Chapter 173

Old Man

Chu Shen walked down the mountain path, pa.s.sing through the jade gate that lead to the Majestic Sword Academy. Soon, he came to the foot of the mountains. He saw an old man at the foot of the mountains, walking towards the stairway.

His hair was gray, his robe was dirty with tears in it. He was stooped over and would have fit in with the beggars on the side of a road. This old man though, he had a familiar aura to him. Chu Shen was struck with a thought. Could this be his father?

Upon hearing Chu Shen’s footsteps, the man glanced upwards. His face had wrinkles on it and a long scar could be seen going across his right eye. The eye was clouded and blind. Chu Shen sighed. It wasn’t his dad.

The old man stumbled and fell. Chu Shen hurriedly came over. “Are you alright old man? Anything broken?”

The man shook his head and used Chu Shen’s outstretched arm to pick himself up. “No, I’m fine. You know, I have a son about your age in the academy. I was just going to visit him.”

“Oh?” Chu Shen became curious. “Well, would you like me escort you up the mountain?” He was supposed to meet his dad here but he didn’t specify a time. He was already at the foot of the mountain and his dad wasn’t here so escorting this old man wouldn’t waste too much time.

The man smiled and nodded. “Yes, that would be wonderful.”

Chu Shen held the old man’s elbow as they slowly walked up the mountain. They were halfway up when the old man started to talk. “I always raised my boy to respect his elders, to look after those who couldn’t look after themselves. It’s nice to see someone else doing so in his stead.”

Chu Shen smiled. “It’s nothing. My dad taught me that as well. Actually, I wanted to ask you something, if you don’t mind.”

The old man smiled kindly at him. “Go ahead, I won’t mind.” 

“What is the name of your son.”

The old man grinned. “Well now, that is something I wish to keep a secret for a while longer.” 

Chu Shen smiled. “Then I guess I’ll have to keep you company for a while longer. Could you tell me a little more about your son? Maybe I’ll recognize him then.”

The old man smiled softly before he started talking. “Well, my son is very kind. Maybe he has changed since then, the martial path does tend to harden the heart of many. I believe that he still the same innocent boy.”

“He went through some hard times as a boy. More than most others would have. I believe it gave him the character he needs to stay true to my teachings. He is talented though, very talented. He had a poor const.i.tution though which would have limited him in the future.”

“Luckily a traveling expert was able to heal him and fix his const.i.tution. Thanks to that expert, my boy reached a decent cultivation level and was the strongest in our village. That was how he was able to enter the Majestic Sword Academy.”

“He’s hard-working too and loved crafting. I remember those days when he would come home, blisters on his hands from forging all day. His face would be cracked and dry from the heat of the forge. Oh, how he made me proud with his determination.”

Chu Shen slowed as the old man spoke, until both of them were standing on the mountain path. The old man turned to him with tears in his eyes. “I wasn’t able to visit my son, but I can imagine that he grew up well these years. That he is strong yet kind to those who are weak. That son of mine, Chu Shen.”

A teardrop formed in Chu Shen’s eyes. “Don’t worry. I know how he turned out, dad.”

Both of them hugged each other, tears freely flowing down their faces. After some time, they both recovered their composure. Chu Shen’s father wiped his face before smiling at him. “So? What do you think of your father’s disguise techniques?”

Chu Shen grinned. “You really do resemble an old man, you are truly good at disguises.”

Chu Bai laughed. “The world is dangerous, everyone needs some sort of survival skill. I had lots of time to practice it over the past five years.” His face became grim. “Son, I will take you to your mom now.”

Chu Shen nodded solemnly. “I understand. I had an encounter with the Huore Luohu sect already. Is it true that mother has the wood element?”

Chu Bai was shocked. “Son, did you truly encounter the Huore Luohu sect?”

Chu Shen nodded. “Yes. They sent a Martial Emperor to kidnap me. Apparently they wanted to force mom out.”

Chu Bai nodded. “Yes, your mom does have the wood element. Since you know that, I a.s.sume you also know why the wood element is so precious?”

Chu Shen nodded. “I do but I don’t understand. Why did you not go to the Chu Sect? They would certainly protect mom and they are on par with the Huore Luohu sect in power. “

Chu Bai sighed. “That is true, but your mother just wishes to live a quiet life. That was actually the reason she cultivated to begin with. She never would have cultivated except her family was almost killed by bandits. In order to protect herself and her family, she cultivated to become strong. She never did it to gain fame but simply out of love for her family.” 

“If we went to the Chu Sect, she would be forced under constant surveillance. They would never stop bothering her and she would have to work constantly on the herb gardens, exhausting her mental and physical state everyday.” 

A sad look came over Chu Bai’s face. “She... She has aged, son. She used to be so vibrant, so full of life. The stress of draining her Qi from her body everyday has harmed her life-force. If the Huore Luohu sect hadn’t given her breaks occasionally, I am sure she would have started losing some of her lifespan.”

Chu Shen grimly watched his father before nodding. “I understand. Before benefits, even brothers are tempted.”

Chu Bai grinned. “I see you have matured on your martial path. It is good to see that my son will not be fooled by some smooth-talking charlatan. Enough of that though, it is time to go see your mom.”