The trio stopped. Feeling a strange sensation coming from the strange person. Rexford was just shaking his head after thinking over what to eat first this morning. Or better yet for lunch considering the time.
As well as solving other appetites that became known with such a body pumping blood so vigorously.
The carnal sort and the need for violence. It didn't help that one of the trio happened to be a female of the best type. Nice sweat that gave off the right amount of pheromones.
One in the group was an old man who had the highest Magical Mana Cultivation of them all. Only one method used cultivation-wise, that of the Earth Style and not the actual Qi Immortal Way despite the obvious nationality.
But something was wrong considering the level he was at for his age. If one lived and breathe in the mana, it became a part of life. If done the same as the girl next to him according to the feel of both of them, then he should be way stronger than what he is now.
Unless he gave it away to a family member or something. So many different things one can do with their cultivation it was mindboggling.
The third was a scar-faced man older than the teenage female in the trio. Not that much stronger than her by the feel of it. Which was odd considering he looked more fit and more defined muscle-wise.
Rexford got up and made to leave after making sure he fixed the area a little.
"Leave him be, just a young man who we happened to pass by is all." The old man thought better of it after feeling some danger. Rexford only gave them all a simple look. 'Never saw him before in the fighting of schools or clans. I don't think there are any new families moving into the area.'
"He is just some punk most likely." The scar-faced man said annoyed. He was a bodyguard to the other two after observing his movements he relaxed. Mainly the old man who was getting on at his age needed to be protected during certain times.
"Hmm?" The young lady felt something was not right the more she looked at his departing figure. Her eyes felt warm as if she was looking at the sun on a fresh morning. "Grandfather..."
"Wait a moment young man." They did not want him to get too far away. The bodyguard's muscles tensed after noticing the change in the young man's posture. His instincts trained from constant combat situations were on edge. 'Danger was reported in the area last night, I wish Master Phan did not want to check it out before the others.'
One of the people in the Community that wanted see what strange phenomenon that had taken place in this area.
"What is it?" Rexford asked over his shoulder.
"You shook your head at us. Could you tell me the reason why?" The old man felt a shiver run down his spine after looking him over more. A raw intensity left from the young man when making eye contact. "There is no way around it, you definitely study the Arcane and have seen blood." He gave a fist salute in respect. "I am Phan Bo. May I ask where you come from and who is your teacher?"
He didn't bother to ask for the School at this time.
"My teachers are long since dead, so that does not matter." Which was the truth. Since Rexford's instructors on his Earth died during an operation in Mumbai. Every last person that officially taught himself, the unit he was in, and his friends when doing competitions had all died. "I studied a lot of different martial arts and mastered none, the same as most."
What was taken from the "Butcher" Rexford was just learning via observation, not something he considered mastered.
"I see, so you are alone now." Phan Bo guessed this was why he didn't know of this person. Martial Masters disappeared all over the place it wouldn't be too strange for what he said to be true. "Do you have time to spar with my granddaughter over here?"
"Bad idea." Rexford shook no and was ready to walk away.
"Why not!?" The young woman felt slighted. "One of those who think less of females!"
"Because you are very attractive. The strongest woman I have come across in the last few days." Rexford grinned at her over his shoulder. His eyes shone like a demon looking at a vulnerable maiden. "A spar would turn disastrous as the blood starts pumping to certain places. I am sure you understand what I mean by how mistakes can be made."
"You pervert!" She took a defensive stance immediately. Slight embarrassment coloring the cheeks. "Sounds like the excuse of a coward!"
"If we spar... do not blame me ok." Rexford raised his fist forward as he turned to face her. "Are you ready?"
"Yes!" She was anything but ready for this.
*Boom!* A punch forward sent a blast of force out. The buttons on her shirt were destroyed as well as the band in her hair. The strands of hair fell loosely over her shoulders as if draped by the wind.
"My.. clothes..." She looked down and gave a smile that it was not all blown away.
"I never thought I would see such a display in my old age." Phan Bo walked over to Rexford more respectfully than before. He controls his anger against the strike against his granddaughters' clothes. "Please excuse our behavior. It was a little reckless." The bodyguard had his hand on the unholstered gun. 'Too fast he couldn't even draw a firearm in time. This could have ended horribly if we were not careful.'
"It is fine." Rexford looked her over a little before giving his full attention to the old man. She had the potential and would make a good asset so would the bodyguard if given training further. Thinking about ways to acquire them both was the first thing. "You could do it as well if given the right training method. Your body is pretty amazing. Even for your age and injuries."
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"Just a little overdraft on Mana is all sometimes." Phan Bo gestured as if it was no big deal.
*Shine!* The Black and Gold of Rexford's eyes lit up and rotated a little. He was able to see the different injuries and blockages in the man's body from a weird Mana circulating through it. The potential of life-altering afflictions. The ability of his soul was becoming more apparent the longer he stared.
Phan Bo felt as if his entire body was just exposed. Thanks to him tensing up after the strike by Rexford he made it easy to be checked over.
"Sir, you must be kidding. The technique is beyond me." Phan Bo bowed with respect and humility. "That is something of a Master Skill!"
The two others were shocked at how respectful Phan Bo was to Rexford.
"Hmm, a Master Skill... maybe?" Rexford shook his head no at that.
Then it came back to him that the blending of the forces made too much of a spectacle to others. But then again, the people in the Dimension had all kinds of extraordinary skills.
In a year or so, all kinds of wackos would come out of the woodwork. At least according to the Butcher's Timeline anyway.
