Chapter 10 – Forgotten relations

Luo Lin felt extremely moved. Youngsters of this age are spirited and hotblooded, once they recognize someone, they would firmly believe in them, entrusting their backs to the trusted partner.

The feeling of caring for one another had long since extinguished within Luo Lin.

The harshness of society flattened the edges of his soul.

However, the behavior of Liang Zi and Little Chuan inadvertently ignited his chilled heart.

“Liang Zi, Little Chuan, do you guys want to be the boss of One High?”

Two of them paused momentarily before they vigorously nodded.

“Do you believe in me?”
“Yes!”

“Alright, when Liang Zi’s arm gets better, listen to my instructions!”

…

Luo Lin made Liang Zi stay in the hospital for a week. As it was the October break, the hospitalization wouldn’t delay his studies.

Since Liu Wanchuan and Liang Zi were close, Luo Lin let Liu Wanchuan accompany him in the ward.

As for taking revenge, Luo Lin knew what he wanted to do. He would make Chi Shi pay with interest for Liang Zi’s broken arm!

However, the plan would be placed on hold until Liang Zi gets discharged. He will make sure Liang Zi gets revenge with his own hands. As their big brother, Luo Lin’s task was to create an opportunity for him.

Saturday morning, Luo Lin woke up at 5 AM and jogged around the park near Jingxiang Gardens.

At this time, the skies had begun to brighten. Many middle-aged men or elderly men were having their morning exercise at the park, Luo Lin was the only youngster amongst them.

In regards to Luo Lin’s past life, it would be impossible to not have harvested anything.

After he had undergone countless hardships, Luo Lin’s enlightenment had reached a point where many failed to reach.

Not only that, he was also rather skilled in cultivating his health with various physical training methods.
Despite being broke, the place he resided in during his precious life was a safe and peaceful compound that housed many families. Amongst the residents, there was an elderly man who was nearly 90 years-old that practiced Taiji Palms for nearly 8 decades.

A majority of Luo Lin’s enlightenment in life came from the words of that elderly.

The cultivation of Taiji Palms paid attention to heaven, earth, yin, and yang. Every gesture, every fist, sublimates itself into nature so it was the perfect choice to cultivate oneself.

The Taiji Palm cultivation method that was widespread was mostly incomplete, or not authentic at all.

This elderly who practiced Taiji Palms left the mountain during his middle-aged years and had spent his remaining life alone.

Luo Lin who had cultivated the elderly’s Taiji Palm method knew that it was authentic.

Luo Lin had to go through a month of physical training before he could practice the Taiji Palm method. Even though Taiji Palms was considered an internal martial arts method, possessing a strong physique aids in the cultivation process.

‘Both feet apart, arms forward, palms on knees…’ Luo Lin thought inwardly as he began practicing.

Taiji Palms focused on cultivating one’s internal side, even though Luo Lin was young, he possessed the comprehension of his former life.

Every gesture of Luo Lin seemed to contain a spirituality which appeared grandeur.

With the early morning breeze, Luo Lin’s loose jacket swayed while his short black hair fluttered.

Desire speed and you’d be fast. Desire slowness and you’d be slow.

Luo Lin vividly interpreted the essence of these words. His entire being seemed to have been integrated into the surroundings, yet there was a sense of being above it.

When his gestures slowed, one could feel the subtle breath of the wind forming into a stretch of river which flowed gently.

When he sped up, his movements would be accompanied by sonorous bursts of wind.

The elderly men watched Luo Lin indulging himself in the cultivation of Taiji Palms. His handsome appearance made them view him in a different light, and the ones who were practicing their version of Taiji Palms couldn’t help but be full of praises.

In a single glance, they could tell the disparity between their styles, and also the comprehension of Taiji Palms. What made them surprised was the fact that this expert who portrayed the Taiji Palms in such an artistic manner, was a little youngster who looked like a student!

A middle-aged man in white sportswear took note of the large crowd and ceased his movements. His gaze contained a little surprise and a little unwillingness.

This person had a well-built physique, his features were distinct and clear. With narrowed eyes, he watched Luo Lin silently in admiration.

After some time, Luo Lin finally completed the first set of exercises. He heaved out a gradual breath and did an ending posture.

Previously, Luo Lin was completely immersed in his cultivation, but with his senses of natural breaths that surrounded his body, he noticed that a crowd was gathering.

Luo Lin turned around and showed a friendly smile, nodding toward the crowd of elders who stood around him. This action won over their praises, some of them even praised Luo Lin as an extraordinary youngster who achieved a high realm.

The crowd gradually dispersed and went on with their morning workouts. Luo Lin then made a gesture in preparation for the second round of exercises.

At this time, the middle-aged man who wore a set of white sportswear walked over to Luo Lin and handed him a bottle of water: “Little brother, don’t rush into your next exercise. Here, drink some water and rest for a little.”

Since some time ago, Luo Lin had noticed this middle-aged man who just initiated a conversation with him.
Luo Lin smiled politely and ceased his gestures. However, he declined to take over the bottle of water: “I’m not thirsty, thank you for the offer.”

