章節 6: Words of Advice
Taf witnessed the incident from a corner, trying to stifle a couple of laughs as Mr. Ming eloquently robbed the poor young man. After they left, he burst out laughing and clapped in congratulations.
"Old Man Ming, nice touch there, Paragon's Forest and award-winning wine? Is this Paragon Forest related to the Dragon's Might Forest or King of Kings mountain range you mentioned to some customers a few days ago?" Taf sarcastically questioned, rolling his eyes.
Mr. Ming looked at Taf with a smug, knowing look. "You know that the sale mostly relies on the magnificence and grandeur of the name," he winked.
"I'm sure it is. Hey, old man Ming, I've been meaning to ask. Do you know of any places with books regarding the outside world that focus on Cultivation?"
Old Man Ming looked at Taf with a curious gaze. "Books on Cultivation? Interesting. You, Lil Taf, have dreams of one day taking such a road, am I right?" A bitter smile formed on his face as he continued, "Many men I've known have had similar dreams as you. But none of them has made those dreams a reality. Some have grieved for decades, while others became so discouraged that they ended their own lives due to their failed attempts."
With furrowed brows, he admonished, "I may not know much about the topic, but I do know that it is a road that should not be encouraged or sought after, especially for mortals like us."
Taf listened intently as Old Man Ming spoke. "Why do you think our city is only made up of mortals?" Mr. Ming rhetorically questioned. "It isn't that there are not many who wouldn't seek that road. It's just that our mortal bodies have limitations. We're destined to only ever be entities that are a fleeting memory. I have pondered over my many decades of life and found that some particular traits might be essential for Cultivation. I'm not sure, but it's what I've concluded."
Mr. Ming consoled Taf with a pat on the back as he saw the disappointment on Taf's face. "Well, there have been cases where a few of us mere mortals have been selected when the cultivators descended." Taf had rarely seen this kind of excitement in Mr. Ming's eyes. Were cultivators that amazing? He promised that the next time cultivators descended on the city, he wouldn't miss the opportunity to see them. The thought of having a slight chance at getting selected by those exalted existences filled him with hope. If the cultivators chose him by a stroke of luck, what kind of a look would Old Man Ming have on his face?
Meanwhile, the old man collected himself and looked at Tafari worriedly. "Only a few have been selected in the last decade, so don't get overly hopeful, okay?" He did not want this youngster to get his hopes up. "We are only mortals, so I doubt there are any books available to ordinary folks on Cultivation in the city. However, there should be books and articles about the outside world in a bookstore I know."
Mr. Ming considered it a bit further and then exclaimed, "Today is Customer Appreciation Day in all the stores on West Broke Side! All the merchants have discounts for their wares, so this would be the best time to go. Maybe you can find elixirs to temper your growing body and the information you seek."
He recalled something and reminded the youth with curious-looking eyes. "We may be mortals, but that doesn't mean we can't have any strength. Look at this old man. Old and grey from top to bottom, yet fit like a bull, keeping Mrs. Ming happy!" He curled his skinny arms in a pose. Little Taf rolled on the floor laughing after seeing the old man pose as if he thought of himself as a hunk.
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