Together 2

27. Final Decision

Xiao Zhan sighed as he sat by the desk. In front of him was a pile of letters with party invitations. However, he found them meaningless. 'Why do I feel so lost? This is my hard-won peace, so why am I so bored?' At that moment, Xiao Zhan pulled out the necklace he got from Hua Cheng in the underworld and stared at it. As he did, he remembered Hua Cheng's words. 'Green contains the power to choose any ability.'

'There is one thing I'm interested in.' Xiao Zhan thought as he kept staring at the necklace in his hands. However, he quickly shook his head and hid the necklace in his drawer again. "Why should I voluntarily shorten my life? I won't do that!"

Suddenly, Xiao Zhan heard a knock on the door, making him look up. "Yes?" "Young Master Xiao..." Yu Bin entered the room with a bright smile on his face. "A guest has come for you." He said, making Xiao Zhan blink. "A guest?"

***

Xiao Zhan walked into the hall and was stunned. "I was wondering who the guest would be. It's been a while, Duke Wang." Xiao Zhan said with a smile on his face, making Duke Wang look at him with a smile. "It had indeed, Lord Xiao. You haven't forgotten your promise from before, right?" He asked, making Xiao Zhan smile. "Of course not. Thanks to you, the issue was resolved much more easily. Please tell me the request."

'It's very difficult. If you wish for it, I'd like to be in debt for your help. So, in the future, whenever you need it, I will definitely help you in any way I can.' Xiao Zhan thought. 'Indeed, he came because of that day's promise.' "Then I'll speak straightforwardly. Lord Xiao," Duke Wang said as he held Xiao Zhan's hand and walked closer to him. "would you give me one day of yours?"

Xiao Zhan was stunned with the request he got, while his face burned red with the close proximity he was in with Duke Wang. "The cost of your help... can be paid by one day of mine? Isn't that trade too disadvantageous for your grace?" He asked. "No. I believe there is enough value in that." Xiao Zhan smiled. "Very well. Then let us do as you wish. So... what shall we do to spend the day?" "I haven't thought of anything in particular." Duke Wang replied, tilting his head when he suddenly realized Xiao Zhan's mood was slightly off.

"Is something worrying you by any chance? Your expression appears dark." Duke Wang asked, shocking Xiao Zhan. "Ah..." 'Did I accidentally reveal my thoughts without knowing it?' "It's... not something significant." Xiao Zhan replied in a tight tone as he squeezed his fingers. "Say, for example, through strenuous work, you've paved a wide and comfortable path. But, after paving the path, you discover a hidden side route. Unlike the large road, you don't know what dangers are there, so you avoid it and continue on your paved path, but your gaze keeps returning to it. Which path will your grace choose?" He asked as he sighed.

Duke Wang however was confused with the question. "Is this a riddle that has been trending lately?" He asked, cracking a smile on Xiao Zhan's worried face. "My apologies. Please pretend you didn't hear anything. If you haven't decided yet, shall we discuss now what we'll do?" "Anything that will be a good distraction for you will be fine." Duke Wang said. "Although I admit these words might be strange for you, Lord Xiao, how does sparring with me sound?" Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment before his eyes lit up. "I'd love that!"

***

Xiao Zhan and Duke Wang went to the training grounds and stood in front of each other. "We'll exchange fifteen blows. If even one of your attacks succeed, we'll consider it your win. How's that?" Duke Wang said. "No problem." Xiao Zhan replied as he raised his sword. "Then-" But before Duke Wang could complete his words, Xiao Zhan rushed forward and swung his sword at him. Duke Wang quickly blocked the oncoming attack, feeling impressed with Xiao Zhan's movements. Unlike the first time, his skills became more flexible, and even a little unpredictable.

"Your skills have improved since last time." Duke Wang said as he backed away. "That's because I've been training daily." Xiao Zhan replied as he rushed forward again, swinging his sword. However, Duke Wang blocked the attack again with more force this time. 'Amazing.' Xiao Zhan thought 'His natural skill without using mana is to this extent. However,' Xiao Zhan skid back before rushing forward again and ducked down. He raised his sword again and swung it with full force. Duke Wang was caught off guard with such an attack and blocked it with too much force, making Xiao Zhan fly and roll backward with the impact.

"Oh my!" Duke Wang ran towards Xiao Zhan, feeling worried. "Are you okay?" He asked. However, Xiao Zhan smiled and wiped the mud off his face before getting up. "I win." "Huh?" It was at that moment that Duke Wang realized that his robe was torn near his chest area. "Haha. That was a nice defeat." He admitted while Xiao Zhan jumped in glee. "I won!"

The two of them sat down on a bench under a tree as Xiao Zhan was catching his breath. "As expected of a sword master. Your skills are amazing." "The amazing one is you. Your passion for the sword is unmatched, even compared to the other knights." Duke Wang said, feeling impressed with Xiao Zhan's sword skills, while Xiao Zhan blushed, feeling good. 'Could it be because I received praise from a strict person? Strangely I feel good.'

Duke Wang looked at Xiao Zhan for a short while before turning away. "About your question from before. The side route, don't you already know the answer?" He asked, making Xiao Zhan look at him. "Huh? What do you mean?" Xiao Zhan asked. "Even if I don't know much about you, the 'you' I know lives every moment with a sincere heart and appears as though you're doing your best. When you first met Count He Peng and fought with him without any fear, and confidently told me, when I accused you of recklessness, that it was alright, since you could just improve your skills. Hesitating isn't like you." Duke Wang said as he turned to Xiao Zhan, who's face had turned red.

"So, you should go where your heart leads. As I've said, watching over Lord Xiao as he does so, is my joy." Duke Wang said, making Xiao Zhan gasp. It was the first time someone had said such words to him. And somehow... it made him feel light and gave him motivation to do what he wanted. "Duke Wang," Xiao Zhan started but was cut across by him. "Call me Yibo." Xiao Zhan smiled. "Thank you Mr. Yibo."

That evening, after seeing Duke Wang out, Xiao Zhan went back to his room. 'In all the lives I lived, I lived them to my fullest, and had no regrets. So... I should live this life to my fullest and have no regrets either. So, I decided. In this life... I will become a knight.'