The Geared Immortal

Chapter 1039

(Unedited)

…

Xin Ja carefully take one of the robes and carefully checked the hidden runes under the collar of the robe. After checking the runes, a smile crept into his face as he carefully brought the robe and walk to the mirror.

The robe is a bit big for him, but he did not mind.

"Papa… Let's but this…" he said with a smile.

When he turns around, he suddenly saw an old man who looks like in his 60's standing behind him.

"Ah!" Xin Ja cried out as he quickly dashed behind his father.

The old man looks at Xin Ja curiously and the man.

"Hmm… What an interesting lad… Why do you want to buy this robe if I may say? I mean, look… there are more beautiful robes in here, and they look like in fashion too… Why pick that one?" the old man asked while taking out two sets of robes with simple color and yet attractive design.

Xin Jong was a bit taken aback, but then nodded his head upon seeing the robes that the old man has taken out.

Xin Ja shook his head upon looking at the beautiful robes. He then looks at the one in his hand and continues shaking his head while grabbing the robes tightly.

"If you can tell me why you wanted that robe than these two, I will give it to you for free!" the old man suddenly said with an amiable smile.

The brows of Xin Ja suddenly shoot up upon hearing this.

"This… Old sir… I… How could I accept such a gift? We are willing to pay, sir…" Xin Jong suddenly said with an awkward smile.

"Haha… You don't have to worry… I just saw something interesting… So… Tell me, lad…" the old man said while waving his hand and shifting his attention to the 10-year-old Xin Ja.

"Umm… This… This robe has… has stronger runes… than those you have chosen…" Xin Ja said in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the old man shoot up in glee.

"I knew I was right… this lad can see the rune effects, right? Haha… This is good. Where do you go to school young one?" the old man suddenly said with an excited tone.

Hearing the old man's question, Xin Jong showed a guilty expression on his face. How could he send his son to school when he has a truly weak physique and is always sick before? Although the condition of his son has turned up for the better, he still could not send him for fear of his disease coming back.

"Old Sir… My… My son… He is… a bit…"

"Special… I know. I could tell…" the old man interjected.

"But I also could tell that your son has a hidden talent. Haha… If you want, I could use my name to enroll him in the town's academy. If your son could go to school, then his future will be limitless…" the old man said with excitement.

"Yes… I know of your kind gesture. But you see… My son's physique… is a bit… weak." Xin Jong said.

"Weak physique? How weak?" suddenly the old man frowns.

He checked the kid and then noticed some irregularities in his body.

"Ah… Right, I forgot. In my excitement I forgot that he is the child that Doctor Sun is always treating, right?" the old man said while scratching his head.

"Hmm… Well, let's do this then… I don't like talented people to be wasted. So I will make an effort to help the child. From now on, I will go to your house and tutor him every day." The old man said as if some good idea suddenly enters his mind.

"This… Senior, we… we don't want to impose ourselves on you. This is…"

"Stop! Do not deny my suggestion. Do you know how talented your son is? He could even see rune effects on these robes without checking the robes… If I am correct, you can see the robe's aura, right young lad?" the old man said as he shifted his gaze to Xin Ja.

Xin Ja shyly nodded his head.

"Haha… I'm correct! No need to say anything. From now on, I will be your teacher! Let's go to your house now!" the old man waved his hand and strode ahead of the two.

"This… Senior… Wait!"

…

Xin Jong and Xin Ja helplessly followed the old man with a helpless expression on their face until they arrive home.

Upon entering the small and old courtyard, the old man did not show any reaction. Instead, he nodded his head and walks around while checking everything with his sharp gaze.

He suddenly squatted down and picks up a broken stone with a carved rune mark on it.

"Hmm… Basic rune… wind… Good… good…" he muttered as he saw piles of stone on the ground which already serves as the pavement for the courtyard.

Xin Ja has been experimenting and practicing on rune making ever since he learned about it. And the amount of broken pebbles on the ground shows his hard work.

Suddenly the eyes of the old man shifted to the walls and an expression of delight came upon him.

"This… this is truly ingenious. I did not expect that basic runes could be used this way… Haha… Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Alright, I made up my mind. I will not let a talent like you be wasted. Call me teacher from now on, okay?" the old man said with a bright smile on his face.

The expression of Xin Jong became complicated. How could he not feel grateful at this time? Finally… his son could finally have a teacher to teach him.

His son could finally get a good education, and someday his life would be better than how they lived now.

"Senior! You… you have my thanks!" Xin Jong quickly bowed.

"Umm… Do not bother with the formalities… It is my honor to teach such a promising student." The old man said while waving his hand.

"Come young one, greet your teacher…"

"Xin Ja… Greet your teacher…" Xin Jong gestured.

Although a bit hesitant about the old man being his teacher, yet upon seeing the happy smile in his father's eyes, Xin Ja has already decided to accept the offer of the old man.

"Xin Ja greets teacher!" Xin Ja said while bowing his head.

Seeing the timid young boy, the old man nodded his head.

"My name is Wang Chanling… But people usually call me Old Wang, so you can just call me, Teacher Wang… okay?"

"Yes! Student greets teacher Wang!" Xin Ja repeated.

Satisfied by the boy's reaction, Old Wang waves his hand and 2 soft paper-bound books suddenly appear.

"I have seen that you are already proficient in basic runes… Now I will give you this book for you to study from now on. This one is the intermediate rune set, and this one is the advanced rune set. I will give them to you to read. But I forbid you to use them yet. Memorize them first okay?"

Xin Ja nodded his head in agreement.

Old Wang did not give it to Xin Ja but instead, pass it to Xin Jong.

The old man stood up and walks to the old gate with his hands behind his back. A big smile could be seen on his face as if he has really found a treasure.

After the old man left, Xin Jong put the books on the table in the small courtyard.

Xin Ja excitedly walks to the books and quickly flips its pages.

"Son… I'm happy that you can now get a chance to learn from a teacher." Xin Jong said as tears began forming at the corner of his eyes.

He is truly happy for his son.

…

When Old Wang came back to his store, he suddenly noticed two figures inside.

"Who are you?! What are you doing in my shop? Are you two here to take something away? I'll tell you, it is impossible!" Old Wang billowed in anger.

The two figures were a bit taken aback as they did not know what to say.

"Umm… Master Wang! It's me, Song Talin… Your student." The handsome gentleman said while cupping his hands to Old Wang.

"Ahem… Ahem… Of course… Of course, I knew who you are… I'm not that old you know… So… What are you doing here?" Old Wang cleared his throat and said trying to cover the awkwardness.

"This… Master… I was asked by the apothecary guild to visit you to make a request." The young man said politely.

"Hah! I'm a runemaster… I'm not a pill maker." Old Wang said while flicking his sleeves.

He strode forwards and walk back behind the counter.

"Master… That is what they need for you to do. Master Changan accidentally blew up his cauldron while attempting to concoct a high-tier pill. So now, they need to rearrange the runes in the guild. And you are the only expert we know in the town." The young man said.

"Humph… After all these years, they have the gall to ask for my help? They already have you as the runemaster there; you go and do your job! Now go!" Old Wang said while flicking his sleeves.