Chapter 49: Reminiscence

~~~

The Eastern Port City Tournament arrives in an almost unreasonably short amount of time. At least, that is how it feels like to Liu Jin.

The young child takes a deep breath to calm down while he looks at himself in the mirror.

His height is average for his age, which means those who are closest to him are all taller than him. Liu Jin’s face is slowly starting to change into that of a teen, and his skin has become somewhat pale since he passed Nine-Headed Snake God’s trial. Even though he often has to walk under the sun to deliver medicine, he shows no signs of tanning. It makes his red eyes stand out more.

The Inner Disciple robes fit him well, almost as if they had been made with his exact measurements in mind. It may very well be that is the case. Compared to his Outer Disciple robes, these ones feel to be even more high quality and resistant to damage.

Today, he’ll find out just how durable they are.

Liu Jin passes by Old Jiang’s door on his way to the stairs. A frown appears on his face as he does. Naturally, Master is not going to the tournament. Someone like him has no interest in such a small spectacle. That is what he said. Indeed, Liu Jin never imagined he would say anything else.

However, his Master is sleeping in today.

He didn’t use to do that before. Old Jiang always had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, a benefit of what were likely centuries of cultivation.

Now though…

Liu Jin swallows and keeps walking. It is as Father said. If he just tortures himself thinking about it, he’d be wasting his time. Master wouldn’t approve of that. Right now, the only thing he can do is focus on the tournament. It might not be worth speaking about compared to Master’s impending fate, yet at least it is something he can do something about.

His father waits for him down the stairs. Curiously, there are no patients.

“The clothes fit you well,” his father says with an approving smile.

Liu Jin shuffles awkwardly at the praise. He is grateful for the scarf that hides his embarrassed expression. It is the scarf he acquired from the bandits in New Moon Town. Even though it clashes with his high-quality clothes, Liu Jin has grown fond of it.

Besides, his new robes don’t have enough red for his tastes.

“Give me a moment. I need to take care of a few things. We’ll leave together after that.”

Liu Jin blinks.

“You will be going with me to the tournament, Father?”

“You are participating, are you not?” His father raises an eyebrow. “Did you think I wouldn’t want to watch my son compete? The clinic can close for a day or two.”

“I… that’s…”

The truth is that it hadn’t once occurred to Liu Jin that his father would want to watch him. While his father was the one who arranged for him to be accepted into the Xiao Sect, matters of martial prowess are not something he has ever shown interest in. Many Eastern Port City Tournaments have gone by without his father paying them the slightest attention.

That is why Liu Jin never once thought his father would close the clinic to go see him. It is only upon hearing his father’s words that Liu Jin realizes how much he wants his father to be there.

“But Father, what about…?”

Liu Jin’s gaze darts towards the stairs. His meaning is obvious, even if he doesn’t say it.

Will Master be okay if they both leave?

“Master’s condition is stable,” Liu Jianguo says. “It is not going to get better, but it will also not grow worse. Trust me when I say Master would have known weeks in advance if something serious were about to happen today.”

“I see… In that case, it would be an honor if Father were to watch my matches.”

His father smiles.

“I would not dream of missing them.”

~~~

The Eastern Port City Tournament is always held in the commercial district. In the months leading up to it, renovations and expansions are made to the arena as needed. Already many people are standing in line, waiting to be allowed in.

“There are so many people,” Liu Jin says as he looks around. The streets are completely full, making it hard to walk without bumping into someone.

It is the first time Liu Jin has seen the commercial district so busy. Although he has lived in Eastern Port City all his life, he has never once watched the Eastern Port City Tournament. His father never showed any interest in it, so Liu Jin never paid it much attention either, choosing to focus on his medical duties instead.

“It is only to be expected.” His father moves through the crowd with far more ease than Liu Jin, likely a sign of greater experience. “Tournaments tend to be popular among the people. Even though it is certain that the Xiao and Yun Sects will claim the top spots, that doesn’t stop people from wanting to see the matches. The disciples of the strongest Sect and Clans of the city will test their might against each other. That is not something the average person can see every day. This encourages people to come in droves, which, in turn, stimulates financial activity as people eat, drink, and gamble.”

Liu Jin lets out a small hum.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I never thought of it like that.”

“That is only to be expected. You have never taken much interest in such things, which is largely my fault. This will be your first tournament in more ways than one, whereas I have seen many and participated in many as well.”

Liu Jin almost trips.

His head slowly turns towards his father, who keeps walking as though he hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary. Liu Jin waits for a sign. The paling of his skin. The widening of his eyes. Anything that could indicate that his father hadn’t meant to share that information.

It never comes.

It means that, just now, his father did mean to share his past with him.

Liu Jin swallows, his nails digging into his palms as he walks beside his father. There are dozens of questions he wants to ask, and it takes every ounce of control he has to stop himself from blurting them out all at once. He is afraid of what will happen once he speaks.

Perhaps then, his father will remember his past is not something he has ever talked about.

Yet, if Liu Jin remains silent, he will not learn anything new.

“Father participated in tournaments before?”

Liu Jin tries to make his voice sound as casual as possible. His throat feels unusually tight. His words sound awkward and stilted to his ears, enough to make him cringe. However, his father does not seem to notice.

“Many times.” His father hums as he thinks back. “I believe I was sixteen the first time I participated in a tournament. I was quite brash back then.”

He is doing it.