Under great reputation, there are no idle people.
"Killing is never the goal, just a means to solidify one's reputation."
Mention "assassin", and one thinks of "Zoldyck", and then the "world's first assassin family"... through "reputation" indirectly "gathering faith"... Roy gradually understood that anyone who leaves a "reputation" in this world is invariably nourished by "faith".
Just as Netero founded "Shingen-ryu"... the Spider Group repeatedly committed major crimes and was classified as an A-level crime group... even Ging creating Greed Island probably had this in mind.
"I understand." All doubts disappeared, the boy's brow relaxed, and he respectfully bowed.
Maha waved his hand...
Roy turned in the sunlight and retreated, leaving a long shadow in the mottled corridor.
"Step... step..."
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away....
Suddenly, a faint voice drifted with the wind, catching up with the boy, saying: "On page seventeen of the book, there's something you want."
Roy paused in his steps, then moved again, leaving through the main door, heading straight for the forests.
In the depths of Kukuroo Mountain, by a pool of water.
The young butler was waiting with a sword, having been there for half a day.
At some moment, he adjusted the glasses on his nose and respectfully said, "Young master."
Roy walked closer on fallen leaves, examining him up and down, just looking at him deeply... making Wutong somewhat uncomfortable.
Feeling awkward, he didn't know why the young master was suddenly staring at him like this...
'Could it be that I've done something recently... that doesn't please the young master?'
Wutong's heart couldn't help but feel uncertain....
Fortunately, before he thought too much, Roy withdrew his gaze, watching the pool under the sunlight reflect shimmering waves. Reaching out, he manifested Shallow Strike, lifting a strand of water to begin practicing "Water Breathing".
"Watch closely."
The light of water and sword brightened in the depths of Kukuroo Mountain... Wutong lightly inhaled, his eyes coated with a layer of "Nen," and used Gyo to concentrate on capturing Roy's movements soon....
From "Water Wheel" to "Spinning Whirlpool" and then to "Flowing Stream"... even Roy's own creation "Phantom Sword: Water Mirror Sun Flame" were demonstrated one by one...
Wutong silently watched, and at some point, drew his sword, joining Roy in dancing, just as he and Tanjiro, alongside their father Tanjuro, learned the "Dance of the Fire God"... One master and one servant were in this desolate mountain forest, practicing sword by a clear pool, until the sun set and night fell... Only then did they stop.
[Tip: For the grace received, repaying with one's life is due]
[Detected a "follower", please proceed with the "conferral" ceremony immediately, bringing them under your command]
[Follower: Wutong (Note: Loyalty Overflowing)]
[Constitution: 217]
[Manifested Nen Amount: D+(9754/10000)]
[Potential Qi Amount: C- (1745/100000)]
"Whoosh~" The wind was torn apart as Roy sheathed his sword, bypassing the boy, and blew to another place.
Wutong stopped his actions, placed his right hand on his chest, knelt on one knee, and solemnly bowed, saying: "Thank you, young master, for bestowing the technique."
Roy, upon receiving the panel's prompt sound, stared at him in a daze, thoughts swirling, recalling... that day, the young butler told him he would become a guardian of this "sun" like a meteor, willing to set "Constraints and Oaths," and a Warm Current surged in his heart, instantly realizing——
Wutong had actually been waiting for him all along!
He had long been equipped with all the conditions to become a devout believer... until he learned through "cognition" about the path of "followers" and the "Power Of Faith", which then automatically activated the "follower panel".
"Young master... no need for you to seek me, I will transform to ashes myself." That night, the young butler's gentle smile was still vivid... Roy came back to his senses, raised his hand to place short taps on his left and right shoulders, speaking warmly: "Wutong, would you like to follow me from now on?"
"I could ask for nothing more." The young butler raised his head: "Young master jokes, unless you don't want me, otherwise, I will be sure to follow the young master."
[Tip: The "conferral" ceremony has been completed.]
[Follower "Wutong" is now bound.]
[Power Of Faith: 1 point.]
It appeared... the column belonging to Sand Worm....
Roy's gaze flickered, gently patting Wutong's shoulder: "Stand up."
"Yes."
The young butler rose with the sword, glanced at the sky, and followed Roy out of the forest, preparing to have dinner.
"The 'Breathing Technique' doesn't necessarily require a sword; I let you hold a sword just to get familiar with the rhythm, and once you fully grasp it, you must follow your own habitual practices in choosing 'Ko' or 'Ko', never going against your own 'System' ...."
The young master's instructions, he would inevitably carry them out... Wutong thought, appearing again... pushing the dining cart to Roy's bedroom.
The darkness of early spring fell early.
By seven in the evening, it was already so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of you.
At this time, the room's lights were already on, the boy was sitting at the dining table, flipping through "West Continent Chronicles"... Wutong, seeing this, remained silent, afraid of disturbing Roy, gently laid the dinner in front of him.
Tonight's dinner was beef burgers with seasonal vegetable salad, also with the ever-present milk... focusing on balanced nutrition.
Without lifting his head, Roy took a bite of the beef burger while eating, spreading the book on the dining table, turning to the page Maha had assigned him, and read... immediately, a line of small letters caught his eye....
"On the Relationship between 'Nenryoku' and 'Faith'"
[I previously said that [Gods] feed on [Faith], and because of [Faith], they become exceptionally powerful]
[According to our understanding of "Nenryoku", it is often developed through the processes of [Ten] [Zetsu] [Ren] [Hatsu], incrementally exploring the 'Nen' of our human body. The concept always lingers on excavating our [selves]]