OPEN NETWORK

[refire]

Sender: Alphen
To: Everyone


Hey there! You can just call me Alphen. I've already encountered many warriors and seasoned soldiers. We have strong fighters here.

I'm interested in seeing weaponry or combat gear. There are some really neat swords with intriguing designs. Still, I know that a weapon can be lethal all the same. So I've been meaning to ask a question as well.

For what reason would you fight?

I fight to protect my friends. I want to use my strength for the right reasons.

Granted, all I know how to do is wield a sword. I'd be more than glad to put those skills to use. I'm willing to spar and exchange combat moves with someone. Maybe we can learn with one another. I can't exactly let my blade rust when seriously powerful beasts could attack at any moment. 

Comments

Sender: Jiang Cheng

[legbreakings]

I fight to protect my sect and my family, and because it is my duty as a cultivator of Yunmeng Jiang. We are trained to fight dangers the common folk don't stand a chance against, thus it is our duty to do so.

I use the sword and whip.

[refire]

Fighting to protect those important to you because it's your duty...I can respect that. We all have something worth defending.

Being able to use more than one weapon must be a huge advantage. Did you feel that you were more skilled at one weapon in particular?

[legbreakings]

It is useful, yes, especially since they are differently ranged. I have also been trained in archery, as we all were, but I don't use it in battle.

I'm more experienced with the sword, it has been my primary weapon since I was a little boy.

[refire]

You've been using the blade ever since you were young? I'm impressed.

It must have been difficult to learn a weapon at such a young age.

[legbreakings]

I never thought about it much. I grew up in a cultivation sect specialized in sword cultivation, all the children I grew up with were taught and expected to master the sword.

I suppose it takes a lot of discipline to learn, and the younger the children are, the harder they find to muster it.

[refire]

Learning a skill to perfection is a lot of work no matter what age you are. I've been using the blade for as long as I can remember.

Having the will to fight can be just as important as honing your skills.

[legbreakings]

So you have started early, too.

But you are right. The will to fight is what truly matters. I have seen many powerful men shy away from taking a stand, while those weaker stepped forward. I would rather have these at my side.

[refire]

Fighting had been a matter of survival for me.

As long as you have the will to take a stand then you're never too weak to battle.

[legbreakings]

A matter of survival? Interesting. Is youor home country at war?

In my world, we mostly measure a fighter's value by the strength of his cultivation. I had to learn it isn't so.

[refire]

It is. I fought in the army as a soldier.

I suppose there are different ways to measure one's strength. Do you miss your homeland?

[legbreakings]

I miss it very much. But I have my family here, that is what matters most to me.

I'm sorry your land is at war. I can't imagine how hard it must be to leave a war behind.

[refire]

It's been that way for at least 300 years. Things are slowly starting to change but it's not going to happen overnight.

I want to use my skills for good and I know there's going to be more challenges ahead.

Your family is here? Are they safe?

[legbreakings]

Yes, she is safe. I don't have much family left, and I'm very grateful to have my sister with me.

[ All the more so since she is dead in his time, but that's not his story to tell. ]

This place doesn't seem very dangerous so far, I'm glad for it. But I'm sure danger will come, or the tapirs wouldn't have chosen warriors and soldiers. We can only make sure to use our fighting skills to fight for righteousness when the time for battle comes.

[refire]

I'm glad to hear that she's okay. My friends are the only family I have. They've here in this world too so I'm not alone.

Hey, you're right. Things could get dangerous as we just don't know it yet.

I've already encountered some powerful enemies just hanging out in the open. It's a little worrying.

[legbreakings]

Which enemies have you encountered?

Wei Wuxian and I have explored the Wildlands, but for the most part, we did not have much luck with running into noteworthy enemies.

[refire]

A monstrosity called the Mutton Man. The damned thing was so strong all I managed to do was disarm him with a friend.

You went into the Wildlands too. How was it? Did you find anything interesting?

[legbreakings]

We were either lucky or unlucky, in that we mostly ran into regular woodland animals. But then, our focus often was on hunting game. We did get interested in these deeper parts of the forest, where the strange mists reside and shadows seem to be darting around, and the place where the trees are uncannily alive. We chose not to disturb them just yet.

[refire]

You've experienced so much already. This place is unpredictable and there could be danger anywhere. The trees have a mind of their own and I've seen it first hand. You're right about that.

Maybe it's lucky no one got hurt.

[legbreakings]

I'm curious about these trees. We have trees who come alive, too, either living or dead trees, but they would usually be malicious creatures who were brought alive by resentful energy.