Chapter 34 One of Those Guys

After reading all the information given by Budoy, Eznho massaged his temples and tried to process all the information while formulating a plan.

There is still time, so I’ll finish absorbing the blood first and head out to the restaurant.

He hastened his speed these past days and nearly finished his blood and marrow cleansing while practicing the Heaven-Seizing Breathing Technique. Due to this, his energy reserves inside his dantian have increased and his control over it has also improved. The only thing that he needed now was actual combat to hone his skills.

.....

Batista received Randolph’s message but due to the stress brought about by his missing daughter, he could not fully concentrate on it so he was not able to find any information regarding Eznho. Besides, thousands of people come in and out of the city everyday so it was really hard to track down a person unless he was someone who would stand out from the rest.

Wilky, on the other hand, did his best and was able to communicate with the member of the rumored Black Crows member and was able to make a deal.

“How was it, brother?” Batista could not help but ask Wilky as soon as he arrived.

“All good brother, he agreed and said he would finish the job within a month,” Wilky answered with a proud face.

“A month? Isn’t that too long?” Batista frowned upon hearing the answer.

“Well, he did not exactly say when he will finish the job, who knows, maybe he’ll get it done tomorrow. Let’s just wait, brother, the Black Crows have their own pride and their success rate is rather high. Besides, this job would only be a walk in the park for him.”

Wilky answered while trying to console his brother.

“He’s right brother, let’s just patiently wait for now and formulate backup plans.”

Wilfred butted in and tried to alleviate Batista’s worries.

.....

Days passed like the falling of snow, Eznho was seated in a meditative posture and his body was soaked in sweat. No more impurities were coming out of his skin, this means he already passed the stage with a solid foundation and could move on to the next anytime.

At last, after a lot of suffering, I finally managed to succeed.

Eznho was elated and stretched his body showing fine lines of glistening chiseled muscles.

Whoosh!

He casually punched forward that made the air chaotic making the curtains in his rooms flutter. Witnessing this scene, Eznho was shocked and joy appeared on his exhausted face. One could only imagine the result if he punched someone with full force.

Time to head to the restaurant tomorrow.

.....

Eznho departed before sunrise and did not bother to wake up the others. He was covered in a fur coat while he headed to the western part of the outer district. Being holed up for weeks inside his room, he also wanted to explore the city. As usual, the outer district became lively as soon as the sun peeped from the east.

Eznho’s eyes were filled with shock most of the time. He saw many things that blew his mind, aside from humans, he saw many kinds of intimidating beasts. Some were in cages, while some were used as mounts. Buildings were everywhere, he could even see some of the mountains were filled with houses. Those who live at the top were the movers and shakers of the outside district.

He also saw students wearing their sect or schools uniform. With how wide the city is, it was natural that sects have established their footings here.

But what shocked him the most was, once in a while a shadow would pass over the place and when you look at the sky, large flying beasts such as birds and flying vessels with different designs were flying and there were even people riding them.

Wow! What kind of power do you have to wield to tame beasts?

He wondered inside and tried to calm down his excitement. As he came nearer to his destination, his knowledge and view of the world instantly broadened. The more he saw many kinds of new things, the more he wanted to achieve his dream of traveling the world. Due to this things, he lost track of time and arrived at his destination in the afternoon.

The restaurant has three floors and was designed plain and simple with no extravagant decorations. The only thing that was eye-catching was the signboard ‘Batawa Restaurant’ that was written in bright red. He slowly walked towards the place and wondered how he would find the man he is looking for.

He stood by the entrance and his nose was assaulted by the mixed smell of alcohol and food. The first floor was almost full but he could not find the man he was looking for. He narrowed his eyes and went to the second floor but the man was nowhere to be seen.

Is it the wrong restaurant? Maybe they have just the same name and the restaurant is located in the middle district or even the inner district?

He furrowed his brows when he thought about it, the mysterious man was powerful so maybe he had access to the inner districts. He sighed inside and planned to test his luck on the third floor but a guard was standing on the stairway.

