Chapter 36: Visiting

Chapter 36: Visiting

Sister gave Bran a thumbs up and said, “This works? She really came.”

Early in the morning, a guest arrived at the Mountain Villa. That young lady from yesterday came running over. People willing to listen were rare anywhere; once found, they wouldn’t be easily given up. Feeling a bit nervous, she was invited to the second floor of the Mountain Villa. There, she saw that clean-cut idiot—no, she didn’t want to describe him as an idiot anymore.

At that moment, Bran was lounging in a rocking chair. That Black Cat held onto one of his arms and curled up on his belly. No one else was around. It was very quiet, as if specifically waiting for her arrival. The girl naturally sat in another rocking chair not far away, then hesitated, seemingly unsure how to continue yesterday’s conversation. But fortunately, Bran didn’t show impatience or any other emotion. He was still gently, intermittently rocking the chair. So, the girl soon began to talk.

Bran and the Black Cat occasionally made “hmm” sounds or purrs, showing they were still listening and not asleep. The peaceful atmosphere made the girl relax more and more. As she spoke, her mood became increasingly cheerful. When she got thirsty, she casually picked up the water jug nearby and poured herself a cup to wet her mouth and throat, feeling completely at ease, as if visiting an old friend’s home.

The girl looked sideways at Bran beside her. Now, there was a trace of a smile on his lips. Although his eyes were slightly closed, the amusement at the corners couldn’t be hidden. Where was there even a hint of an idiot look?

…

Older brothers and sisters were often disasters for younger siblings. At least, that was the case for this girl in front of them. Her brother had also tracked her to the Mountain Villa and was now standing beside his younger sister, adopting a stance of strict vigilance. The originally warm atmosphere was completely gone. A tense standoff began to show, though this time it was more about the sister’s unspeakable anger towards her brother.

Bran thought to himself, Brother, your timing is really bad. We two confidantes were just getting to a key point. How dare you listen to matters between confidantes!?

At this moment, this big brother also wore an expression of frustration, as if blaming his sister for not living up to his expectations. What’s so good about this idiot? Why bother cozying up to this idiot for no reason? But the problem seemed not to be this idiot’s fault. So now, he faced his sister with a look of indignation and a forceful attitude of “I’m doing this for your own good.”

The turning point came with the arrival of another pair of visitors—that pair of Little Dragon Riders also entered the Mountain Villa. So, everyone from the villa who had been hiding and watching the commotion appeared one after another.

The addition of Bran’s Sisters eased the atmosphere. The four girls began softly discussing clothing styles. This was somewhat unfair to the Northlanders. Bran felt this was clearly the Little Dragon Girl’s malicious intent. Her attire was the most elegant present, while his own Sisters could only be considered supporting roles. Fortunately, in terms of size, we Northlanders still had some intimidation factor, though that didn’t seem much of an advantage among women.

If he didn’t need the identity of an Idiot, Bran really wanted to jump up and teach this girl what plain simplicity and what inner beauty were. Meanwhile, the conversation between the two little men nearby gradually annoyed Bran. What could men do when together? Of course, show off their muscles, especially in a World where martial prowess prevailed.

As for the Little Dragon Boy, a future high-level combatant, he was still in a transition period and didn’t have too obvious an advantage among juveniles. But a person’s reputation and a tree’s shadow—he came from a good background. So, that brother who protected his sister deliberately, intentionally or not, aimed his spear at Bran, the famous Northlander Idiot.

The Little Dragon Boy was self-aware and unwilling to bare his fangs during his childhood. So, he also threw stones at someone who fell down a well, following suit and aiming his spear at Bran.

From their perspective, they weren’t wrong. An Idiot likely couldn’t understand words. As long as they just talked in front of him and weren’t too hurtful, no one would mind. At least they wouldn’t mind…

Unfortunately, Bran wasn’t a real Idiot. A person’s disguise and patience had their limits. So, Bran decided to teach these two kids a lesson. You can eat recklessly, but you can’t speak recklessly.

…

Bran opened his eyes, stood up holding the cat without any delay. The moment he rose, the two little men beside him even sensed a sharp, fierce aura. Where did he look like an Idiot? But when the two paid closer attention, Bran still wore an expressionless Idiot face.

