Chp 20: Bullshitting the Elder

‘I’ll fix that attitude of hers, before it’s too late!’

The elder vowed to Heaven.

Seeing the girl, he was trembling in excitement. How rare was it to find such a talent? Even for a famous clan like his, there was only one every few decades! So far, in his Murim clan with over a thousand talented people, perhaps only his current Ancestor had similar potential. And another one close enough, was the clan leader.

He had only exchanged glances and some words with the girl, but… he was sure of it! The ability to sense his presence from such a distance, even read his lips, without even entering into the very first Qi layer? He had never heard of such a thing!

Such talent could not be wasted!

“This old man might need to be a little rough, but,”

Even if he had to make her hate him for a bit, he was determined to fix her before she became a full-fledged villainess. Even if he had to offend whatever forces behind her…

That would be worth it!

He had seen many talented, even genius people falling into the hands of the cultists and criminal ways. Were they born that way? No! They were formed by their surroundings, by corrupted people around them.

Sliding through the lake’s surface, he was as if a speedboat, speeding through the large body of water like it was no big deal. Seeing him coming in fast, Yun Zhi sighed as she ordered;

“…Guys, whatever happens next, don’t interfere. Take cover and shut up,”

When the thugs, all heard her order in all seriousness, they wondered what transpired. Following her gaze towards the lake, they saw... a speedboat-like figure, coming in from the lake. As dumb as they were, they understood. Trouble was coming!

And it was not a common person too!

Responding to her command, they nodded like their life was on the life.

And that was the case.

It would be trouble if any of them got hit. There wouldn’t be any body left… It would be like a hot bun being hit by a punch, all scattered. Having a casualty here? The police would get involved, and things would all be complicated.

Moreover, while these thugs were all lowlife, she still didn’t think they deserve death… Not yet, anyway. Hopefully, they were thugs just because of their immaturity.

“Bring the two away! Keep your distance!”

With her giving orders, they took the two and took shelter under the metal tower. While they were still confused, some already made their guesses;

“A Murim person is coming!!”

“It’s like a speedboat!”

“Is it a master? Looks so powerful!”

“Must be! Only masters could be so fast, able to run on water!”

“Is it the young missy’s enemy?! How terrible,”

“Oh no—We’re dead!”

They were anxious, some fearful.

Yun Zhi wanted to reprimand them, but since it was their first time encountering a situation like this, she let them be. It was better to focus on the incoming elder. For whatever reason, he seemed too fierce to be friendly. Did her gaze from before really offend him?

If so, what a stingy old man!

You can’t even give a girl some face…

As she was about to curse him, the elder jumped from the lake. His jump was so exaggerated, he landed right on top of the tallest tree on the hill. And the tree he landed on, did not even shake.

Ehh… For some reason, this elder really likes high places?

Yun Zhi smiled awkwardly. She wondered what to say, only to decide on the normal standard she practiced before her cursed state.

“Junior Yun, greets senior.”

“Oh? Junior Yun, you say? This junior seems to have some manners?”

“As I should be… I wonder why senior drop by? Did this junior, for some reason, offends senior?”

“Offend? Hmph, still feigning ignorance?”

This girl was too cunning!

With such an adorable face and innocent look, she dared make it seem like she did no wrong! I saw you, you know!

With her youthful appearance, if he did not witness her covering her victims, even he was tempted to believe her. But, should he let her be, and it turned out she was bullying others…

After some years, she would be a villainess!

A complete, utter villainess!

I must stop that from happening!

Filled with a sense of justice, the elder wished to correct her way before it was too late. He told her;

“I saw what you did with the two men. You were holding a stick… Right, that stick,” Pointing to the stick she had thrown on the ground, he sighed, “At first, I thought you were threatened to do so… But,”

“Two men? Who…”

“You still feign ignorance! I saw you covering them up! Where are they? You didn’t plan to bury them, do you?!”

“Ah, you mean those two?”

She wondered, only to realize he was referring to both Mo Hong and Don bro. Silly elder, those two weren’t adults, not yet. They were just big boys!

“Ah, elder… If you mean those two thugs… I just give them a little discipline, nothing more! This is just a misunderstanding, misunderstandings! They’re there, and they’re fine.”

Could you get down already old man?

My neck’s stiff from looking up!