“Halt! Only VIP guests can go upstairs,” The muscular guard spoke in an intimidating manner.

“Great sir, may I know how to become a VIP?” Eznho was not willing to give up.

“Hmph! You better go home kid and stop wasting my time or else I’ll throw you out!” The guard barked and glared at Eznho making him furrow his brow.

I was just asking, no need to be hostile.

Eznho was grumbling inside but did not show it.

“Will this do?” Left with no choice, he brought out his bank card and showed it to the guard.

“This...” The guard was startled and his attitude turned one-eighty degrees.

“Forgive me, young sir, I was just joking. You can go upstairs anytime you want.” With an inviting smile, he moved aside and gestured his hand indicating Eznho to go up.

“Thank you,” Eznho spoke with a beaming smile and went upstairs.

The third floor was just like the lower floors but the only difference was the tables were spread apart making it spacious. A man who was sitting beside the window looking down the busy streets caught his attention. A jug of alcohol and a dish was on his table.

It’s him!

Eznho was surprised and walked towards the man.

“Uhmmm, good afternoon senior,” He did not know what to say and just spat the words with politeness.

“Sit,” The man spoke and turned his head then faced Eznho with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Thank you,” Eznho bowed and sat in front of the man.

The mysterious man had a thick jet black messy hair that was a bit long and a small portion of it was tied on his back, strands of hair fell on the side of his face making him look like a scoundrel. His black eyes were like pearls that shined and showed clarity, a thin tall nose complimented it making him look handsome with a short beard on his chin. He looked like a middle-aged man but his face showed great vigor and vitality.

“What’s up kid? Wanna drink?” The man grinned and offered his drink.

“Uhmmm, I...” Eznho was taken aback and did not know what to do.

“Haha, just kidding, you are still too young to drink kid.” The man teased and gulped a drink then sized up Eznho then nodded in satisfaction.

“Hmmm, not bad kid. All you need is experience,”

“What do you mean senior?” Eznho spoke in confusion.

“Although your cultivation has progressed, a veteran who has a lower cultivation can kill you if you are not careful. If you really want to pursue cultivation, you need to experience a lot of combat and near-death experiences.” The man casually explained and gulped down another one.

Eznho just sat there in silence and could not rebuke what the man said.

“Look, kid, I can see you have potential but you are still too naive about how the world works. For example, why did you not kill the man who tried to kill you in the alley? Do you think because you spared him, he will let it go? Another thing, picking up strangers with unknown background will most likely bring you calamity, tsk. The world is full of suffering, you think you can save everyone?”

The man asked a barrage of questions and stared at Eznho.

How did he know?

Eznho was shocked but immediately recovered then answered with determination.

“I don’t know, but I just couldn’t bring myself to kill a defenseless man. I also know that the world is cruel but can’t I save those who are within my reach?”

“Hahaha, such wise words, you should become a preacher instead.” The man burst out laughing while slamming the table.

Eznho’s lips twitched while looking at the man who was tearing up due to laughter.

“Senior, may I know why you suggested me to come here? And how do I repay the kindness you showed?”

“Hahaha, kindness? You’re really just a newborn chick. It was not kindness, it was just fate.” The man continued to laugh and found Eznho amusing.

“As for that ‘kindness’, it was already paid when you gave me the information I asked you. No need to fret over it. As for why I asked you to come here, I found it pitiful if your talents go to waste so I’m giving you a chance to further improve your cultivation. As for that chance, it would be up to you to grab it. So what do you say?”

Eznho pondered for a moment before answering.

“Will my family be affected?” This is Eznho’s biggest concern.

“Of course, but as long as you are careful, it would be alright I guess. Look, kid, the path of cultivation is dangerous and many people close to you will be entangled with it. But, if you obtain enough power, who would dare to touch the people close to you? Might is right kid, sooner or later time will catch up to them and you would have to walk the road alone anyway. If you don’t have the conviction, you better stop now and live a normal life while you still can.”

“I...”

