Cultivation is Creation

I stood before Wu Kangming, trying to find the right words to defuse what was rapidly becoming a classic cultivation novel scenario.

"Brother Wu," I said, managing what I hoped was a disarming smile, "I was planning to look for you. There's something I wanted to clarify before any misunderstandings could arise."

Wu Kangming's eyes narrowed, his hand resting casually on the plain sword at his side. "Is this about your relationship with my fiancée?"

"Ex-fiancée," Azure corrected, though thankfully Wu Kangming couldn’t hear that comment.

I shook my head. "What relationship? That's exactly what I wanted to clear up. I don't have any relationship with Senior Sister Wu Lihua. I barely know her." I spread my hands in what I hoped conveyed that I’m harmless. "We've had maybe two conversations, both of which consisted mainly of me trying to politely excuse myself."

Wu Kangming went very still, and for a moment his eyes seemed to lose focus, as if he was listening to something – or someone – that I couldn't hear. I had to suppress a smile.

If my theory about him having a Sword Saint's ghost as a mentor was correct, hopefully the ancient spirit was talking some sense into him. Heaven knows these protagonist types needed all the common sense they could get.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few seconds, Wu Kangming's eyes refocused. He studied me carefully, and I had the distinct impression I was being evaluated by more than one set of eyes. Finally, he nodded slowly. "I've been watching you both. You don't seem to be lying."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Exactly. Look, I have no interest in getting involved in... whatever is happening between you two. I'm just trying to focus on my cultivation and survive long enough to see the next festival season. So there’s really no need for any bad blood between us."