Page 59: Old man will not be weak anymore

Long Bai returned to the wide courtyard as he waited for Senior Jun to return but thinking of how long it would take to buy some food from the nearby market, he started to feel puzzled. It shouldn't have taken that long since it only took him a few couple of minutes to travel such distance from last time.

With the passing minute, Long Bai curiously began to wonder. Instead of waiting, he decided to follow Old Jun to the market. He thought that maybe the old senior bought too much that caused him to require more time to walk.

After walking for ten minutes, he reached the busy street market. Many sorts of merchandise are displayed and more even to food related products. The smell of food attracted him to buy but before he can take one, he heard the commotion that was taking place fifteen meters from his position. Everyone was watching, including the owner of the stall he was at so Long Bai tried to check what was happening. What was apparent was a figure of an an angry youth yelling on an old man who's laying on the floor. Upon a closer closeup, Long Bai recognized the old man to be senior Jun.

"Senior Jun!"

Long Bai rushed to his aide and helped the old man stand on his feet. While he was doing that, the youth was still spouting uncomfortable words to the two of them.

"Hey! Are you listening? Are you the master of this beggar? You should teach him manners when you send them outside. He almost splashed stain on my new robe. Do you know how much this thing is? It might even worth more than this beggar's life!"

Listening to the young man's irresponsible remarks, it was the first time Long Bai felt an urge to smack a man's face. How can such an arrogance overtake respect towards an old and helpless person? Just before he could do something, senior Jun hold Bai's right hand and stopped him from doing anything. Looking at the old man's eyes, they were begging not to pursue the problem. It was as if he was afraid of something.

Yang Jun was again reminded of his past. What is happening right now was identical to what happened during his prime. Just because of an accident where he almost spilled a soup on someone's clothes, these arrogant young masters of a wealthy and powerful families would go and bully everyone they see as weak. Just like the past, he right now received a kick into his lower abdomen. The only difference is that today's bully was younger and weaker. However that may the case, this scenario made Yang Jun react with fear to a young generation because of the trauma he developed.

Long Bai understood senior Jun's silent plea and followed his wish. Before he lead senior Jun away from the place, Long Bai took some of his thoughts out to the rude young man.

"You don't have regards for an old man. You don't even show respect to them. I wonder how disappointed your parents be? As I can see, your clothes are fine but this old senior is hurt. If you are seeking for a fight, pick someone who can give you a good match. Just tell me when, I will be ready anytime."

"Hah! You dare to challenge me? I will..."

Before he could continue his rant, a follower whispered him about Long Bai's previous appearance on the north arena. Learning about his capabilities, he decided to stop targeting the old man and acted like he need to to something else.

"Tsk! I still have things to do. Let's move. Don't think you're so great."

The last sentence was meant for Long Bai. Looking back at the youth's eyes, Long Bai glared back with a silent message saying he is 'open to a challenge anytime'. After the rude young youth went away, the people dispersed and the market street returned back to its former busy self.

"Long Bai, I apologize for the commotion I've caused. Because of me, you'll be having a quarrel with some spoiled rich kid. I don't know what they might do to you in the future. I'm sor..."

"Senior Jun, there's nothing to worry about. I can handle my own safety. I'm not as vengeful as you think but that doesn't mean I won't do anything. This time, you were ridiculed because they see you as weak person but this won't happen again.

Senior, lets go back to your place. I have some gifts to give."

The two returned back to the residence. That day, gossips about an old man from the Yang family who was ridiculed on the streets spread like fire as usual. When things like such happen, the news can immediately spread out like some hot topic in the internet.

Long Bai helped helped old Jun settle and check his condition. Good thing there were no big problems aside from some small bruices taken from falling to the hard ground. Old Jun was silent all the time. The silence his senior is making, he understands. The feelings he hides, Long Bai can only guess so before everything would turn extremely gloomy, Long Bai took out a pill and displayed it on the table.

The pill was not attractive as some precious gem and because old Jun don't really know the pill in front, he didn't react as it was supposed to. Looking at the pill on the table, he even thought Long Bai was giving him a pill that would be able to end his misery forever, a poison pill.

"Long Bai, are you asking me to end my misery life and just silently go? You might be right, I am already useless and just being a burden to everyone. Let me take this to end everything."

Long Bai didn't know how to react with his senior's behavior. Looking at his depressed expression, he looked like he really, indeed gave out and surrendered to his fate. Before he can say something, old Jun took the pill and swallowed it. Although it was not how he intended to deliver the pill, it was still the same since it already entered his mouth. When the pill started to release its effects, Long Bai put his palm behind old Jun's back and help direct the essence towards his cracked essence core. At first, Old Jun didn't bother what was going on but after feeling what Long Bai was going to do, he was jolted by the development. The thought of giving up has completely flipped to the other side of the coin and all that's left was hope and the will to live. Long Bai felt the old man's will coming back and have his essence retreat from the body. Now he can let old Jun do the recovery while he will be on the watch.

Long Bai guarded the residence for an hour already. Looking at the back of old Jun, he can tell that he is almost done. Around old Jun, Long Bai can feel the essence gathering towards him and is being directed towards the newly repaired essence core. Just as the core was completed, a gust of essence was quickly absorbed and created a shockwave. It was not as dramatic as an explosion but it was enough to rattle the furnitures inside the house.

"Hahaha! It's back! I'm back! I can't be... "

Tears fell like river on the old man's eyes. Never in his entire beggar life did he cried but at this moment, it was as if all the tears that was stored inside him all those years just gushed out like a water from a dam. He was ecstactic by the current events. Slowly, Old Jun turned his body towards Long Bai and slowly offered a deep respectively bow. Long Bai was familiar with this so before the old man has reached the floor, he stopped him from doing so. However, no matter what he say, old man Jun's will was unbreakable. Imagine the years of waiting and even loosing your hope and this happened, any cultivator would react the same or even more dramatic. Good thing old man Jun didn't bawl like a kid when he cried so Long Bai was able to do away with a drama. He just accepted his thanks and waited until old Jun has settled his emotions.

"Old Man Jun will not be weak from now on. He will become the strongest in this place and be respected all his life. Senior, take a look at this. Last time you have me a manual and it helped me become strong. Now that I became stronger, I would like to return your kind gesture with this. Please take a look."

Long Bai took out the <thunder steps> manual and put it on the old man's hands.

"This is.. wha.. incredible.. ohh.. amazing! What is this manual?"

"Senior Jun, its a movement skill manual. I am currently practicing this so I won't need the manual. If you practice this, you might be able to reach the initial success for not more than a day since you have mastered the <flash steps> which was a basis of this skill. Senior, try it."

Old Jun was speechless. He can't follow all that's happening due to the overwhelming joy he is experiencing. Since it was like this, all he can do was follow his benefactor's words without question. He didn't even want now to ask the origin of all that is in front of him for he is already fully satisfied.

Long Bai left old Jun read and meditate the skill for an entire half day. Old Jun must have missed the feeling of cultivating that he forgot the passage of time. That day passed peacefully with the room filled with hopes and a new beginning.