She pointed to the crowd under the tower, and the pile of leaves in the middle. Eyes clear of guilt, yet a bit teary as if being wrongly accused… she explained;

“I… This junior just gave them a lecture, and some pointers for them to change their way. They can’t stay a thug forever, wouldn’t you agree? Hope elder wouldn’t blame,”

“So, they’re thugs? The same as those kids?”

“Yes… They’re stubborn, so this junior had to be a little rough…”

“Oh, really… I see,”

A most plausible explanation, indeed. But…

She’s basically saying she was not bullying them, but was just teaching them thugs a lesson. Seeing her so close, he confirmed she indeed had a Qi-body and had yet formed her first Qi layer. Inspecting with scrutiny, he felt her body had certain compactness… It was strange, as if she came from those external martial art clans. Those bulky, muscle-heads…

But, she was too lean for that.

“They’re over there. See? They’re still moving…”

Soon showing the elder the two’s bodies under the leaves, still moving, she assured him there was nothing to worry about. They were in pain, but their life was not in danger. However, the elder did not buy it right away. Recalling her sharp eyes from before, he was determined not to be fooled by her innocent looks. If they were alright, then why did she cover them up? There’s something wrong here!

He jumped straight towards them—

Sha--!

But!

Yun Zhi blocked his way.

Her speed, while a tad slower than his, was no less amazing!

‘This girl…!’

“What are you doing, little girl?”

“Elder, we’re just doing our little activity… They’re thugs, true… But I’m already acquainted with them… I won’t harm them more than necessary, promise. So… there’s no need for an esteemed person such as yourself, to concern yourself with us,”

Could you just be on your way, old man?

Go away— Shu, shu!

The elder, listening to her excuse, was amused. Still, that amusement was only for a bit. She only fed on his suspicions even more.

“Oh, I see… Then, it won’t be a problem for this meddling old man, to check on your ‘friends’ would it? I just have some concern over their well-being, it won’t take long,”

“Junior thanked the elder then. But, if you check… there might be a big problem for me,”

“Problem? Explain, what kind of problem!”

Shaaa---

Having been denied more than necessary, he indeed felt something was wrong.

As the elder demanded an explanation, his Qi spread through the area, suppressing even the crowd of thugs in the distance;

Whoa!

What the heck?!

The wind—

It’s from the elder!

A ringing sensation hit everyone in the small area, taking hold of everyone as if static electricity…

‘Qi suppression,’

Yun Zhi raised her hands as if defending herself.

While it seemed amazing, she was unfazed. Qi suppression? So what? She had experienced Qi suppression from even a Dao Seeker. While it was just a mild suppression, the quality was still a lot higher than this.

Suddenly;

Side Mission 1: Persuade the Elder

OBJECTIVE:

Persuade the elder to keep your secret, be an ally.

Ally: 0/1

REWARD: Mystery Gifts

UPON FAILURE: Lowered Survival Rate

TIME LIMIT: 6 Hours

‘The heck?’

The notification came out abruptly.

It was a simple side mission; it just took her by surprise. How does this simple notification system works, she wondered? It couldn’t be that jerk uncle was observing her, right? He had some much free time? That K-pop uncle ought to be doing better work than that!

What if he’s peeping on her while she’s bathing?!

If that truly happened, she needed to change his call sign…

That jerk uncle immortal would be promoted to jerk pervert immortal…

This side mission was strange. Was it important? Since it was regarded as a side mission, it was probably not. Still, that ‘’upon failure” effect was no joke. Hmm, she did not mind being friends with an old person. But, to make one an ally… How troublesome. Oh well, since she needed to deal with this old man one way or another…

Why not?

While the thugs behind her had to kneel due to the elder’s suppression, she was still standing. With much calmness, she observed the elder’s face.

This time, she noted the elder’s personality…

From his face...

‘Righteous, old-fashioned, soft-hearted to the young, but cruel to his enemy… Curious, meddlesome in some situation,’

That was what she could see.

Personality was written on everyone’s face, that was what she believed. It took only a while, and everything was laid bare to her. She guessed he probably did not wish to harm anyone unless necessary. Against someone like this, she figured, it was better to give a little to gain more.

Give an inch, gets a mile!

