Chapter 26 A Meal

The next day Mo Xiaowen woke up and began his daily routine. He consumed a Body Tearing Grass, and a Body Tempering Pill before heading to the woods to practice the Internal Rupture Technique. He once again lasted a bit over an hour and a half.

At this time yesterday Mo Xiaowen went to the Martial Hall, but today he went back to his residence. 'Time to collect my money makers.' He thought to himself before picking the grasses one by one. Around 15 minutes later, he had collected 120 Body Tearing Grasses, and stored them in his bag.

A few minutes later the boy appeared in front of Old Ox's door. Knocking on the door, Mo Xiaowen decided to wait a bit, but even after waiting for some time there was no response. 'Could he be out?' The boy though in confusion.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

All of a sudden a large sound resounded from behind Old Ox's residence. "Huh?" Mo Xiaowen mumbled in shock. Was someone attacking the Sect? The sound alone was terrifying. 'Maybe I should head back...but what if Old Ox is being attacked....I should at least check so I can inform a supervisor if need be.' He concluded before circling the residence.

Once he circled the residence, the sight shocked him even more than his wildest dreams. Old Ox lay on the ground, asleep with a large battle axe in hand. But that wasn't what was shocking, rather from Old Ox going outwards there was a wave of destruction.

Nearly 10 trees were uprooted while the grass was shredded and the soil reshuffled. It was simply terrifying. 'Is that the might someone in the Body Tempering Realm can display?' Mo Xiaowen stood there stunned.

It seemed as though he had underestimated this Old Ox, but it also confused Mo Xiaowen. If he was so strong why couldn't he breakthrough and enter the Qi Gathering Realm? 'Maybe there's more to the Realm then simply bodily strength, after all how does one gather Qi?' He pondered before moving to wake up Old Ox.

Regardless of the power he displayed, it was time to go to Sea Glass City, he had money to make. "Old Ox, Old Ox, you've fallen asleep again." Mo Xiaowen said as he lightly tapped the man on the back.

"Haaa, schooo, haaaa, schoooo." He snored loudly as Mo Xiaowen attempted to wake him up. 'Damn he's really fast asleep...I guess I'll just wait for him.'

The boy then went off to the side and began practicing his punches. While he still hadn't found a proper technique yet, sharpening his basics was still key.

Around 20 minutes later, Old Ox woke up wearily. "Ahhh! E-Eh? Mo Xiaowen, what are you doing here?" Old Ox yawned before asking.

"I came to find you so we go to Sea Glass City. You were asleep yesterday so we couldn't plan the details but from what the worker said I assumed there was another mission today as well." Mo Xiaowen replied as he stopped his punching practice.

"Ah okay then lets get going. I already picked up the mission this morning." Old Ox said before looking up at the sky. "Its not even lunch time yet but I guess we can eat there. Don't worry it'll be on me!" Old Ox declared righteously.

The two then went to the stables and mounted Black Flash before heading towards Sea Glass City once again. Riding Black Flash the two arrived at Sea Glass City in half an hour. Naturally Old Ox fell asleep on the way, which forced Mo Xiaowen to wake him up, again.

Fortunately he woke up almost instantly and the two smoothly entered the City. Rather than go straight to the construction site, Old Ox took Mo Xiaowen to a nearby restaurant.

It wasn't all that grand being quite plain, but it had a homely atmosphere. "This is the Mulberry Lounge, I used to frequent this place in my youth." Old Ox explained as they entered the restaurant.

"Blockhead you finally decided to visit? And what do you mean your youth, you're still a brat." A middle-aged man chided upon seeing Old Ox.

"Come on boss, I thought we've been over this, I go by Old Ox now." He replied with a sheepish grin.

"You'll always be a Blockhead to me, now who's this? Another Junior Brother of yours?" The middle-aged man asked motioning towards Mo Xiaowen.

"Ya, this is Mo Xiaowen he's been taking me back and forth since yesterday." Old Ox introduced the boy.

"Hello, as he said I am Mo Xiaowen, he also said he'd be paying so bring 5 of your best dishes please. But no fish!" Mo Xiaowen declared before taking a seat.

Seeing this Old Ox's face began to twitch. 'He's going to take all my money!' Old Ox cried inwardly. On the other hand the boss was delighted.

"Hehe, I like you kid. Five of our best coming right up!" Without another word the old man entered the kitchen.

"But what about my order....." Old Ox sighed in defeat before looking towards Mo Xiaowen.

"You're not taking from my food, I've been eating fish now for over a year. The first thing I had that wasn't fish was an apple yesterday." Mo Xiaowen replied with no room for contention.

'This Junior Brother of mine is too mean.' Old Ox wanted to cry but he had no tears. Some time later, the food arrived and Mo Xiaowen began to gorge himself. Old Ox also ordered his own food and got it relatively quickly

"Haa, I am stuffed. Thank you very much Senior Brother." Mo Xiaowen thanked as he patted his belly. Old Ox could barely hold himself back from slapping this Junior Brother of his.

"N-No problem." Old Ox replied, his mouth twitching. 'My 15 Silver.....Mo Xiaowen you'll pay for this, literally, otherwise my name isn't Old Ox!' He roared inwardly. A few minutes later the two left the Mulberry Lounge.

Noticing the gloom on old Ox's face as they walked away, Mo Xiaowen began to feel a bit bad. "Old Ox, next time I'll pay for the food." Mo Xiaowen declared, hearing this Old Ox looked at him in shock.

"No there's no need for you to do that." Old Ox replied shaking his head. At first he was mad at Mo Xiaowen, but after all the boy was only 13 so this gesture touched him.

"I insist, you asking me to come with you on the mission has already helped me a lot." Mo Xiaowen insisted, not taking no for an answer. Seeing this Old Ox didn't know what to do. He couldn't take the kid's money after all, he needed that for resources.

"How about this, when you breakthrough into the Qi Gathering Realm pay for my meal." Old Ox chuckled, hearing this Mo Xiaowen was stunned.

"Isn't it normally the other way around?" The boy replied.

"When you reach the Qi Gathering Realm, you could be considered my Senior in status. Then I won't be leaching off a junior." Old Ox explained his flawless logic.

"Fine whatever, we'll call it a deal. When I reach the Qi Gathering Realm I'll pay for your meal, whatever you want to eat, I'll buy!" Mo Xiaowen declared once again.