"Thief! Thief!" Shouted by an overweight middle age man while chasing a boy frantically, "Catch that brat, he stole a loaf of bread!”

A small boy at the age of thirteen, with pale complexion and tattered clothes was panting while trying to escape. In his hand, he tightly held a small piece of bread. Even with his small body, he ran faster than the guards trying to catch him.

The boy ran like the situation was a normal routine for him. He continued to flee by entering various streets while slowly outrunning his pursuers. When he was about to lose the guards, a tall old man suddenly appeared in front of him. With his momentum, he had no way to avoid the person, so his body bumped the man, which made him fall on the ground on his back.

“Young one are you alright?” said the old man while holding his long beard who was wearing a white robe with the smell of various herbs emanating from his very skin. Looking at him with eyes full of wisdom, the old man held out his wrinkled hand to help him up.

All the guards caught up in the chase including the fat middle aged man. While panting, the man shouted “You dirty brat, We finally caught you! Arrest him! Thieves must suffer even if they are kids!”

The guards glanced at each other then nodded. They proceeded to arrest the boy, but suddenly the old man stepped in front of the boy blocking the path of the guards. 

"Hohoho.. Please excuse this old man for interfering, but I know this young lad. I will pay for the thing he stole." He waved his hand, then a soul ore flew out on the direction of the furious merchant.

Staring at the piece of soul ore he got, the side of his lips slightly raised and said "This soul ore might be more than enough to pay for the bread, but is it enough to pay for the crimes of that brat?"

"Oh. I'm sorry. How low of me to offer a piece of soul ore for a bail in such a crime. You are right, I think a piece of soul ore is not enough" By waving his hand once more, a pill flew out from the old man's hand landing directly into the palm of the merchant.

"This is a high quality soul enhancing pill, it can enhance natural energy control and boost energy refinement speed for a limited time." The eyes of the merchant suddenly bulged out upon seeing the pill. The pill indeed is a high quality pill which cost more than ten thousand soul ores!

"I cant believe this old guy is so rich! I hit the jackpot! Hahaha!" While talking in his mind, he glanced at the kid then left without saying a word. The two guards were left speechless and clueless on what to do.

When the merchant left, the old man walked away as if nothing happened while laughing and telling the guards that they can leave.

Since the old man threw out a high quality pill without a second thought, the guards thought that he must have a high status, so the guards nodded and silently left. With everyone gone, The the old man continued walking until he was several steps away.

Then the young young boy suddenly shouted. "My name Ming Li, I am grateful for what you did, but I will ensure to repay you someday!"

The old man looked back and replied while laughing "Okay then I'll keep that in mind". Then he continued his steps and disappeared in the crowd.

....

A while later, near the outskirts of the town, an old man was walking while glancing at the surroundings while enjoying the fresh air.

"Kid why are you following me?" The old man said while looking at a distant tree.

After he said those words, a boy slowly came out from the back of the tree. The boy was none other than Ming Li who continuously followed the old man for several kilometers.

Staring sharply the the old man. Ming Li said "tsk. So you can sense me following you huh. I just thought that I can repay my debt faster while following you, since an opportunity may arise anytime for me to help you."

"kid you can pay the debt when you are more capable, there's no need to rush things. I can see hatred and rage in your eyes but you are honest. So I believe you will pay what you owe. You can go now and take care of more important matters." The old man said while laughing.

"No! I may be a thief, but I will pay you as fast as possible. I will follow you weather you like it or not. You don't need to mind me." Ming Li replied while giving the old man a cold stare.

"Suit yourself young one. Hoho. this old man will head to the next town."