1. Formidable Master of Liebu Mountain

Liebu Mountain Academy was the biggest, most renowned place for those who wished to learn swordsmanship. There were seven reputable sword masters who taught those young talents in this place. From a young master to a beggar on the road, Liebu Mountain didn't look at their background, but at their aptitude and moral conscience.

In the middle of the large training grounds, many apprentices crowded the place. Some of them had obtained their spirit sword, while some younger ones still holding their training sword. All of them were equally amazed watching two of their masters sparring in the arena.

One of those two masters swung his sword down hard. He smirked when his opponent withstood the blow with her own sword. The impact was so strong that sparks flew from the collided metal.

"Come on, Lulu. Tired already?" he asked, teasing. Even when he himself was panting lightly.

The man was Rion Ren, one of the masters from Liebu Mountain. He was strong and his moves were fast and agile. Many people had tried to challenge him, but very few could match his power. And even fewer who were able to defeat him.

Rion Ren was a handsome man with a tall, muscled body and broad shoulders. His hair was shoulder-length, carelessly tied back into a short ponytail. He had lips that naturally curved a little upward, which made him have a friendly and approachable look. His skin was the color of honey, glistening with sweat. His dark eyes were bright with excitement.

"Don't call me that," 'Lulu' said, without slowing the tempo of her attack.

Rion somersaulted backward, narrowly avoiding a high kick. Then immediately stepped to the side when her sword almost stabbed him between the eyes. Her sword managed to cut the tip of his shot ponytail, though. So, she counted it as a win.

"Why? Lulu is a cute name," Rion said conversationally, as if they were sharing a pot of tea and not fiercely fighting. He ducked his head down when her sword swung, threatening to sever his neck. "Alright, alright. Master Ludriev, please go easy on this brother of yours!"

The woman, Ludriev, thinned her lips, and a displeased frown somewhat appeared between her pretty brows. She attacked even more forcefully than before and didn't give any chance to Rion to strike back.

"Mercy!" Rion shouted, even when his smile grew wider, clearly enjoying this fight.

"You are not my brother," Ludriev said, punctuating each word with the slash of her sword.

"I am not. But, I'm older and we've been learning and now teaching here for twenty years. So, of course, I'm more than a friend. I'm your brother, not related by blood, though. But still your older brother."

Rion knew riling up Ludriev like this would drive her even more aggressive, and that was exactly his aim. Ludriev was strong. She once fought a thousand rebels who attempted to sneak attack the kingdom and wiped them all in one night all by herself. The emperor was so pleased he asked her to be a general in the palace, but she refused. Therefore, people called her the Goddess of War from Liebu Mountain.

Ludriev was a tall woman (but still shorter than Rion, and often got teased with that). She loved fighting and would gladly fight anyone who dared to challenge her. Therefore, even if she looked lean, she had quite toned muscles beneath all those layers of clothes.

She rarely smile, but her facial feature was delicate and her almond-shaped eyes made her look soft. There was a beauty mark under her left eye. This made those people (mostly men) often underestimate her. Before she proceeded to beat their ass.

Ludriev spun on one heel and used the momentum to swing her sword down strongly. Rion raised his own sword to deflect her. He heard a low but crisp 'clink', and glanced a little at his sword. There was a small crack on the weapon.

He quickly took two steps backward, trying to get some distance from Ludriev.

"Wait, Lu, I think-"

But the War Goddess didn't even let him finish the sentence. She jumped nimbly like a frigging monkey, her sword slashed so fast it was barely visible.

Rion didn't have enough time to dodge. He hopelessly used his sword to meet hers. The poor sword broke completely. Its shards clinked pitifully to the floor. Ludriev's eyes widened in surprise. She tried to stop, but her momentum was too strong and everything happened too suddenly. Her sword grazed Rion's arm.

Blood immediately seeped through his cut sleeves. Ludriev flinched and staggered backward, looking at the wound wide-eyed, and then looked up to meet Rion's eyes.

"Well, I guess I lost," Rion said lightly. He threw his broken sword to the side. "As promised, I'll take you down the mountain and treat you to something delicious. Let's go!"

"I didn't agree with that promise." Ludriev's eyes flickered on his arm again. "Treat your wound first."

"Aww, is my little sister worrying about me? I'm touched."

Ludriev pursed her lips. The wound should treat as soon as possible so it wouldn't get infected. She knew this. "I'm not. People will stare if you walk around with bloody clothes like that."

"Ah, you are so cruel. My poor tender heart...." Rion clutched his chest with a fake aggrieved expression.

"Quit that." Ludriev threw her sword to the side, too. She waved her sleeves at the apprentices, who were staring at them with blatant adoration. If you all have time to sit around lazily like this, go train!"

All those apprentices immediately dispersed and scurried away. Rion sighed. "Couldn't you be a little gentler? They're still young. Let them having fun doing things they like once in a while."

"What young? If they want to be stronger, they have to train. Idling around like that wouldn't get them anywhere. Let's go to Lin first and get your wound tended."

Rion gave up telling her the method of teaching was not only forcing those youngsters to train all the time but also giving them some break time so they wouldn't be too stressed He had told her this many times before, but she seemed couldn't quite comprehend with the idea. Since 'break time' and 'having fun' in Ludriev's version means more fighting.

She even trained those who took her classes by telling them all to fight her at once. Saying that it would be better to get into practice directly than just reading the theory in the text. Those apprentices would often be found in Lin's recuperation house later. They were groaning in pain, but strangely, would talk about Ludriev's next class in high spirit.

Sometimes, Rion thought if these youngsters deliberately looking for a beating.

"We don't need to go to Lin's house. Let's go to my place so I can change. This is a minor wound. I can handle it myself."

Ludriev took her spirit sword she had previously put on the side of the arena, and followed him without anymore words.

Spirit sword was forged in a special method for those who reached a certain level in swordsmanship. The sword was unique and believed to be sacred, as it had its own spirit, which, if it didn't feel a strong connection with the wielder, they wouldn't be able to use it. Therefore, usually a sword spirit only had one owner and vice versa.

"Where is your sword?" Ludriev asked.

"Ah, I leave it in my house. I don't need to carry it around in our own home, do I?"

"Yes, you do. What if there's an attack? You are too reckless."

"Didn't I have the strongest sword master with me right now? Who would have the gut or is foolish enough to attack?"

Ludriev used the hilt of her sword to jab him. "Stop that."

"Yeah, ok." Rion grimaced in pain and rubbed his side. "But the name Goddess of War really suits you. Honest!"

"Shut up," Ludriev said, flustered. She could feel heat spread on her ears and cheeks. She looked away, trying to hide it.

"Lulu is so cute when she is shy~"