The middle-aged man was evidently taken aback. In the past, countless people would find ways and means to fawn over him, but this was the first time he had initiated to express goodwill, but he was actually rejected.

However, when he thought about it, he felt relieved. In Zhengzhou City, there shouldn’t be many who knew his identity.

He then thought about it in another manner.

‘If I was given a bottle of water by a stranger, I wouldn’t accept it too. In this society, there are many who harbor ulterior motives.’

He smiled warmly: “Little brother, I shall not hide from you then. I am a hobbyist of bare-handed martial arts, and I’m very interested in your Taiji Palms. Can we talk a little?”

Luo Lin smiled as he nodded: “Does Uncle want to discuss Taiji Palms with me? Alright then, why don’t we go there and talk about it?”

The middle-aged man nodded and strolled under the shade of the trees toward the front.

While they strolled, the middle-aged man spoke his views on Taiji Palms and his admiration of Luo Lin when he was practicing Taiji Palms. In the end, he spoke of the key point: “I don’t know… in actual combat, between Taiji Palms, and Baji Palms, which is more powerful?”

This time, Luo Lin smiled: “It looks like uncle’s ferocious temperament is from practicing ‘Baji Palms’?”

Middle-aged man stopped in his tracks and chuckled: “How did you notice?”

Luo Lin also stopped and smiled: “Uncle’s Taiyang Acupoint is protruded, it could be seen that you’ve achieved a certain realm in your martial arts. Judging from your well-built physique, and also the extraordinary artistic attainment contained in your aura. I deduced that it must be that uncle is practicing ‘Baji Palms’ which consists of both internal and external cultivation. The most important point is…”

Before Luo Lin finished his sentence, this middle-aged man’s eyes had already turned bright, his gaze brimmed with admiration for Luo Lin.

Luo Lin grinned: “Baji Palms focused on ferociousness, and to use one’s center as the axis which exerts force toward eight directions. So I was able to deduce it by uncle’s movements and gestures.”

“Good good good!”

The middle-aged man applauded as he praised: “It’s been such a long time since I’ve encountered such a young man like you! It’s hard to come by, it’s hard to come by!”

Luo Lin shook his hand: “Uncle is praising me too much, I merely had a little research and knowledge of martial arts.”

“Come come come, it’s getting late. If you don’t think I’m a bad person then let’s go have breakfast together! I still have a lot of questions that I want to consult you!”

Luo Lin didn’t refuse his offer. Together, they headed toward the breakfast shop outside the park.

Luo Lin could tell that this middle-aged man was a person with an uncommon status. He was open-minded and had an imposing manner, not to mention that he was also a senior passionate in martial arts.
As this middle-aged man was pretty decent, Luo Lin gained some goodwill for this person.

Two of them sat down at the breakfast shop and chatted, they ordered two baskets of buns and two bowls of congee.

“Little brother, don’t call me uncle anymore. My name is Han Zhennan, you can call me Old Brother Han!”

“Alright, then I will address you as Old Brother Han!”

The middle-aged man and Luo Lin laughed and exchanged ideas. From astrology to geography, no matter what Han Zhennan asked, Luo Lin always had his own unique views. This made Han Zhennan appreciate him more.

Through more communication, the two of them became closer.

“Little brother, looking at your appearance, you must be a student? Where do you study?”

Luo Lin replied: “I am a 3rd-year student, I currently study in Zhengzhou City’s One High.”

“Oh?” Han Zhennan raised his brow, and joked, “One High? There’s a lot of little beauties there, with your unique temperament, there should be a lot of girls who admire you right?”

If this was uttered by some other middle-aged man, it would seem slightly obscene. However, in Han Zhennan’s words, one could not find any obscenity from it, but there was a little sense of american humor.

Luo Lin smiled: “You’re joking Old Brother Han.”

After a slight pause, Luo Lin casually said: “Oh right, Old Brother Han, looking at your mannerisms, you should be a person with quite an impressive identity.”

Han Zhennan chortled out loud: “What do you mean impressive identity, I’m only a small upstart. When I was young, I went to the sea to do a little trading. I got lucky with my speculations and managed to start a small business.”

Fortunately, there was no one around who recognized Han Zhennan when he uttered those words. If anyone knew that the famous ‘God of Wealth Han’ called himself a lucky opportunist who’s a small upstart, those self-proclaimed ‘entrepreneurs’ would throw up blood!

Luo Lin nodded and didn’t pry further. His heart, however, confirmed that this Han Zhennan indeed had an impressive identity.

However, it doesn’t concern Luo Lin. He communicated with Han Zhennan simply because they got along.

If Han Zhennan did not wish to reveal his identity, Luo Lin had no need to question it.

“Catch the thief!”

All of a sudden, from the park, came the screams of an elderly.

Luo Lin and Han Zhennan turned back and found a young man running out of the park in a hurry. In his hands, there was a tightly grasped wallet.

These thieves are so opportunistic, to think they would target the vulnerable elderly in the early morning.

“Stop!”

Han Zhennan didn’t hesitate and chased after the pickpocket. Luo Lin leapt over the table, he soared into the air and landed on the floor.

His speed did not diminish, Luo Lin ran like he was flying toward the direction the thief ran in.