Through Hellfire - Chapter 8 Journey To Vineyard City And Teaching Hawk How To Cultivate.

“Wait for a moment!”

Li Ran picked up the pace, and began to walk forward briskly. He disappeared into the forest and a few moments later returned, having collected the remains of the beasts that attacked them.

He planted his feet into the ground and appeared behind Hawk and his mother.

“Don’t panic!” he said as he grabbed them and threw them over his shoulder and began to fly into the forest.

He moved at a slower pace than he usually does so that they wouldn’t feel sick from the flying.

The next few days, he carried them by flight for a great distance and they covered enough ground that their destination, Vineyard City was close.

During this time, Li Ran taught Hawk about the cultivation, and cultivators. Hawk, who was still very young was enthusiastic to learn about Immortals.

To him Immortals were those who could move mountains, fly above the highest clouds, walk above the greatest ocean and more fantasies. But, Li Ran purposely avoided going in deeper to not let him be disillusioned, by realising the true nature of cultivators.

The cultivation world was a cutthroat world. The strong dominate and the weak submit. The history of the cultivation world, is one filled with so called saints who’ve spilled rivers of blood.

Watching Hawk’s behaviour and happiness when talking about cultivation, Li Ran decided to teach him how to cultivate.

He sat Hawk down in the Lotus position, and sent his own profound energy of Heaven and Earth into him.

Usually, an individual is made to sense it by himself, but Li Ran decided to bypass that and directly push his own energy into Hawk.

Hawk was found having an affinity to Earth Element.

During his travels, Li Ran had gathered manuals for Martial Warrior level for all the elements.

Only, the most influential clans in the world could actually own such a collection, but it was accomplished by Li Ran.

Li Ran gave Hawk the World-Moving manual that he possessed, and taught him some fine points in cultivation.

Li Ran himself was in Mid-level Saint level, so his guidance was invaluable to a novice like Hawk.

Hawk’s mother lost her wariness of Li Ran after a few days since their meeting.

He was just a young youth, who had a mysterious past. His behaviour and mannerisms, showed that he had a high distrust of everyone, but was kind to the weak deep down. During the time they were with him, he often had a look in his face like he was searching for something but never found it.

Now, it was night time. It was eleven days since they left the Caravan. Li Ran took a roundabout route to avoid meaningless conflict and profound beasts.

He had estimated that they will reach their destination, Vineyard City by noon tomorrow.

They were in a meadow, and the sky was devoid of clouds. The stars glittered the skies and a light breeze eased their tired bodies.

Li Ran lay down on the ground, looking at the stars and chewing a small piece of meat from the beast he had hunted for supper.

Light footsteps sounded as Hawk approached and sat down beside Li Ran.

“Master Li Ran, we will reach Vineyard City tomorrow right?” Hawk asked the relaxing Li Ran.

“mhmmm” Li Ran nodded.

“We’ll separate over there, right”?

“Right.” Li Ran nodded again.

“Will we meet again?” Hawk asked the question that was his vexation for the past few days.

Hawk’s father had died a few months back. To a small child like him, a person like Li Ran, who saved his own life and his mother’s, helped them travel through a dangerous forest, and taught him how to cultivate… was like a elder brother figure who came down from heaven.

Since, Li Ran had taught him cultivation, he had thought of himself as Li Ran’s student.

Although they had only spent a few days with each other, he didn’t want to separate from Li Ran.

Li Ran could guess Hawk’s inner thoughts and sighed in his heart.

“Maybe in the far future, if fate wills it, we might meet again….

I don’t know where my journey is taking me, but I hope to see you again someday.”

Hawk had a look of disappointment and sadness.

“Hey Hawk, what do you want to do when you grow up?” Li Ran asked Hawk, intending to change his mood.

Hawks eyes brightened as he answered with confidence, “When I grow up, I’ll take care of my mother, and become a great cultivator.”

Li Ran who appeared serious most of the time, smiled at Hawk’s innocent answer before replying, “A good goal. Well I wish you the best. Grow up into a great man.”

After Hawk fell asleep, Li Ran carried Hawk to his mother and laid him down.

“Young Master Li Ran, thank you for all you’ve done for us.” She thanked him, and bowed her head.

“Ah, it doesn’t matter. Just count it as a good deed you have to do to others in need next time.” He shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

But he stopped a few steps later, and turned to Hawk’s mother.

“Your boy told me that he wants to grow up and take care of you. And maybe because of our meeting, he also told that he wants to be a great cultivator.

You’ve got a kind child, you know. It’s best if you keep him away from the cultivation world.”

Hawk’s mother noticed the serious tone of Li Ran’s voice..

“He is too kind hearted and simple minded. He won’t be able to be cruel to his enemies and kill them if necessary. It’s best if he doesn’t become a cultivator, and stays a mortal.

Even what I taught him, will only work until he becomes a Martial Saint. Beyond that, he’ll find it hard to cultivate without a manual. So, I advice you to discourage him from continuing that path.”

Saying this, once again Li Ran walked away and laid down at a distance, staring at the stars.

.

.

Hawk’s mother smiled lightly, and sighed. She had known from the past few days that, though Li Ran likes to act like a serious and cold individual, deep down he was very kind and peaceful.

His warning was his own way of letting her know that, he didn’t want Hawk to discover the ugliness of the cultivation world and losing his innocent and kind nature. Even she had heard about the nature of cultivators and many stories that she was often vary of them.

Li Ran warning her of it, showed her and reinforced her belief in the kind nature of the scarred youth that helped them through their journey these past days.

The next day, at noon they arrived at their destination outside the forest. A city covered in vines and grapes, which often made one think that houses were built beneath grape farms. The city covered in vineyards, Vineyard City.

After they paid the gate entrance, Li Ran walked them across the streets and stopped at a street near Hawk’s uncle’s house. Hawk’s uncle had promised to take care of his sister and nephew, which is why they mad this journey.

“This is where we part.” Li Ran spoke, his voice was nonchalant and calm.

Hawk’s mother bowed down, “Young Master Li Ran, thanks to your kindness for the past few days, we were able to make it here. If it weren’t for your help, we wouldn’t even be alive now.

I’m sorry that these words are all I have to show as my gratitude.” She spoke humbly.

“It doesn’t matter. As I told you earlier, someday you’ll get an opportunity to help out another person in their time of need. Don’t hesitate then, and be sure to help them.” He replied, again nonchalantly.

“And kid…take care of your mother.” He added before walking away and disappearing into the surrounding crowd.

Hawk had a sad look, and his mother picked him up and cheered him up.

“Smile Hawk, we’re going to your uncle’s house.” She smiled, and tickled him, as they disappeared into the crowd as well.