remained unchanged, the difference in Wu Yingxue's disposition due to her attire was striking—poles apart.

In one guise, she displayed the sharp, commanding presence of a valiant warrior.

In the other, she exuded the gentle, refined air of a noblewoman.

It didn’t matter who was conducting the search.

Faced with this version of Wu Yingxue, they would subconsciously overlook her without a second thought.

Such was the disparity in bearing. No one would connect this graceful young woman with the "Spear Immortal," the indomitable martial leader.

As for Xu Xi, he rarely made public appearances, so there was no concern about him being recognized either.

"Hmmph."

Wu Yingxue smiled smugly and teased, "See, sir? I told you there was no need to worry about me being discovered."

"I’m a true lady of distinction, after all."

"How could they ever find me."

As she spoke.

Wu Yingxue cradled her bowl of soup delicately with both hands, gently blew on it to cool it, and then sipped it with narrowed eyes.

"Alright, alright, now wipe your mouth."

Noticing a bit of soup dripping from her lips, Xu Xi reached out with a damp cloth to carefully clean the corner of Wu Yingxue's mouth.

…

Some time passed.

The uproar across the martial world over the departure of the martial alliance leader gradually faded with time.

No one knew.

The girl who had defeated all the top experts with a single spear strike...

Where she had disappeared to.

Speculation ran rampant. Most concluded that even a matchless martial prodigy like her couldn’t escape the trappings of romance and had been thoroughly enamored by that “pretty-faced Xu fellow.”

When this particular rumor reached them.

Wu Yingxue and Xu Xi were wandering through a quiet, remote town.

"This…"

"I expected the rumors to be exaggerated, but this is far more ridiculous than I anticipated," Xu Xi sighed, massaging his temples.

By contrast, the noble lady found the whole situation quite amusing and was much more carefree.

She paid no mind to the gossip.

In fact, she even played along with it.

Standing with fists planted on her hips, her chin lifted proudly, she declared, "My teacher is a man worthy only of the strongest!"

Full of spirit.

Delighted by her spirited antics, Xu Xi flicked her forehead gently with his finger. "Keep your voice down. Don’t disturb the locals."

"…I understand, teacher," the noble lady admitted her mistake obediently.

Then quietly trailed behind Xu Xi, as compliant as could be.

The afternoon sunlight was lazy and bright, landing on the shoulders of two people as they continued forward.

"Wu Yingxue, aside from being the world's best, is there anything else you'd like to do?"

"Something I'd like to do..."

Wu Yingxue stopped in her tracks.

A fleeting hint of confusion crossed her face.

Before the simulation began, she had envisioned herself enduring countless hardships to become a legendary hero whom Xu Xi would be proud of.

But Wu Yingxue had greatly underestimated her own abilities.

In just half a month.

She had toppled the entire martial world.

Ending the simulation at this point seemed like a wasted opportunity.

"I might need to try a different approach."

The young woman lowered her head and looked at her elegant gown, pondering deeply: "Sir doesn't like fighting and killing. Perhaps I should become more refined."

"Like reciting poetry?"

"Or embroidery?"

"Or perhaps the art of painting, chess, calligraphy, and music?"

Wu Yingxue deliberated with purpose.

How could her demeanor become more graceful and genteel, earning Xu Xi's approval and admiration?

Her fingers combed through the hair framing her forehead, making constant adjustments.

Unconsciously, she began to worry about her makeup and whether it met the standards her mother had mentioned—standards that might attract someone she admired.

For someone who had spent years wielding weapons, suddenly adopting this gentler demeanor indeed felt slightly unnatural.

A decision was made.

A thought crystallized in her heart.

The young woman turned to Xu Xi and offered her answer: "Sir, why don't we find a place to rest? I'd like to practice my calligraphy."

Starting with the basics of calligraphy, she would gradually win Xu Xi over.

Let him witness her true talents!

Wu Yingxue chuckled to herself with delight, beginning to fantasize about the future—imagining Xu Xi's astonishment as he became utterly captivated by her.

"Sir, let's hurry!"

Energetic and spirited.

Before Xu Xi could grasp what was happening.

His hand was already being tugged by Wu Yingxue as they rushed into the city. There, she bought a large assortment of calligraphy handbooks, brushes, ink stones, and ink sticks.

The pair then settled down in the city permanently.

...

The days that followed were peaceful and serene.

Spring was in full bloom.

The grass flourished.

Under the gentle breeze, wildflowers blanketed the mountains like scattered stars, their petals cascading like tangible "starlight."

Xu Xi and the young lady lived in a small town.

Watching the townsfolk tend their fields.

Observing merchants peddling goods through the streets.

Occasionally, they would witness dramatic clashes between martial factions, chaotic battles between the righteous sects and the demonic clans leaving broken fragments of swords scattered across the ground.

Though perilous, such conflicts had little to do with Xu Xi.

Most of the time, he remained at home, resting and sharing fruit with Wu Yingxue, savoring the serene joys of spring.

Or, on occasion, he would "admire" Wu Yingxue's calligraphy with a confident expression.

Offering words of encouragement: "You've improved a lot since last time. Keep it up, Yingxue."

...

Late at night.

The moonlight was soft and hazy, resembling a pristine veil that silently draped over the earth.

The occasional barking of dogs only heightened the silence of the night.

Insects curled up tightly.

Hidden in the crevices of the grass.

Whenever someone passed by, they would swiftly relocate to another resting spot.

"Yingxue still hasn’t gone to bed?" Xu Xi, closing the wooden door of the study, was preparing to return to his own room when he noticed the light of a candle flickering in Wu Yingxue’s quarters.

The flickering candlelight pierced through the darkness of the deepest night, consuming and burning away the whispering breaths of the wind.

Xu Xi took a step forward.

He walked toward Wu Yingxue's room.

"Is she still practicing calligraphy?"

"Recently, Yingxue has had no interest in martial arts and has been completely absorbed in her calligraphy practice."

"Diligent effort is indeed commendable, but overexerting oneself to the point of exhaustion would be counterproductive."

Xu Xi shook his head.

He stopped in front of Wu Yingxue's room.

Preparing to speak in a serious and firm tone, he intended to persuade Wu Yingxue to stop staying up late for practice and return to a healthy and normal daily routine.