Herrscher of Dominance in Honkai, starting with the abduction of Kiana

"It's okay... they're... gone now."

"I see..." A silence fell between them. Ren slowly stopped his movements and walked over to Li Sushang, wanting to offer some words of comfort.

But before he could speak, Li Sushang lifted her head and shook it. "Don't worry. It was a long time ago for me."

She masked the sadness in her eyes with a faint smile, lightening the somber mood. "To be honest, I wasn't particularly close to them. Since I was five, my mother sent me to train with Master. Sometimes, I wouldn't see them for a year or two."

Moonlight fell on the girl's face, revealing faint traces of time. She unsheathed her sword and placed it in Ren's hand.

Understanding her intent, Ren lightly gripped the hilt, attempting a clumsy flourish with the blade.

The girl extended two fingers as if holding a sword, lightly tapping them against the blade, producing a clear ringing sound.

Under the waning crescent moon, Ren, a novice swordsman, practiced the forms with Li Sushang, exchanging moves.

Of course, in reality, it was a one-sided lesson from the girl.

"For as long as I can remember, I've spent my days practicing swordsmanship. My father was the same. He would patiently teach me each stance of his twelve-movement Recalling Heart Sword Manual, and my mother would be there, helping me memorize the mantras.

But no matter how hard I tried, I could never meet my mother's expectations. I never understood what it meant to truly master the technique. So, I just kept practicing, relentlessly.

Sometimes, my father couldn't bear to see me work so hard, so he would secretly let me slack off, occasionally bringing me snacks that other children enjoyed.

I was young then, and whenever my father returned home, I would pester him for treats. But every time my mother saw this, she would cry.

I often heard them arguing in the courtyard while I was practicing.

I didn't know why my mother cried, but from then on, I never asked my father for snacks again."

As the sword danced through the forms, Li Sushang's gentle voice, intertwined with the whisper of the blade, reached Ren's ears and resonated within his heart.

Bathed in moonlight, the girl seemed ethereal. As she instructed Ren, her movements flowed like a clear spring, ceaseless and graceful.

"What happened after that?"

"Later, Master told me that my parents' relationship wasn't harmonious. Although my father treated my mother well, always indulging her, his initial motive was to learn my mother's Taixu Sword Qi.

He wanted to steal the secrets of Taixu Sword Qi but was no match for my mother. My mother knew his intentions, yet she couldn't bear to refuse him. She even taught him the complete Taixu Sword Qi.

But my father wasn't very talented in swordsmanship. Even with the complete manual, he couldn't master it, and this created conflict between them. It wasn't until I was born that they finally shifted all their attention to me."

Ren lightly tapped the ground with his foot, the slender sword lightly touching Li Sushang's fingers before separating.

Their eyes met.

"Aren't you afraid that I'm also after your sword technique?"

Li Sushang's movements faltered for a fraction of a second, but she concealed it well, showing no outward sign. Instead, she replied frankly, "So what?"

"..." Ren was silent.

"Swordsmanship isn't that simple. Even if I taught you the complete manual, how much could you possibly learn?

Besides, Taixu Sword Qi isn't a closely guarded secret. If that's what you want, you can just ask me for it directly."

Ren shook his head. "Even if the manual isn't important to you, it's still yours. Being unguarded can attract unwanted attention, which can be troublesome."

"But you're not some petty thief."

"How can you be so sure? Don't forget, the first time we met, I stole your ID, leaving you stranded on the streets."

"As compensation, you took me to play such an interesting game and even gave me your phone. Even if you wronged me before, we're now even."

They both tacitly stopped their movements, facing each other.

The early morning breeze gently brushed against them, ruffling Ren's short gray hair and Li Sushang's long brown locks. The pendant at her waist chimed softly.

After a long silence, Ren smiled wryly. "Miss Sushang, you shouldn't trust others so easily in the martial world."

"Really? I don't think you're a bad person." The girl shrugged nonchalantly, a somewhat naive smile on her face. "Traveling the world, making friends along the way. Are you interested in becoming friends with this humble lady?"

Ren facepalmed. Even after all my hints, she still doesn't get it.

"Sure."

Hearing Ren's agreement, Li Sushang's face lit up with a radiant smile, her twin tails bouncing playfully. "Friends, united by righteousness! Then, young master Ren and I, the wandering swordswoman Li Sushang, are officially friends."

"There's no need to be so formal."

Li Sushang shook her head without explanation.

This was only her second friend in 515 years. It held a special significance for her.

She had completely forgotten her master, Cheng Lingshuang's words: "You and your mother have terrible taste in men."

Looking up at the moon, she said with a sigh, "The scenery tonight is quite lovely. There's still some time before dawn. You have good talent, so I'll teach you the secrets of Taixu Sword Qi as well.

However, Taixu Sword Qi is very demanding of its user. Whether you can learn it depends on your own aptitude."

"..." Ren took a deep breath, clasped his hands together respectfully, and bowed. "Then, I thank you for your guidance, Master."

Perhaps the term "Master" was a bit premature for the 15-year-old Li Sushang. She blushed, waving her hands. "No need, I'm just…"

"Miss Sushang, a teacher is one who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts. Since you're teaching me swordsmanship, it's only natural for me to address you as Master. This doesn't affect our friendship. In this era, the customs of discipleship aren't so strict. Anyone with a skill who teaches others deserves to be called 'teacher'."

"Is... is that so?" Li Sushang, lacking formal education, was easily swayed. Seeing Ren's serious expression, she agreed. "But I haven't completed my training yet; I can't be called a master. Consider this a discipleship under my master's name."

"Then, Li Sushang, chief disciple of the Supreme Freedom Sect, accepts you, Ren, as a disciple of the sect, second in line."

After finishing, Li Sushang looked at Ren, only to find him holding a Crimson Empress plushie, offering it to her respectfully.

"Huh?"

"I didn't prepare a gift, so please accept this instead."

"Okay." A slightly bewildered Li Sushang accepted the plushie. It was a Crimson Empress doll, one she really liked. She instinctively squeezed its soft cheeks.

"Then, Master…"

"You should call me Senior Sister."

"Alright, Senior Sister, does our sect have any special rules?"

"Rules? Master never mentioned any." Li Sushang racked her brain, trying to recall if her detached master had ever laid down any specific rules. Finally, a phrase she had once overheard her master utter came to mind.

"Master didn't leave any rules, but I believe our ancestor had one. It was something like…"

"Those who succumb to inner demons must be eliminated?"

Those who succumb to inner demons must be eliminated!