48. The Price of Obtaining Power I

It is a cold morning and young man is sitting on log and in front of him are two fresh mounds he personally dug below a century year old oak tree. Occasionally, gentle breeze would cause a few dried leaves to fall, but the crestfallen young man remained motionless. And looking at the gloomy expression on his face, he appears to be grieving.

The young man is none other than Clay who has buried Aunt Mabna'y and Mebiline last night.

Yesterday, after killing all his enemies, he passed out due to extreme mental shock and when he woke up, all that greeted him are lifeless bodies. It was still dark but with his improved strength, he managed to meander the forest but after walking aimlessly for six straight hours, he decided to stop and gave the two a proper burial.

If possible, he wanted to travel back to San Ruk Town and surrender the bodies of the mother and daughter pair to their families but he immediately dismissed the idea as he knew he probably will implicate innocent bystanders.

As the sun begins to cast its rays towards the hill, Clay knew he has to move on as well.

While bitterness and regret filled his heart, he can only move forward hoping that tomorrow he can avoid being helpless and will have the power to protect anyone he treasures.

Clay placed wild flowers on their graves then kowtowed.

Recalling the short lived memories he has with them, that momentary love and care they showed him, that even in their last moments, they capitulated to death and wished he could escape. It was momentary but it is best thing he experienced ever since he reincarnated. And speaking of reincarnation, he prayed they will live better lives in the next cycle.

Clay is not a religious man but if he has to burn cattles and offer them Yahweh, Shiva or Buddha, he will do everything for the gods to bless these two souls as they pass through Samsara.

“May your souls rest in peace.”

After bidding farewell, Clay got to his feet and started walking.

Days passed and Clay estimated that it has been eighty five days since he meandered the forest. He did not have any particular destination in mind but he still kept moving northward and after three months of walking aimlessly, he came across a road and started meeting people.

Clay thought he could finally speak to some travelling locals but unfortunately, he could not understand their dialect and almost everyone he encounters are non-cultivators so they do not know Elven language. Clay could only follow the same road on foot hoping he will reach a town and hire a translator if he has to.

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Meanwhile, not far from Clay, a caravan pulled by black horses is slowly gaining distance.

For normal people, it would be best to travel in groups and form caravans then divide the fees to commission mercenaries to protect them from bandits and magic beasts.

On the other hand, mercenaries would take these opportunities to scout for any potential members.

It is a scorching afternoon and a man in his fifties had been observing a particular young boy who’s dressed like farmer. His name is Onus and as the leader of the mercenary protecting the caravan today, their scouts had spotted a cultivator when they were two kilometers away.

For a cultivator to be travelling on foot looking like a beggar, Onus thought they have encountered a bandit’s spy but since they could not sense any suspicious group within the vicinity, then it must be an itinerant cultivator.

Onus ordered his subordinates to not instigate any misunderstanding as he will attempt to befriend and investigate the young boy and maybe invite him later to their group.

As they got closer, Onus was ecstatic looking at the boy’s appearance. He can confirm that Clay has weak Elemental Affinity which means Clay has big chance of not being affiliated with any sects. And although he cannot sense Clay’s real strength, a cultivator is still a cultivator. He should have a good chance of recruiting Clay into their group.

"A young man like you should be riding a carriage accompanied by a beautiful woman.”

At the same time, Clay was excited to see cultivators and while he was planning on approaching them when they gain distance, he was ecstatic they actually initiated a conversation first.

“Unfortunately, I’m too poor to afford a carriage. May this senior allow me to hitch a ride? I have a few silvers if I need to pay.” Clay respectfully greeted.

“Ha ha ha ha. Hop in. We’ll talk later.”

Clay climbed one of the carriages and when the sun was about to set, the caravan made a turn near a huge tree and everyone started camping.

"Come with me. No matter how tiring and distasteful travelling is, you should at least maintain a level of cleanliness." Onus approached Clay and invited him for a bath.

Clay just realized how messy and dirty he was.

A month ago after healing his primary meridians, only bones were left from the Flamed Horned Lion so he had to hunt the same four legged magical beast. There is still that bloodstain from when he crushed the head of leopard-like beast.

Clay followed Onus and after a few minutes, they reached a riverbed and not far is a man-made pool.

"Make haste or you will be bathing with the crowd." Onus threw a box of soap towards Clay.

Clay has yet to fully explore this world’s social etiquette but when he caught the soap on his hand, he saw Onus undress and proudly revealed his two dangling testicles.

“Haven’t seen a naked man before?” Onus smiled then dripped his foot into the pool.

Clay felt embarrassed so he started taking of his clothes as well but the moment he removed his upper garment, he suddenly felt a killing intent coming from this supposedly amicable leader.

"And here I thought I met someone I could recruit. Seeing your symptoms are still on its infancy, I will let you live if you cripple cultivation."

Clay was confused by the sudden turn of events.

What could possible trigger this stranger to immediately turn hostile. He did not want to make enemies so he decided to leave but just as he was about to pick up his shirt, he noticed a dark spot covering the area below his nipples extending above his navel. It looks like it has been turned into the skin similar to the Flame Horned Lion.