Chapter 18 Freeloader

　　In the dead of night, a stone's thud awakened Shen Huan. He knew this was a thief testing the waters. If someone emerged from within the room, it meant they weren't deeply asleep, and the thief would flee. If not, they'd likely be robbed.

　　Glancing at Zhou Ge on the other bed, who hadn't stirred, Shen Huan decided, "I'll just scare them off." He cautiously pushed open the door and surveyed his surroundings. Moonlight revealed a figure in a black outfit, face covered with a black cloth, and a wine gourd hanging from their waist, standing on the fence.

　　To his surprise, the figure beckoned to him. Anger surged within Shen Huan. This was the first time he'd encountered such an audacious thief.

　　Drawing his sword, he leaped into the yard. The thief vaulted over the fence and fled northward. Shen Huan looked around, circled the house a few times, and found no other suspicious activity.

　　Just then, he noticed a stone wrapped in paper on the ground. Picking it up, he unfolded the paper to reveal neatly written characters: "This isn't a decoy."

　　"Is he be targeting me?" he wondered.

　　Looking up, he saw the thief standing on another brick wall, beckoning to him again before jumping down and running north. Shen Huan, realizing the thief's intentions, followed suit, sword in hand.

　　Shen Huan's martial arts were learned seven parts from his father and three from his grandfather. Few of his peers could match him. So far, he had only encountered one worthy opponent, Ji Yanshi, whom he had defeated in fifty-some rounds.

　　Confident in his lightness of foot, he pursued the thief. After exiting the city and chasing for about 4 kilometers, he felt he was gaining ground. Another 3 kilometers later, they arrived in an open woodland. The thief suddenly stopped.

　　Pointing his sword at the thief, Shen Huan demanded, "Why have you led me here? What's your purpose?"

　　The thief turned, bowed respectfully, and said, "I've long heard of Brother Shen's reputation. Today, I see you're indeed extraordinary. I've come not to steal but to seek a few bouts with you."

　　"Sparring? Not interested," Shen Huan replied, turning to leave. Suddenly, he heard a whistling sound behind him. Turning, he saw a rod-shaped weapon flying towards him.

　　Catching it effortlessly, he realized it was a trimmed bamboo stick. Looking up, he saw the thief holding another bamboo stick.

　　"What's your intention?" Shen Huan asked.

　　"It wouldn't do to hurt our relationship," the thief replied. "Please, Brother Shen, Let's go through a few moves."

　　In his early twenties and full of youthful vigor, Shen Huan felt challenged by the thief's repeated requests. Determined to show his strength, he gripped the bamboo sword tightly and employed the Mingyuan Sword Technique.

　　The Mingyuan Sword Technique comprised eight moves, of which Shen Huan had mastered six. The first move, Minghe's Waterfall, involved eight sequential and progressively faster and more agile sub-moves, leaving behind Ming imprints on the ground that prepared for the second move.

　　The second move, Mingshui at the Abyss, softened the ground within 7 meters of the Ming imprints, turning it into a cotton-like surface that could easily trip up an opponent with unstable footing.

　　Few of Shen Huan's opponents had ever survived past the second move. The thief was initially shocked by Shen Huan's swordplay, having never seen such swift and powerful moves, let alone the effects of the Ming imprints.

　　After several exchanges, the thief realized that Shen Huan not only excelled in swordplay but also commanded the sword technique. If they were enemies, he would be a formidable foe. Thus, the thief increased his vigilance.

　　After thirty rounds, Shen Huan was impressed with the thief. While Ji Yanshi had shown signs of defeat after thirty rounds, the thief still seemed to have room to spare.

　　Recalling the thief's provocative gesture on the wall, Shen Huan decided to up the ante.

　　He unleashed the third move of the Mingyuan Sword Technique: Mingshui Overflowing from the Abyss. This move relied on the Ming imprints to transform the softened earth into small mud pits. The fourth move, Abyss Condensing Earth, complemented the third by hardening the mud to immobilize the opponent. Ji Yanshi had never survived this combination.

