Chp 21: Bullshitting the Elder (II)

“Child, you sure you don’t want me to check? This old man can make another vow… to take your secret down to his grave,”

“Thank you, but even so, my family had taught me to be extra careful.”

“I see… your family taught well, in that sense,”

“It’s the same reason why I couldn’t let you… check on those two. They’re unruly, but they’re now my people. I won’t harm them,”

“…”

Turning to look at the two men groaning in pain under the leaves, he pondered. Could it be she was performing some kind of martial ceremony? She said she was disciplining them, could it be true?

He asked;

“So, your business with these two… Does it also concern, your family secret?”

“That is the case, elder… If you would allow me, time is short… I would like to treat them for a bit… but,”

She hesitated as if wondering whether to say it directly. Sensing her hesitation, the elder understood. She wanted some private time, and he was intruding. While his heart had softened, he was not quite ready to leave, so…

A compromise.

“It’s alright then, I won’t pry into your secret. I’ll look elsewhere for an hour. Is that enough?”

“Enough, it’s enough,”

Success!

This old man was the old-fashioned type, as stubborn as a magma rock! Still, he was weak to a little girl pleading! He must have some granddaughters he pampered back home, nice!

“Then I’ll let you be for one hour, child,”

“Y-yes, little Yun thanked elder…”

Child again?

Dang it, I’m seventeen!

This elder, when he was admonishing me, he referred to me as a little girl.

When his heart softened, he referred to me as ‘child’!

Am I so puny to you?!

While it hurt her pride to be acting and treated as a little girl, she had no choice.

That was the elder’s only weakness she could see so far. Otherwise, this meddling fossil might just check on her two new goons… With her being nerfed so brutally by that jerk uncle immortal, she had not much chance to stop the elder. By that time, it would be obvious to him that they had just made a breakthrough, and not in the usual way…

A new breakthrough method?

Faster, and more reliable?

That could be huge!

Yun Zhi still needed to guide both of them to channel their Qi properly, so the next thirty minutes would be crucial. Otherwise, she would waste half her effort. An hour’s time was plenty. Seeing she was ready to attend to the two, the elder then jumped onto the hill’s metal tower, then sat in a meditation pose.

“Wuwuu… M-my Queen, my bum hurts… ah, your mouth, blood?! Are you okay?!”

“Guhh, y-young lady… I felt like throwing up…”

“Pipe down, you two… You’re almost an adult, but still crying like this, hmph,”

While the elder was on top of the metal tower, he could hear the voices. It was the voices of the ‘victims’. It seemed she was somewhat telling him the truth. These guys seemed to submit to her already. As promised, he did not turn and look. However…

My Queen? How odd… is that how he referred to his young lady?

Younger generations sure picked up weird stuff on this… internet thing.

As Yun Zhi tried to be as silent as possible while guiding her two new goons, the elder was also kind enough not to listen in secret. As long as she was not scheming something, it was fine. Well, she managed to whisper to them to keep everything a secret, and let her speak on their behalf.

At that time, he was resisting the urge to peek and listen.

Curiosity was a strong drive.

One hour had passed.

After making sure the two had stabilized, Yun Zhi heaved a sigh of relief.

With this, even if the elder were to look, he would not recognize them as recently having a breakthrough. At best, he would see their level… the baldy as a second-rate and the bear as a third-rate. As Yun Zhi greeted the elder from below, he summoned her up.

Stepping up the metal ladders of the five-stories tower, she politely greeted him.

“Little Yun, thanked elder for your understanding!”

“Are you done? I still can’t see your men?”

“It’s done. You can see them from here, no problem,”

With her reply, he stood up from his meditation, and took a look. The two, Mo Hong and Don bro, were breathing steadily. Seeing the two, he was a bit surprised. For a second-rate and a third-rate warrior to be thugs? Observing the high-schoolers around them being respectful yet familiar to both, he concluded they had a clear superior-subordinate relationship.

Ah, no wonder…

These two, since they were her men, she had every right to punish them… After all, all Murim people should never bully civilians. Without any provocation, they needed to keep their power in check. Even a third-rate warrior could break a civilian’s bones with just a casual punch. They’re walking, living weapons.

If not managed, chaos would ensue.

So this girl, being able to nurture a second-rate person while still in school… This kind of potential was equal to being a genius, even in his clan. This Yun girl truly was no pushover. Seeing them, the elder turned embarrassed. It seemed he had become a busybody for nothing…

That’s why wise men said, never interfere in internal conflicts…

You just don’t know which side was correct…

Ah, misunderstandings… How terrible!

