-"I found your disciple ready to dive in on a large swamp of poisonous dead mana. You're right to tail him."
Li Shilian couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle as he stared at Eruhaben's messy appearance through the crystal. The usually elegant and tidy appearance of the said dragon was replaced by a mess.
His hair looked tangled and there were even some leaves stuck on his golden locks. His face sporting an exhausted expression with some smear of dirt here and there.
Even his long robes looked messy and unkept. An appearance Li Shilian never saw before in his long years of knowing the dragon.
Hence, Li Shilian couldn't help but laugh softly in amusement once again. Of course, Eruhaben simply glared in annoyance.
Sigh.
-"If you're done laughing then hurry up and get here to do something about this disciple of yours. His curiosity isn't something I can handle in my old age."
Eruhaben sighed in defeat, unable to actually be mad at his friend for real. Li Shilian sipped his tea calmly in front of the communication crystal above the table before sighing as well.
"I can't for now. It seems like there's something bigger going on in the continent. It's been a while since we both locked ourselves from the outside world and it seemed that a lot of fun things happened ever since."
Li Shilian's thought drifted to the black haired swordsman. Although he looked somewhat around 17, Li Shilian felt like that wasn't the case.
Li Shilian, who appeared in this world and somehow landed in the Forest of Darkness, couldn't be more familiar to the aura of death emanating from the man.
Besides, the kid was using a form of his sword art. It was impossible for Li Shilian not to recognize his own, self created, martial arts.
There was also the red haired noble who Li Shilian found out was from a very familiar Clan. The Henituse.
'Although that Clan really was a family of prodigies, wasn't that kid still a bit too much? He doesn't look like an inexperienced teen at all.'
There was also that young dragon who felt familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. And the cats. In short, Li Shilian was so intrigued it was impossible for him to leave.
-"Then what do you plan with this disciple of yours?"
Li Shilian secrets chuckled once again as an idea surfaced in his mind. He smiled at his friend, his blindfold hiding the mischief that flashed in his eyes.
"I will contact my eldest disciple to take him. But for now, please take care of him for a few days."
Li Shilian knew his disciple well. Krey, although overly curious, was still the most sensible child amongst his current disciples. He knew when to limit himself specially if he knew he would be troubling others.
And he was someone who can take care of others very well. Since an opportunity already presented itself, then he might as well send that disciple of his to his dear friend.
Knowing Eruhaben, he probably would decline it if Li Shilian sent someone to accompany him so he wouldn't be lonely in that d*mned golden cave of his.
But if asked for a favor like this one, Eruhaben would have no reason to refuse. And his little disciple wouldn't run around as well so as to avoid troubling anyone.
It was simply killing two birds with one stone.
And just as he expected, Eruhaben slowly nodded his head in agreement. Although he did look a bit hesitant, but at least he agreed.
-"Then have your disciple pick him up on my cave. I'm going back. You go and take care of whatever it was you are busy with. I'll see you soon."
With that, the other line immediately cut off the connection. Li Shilian simply shook his head in disbelief.
"Hundreds of years had passed and yet that old dragon still don't know how to exchange proper farewells."
Li Shilian complained to himself under his breath before keeping his video communication device. As for whether or not he would contact his eldest disciple, Den, well he didn't say exactly when he will so no harm done.
~
There are two things that was decided in the two short days of Li Shilian's stay at the Inn in the Capital.
One, because Li Shilian's recent visits with the noble hero named Cale Henituse was witnessed by servants, the Crown Prince decided to invite him as a Palace' Guest as they conjured that he had something to do with the shield that stopped the other bomb.
Hence, he would be receiving a medal as well. Or he was supposed to receive one but Li Shilian bluntly rejected the notion without any pretense. However, he was still to attend the ceremony at the Plaza.
And two, using his long abandoned title of a mentor, Li Shilian decided to stay by that weird red haired noble's side as his "noble tutor". And for this, Li Shilian was dressed in his elegant white cultivation robe without the black cloak hiding it.
Of course, although time passed, many still knew of Li Shilian's exploits back when he was still roaming the land. That fame he gained was also the reason why he chose to hide for some time.
"But to think people of this generation still knew my previous moniker, the White Jade Immortal. I am both concerned and impressed."
Li Shilian calmly and elegantly took a bite of the cookie that orange haired servant prepared. Although it couldn't be compared with what he or his first disciple made, the taste is considered passable.
