If he were to grow stronger, he needed a sword worthy of his abilities—one that could endure the force of his strikes without breaking.
Though in his previous life when he conquered murim, he learned many things and learned the way of craftsmanship, and created over 40 swords that were treated as divine artifacts by martial artist.
But right now he doesn't have time to forge a sword for himself, as his body is weak, even with the Sutra Iron Body, he couldn't resist the heat of the flame for longer period. So he can only ask for a sword maker in the town.
Hearing his request, Elena paused momentarily before giving a small sigh.
"I understand your need for a better weapon," she said, wiping her hands on a cloth. "But my husband... his condition hasn't improved. He rarely takes on commissions these days, let alone as forging a good sword."
Leon nodded, already expecting this response. "I see. If it's too much trouble, I won't push the matter. His health comes first."
Elena hesitated, as if debating something, before finally speaking. "I'll ask him," she said. "If he has the strength, he may consider it. But no promises."
Leon's eyes lit up and said "That's more than enough," Thank you."
With that, he finished his meal, leaving a few extra coins on the counter before standing up.
"If there's anything else I can do to help, just let me know," he added before heading toward the door.
Elena watched him go, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
•[Knights Camp]
The early morning sun bathed the temporary knight encampment in a golden glow.
Tents were neatly arranged in rows, and the air was filled with the sounds of armored boots against packed dirt, the occasional clink of metal, and quiet murmurs between stationed knights.
Smoke curled lazily from a central fire where breakfast was being prepared.
Within one of the larger tents, Lira stretched as she woke, her body still slightly stiff from the previous night.
Across from her, Lilianne was already awake, tying her blonde hair into back .
"Good Morning, Lady Lilianne", Lira greeted Lilianne, while rubbing her eyes.
Lilianne who has woken up replied "Where were you last night?, I woke up and didn't find you", while pouting her cheeks.
"Did you stay up late last night?" Lilianne added as she look at Lira who was fixing her hair and clothes.
"Something like that" Lira replied.
"I'll go get some food, wait for me here first" Lira then added, as she headed outside the tent, she directly headed towards where the food is serving, request a soup and a bread for her, and a meat and drinks for Lilianne.
Of course she would order that, Lilianne is a noble and she is just a knight, Lilianne cannot eat a food a knight eat, as she wasn't used to.
After she got the foods, she returned back to the tent and place the foods on the table, across her and Lilianne.
It was quite as they were separated by other tents. Lira savored the food. And while she was eating, her thoughts drifted back to the swordsman figure she had seen the night before.
"Do you know, last night as I was strolling the village, I saw an interesting swordsman"
When Lilianne heard this, she raised her eyebrows and said "Who?"
Lira hesitated, then leaned forward slightly. "There was a man training in the forest last night. His swordplay... it wasn't like anything I've seen before."
Lilianne's curiosity sparked. "Maybe it's a mercenary?"
"No. He didn't move like one. His strikes were sharp, but they weren't meant for brute force. His footwork was refined—fluid, almost like a dance. It was... elegant but deadly."
Lilianne narrowed her eyes as she listens to Lira.
Lira was not the type to waste time discussing random men. If she was bringing this up, it meant the swordsman had left an impression.
"Do you know him?" Lilianne asked.
Lira pursed her lips. "I'm not sure. There was something familiar about him. But I can't place where I've seen him before.
Lilianne leaned back against her chair, arms crossed. "Well, now I'm interested."
Lira glanced at her.
"I mean, it's not like you to get distracted by a swordsman, Lira. If this guy left such an impression, then he's worth checking out."
Lira smirked. "You just want an excuse to get out of camp."
Lilianne shrugged. "That too. But mostly, I want to see what kind of man has you this curious."
Lira rolled her eyes but stood up. "Fine. Let's head to the village. If he's a local, someone there will know who he is."
Lilianne grinned and adjusted the cuffs of her crisp white long-sleeved uniform, then discreetly tucked a small, ornate dagger into the waistband of her tailored black trousers. "Now this is what I call an interesting morning."
By the time Leon finished his meal and stepped outside, the village was already alive with activity.
Merchants were setting up their stalls, children ran through the streets, and the occasional farmer passed by, hauling baskets of their produce.
