A Memory – Heaven's Mercy, 2044 (Past Timeline)
A young man ran hastily through a forest chased by a large beast, however, if one were to look closely they could tell that the young man wasn't afraid or clumsily running for his life. In fact, one would notice a large smile on that young man's face. He nimbly jumped over roots and foliage alike, swiftly evading any attacks the frustrated beast might throw his way.
Suddenly the young man stopped after reaching a certain area, he then turned around showing his bright smile to the beast. The beast which resembled a panther with bright red thorny brambles weaving up its legs suddenly paused. The beast was not stupid, it refused to enter the clearing its prey had stopped in. It did not understand human behavior, but it was smart enough to know that its once fleeing prey was now standing boldly before it without any fears.
The young man smiled, seeing the bramble panther's trepidation, it was just as his master had said, sometimes one needed to stand their ground in order to avoid a fight. Although he could take the panther easily, that was not the point of this exercise, this was meant to hone one's intent. Learning how to control one's killing intent and also learning how to unleash it on targeted individuals was important when it came to hiding your capabilities.
Finally feeling that it was time, the youth unleashed all his killing intent at the bramble panther. This was different from unleashing one's cultivation, unlike cultivation which relied on taking control of the area's qi with your authority, killing intent relied on subconscious signals intercepted from the brain. Anyone with good experience would feel this, likewise anyone without experience wouldn't be that effected, but they would still feel uncomfortable.
Feeling a dangerous sensation coming out of nowhere the bramble panther stood absolutely still, as if a mighty predator had descended upon its insignificant territory. When the panther threw a sidelong glance to see how the human was reacting its pupils suddenly dilated. At that moment the bramble panther was cursing its luck for being born with half a brain, if it had a full brain maybe it would have known better than to chase its own death.
The absolute silence of the forest was suddenly broken with the sound of clapping.
"Clap…Clap….Clap"
"Very good, but still unrefined. Have you noticed? The entire forest is silent, not even a single bird dares to sing a note." A voice suddenly called to the youth in the clearing.
The youth sighed already knowing that he had messed up, he had released his killing intent all at once instead of letting it build up. It was equivalent to getting a loud speaker and promising death to everyone within a certain range. The point of this exercise was to make your enemy feel like Death itself was whispering in their ear and personally showing them the way to the Yellow River.
"Sorry Master." The youth bowed in a certain direction.
However, in the next moment an old man walked into the clearing in the complete opposite direction the youth had bowed to. The old man clicked his tongue, "Your making progress but you need to focus your mind's eye."
The old man smiled at him, though with his cultivation and his outward vigor one would mistake him for a mischievous uncle who would slip their favorite nephew some devil's lettuce. His head was bald, incredibly so, not even eyebrows adorned his face.
The youth flinched, but his master had once again showed him that there was a difference between raw and refined talent. The youth saw the old man that was his master. He had saved him from an unwinnable fight, the fight he had lost his family in, ever since then Gu Erin had promised at their graves that he would become stronger and always live with the shame of his failure. The old man had taken pity on him and promised to teach him, liking the look in the youth's eyes.
During their entire time together, the old man would always brag about his students and always described his old home, the North Spirit Dojo.
***
Present Day – North Spirit Dojo
Gu Erin looked around at the Dojo, every detail had been explained to him at some point, and he now learned how accurate the old man's words were. Gu Erin walked forward step by step the sound of each footfall seeming to silence the world around him. This was his intention, in his past life he hadn't had the chance to show the old man how much he had grown, so he would show him in this life. Hopefully that old baldy has some more tricks up his sleeve to show him.
Stepping into the dojo he found it quite silent as a familiar face welcomed him at the door. For a second the old man's eyes went wide before narrowing. "Welcome to the North Spirit Dojo…. How can I help you?" His voice sounded more horse than he remembered it, but knew that as soon as the old man started to cultivate he would regain his youthful vigor.
Gu Erin stood there for a second taking in the old man, he had been his pillar of support for months after his family's death and he had sworn eternal gratitude to the man. Only the Heavens would know what his outcome would have been without him. So, he would do everything to repay this favor.
Gu Erin cupped his hands and bowed, "Greetings Senior, this junior is Gu Erin, and would like to share a word with you." His voice was filled with respect and when he straightened he noticed the old baldy's expression. Gu Erin was sure that if the old man had eyebrows one would certainly be raised.
Gu Erin then shifted his gaze to the open hall behind the old man, it was filled with thirty or so people all of them in the process of going through stances. Gu Erin recognized them as the old man had taught him these same stances in the past.
