Roku. The next day. Residence of the Mayor of Kahal City.
My habit of waking up at dawn made itself known, so I managed to sleep for less than an hour. After circulating my chi through my body, I felt invigorated, leaving only a pleasant sense of satisfaction from the previous night. It's no substitute for a full night's rest, but once a week, this surrogate works just fine.
Beside me, Jun lay curled up, completely naked.
- "So much for the arrogant mercenary…" – in reality, she turned out to be quite different—soft and eager for affection. Sure, there's something off about her, but who among us is completely normal?
Quietly rising from the bed, I began to put on the scattered pieces of my wardrobe.
- "Wow," – I mentally whistled at the mess before me.
Last night's "dances" had moved from the bed to the floor, and from there to other equally interesting places.
- Not pretty, – I muttered, looking at the dried remnants of the previous battle.
Covering Jun with a blanket, I left the room in search of a spot to conduct my daily earthbending practice. Honestly, these workouts have minimal effect, but I can't skip this morning ritual—it's become a tradition.
Right now, it's Toph who's taking the brunt of it, training for several hours a day in the gravity-adjusted room, gradually approaching the next chakra gate.
- "Rumors spread fast here," – I smirked, catching various glances from the residence staff.
- Good morning! Could you tell me where I can practice? Preferably outdoors, – I stopped a group of women in uniform, likely employees.
- Go straight down the corridor and turn left. You'll immediately reach a small garden, – one of them replied while the others whispered quietly.
- Did he not get enough of his "nighttime practice"? – I unintentionally overheard their conversation.
- Shh, not so loud! – another scolded her, – It's Mr. Roku, after all. I'd be disappointed if it were otherwise, – she boldly declared.
- Thank you, – I nodded, quickly moving on before accidentally hearing anything else…
By lunchtime, our caravan was ready to move on. There were a few minor arguments.
- What are you doing here? – Toph asked Jun suspiciously.
- What's it to you, kid? – Jun lazily replied, – Of course, I'm here to follow my earthbender, – she finally answered.
- And this…? – Toph already guessed everything but wanted verbal confirmation.
- Roku, – Jun said with a sincere smile.
- Got it, hmph, – Toph turned away, puffing up and shooting me a look.
Toph was upset with me. It seems she didn't even understand why. Luckily, she gets over things quickly, and by the next day, the issue was forgotten. Still, it didn't change her attitude toward Jun.
Due to some issues with the Rhino Gang, we fell behind Lao's schedule. So, at a brief meeting, it was decided to take a shortcut through the Great Watershed. After all, Lao had plenty of other urgent matters waiting for him in Gaoling.
- It's you again, – Guide Jakubovich greeted us with a strange expression, looking at me. – Mr. Lao, I'd advise you to stay away from this guy. He'll lead you straight into the lair of the canyon roaches!
- Roku? – Lao Beifong turned to me questioningly.
- A couple of years ago, it was interesting to fight them, – I scratched my head, recalling that hunting season.
- Now I see why their population dropped so sharply, – the slightly stunned guide said, – How many did you take down? – he asked with an even stranger expression.
- A thousand? Two thousand? I don't really remember, – I genuinely pondered.
- The teacher is the strongest! – Toph shouted, with Jun nodding in agreement. Lately, I've been hearing those words far too often…
As we crossed the canyon, on the first night, representatives of the local fauna approached our campsite but… did nothing. Still, I could feel their intent to attack, and it was all focused on me.
- "They probably still remember me," – or rather, my raids on their nests.
Every night, Jun sneaked into my tent. She didn't ask for words of love or other romantic gestures; she was simply determined to win me over. It was an interesting experience, and I wouldn't say it was bad—just different.
- You understand I won't leave my other women, right? – I asked one night after another intense session.
- I understand, – she replied calmly.
- And… that's it? – I asked, almost lost.
- Sometimes we have to make sacrifices, – she replied thoughtfully, – I've never felt so fulfilled, and I'm not talking about something physical, – Jun added, noticing me looking at her chi, brimming with my essence, – I just want to be near you, not possess you.
That conversation clarified a lot for me. And I'm constantly grateful to fate for bringing such understanding women into my life.
The canyons quickly gave way to the steppe, seamlessly transitioning into forested terrain. Soon, the peak of a volcano disguised as a mountain came into view.
Yes, I'm back in Makapu Village.
It feels like I was here many years ago, though it was only two or three years. The village hasn't changed at all; the same unhurried, elevated atmosphere lingers in the air.
- Let's go faster, Roku! I heard there's a great fortune-teller here, Aunt Wu! – Toph began pulling me along.
- I don't really believe in that, – I resisted, putting on a straw hat. – Hey, take Jun with you instead. She's been wanting to know her future! – I winked at the mercenary.
