46 Rescue (2)

Kai made quick work of the remaining guards and left their bodies where they fell. They were at most [Mortal Grade-3] so they never had any real chance against him. The fact that Kai was an internal cultivator at the [6th Level of Qi Condensation] sealed their fate. From their perspective, Kai may as well have been a [Grade-4] beast so their chances were zero from the start.

Kai picked up one of the bloodied robes lying on the floor and put it on, covering his entire body. He put the hood over his head, covering his face as well. Only then did he deactivate his scales and go back to normal. Kai's old clothes had long since disintegrated and the scales were the only thing keeping him modest.

The scales covered every part of his body so he didn't feel naked with them on, but at a cost of [5 Qi] per minute, he couldn't afford to have it on all the time.

Kai found a bundle of keys in the middle-aged man's pockets and walked back to the cages to free Mina. Kai unlocked Mina's chains then covered her with a robe before picking her up. He got ready to leave but then Mina pulled on his sleeve as if asking for him to wait.

Kai looked back at the cage and saw an old man who was at death's door was staring at him with a look of admiration. The man's body looked frail with the skin barely clinging onto his bones.

"I'm not sure what I can do to help him. He seems too far gone". Kai said as he slightly shook his head.

"He's the reason I'm still alive, please. If it wasn't for him, they would have probably done worse than just beat me..." Mina said as she bit her lips. She knew she was already asking for too much, but she didn't want to abandon him after the help he had given her.

Based on his looks, Kai assumed his age to be in the mid to high sixties. Why would they keep such a seemingly useless old man around?. Kai heard from Mina that there were other captives but they had already been taken away. Kai used [Qi detection] to see what he could find out.

[Human, Mortal Grade-1][0 Qi]

"This man is just ordinary" Kai murmured while sizing up the old man.

"Old man, do you have the resolve to continue living?", Kai asked as he looked into the man's eyes

The man looked at Kai curiously. He couldn't see what Kai looked like because of the hood, but he clearly remembered the scaled creature that killed the captors.

Kai didn't hear any response so he asked again.

"Answer my question, we don't have much time..."

Kai needed to know how badly the man wanted to live. He had experienced despair firsthand in his old world where everything was taken from him. He was forced into the gutters of society to fend for himself but still retained will to continue living. This same will was what Kai wanted to see from the old man before he spent his time and effort trying to help him."

"I want to live!", said the old man in a weak voice. "...No, I will live!"

Kai looked into his eyes and saw the unwavering determination that he wanted to see. The old man painfully got up from the cage, balancing himself with the prison bars.

Kai gave him another look then nodded his head in approval.

"Good, you'll need to have at least that much resolve if you want to forge a new path for yourself. What is your name?"

"I am Lao Ren, but you can just call me Old Lao"

"Old Lao, you can call me Kai. I will get you out of here, but the rest will be up to you".

Kai helped the malnourished old man who was nothing more than skin and bones walk out of the cage. He struggled to even stand up properly.

"Thank you, sir, I will not slow you down!", he said as he picked up one of the spears off the ground and used it as a cane.

Kai supported him and then got ready to leave the cave but the old man suddenly stopped him while pointed in a certain direction. Where he was pointing was a large tarp covering something big.

"Sir, there might be something you may find useful there" Kai didn't want to waste too much time here, but he still walked over to it out of curiosity.

He pulled the tarp off and was pleasantly surprised to find a wagon. It was big enough to carry at least 6 people comfortably. There was no beast but Kai would be able to pull the wagon himself easily. He placed the injured Mina inside the wagon then instructed the Old Lao to go inside as well.

Kai then went around picking up as many weapons, armors and valuables as he could find.

He had already taken the sacks of coins on each body but left the bigger things for fear of not being able to carry everything. But now that he had the wagon, he could pillage to his heart's content. Kai threw the big stuff onto the wagon then made sure that he had collected everything from their clothing and food to even the prisoner's chains.

Kai's supplies and hard-earned money had gone up in flames so he decided to loot these guys to cover his losses. When the place was picked clean, Kai had Mina and the old man lie down then cover themselves with the tarp.

The pillaging only took a few minutes and Kai was now ready to leave. The entrance was big enough so he had no problems leaving with the wagon. Kai enhanced his body with Qi and was able to pull the wagon away from the area quickly. He took a few detours to throw off anyone who may try to follow them.

After a few hours, when Kai felt they were far enough away from the dangers of the 'Southern Catacombs', he stopped by a small ravine to rest. He gave both Mina and Old Lao something to eat from the stolen rations.

Lao Ren looked at the food with teary eyes as if this was the first proper meal had ever had in his entire life. Mina had not yet recovered from her injuries, but she was now able to move around by herself.

Kai sighed as he looked at the scene. He turned to Lao Ren then asked him sincerely.

"Old Lao, I got you out of the cave as promised. But where are you from? can you even get back home from here?"

Lao Ren had finished eating and was staring at the ravine with a blank expression. "I have been a slave all my life. I have no place that I can truly call home. All I know are the mines and farms..."

"Your whole life?..." Kai was shocked. He couldn't even imagine something so horrible.

Lao Ren could only nod his head before he continued. "I'm sure I would have been disposed of soon since no buyers need an old man like me...My life was forfeit and you have saved it, but I am just an old man with nothing to my name. Please allow me to serve by your side for the remainder of my years. This time not as a slave, but of my own free will!"

Kai looked into Lao Ren's eyes and saw the same determined look he had in the cave. He didn't have the heart to deny the old man but at the same time didn't see what value the old man could bring to him.

"Old Lao, my ambitions in this world are vast. Will you be able to keep up?...what use do you have to me?", Kai asked bluntly. He didn't want to beat around the bush for the sake of sparing the man's feelings. This was Kai.

Lao Ren wasn't phased by the question, as if having to show his usefulness was a given. "I have over 60 years of experience working in different industries from farming, mining and even trading. Despite being a slave, I learned to read and write so I was usually tasked with high-level administrative tasks. I am also well-versed as a personal butler and can cook when necessary. Whether it be starting a business or simple daily tasks, I am prepared to do them all."

Kai was impressed. The man knew how to sell himself, no pun intended.

"Say no more, welcome aboard Old Lao, I hope we can work well together from today onward". Kai said with a smile. He needed someone experienced in business for when he started his own business and figured Lao Ren would be perfect as a general manager of sorts. Sects needed money to run after all.

"Thank you Sir, you will not regret this decision!", Lao Ren said as he bowed to Kai.

Mina was all out of tears but gave Lao Ren a happy smile.

Kai didn't mention anything about salaries and decided to keep it that way for now. He would take care of his followers but wouldn't go out of his way to mention payments when he was still this broke. This was also why he was anxious to get back to Huang City so he could get back to working on acquiring the basics of alchemy. Once he had that, he would have a reliable way of making money without having to risk his life.

"One thing at a time", Kai whispered to  bring himself back to reality.

"First I need to get back to Beifong town and meet up with Ryu. I'll think about the rest after I reunite these siblings as promised".

Kai pulled the wagon, quickly moving towards Beifong town.