Learning To Live As A Cultivator 17 Chapter Seventeen - I Win Over The Man Via His Stomach

"You have food?" The man inquired, his nose wrinkling in distaste as he observed the burnt mess upon the heated rock.

"N-not much," Leon sighed as he used his chopsticks to sweep the remnants aside. "J-just some v-vegetables."

"Then you may cook for this Lord," the man declared arrogantly.

Leon glanced at the cold man. Now his aura had slightly dimmed, he no longer seemed as frightening. This did not mean that Leon did not find him as less dangerous to his person, nor that he was any less wary of him, only that he felt his first impression was not the whole picture of this man. Carefully withdrawing his knife, he held his hands upward showing he meant no harm before using it to cut up more onions and mushrooms to place upon the rock. He also pa.s.sed the man one of the fruits he had brought with him.

The man pierced it with his sword, before bringing it to hand and biting into it. He watched silently as Leon carved a second set of chopsticks from the few pieces of wood he had left. He handed over the newly carved chopsticks then shuffled around the fire to place it between him and the man, who did not hesitate to approach and swiftly grab some food. He held the chopstick with a refined elegance and ate as if he were at a banquet rather than by a campfire inside a damp cave. As Leon observed him, he also observed Leon, who struggled to pinch a piece of onion with his chopsticks and bring it to his mouth intact. This seemed to greatly amuse the man, but his fine lips did little more than twitch.

The humble meal was quickly finished, with the man eating far more than Leon could as he was swifter and more practiced with those chopsticks. Leon felt more than a little resentful, but did not show it.

"You did not answer my question," the man said, suddenly. His tone was no less cold, but there was no more anger and his distrust had clearly eased somewhat. Seeing Leon's confused expression, he added; "Where is this place?"

"Th-this is p-part of the Ascending M-Mountain Inst.i.tute," Leon said carefully, trying to calmly speak through his stutter. "It's in th-the Sky-Reaching Mountains."

The man waved his hand dismissively. "I have not heard of this place. Is it in the higher realm or a middle or lower realm?" When he spoke the latter words it was with some distaste.

Fortunately, Leon had a read something about this so could answer; "Middle realm."

The man scowled and became lost in thought for a moment. Leon took this time to put out the fire and rise to his feet. He reached for his basket, which only had a few onions remaining and the mushrooms from beside the pool within the dark cave. Lucky for him that they were the ones he had been looking for. He turned to leave the cave, the rain still drizzled softly, but if he stuck beneath the canopy, he would remain mostly dry.

"Where are going?" The man demanded.

Leon flinched, but turned to face him. He was a head taller than himself and somewhat broader. Quite imposing. "H-h-home," he answered.

"You must take this Lord to this lands city," the man told him. "This one requires the use of a Transport Portal."

Leon tilted his head slightly, wondering what a Transport Portal was. "I d-don't know h-how to," he replied, honestly. "I d-don't know w-where the cities are. N-never b-b-been off of the m-mountain." He muttered this last part more to himself, but the man was quick to catch his words.

"Then this Lord will follow you for now," he said after a moment's pause, "Until you find where the cities are of this realm, I will allow you to serve me well."

Leon glanced upward and noticed a smug look in the usually cold black eyes. Suddenly he felt an odd premonition sweep over him and he decided he did not care for it.