As long as she fulfilled his curiosity, let him meddle a bit… she could use his righteousness somewhat. That old-fashioned attitude could be trouble though. She couldn’t deal well with people like this… Still, it’s worth it.

‘Ah, let me use your righteousness a bit…’

“Elder, ugh! Cough—”

…?!

Coughing badly, she kneeled, as if suffering a deep injury. She changed her breathing, making it erratic. Covering her mouth, her saliva dripped down… mixed with blood!

What, what? What’s happening?!

Such a reaction shocked the elder, immediately stopping his suppression.

Did he go too far? While the suppression should put some stress on her, it would not injure her whatsoever. He stopped short from supporting her from falling, seeing that she still managed. Her other hand was holding on to her heart as if holding on to her dear life.

He could observe her hand and chest, trembling and beating as if in chaos.

“L-little girl, are you okay?”

“Elder… my old injury… ah, it stings… kuhh,”

“O-old injury?”

“Elder… why did you, do that… I thought, cough--”

Her soft and innocent voice was filled with confusion.

As if saying, she never offended the elder, why would he be so fierce? At that time, the elder realized his mistake. Yes, there was no way he could injure her normally. However, what if she was suffering from a serious chronic injury? He thought it would be safe, but…

Say you bumped into someone healthy, it would not be a problem at all. However, if you did that to a chronically ill patient, then… That might be a problem! That person would not be able to handle it.

Yun Zhi wanted to do more than this, but she worried if she was being overdramatic. Well, she was a bit tired anyway, so… She could play that part well.

With a pale face, eyes as if lethargic… She looked at him with a pair of confused, innocent eyes. Her watery eyes as if telling him, she had no idea what had transpired...

Ugh, this girl...

D-did I really go overboard?

My suppression shouldn't injure her so much...

Seeing his fierce eyes turned a bit soft, she smirked inwardly. Thankfully, her other hand was covering her mouth.

A little more push!

Must look natural, ah!

Her voice, softened into a more endearing one, pleaded;

“Elder… Are you going to kill little Yun? Did little Yun offend the elder? Little Yun doesn’t wanna die…”

“K-kill? What nonsense! I’m only here to stop you, little girl, from bullying people! Young as you are, you’re a person from Murim, aren’t you! It’s unbecoming for a Murim person to bully civilians! You’re going down the wrong road! I just—”

The elder gave an outburst, as if defending his action while displaying his guilt. How funny. This old man now seemed a bit cute to Yun Zhi’s eyes. She uncovered her bloody mouth, eyes still seemed confused;

“Bully? When did little Yun bully people… ugh,”

Yun Zhi started to use ‘Little Yun’ to refer to herself, making her take on the position of the younger generation, appealing to his weakness. Seeing her struggling with pain, the elder, heart softened, said;

“It’s… it’s this old man’s fault. I was being rash… L-let me check,”

He was about to check on her pulse, yet she raised her hands!

“Forgiveness, elder… This illness is a private matter… my secret, no, my family’s secret. Little Yun hopes the elder will understand,”

“Secret? Your illness is a secret? How?”

“Elder… This illness concerned my family’s unique practice… Our martial art. I happened to make a grievous mistake years ago… So my condition… If you know about it, and happen to blurt out when you’re drinking or in public…”

“W-would that be a problem…?”

“Yes. If my family’s enemy happens to pick it up, then… I would be,”

“Your family’s… enemy,”

The elder’s imagination ran wild.

That’s right. This girl had such a huge potential. There was a high probability she came from a powerful family within the Murim world. A powerful family would have tons of enemies. However, he had no recollection of a family named Yun…

Still, the Murim world was vast. Could a character like him, esteemed as he might be, know everything?

The term Murim world did not specify one country in particular. It was just a borrowed word from a peninsula to the East. Murim referred to the powerful martial arts society which governed countries and ultimately, the world. The country they resided in was just one of them.

Could she be…

Looking at her white, high-quality Taoist robe and attire, he could feel a certain vibration coming from them. It was not a material he was familiar with. Somehow, it was able to channel Qi… Being so close, he was certain, that even a heavy Kevlar armor... could not match this material!

How is this possible?

It was so thin too…

Could this be tempered Qi clothing?

Yet, the thinness did not make sense to him...

Still, what he was certain, that family of hers…

Was likely, not a pushover!