"From a distance, it may have looked pretty spectacular but I am sure you and your cohorts can do something like that with the right focus."
"If we want to die after, sure." Phan Bo said awkwardly. "Most Physical Arcane Art Circles do not have that type of skill. Besides the secret ones of course and the more nefarious ones." Since his master was dead the idea of getting him to join his school passed his mind briefly. But that was thrown out after comparing strengths and temperament. 'A bit of a foreign air about this one. Personality seems different than the youth's around the area that I have come across.'
Seeing as his granddaughter was still uncomfortable and remembering what was said, Phan Bo thought about a way the two could get together. But the words Rexford first spoke made him think better of it.
Rexford was a playboy. Not someone he wanted to mess with his granddaughter's heart.
Old Phan actually cared for his family unlike most it seemed.
"Judging from your accent, you are at least American raised and born. But a few mannerisms leads me to believe you have traveled abroad. Did you travel a lot at a young age?" Rexford had tried to keep that in check, but his business voice was harder to hide than his teenage voice with thrown-in slang usage.
"Hmmm, something like that." Rexford answered vaguely. The original Rexford barely left home before coming here. That would be something that did not track well if he didn't watch it now when speaking. "I am in the area for school-related stuff."
"I see. What can I call you?"
"Some people call me Rex but you can call me Rexford, it is Rexford Maccabeus." He reached out offering his hand. "We can be considered acquaintances now. Especially with you three being the next group of people I have interacted with here in this state."
His laid-back attitude was somewhat refreshing to the old man. He shook his hand firmly in response. But a coughing fit hit him quickly after from Mana disruption.
"Kuff! Kuff!" Phan Bo gripped his chest tightly. His granddaughter already coming to his side. The bodyguard looked around to make sure no one had witnessed this. "I.. am alright." His words were not comforting at all. 'Alas, humans are unable to defeat aging, illness, or death. My old comrade-in-arms.. though I've cultivated enough to Connect my Meridians, I cannot get them to fill up with Mana that is generated. I'll probably meet you all soon on the other side.'
"Grandpa.. you will be alright." The grandchild rubbed his back and helped him stand up straight by giving support. Now able to see Rexford's eyes, she was determined to make a gamble to see if he would be willing to help. The golden glow almost guided her in a way. "My grandpa went to war when he was young and forced himself to use all his Blood Mana when he was not really prepared for it. Gaining time for his fellows to retreat was costly."
"I am sure you do not want to hear these old tales. Not many Americans like to hear about World War II from the other side."
"I am very interested actually." Rexford placed his hand on the man's chest. "Tell me while I work something out. I can not provide any medicine since I do not have the ingredients currently. And they are quite expensive at that." He was not a doctor like most of his friends but his eyes helped along with his personal knowledge on how the body worked and the knowledge taken from the memories of the "Butcher" Rexford.
Pushing Qi in, even from the Qi Condensation first rank was beneficial. Especially since it was so pure and gentle. Not really a difference between Qi and Mana from what he was looking at so far.
*Schup!* Dredges left Phan Bo the moment Rexford's hand touched him. It left a burning sensation in the old man. He felt like he was able to breathe better but also felt weaker overall.
All the muscles in his body were exhausted. As if he came from running a triathlon and full-throttle at that. But inside, if someone were to inspect they would have found out the old man's organs recovered. The most important the left lung was that of a 20year old now.
They talked for a few minutes before all was done. Mostly social stuff.
"I still have not mastered the method but this should help for a few days." The Black Gold Vortex had more mysteries than he could understand in such little time. 'It sucked up all the discarded cells and toxins in the body. Hmm, a very odd sensation for one. But the second, was like it pulled on what I thought was a problem in the old man.'
"Thank you, Mr.Rexford." She was very happy with the help. "If we gather the ingredients, will you be able to make the medicine?" He gave a simple nod to her. "Our family has some power here in New York, we'll do anything for you if you can cure my grandpa."
As they walked and talked moving towards the exit someone entered the area from the other side. Seeing all the trees pointing toward a location made the mystery person shocked at the vast disturbance in the Mana of the area.
Making a few discoveries, the person left to tell their master.
As Rexford was dropped off, the bodyguard wanted to make sure that was all the time needed to make the medicine from the list given.
.
Drop off-
.
"Two days will be great to finish it all. Just have the ingredients dropped off here first and I will make the medicine." Rexford looked over the place for a brief moment now that he was by himself. The place Mrs.Arabi provided was nice after he cooled off mentally to enjoy the sight more. "And if he wants to help his remaining comrades let me know. But I will have to charge. Nothing is free in life."
Didn't matter they served in a different nation's army, the old fogies were U.S. citizens now. The fact they all had families and half-breed children was something to look into.
It just seemed off about what was going on.
"Of course Mr.Rexford." The bodyguard opened the door in front of the home. "I will pick you up in the evening in two days. Thank you for exchanging contacts with me as well." Thinking better of it, he handed a prepaid card over with some funds. "To help incentive-wise to make a good product."
Unlike the others, the bodyguard picked up that Rexford was good at dealing with shady business. Old Phan caught on to the use of military jargon and so did his grandaughter... well she just thought he was a bit of a lout still.
A very powerful one.
"Not a problem. Make sure he eats a good meal for the next few days. Nothing processed or caffeinated." The card was pocketed, of course, no way would he let money go to waste when he needed it. Rexford checked a few messages on his phone while at it. Nothing of note was in the inbox. "The faster those ingredients are delivered, the faster I can make the medicine. I have time on my hand as I get used to the area more."
"One more thing.. what was the name of your Physical Arcane School?"