Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The First Lesson Noel Learned
The carriage was splendidly decorated, and the coachman looked robust and efficient, not like someone from an ordinary household.
Deluk, leading Noel, approached them.
He smiled apologetically, explaining their situation.
Perhaps moved by his sincere demeanor, or charmed by Noel's cuteness, the carriage owner not only refrained from getting angry but also warmly invited them to join her for a ride, offering to take them part of the way.
Deluk declined.
The coachman relayed his response into the carriage. Shortly after, a delicate, fair hand emerged from the curtain, holding a handkerchief with several enticing pastries on it.
She offered it to Noel.
Then, a gentle female voice asked, "Would you like some?"
As soon as the pastries appeared, Noel couldn't take her eyes off them.
Hearing the carriage owner's question, she instinctively nodded, then quickly shook her head, looking to Deluk for guidance.
Seeing her master nod, she crisply responded, "Yes, please!"
The woman inside the carriage chuckled, playfully saying, "Then call me 'sister' to hear."
Noel, eyes fixed on the treats, eagerly called out, "Sister! Sister! Sister!"
The woman inside laughed even more joyously, motioning for the little girl to come forward and take the pastries.
"Young Taoist, your disciple is really amusing."
Deluk, addressed as 'young Taoist', didn't take offense. He smiled, "The innocence of a child is its beauty."
To his surprise, the woman in the carriage snorted coldly, "Uncle Wang, let's go."
These Taoists, with little real skill, always spouting profound philosophies.
Unfortunately, Miss Kiana from Luoyang City, well-known for her disdain for such talk, was the one in the carriage.
Deluk stood still, watching the carriage slowly drive away.
Beside him, Noel hurriedly stuffed her mouth with pastries. Picking up a piece, she mumbled, holding it up to Deluk, "Master try one too! It's yummy!"
Deluk didn't refuse, tasting a bite.
Soft and fluffy, sweet but not cloying.
Noel looked down at the few pastries left in her hand, then back at the receding carriage, feeling a bit melancholic.
"Master, do you think we'll meet that sister again?"
Deluk glanced at her, "Why? Have you taken a liking to her?"
Hearing this, Noel's eyes darted around, "What are you talking about, Master! I'm not some greedy little brat!"
"So, do you want to meet her again?"
Noel licked her fingers, about to nod, then thought better of it, not wanting to seem too eager.
So, tilting her head, she said with some difficulty, "It's not... impossible..."
"Hah.."
Deluk chuckled softly, taking her hand again, "Let's go, then."
"So, Master, can we...?"
"As long as you want, of course we can."
On the official road, the little girl started to skip joyfully.
"Hehe~ hen I want to eat lots and lots of pastries."
"Eating too many will make you fat and give you cavities."
"Then I'll eat less, not lots and lots, just a lot."
Under the orange glow of the setting sun, a large hand holding a small one, they walked at a leisurely pace.
At the end of the road, a grand and majestic city loomed into view.
"Noel, having eaten someone's pastries, we ought to repay them."
"Ah, what?!"
The little girl was startled, feeling her empty pockets, finding nothing.
"But Master, I have nothing to give back."
Years later, Noel would often recall this afternoon.
This was the first lesson her master taught her.
Making mistakes wasn't frightening; what mattered was making amends in time.
...
...
Evening after school.
Deluk returned to his dormitory.
Most students at Second Middle School were boarders, under closed management, going home on Friday afternoons and returning on Sunday nights for the first evening self-study session, only going home on weekends.
The dormitory was a six-person room. Deluk arrived a bit late, and everyone else was already there, except for him.
As soon as he entered, he immediately attracted the attention of all his roommates.
"Well, well, the quiet guy's now a big name in our school."
A boy with thick eyebrows and big eyes bounded over, slapping Deluk's shoulder and giving a thumbs up.
He started the conversation, and the others joined in.
"Yeah, who would have thought that Deluk, usually as quiet as a mute, could have such a heroic day!"
"What are you calling him? It should be 'Brother Deluk' or 'Big bro' now!"
"Hehe, Big bro."
They joked around, and some quickly noticed Deluk's bandaged hand, expressing concern, "Big bro, does it hurt? I heard the knife went right through. Just thinking about it makes my legs shake."
Deluk sat on his bed, casually responding, "It doesn't hurt."
He had answered this question many times, yet showed no sign of impatience.
His disposition, shaped by experiences over nine lifetimes, had long shed many of the emotions typical of ordinary people.
"Whoa! Really? Let me see?"
"Get out of the way, don't touch it. Brother Deluk, let me have a look. My family has a history of traditional medicine. It'll definitely work."
"No way, didn't you say last time your family was into veterinary medicine and even suggested you study that in college?"
"Veterinary medicine is still medicine!"
Ignoring his playful roommates, Deluk headed straight to wash up.
The thick-browed guy rubbed his chin, "You know, he really doesn't seem like he's in pain, even washing his face by himself."
"Maybe it's different for everyone. I remember stepping on a nail as a kid, it went through my foot, but I still ran for miles."
"Are you serious, Jie?"
...
...
Deep into the night.
In a private residence in Ronaki City.
Thick blood oozed across the floor, emitting a strong, metallic scent.
On the sofa lay a neatly arranged family of three.
In the darkness, a figure meditating on the spot slowly opened his eyes.
His face was a sickly pale, with a flash of crimson light glinting in his eyes.
The man stood up, glancing at the bodies on the sofa, his brows furrowed deeply.
"It seems that the flesh of ordinary humans is no longer sufficient for my recovery, let alone further advancement..."
He murmured to himself, his face dark and brooding.
"Just a little more, just a little..."
His frustration was palpable.
He was only a step away from reaching the fourth level of Qi cultivation...
Even at the peak of the third level, he could have his way in most places.
But this was Ronaki City, backed by Greenfield Mountain!
It was an old Taoist from Greenfield Mountain who had injured him, forcing him to flee into the city.
In today's modern era, he should have been caught by surveillance and other high-tech devices.
But the man, using a unique Earth Escape technique he had chanced upon, could perfectly avoid all monitoring, always managing to escape after his crimes, turning danger into safety.
He felt the violent, crazed blood energy within him, screaming in extreme thirst.
It needed flesh, the flesh of cultivators!
'No.'
Remembering the old Taoist's sword, deep fear flashed in the man's eyes.
Greenfield Mountain was definitely off-limits.
Though he had turned to the demonic path and was extreme in his actions, he wasn't foolish enough to court death.
However...
The man's lips curled into a cruel smile as if he had thought of something.
Weekly Power Status
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