Eznho was at a loss and did not know how to reply. He knew there were risks, but after today, his urge to travel the world became more apparent and one requirement to do it was having strength.

“I have said what I want, if you want to continue cultivating, come back here in three days and I’ll give you a mission to see if you have the guts to reach the apex.”

The man spoke in a serious manner while looking at Eznho right in the eyes. The conversation continued for a while before the man urged Eznho to leave.

“May I at least know seniors name?” Eznho asked while standing up.

“You can call me Talong,” The man answered casually.

“Thank you, senior Talong. My name is Eznho, I’ll take my leave then.” Eznho bowed and went to the exit.

“One more thing kid, if you want to know anything about your father, you need a lot of strength to find out about him,”

Talong spoke while gulping another one and continued to stare at the busy street outside.

Eznho stopped for a second then continued on his way. Talong watched the departing Eznho on the street with a mysterious look in his eyes then looked toward’s Eznho’s destination. His gaze seemed to penetrate space and landed on a place a few blocks from where Eznho was staying.

Show me what you got kid, don’t disappoint me.

.....

The sun has already set and the moon was hanging in the sky but Eznho was only halfway to the inn they were staying at. He brought out a map and found a shortcut through the alleys. He needed to contemplate on many things so he wanted to go back as soon as possible.

As expected, walking through the alleys made the journey shorter. He was only a couple of blocks away when a group of five was waiting on the opposite side of the alley covered by the shadow of the night.

“We’ve been waiting for you kid, ke ke ke.” A sinister voice echoed in the alley and a thin man came out with a malicious look.

“You?” Eznho was surprised, it was the same man he let go when he first came into the city.

“Good you remember kid, you think you are so righteous, hmph!”

The man snorted and his gazed turned into hatred. He could not wash away the shame he felt that day.

“Judas, is this the kid? Looking at him, he doesn’t look like much,”

A stern voice came from behind Judas and a well-built bald middle-aged man with a thick beard came out of the shadows with a saber on his waist. His clothes were stained with old blood that did not wash off. The other three men also came out with sabers on their waist and looked at Eznho like a fish on a chopping board.

“You see boss Winston, I was just attacked sneakily that’s why.” Judas’ voice turned respectful and stood behind the man.

“Whatever you say,” Winston could not be bothered and looked at Judas with disdain.

“Hey kid, I heard you have a lot of money with you, why don’t you hand it all over and we’ll call it even.” He looked at Eznho and smiled like they knew each other.

“I don’t know you, senior, why should give what belongs to me?”

Eznho furrowed his brows but he was sighing inside with sadness and disappointment.

Does this mean I really have to kill every enemy I face to avoid future troubles?

Now he realized how naive he was to let go of the man and now the result was more trouble. Despite that, he wanted to avoid killing as much as possible so he started to step backward to retreat.

“Hmph! You have no right to refuse kid, don't even think of running, we know where you live. You cannot hide there like a turtle forever you know and I bet your aunt and the little girl would be bored and want to go out sometime in the future. Slavery is a good trade these days.”

Winston sneered and looked at Eznho like he was just a toy to be played with. Eznho’s pupils shrunk when he heard the hidden threat and stopped his retreat.

“Is that so?”

Eznho spoke meekly and bowed his head in submission then brought out the bank card and held it in front of him.

“Good boy, I’m starting to like you now kid,”

Winston was feeling haughty after seeing Eznho’s defeat and commanded Judas to get the card. Judas was sneering inside and used his left hand to hold the hilt of the dagger he was hiding.

You’re fucking dead kid, that’s what you get for crossing me.

He stood in front of Eznho and used his right hand to get the card while he slowly brought out his dagger.

“You’re...”

Ssskkk!

What?

Before he could do anything else, a cold dagger pierced his heart without warning.

“You...” He wanted to speak but was cut off when he saw Eznho slowly raising his head.

His eyes were cold and full of murderous intent, they were dark like the crow’s feather. Their eyes met but Eznho remained emotionless as the light on Judas’ eyes faded like a dying firefly.