Old Man Yuan's Compromise.
993 Words
Zhu Yuan held his fists tightly as he processed all that Old Man Yuan had revealed to him. His chest rose up and down heavily and his eyes were red and they stared down in pain.
" His name...." His voice growled heavily as if his throat was cracked and dry , like a blood thirsty wolf.
" ...." Old Man Yuan kept silent. Never yet opening his eyes. He recalled the dreadful name that tormented him with countless nightmares every night.
"All that happened, happened just before you were born into this world. Only you surviving also shows that all that happened had nothing to do with you. You had no part to play then so you shouldn't have a part to play now."
" Don't push for answers best left beneath the ashes."
" I still should know who left me so bereft of familial love! He who took everything away from me.!! " Zhu Yuan cried in a pained voice.
" No Zhu Yuan. This name is my burden to bear. He is an existence that you can not even begin to fathom. Even if you do know who he is, he is so above you. The difference between you is like a speck of dust and the mighty sun. Only death awaits you if you still pursue this Zhu Yuan. Please."
Zhu Yuan did not speak again. He removed the special locket he kept around his neck , it was his only proof of the family he never had. A old worn out picture given to him by Old Man Yuan.
He remembered of how he would sleep every day with it in his hands. He cherished the four faces that looked back at him with warm smiles. His family.
Father, mother, big brother, little sister .... You all met such a demise.
Everyday I pray for your souls to be at peace yet your souls cry for justice. Forgive this unfilial one. Forgive me my family. I was naive. I was naive.
Zhu Yuan's heart stilled after a long passage of time. But what was birthed was hatred. A calm and pure hatred that simmered deep deep in his heart. He covered it deeply , even from Old Man Yuan. This was his personal hatred that he would pursue or his name was not Zhu Yuan.!
"Thank you for telling me the truth Grandpa. Of our Yuan's Family past. I know you did whatever you did and more to protect me."
"You have suffered in silence for so long."
Old Man Yuan finally opened his eyes. He was surprised by Zhu Yuan's statement. Knowing Zhu Yuan since he was born, he knew how important family was to him. It was as important as his own life thus he expected Zhu Yuan's anger to peak and for him to lash out in rage once he found out the truth.
He was even preparing to confine his movements in the coming days lest he went digging up locked away secrets from the past and bring attention and undue harm to himself.
Old Man Yuan studied his grandsons face, what he saw was a calm, stoic Zhu Yuan who displayed no emotions at all. He gripped Zhu Yuan's hands tightly.
"You have truly grown up Zhu Yuan."
"Thank you for understanding my old heart and worries."
"I hope you will follow my selfish desires and pursue pellet refining." Old Man Yuan beseeched his grandson but the look he saw dimmed his hopes.
"I want to at least try the entrance exams, see what sort of talent I have in the martial way."
"I care not for pursuing power or for revenge. Its just that I feel this is how I follow my true self."
"I promise to keep all you have told me to heart. I will not pursue past grievances nor will I pursue new conflicts. I promise to continue the Yuan family bloodline until my bones are aged as yours."
Old Man Yuan sighed bitterly but nodded. The Yuan's always possessed an unbreakable will.
"Is there no way to keep you from attending that entrance exam. Do your grandfather this final act of fielty."
Zhu Yuan saw the worry on Old Man Yuan's heart. He represented the final hope for their family. Old Man Yuan had undergone so much tribulations over the years to make sure the last hope for Yuan family did not dim. It was his life's only goal , the reason he held on doggedly as fate dealt him such a cruel blow.
"How about we compromise. If I can become an approved pellet refinement master then can you be at ease if I follow the path of cultivation.?"
"I believe I can do both."
Old Man Yuan thought about it for a while then nodded vigorously.
"Yes ! Yes Let's do it like this."
"If you can reach the official ranking of pellet refinement master them I have no qualms if you pursue the martial way."
Old Man Yuan felt his heart at peace. He knew that to be ranked as the lowest rank of pellet refinement master one had to at least have 15 years of dedicated study.
Given Zhu Yuan's insane talent and intelligence he would take at least five years immersed deeply in volumes of herbal tomes and refinement techniques. Who knows with time he would come to love this noble work and finally settle down.
"So Zhu Yuan, when do you intend to begin." The old man asked in excitement.
Zhu Yuan thought about it briefly before he answered ,
"I will visit the Red Eagle Pellet Refining Association the day after tomorrow."
"Good, Good." Retorted the happy Old Man Yuan.
Only he thought that Zhu Yuan was going to seek for help and tutorship from a reputable master pellet refiner. Old Man Yuan in his mind began to compile a list of top notable mentors to enlist for his grandson.
If he for a minute thought that what Zhu Yuan meant was that he was going take the Final Master Pellet Refinement Examination , Old Man Yuan would have fallen surely fallen on his a*s in pure shock.!
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- Writer