Where am I to put my face now…

“Ehem, it seemed you spoke the truth. Your men had gone the wrong way… You have every right to discipline them… Aii, this old man has wronged you…”

“Little Yun understands, and will not blame elder. Elder was only upholding justice, that’s all. Elder is a hero our society needs. In fact, little Yun is glad to meet such a hero,”

How’s that for an ass-kissing, huh?!

Hmph, I might not be much, but to save my dear life...

I don’t mind being a pro ass-kisser!

“H-hero? Humph, these old bones are just a drag on society… I’m just waiting for my end in peace, that’s all…”

“You must’ve done a lot for our society, elder! Please share it with little Yun. I’ve always wanted to hear more about heroic stories… Directly even!”

“Eh, eh… Story… Um, I guess it won’t hurt… Hmph, those days, when your internet isn’t a thing yet… I once dragged a corrupt governor out of his office… He got his position cause of the cult… not quite easy to expose him, but, hm… these old eyes are quite sharp,”

He then proceeded to tell her the story.

Thirty years ago, it was about a governor in a remote region, actually working for the cult. He had been channeling some of the government resources right into the hands of the cultists for years. There was barely any trace since he covered his tracks well, using only loyal subordinates who were also cultists. It was thanks to his keen eyes, spotting a little inconsistency in reports. Other officials thought it was just a little mismanagement, but he didn’t let it be and went over there, alone, to dig even deeper.

It caused much commotion back then.

“Waa… Amazing… A true hero! Please tell me more!”

“Ah, old story, old story… These days? Don’t wanna make noise anymore… too many enemies already... Eh, enough about me…”

The elder was obviously happy, but he resisted the praise.

With him resisting praise, Yun Zhi cursed within.

Can’t you just indulge in the praise a bit more?

I almost got you!

Turning to her, his curiosity peaked. For someone so young, able to deny him so firmly to protect her family’s secret… Still, how could he pry into her secret now… Ah, there’s still that method.

“This old man had wronged you, but still… I had to ask for your ID… You should still at least have a cover ID, right? One that won’t let your family’s secret be exposed…”

“About that, elder… Little Yun is embarrassed,”

She saluted and looked down. It was a gesture that showed that she was ashamed for not being able to fulfill his request. As for the reason…

“Why? If you’re worried about my identity, I’ll let you know… here,”

Taking something from his inner pocket, it was a golden medallion. With a dragon engraving and a rank insignia with four stars on, it clearly showed his esteemed status. The character ‘Fang’ was engraved on the back.

“This is…?”

“Oh, you don’t know? Well, you’re still young… I’m not so active anymore, but I’m still a Senior Colonel in the Murim Security Division.”

“Eh… Senior Colonel? Wow… that’s high, right?”

“That’s high? You know nothing, hmph! Listen, above a full Colonel, is a Senior Colonel. I controlled a brigade of Murim enforcers… A Murim brigade’s number is nothing close to the military, but that’s still three-hundred strong warriors. A military brigade is much bigger, but... a single warrior can defeat ten soldiers, no problem. Hmph, we can wreak havoc in the entire city if we want to… Even the city’s police chief won’t dare question me.”

The elder puffed up his chest, his nose and cheeks a bit bigger now. He was clearly proud. This Shen nation did not have a brigadier rank, so a senior colonel was its equivalent. In this city, he was next to the top!

Seeing him so, Yun Zhi knew what to do…

“A brigade, three-hundred warriors? Wow! So you’re a big-shot, elder… Amazing, truly a hero! Ah, please forgive me, Little Yun is ignorant… How should I address you, sir?”

“Hm, hm… This old man’s name is Fang Yao… of the Fang clan.”

“I see. Little Yun greets Sir Senior Colonel, Elder Fang!”

“Haha, too long. Just elder is fine…”

While he seemed aloof, he was obviously happy.

Upon knowing his name and rank, she promptly greeted him properly, tickling the old man’s pride. But ‘Fang’ clan, huh… Where did she hear that recently? It sounded familiar… whatever.

With glittering eyes, as if a granddaughter pestering her grandpa, she asked;

“Sir Senior Colonel, little Yun is actually interested in the Murim Security Division… please tell me more! What do you do, really? Some hero stuff, saving people, averting crisis?”

“Hoho, silly girl. There’s no need to call me that so many times… That rank was just formality…”

So he said… but why did he look so happy?

“About the division, I’m afraid I can’t tell you much. I might slip up something, you know, confidential… but yes, we do save people often. We maintain security mainly in regard to martial artists, cultists, and spirit beasts… or anything supernatural, really. If it’s purely civilian matters, then it’s the police. You can search that internet thing to know more…”

Supernatural? Well, that was the first time she heard it. She had searched the internet about it, but she guessed she didn’t dig deep enough. From what he said, the division had a higher standing than the police. Martial artists, cultists, and spirit beasts, huh…

Now that he made it clear that he was not a suspicious person, the elder again asked;

“Now, do you mind showing me your ID? Even a cover ID will do,”

“Elder… I’m ashamed, but I don’t have any ID.”

