Chapter 148: Lovers
"The five figures of the green-robed elder aren''t illusions created by some trick. They''re the result of his extreme speed, creating a visual deception. In essence, each figure is the green-robed elder himself," Han Ming explained solemnly to Quirk.
"How terrifying must that speed be?" Quirk exclaimed, his eyes wide as he stared at the five identical figures.
Han Ming, too, was deeply concerned. Such speed was beyond his own capabilities. Who was this green-robed elder? His strength was unimaginable. At the same time, it highlighted Gamori''s skill. To hold his ground against such terrifying speed was no small feat.
The match on the stage had taken on an eerie quality.
The five figures of the green-robed elder moved in unison toward Gamori, like reflections in a mirror, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Gamori stood firm, slowly releasing his combat energy. As a third-tier warrior, he couldn''t yet project his energy outward. Instead, he extended it as far as he could, creating a thin, rippling aura around him, about a meter in radius.
When the green-robed elder entered the range of Gamori''s combat energy, the ripples began to churn violently.
The elder''s incredible speed stirred the energy, forming a small vortex.
Gamori used the vortex''s movement to predict the elder''s trajectory, but this only worked for the brief moment the elder''s figure touched the energy.
Gamori''s eyes remained closed as the five figures of the green-robed elder simultaneously threw punches, their speed increasing dramatically.
"Now!"
For the first time, Gamori opened his eyes. He thrust his right hand upward, not toward any of the five figures, but directly above his head.
His hand formed a claw, and he grabbed downward. A blurry shadow suddenly appeared in his grasp.
The shadow solidified, revealing yet another green-robed elder, while the five surrounding figures vanished.
"Something''s wrong!"
Han Ming''s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
At that moment, the green-robed elder in Gamori''s grasp smirked.
A blurry figure appeared behind Gamori without warning. Before Gamori could react, the figure extended a finger and tapped the back of his neck.
Gamori''s combat energy was instantly pierced, and his body crumpled to the ground.
The green-robed elder stood beside Gamori, praising him. "You''re truly skilled! To see through my strategy is impressive. But alas, you''re only a third-tier warrior. If you were a fourth-tier, you might have posed a real threat."
Gamori lay on the ground, his eyes slowly closing as he let out a soft sigh.
"The green-robed elder wins!" the referee announced.
Han Ming shook his head. "What a pity. I was hoping to face him myself. The elder only won because of the vast difference in their strength. If Gamori had been a fourth-tier, the outcome might have been different. Sparring with someone like him would have been beneficial for my growth. What a shame."
As the crowd dispersed, Han Ming prepared for his match against Shang Que the next day. He decided to rest and recuperate.
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After leaving the arena, the group split up, each heading to their respective lodgings.
Kulo and Han Ming walked hand in hand, taking their time on the way back.
"Han Ming, tomorrow you''ll face Shang Que. If you win, you''ll have to deal with that mysterious green-robed elder. He gives me a bad feeling. Please be careful. If you find yourself outmatched, don''t push yourself too hard. I don''t want anything to happen to you."
Han Ming felt warmed by Kulo''s genuine concern.
"Kulo, you go ahead. I need to buy something," Han Ming said.
Kulo tilted her head, curious. "What are you buying? Can''t I come with you?"
Han Ming shook his head. "No, I want to go alone. I''ll be back soon."
"You''re being so secretive," Kulo pouted as she walked away.
Han Ming chuckled. "She''s like a child."
---
After a while, Kulo grew bored waiting in Han Ming''s residence. Without him, the villa felt more like a house than a home.
"That idiot still isn''t back. It''s almost dark," Kulo muttered, resting her chin on her hands as she stared at the door.
"Maybe I should go beat Shang Que half to death. That would make Han Ming''s match tomorrow much easier," Kulo thought, excited by the idea. But after a moment, she shook her head.
"No, he''s too proud. If he found out, he''d be furious."
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, waiting impatiently for Han Ming to return.
As the sky darkened, the door finally creaked open.
Han Ming walked in, smiling, his hands behind his back.
"Where have you been? What took so long? What did you buy?" Kulo asked, bouncing over to him like an excited bird.
Han Ming grinned and revealed a small wooden box.
"What''s this?" Kulo asked, intrigued.
"Open it," Han Ming said, his eyes shining with excitement.
Kulo took the box and carefully opened it. Inside was a small wooden figurine.
"Is this...?" Kulo held the figurine, examining it. It was a rough carving of a woman, vaguely resembling her.
Han Ming scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "I passed by a woodcarving shop and decided to try my hand at it. It''s not very good, but I hope you like it."
Before he could finish, Kulo threw herself into his arms.
"Is it really that exciting?" Han Ming laughed, patting her back. But then he felt her trembling, her shoulders shaking slightly. Soft sobs reached his ears.
Panicked, Han Ming gently pulled her back to look at her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks, making her even more beautiful.
"W-why are you crying? Is it because the carving is too ugly? It''s okay if you don''t like it. You can throw it away, but please don''t cry."
Facing powerful enemies or ferocious beasts had never flustered Han Ming, but seeing a girl cry left him utterly helpless. He stumbled over his words, frantic.
"You idiot, I''m crying because I''m happy. This is something you made for me with your own hands. I''ll treasure it forever," Kulo said, her tears still falling as she smiled.
Han Ming was stunned by her beauty.
"Silly," Kulo giggled, seeing his dumbfounded expression.
Han Ming sighed and pulled her close. "I just gave you a simple little thing, and it made you so happy. I feel terrible that it took me this long to give you your first gift."
Thinking about how a small gesture had moved Kulo to tears, Han Ming felt a deep sense of guilt. He had given her so little, and she had always been the one taking the initiative in their relationship. He realized he had been neglecting her.
---
That night, Han Ming and Kulo sat on the rooftop, wrapped in each other''s arms as they gazed at the stars.
Kulo occasionally glanced at Han Ming, her arms tightening around his waist.
"The night is so beautiful," Han Ming murmured, his chin resting on Kulo''s forehead.
"Mhm," Kulo replied, smiling happily before looking up at him again.
"Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Because I like to."
Han Ming chuckled softly. "Let me sing you a song from my homeland."
"Really? Yes, please!" Kulo''s eyes lit up like a child''s as she looked at him eagerly.
Under the starry sky, the cool night breeze played with Kulo''s hair, its soft strands brushing against Han Ming''s neck.
*"The sun rises over the mountain valley... The morning bell startles the birds... The stream flows gently through the forest... The slopes are covered in green grass;*
*Wild fruits are fragrant, mountain flowers bloom... Dogs leap, sheep run... Raise the whip... Gently sway... The melody floats across the hills, across the hills...*
*Don''t say the girl is delicate... She has her own wonders... Sixteen years have passed since winter turned to spring... The yellow flowers are in full bloom;*
*Her waist is strong, her courage vast... She practices martial arts, works diligently... Tilling the fields, herding, hunting wolves... She bears the storms on her shoulders... On her shoulders...*
*She bears the storms on her shoulders... On her shoulders... On her shoulders..."*
The song''s ethereal melody drifted through the night air.
Kulo''s eyes grew misty, her expression filled with longing.
"It''s so beautiful..."
As the wind picked up, Han Ming took off his outer robe and wrapped it around both of them, holding Kulo''s hand gently.
"This is a song from my homeland," Han Ming said softly.
Kulo''s eyes shimmered with emotion as she gazed at Han Ming''s pensive profile. "The world it describes sounds so beautiful. I wish we could live in a place like that, peaceful and happy, without any worries."
"We will. I believe we will," Han Ming said, kissing her forehead gently, his heart filled with the same longing.