*****
[Wang Jie's Memories]
{8 YEARS EARLIER}
A much younger Wang Jie, full of determination, stood beside Wu Jian in this very training ground.
"Again!"
Wu Jian grinned, breathing hard as he wiped his sweaty forehead.
Wu Jian let out a breathless chuckle "If you don't try harder, you'll never beat me!"
But Wang Jie had reached his limit. With a dramatic sigh, he dropped onto the ground like a sack of rice, limbs sprawled in defeat.
"Then I give up," he declared, eyes half-lidded "You be the hero I'll be the old man who gives advice"
Wu Jian snorted "You? Wise? You can't even count right!"
"Hmm… wrong!" Wang Jie shot back, wagging a finger "I can count… I just don't want to"
Still lying there like an exhausted horse after a long race, he heaved a dramatic sigh "Aiye..."
Wu Jian shook his head, laughing "Then get up and train!"
Wang Jie groaned, covering his face "Ughhh! Training is too hard Let me rest in peace"
Wu Jian rolled his eyes "You'll never be better than me like this"
Wang Jie cracked open one eye and rubbed his chin, as if deep in thought "True… but if I wait long enough, maybe you'll get old and slow"
Wu Jian stared at him, then burst out laughing. Wang Jie laughed too, and soon, they were rolling on the grass, laughing like fools. They were only ten back then training, playing, dreaming of the future. Wang Jie was always a little behind Wu Jian, but it didn't matter. Back then, they stood side by side.
But everything changed when Wang Jie turned thirteen. When he stuck in Qi gathering's 5th stage but he thought its just temporary block. I'll breakthrough soon. But weeks turned into months. Months into years.
And the whispers started
"Wasn't he supposed to be a genius? Even kids younger than him have surpassed him."
"I heard his talent dried up overnight. Maybe he offended the heavens."
"Even that servant Wu Jian has surpassed him. Imagine that—your own servant outgrowing you"
"A young master who can't even cultivate? What a disgrace to his clan"
At first, he ignored them. He trained harder, isolating himself, pushing past exhaustion.
But nothing worked.
At fifteen, he lost hope He stopped training, He stopped trying, He stopped caring
If he couldn't cultivate, then what was the point? Why suffer? Why struggle?
His clan refused to accept it. The elders tried everything guidance, special techniques, even bringing in renowned experts to diagnose his condition. His uncles spared no expense, providing him with rare herbs and high-grade pills, hoping to force a breakthrough.
But nothing worked. No matter how many resources were poured into him, his cultivation remained stuck. By sixteen, he had given up completely.
Indulgence became his escape. He drowned himself in worldly pleasures, ignoring the whispers and insults. If they called him trash, then so be it. At least this way, he didn't have to feel the pain of failure anymore. He began frequenting brothels, finding solace in lust and drunken nights. Wine, women, and sex became his new reality.
….
.....
But now, standing here remembering all of this. Wang Jie clenched his fists "Tsk! That fool....."
Wu Jian was still here, still believed in him 'but it doesn't matter now…. because….'
With a small, genuine smile, Wang Jie nodded "Sure"
'.….I am that Wang Jie now'
On the other hand, Wu Jian stood still, lost in his own thoughts 'Is this why you changed back then? I should have understood…'
For years, he had wondered why Wang Jie distanced himself. He had assumed Wang Jie lost interest in cultivation, that he simply chose a life of indulgence. It's not that he didn't like cultivation… he was just helpless. The realization hit him like a blow to the chest 'If today… I had never seen this, I would have never known the truth'
Wu Jian clenched his fists. He had been there all along watching from a distance, thinking Wang Jie had simply given up. But in reality, Wang Jie had been fighting a silent battle, one he had lost over and over again until he finally surrendered.
'Wang Jie… I was truly a bad friend.'
At this moment, just from a few words, that's what Wu Jian finally understood.
Wang Jie hadn't abandoned cultivation. He had abandoned his hope.
…..
....
Breaking the silence Wang Jie stretched his sore hand and exhaled "So, we're starting practicing tomorrow, right?"
Wu Jian nodded "Yeah… but first, your hand is still bleeding Let's go back and treat it"
Wang Jie glanced at his injured knuckles and sighed "Ah… right"
Then, he turned to Wu Jian, his expression serious but lighthearted "Also, stop calling me Master"
Wu Jian blinked "Huh?"
Wang Jie smirked "Just call me how you used to... We're friends, you know?"
Wu Jian hesitated for a moment 'Friends…'
A warmth spread through his chest. He hadn't heard Wang Jie say that in years. Finally, he nodded "ok… I'll remember that"
With that, the two of them turned back toward the estate, their steps feeling lighter than before.
...
As they reached back, an awkward silence settled between them. Wang Jie glanced at Wu Jian from the corner of his eye 'This feels weird… almost like some kind of bromance moment'
Clearing his throat, he muttered, "I'll see you tomorrow"
Wu Jian gave a small nod "Okay… I'll take my leave then"
Wang Jie standing there, staring at his retreating figure. he sighed, shaking his head "What a strange day…"
By the time Wang Jie returned, the sun had already begun to set, half-dipped below the horizon. The golden light bathed the estate in a soft glow, stretching long shadows across the courtyard.
It had taken him some time to stop by Elder Lu's residence on the way back. Elder Lu was a well-reputed healer in Jingyu City, known for his vast medical knowledge. He was also the same old man who had checked on Wang Jie when he first woke up in this world.
And truth be told, Wang Jie was still a little annoyed by him.
He clearly remembered how Elder Lu had sighed while treating him, shaking his head like he had seen too many cases like this before "Boy, have some restraint on yourself. If things go on like this, you'll end up dying in bed"
When Elder Lu first checked him, he had just woken up in this world, and his condition were like a dead body. So, he was advising him to have some restrain over sex
The sheer audacity of those words still made Wang Jie's eye twitch.
Now, back in the Wang Clan, he scoffed under his breath "Hmph! That old bastard"
"Its all because of your granddaughter" His voice was low, venomous "That bitch..."
Shaking off the thought, he made his way toward the Pavilion in the open backyard. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of flowers from the garden. He sat down on a wooden chair, letting out a deep sigh.