Dusk pooled like ink in the room when I woke on my own bed. My little sister and Serenemoon watched me, worry scrawled across their faces like frost. Hill looked like a child caught red‑handed, guilt hanging off her like a wet cloak. Xinuo lounged as calm as a still lake, tasting dessert while turning a book.
“Boss is awake!!”
The moment my eyes opened, Hill tackled me in a hug and blurted apologies. “Boss! I’m sorry! I thought Boss would be strong, so I went all out in the fight. I’m really sorry!! I didn’t hold back.” It was an apology, yet shame pricked me like thorns.
“Brother, are you okay? Serenemoon used healing magic several times, but we’re not sure about hidden injuries.”
“Littlesky’s right. Little Emperor, do you feel anything off?”
They gripped my hand. Their voices trembled like leaves in wind.
I moved carefully. Aside from some fatigue, nothing hurt. I smiled. “Sorry for worrying you. My body’s fine, truly.” I rubbed Hill’s small head. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s my strength that’s lacking.”
“Brother! Don’t say that.”
My sister shot back at once. “You’ve trained only two months. Reaching this level already is amazing.”
“Eh? Boss has trained only two months?!” Hill’s eyes went wide as lanterns. “So incredible!! Just two months and you traded moves with me!”
…
Was that praise, or humble bragging? Hard to tell. Either way, Hill’s power had blown past my expectations. Did Xinuo know I’d lose from the start?
I glanced at Xinuo. “Xinuo, did you set me against Hill knowing her true strength?”
“Yes.” She closed her book and set it aside, then nodded. “Servant, you did well. Lasting a few minutes against Hill counts.”
“A few minutes… How strong is Hill really?”
I’d thought the fight felt long. Turns out it was only minutes. The gap was an ocean.
“In dragon form, she’s at the Holy Peak. Add the Dragon Kin’s body and gifts, and she’s about the level of a Divine Novice.”
“A wyrmling with Holy Peak strength?!” I drew a sharp breath, then asked, “And her human form?”
“Boss, in human form I can only use fifty percent of my strength.”
Hill spoke before Xinuo. Fifty percent had already crushed me like paper under stone. At full force in her true body, one breath might topple me.
“Servant, don’t overthink it. Even at fifty percent she’s at the Sacred Realm’s early peak. Being flattened is normal.”
“…Right. Xinuo, you said Sword Aura is among the purest energies. Mine’s at the second tier. Why did it do nothing to Hill?”
In the fight, that question gnawed at me. My Sword Aura tore like tissue in Hill’s hands.
“Hill outclasses you too much. Sword Aura can’t bridge that gulf. And yours, while controlled, isn’t pure enough. There’s too much impurity mixed in.”
Her words untied the knot in my chest. In the end, it was my own cultivation falling short.
“I see. Looks like I’ve been too relaxed lately.”
“Not so, Little Emperor.” Serenemoon’s voice flowed warm as tea. “Cultivation fails if rushed. Balance work and rest. You trained hard for a long stretch. Resting now is only natural.”
She lifted a bowl of porridge from the side table. “You slept long. You must be hungry. I had the maids make something easy to digest. Eat a little. Ah—”
“Uh? I can feed myself.”
Being spoon‑fed by Serenemoon, with Xinuo, my sister, and Hill watching, felt like blush rising with steam.
“Little Emperor just woke. Let sister feed you, ah—”
Her gentle smile left no room for refusal. What to do? Accept?
“Ah…”
No choice. She wouldn’t bend. Dragging this out would only let the porridge cool.
It tasted good, smooth as silk. More than that, warmth slid down like sunlight, and fatigue fled my body like mist. Strength surged back in waves. Clearly, the porridge held plenty of Divine Elixir as ingredients.
A while later, I’d returned to near peak. Serenemoon looked satisfied as she cleaned the bowl with magic, then sent it back to the kitchen.
“Phew—my body feels light.”
