Chapter - 12

*Bang-bang-bang*

The force of the knocking shook the gates of the manor, nestled on the edge of a cliff with a green valley beneath it. I was standing alone in front of the gate, and the others were lined up a little further away, behind me. Three minutes later, the gate was opened by an elderly butler with impressive gray sideburns, carefully keeping a non-frivolous expression on his face.

"What can I do for you?" The butler spoke carefully, slowly, trying not to squint at the soldiers standing behind me.

"I'm here to see Master Piandao, a matter of life and death. I finished my answer with a snide smile.

- Please.

Following the old man, I quickly found myself in a spacious and bright room, where a black-haired man, a strong build, slowly drew the symbol of harmony, leading a brush on the canvas. Despite my presence, the former military man did not stop the lesson, and I did not insist, if I really want to agree, then it is not necessary to start acquaintance with the conflict.

"Who are you and why are you here?" Piandao spoke to me when he had finished with the symbol, though I could see in his eyes that he recognized me.

- You know who I am. I said in the affirmative. "I'm here to negotiate your mentorship, in exchange for your quiet life. Anyway, you're a deserter, which means you're sentenced to death, but I'm willing to turn a blind eye if you agree to train a couple of people.

"And you are bold, Blood Prince, but do you really think you can make me teach your people?" The soldier still sitting in front of me replied without showing any fear or excitement.

- Look at this. I pointed my finger at the column, and a thin line of electricity instantly shot out, before I heard it crackle. - How do you think you can handle it? And if there are ten of them at the same time, or for example, a shaft of fire the size of your estate, judging by the archives and people who know you, you are undoubtedly a great master with a sword, but one sword can not defeat a good magician.

- I'm impressed. - The interlocutor sincerely smiled at me. "But I'm not afraid of death.

"I'm not scaring you. I just offer you a chance to live longer, to enjoy life and its possibilities. But let's postpone further discussion until the moment of your defeat as a swordsman, I think after that it will be much easier for you to make a decision. And without waiting for an answer, he turned around and went into the courtyard, where there is a lot of free space. After waiting for Piandao to arrive, I continued talking. "Come on, let's fight in front of the manor, I'm afraid you won't let my men in, and I'm sure they'd like to see a good fight."

"I hope you're honest, young man.

Outside the gate, we stood facing each other, at a distance of ten paces, Piandao had a straight jian on his belt, which was handed to me by the butler.

"Shall we begin?"

- Of course.

We bowed like equals and drew our swords. And while my opponent was watching me closely, following my movements, I just walked towards him. I would be able to fight even with my eyes closed, first because my other senses would easily cope with orientation in space and combat. Secondly, I have already studied the person in front of me, and with 70% accuracy I will be able to predict the pattern of the upcoming battle, the remaining 30% I can easily compensate for my own superiority in physical data.

As soon as I got within striking distance, Piandao made a lunge that was intended to probe me, but instead opened a straight path for me, which I took advantage of, taking off at a speed that many people could not reach. Closing the distance, I slammed my fist into his stomach, and put the blade to his throat.

"You're dead." But this victory showed only my superiority in speed, and therefore I am ready to fight again.

- I agree.

The next round followed a different scenario, namely a fierce attack from Piandao, which he tried to limit my maneuverability, which he somehow managed, since it was really hard for me to dodge or parry his attacks, without going over a certain speed limit. After three minutes of fighting, I finally caught the essence and style of the opponent's fight, blocking all his attempts to attack or defend, creating a dead-end battle where two clones fight.

- Great style. - I praised the Master lying on the ground, it was impossible to call him anything else, because for a person he is very good.

"W-why do you need me if you copied it anyway?" Piandao panted back at me.

"I won't be able to pass on this knowledge, I'll never understand what effort or hard work is. How can I pass on my knowledge and guide you along the way if I haven't encountered any obstacles.... " I paused to let the man think about my words.

- Kha-kha. Piandao cleared his throat as he rose from the ground. "I thought you were just talking about a couple of students?"

"Wow, that's another conversation. Let's go to your house and talk about it in more detail, or you'll get sick. I turned to the soldiers still standing nearby. - Halt fighters. Tully over here.

