Jihoon didn't answer for a quick minute and looked at Wang Jie for a couple of seconds. He had that kind of situation often enough to know what to do.
Wang Jie looked a little embarrassed, seeing Jihoon not answering just as he was about to continue and apologize for asking Jihoon to answer.
"Well, what kind of help do you need, Brother Jie?"
After walking around for a couple of hours and Wang Jie showing good hospitality Jihoon got comfortable enough to call him by his first name.
After all, if Wang Jie felt that he could ask, he would. So Jihoon made sure to be a nice and good person.
"I wanted to ask you to look at my swordsmanship, I know you are a Warrior much superior to myself and even my father, so please help me!"
Wang Jie deeply bowed, as he asked honestly.
Puhh looks like I had the wrong impression of you Wang Jie.
Jihoon thought as he felt a little bad for thinking that Wang Jie was trying to take advantage of him. Here he was scheming and planning like his life depended on it. Turns out Wang Jie is just a simple Warrior.
It seems that you are just a Warrior trying to learn, putting away your pride, and asking honestly without any shame… heh even asking somebody who could be your son!
He knew that it was easy to get drunk on your own power, especially in a small village like this and in such a high position.
"I like your humility, Warrior Jie!"
Jihoon said as he changed the way he was addressing him. Looking deeply into Wang Jie's eyes he grabbed his shoulders forcing him to stand upright.
"Since you have been honest with me, I will be honest with you! I will help you, however, I need your help too!"
Even though Wang has been honest with Jihoon could not let this chance go.
Wang Jie now standing upright listened intently as his eyes slightly brightened at the confirmation.
"I am on my way to become an Innate Grandmaster, as I am currently in search of enlightenment. I try to experience as many Martial Arts no matter their grade!"
"So I would like you to provide me with any Martial Art you could get me!"
Wang Jie was just about to answer but Jihoon put up his hand signaling he was not finished.
"I also want to meet the most knowledgeable person inside this village. "
Seeing Jihoon finishing Wang Jie sprang into action and answered enthusiastically.
"Of course, Warrior Jihoon! I can show you the Martial Arts for the guards, even though it may look like nothing, we have the best hand-to-hand fighters around all villages! Even the hand-to-hand champion across all villages is from our village!"
Wang Jie showed off proudly. He had a big grin on his face which looked stupid for someone his age and status.
"I can also show you the Wang Family Martial Art, even though we are not a real Martial Family we still have a couple of Martial Arts, especially for the sword!"
He continued enthusiastically.
"Also the wisest person in the village is my grand uncle and also the village chief! So if you want you could meet him tomorrow morning!
They continued talking a bit and agreed to meet tomorrow morning and then go to the village hall together where the chief resided. Afterwards Jihoon would be provided with all the Martial Arts Wang Jie could get his hands on, then in the evening they would train and spar together.
Jihoon paid 70 copper coins for a night in the inn including breakfast. Since he got 95 gold coins and 500 silver coins he simply paid with one silver coin and told the clerk to see it as a tip.
In his room, Jihoon lay inside his bed after taking a bath and cleaning his clothes. Inside the room was a simple but comfortable bed, with a desk facing the window and a wardrobe standing on the other side.
I need to buy new clothes… I should have done that today.
Jihoon grimaced as he looked at his old clothes.
It looks like the Wang family has a lot of power inside this village, with every important position being claimed by one of them.
Looks like I made the right decision by befriending them… huh!
Suddenly Jihoon remembered the tug at his mind earlier today and instantly sat up to meditate.
Maybe I can enter my dream again? Or even meet my family...?
Jihoon started to get excited but quickly held himself back and focused his mind again. There is no need to be rash.
He mediated and consistently tried to enter his Dreamspace but even after hours nothing happened so he laid down to sleep again.
I wonder when I will get back home.
He wondered as he slowly fell asleep.
