Chapter 111: The Resolute Figure in the Rain (Extra update for ’Drunk with the Years upon the Wind’)

The subsequent lessons still focused on basic swordsmanship. For Church members who already had a foundation, these topics were indeed of little interest.But for a swordsmanship novice like Lu Luo, it was like drinking sweet dew or a fish finding water; he desperately needed this foundational knowledge. The afternoon’s lesson felt exceptionally long for many, as everyone had to use their own energy to shield themselves from the rain. In such a downpour, the rainwater itself posed a significant hazard. Some Fourth Ring members of the parish and ordinary Transcendents had already fainted from energy depletion and physical exhaustion. Qiao Xing had them carried into a building to dry off and made no further mention of elimination. This led the students to feel they were beginning to understand Qiao Xing’s methods: whether they could actually do it wasn’t as important as trying. Trying versus not trying—these were two entirely different concepts. The torrential rain lasted all afternoon, and the swordsmanship students endured it throughout. Sustaining an energy shield against the rain for so long was taxing. Even the reserve members of the Four Great Knights Groups were tiring, let alone Transcendents from other systems. Only Qi Xinzhu and another Believer of Light, Yu Luo, appeared quite composed. Beside Qi Xinzhu, Lu Luo looked even more wretched. Half an hour into the downpour, his Qi He was already flickering, on the verge of collapse. Soon after, Lu Luo was drenched to the bone, like a drowned rat. Qi Xinzhu watched Lu Luo stubbornly endure the rain for the entire afternoon. Seeing Lu Luo’s Qi He flicker intermittently, Qi Xinzhu felt a pang of concern for his stubborn persistence, yet she also deeply admired his tenacious will. After the swordsmanship lesson, Qi Xinzhu immediately placed her palm on Lu Luo’s back, using the S-05 Healer to heal his injuries and ailments. "Lu Luo, are you alright?" Lu Luo had been soaked for far too long; she was genuinely worried he might contract a virus or undergo a mutation. So, she poured all her Holy Light into the effort. Lu Luo’s lips, soaked for the entire afternoon, had turned pale. He turned to Qi Xinzhu, forcing a weak smile. "I’m fine. I feel like I can hold on a bit longer." "Today’s lessons are over. Everyone, go back and rest." At Qiao Xing’s concluding words, everyone except Lu Luo breathed a collective sigh of relief, quickly retreating under the eaves to catch their breath. Worried about Lu Luo, Qi Xinzhu grabbed his arm and pulled him into the building. "It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a rain this much! Ninety-three energy points! I could stand in this rain for a year, no problem." Lu Luo gazed reluctantly at the rain still falling from the sky, a sense of wistful longing in his heart. However, he concealed his disappointment and followed Qi Xinzhu inside, a bewildered expression on his face. Seeing his thoroughly soaked clothes, blanched face, and resolute eyes, even the reserve members of the Four Great Knights Groups, who had previously ignored Lu Luo, now regarded him with respect. Some of the more upright and magnanimous members of the Knights Groups even considered befriending Lu Luo. This was not driven by any ulterior motive, but purely by the Church members’ sincere admiration for a person of such tenacious character. After all, for a Fourth Ring individual to endure the rain for so long required incredible willpower! At this moment, Lu Yang wove through the crowd and approached Lu Luo. "Little Luo, it really is you! Are you okay?" "Ah, Big Brother, what a coincidence." "You! I didn’t expect you to become so impressive. Good man, you’ve kept this hidden from me for quite a while." Lu Yang thumped Lu Luo on the shoulder, his expression complex. Regardless of how Lu Luo had managed it, Lu Yang was pleased that his younger brother was training with the Alliance’s best swordsmanship master. Simply being there was cause for celebration. Qi Xinzhu looked at Lu Yang. Lu Luo’s big brother? Lu Luo quickly made the introduction. "Lu Yang, my big brother. We were both adopted by Ms. Lu when we were young, so we share the surname Lu." "Hello, my name is Qi Xinzhu." "Hello." Upon realizing that Lu Luo was Lu Yang’s younger brother, the attitude of those from the Courage Knights Group shifted significantly for the better. Lu Yang was currently an outstanding disciple within the Courage Knights Group, a genuinely kind person who was well-liked. Plus, Lu Luo had recently embarrassed the Knight of Justice, so wasn’t his brother practically one of their own? A few members of the Courage Knights Group had already