Book 3: Chapter 16: A Lovely Stroll |
Yin Hu sighed as he stared at their home's courtyard gate.
The girls had grown older and more independent already. Leaving him by his lonesome like some old parent once their kids go to college. He knew this was a good thing for their development overall, but it still left a bad taste in his mouth. It had been two years of taking care of them without them ever leaving his careful gaze and now they were busy gallivanting about in the city.
Doing God knows what and committing God knows what type of atrocities already.
He shook his head.
I’ve raised them better than that.
The need for some of their own threads and actions without his supervision was necessary to develop strong mental fortitude and a lack of absolute reliance on others. They needed to learn to make decisions. It also meant making mistakes and suffering the consequences. Of course there was a level of fortitude and honor they needed to carry themselves with even when learning the ups and downs of making their own choices.
It was the base he had been developing ever since he met them. Slowly trying to stamp out the young master and murder-hobo out of them.
Yin Hu shook his head and turned around from the gateway and looked at the road around him–
“Hi, Ancestor!” Shui blitzed by him down the road. “Bye, Ancestor!”
“Lady Shui! Lady Shui! Wait for me!” An old man ran past Yin Hu and after Shui, calling for her.
Yin Hu closed his eyes and took deep breaths.
Calmness. Serenity. Peace.
Calmness. Serenity. Peace.
Calmness. Serenity. Peace.
Shui was most definitely causing more chaos than he was giving her credit for. Yet, he hadn’t heard of anything crazy. If she had ended up trying to fight the Merchant Emperor then he would have heard of it by now. Zhong Da and Wu Xui were capable enough to keep an eye out even while busy guiding Jun and keeping the weapons shop open like Yin Hu wanted.
He let out a sigh.
This is expected. It’s part of the consequences of giving them that much independence. Plus…
Yin Hu hadn’t seen Shui smile that wide in some time. She was actively enjoying her time and doing what she found enjoyable currently.
That was enough for him for the time being.
He shook his head and started walking toward the shop they had set up. There were dozens of weapons he had picked out from between the endless pieces sitting in the Spatial void that was the rice bag. Each one was barely serviceable. Strong enough to hold, yet they were nothing like true mastercraft pieces that he had gotten later in his time within the isolated island.
Basic swords, axes, hammers, spears, and even a gorgeous glaive that had threatened to warp after he swung it a few times against the tree that was his testing sight. All of them were okay to sell and wouldn’t shake the weapon purchasing world too much.
Yin Hu walked by many dojos and disciples training.
Most stopped what they were doing for a moment and stared toward him. Bowing if he ever turned to look at them.
It happened too consistently that he stopped giving people's attention.
His Ancient Being persona was growing stronger every day he carried it upon himself. From his look to the way he strode forward. And even down to his tiny mannerisms. Everything screamed cultivator of grand power and ability. It was a giant blessing, but also a large negative because it attracted unwanted attention from some of the more ridiculous types out there.
Mostly the bounty hunters.
The Hu girls and himself had that issue ever since they were in the Silver Mountain Gang.
It didn’t take long until he found his way to the shop. Cultivators-Row was very much exactly what the large cultivator in the bureaucratic building had said it was. Pretty quiet and peaceful area filled with people of like minds and experiences. Mostly. It made navigating the place pretty easy without needing to worry about getting lost in winding alleyways and massive numbers of peoples going back and forth through traffic.
Yin Hu stopped before the white stone structure that was the shop.
The Hu Weaponry sat on a banner of purple and written in flowery golden calligraphy.
Large display windows were on both sides of the doorway into the wares. Showing off shiny weapons he remembered handing them to Zhong Da and then passing Jun’s inspections afterwards. Each one was placed around expensive silk cloth and had tassels and sheaths he knew had not come with them beforehand. Making them far more presentable than the hunks of metal they actually were.
Zhong Da has done a wonderful job preparing the place. Or maybe this is Wu Xui’s touch. Sad that she’d rather fight a battle to the death than haggle with anyone.
“Move!” a young voice shouted from behind him.
