Written by: Loki
Lucian began to walk back to that town he first woke up in, as that is the only place he knows to go after his map went missing. Who knows where that went since it's already 7 years since the first day he entered that cave. He was 10 years old at that time, and he is now 17 in his current age.
All he has is an ominous-looking sword at his waist, also a gift of Jeonglak to him.
He's wearing tattered clothes that clearly revealed his toned and refined body after solely devoting himself for these past 7 years to either physical training, cultivating, and refining his swordsmanship, and asking his master for his insight into his own swordsmanship technique and modifying it to perfection together with Jeonglak's remnant will's insight.
"I'm finally going to roam outside... So, it seems it's still at age 17 when I make a name for myself." Whether it's in his previous world or here, it seems that fate really exists and is playing with him.
He didn't really mind it and is quite happy about this, since compared to his old self at this age, he's much stronger. He learned cultivation and got the insight of Jeonglak Cheonma, the previous generation Heavenly Demon, into refining his swordsmanship technique into perfection. Maybe even the Righteous Alliance leader won't handle him, since in terms of qi, Jeonglak gave him all the qi he had. A qi that can let a remnant will stay for 600 years and counting is a very big boost to his strength. Maybe he got 500 years' worth, or maybe more... Who knows, since Jeonglak didn't specifically mention how much he transferred to him, nor did Lucian ask or check.
He continued walking, dressed like a beggar. But unlike before when he first came to this world, he can now see his surroundings and find out that multiple men are in the bush and are hiding but are not moving.
They are bandits of the Green Forest Alliance, and just like the first time he walked here, those people didn't bother meddling with him. Both now and in the past, he still looks poor and is more pitiful now with his clothes tattered beyond repair. And what if that guy is one of the Beggar Sect? Would they like the wrath of those persistent, smelly bastards? No way.
Lucian checked his clothes; it was the clothes he wore the first time he came here... Imagine how smelly that is? It's basically ripped now, and he's basically naked.
But since Lucian saw them, he went and greeted them himself.
"I want to borrow a robe, brothers." In an instant, he immediately appeared in front of these bandits almost like teleporting.
It was the Void Reaping Steps, a movement technique that was once used by Jeonglak when he roamed the world. It is so fast that a person's eyes won't be able to see it, and will think that he just vanished. It is also silent and secretive; it won't even leave a mark or air... It is as if you opened a void and entered it, then chose where you want to appear, hence the name "Void Reaping Steps."
The bandits were shocked beyond belief when they saw this. They first thought they were hallucinating when that beggar-like figure suddenly vanished. But then, a voice appeared behind them, and when they checked it, it was that beggar.
At this moment, they all knew it was their end if they did something stupid. Such a heaven-defying technique is enough to make a name for yourself; hence, this beggar is likely a martial master that got out of seclusion.
One bandit who had more wits than the rest immediately answered:
"Revered Master, we are deeply sorry as we can only offer dirty clothes, but if you ever want a good robe, please let us escort you to our hideout and provide you with a quality robe."
Lucian thought to himself that this bandit had a point, and to be honest, Lucian never even thought of killing them if they rejected him, since he won't kill just anyone as he plans to rule this world. How can a ruler kill his people without reason? So, he followed them.
When they reached the place, the bandit told his leader of the situation and thankfully, that leader was not an idiot and immediately went out to greet Lucian, as this master only asked for clothes, and he was not stupid enough to offer his life in exchange for a few fabrics.
"Welcome, great master, I am Shen Wuhui, known as the Iron Fang Wolf, and my subordinate told me of your matter." This person was the leader of this bandit group stationed in this mountain.
"Please come inside and eat first as we prepare nice clothing for you," he added.
Lucian, who had never tasted proper food in this world since he first came here, was pleased to hear this Shen Wuhui person's offer. "It seems I am right not to kill people unnecessarily..." He thought to himself and answered, "Alright, lead the way."
They prepared a feast of roasted boar, chicken, and a few vegetable dishes. This is the best they can offer; after all, they are bandits, not chefs.
Lucian ate without caring if this food was poisoned. In his old world, he was often a target for assassination, and food poisoning was popular among them, making Lucian immune to it, and to make sure, he asked Jeonglak how to handle poison. And as a leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, he too suffered from those types of tricks his subordinates often tried to pull, so he fused another technique into his Heart-Devouring Demon cultivation technique that removed all foreign toxins in his body and later taught Lucian about it.
When he first tasted it, it was quite bland compared to his previous foods that were made by the very finest chefs, but he never said anything. Compared to the food he made when he was in the cave, this is heaven already. The food he previously made looked like a ritual summoning a demon.
After he ate, they offered him the finest clothes they had, and Lucian specifically asked for a black one. Thankfully, Shen Wuhui and Lucian shared the same taste in clothing, so Lucian was pleased with this—a unique clothing style in this world.
Shen Wuhui, who saw how dirty Lucian was, offered to ready a bath for him since he was dirty and his face was unrecognizable.
Naturally, Lucian accepted it. "I am thankful for your hospitality; I won't shy myself and accept this."
And while he was showering, the daughter of Shen Wuhui arrived, and he specifically told his daughter to behave since this old master was not to be trifled with. But when Lucian came out already clean and dressed neatly with the new clothes, all of these bandits were stupefied.
"Father, you said you have an old visitor... But isn't he just about my age?" she whispered to her father, and of course, Wuhui was even more stunned.
After taking a look, this guy had features most men would be jealous of. He had blonde hair and red eyes, which were not common for people here who usually had black or brown hair with black eyes. Even his daughter was blushing, and to think this girl was boyish.
"Thank you, I will definitely remember this hospitality and will protect your..." He looked around. "Uhmm... little house? Ahem... When the time comes you need my help, I will come."
He was not making fun of them; he was not from this world, and to his eyes, these types of houses were indeed small compared to how tall and wide his palace was. This size was only the size of his garden, or maybe not even that big compared to his garden.
Everyone immediately thanked him. To receive the protection of this master is definitely worth all their efforts.
"We are curious about how old you are... And what is your name, great master?" Maybe this was a secluded old master that went through body reformation or a disciple of a powerful secluded master. After all, he came from the direction of a not commonly visited mountain due to its simplicity. No herbs were found here, so no one ever gave a shit about this mountain.
"Hmm..."
They immediately groveled on the ground, thinking they offended such a master. Well, Lucian was just wondering if he should say that he's 155 years old or 17.
"Raise your head and stop all that nonsense, I'm just thinking," he immediately said after seeing them.
"I'm Lucian Arcturus Drevahn and I'm... 17," he said plainly, deciding to recount his age once again.
The bandits looked at him, trying to understand his name. "Lushian? What did he just say?" is what they were thinking, but no one ever said it out loud.
"Perhaps... Are you here for the competition held in Tiandu?" Wuhui asked.
"Competition? Tell me about it." Lucian, who's eager to make a name for himself, saw an opportunity.
They proceeded to explain that the Righteous Alliance was holding a Dragon and Phoenix competition and it was open to everyone. Lucian was deeply interested and immediately set his goal to that town.
He gave his farewells and also asked for a map and directions to that town before finally leaving them.