The Grand Duelist

"What the heck?" Joseph blurted out a curse.

Alice promptly explained, "Sect Master Taric and my grandpa are the best of friends. Sect Master Taric was a fighting maniac back then who wanted to do nothing other than swing his sword and look for fights. One day, he challenged my grandpa in a battle and he managed to overwhelm my grandpa when it comes to the way of the sword..."

"Unfortunately, before the battle could be decided. Grandpa broke his prized sword. In the end, he lost, not because he was weak, but because the quality of his weapon was far worse than Grandpa. He vowed since then that he'll become a proper blacksmith while also keeping his attention on practicing his way of the sword."

"Now, he's a genuine Advanced Blacksmith and as for his Way of the Sword. He's now a Sword Connoisseur, a Realm higher than me who is only a Sword Adept." 

"I... I see..." Joseph could only awkwardly scratch his head upon hearing Alice's lengthy explanation. He only wanted a nutshell but Alice gave him everything that he needed to know. But there was still something that Joseph was curious about.

"Why does he want to inspect my sword? Is it because he wants to use it as an inspiration material to break through the next realm since he's probably stuck for so long as an Advanced Blacksmith?" Joseph casually asked. But each word that he said struck deep into Sect Master Taric's heart, making him feel as if he would die of indignance.

"You got it right!"

"So, what's your decision? Are you willing to let him borrow?" Alice asked with this sweet smile on her face.

Joseph pondered for a while before asking, "I just want to be sure, but are you sure that he's not going to run away with my weapon?"

"Of course, not! Damn, you're really quite rude, you brat!" Sect Master Taric immediately barked.

"What did you say?" Joseph raised an eyebrow and displayed a look of anger.

Sect Master Taric didn't say anything anymore. He felt quite indignant, but he knew that since he's the one that needed the help of the other the most, he must stay humble and obey their instructions.

Lily remained silent and observed everything from the side. She was quite shocked to see that Joseph swiftly domesticated this fierce-looking Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect. As expected of someone whom she has her eyes own! A man like that couldn't possibly be ordinary!

Lily was even more determined.

No matter what, even if she's branded as a shameless slut!

He won't let go of Joseph!

What's the use of dignity and shame?

Can you eat that?

Money was more important!

Lily clenched her fists and reaffirmed her resolve.

But then...

"May I ask any uninvolved person here to get out of the room? Something important is about to happen and we can't let any random joe to witness what's about to happen." Alice made a sidelong glance at Lily and spoke with the same sweet smile on her face. The only difference was that her eyes were radiating danger instead of kindness.

Lily glared at Alice and didn't back down. She just reaffirmed her resolve that she would stick like gum on Joseph. How could she possibly leave? Wouldn't she lose her face that way? 

She glanced at Joseph in a somewhat begging manner, but Joseph merely shook his head and said.

"This is really important, Lily. I hope you won't take offense, but what's about to happen next doesn't concern you at all."

"You..."

"Joseph!"

"How could you do this to me?"

"Doesn't concern me at all? We're friends, right? Why are you trying to push me away?"

Joseph furrowed his eyebrows, "I'm not pushing you away, Lily. Can you please just listen to what I'm saying? Don't make things too difficult for me. Just head out, okay? I'll be back after everything's over. Be obedient for now, all right?"

Joseph let out a sigh.

He was helpless as well.

He knew that Lily had ulterior motives. It was painfully obvious when her attitude suddenly changed for the better. But Joseph just couldn't push her away like this. After all, she was his one and only friend and if he did push her away. He would truly lose everything that he had in the outside world.

He already lost his parents, was he willing to lose his remaining friend too?

Joseph shook his head and Lily stormed out of the room with an indignant and frustrated look on her face.

Sect Master Taric furrowed his eyebrows and when the doors of the room closed.

He waved his hand and activated a formation hidden within the room.

Magical runes abruptly appeared throughout the room and after pulsating for a few seconds. They vanished like bubbles, never reappearing again.

"What was that?" Joseph asked.

Sect Master Taric smiled, "Just some anti-eavesdropping measures. I noticed that even though that girl earlier came with you, you seemed to have no trust in her whatsoever. This is why I decided to activate the formation. You're not going to blame me for what I did, right?"

Alice answered for Joseph, "No, we're not going to blame you for what you did. In fact, we are grateful."

Hearing Alice's words, Joseph was forced to nod his head in agreement.

Sect Master Taric shook his head and didn't say anything anymore.

Alice then spoke, "Joseph, can you explain your relationship with her to me?"

Joseph nodded his head.

Alice was someone whom he already considered as his wife.

Why would he hide secrets from his wife?

Furthermore, Joseph was also quite grateful for Alice since even though she knew nothing about what was going on...

She understood that he also has his own difficulties. He was grateful that she didn't ruin his plans.

Joseph then proceeded to explain everything about Lily.

In the end, Alice was finally enlightened as to what was going on between Lily and Joseph.

But she was still quite confused.

"If that's true, then why are you still with her? Why not just tell her to fuck off?" Alice was so baffled regarding Joseph's current situation that she forgot to keep her manners in check and subconsciously cursed instead.

Joseph lifted a bitter smile. Of course, he knew what Alice was thinking.

Letting out a sigh.

He replied...

"Have you heard of the Sunk Cost Fallacy?"