abcnovels
Chapter 214
Chapter 214
C214 – Old Master’s Memories
“Grandpa, how did you learn martial arts?”
Jiang Hao released the Old Master’s fist, his curiosity piqued.
The Old Master paused, meandering through the forest, seemingly lost in a deep reverie.
“Your grandfather was an orphan from a young age, with no one to turn to, often hungry and cold. I nearly perished back then.
But, by a stroke of luck, a troupe leader saw potential in me, and I was taken in by the troupe!”
His voice, distant and reflective, floated through the air as Jiang Hao walked silently beside him, listening intently.
“With a bit of natural ability, I quickly made a name for myself. The troupe leader valued me, so he had a seasoned master teach me combat skills!”
“Eventually, I became a martial actor, and those fighting techniques turned into my core curriculum.”
“I had a knack for it and soon integrated those techniques into my own unique style!”
Old Master’s tone carried a hint of pride at this point.
Yet, seeing Jiang Hao’s expression, his pride swiftly shifted to melancholy.
Noticing the change, Jiang Hao quickly prompted him.
“What happened next?”
Old Master chuckled at the question, then resumed his story.
“The master who trained me looked upon me with a sense of regret.
He lamented that I was born in the wrong time, an era where the Heavenly Dao was dormant, and the laws of cultivation had vanished—it was the Dharma-Ending Age!”
“I didn’t grasp his meaning then, but the master left me with a final thought.
He said this era lacked a certain essence, making it impossible to cultivate, let alone achieve any supernatural strength!”
“At that time, I was full of youthful arrogance, believing in the triumph of human will, so I vowed to cultivate that extraordinary power my master spoke of, just to show him!”
Old Master’s fervor seemed to resonate with Jiang Hao as he spoke.
“Yet, my master only smiled and shook his head at my declaration!”
“From then on, I dedicated myself to my practice. Though it meant the system I developed only enhanced my physical condition beyond that of an average person!
Still, I never abandoned my daily training, persisting for over fifty years!”
“I had resigned myself to a life of simple passage, but forty days ago, my body suddenly rejuvenated, as if a withered tree had found spring once more!”
“My vitality, which had been waning with age, suddenly surged. It was as if I had undergone a transformation,” the Old Master said, his voice tinged with incredulity.
Jiang Hao’s brow creased in thought.
“Forty days ago… wasn’t that when I first acquired the system?”
“Could all this be related to the system?” The idea sent a jolt through him.
He tucked the thought away and focused on the Old Master’s recollections.
The Old Master went on, “Afterward, I discovered a force of Qi within me! It moved throughout my body, and eventually, I realized I could control it!”
“After many trials, I finally mastered this Qi.” With that, he struck a nearby tree with his palm.
“Thump!” The tree shuddered violently, and when the Old Master stepped back, Jiang Hao saw a deep palm imprint on its trunk.
“It dawned on me then—this might be the extraordinary power my own master had spoken of!” The Old Master’s excitement was palpable.
As he settled down, Jiang Hao voiced his curiosity, “Grandfather, how did you know I was versed in martial arts?”
The Old Master cast a glance at Jiang Hao and replied, “Today, while you were applying acupuncture to your Fourth Uncle, I sensed a distinct Qi on the needle, different from the one within me—a different kind of Qi altogether.”