(Translator- I am changing one word here, Bushi —> Samurai)
In the Yomokawa household, Kurusu was considered a highly esteemed samurai. Not only because of Kurusu’s exceptional sword technique but also because he was tasked with protecting Yomokawa Ayame as her personal bodyguard.
Therefore, Fang Li chose to challenge Kurusu at the Martial Fight Gathering, not only because it triggered a side quest, but also because he wanted to establish a connection with Yomokawa Ayame through Kurusu.
After all, Fang Li’s main quest was closely related to Yomokawa Ayame, so it was absolutely necessary for him to make contact with her.
Finally, Fang Li had the chance to meet Yomokawa Ayame.
“Hello, Miss Ayame,” Fang Li politely greeted Yomokawa Ayame.
However, this greeting seemed extremely impolite in Kurusu’s eyes.
“You, how dare you greet her so casually,” Kurusu glared at Fang Li, speaking in a low voice, “Ayame-Sama is the eldest daughter of the Yomokawa family. It wouldn’t be strange for her to inherit the position of consul general and become the ruler of Aragane Station in the future. At least show some respect by addressing her as ‘Sama’.”
Fang Li rolled his eyes at Kurusu’s veiled threat and couldn’t be bothered to respond, which made Kurusu have the urge to draw his sword.
On the other hand, Yomokawa Ayame suddenly realized something and said, “So, you’re the Wanderer who defeated Kurusu?”
Kurusu, who was about to get angry, felt as if he had swallowed a fly, and his complexion turned constipated.
Seeing this, Fang Li felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart and smiled deliberately, saying, “Yes, I am the Wanderer who defeated Kurusu.”
Kurusu’s heart sank.
Kurusu’s pride as a samurai was already higher than that of an ordinary samurai, and his disciplined and serious personality made him highly value the dignity of being a samurai. Every single one of his words and actions were extremely rigid, making him the epitome of a samurai.
However, as a samurai proud of his status, Kurusu was defeated by a Wanderer who had never been exposed to martial arts in front of everyone.
For Kurusu, this was such a hard thing to accept.
That’s why Kurusu had been pestering Fang Li these past few days, attempting to redeem his previous defeat.
But now, instead of redeeming himself, he was ruthlessly struck where it hurt the most by the person he cared about the most. It was difficult for Kurusu not to feel upset at this moment.
“…In terms of strength, I will definitely not lose to you,” Kurusu stared closely at Fang Li as he spoke while gritting his teeth, “Don’t be too proud, Wanderer.”
“I’m not being proud, you know?” Fang Li spread out his hands and said, “But you have always been unwilling to accept it, so I just wanted to remind you. I hope you can take this as an opportunity to work harder in the future.”
Saying that, Fang Li patted Kurusu’s shoulder as if to say, “I’m doing this for your own good.”
At this point, Kurusu’s expression truly resembled someone suffering from constipation.
“Hehe…” Yomokawa Ayame couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Little did she know, that laughter was a critical hit for Konochi Kurusu.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make fun of you Kurusu,” Yomokawa Ayame smiled slightly and looked at Fang Li, saying, “I just find Fang-San very interesting.”
“Interesting?” Fang Li was surprised and almost blurted out, “That’s just everyday banter among a group of friends when I was in school.”
“In school?” Kurusu was taken aback.
“In school?” Yomokawa Ayame was even more astonished and said, “So, Fang-San, you attended a private school?”
Under the amazed gaze of Yomokawa Ayame and Kurusu, Fang Li realized his slip of the tongue.
In this era, going to school was not a simple matter.
Most of the land outside was already occupied by the Kabane.
The stations could only barely protect themselves so private schools were considered a privilege reserved for those with status and position.
Fang Li remembered that in this era, there were only elementary educational institutions like temple schools that were open to the common people throughout the country.
Therefore, those who were able to attend school were generally not ordinary characters.
And no matter how you thought about it, it was impossible for a Wanderer to have the opportunity to attend a private school, right?
So, if Fang Li had really attended a private school, it would likely arouse suspicion.
At this moment, Fang Li fell silent for a while, then smiled and said to the two, “There’s nothing to be surprised about. The place where I used to live did have schools, but that place is no longer in this world.”
Upon hearing this, both Yomokawa Ayame and Kurusu fell silent.
“So, that’s how it is,” Yomokawa Ayame said with some sympathy, “The station where you used to live has been overrun, hasn’t it?”
“After the station was overrun, you managed to survive and then escaped here alone, right?” Kurusu closed his eyes and said in a low voice, “No wonder you haven’t trained in martial arts but are much faster than the average person.”
Clearly, both Yomokawa Ayame and Kurusu assumed that Fang Li had attended school because the station where he had lived was attacked by Kabane, and he managed to survive and struggled to make his way here, to Aragane Station, where he was taken in.
With this understanding, the fact that Fang Li had attended school but hadn’t trained in martial arts yet possessed exceptional decisiveness and speed was explained.
Of course, these were all assumptions made by Yomokawa Ayame and Kurusu themselves.
Fang Li also wasn’t lying.
After all, the place where Fang Li had lived did indeed have schools, and that place was truly no longer in this world.
“No… but it’s okay. Being able to survive is already a good thing,” Yomokawa Ayame said, as if trying to comfort Fang Li, “How about Fang-San becomes a Samurai in the Yomokawa family?”
“A Samurai?” Fang Li’s expression suddenly became strange when he heard Yomonaka Ayame’s words.
“Forgive my frankness, Lady Ayame,” Kurusu furrowed his brows even more and said frankly, “This guy may have some skills, but he doesn’t have any foundation in martial arts, so it’s probably not suitable for him to become a Samurai.”
“Not suitable?” Yomokawa Ayame blinked her eyes innocently and said, “But, Fang-San defeated you Kurusu, so aren’t you also unsuitable?”
“I…” Kurusu’s eyes twitched, and he couldn’t help but start to growl in his heart.
Why did she have to bring that up?!
