As he studied the disheveled old man before him, a strange thought crossed Xing Jue's mind.
There was something… off about this guy.
He couldn't put his finger on it…
His soul power wasn't picking up on anything unusual. According to his senses, the old man was nothing more than an ordinary, frail old man. And yet…
Xing Jue couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.
"You're dead! " The burly man roared, struggling to his feet.
He brushed the dust off his clothes, his face contorted with rage. Balling his hands into fists, he charged towards the old man, intent on revenge.
The old man threw his hands up in a feeble attempt to shield himself, his eyes wide with mock terror.
"Thud! "
A hand, deceptively small, shot out, intercepting the burly man's attack with ease.
Xing Jue tightened his grip, his expression cold.
"Attacking an elderly man… " He shook his head, his disappointment evident in his voice. "Are you proud of yourself? "
"I… I…" The color drained from the burly man's face as a jolt of pain shot up his arm. How… How could this boy… be so strong?! "It's not… It's not how it looks! He… He was trying to dine and dash! I was just… teaching him a lesson! I wasn't going to hurt him… Really! " A wave of dizziness washed over him. This kid… He'd barely used any force, and yet… he felt like he'd been hit by a runaway carriage! This brat… He was no ordinary martial artist...
"I'll take care of his bill," Xing Jue said, cutting him off.
Turning to the old man, he offered him a warm smile. "Are you alright? "
"Heh heh, I'm fine, I'm fine," the old man chuckled, revealing a set of crooked, yellow teeth. He didn't seem the least bit fazed by the altercation.
Xiaoqian, however, was less than impressed. Grimacing, she turned away, suppressing a shudder. This old man… he was really pushing the limits of her tolerance for filth.
Completely oblivious to their reactions, the old man continued chuckling to himself. That is… until his gaze landed on their untouched feast.
"My, my, this is quite a spread! You planning on finishing all of this yourselves?"
"There's plenty to go around, old timer! Why don't you join us?" Xing Jue offered, amusement flickering in his eyes. This old man… he was certainly a character.
"Well now, wouldn't say no to that!" he said, his eyes brightening at the prospect of a free meal. "You're too kind! A true gentleman!" Without waiting for a proper invitation, he grabbed an empty chair and plopped down, completely at ease.
"That dirty, freeloading…" The waiter glared at them, shaking his head, but he was smart enough not to say anything.
"Bring us some more food, please," Xing Jue called out to him.
"Right away, sir! " the waiter responded brightly. But as he turned to leave, the old man piped up.
"And bring us a jar of your finest Liang Manor wine! "
Xing Jue grinned, cutting the waiter off before he could protest.
"You heard the man! Bring us what he wants!"
The waiter hesitated for a split second, glancing nervously at Xing Jue. He really didn't want to upset this kid. He looked like the type who held grudges…
Grumbling under his breath about entitled brats and their freeloading friends, he retreated downstairs.
"So," Xing Jue turned back to the old man, his grin widening. "How's the food?"
"I've had better, but it's… serviceable!" the old man replied, shoveling food into his mouth with gusto. His enjoyment, despite his earlier complaints, was evident.
"Master…" Xiaoqian leaned in, keeping her voice low. "Why are you being so nice to him?" She really didn't understand what Xing Jue saw in this man. He reeked, his table manners were atrocious, and as far as she could tell… He was completely ordinary. Not even a martial artist, let alone someone worthy of Xing Jue's respect.
Xing Jue simply chuckled, gesturing for her to take a seat and relax.
To be honest.. He wasn't entirely sure himself.
Despite his soul power sensing nothing out of the ordinary… something about this old man was… intriguing.
"Hmm…" The old man paused between bites, his eyes narrowing as he studied Xiaoqian.
"Something wrong, old timer? " Xing Jue's brow furrowed.
"You…" The old man jabbed a finger at Xiaoqian, his expression grave. "There's something wrong with you."
"What?!" Xiaoqian couldn't help but gasp, her composure momentarily forgotten.
