210: Chapter 8 Could it be that I was really a master in my past life?
210: Chapter 8 Could it be that I was really a master in my past life?
Old Master He, with his hands clasped behind his back, squinted at Wang Yunxiao and sighed, “I’m of such an old age now and have long stopped meddling in the affairs of Jianghu World.
These youngsters in Jianghu World don’t recognize an old man like me anymore.
You should figure this out on your own.
I’m going to be blunt — she’s not your sweetheart, so why bother?”
“Don’t think that just because those young girls say they are unwilling, they truly are.
Going down this path, maybe in a couple of years they might be able to live a life of luxury and splendor.
Saving her as a poor boy, unless you are going to provide for her, how should she live when her parents are irresponsible?
How’s a young girl supposed to manage later on?”
Wang Yunxiao laughed and said, “How do you know I won’t provide for her?
Maybe this time I’ll find the right one.
Even if I don’t have that affinity, I’ve got plenty of brothers by my side who are bachelors.
Any of them could provide for her.
Don’t try to fool me with that kind of talk; it’s all about luxury and splendor, but how many actually achieve that through this path?
If this profession were so glamorous, there wouldn’t be any respectable women taking it.”
It is said that for one to succeed, thousands must perish.
In any profession, it is always like this.
The most glamorous ones are always just a tiny group at the top, beneath which unknown numbers of failures build layers of bleached bones, building up the throne at last.
People often take the news as the truth, not realizing that what usually makes the news is precisely what isn’t common.
The commonplace occurrences you see every day, even if reported in the news, won’t catch your second glance.
Whether Jiang Yinyin has such an intention, Wang Yunxiao didn’t know.
But at the very least, he needed to see her in person, ask clearly so he could explain the situation when he returned to school to the principal and Zhou Qing.
Thinking this, Wang Yunxiao grinned and said, “Old Master, please don’t say that.
Speaking of the affairs of Jianghu World, who in the entire Tianmen City has clearer insights than you?
Actually, I’ve wanted to seek your advice for a long time, but my studies kept me busy and I never found the right time.
How about next month, when school is on summer break?
I’ll take you out, and we could find a spacious and bright place.
We’ll follow the rules of Jianghu World, bow properly to you, and formally become your disciple.
What do you think?”
Old Master He pursed his lips, holding back a smile, and waved his hand profoundly, “Don’t talk nonsense with me.
My place is too small to accommodate a ‘big Buddha’ like you.
And what’s all this formal and informal nonsense?
Aren’t there enough people these days betraying their masters?
All that nonsense is useless, I’ve seen enough in my lifetime.”
“If you truly are sincere, I don’t need you to bow or show affection.
Just call me master and promise to do three things for me.”
Wang Yunxiao, puzzled, asked, “Which three things?”
You don’t want me to marry Zhi Ruo, do you?
Old Master He shook his head and said, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing wicked.
I’ve been cautious and low-profile all my life; I’ve never done anything grandiose to boast about, nor have I made any inextricable enemies.
It’s just some old friends and past events that still leave me with some regrets.”
Wang Yunxiao, surprised, said, “Could it be that an old flame of yours has come looking for you with her granddaughter as lovely as flowers, asking me to take care of her?”
“Get lost, dream on!”
Old Master He laughed and scolded, “Even if I did have a granddaughter, I wouldn’t let you, you little rascal, take advantage.
I can still eat and sleep; I don’t need you to worry about me.
When the day comes that I really can’t move, if there’s still no resolution, then I’d have to trouble you.”
“What exactly is it, and why can’t you say now?”
“It’s not that I can’t tell you, it’s that you’re too young; telling you would be pointless.”
Old Master He glanced at the wall clock in the police station lobby, “Alright, while I’ve still not changed shifts, let me take you to ask someone.”
“Where are we going?”
“Why ask so many questions?
Just follow me.”
Old Master He, who watched the gate at night, wore just a military coat; during the day he napped in the call room, not bothering with his police uniform, looking unkempt and shabby like an old beggar.
At his age, no matter how fiery his temper had been in his youth, now he was serene and calm.
He didn’t go to see someone directly but took Wang Yunxiao to take a bath first.
In the North, bathhouses were still a novel concept in this era, previously a true luxury enjoyment.
Only the wealthy could afford trips to hot springs; such a privilege wasn’t for ordinary people.
It was only because of technological advancements that burning furnaces and laying water pipes became widespread, allowing ordinary people to enjoy pleasures once exclusive to Roman nobility.
Soaking in the hot pool, Old Master He wiped the mist from his beard and squinted as he sized up Wang Yunxiao’s physique.
In just two days, the wounds on Wang Yunxiao’s arm had already healed, and even the scars had faded significantly.
“Have you practiced any martial arts?”
“Just the stuff taught in textbooks…
military combat techniques…”
“No, you’re not being honest, young man.”
Old Master He smirked and said, “The first time I saw you, I noticed something off about you, young man.
Who taught you your breathing method?”
“What breathing method?”
Wang Yunxiao was utterly confused.
“I really haven’t learned any; there’s nothing for me to lie to you about…”
At that moment, he suddenly froze.
If Old Master He hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have noticed that his own breathing rhythm seemed different from that of others.
Long before this, many people had asked him—have you practiced martial arts?
But at that time, Wang Yunxiao didn’t pay attention, assuming they referred to the things he learned from textbooks.
He was indeed very talented in this area, grasping things quickly, unlike his peers who struggled to mimic what was taught.
Without a professional and strict instructor by his side, practicing according to the textbook was not much different from regular physical exercise.
Nurse Liu’s classes were always just about lecturing, never teaching.
“I’ve said what I had to say.
Whether you listen or not is your problem; after all, it’s your life, and no one else is responsible for that.”
“You really haven’t learned?”
Looking at Wang Yunxiao’s genuinely perplexed and unfeigned expression, Old Master He was somewhat surprised.
“Could it be that you’re some kind of reincarnated spirit creature, inherently possessing a secret technique for cultivation?”
It wasn’t about being a reincarnated spirit creature; traveling to another world was the reality.
Wang Yunxiao tried hard to recall, but just like before, his clear memories stopped at the age of sixteen.
He couldn’t remember anything after that; it was as if it had been deliberately erased.
Was I previously a martial arts master?
Could it be that I, the esteemed Eternal Supreme Martial Emperor of the Nine Heavens, was actually plotted against by someone close to me and not only lost most of my memory but also had all my internal strength dissipated, leaving only a wandering, broken soul…
Wang Yunxiao clenched his fist and threw a punch towards the calm surface of the water in front of him.
Nothing happened.