The Cunning Treasure Hunter

"So, you struck first, is that it?"

Ethan glared at Marcus, his tone filled with disbelief.

Aiden, watching his two disciples bicker, couldn't help but chuckle in amusement.

"How could you, Senior Brother? I trusted you!"

"Ethan, it's not like that…"

"What do you mean, it's not? If you have an explanation, spit it out! Weren't we supposed to spar today?!"

Ethan threw an indignant look at Vera and Marcus.

Vera glanced briefly at Marcus. He wasn't the only one who had witnessed her Great Heaven Circuit; undoubtedly, Ethan had also been intrigued, his competitive spirit ignited.

But knowing his personality, Marcus must have talked him out of challenging her immediately.

Aiden, instead of stopping the argument, turned his attention to Vera's expression.

Surprisingly, she seemed completely fine.

He distinctly remembered his youngest disciple being so frail that a single attempt to channel her inner energy would leave her coughing up blood.

"Vera," he called softly.

"Yes, Master."

That single word—"Master"—brought an unbidden smile to Aiden's lips.

"Are you feeling alright? Using your inner energy must've caused some strain."

"I'm fine."

Her calm reply made Marcus turn pale.

"What?"

"Be cautious," Aiden warned. "Your junior sister hasn't trained properly for a long time. Her core is stiff, and drawing on her energy recklessly could be dangerous."

"Impossible! But I saw her summon Sword Radiance!"

"…Sword Radiance?"

Now it was Aiden's turn to pale.

Given what he remembered of Vera's physical condition, the fact that she was still conscious was nothing short of a miracle.

"Don't worry too much, Master."

"How can I not?! I saw how damaged your meridians and stiff your core were!"

Aiden's face flushed with a mixture of frustration and concern.

"I've reconciled with it," she said simply.

"…What?"

Reconciled? With what—her energy?

Aiden couldn't make sense of her words.

Gesturing for her to approach, he took her wrist and checked her pulse.

…She was perfectly fine.

Her complexion was normal. She wasn't coughing blood or drenched in cold sweat.

The flow of her energy was smooth, and her meridians were unscathed.

"How…?"

No matter how many times he asked, Vera gave the same cryptic answer: "I've reconciled with it."

It was maddening. But seeing her struggle to articulate it any further, Aiden decided to let it go.

"Well… it seems you've had some kind of realization," he muttered.

"Something like that," she admitted.

She bowed her head slightly, grateful for her master's understanding.

He could have pressed for details, could have interrogated her further. The situation was unusual, even suspicious.

But he stopped, showing her grace.

Ethan, however, did not.

"Hey."

"Yes, Senior Brother?"

"Let's spar."

It wasn't that he didn't stop asking questions—it was that he wouldn't stop challenging her.

Vera hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"What? Why not? Why does Senior Brother get to spar with you, and I don't?!"

"It's not that…"

"Then what?!"

His childish whining amused her. It reminded her of herself—how she had been before her father was executed.

She watched his tantrum for a moment before speaking softly.

"I'm… a little tired."

"Tired?"

Her body wasn't exhausted.

It was her mind.

This was Mount Suncrest, a place she now called home.

Marcus had assured her that her past didn't matter, that she was his junior sister regardless.

She wanted to believe his words, but her heart wasn't there yet.

Belief took effort, and that effort was exhausting.

His words had been like stones cast into the still waters of her heart, creating ripples that refused to settle.

"…Are you alright?"

It was Marcus who noticed the tremor in her eyes.

Meeting his concerned gaze, Vera nodded.

"I'm fine."

"If it's too much, take some rest," he advised.

Even Aiden chose not to intervene, understanding her need for time.

She had only just arrived at Mount Suncrest.

Her life had been filled with wounds, and among the third-generation disciples with the celestial character, she was the youngest and most vulnerable.

She needed time to heal.

But the world seldom allowed such luxury.

"Is Aiden here?"

A loud knock resounded on the gate of Aiden's courtyard.

"…Who's causing a commotion so early in the morning?"

Aiden sighed heavily.

Thinking back, he realized it was inevitable. Vera's spectacular entrance had undoubtedly attracted attention.

"Marcus."

"Yes, Master."

"Open the gate."

From the voice alone, Aiden knew who it was.

It was his senior brother—Aetheris, known as the Ten Thousand Days Red Sword.

Even Marcus recognized the voice.

Aetheris's name carried the character for thunder, and his imposing presence was no less striking.

When the gate opened, a towering figure entered, so large that he made Aiden seem small by comparison.

"Well, well. How's my dear junior brother doing?"

"…When did you ever worry about me, Senior Brother?" Aiden replied dryly as he stood to greet him.

Waving his hand, he signaled the third-generation disciples to leave.

But Aetheris wasn't having it.

"Ah, no need for that. I heard you've taken in a cute new disciple?"

"She's… unremarkable. Hardly worth your attention, Senior Brother."

"Is that so?"

Aetheris's sharp eyes glinted with interest as he stepped further into the courtyard.