come over and generously offered some common knightly medical supplies, like antibiotics. "Thank you, thank you all." "Don’t mention it. Lu Yang’s brother is our brother. Kid, I’m rooting for you. And next time, hit them even harder! They have plenty of Priests over there; no one’s going to die." Their attitude was not arrogant; in fact, it was quite friendly. They were all devout Believers, possessing most of the knightly virtues taught by the Church: humility, honor, sacrifice, courage, compassion, honesty, spirituality, and justice. It was difficult to feel hostile towards such individuals—people like Lu Luo’s brother, Lu Yang. Meanwhile, Qiao Xiao Mi, after greeting Qiao Xing, immediately ran over to Lu Luo. Looking at the drenched Lu Luo, Qiao Xiao Mi felt apprehensive. She had heard many childhood stories about rainwater creating monsters and hesitated to get too close. "Big Brother Lu Luo, are you going to turn into a monster?" Lu Luo considered the question carefully before answering Qiao Xiao Mi seriously. "If someone as handsome as me turned into a monster, many people would be heartbroken. So, I won’t." "Oh! That’s good then." Qi Xinzhu used her Healer abilities to dispel the moisture from Lu Luo, and his complexion soon returned to normal. Without ten years of acting, you couldn’t pull off that effect. Seeing Lu Luo’s color return, Lu Yang also breathed a sigh of relief. "Little Luo, is this your girlfriend? She’s very pretty. So, are you coming home tonight?" "Huh?" Qi Xinzhu exclaimed, quickly denying, "No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood! How could I be his girlfriend? I am a Believer of Light; serving Li Ming is my duty." Lu Luo looked at Lu Yang with a solemn expression. "I’m not going home tonight, but not because of a girlfriend. I have other things to do. Big Brother, you know I’m still young. My studies come first. Women are not something I’m considering. Women only slow down my sword draw. To become stronger, it’s crucial to stay away from women." Lu Luo spoke with such firm conviction that not only Lu Yang but also the other members of the Courage Knights Group were taken aback. Some looked ashamed, apparently having spent too much time on women, while others cheered. "Well said! The Wasteland favors men. In the Wasteland, women are never the problem." Qi Xinzhu had initially been pleased by Lu Luo’s serious tone, but the conversation took an unexpected turn. Was Lu Luo implying that *she* was affecting his sword-drawing speed? When Qi Xinzhu looked at Lu Luo, he seemed to have anticipated her thoughts. "We’re good buddies, good partners. I don’t see you as a woman." "Uh..." Qi Xinzhu didn’t know how to respond and could only nod. The rain showed no sign of stopping, but many students were no longer willing to wait. Shielding themselves with energy, they either called for a ride home or returned to the accommodations arranged by the Church. Qiao Xing held his daughter, chatting as they watched the rain outside. Lu Luo had no intention of leaving. Whether it meant getting soaked or continuing to impose on Qiao Xing, he was determined to stay. Per Han Shiyu’s instructions, Qi Xinzhu remained by Lu Luo’s side. The harmonious scene was disrupted when Bai Yuetong intervened. "Hey, your name is Lu Luo, right?" "What do you want?" Lu Luo assumed Bai Yuetong was looking for trouble. Qi Xinzhu glanced at Lu Luo, wondering why he would know someone like Bai Yuetong. This woman was Councilor Luo’s daughter! A genius from the Second Ring Alliance University’s Mechanical Engineering department, she had designed numerous mechanical devices and was hailed as a pioneer of the mechanical revolution. There should have been no connection between her and Lu Luo. Bai Yuetong shot Qi Xinzhu a provocative glance, then slung an arm around Lu Luo’s neck, pulling him closer. Disregarding the intimacy of the gesture, she whispered, "You hurt me so badly last night! How are you going to compensate me?" Lu Luo pondered. Her words sounded a bit off, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint why. "What do you want?" "I once had a concept for an Integrated Mecha, but the idea was ridiculed for a long time. It’s still ongoing, but I haven’t made any breakthroughs. That jet-powered three-dimensional mobility device you mentioned last time sounds very interesting. How about you come and help me with it? I know you’re short on money, right? Stick with me, and money won’t be an issue." Lu Luo looked at Bai Yuetong. Undeniably, she was a very beautiful and striking woman. Her sportswear, tight sweater, white Dumb Hair, and flawless face always exuded boundless vitality. The only drawback was her A-cup chest. "Not interested." Bai Yuetong frowned. "You