Hidden genius: Black belly snake

Chapter 288: Do you know this woman? Part2

Tang Yue incredulously looked at the aged ancient dwarf in front of her, stroking his long beard and smiling at her.

This man was her master? She simply couldn't believe her eyes.

"Master?" Tang Yue hesitantly bowed.

She then knelt on the floor of the small hut and kowtowed three times to pay her respects to the elder.

But the old man was only amused at her sincere actions.

"Aha Ha Ha Ha. You are mistaken, child. I am not your Master."

"It would be somewhat appropriate to call me an old friend of his."

"Ah" Tang Yue, still kneeling, looked up in disappointment.

Even though she didn't completely agree with the old man and his methods, he was the first person in her life to guide her, teach her and care for her.

So she was slightly disappointed that the old man in front of her was not who she thought to be.

But Tang Yue didn't have the luxury to linger on that thought for long.

If this old man was not her Master, then it was highly possible that she was currently in immense danger.

After all, she was a snake in the Dwarven Empire masquerading as a young dwarven girl.

So how could a dwarven elder not punish her for this?

She couldn't even fathom what realm this old man was in, but he emitted absolutely no aura.

For all she knew, the dwarf in front of her might just be a simple mortal realm old man.

But how could that be possible?

Someone who was capable of teleporting another cultivator in the span of a second was most definitely someone who was not to be trifled with.

As a million questions swirled within Tang Yue's brain, the old man calmly raised his hand and signaled her to sit down.

"Is that old fool still alive?" He gently asked.

"I don't know, my Lord." Tang Yue shook her head helplessly. She honestly had no idea about the answer to that question.

"Mmm I thought so." The old man stroked his beard and nodded understandingly.

"Did that old fool give you the protective rune in person?" He asked.

Tang Yue was slightly startled but then she quickly understood the question. 

This old man probably sensed the soul sliver embedded within her.

"No, my Lord." She answered concisely, not revealing anything more.

Though this person in front of her called himself her master's friend, she could tell that things were not so simple.

Otherwise, why would the system interface and the old man disappear without leaving a trace?

Clearly, he had gone under hiding. So the person in front of her was most likely a foe rather than a friend.

Because of this Tang Yue didn't dare to reveal anything about the system as such.

But the old dwarf in front of her casually saw through her deceit in a mere second and chuckled in amusement.

"As secretive as your Master Aha Ha Ha Ha."

"Listen, child. You can relax. I am not your enemy."

"That old fool is too untrusting and suspicious for his own good."

"You should try not to be like him. Sometimes trusting others can be a tremendous strength."

"Hmmm Not everyone is rotten. Aha Ha Ha Ha."

Tang Yue awkwardly smiled. Some things were easier said than done.

She knew that the old man was advising her for her own good, but still

"I understand, my Lord." She obediently nodded.

The dwarf could see that Tang Yue was not convinced but he didn't dwell on that matter. To each their own!

He stroked his beard again and this time came straight to the main point. "Why are you here in the Dwarven Empire child?"

To this question, Tang Yue did not see any point in lying. She answered truthfully. 

"I came here to learn about spirit smithing and soul smithing, my Lord."

"Ooh. You have a soul weapon in your possession? Take it out." The dwarf curiously asked.

Tang Yue summoned her soul sword and showed it.

The dwarf took it onto his hands and inspected it carefully.

"This indeed is a top-quality soul sword. If you nurture it properly, it has tremendous potential."

"It is also at a very nascent stage. This is why you are easily able to control it and use it."

"Not bad." The old dwarf returned the sword back to Tang Yue.

Tang Yue politely bowed and accepted it.

"Your talent and luck are not bad to have obtained something like this so early on." The old man gazed at her with his scrutinizing eyes.

"I can help you with spirit smithing. But as far as soul smithing is concerned, that's your own journey."

"Even this old man is unable to comprehend that heritage." He chuckled.

Tang Yue's sharp eyes immediately bulged. She was extremely surprised at his casual remark.

Weren't the dwarves supposed to be super secretive about their top-grade spirit smithing technique?

Why was this elder handing out such a powerful method to her like handing out candy?

"Aha Ha Ha Ha. Don't think too much about it. I just owe a favor to that old fool, your master."

"I might not be able to meet him again, so I thought I will help you out."

"Besides, I think that there is someone in the royal city who would love to meet you."

Tang Yue was still dazed, but she quickly nodded and bowed to thank the elder's kind gesture.

"Ok then. It is time for you to head out." 

"Make sure to send your prince a jade slip message afterward, otherwise he might just set the dwarven empire on fire."

"Aha Ha Ha Ha. Young love." The old dwarf chuckled heartily with a twinkle in his eyes.

Tang Yue awkwardly nodded, blushing a little. 

She then bowed and kowtowed once more before stepping out of the small hut.

She could tell that the old man was extremely powerful, maybe even more so than Xander, so she didn't want to linger any longer and push her luck.