Bran getting up made everyone around stop talking. Looking in the direction Bran was heading, Lily felt some excitement and agitation. She completely guessed Bran’s intention. So, she signaled her little girlfriends and the two little men to follow Bran.

Finally, Bran arrived at the Training Ground. He placed the Black Cat in his arms to the side, then slowly walked to the center of the Training Ground. He turned to face that pair of youths. Now, Bran slightly raised his face, half-closed his eyes, and looked down on them with that unique Northlander scornful demeanor, from a superior position, full of disdain, spreading his hands open by his sides.

This appearance first angered that brother who protected his sister. He took off the sword he carried and threw it on the ground, spread his hands to show he carried no weapons, and swaggered towards Bran. Then, he paid a heavy price for his carelessness. As he approached Bran, almost within reach, he saw Bran take half a step forward, one hand swinging towards his face with that half step. He heard a crisp, loud sound, then felt his face twist to the other side. But it wasn’t over. After that hand swung past, it whipped back. Accompanying another crisp sound, it slapped his twisted face back. Then, a third strike followed closely. The hand that whipped back swung forward again, only this time using the twisting force from the previous two swings. The sound when it struck his face was no longer crisp but extremely dull. This was the truly decisive blow, spinning him halfway around. He could see his sister’s shocked and pained expression. He could see the bluish-white sky. He could recall his father’s warning: “Don’t display your martial valor in front of Northlanders, because—you’re not worthy.” Finally, everything felt unreal. The whole World flickered on and off.

Bran still spread his hands open by his sides, only his gaze towards the Little Dragon Boy became even more disdainful. All the non-malicious scorn and all the disregard that Northlanders had accumulated over the years, at this moment, along with the three slaps Bran delivered, finally gathered into a beam in Bran’s half-closed eyes, forming an emotion of rejection and disgust.

Thus, Bran understood the feeling he had long been unable to truly describe. The long-suppressed emotions showed signs of somewhat uncontrollably erupting, so that lonely child returned, only now carrying an additional air of ferocity.

This sense of loneliness made the watching girls feel heartache. That ferocity made the Little Dragon Boy feel somewhat guilty. When Bran stepped forward, pressing towards the Little Dragon Boy, Danny, who had been watching from afar, sensed something was wrong. She rushed over, embraced Bran, and then stood up and left.

Because of this fight, the visit ended early. The children also returned to their respective homes, each looking for their own mothers.

…

Bran said to Danny, “You were right.” Then he pointed to his own head, “No one knows when…”

…

“That Manor inside was really beautiful! Not at all like something Northlanders made. The furnishings were exquisite too, look! How pretty!” Saying this, she took a teacup lid from her bosom. “Look at this pattern, I’ve never seen it before.”

“You actually stole their stuff!?”

“Still better than you!” The Little Dragon Girl wore an unhappy expression as she tattled. “Facing a challenge, he was actually scared and didn’t dare enter the ring. If Sister Danny hadn’t taken that Idiot away, he would have definitely run.”

The Little Dragon Boy said guiltily, “Nonsense, you’re making that up.”

Dragon Rider Father said, “There’s a saying in the Northlands, remember it from now on: only those who survive are excellent. Even if it’s an Idiot, it’s a living Idiot…”

“Hmm, also, remember to bring that cup back tomorrow.”

“This works?”

“Hmm, they’ll give it to you tomorrow. Just don’t refuse it. Sometimes Northlanders are quite lovely. You must remember, don’t set your sights on their weapons. That can really cost lives.” Then he glanced sideways at his own boy. “And you, next time remember to just brag about how awesome we Dragon Knights are. Don’t argue with those barbarians. You say they can’t fight? Those barbarians will fight to show you. What was the result? Got slapped three times by an Idiot. Luckily you weren’t stupid enough to be the main target.”

…

“It’s nothing, he’ll be fine after sleeping for two days. This beating wasn’t unjust. Remember this lesson and cause less trouble in the future.”

“These Dragon Knights, from old to young, are no good. Using my son as a tool. Stay away from them from now on…”

…

Every family had its own matters to attend to. Every family had its own children to worry about. But how many could truly remember the lesson? And some conflicts often also meant the beginning of friendships.