Yin Hu turned around and found a young man with an entourage of seven people behind him. Bright-eyed, smug, and had the glint of someone who would commit atrocities because it suited them. This thing before him was exactly what he expected from cultivators raised with no consequences to their actions. This was a Young Master. Without a shadow of doubt.
He frowned and surveyed the members of the little idiot’s entourage. Six of them looked as arrogant and foolish as the kid… and then his eyes locked onto the last member of the crew. An old man with white hair and heavy crows-feet at the edges of his eyes. Yet, his skin was fair and clean.
Another signal alerted Yin Hu that he recognized.
That was the look of a hidden sage.
On the exterior he looked like any old person, yet once you got a proper study of them, the small signs became too obvious to ignore.
Said old man’s eyes widened and locked onto Yin Hu’s. He remained in his position as his young master walked past Yin Hu and was followed by the remaining six members. He mimed words for a few seconds but failed to utter any sounds. Eventually failing to say or do anything at all.
Yin Hu chose to free him from the clutches of his overpowering ancient persona. Wondering if this was the slight Dao or Intent leaking from the system that escaped its grasp. “Go on,” he said and stood to the side. “You and your little master are not due for death just yet. Be careful though. I am not so merciful usually when met with the likes of your little master. I’ve ruined greater for much less.”
The hidden sage fell for his words hook, line, and sinker. The man bowed before him. “Thank you, senior. Your magnanimity knows no bounds.” Then he hurried into the shop with his head held low.
Yin Hu could hear the young master shouting inside, but couldn’t make out his words without focusing.
He shook his head and entered after the hidden master.
“...you must clean the front of your store! Having vagrants just standing in front of your entrance does your grand business a great disservice!” the young master shouted at a frowning Zhong Da.
The one armed man looked up toward the doorway and noticed Yin Hu enter. His eyes widened.
Zhong Da ran out from behind the counter, weaving through the weapon racks and shelves under the watch of all the people within the store. He stopped before the Patriarch of the Hu clan–
The arrogant young master gave Yin Hu a smug look.
Zhong Da dropped to his knee. “I welcome the Patriarch of my Hu Clan. Forgive my lack of fare and hospitality.”
Yin Hu frowned. He knew exactly why his clan member was doing this in front of the arrogant kid. It went against his entire motto of staying hidden, though he did appreciate the acumen that made this entire thing possible. Zhong Da was keyed up to all the ways to put someone like that kid in their place without doing it openly and causing an endless cycle of vengeance and retributionary attacks.
Even if he didn’t like the attention it brought.
Yin Hu patted his shoulder and strolled past him.
Zhong Da shot up to his feet and hurried to lead him deeper into the store and outside of the gaze of any of the customers. Leaving the arrogant kid, his entourage, and the hidden master back with the weapons for sale.
“Don’t do that again,” Yin Hu said once he was sure they couldn’t hear.
“That kid is so insufferable, but is a constant customer. Him and this fat man drove my wife crazy until she gave up today.”
Yin Hu smiled. “She came in ready for murder,” His smile grew when Zhong Da grinned so wide his eyes vanished. “I have her leading Jun around the dojos to get some experience dealing with other cultivators. She should keep her safe while exploring the area and staying busy. She had been bored lately with her inability to train and cultivate as much as usual.
Oh… Do keep an eye out for Shui in case she has to deal with something beyond her ability. She’s been set loose on the city too.”
Yin Hu turned and waved his hand. Sitting on the throne and pulling out a pot of tea… Missing Zhong Da’s incredulous look at the mention of Shui being in trouble.
The plan had been to sit out front and near the counter to watch people come and go without dealing with any of the haggling or the arguing, but that seemed impossible now that Zhong Da had made it obvious to anyone within earshot that this place had a master. The word would spread quick, unfortunately. Including how he looked and the whole scene where the arrogant young master was bad talking him just moments before his entrance into the public eye.
I might be stuck just sitting there with the darn greedy demonic spirit tree. Bastard finishes the majority of the tea every time!