Even Xing Jue, used to the old man's eccentricities by now, was taken aback.
"I'm fine! Perfectly healthy! " Xiaoqian snapped, her cheeks flushing with indignation. "Don't go around spouting nonsense, old man! "
Deep down… She was both curious and afraid of what the old man might say.
Could he… Could he really tell?
"You've suffered severe soul damage, girl! Ignoring it won't make it go away! " The old man sighed, shaking his head sadly. "If you don't address it immediately… You can kiss your cultivation progress goodbye! "
"S-Senior!" Xing Jue blurted out, unable to contain himself any longer. He had to know. "You're right! She is injured! Please! We need your help! Tell me… What can we do for her? I'll repay you any way I can!"
"What are you talking about, kid? Senior? I'm just a homeless old man… at death's door! I'm far too old for this! This girl's injuries… They're far beyond my humble abilities!"
Despair washed over Xing Jue.
No…
This couldn't be happening…
Was there truly no hope for Xiaoqian?
Sensing his despair, Xiaoqian hurried to reassure him, forcing a bright smile onto her face.
"Don't listen to him, Master. He has no idea what he's talking about! I'm fine! I'm fine! " But her words rang hollow, even to her own ears.
"Say, kid… You're really intent on curing this girl, aren't you?" The old man grinned, wiping his greasy hands on his even greasier sleeve.
"More than anything!" Xing Jue's voice was laced with urgency, his gaze unwavering.
"I may not be able to heal her myself…" The old man paused, savoring their anticipation. "But… I know someone who can."
"Please! Tell me! Who? Where?!" Hope flared in Xing Jue's chest.
"Ever heard of Herb Mountain Estate?" The old man leaned back, watching them closely.
"To be honest, Senior, I haven't." Xing Jue replied sheepishly. "I'm not from the Netherworld Empire. This land… It's all quite new to me."
"Oh? You're not from around here, are you? Intriguing!" The old man's smile widened, revealing a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Tell me, boy… Where are you from?"
"The Imperial Wind Empire, Senior."
"No wonder! No wonder!" The old man chuckled. "Well then, consider this an old man's gift! A crash course on the Netherworld Empire! Trust me… It'll do you good!"
Xing Jue's heart leaped. "I'm all ears, Senior! "
Finally… Finally, there was hope.
"We are in the Eastern Province of the Tianwu Continent! " The old man began dramatically, warming to his subject. "And there are three great empires in this province! Your Imperial Wind Empire… This little place we call the Netherworld Empire… And last, but certainly not least… The Nanggong Empire!"
"The Imperial Wind Empire is ruled by the Imperial Wind Sect. You know that much, I presume." He paused again, letting the weight of his words sink in. "And the Nanggong Empire… It's ruled, no… dominated… by the Nanggong Family! They're not to be trifled with, kid. They are… without a doubt... the most formidable power in the Eastern Province!"
Despite himself, Xing Jue felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew, of course, that there were three empires in the Eastern Province. But to think that there existed a power that surpassed even the formidable Imperial Wind Sect… It was… humbling…
Old Man Feng… He'd been right.
The world was vast.
"Now…" He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The Netherworld Empire… It's a little… different from its neighbors. We don't have a single, all-powerful ruler. We have… a power struggle brewing!"
"Intriguing, isn't it?" He chuckled, savoring Xing Jue's rapt attention. "Two formidable forces… Locked in a deadly dance! On one hand… You have the Netherworld Palace! And on the other… Herb Mountain Estate!"
The old man threw up his hands. "Now, the Netherworld Palace… They're your typical power-hungry bunch… Not that dissimilar from the Imperial Wind Sect or the Nanggong Family. But Herb Mountain Estate… Ah… Now those guys are something else!"
"They're no match for the Netherworld Palace in terms of pure power. But don't let that fool you, kid! They hold their own… And for good reason!"
He leaned back again, his expression smug. "Tell me, boy… Why do you think that is?"
Xing Jue frowned, racking his brain.
Why indeed?
