Chapter 537: A Bump on the Forehead from an Apple
TING! TING! TING!
The silver needles striking the Soft Sword rang out with a series of clinks. Before he could react to them being knocked away, a bright red object came flying straight for his forehead.
The young man’s heart leaped in alarm. Before he could even react, the bright red object slammed into his forehead, knocking him right out of the sky.
The guard, arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, happened to look up just in time to see his master plummet from the sky. Horror filled his eyes. "Master!"
The red-robed young man landed on the ground. The bright red object fell onto his chest, then rolled to the side...
"Master! Master!" The guard leaped from the carriage before it had even fully stopped and rushed to his side.
The red-robed young man lay flat on his back, unmoving, his golden eyes staring at the sky.
The guard was nearly scared to death. "Master, please say something! If something’s happened to you, how am I supposed to explain this to the Old Lord when I get back... Master..."
"You’re being too loud," the young man said coldly.
"Master? Oh, that’s wonderful! Wonderful!" The guard’s face broke into a wide, relieved smile.
The young man raised a hand to his forehead. It stung sharply, and it felt like a large bump was already forming. He sat up, his gaze falling on the red projectile that had rolled to a stop nearby.
’An apple?’
"Master, your forehead! Goodness, you’re badly hurt, Master..."
"Shut up," the young man said coldly. "Bring it to me."
The guard followed his master’s gaze, stood up, and picked up the apple. "Master, this apple is all bruised. If you’re hungry, I’ll buy you some fresh ones as soon as we enter the city."
"Give it to me."
The guard glanced at it, then walked over and handed him the apple.
The young man turned the apple over and over in his hands. ’If that child had thrown a real weapon, I’d probably be dead by now.’
’Beaten and injured by a child with an apple. Heh!’
’The Capital City is truly full of hidden masters. That child couldn’t have been more than five years old, judging by their size. There can’t be many in the world who could achieve that level of skill at five years old.’
’And that childlike voice kept echoing in his ears: "Don’t mess with me."’
’The kid’s voice hadn’t even broken yet. Tsk, tsk. What a formidable child.’
’Then again, I love provoking the unprovokable!’
The guard watched his master stare blankly at the apple. ’Could it be? Was my master’s head really injured by this apple?’
’How is that possible?’
He stealthily observed his master’s expression. It seemed to be true. He was shocked. ’A small child injured my master with an apple... Isn’t that a bit...?’
After staring at it for a long while, the young man opened his mouth and bit into the bright red apple. It was incredibly sweet and delicious, with a pleasant aroma. ’So this is what they taste like. How have I never noticed how good they are?’
"When we get into the Capital City, buy lots of apples." After finishing it, the young man still wasn’t satisfied.
"Yes, Master."
The young man got up and began scanning the surroundings.
"Master, what are you looking for?"
"Silver needles."
"Silver needles?" The guard had a sudden realization. ’Ah, so the master was hit by silver needles first!’ he thought. That made more sense. His master’s skills were so profound; how could he possibly have been injured by a mere apple, especially one thrown by a small child?
"Find them. There are eleven in total. I want every single one." After saying this, the young man sat down under a nearby tree.
The guard lowered his head and began to search for them, inch by inch.
Before long, a group of soldiers came galloping down the main road on horseback. They reined in their horses as they drew near.
"Have you seen a chestnut horse carrying a child pass this way?" the lead soldier asked.
The young man, leaning against the tree, didn’t even bother to open his eyes.
"Hey, I’m talking to you, you..."
"Officer, the person you’re looking for went that way," the guard quickly stepped forward to say.