"I guess hiding for, more or less, a century wasn't enough to erase my traces after all."
Li Shilian sighed softly in an obviously fake "troubled" manner yet still managed to maintain his elegant bearing.
Cale, who was sitting on the bed in order to play his role as the patient, flinched ever so slightly after hearing the gorgeous looking man's comment.
"You know, back when I first started roaming different lands, your ancestors were well known to be magnificent guards of this kingdom."
Li Shilian smiled ever so slightly as he secretly enjoyed the red haired noble's discomfort. Li Shilian noticed almost immediately, this man was someone who hated trouble but wasn't afraid of it.
There are two types of such people. One was those would be someone cold and indifferent to anything. The other was someone who would get in trouble anyway even when they complain about it.
Based on the red hair's heroic action, it seemed he was the later one.
"I have already talked with your guardians regarding being your private mentor. They seemed concerned about you and so they immediately agreed when they found out who I am."
Li Shilian sipped his tea as he explained the details to Cale. Meanwhile, Cale felt like a huge migraine was forming in his head.
"Who... exactly are you?"
Cale, for sure, did not really want to know the answer to his own question for the sake of his slacker life. However, if the other party would be tagging along with them then he had no choice but to ask.
That much was apparent to Li Shilian, and he did understood the feeling of the young man wishing for peaceful days. And so, he simply shrugged.
"Your parents didn't tell you about the story of the white robed immortal who traveled the land to spread wisdom and knowledge? You are a Henituse, I thought your ancestors would at least keep me in their heritage in means of this stories."
Li Shilian sipped his tea as he observed Cale's reaction closely. Meanwhile, Cale, or Kim Rok Soo, wasn't really sure about that since he wasn't the original owner of this body.
Hence, he simply shook his head no. Well, he's trash anyway so it didn't matter if he lied. Or so Cale thought.
Seeing him shaking his head, Li Shilian didn't feel bothered about it. Instead, he smiled patiently.
"Well, I am Li Shilian. And I really am a traveling performer. I did not lie about that."
Given Li Shilian's many professions through the centuries, he really wasn't lying.
"However, I also used to travel the world to preach wisdom and knowledge to all who needs it. I have quite a long life, you see... Which was why people remembered me as an immortal who roamed the land."
Li Shilian nonchalantly sipped his tea again. Meanwhile, Cale's expression was a mixture of confusion and resignation to his fate.
After a long line of silence, Cale had managed to gather his thoughts and bearing.
"... Then, I welcome you to our group... teacher."
Li Shilian smiled genuinely. His eyes hidden behind the blindfold were filled with mischief.
"Glad to hear it, disciple."
~
A week later, at the Plaza of Glory, the northern part of the plaza was surrounded by a large fence. A semi transparent barrier could also be faintly discern if one would look closely.
Anyone who saw the barrier surrounding the plaza would recognize it as the barrier used to stop the other bomb that went off at the incident a week before.
Hence, no matter who passed by, they couldn't help but stare reverently at it. That's why a lot of commoners were staring at the barrier from a distance away.
This scene was what welcomed Cale as he got off his carriage. He couldn't help but subconsciously flinched at the sight of the magnificent looking dome of barrier.
And to make matters worst, the person he would rather not see at the moment was standing near the entrance of the fenced area.
Li Shilian stood right beside the entrance with a gentle smile, now in his cultivation robe with white inner robe and black outer one, as well as his blindfold. His long black hair gently swaying with the wind.
Several knights, nobles, and commoners all around couldn't help but peek at him from time to time. Some even stared stunned, unable to move their gazes away.
Cale let out a heavy sigh before walking forward. His gaze solely focused on the deity like man who currently considered himself as his "mentor".
"Teacher."
Cale comfortably greeted Li Shilian. Having been visited by the man for several days in a row, it was impossible not to feel comfortable around the former.
Specially since Li Shilian has this undescribable warm aura that make it impossible for anyone to hate him.
The Henituse family's knight brigade, which was led by their Vice Captain, also bowed in respect to Li Shilian. Everyone was already notified about Li Shilian's appointment as the Henituse family's eldest son's noble tutor.
"Are you sure you're well enough to attend?"
Li Shilian, who was well aware that Cale is as healthy as he could be, still played his role of a concern teacher very well.
Of course, Cale was grateful for his acting. But he still felt a chill as he really couldn't get used to the Li Shilian's warm and gentle attitude which was like coaxing a child.
