Free Web NovelChapter 266: Potential Brian Has [1]
Standing without much thought, Jake was just watching the two talking with each other since it had been a while since they met. Alfred loved Brian so well that he grew as if Brian was his personal hugging toy. He would always embrace him as if he hadn’t seen him for a while. On the other hand, Brian became so used to it that his eyes could only tell acceptance or tolerance of it that he wouldn’t be able to escape his embrace.
The tight embrace lasted for a few seconds, then he disconnected it again.
"I already said that I have returned. Why are you hugging me again and... I can’t breathe well. Please give me space."
"You’ve changed!"
There were plenty of words to say and used to represent his reaction, but he chose those strange words that weren’t appropriate for the situation. Brian scoffed, then pushed Alfred away teasingly, and then jumped into the funny meeting they were having.
"I have changed. Maybe I have matured. "
Alfred was silent and stared at him. "I guess it is what you have achieved, Brian."
Alfred could see how he had changed. Before, Brian would always try to ignore being taught their family’s traditional cultivation technique. However, the reason behind it was not known, but Alfred had already noticed it. According to the family rules, no one could leave the family with their knowledge on them still intact; they would be crippled before they could even live quietly outside the family. It was the reason why Brian would ignore the teachings and try to distance himself.
Alfred had missed Brian, and he could feel how his heart had longed for him. And as he finally met again with his dear brother, his eyes now fell on a new face who was just behind him. He stared at him for a few seconds and then asked Brian about him.
"Anyways, who is he?"
"He is my advisor and also the one who taught me martial arts." Brian honestly answered. ’Even though it was Senior Brother who taught me cultivation, I should just say that he was someone who taught me about it as well.’
"I can feel that you have cultivated Qi. Is he also the person who taught you a cultivation technique?"
"Ah... Yes, he is. Why do you ask?"
Alfred’s words turned out to be blurted out from his mouth as the hierarchy was already established between them, and he had no other thoughts about not being rude to Jake. On the other hand, Brian’s eyebrow twitched as he heard it.
"But he didn’t have any Qi around him? Are you sure that he really is a cultivator?"
"Yes, I can also see that, young master Brian." This time, another person spoke who wore white robes. He was Del Dai, the commissioner of the intelligence and affairs of White Lead.
Brian slowly looked at Jake to see his reaction, but it turned out he was silent and calm about it. The tranquility painted on his face gave him relief that he didn’t have to worry and just had to answer the question of the two people in front of him.
"Maybe the disparity was just wide. You should not be fooled by your senses, right? A good and strong cultivator doesn’t jump to a conclusion based on what is in front of them... right?"
Alfred’s eyes had a slight suspicion, but as Brian’s words made sense, he let out a sigh and ignored the heavy atmosphere, then smiled. He faced Jake, then lowered his head, giving a gesture of somewhat apologetic approach.
"Please forgive me for not recognizing your prowess. I was immature to judge you based on your outer appearance. If there is any chance, can you teach me how to reform my body so that my outer appearance won’t age?"
’There nothing wrong with being wary. And even though it is hard to believe that I, a peak Master Spirit Realm, am facing someone who has higher cultivation compared to me and the disparity is huge, there is nothing wrong with being careful. And since Brian said that he is the person who taught him, he deserves respect.’
Jake only smiled and dismissed the further spicing of the events. He didn’t want to turn it into a case where he wouldn’t be able to control it.
"You don’t have to worry about it, Fellow Daoist. I am not that sensitive. Please raise your head. And the thing about body reformation, it will be impossible."
Del Dai’s keen eyes fell on Jake, and he discerned him thoroughly. However, as he noticed nothing, he stopped the progression and lowered his head.
’He has the qualities and the discipline of a good cultivator. It is safe to assume that he will cause no problems...’
On the other hand, Jake sighed as it seemed the surrounding suspicion was already cleared. Thus, he was confident that they wouldn’t do anything to bother Jake, as he knew that he was only here to support him in his cause.
A fragment of what they talked about when Jake persuaded him rang back in his head...
"Grand Master noticed how you wanted to be bothersome to him. And also, since you wanted to re-establish your position, as your teacher, I can’t let you go without making sure that I have taught you enough to leave you. My ways are still better than the energy-draining techniques of cultivators, after all. So, as an alternative approach to it, let me go with you back to White Lead as your advisor and supporter. In that case, their trust in you will hinder them from pushing you to learn their martial arts, right?"
"How did you know that I was trying to escape learning our techniques?"
"It wasn’t obvious, and this is just a speculation. But, on the day when members from White Lead came to look for you and we bumped against them, your eyes were saying that you didn’t want to return home. You were only forced to do it since they would continue to bother you and the people around you. And one reason that you wanted to leave your family was the family itself. And things like name, background, and techniques have already been attached to any reputable family, so I just assumed that you didn’t like your family."
"Yes, I don’t like my family. But even with it, I still didn’t think of not learning our techniques. If by any chance, I leave again, my father must cripple me for betraying and not staying forever by the side of the family. I am afraid of it and I have no other choice but to re-establish my position using the teachings you imparted on me, Brother Jake."
"You are making me blush. That is the reason why I wanted to support you in your return to White Lead."
Brian was pushed back straight to reality as Alfred’s arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders. He started dragging him with a smile on his face as if he was looking forward to something.
"Brian, I am curious about your achievements and also the teaching fellow Daoist Jake imparted to you. Let’s go to the open training field. I will check on your potential." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Whatever," Brian grumbled, but a smile appeared afterward.
By the time they arrived at the training grounds, mercenaries under White Lead stopped as they saw two young masters arriving. They were taken to mesmerize the two handsome young men who, despite having slightly average yet still compelling facial features, the surrounding aura was making them too charismatic. Added to their garments, the clean and new robes they wore were eye-catching.
"We are here to see your potential, Brian. You can show off if you want to, but don’t put yourself in harm’s way."
"Really? I am already 20. Why do you even think that I am clumsy?"
"I just... argh, whatever. Just go and take it easy while you show off. I badly want to see your progress as your aura was just too different from before."
Brian then started to smile, seeing how desperate Alfred was. He tilted his head while his face was smug and went to the racks of the wooden weapons.
"I already have it in my mind. Can I just show my movements? It is acceptable to know since forms and performance are needed, right?" Brian inquired as if his eyes were plotting something. And just as Alfred couldn’t wait any longer, he simply nodded and shoved him away to the ring of the grounds.
"Just show me."
On the other hand, Jake’s face was showing a confident one as he looked at Brian, taking everyone’s attention. And as he started moving, it was as if a new type of atmosphere was created in the training grounds that took their breath away. Their attention was locked onto the perfectly majestic movements and forms Brian was performing. As if a light was around him, and a soothing sensation was the effect of each of his movements.
Jake had a reason why he was confident, and Del Dai noticed it. He couldn’t help but ask him about it. He was curious as well and thinking about Jake’s identity, this must be the right time to ask him about it.
"You taught him well... I am surprised that you have pulled out the talent that the third young master had within."
Jake gave Del an eye and smiled the next second. "You are praising me, aren’t you? No need to do that. Brian was just talented; he was only afraid to admit that he only had to observe things even without learning them from books."