Hearing Goro's cherished command, I quickly began to distribute commands, organizing a trip of people to Shu Jing, where they will stop, from all this crowd, one figure separated, which was glowing with joy, ran to me. As soon as Tally got closer and relaxed a little, she got tangled in her legs, and almost fell, but was caught by me.

"Careful, baby.

"I-I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Zuko. Tally said to me, confused.

"This is one of your future students, Tully. A persistent and brave girl, my ward and earth mage. I introduced Tully, the Master, over a cup of tea, and made the little girl blush.

"One of them?" Piandao raised an eyebrow.

- Yeah, the second one is my little sister Azula, if it wasn't for me, the title of genius in our family would definitely go to her. I told him with a smile.

"So I'm supposed to teach the two of them my own style of fencing?"

- No, no, no, no. You are required to put them on the path of future mastery. It is evident from your style that, in addition to the fencing itself, it carries with it a meaning and depth that gives it meaning and intent. This is what you will need to teach both girls, they are both very different and different from you, which means that you will also benefit from these classes. I patted the head of Tally, who was sitting next to me, making her squint contentedly and hide her face in the cup.

"Hmm, so you're willing to give me complete freedom in my methods?" Piandao said thoughtfully, casting appraising glances at Tully.

"Within reason, if you cross the line, I will personally arrange for you to live a long life of pain and suffering. I said as calmly as ever, feeling a shiver run through everyone present.

- Of course. The man nodded at me.

"Well, since that's settled, I'll leave your house tomorrow morning." Tully will stay with you.

"All right. Fat, show the guests to their rooms. Piandao nodded to his butler.

"One for us." I said to the butler in front of me.

- Of course.

- Well, why are you sad, baby? I'm not leaving you here forever, not only will I visit you periodically, but Azula will also keep you company. Although I'm not sure with my little sister, maybe later, because she still has to learn and learn. I said to the little girl clinging to me, stroking her black hair and back. "If you're so afraid, you can come here in a year."

"Don't, Mr. Zuko. I'm sorry for my inappropriate behavior.

- Well, well, don't screw yourself up, everything is fine.

Tally nodded and tried to snuggle even closer.

"As I told Piandao, I'm not a good teacher, so I can't teach you well, and the others aren't even close to the level of a Master. I do not require you to be a warrior or a fighter, you can not fight, but train magic, and do for example construction. But you chose to follow the path of a warrior and fight alongside me, so it is my duty to give you the best opportunities to learn. I said gently to the frozen girl.

"I-I won't let you down, Mr. Zuko!" Tally said firmly, lifting her head from my chest and looking at me with a steady gaze. But I couldn't hold out for a long time, and blushing, I hid back.

- Umnichka, I will visit you, and check your progress, as well as make sure that you do not overexert yourself, otherwise I will have to apply educational measures. I finished ominously.

We were standing in front of the gate, where they would not let me out of their arms, accompanied by two fatherly glances from Goro and Piandao, who were standing a little further away.

- Well, why did you spread the dampness, is it really scary? I asked Tally gently, who was sobbing into my vest.

- *Sob* Nooo, just *Sob* I'm sad to leave you Lord Zuko. The girl replied plaintively.

- Don't be sad baby, we still have a lot to go through together, you're not going anywhere from me. I kissed the top of the girl's head and gently pulled her away from me. Putting his hand out to the side, he immediately received a handkerchief, with which he began to wipe Tully's face. - Don't cry, a smile is more suitable for a cute girl like you.

"H-okay, I'll be strong!" Tally clenched her fist belligerently, looking stubbornly into my eyes, slowly blushing.

"I know, train well and listen to what Master Piandao says, you may think that he is teaching you the wrong thing, but he is not. And if he really is teaching you nonsense, I'll notice it and figure it out.

"I will justify your trust, Mr. Zuko!" Tally bowed to me, despite the fact that I never said or forced her to do so. Then she straightened up abruptly and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, and as soon as her lips parted, Tally practically flew inside the manor.

- Ehh youth. Goro and Piandao muttered together.