Leon adjusted his clothes and made his way toward the marketplace. He had no grand purpose–just gathering a few supplies to help Elena and Mira. It was the least he could do while waiting for an answer about the sword.
As he walked through the streets, his sharp eyes scanned his surroundings, a habit ingrained from years of experience. That was when he noticed them.
Two women walking side by side, moving with a distinct presence that set them apart from the ordinary villagers.
Their posture was disciplined, their movements was precise.
Even in their crisp white uniforms with long sleeves and tailored black trousers, their bearing and poise made it unmistakably clear they were knights.
His gaze lingered for a fraction of a second before he looked away, keeping his expression neutral.
But Lira noticed.
She hadn't expected to find him so easily. Yet, there he was, casually strolling through the village as if he were just another commoner.
"It's him," she muttered under her breath.
Lilianne followed her gaze, studying Leon with a sharp, appraising look. "Hmm. He doesn't strike me as particularly remarkable."
Lira frowned slightly. "Don't let appearances fool you. He may be dangerous."
Lilianne smirked." You're interested in him because of that?"
Leon, sensing their approach, sighed inwardly. He had already noticed Lira watching him last night, and now, it seemed she was making her move.
As the two approached him, Leon quickened his pace, subtly channeling Qi into his feet to increase his speed. Each step seemed to glide effortlessly over the ground, creating an ever-widening gap between himself and the pair behind him.
When the two noticed Leon pulling away, they hastened their steps, their strides growing longer and more urgent. Yet, to their astonishment, no matter how fast they walked–or even broke into a light jog–they couldn't seem to close the distance. Leon remained just out of reach, his figure growing smaller as he moved with an almost unnatural grace.
"What speed!" Lira said her eyes widened looking at the leaving figure of Leon.
Then, just as suddenly as he had increased his speed, Leon slowed down.
Lira and Lilianne came to an abrupt halt, watching as he stopped in front of a small street stall.
The two women exchanged glances.
"Did he… just shake us off?" Lilianne muttered.
Lira exhaled. "We couldn't even close the distance."
At this time, in the stall.
Leon casually browsed through the items on display, acting as though he hadn't just lost two woman in a pursuit.
His expression remained neutral as he reached for a few small accessories–delicate hairpins, carved wooden trinkets, and small cloth pouches.
'These should be good gifts for Elena and Mira.'
Though it wasn't much, he figured something small yet thoughtful would help lift their spirits. After all who wouldn't be sad when running an inn and saving money to treat her husband.
After paying the merchant, he moved to another stall, one that sold general supplies for store owners—ink, parchment, and wooden tablets used for keeping records.
'Elena runs a business. These will be useful.'
He calmly made his purchases, his mind already planning ahead. He didn't just want to give them one-time help—he wanted to ensure they had what they needed to sustain themselves.
As he finished, he felt a faint presence nearby.
Glancing subtly to the side, he spotted Lira and Lilianne standing at a distance, observing him.
Instead of immediately leaving, he allowed them to approach a little. Lira's sharp eyes locked onto him, and Lilianne smirked as if she was about to greet him.
But just as they thought they had caught up—
Whoosh!
Leon channeled Qi into his feet and accelerated.
His movements were fluid, his steps light yet swift, and in an instant, he widened the distance between them again.
Lilianne's eyes widened in disbelief.
Lira's expression darkened.
"He's so annoying , it's like he's playing with us," Lilianne huffed, folding her arms in frustration.
Lira, a knight trained in tracking and pursuit, narrowed her eyes. "No… he's testing us."
Lilianne frowned. "Huh?...Testing us?"
Lira clenched her fists. "Every move he makes is calculated. He let us get close just to pull away again. He's gauging our speed."
Lilianne let out an exasperated sigh. "Then what does that make us? Lab rats?"
Lira smirked slightly. "If he wanted to lose us completely, he would have. But he didn't."
That alone irritated her. As a knight, she was used to being the one chasing down others, not the one being toyed with. The way Leon kept widening the distance between them, as if teasing them, only made her frustration grow.
'This should be enough for today.' Leon said to himself.
With his items secured, he glanced over his shoulder. He could still sense Lira and Lilianne lingering nearby.
He smiled slightly.
With that, he turned and began making his way toward the inn, leaving behind one frustrated knight and an exasperated noblewoman who now had even more questions about him than before.