What About You?

16: sect leader nie

"Where are Wei Kuo and Nie Mingjue?" Madame Yu asked as the three younger boys returned to the main hall, causing them to sweatdrop.

"We thought they already came back..." Wei Wuxian glanced at his new friend, then at Jiang Cheng who stepped up.

"If they haven't returned, they are most likely at the training grounds," He supplied his mother with an answer, causing the adults' eyes to widen slightly. Then, the violet spider's eyes narrowed, which prompted her son to continue speaking. "Nie Mingjue challenged Wei Kuo to a duel."

"Of course he did," the Nie sect leader huffed, almost rolling his eyes. "That boy just doesn't know how to wait. In any case," He stood, dusting himself off. "Why not go see how the match is progressing instead of waiting here?"

"I suppose that would be acceptable," Jiang Fengmian agreed as he also stood up. "Shall I show you to the training grounds?"

"If you please," The two went off as the children watched in silence.

"You're a mess," Madame Yu suddenly was behind them, causing the three to jump and/or flinch. "Go clean up and get ready for dinner."

"Yes ma'am!" Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang immediately dashed off, but Jiang Cheng was a bit more dignified in his method of leaving. However, none of the three actually went to freshen up, and instead went an alternate route to the training grounds. Once there, their jaws dropped.

Spiritual energy went off in waves as Wei Kuo and Nie Mingjue fought for the eighth time, both still grinning like it was their first. The two sect leaders were watching, one looking quite puzzled as the other looked absolutely thrilled.

The match ended with Nie Mingjue on the ground, his saber clattering as Wei Kuo's sword pointed to his throat. A loud laugh filled the air, causing the eyes of the competitors to flicker towards the person. Sect leader Nie was grinning from ear to ear as he strode forward, his hand on his own saber. "Wonderful, absolutely marvelous!" He beamed.

"Ah, sect leader Nie," Wei Kuo went to put his sword away so he could bow properly, only to dodge a strike from the person he was about to formally greet, causing him to blink as he resituated himself.

"Good reaction speed," He smirked, tilting his head slightly as his eyes narrowed at his target. Wei Kuo could also feel the murderous intent, making his intention to sheath his sword no longer viable. "A'Jue, go watch this father of yours teach this young man how deadly sabers can be."

"Yes father!" Nie Mingjue bowed respectfully, gave a nod to his new friend, then backed off to a safe distance. Everyone else also gathered at a safe distance, the Jiang disciple that acted as referee had also backed off.

"Shall I take this as a challenge, sect leader Nie?" Wei Kuo asked slowly, his body poised and ready to react.

"Yes, you should," The sect leader confirmed, and before he'd even finished the sentence, he was lunging at the boy. The first strike was harsh, which caused the boy to slide a bit, but otherwise he held his ground. "Ha, not bad."

"Shouldn't talk during a match," Wei Kuo was suddenly behind him, about to point his sword at the sect leader's neck, but it was blocked by a blade and slashed away.

"I suppose not," He grinned, exhillerated by a worthy opponent for once as he turned and faced him once more. "Then I'll dispense with the observations and fight you for real."

"I know I told you to go clean up," Madame Yu's voice startled the three boys watching the match. She was giving them quite the irritated look, but sighed after a moment as she glanced at the fight. "Hm, interesting," Was all she said, but her countenance changed as her full attention was taken by the duel in front of her.

The boys found this as their chance to run, so they made for the well even as each and every one of them ached to see firsthand who would win the fight. However, they weren't dull enough to go back and face the wrath of the violet spider, so they'd just have to settle for learning of the outcome through words rather than actions.

Jiang Fengmian soon found his wife standing next to him, her arms crossed as she regarded the battle in front of them. "He's gotten stronger," She commented, and the sect leader blinked. "Wei Kuo wasn't able to use that much spiritual energy the first time we sparred. He's also gotten faster, not to mention how well his sword skills have been polished. If he wasn't a sect leader, I'd say that--" She broke off as something flew at the two of them, causing them to dodge.

It was the Nie sect leader's saber, now lodged in the walkway. Madame Yu gulped, slowly turning her face to witness the fact that Wei Kuo had just bested a sect leader in single combat. "Would you look at that," She breathed. Her husband's eyes were wide, too many things happening in front of him at once. First, his wife seemed to have finally accepted how talented Wei Kuo was.

Second, he himself realized how powerful the boy had become, all on his own. To defeat one of the strongest sect leaders beside Wen Ruohan at no older than 12 was just inconceivable, and yet there Wei Kuo was, panting slightly as the sect leader stared at him in shock.

Shit, Wei Kuo sweatdropped, I think I overdid it. Definitely should not have beat a sect leader, what the hell are you doing you imbicile? He asked himself. Are you asking for a second death?

Before he could finish berating himself, though, a laugh sounded, and suddenly he was being clapped on the shoulder as the Nie sect leader grinned at him. "You're a special one, Wei Kuo! You should definitely come to Qinghe sometime! You could show my disciples a thing or two about active combat, they could all use it."

"Uh, sure..." He blinked, then smiled. It looked like this sect leader wasn't offended by getting defeated by a boy, so he didn't need to worry about a punishment. Thus, Wei Kuo allowed himself to revel in the praise he was getting. What a perfect day.