just beat me up last night, and now you’re turning your back on me? I’m telling you, I’ll scream harassment, and you’ll get arrested!" Lu Luo freed himself from Bai Yuetong’s arm. If it were about something else, he might have chatted with Dumb Hair a bit longer, but talk of harassment didn’t interest him. Lu Luo pointed to Qi Xinzhu’s ample bosom beside him, then to Bai Yuetong’s, looking at her with disdain. "Look at her, then look at you. On what grounds would I harass you? Your A-cups?" Not much damage, but maximum insult. Bai Yuetong flushed with anger and embarrassment. She knew she was an A-cup, but no man had ever been so blunt. What was wrong with A-cups? Did it mean A-cups weren’t worth harassing? Perhaps some men preferred petite figures? Qi Xinzhu was initially annoyed that Lu Luo had used her chest for comparison, but seeing Bai Yuetong flustered brought an inexplicable surge of satisfaction. Oh Holy Light, I shouldn’t have such thoughts! After this exchange, Bai Yuetong fell silent. She hadn’t given up; she just hadn’t figured out how to recruit Lu Luo yet. After a while, as more people left, Qiao Xing paid them no mind. But Lu Luo still didn’t plan to leave. Opportunity favored the prepared. He could wait; it didn’t matter if nothing came of it. "It looks like the rain won’t stop. Xiao Mi, let’s go back. Miss Bai, please use this umbrella." Qiao Xing took off his Priest robe and draped it over Qiao Xiao Mi. Then he picked her up, allowing a faint Holy Radiance to envelop her, protecting her from the rain. Although he doted on his daughter, Bai Yuetong’s status was special, and he had a duty to protect her. Thus, he had to give her the umbrella. "Wait, Dad! Can you answer a few questions for me before we go back? If we head home, I won’t want to ask anymore." Qiao Xing was puzzled. He wasn’t aware of any problems Qiao Xiao Mi had faced at school, and she had never mentioned anything at home. He nodded. "Of course." "At school, they always say boys are good and girls are useless, and that favoring men over women is a principle of the Wasteland. Dad, what does ’favoring men over women’ mean?" All the adults present, including Qiao Xing, were momentarily stunned. In the Wasteland, favoring men was a given. Men naturally possessed greater physical strength. Enhancements for Transcendents amplified this advantage. Combined with the high mortality rate among men, it wouldn’t be surprising if male superiority were enshrined in law. But the reality was one thing; how to answer Qiao Xiao Mi was another. Bai Yuetong and Qi Xinzhu looked at Qiao Xing, but even the formidable swordsman didn’t know how to respond. It was Lu Luo who, with a smile, resolved the dilemma. "’Favoring men over women’ means men carry the heavy things, and women carry the light things." Qiao Xing’s eyes lit up. Lu Luo’s answer, though clever, was perfect for the situation. He smiled at Lu Luo—the first time Qiao Xing had shown him any friendliness. "Is that right, Daddy?" "Yes." "Then I have another question." Qiao Xing squatted down and stroked Qiao Xiao Mi’s head. "Go ahead, sweetheart." "Daddy, what if someone bullies me at school?" Qiao Xing made a mock-swinging motion with an imaginary sword. "Then use your little shovel to whack them." "But Daddy, I’m a girl!" Qiao Xiao Mi pouted. Lu Luo interjected again. "Since you’re a girl, use a pink little shovel." Qiao Xiao Mi’s eyes lit up with an expression of dawning comprehension. As the daughter of a swordsmanship master, Lu Luo and the others predicted that someone in her class was in for a rough time. "Daddy, I have one last question." "Ask away." Qiao Xing’s eyes were full of adoration. "What if I like someone?" Qiao Xing paused for a moment. This was likely a dilemma every father faced. Still, he answered with a smile, "If you like him, then bring him home for dinner." Qiao Xiao Mi beamed, then her brow furrowed. "Really? But he’s a boy!" Qiao Xing feigned contemplation. "Hmm, but boys need to eat too!" "Can I really bring him home?" "Yes, you really can." Qiao Xiao Mi jumped for joy, pointing at Lu Luo. "Thank you, Daddy! I love playing with Big Brother Lu Luo! Let’s take him home for dinner!" Lu Luo froze, inexplicably sensing a potent killing intent from behind—the distinct aura of a doting father. Breaking out in a cold sweat, he could only look at Qiao Xing, speechless. Qiao Xing felt a bit dismayed. Qiao Xiao Mi had only just met Lu Luo; how had this happened already? But he had already promised his daughter; he couldn’t go back on his word now. He pointed at Lu Luo, then at Qi Xinzhu. "Saintess, please join us for a meal. And you, Lu Meng?" "Um, to be precise, it’s Lu Luo." "You too." Lu Luo looked at Qiao Xing and nodded quickly. "Okay."