- Alright, let's go, – Jun came to my rescue, taking Toph's attention.
While they were gone, I quickly headed to the volcano. It was still active, so the next thing I checked was the old trenches I'd dug during my last visit. Some had been filled in, but it wasn't critical. My skills in earthbending hadn't stagnated; this time, I made them deeper and wider.
Soon, a slightly puzzled Toph and a joyful Jun returned. Anyone else wouldn't have understood the former mercenary's true mood, as her face usually carries either an indifferent or condescending expression.
- Tell me everything, – Toph waited only for those words.
- The atmosphere was ten out of ten, but the prediction itself was strange, – Toph shared, – Aunt Wu said I'd gain many new sisters.
And I think I understand everything, but I won't jump to conclusions…
- I was told I've already found my happiness, – Jun said, giving me a tender look, slightly embarrassing me.
- Oh, please, spare me the sappy atmosphere, – Toph crossed her arms, rolling her eyes.
- You'll face this in the future too, – Jun noted.
- Me? – Toph pointed to herself dramatically, – Never gonna happen, – she declared firmly.
- Sure, sure, – Jun smirked.
With each new stop, our caravan grew smaller. There wasn't much cargo left, and we had only five or six places to visit. Soon, we'd complete a rough circle, returning to Gaoling Province.
- You absolutely must see this with your own eyes! A massive iceberg right in the middle of lifeless desert dunes! It's nothing short of a miracle! – Lao enthusiastically told us about our next destination.
- When were you there last? – I decided to clarify one troubling detail.
- I was about nine years old, – he replied, – But it feels like it was just yesterday. This will be only my second visit to the Misty Oasis…
Lao was so inspired that I couldn't bring myself to say what the Misty Oasis actually looks like now. A couple of times, Jun wanted to say something but stopped herself. The funniest part is that Toph, after listening to her father, was eager to see such an unusual place…
Soon, the clay walls of the settlement came into view, designed to reduce the ever-present sand.
In the center of the settlement was indeed an iceberg! Though it was perhaps a bit larger than what was shown in the animated series…
- A lot has changed here, – Lao mumbled awkwardly, trying not to look at Toph.
- Don't be too upset, Father, – Toph acted mature, patting her father on the shoulder. – We can order a bunch of huge icebergs from the Water Tribe and create thousands of misty oases, – that's the mindset of the wealthy…
There was absolutely nothing to do here. The only entertainment was probably the local bar, where they made delicious and refreshing mango drinks served in ice cups right in front of you.
- Now I understand why the iceberg is gone, – Lao muttered barely audibly, looking at his cup with a hint of resentment.
- Sir, – one of Lao's guards appeared unnoticed, – Some strange people are lurking near our caravan. Should we chase them off?
- Completely wrapped in rags and cloth? – he asked in return.
- Yes, – the guard confirmed.
- Toph, come see the sandbenders, – Lao quickly got up, calling his daughter.
Near our cargo, a group of several people stood seemingly uninterested, already spoken to by Lao. Due to the lack of water and supplies, desert tribes primarily survive through theft and robbery, but they have their own code of honor. For example, if you get lost in the desert and encounter sandbenders, you can count on them to guide you out. Often, you'll end up without money or valuables, but at least you'll be alive and unharmed.
- For a certain fee, they'll show us real sandbending techniques! – Lao said as soon as he returned to us.
Outside the city, three representatives of the desert dwellers, with sharp circular arm movements, created a small tornado that quickly grew in size.
- Cool, – Toph watched the display with shining eyes.
- Nothing special, – I said calmly, – I can show what true sand conquest is, – only I can be an authority to my students!
After all, did I suffer in the sands of the Spirit World for nothing?
- Roku, the more I learn about you, the more I feel like I don't know you at all! – Lao exclaimed, – Of course, show us!
Focusing, I quickly infused the sand with my chi and began making similar movements. Soon, my tornado was twice as large as theirs and had greater speed.
The sandbenders began scrutinizing my face, apparently trying to figure out which tribe I belonged to. After all, sandbending is their exclusive skill, and they don't teach outsiders.
- There you go, – I said smugly, basking in Toph and Jun's enthusiastic emotions.
After that, no noteworthy events occurred, and we peacefully returned to the Beifong territory. Poppy, who had been missing her daughter all these days, quickly took her away, and we likely won't see her for a while. Lao also rushed to his office—business waits for no one. As far as I know, throughout the journey, he made notes on a map indicating where to establish new trade routes, where to reduce trade volume, where to strengthen control, and many other similar work-related points.
Only toward the end of the journey did I realize how exhausted I was, so I quickly crashed, not even bothering with rabbit business.
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