　　After another twenty rounds, the thief found himself being pushed back onto the softened ground again. Suddenly, his right foot stepped into a Ming imprint zone, and he felt the earth beneath him give way. Before he could react, the mud around his right leg and foot hardened, seemingly trying to pin him down.

　　With a swift motion, the thief planted his bamboo stick on the ground, transferred his sword to his left hand, and drew out a talisman with his right.

　　"Release!" he commanded.

　　The talisman burst into flames and dissipated, revealing a five-foot-tall spectral figure wielding a shovel. The specter interrupted the earth's hardening, allowing the thief to free his leg.

　　"Fight..." The thief's command was cut short as Shen Huan's bamboo sword pressed against his back.

　　"Brother, you've yielded," Shen Huan declared.

　　"Hmm... this..." the thief mumbled.

　　"Not convinced?" Shen Huan challenged.

　　"Convinced, convinced. I'm thoroughly impressed," the thief replied, dismissing the specter and tossing his sword aside. He uncovered his face, took a swig from his gourd, and exclaimed, "Hahaha! This is exhilarating!"

　　Just then, a voice rang out from beyond the trees: "Brother Shen, is that you? I've been looking for you."

　　Both men turned to see a small figure emerging from the woods. Shen Huan recognized him as his traveling companion, Zhou Ge.

　　The thief, unfamiliar with Zhou Ge, assumed that since he was with Shen Huan, he must also be highly skilled. Thus, he decided to test his mettle as well.

　　Without a word, he kicked his bamboo sword towards Zhou Ge and shouted, "Catch!" Before Zhou Ge could react, the thief snatched Shen Huan's bamboo sword and charged at him.

　　Zhou Ge was confused and somewhat taken aback by the sudden attack. He caught the sword and realized it was made of bamboo.

　　"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded.

　　"Let's spar. Watch my moves," the thief replied, attacking again.

　　Shen Huan, who had never seen Zhou Ge fight before, watched with curiosity. However, as the rounds progressed, he became increasingly disappointed. Not only was he disappointed, but the thief seemed to feel the same way. After observing Zhou Ge's moves for a while, they both concluded that while he was proficient in a certain style of swordplay, it was more for show than practical use. If they were to fight seriously, Zhou Ge wouldn't last twenty rounds.

　　Just as the thief was wondering why Shen Huan was traveling with someone so seemingly unqualified, he provided him with a reason. He reasoned that since both Shen Huan and he had received exceptional training and were considered top talents among their peers, it stood to reason that the person traveling with them must also be highly skilled. Perhaps their standards were just too high, and in reality, Zhou Ge was quite proficient compared to the average person.

　　"That must be it," the thief thought.

　　Meanwhile, Zhou Ge was feeling increasingly frustrated. He had no idea who this person was or why he had attacked them out of the blue. After a dozen rounds, he retreated and conceded defeat.

　　"I can't beat you. I give up," he said.

　　The thief tossed aside the bamboo sword and complimented Zhou Ge, saying, "Your swordplay is graceful and unhurried. With more practice, you'll surely master it."

　　Zhou Ge remained perplexed, thinking, "Who are you to comment on my skills?" However, he politely replied, "Thank you for your advice, but who are you?"

　　Shen Huan echoed his sentiment, asking, "Yes, who are you? "

　　The thief chuckled and replied, "Ahaha, it's hard to say for certain whether we'll be friends or foes in the future. If we become friends, then there's a chance we'll meet again. But if we become enemies...well, neither my sworn brother nor I want to see that happen."

　　"Sworn brother?" Shen Huan asked.

　　"Yes," the thief confirmed.

　　"Who is he?"

　　"You'll find out in due time," the thief replied cryptically. He took another swig from his gourd and continued, "Gentlemen, the mountains and rivers will endure, but our paths may diverge. Until we meet again, farewell."

　　With that, the thief turned and walked away into the distance. Zhou Ge watched him go and said, "Let's head back, Brother Shen. We're on our way tomorrow"

　　"Zhou Ge, to achieve greatness, one must first sharpen their tools," Shen Huan said earnestly.