"Young man, I see potential in you, the potential you deny"
His words hung in the air, simple, straightforward yet so suffocating that it's tearing me apart internally
The mysterious elder told me as he was standing over the lifeless bodies of three bandits. Bandits who were blocking my and his path mere seconds ago now sprawled flat on the earth.
I was merely doing an errand, buying some hair ointments from a nearby village for the young lady, like the good servant I was when I saw him, walking gracefully, as if he's gliding across the ground, so elegance in spite of his appearance
A man, old and wrinkled wearing ragged blue robes, his body so skinny, as if he hadn't eaten in days yet his eyes were lively, and peaceful yet carried a sense of yearning, walking along the dirt road leading out of the village I just came out of. Seeing his state, I took pity on him and approached offering some dumplings I had brought along as snacks
" no need young man, I am plenty full" he said a bit mysteriously
" Where are you heading? There's an inn nearby if you need rest, we can beg them to give you room" I said earnestly, clearly concerned
" No need, I'll be gone by dawn "
" In that condition, I'm afraid you won't even make it to nightfall." I say bluntly not meaning to be rude
But before he could answer me, we ran into some bandits, while quite rare around these parts due to the Crimson Cloud's influence, not implausible.
" hand over your belongings now" one of the thugs, burly, bald and scared said with a demanding, almost strained deep voice
" Hey! Stay back elder" I say as I quickly move to the front, attempting to shield him from these hooligans
" Leave us, we have nothing to offer you. "I say with as much bravado as I can muster, though it won't have much of an effect. Seeing as I am nothing more than a 5'7, servant-robed runt in front of their eyes
" Big talk for i serva- "
But before the bald thug could finish his sentence, a shadow quickly cast over my head as a blur of blue from the elder's tattered robes glided in front of the man and cleanly beheaded him, his head fell to the ground with a resounding thud before I noticed that his companions were killed in the same manner.
" These thugs had it coming when they chose this path, do not pity them young man" The elder said as he stood before their corpses
I stood, frozen in shock witnessing their sudden death at the hands of this starved-looking elder, unable to properly process what incurred. Could this be the rumored tales of wandering masters I've been warned about all my life?
" I-I gre-"
I hesitated before stumbling and hastily kneeling and shifting my tone, recalling that people of high authority do not tolerate disrespect
" I greet venerable elder, I apologize for my ignorant behavior early" As if second nature, I offered my respect, having been conditioned by a lifetime serving the Crimson Cloud noble household.
" Stand up young man, what is your name? " he asked me with a wise and knowing smile
I stand up, brushing off the dirt on my knees as I look up at him, clasping my hands as a sign of reverence
" It's De Ming, Elder, I am but a humble servant of the Crimson Cloud"
" Do you wish to learn martial arts?" He said with a piercing gaze
" I do, but I'm afraid that I'm merely a servant, such wishes are beyond me" I say truthfully, yet the words come out strained and unwilling, my hands balled into fists as I continue, barely above a whisper, my true desires leaking out " If only I was born different".
I looked back upon my upbringing, my mother who was already a servant of the Crimson Cloud household, died giving birth to me and left me to be brought upon by others as a servant, I appreciate them but felt no love from them growing up, only obligation. I happen to be the same age as the Crimson Cloud's young lady, Miss Zhu Lian, who treated me kindly as an equal, not just a servant. In contrast, her elder brother of two years, Zhu Feng would often bully and take out his frustration on me belittling me. I acted as though it didn't affect me and endured his beatings. But it did affect me, so much so that I started to believe his words, that I am simply talentless.
As i was deeply lost in thought, the elder observed my furrowing brows and spoke, breaking me out of my trance
"Young man, I see potential in you, the potential you deny," He said with a kind smile, his tone light yet ridden with authority.
Potential? Me? This can't be, how could I, a mere servant be worthy of such praises
"Please don't elder… don't give me hope" i say as I tighten my grip, clearly pushing back any hint of doubt that I'm not talentless as they say, I don't want to be disappointed, not again.
" You saw my movements earlier, did you not?" He chuckled wisely with a hint of pride in his eyes
" Y-yes? I saw a blur as their heads flew off" I say nervously, still processing his statement about my potential.
" Even a first-rate practitioner wouldn't have been able to catch that, and yet you did, your eyes and insight are exceptional young man" he said while stroking his long beard before continuing
" Moreover, you have shown me that your character, which is important in the path of martial art, talented or not"
He walked towards me and pulled out a token from his robes, on it engraved the words " Participation accepted"
"Take this token and participate in the Martial arts expo at the Guizhou Shaolin temple in two months, join our righteous faction and make a name for yourself, be confident in your talents"
The elder said before waving his hand, his dirty robes fluttering before he abruptly disappeared, leaving me dazed, token in hand, and very hopeful.
At this point, my heart was beating fast at the thought of maybe, just maybe I wasn't totally untalented. Something I haven't felt in years, hope. Just maybe…And then i snapped out of it.
"Oh no, I'm gonna return late!" i panicked and rush back to the Crimson Cloud family manor, although the ointment is for young lady Zhu Lian, and i know that she won't mind me returning a bit late.
I really don't want to give that jerk, Zhu Feng anymore reasons to bully me.