The next morning his clothes were already dried so he quickly put them on, ate breakfast, and went outside the inn where Wang Jie was already waiting.
They greeted each other and made their way towards a big building in the center of the village. It had listings in front of the building, exhibiting job opportunities and local news.
There was even national news!
Bandit sightings near Emerald Veil Forest! Proceed with caution! 4. July, 819.
Jihoon read the local news and wondered.
Hmm interesting they have the same months but their year is different, i don't believe that this world only exists or had a concept of time for 800 years. There should be another reason behind it.
Then his eyes went towards the national news which read.
Attention Citizens of the Great Ravenstone Kingdom,
Recruiting Warriors of all grades, please apply to any recruiting office! Checking for cultivation qualification guaranteed!
First Rate Warrior under 30 applies to the elite corps! Cultivation guaranteed!
May, 819
Jihoons mind suddenly raced with a thousand thoughts. Looks like he was inside the Ravenstone Kingdom on the Shattered Star continent inside the Azure World.
At least he now knew where he was, he just needed a map to know more.
However the cultivation in question was what confused him the most. Cultivation qualification? What's that? And how can they guarantee that First Rate Warriors learn how to cultivate??
Is there something about Martial Arts that I am missing? I need more information!
Jihoon was angry but what frustrated him the most was that he did not know what he did not know!
However, he did not have time to dwell on things. By now they stood in front of a set of double doors that Wang Jie promptly opened.
Inside was a dimly lit room with a big round table in the middle. It was surrounded by chairs and in the back, facing them sat an old man.
He had white hair and a long beard, slightly resembling Wang Wei, Wang Jie's father.
"Warrior Jihoon, this is my great uncle Wang Jun and the chief of this humble village. He has the most knowledge among all the villagers since he served in the Ravenstone Army!"
Wang Jie said with reverence and respect before quickly excusing himself and leaving.
Wang Jun stood up and slightly bowed.
"Warrior Jihoon, I welcome you again to the Iron Hand Village. I heard you were a wandering Warrior in search of enlightenment so I won't ask about your origins."
Jihoon returned the bow as he continued listening.
"I heard you came here to seek knowledge in addition to your Martial Arts journey. Ah how I wish that my grand-nephew would also seek some knowledge instead of only thinking about Martial Arts."
Wang Jun said with slight respect before his tone turned annoyed as he mentioned Wang Jie.
"I am sure he already asked you to spar with him or something similar. If that is the case I can make sure he apologizes and does not bother you."
Wang Jun continued rambling about his grand nephew before Jihoon had to interrupt and steer the conversation in the direction that he wanted.
He slightly laughed and said,
"There is no need for that village chief. We already came to an agreement."
"However there is something I would like to ask. You know I not only came here to seek Martial Arts but to seek knowledge about History among other things and was wondering if you had some exclusive documents I could read?"
"Hmm, unfortunately we don't have any, the only thing about history we have here are the books for the students inside the school."
Jihoon outwardly showed a disappointed expression but inside he was gleaming.
I will ask Jie about the school and then steal a history book!
"If that's the case there is no need to continue talking about history. How about Innate Grandmasters?"
They continued talking for about an hour before Jihoon left and met with Wang Jie inside the guard's barracks.
****
Inside the village hall, an old man was laughing and talking to himself.
"What a little liar…"
He smirked as he continued staring outside his window.
"Telling me he is in search of enlightenment, what kind of bullshit is that? What kind of 18-year-old First Rate Warrior would need that kind of thing?? It was practically guaranteed that he would turn into an Innate Grandmaster before the age of 30!"
He shook his head as he touched his trembling hand and looked at the stump that was there instead of his left foot.
"Heh… and what is even worse is him lying about being a First Rate Martial Artist in the first place…"
That feeling when he entered the room… it made my gut churn and I almost activated my Qi instinctively. I don't even want to know what would have happened to me if I attacked.
He calmed his trembling hand down.
Looks like he is a very strong Grandmaster…