Chapter 42: Old Demon Lady

Writer's Note: This chapter isn't completely serious and its one of the first times in the novel I've put in a scene that is there for not only plot but also for humor... I understand that it's a risk and some of you might not like it, but it's what I've been wanting to do for a while and I never really had the balls to write more humor into the novel because I was worried people wouldn't like it, but today I decided that I'm just going to write what I want and if people like it then yay.

-At the infirmary-

The doctor was currently giving Guo Huo a rundown of Jia

Yuan’s circumstances. “The kid’s injuries aren’t too bad, I’ve already patched

them up. However, he seemed to have exhausted himself during the fight, so he

hasn’t woken up yet. Furthermore, his Song seems to be suppressed. It shouldn’t

pose a problem, but it’s rather unusual…”

After a week of laying on a bed in the infirmary, Jia Yuan’s

eyes finally opened.

“Sir! He woke up!”

One of the nurses quickly notified the doctor who quickly rushed

to Jia Yuan’s bed.

As for Jia Yuan, he was extremely confused. The last thing

he remembered was breaking through to be able to use two elements… and an

explosion.

Urghhh… I’m so hungry…

As he stared up at the ceiling of the infirmary, Jia Yuan

slowly began to recover from being unconscious for so long.

He sat up and looked around. He saw the doctor, as well as

Guo Huo who was rushing to the bed.

What…happened?

Seeing that Jia Yuan was safe, Guo Huo his worry fade away.

The past few days, he had been extremely worried about Jia Yuan. Not only had

Jia Yuan been unconscious, but Guo Huo couldn’t even sense any of Jia Yuan’s

aura.

After a few checkups to make sure that there were no lingering

problems with Jia Yuan, the teacher and student left the infirmary and walked

back to a hotel that Guo Huo had been staying at.

Along the way, Jia Yuan kept glancing at Guo Huo.

How could Guo Huo misinterpret his disciple?? “Alright,

alright. I’ll order a big meal for you when we get to the hotel, okay? We’ll

consider it your prize for achieving the 4th level of Absorption.

But in return, you have to tell me about what happened on the stage.”

Jia Yuan actually stopped walking upon hearing this.

It had been a constant struggle in his mind for the past few

months. Should he tell Guo Huo about the Song of Swords?

Jia Yuan began to walk again. “Teacher, let’s talk about it

after the meal.”

“Fine, fine” Guo Huo knew not to push too hard. After all,

Jia Yuan had his secrets, and Guo Huo had his own.

The two made their way to the hotel, and Guo Huo spared no

expense on the meal. He ordered for many of hotel’s best dishes to be brought

up to the room.

After eating the sumptuous

meal, Jia Yuan looked over to Guo Huo.

“Teacher, the reason I fainted after the battle is because

of my Song. It is capable of supporting all four elements. After reaching the 4th level of Absorption, the power of the water element I gained from the Song activated, which put a toll on my body and mind.”

“Hmm, I see… WAIT WHAT??”

Jia Yuan had said the phrase so nonchalantly, Guo Huo had

responded without even realized what Jia Yuan had said.

“HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? Not even a heavenly Song is

capable of anything like that!”

Guo Huo instantly thought for Jia Yuan’s safety. “Does

anyone else know about this?”

“There shouldn’t be anyone else who knows… although I think

that during the duel. The explosion was caused from my water aura colliding

with my fire aura. Jia Rou may have sensed both auras on my body, which would

cause him to have suspicions.”

“Ah, that guy.” Guo Huo cleared his throat rather loudly. “Well

um, the the explosion seemed to have impacted the other guy very much… his body

was fine but apparently he now has amnesia… which means that he probably isn’t

a problem.”

“However, his friends are more or less out to kill you. They

couldn’t do anything while you were in the infirmary, or they would’ve been

killed by the arena guards. However, when you are outside of the arena, you

will need to be very careful.”

“As for your Song… thank you for telling me.” Guo Huo

understood just how important this knowledge about Jia Yuan’s Song was, and

that Jia Yuan was willing to tell him was a show of Jia Yuan’s trust.

“You mentioned that the explosion was caused from your water

aura? So your second element is that of water?”

“Yeah.”

“I see, I see. Haha, you rascal!” Guo Huo patted Jia Yuan

strongly on the back, causing the latter

to sway in his chair. “Your luck is far greater than what you’ve let on!

This changes my plans, however. We’ll need to find a teacher to train you in

the water element. It would also be nice for you to get some combat experience

with the water element…”

“Alright, we’ll get you another badge from the Arena. When

you fight with the fire element, you’ll fight with your own name. However, when

you fight with the water element, you’ll wear a disguise with a mask. You’ll

also use an alias. I don’t think anyone would expect someone to have two

elements, so there shouldn’t be anyone who realizes the truth.”

For now, rest up. You need about a week’s worth of rest

before you’re back to full strength. In the meantime, I’ve found someone to

teach you proper manners and etiquette.”

“Whaaaat??” Jia Yuan was not looking forward to these

lessons.

“This is an order from your teacher. Like I said when we

arrived at the city, this is something that you’ll have to learn eventually

anyway.”

“Okay, okay…” Jia Yuan turned to the side and began to

grumble.

-knock knock- Some knocks sounded on the door.

“Ah, that should be her!” Guo Huo had a bit of an evil smile

on his face as he headed toward the door.

Seeing said smile, Jia Yuan’s face blanched.

Oh god, what kind of

demon did he find?

Guo Huo opened the door and an old woman with an extremely

strict face walked in.

I’m done for. I’d like

to give thanks for the foo..

“IS THIS THE KID YOU WERE TALKING TO ME ABOUT?” Shouted the

old lady.

“Ah, yes. I hope you’ll teach him well.”

“WHAT?”

“YES. I HOPE YOU’LL TEACH HIM WELL.”

“CAN I START NOW?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

The next few hours were torture for Jia Yuan, as the old lady

mercilessly drilled manners and etiquette into him.

Sit straighter! Hands more angled! When you walk, keep your

back straight! Say please!

With each command came the rap of a ruler. While Jia Yuan

was at the 4th level of Absorption and wouldn’t really get hurt by a

ruler wielded by an old lady, it still stung every time he was hit.

By nighttime, Jia Yuan’s mind was on its last strands.

Seeing this, Guo Huo thanked the teacher, paid her, and told her to come back

in the morning for Jia Yuan’s next lesson.

Jia Yuan sprawled on the ground, his mind and body unable to

suffer anymore.

“Hey champ, how are you doing?” Said Guo Huo while smirking.

“Urghh…” Replied Jia Yuan.

“Alright ,alright. Just get to bed. Your lessons will

continue in the morning. She said that at the current pace, you’ll be done in 5

days. Before we leave the city, I’m going to have her visit once more to make

sure that you remembered everything, so no being lazy.”

“Blurghhh…” groaned Jia Yuan, as he crawled into his bed. He

instantly fell asleep, but was haunted by nightmares of an old lady with horns

on her head and a giant ruler as a weapon.