Chapter 179 - Long Tians Request (1/2)
At that point, Hei intervened, ”What if I told you it could be done instead? That there is a way to get enough Spirit Metal to make a large greatsword and an entire armor?”
When Leon heard this, his brain stopped working. He couldn't understand where Hei and Lian were getting at. A method of obtaining enough Spirit Metal to make a greatsword and an entire armor? Even the children of the Eight Big Families would have had difficulties if they wanted to get so much Spirit Metal, let alone them from an ordinary background.
”What Hei said is true. There is this opportunity, but it isn't something that you can get for free. The price you have to pay can be zero or cost more than anything else in your life, depending on how you perceive it.”
Lian suddenly came out with that, bringing Leon back to reality. The young man looked at that unusual couple who had come from the Forgotten Ocean when no one else had ever made it. Since he had known them, amazing things had happened, and if they said there was a way, then it had to be true.
”Lian.” Hei put a hand on Lian's shoulder to prevent her from saying too much. But the blue-haired young woman had already finished what she meant and nodded to Hei, telling him to continue.
”Listen to me carefully, Leon,” Hei said, ”as Lian said, this opportunity is not free. In the life of us martial artists, nothing is ever completely free. If you really want it, then I will give you all the Spirit Metal you need. But first, I need your word. I need you to promise that you will do one thing for me.”
”One thing for you? Tell me then. Even without the Spirit Metal, you know I won't hesitate to help you or Lian.” Leon replied as he thought in his heart, 'What kind of request is it, enough to give me even such a quantity of Spirit Metal?'
Hei smiled and revealed his request, ”You will have to protect my family. Should anything happen, you will need to protect Lian, Ye, and Xing. At any cost.”
”Hei too. You'll have to protect Hei as well.” Lian added as she slightly glared at Hei. Since she also knew Hei better than anyone else, except perhaps for Ye and Xing, she knew that Hei would mention her and his little sisters but would not mention himself.
”Protect all of you? Of course, I would run to your aid. Aren't we companions?” Leon asked, puzzled. He couldn't understand. Was there really a need to ask for such a thing? After all, Hei and Lian had done a lot for him, and all three were on the same team and were friends. Therefore, helping each other was a foregone conclusion.
”We are companions, but what I am talking about is not a simple help against some proud son of an important family or some enemy spirit beast. I can't tell you the details now, but I'll ask you anyway.
Leon, would you protect my family and me no matter what happens? Even if you had to face the entire Moon Empire? Even if you have to betray the Sun Empire? Even if you had to face the whole world?”
When Leon heard those words, a strange sensation enveloped his body. It was as if he were at a crossroads. He didn't know why, but unconsciously his heart was telling him that the decision he would make there on that day would condition the rest of his life forever.
Knock! Knock!
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Hei then went to open the door and saw Dae-Won, the head of Long Tian's guards on the threshold.
”Hi, Dae-Won. Did something happen? ”Hei asked as he didn't expect to see him.
Dae-Won nodded to greet him and replied, ”I have a message from my boss. He needs to talk to you. If you can come to him now, it would be very welcomed.”
”Long Tian wants to see me?”
Hei was surprised. Why did Long Tian want to see him? Even though the forest accident had brought the two of them closer together, Hei and Long Tian were still strangers. They had respect for the other's skills and talent, but they weren't in a relationship like the one that tied Hei to his other companions.
'A week has passed since the end of the test. Since then, Long Tian has not shown himself. Yet now he is looking for me. Is this about the forest accident?' Hei thought to himself.
Regarding the trial in the forest, the academy had cataloged it as a simple accident. However, several points had not been answered. Was it possible that Long Tian had found something?
”Leon, you don't need to answer me now. Think about it and when you are ready, come to me. In any case, whatever your answer is, it won't change the fact that we are friends. Now I have to go; Lian, stay here with Ye and Xing. ”
”Okay, Hei. Be careful, though.” Lian replied as she briefly looked toward Dae-Won.
”Sure. I have promised you. ”Hei smiled and started following Dae-Won out the door and down the corridor to take the elevator.
”HEI”
Suddenly, Leon's scream resounded. He had stepped out of Hei and Lian's room and had both his fists clenched as if he was gathering his strength. ”I promise. What you requested, I will do it. You have my word, and if that's not enough, I can sign a blood pact.”
Hearing about the blood pact, Dae-Won moved his gaze from Leon toward Hei, wondering what was so important between the two that they required a blood pact. But he decided not to ask questions. As head of the Imperial Prince's guards, he had learned the value of discretion from an early age. However, he would mention it to the Imperial Prince just in case.
”You don't need to go that far. I trust you.” Hei smiled before calling Lian, ”Lian! Here is my space ring. Take what you know and give it to Leon. The sooner he starts, the better it will be for everyone.”
Hei then launched his space ring. Inside was the Heart and inside the Heart, all the ingots of Spirit Metal that they had found in the treasure of the Pirate King Hae-Seong. This amount was more than enough to make a greatsword and a full armor. And if that wasn't enough for some reason, they still had many points to buy more Spirit Metal.