"I see, its rare to meet a young aura master, but you still have a few things to learn." The old man said with a slight smile.
Gu Erin had to hold himself back from flinching, more? There was more? Shaking his head Gu Erin couldn't help but reveal a mirthful smile. "This one would appreciate your guidance."
The old man gestured for Gu Erin to follow him, and Gu Erin immediately did so, taking in the appearance of the old dojo. It may have looked run down on the outside, but gave off an ancient and majestic feeling on the inside, as if it had seen countless prodigies within its walls. He walked behind the old man but noticed that he was far slower than he remembered, he had forgotten that Heaven's Mercy had given many a second chance. The old became livelier, the injured and disabled found themselves quickly healed, this was all thanks to cultivation.
Finally the old baldy led him to the back of the dojo where Gu Erin knew there was a courtyard, this was the old man's favorite place and Gu Erin had longed to see it. He had visited the North Spirit Dojo, but by the time Heaven's Mercy ended the world everyone once knew had been either destroyed or changed beyond recognition.
They walked to a short table with a few cushions around it, the mild air and slight breeze gave the courtyard a peaceful aura. After sitting down the old man looked Gu Erin up and down, he could already see the old man trying to figure out how such a scrawny looking youth could cultivate such skills in the hidden field of aura control.
"This old man is called Lee Shio-Ming, he is also known as the finest and most handsome martial artist in Jianghai. Do not worry young man, this old man will treat you well as long as you become this old man's disciple!" The baldy pompously introduced himself, Gu Erin nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, sure enough this old man was just as shameless as he remembered.
Gu Erin held back his laughter, but thinking of the reason behind his visit he grew serious. "Hey old man, I need you to do me a favor, this is going to sound strange but the lives of your disciples depend on it." He said slowly.
Lee Shio-Ming straightened as a powerful aura pressed down on Gu Erin. In return Gu Erin felt some cold sweat running down his back. He didn't resist the aura knowing that this was not a threat and more of a promise, the old man valued his disciples above all else. Sure enough, after a few seconds of the mountain like pressure it slowly subsided.
'Explain." Lee Shio-Ming said, his voice no longer as friendly as it was before.
Gu Erin took a breath, now came the hard part. "There will be a world-shaking event tomorrow, and everyone will be affected. So I'll need you to tell your disciples and your family to accept what this change will offer. Once They do they should elect to go to a place called Haymire village."
The old man seemed to ease up a bit, though his sharp stare soon transformed into one of confusion. "A world-shaking change hmm… and what change is that?" he asked.
Gu Erin smiled, already expecting something along these lines. "Old man Lee all I'm asking is that you take my words to heart, and you spread the information I just told you to your disciples."
The old man leaned forward resting his chin on his palm, carefully sizing Gu Erin up and down, it was as if he had found a puzzle that he couldn't quite solve.
"Hmmm, how about this, this old man will listen to you if you spar with a certain someone." He offered slowly, Gu Erin could already tell that he had taken his words, but he was also curious on who this old man wanted him to fight.
"I accept this spar. If junior can ask who does senior want me to spar with?" Gu Erin asked back.
A faint genuine smile appeared on Lee Shio-Ming's face. "His name is Lee Tao. He is my grandson."
Gu Erin immediately froze.
***
A little devil sat huddled in a corner of his dark room counting stones of power over and over again.
"Two Hehe, two Hehe." The little devil rocked back and forth before shivering in excitement. "Brother Shockwave is so good to me, he even took my first comment away Hehe, he's taking all my firsts." The little devil wriggled on the floor like a mental patient sending loose pages and books flying.
The door suddenly opened revealing a Daoist in fine robes, the little devil froze, he was not sure if this Daoist came in peace or not. But, then the Daoist threw the little devil two more stones.
"Little devil this Daoist is known as Lonnie, this Daoist has read your writing and found them amusing, take those stones, they will help in the Dao of writing." Daoist Lonnie told the little devil.
Immediately after those words were spoken, the little devil broke out in tears and threw himself at the Daoist. Daoist Lonnie jumped away a disgusted look appearing on his face.
The devil looked up crocodile tears pouring out of his eyes. "Brother Daoist Lonnie we are eternal broth-!" But, before he could continue the robed figure quickly fled. He had known how shameless the little devil was from Brother Shockwave but he underestimated the little devil's shamelessness.
After the door closed the little devil looked at the two stones on the book riddled floor before turning his reddened gaze on his type writer. "Write! I must write for Brother Lonnie."
Again, the sound of the type writer rang out and all the editors ran in terror, the little devil was at it again.