"It wouldn't matter much. Besides, I would also like to be here personally."
Cale scanned the area which was luckily undamaged due to their intervention. But he flinched once again when he heard someone shouted something utterly disturbing.
"Oh, young master Silver Light!"
"Young master Shield-nim!"
Li Shilian let out an amused chuckle as he observed Cale's perturbed appearance.
"I'm sure they'll stop if I drink and act as I usually do, right?"
Cale whispered to himself in annoyance. This comment didn't escaped Li Shilian's sharp ears, which further amused him.
"Well, after such actions, you are bound to receive the corresponding reactions. Be thankful it was just a nickname... for now."
Li Shilian once again let out a light chuckle as he moved his gaze to the knights surrounding Cale. Meanwhile, the said knights were all staring at him in daze.
"Thank you for escorting my troublesome student here safely. I'll take over now."
Li Shilian's smile was warm and gentle all throughout. And the tone and sound of his voice made it impossible for anyone to reject him.
Besides, only a limited amount of people were allowed inside so the knights respectfully saluted again before they stationed themselves right at the boundary of the fenced area.
"Come on, it seemed like our seats were arranged by the crown prince. I really do like his quick wittedness even when he was still young."
Li Shilian leisurely led Cale inside. He gracefully nodded at the knight guarding the entrance with a warm smile.
"Keep up the good work."
Li Shilian complimented as he passed the knight who simply let them in without needing to check their identities.
Similarly, Cale also patted the knight on the shoulder as a silent encouragement after thinking that the knight was probably overworked. Then, followed after his mentor leisurely.
And so, both Li Shilian and Cale did not notice that all the knights stationed inside were staring at them for a long time.
Li Shilian gracefully stood on his designated spot right beside Cale's, only smiling slightly at the other nobles who were already standing around the table.
"Cale."
"Hyung-nim, you got here early."
Cale smiled at the nobleman who greeted him. Meanwhile, the one who greeted him, Eric Wheelsman, couldn't help but look alternatively at Cale then at Li Shilian.
Cale immediately understood his gesture, hence he immediately motioned at Li Shilian's direction.
"Hyung-nim, this is my private tutor that my parents introduced to me. He was originally the designated tutor of our family throughout the generations."
Li Shilian also smiled kindly at them, adding an otherworldly charm to his already enchanting beauty. Even with the blindfold, nobody could deny that his appearance was really off the charts.
"Oh, I'm sorry for our rudeness. I am Eric Wheelsman from the Wheelsman family, teacher-nim."
Eric, hearing that the other was actually Cale's teacher, frantically introduced himself. Followed suit by Amiru and Gilbert, who were the closest family to Cale's.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, young masters and young lady. I am Li Shilian, the Henituse family's designated tutor."
Li Shilian introduced himself amiably before turning his attention elsewhere. Seeing this, the three tactfully didn't continue bothering him either.
Instead, they moved their gazes to Cale, who was also the center of most people's attention.
Meanwhile, Li Shilian was communicating telepathically at the young black dragon who was by Cale's side.
-You should really learn how to hide or control your hostility, little dragon.
Li Shilian mused as he casted a spell of concealment around the young dragon for safety measures.
-I'm sorry, teacher gramps.
Li Shilian secretly smiled after hearing the cute, childish voice of the dragon.
-It's alright. You are young. You'll learn more as you grow.
'And I don't mind teaching another baby dragon alongside the one I'm currently teaching.'
Li Shilian silently added to himself as his thoughts drifted to that young, adorable dragon who was currently with his eldest disciple.
'Or I can make Eruhaben teach him. Oh, wouldn't that be interesting.'
Li Shilian inwardly chuckled as he imagined what his dear friend's reaction would be.
The ceremony started and ended without a problem. Given that the whole place was protected by Li Shilian's barrier, everyone inside wasn't worried about any accidents happening again.
Of course, the people's cheers reverberated throughout.
And Li Shilian felt a rush of nostalgia as he remembered his days at his previous Sect from his previous world. With his fellow disciples, young martial nephews and nieces, and even renowned Seniors and his parents smiling and cheering for him.
"Ahh, I terribly miss them."
Li Shilian whispered to himself amidst the cheers of the crowd. This small whisper was accidentally heard by both Cale and the young black dragon with him.
The two simply glanced at the older gentleman before moving their gazes away just as fast.
Because at the enchantingly beautiful man's face, was a terribly sorrowful and pain-filled smile.