The law of the strong was absolute, wasn't it? The strong ruled. The weak submitted.
Why was Herb Mountain Estate any different?
"Hah! I knew you wouldn't know! You're still wet behind the ears, kid! But I admire your curiosity!" He winked at Xiaoqian, who was listening just as intently as Xing Jue.
"It's simple, really… Herb Mountain Estate… They're masters of their craft! Their name… It's a bit on the nose, if you think about it! Pill concoction! They're the best there is! Nobody… And I mean NOBODY … Can touch them! They brew potions and elixirs that would make even a dying man beg for more!"
"Pills for injuries, for strength, for… who knows what else they've got hidden away in that mountain of theirs! The point is… They've got friends. Powerful friends. "
He lowered his voice, leaning in so close that Xing Jue could smell the remnants of his lunch.
"Let's just say… The Imperial Wind Sect and the Nanggong Family… They owe Herb Mountain Estate a few favors… or a hundred. " He chuckled, a hint of malice in his voice. "Tell me… Knowing that… Do you really think the Netherworld Palace would ever dare to make a move against them?"
"That's… incredible." Xing Jue struggled to find the words. To think that such a force existed!
"It gets better, kid! Fortune smiles upon you today! Today… as we speak… Herb Mountain Estate is hosting their infamous Rising Stars Convention! And what, you might ask, is the prize for winning this little competition?" He took a theatrical pause, his eyes twinkling.
"A little something called… the Soul Condensation Pill!"
"A… a Soul Condensation Pill? " Xing Jue choked, astonishment radiating off of him in waves. For a moment, he was completely speechless.
"A genuine, low-grade Earth ranked pill! " The old man's voice practically dripped with reverence. "And trust me, kid… This pill… It'll cure your little friend here in a heartbeat!"
"Amazing! " Xing Jue's head spun. He'd heard tales, rumors even, of such miraculous pills, but… to think he'd ever encounter one in real life! This Herb Mountain Estate was truly something else! He turned back to the old man, his heart pounding.
"Senior, how… How does one enter this Rising Stars Convention?"
"Now that… That I cannot tell you, kid. But what I do know… is that it starts in three days at Herb Mountain Estate!" The old man chuckled. "And word on the street is that everyone and their mother will be there! Seems our younger generation is particularly interested in… enhancing… their soul power!"
He winked at them, his meaning clear.
"And keep that in mind, boy! Unlike battle prowess, soul power doesn't come from training! You either have it… or you don't! This little pill… It's basically a shortcut to greatness! One that many would kill for!"
"Thank you, Senior! " Xing Jue's heart overflowed with gratitude. This old man… he'd just handed them a lifeline! A glimmer of hope! He quickly rose to his feet, Xiaoqian mirroring him unconsciously. "We won't forget this. But I'm afraid we must be on our way…" Turning to the old man, he bowed deeply. "You have my deepest gratitude, Senior. I hope to repay your kindness someday. But first… we must get to Herb Mountain Estate! "
As he made his way out of the restaurant, he couldn't resist urging Xiaoqian forward. They had no time to lose!
"Hey! Wait! At least tell me your name! "
"A simple mountain man like myself? I have no need for a name, kid! " He waved a hand dismissively. "Just consider it a good deed! Now off with you! Time waits for no man… or a man with a sick girlfriend, for that matter!"
Xiaoqian blushed, aghast.
"Girlfriend?! He… He's my Master!"
The old man roared with laughter.
"Master? And she calls him Master! How adorable! " He winked at Xing Jue, who was already out the door.
"Xiaoqian! That's no way to talk to our elder!" Xing Jue shot a warning glance towards Xiaoqian. Turning back to the old man, he smiled apologetically. "Apologies, Senior. You've done more than enough for us already. We're in your debt! Hopefully, we'll meet again! And if we do… the next meal is on me!"
And with that, he finally managed to extract Xiaoqian from the restaurant.
The old man watched them go from his window-side seat, a strange, knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Master, hm? Interesting… Very interesting."