“No ID? Did you leave them at home, or lost them?”

“Neither… Little Yun didn’t have any. I’m not from around here,”

“Not from around here… Alien or immigrant?”

He asked, as if familiar with such a situation.

That was indeed the case. He had met such situations many times during his time in the Murim Security Division. The Division had a higher authority than the police and similar authority to the military. They had to deal with matters concerning public security at a much higher level, so they had to deal with many situations, such as human trafficking, special operations, and the underworld. All of them had martial artists mixed in, so the police couldn’t handle them alone.

The term alien referred to people from nations that were far away from their Shen nation and did not share their culture. As for immigrants, it referred to people from their sister nations, with a similar origin, culture, and language. Though he could guess which one, it was better to learn it from her directly.

Responding, Yun Zhi answered;

“Actually, it’s a long story… I hope elder won’t mind,”

“Don’t mind, don’t mind! This elder’s rank is just formality, so not much to occupy my time,”

The elder had already entered what veterans called the ‘semi-retired’ period.

They held a high position, yet could allow their deputy to do all the work. They only need to show up when there was an official ceremony or issues which their deputy could not handle. This was common practice in Shen nation.

With the elder’s willingness to listen, she began her spin doctor tale. It was the same story she had told the homeless people. The tear-jerker story of her background…

She had been living overseas since she could remember. Her family was in distress due to her illness, one which made her lethargic and also lost her memory from time to time. In addition, they were also worried about not being able to protect her from their enemy. Because of that, they entrusted her to a distant uncle here…

But, as fate dictated, she was betrayed. Having all her belongings taken from her, including her family’s treasures. After that, she was drugged and thrown into the lake. Fortunately, before she got drowned, two homeless uncles fished her up onto the surface…

“H-how awful! How could one which was entrusted, betray such trust… Disgrace of a human, scum! If this old man gets him, I’ll slap him to death!”

“Y-yeah, a disgrace, right…”

Well, old man, I also had like to see…

To see, a fourth Qi-layer actually slapping an Immortal to death…

“You remember his name or face? I’ll get my men tracking!”

“…Because of the drug, my memory… all messed up. I know I have a big sis, but…”

“Why didn’t you contact her? What about the police? Surely they can,”

“Little Yun don’t know how to contact her… My family had a problem back home, some enemies. And I’m also afraid of the police… My uncle had some influence, so… And without ID, I don’t have anywhere to go…”

“So now you’re living with the homeless?”

“Yes… Thanks for their kindness, I… have a place to stay.”

“I see… Well, what about those thugs?”

“I just met them by coincidence, when they were bullying the homeless… It turned out two of them had potential, so…”

“So you teach them martial arts? But… how long ago was that?”

Crap!

He’s digging deep!

Totally a pro!

Ah, he used to work in that field…

I made a damn noob mistake!

She shivered. It was such a newbie mistake too.

Blame her rusty mind, she did. She didn’t think the story deep enough. All the elder had to do was double-checked with the thugs and the homeless. If she lied, she knew she would be busted. However, if she told him the truth… then…

Turning common people into martial artists in less than a week?

She was clearly hiding something!

And after trying hard to hide such facts, too…

She still got busted. What to do? Damage control? Right, this elder…

This elder had a sense of justice!

She could use that, nice!

“Eh, elder… will you promise little Yun something?”

“Em? Is it about your secret? Don’t worry, as long as it’s nothing criminal, I won’t blabber.”

“Yes… Please, keep everything you’ll hear about me from now on, a secret… My memory’s a bit fuzzy, but I still know how dangerous such info would be… If this got out, I’ll be hunted for sure. So elder,”

“Hmph, don’t you worry child. Can’t you trust this old man a bit? This old man could even take a vow! Bear witness to it!”

With that said, he took a vow that very same time.

It was a vow that stated, that as long as the secret had nothing wrong to be kept, he would keep it a secret till his death. If he broke such promise, Heaven would strike him with lightning three times!

Such a childish vow… wow, this elder…

Yun Zhi felt conflicted. She was bullshitting him, but he was taking her so seriously. While he seemed childish, she still admired his decisiveness. Such a person, though he might seem like a fool, was the kind of charismatic leader many would be willing to follow.

As soon as he finished with the vow, the cloudy sky rumbled, as if bearing witness to his vow. The open-air tower seemed like such a suitable place to take such a vow too, making it such an auspicious sign.

Soon, she explained how things happened…

Though, she made it clear, that some things about her martial arts had to stay hidden. It was just in case the elder decided to pry even deeper, and figured out something was amiss. At the time, she at least had a safe excuse.

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