I stretched, feeling power bubbling inside like spring water. It was a fine feeling.
“Servant, are you full?”
“I am. What is it, Xinuo?”
“Since you’re full, bathe, then prepare dinner.”
Only then did I notice the sweat clinging like tacky sap. My clothes had been changed, but my skin still felt sticky.
“Got it! I’ll go now!!”
I jumped out of bed, grabbed sleepwear from the wardrobe, and headed for the bath.
…
An hour later, I carried in dinner. Xinuo and the others were already seated, waiting by the table. Hill was so bored she stared at the wood-grain swirls as if reading clouds. That cute look soothed me.
“Oooh! Smells so good!! Boss, what’s on the menu tonight?!”
She rushed me the moment I entered, eyes fixed on the big basket in my hands.
“Secret for now. I promise you won’t be disappointed, Hill. Also, did you wash your hands?”
“Not yet.” Hill shook her head, honest as clear water.
“Go quick. You too, sis and Serenemoon.”
“Eh? We washed a few minutes ago!”
“But you’re paging through old books thick with dust right now.”
“This one we found tucked deep in the shelf. Looks interesting.”
“Just go wash, all of you!”
And just like that, dinner hummed lively as ever.
…
Night draped over the house. My sister and Hill slept, breaths soft as feathers. I’d slept too long earlier, and sleep wouldn’t come.
Lying awake is torture. I rose and sat by the window, quiet as snow.
The sky was a bowl of stars, and a round, bright moon hung like polished jade. The night’s beauty held me spellbound. The date to leave draws close. What will the world outside look like?
“Servant, can’t sleep?”
Xinuo came to sit beside me. In the soft moonlight, she looked even more beautiful, outshining the scatter of stars.
“A little…”
I came back to myself and sighed. “Five or six days, and I’ll leave home.”
I don’t know how long it will take to walk the world. It won’t be less than years. Beyond the four continents lie the Divine Realm, Demon Realm, Dragon Realm, and Elven Realm. If possible, I want to see them all.
Which means, once I set out, I might not return to the Central Continent for several years.
Others who leave the Mizumi Clan still come back for the big festivals each year. I’m the young clan head, yet I’ll be gone for years. Is that really okay?
“Already reluctant to part?”
“Xinuo, how long to walk the whole world?”
“It depends. The world is vast. If you truly want to set foot everywhere, at least ten years. If you only visit the representative places, four or five.” She paused, then added, “Of course, the road brings surprises. The time may stretch. What, Servant, have you not steeled yourself for a long absence?”
“That long…”
“Walking the world isn’t easy. Even Saint, that guy, wouldn’t claim he finished it.”
“What about you, Xinuo? Have you done it?”
“I have, but long ago.” Her gaze drifted, voice thin like far wind. “Each era changes. I haven’t walked today’s world.”
“Is it fun? A world journey.”
“Not exactly.”
Her tone sank into old memory, distant as a mountain ridge. “Out there, without strength or backing, it’s hard to live comfortably. Too many hateful sorts. Back then, I wanted to erase the human race and give the world quiet.”
…
Such calm words, such terrifying meaning. She must mean the war era. Humans fought the four great races for profit, staining the world with smoke and battles. Of course Xinuo felt disgust. Thank goodness she held back.
“Are humans really that detestable?”
“Yes.” Xinuo’s reply was firm. “Humans are desire gathered into flesh. For profit, they start wars at will. Yet desire drives their progress, and the world’s. Good and bad in one.”
“I get it. Want some tea, Xinuo?”
“No. I’m going to sleep.”
She shook her head and rose, slipping back under the covers. “Sleep matters. Don’t sit up too late.”
“Understood.”
Talking with Xinuo set my resolve again. I can’t hide at home forever. I must see the world with my own eyes.
“Good night.”
I gave up on a drink as drowsiness finally drifted in like fog. I stood, stretched, set my shoes straight, then climbed into the warm nest of my bed.
…
