LZR Chapter 3 Part 2) Onward To A New Home

Fu Qing’s father got within my strike zone. He had drawn a sword and was about to attack when a figure suddenly appeared before me. An old man stood in front of me with a sword of his own in his hand. His long white hair swayed in the air. The two swords clashed, and Fu Zimen was sent flying. “Fu Zimen, you have a lot of nerve not listening to my orders!”

“Elder Ming!” The Village Chief’s name was Ming Huo. The only qi gathering cultivator in the village. Fu Zimen climbed to his feet and pointed at me with a gaze filled with murderous intent. “She crippled my son!”

“And?” Elder Ming’s gaze swept over Fu Zimen. He then turned to me and raised an eyebrow in surprise. A small smile crept on his lips as his eyes softened. “You got your revenge, I see.”

“Mmm… As long as Fu Zimen doesn’t attack again, I will not touch him.” I replied. If he backed down now, we could let bygones be bygones. He never directly harmed me, so there was no need for us to continue if he was willing to stop here.

“Good. But to think, in such a short amount of time, you have grown so much.” Elder Ming reached out with his old hand and patted my head.

 “Elder Ming, you are siding with this demon!?” Fu Zimen’s eyes were bloodshot and looked as if they would fall out of his head. He could not accept this. The demon girl had actually crippled his son. His son, who was to be the pride and joy of his Fu family. Whose talent in cultivation was higher than his own. Who would allow them to leave this village. He just could not let things slide so easily.

“Fu Zimen, you are nothing but a frog in a well. If this were any other town, this child would be treated with great care since she is part of an ancient lineage. But you. You and every other villager treat her as a demon. I have told you all so many times to leave this child alone. You are lucky I did not kill your son when he hurt this child two years ago. If she had not survived, your son would not have lived to this day.” Elder Ming yelled out. He seemed truly angered over the incident.

 “Elder Ming, were you the one who left the Restoration Pill that day?” My mother came out of the house. She had tears in her eyes. This was the first time I had heard about any pills, so I couldn’t help but look up at Elder Ming.

“While it was badly refined, I did leave that pill. It was something I was given way back and kept just in case. I am glad I did keep it. This little one is so young yet already at the peak of Body refinement.” Elder Ming once more patted my head. “I am glad that I left that tile loose on my roof.”

Elder Ming made me smile at his words. This old man had long noticed I was sneaking up there to listen in on his lessons. He was truly a good man. I bowed my head deeply as I said: “Your teachings are what allowed me to get this far and will also allow me to progress in the future. In this life, you are my first Master.”

“I can not be called a master. I did not do much, and you will soon surpass me. I am just glad you were able to take what little I was able to teach and use it to grow to your current state. You understood the true essence of cultivation: that through hard work, you can defy the heavens and step on the path to immortality. While I will soon pass away, knowing I was able to help a prodigy such as yourself, who would be able to surpass me, is my life’s achievement.” Elder Ming was truly different from the others. He was a good man who showed kindness to all.

“Elder Ming, thank you so much for what you have done for me and my daughter. If not for you, my Ruo’er….” My mother choked as she cried. I reached out and held her hand to try to comfort her.

“Little Zinyi, you have done a very fine job raising this child. If I could have done more, I would have, but I did not wish for the villagers to become jealous and harm you, so I had no choice but to stand aside while you suffered.” Elder Ming’s eyes seemed to be filled with regret.

“You saved my Ruo’er when I had lost all hope in healing her. You have done enough.” I guess I was on death’s door when I was beaten two years ago. But now I understand that things were much different. Without the pill that Elder Ming gave my mother, I might have died. I really owe this old man my life.

“I only did a small thing. Little Zinyi, you are also looking much better. I am glad to see it. Let me deal with the situation at hand, and then we can talk properly.” Elder Ming turned his attention back to Fu Zimen, who had been standing there seething in anger.

“I can not accept this! Elder Ming, I dare say you have grown senile in your old age. I believe you should step down as village chief.” Fu Zimen yelled out.

“Zimen, I am only giving one warning. Step down now, or I will have no choice but to cut you down myself. You already broke one of the rules I set five years ago.” Elder Ming readied his sword.

 “Elder Ming, let me deal with him. Since he does not seem to understand the concept of respecting one’s elders, I will not show him any respect either.”