Chapter 44: Back in Oaktown
Morning light slipped through the wooden slats of the inn window, casting soft patterns across the floor. Flux stirred and sat up slowly as the sun touched his face. He stretched with a yawn, shoulders rolling in slow circles, and let out a breath.
Downstairs, the scent of roasted meat, steamed buns, and spiced broth filled the air.
"Five servings of beef stew," he said, scanning the menu. "Three plates of crispy duck, a mountain of dumplings, and anything fresh from the oven."
The young waiter blinked. "R-right away, sir!"
Flux took his seat by the window, one hand resting on the table as he looked out at the busy street. He ate quickly, efficiently, like someone with a bottomless stomach and no time to waste.
Once full, he stepped outside, his robe catching the morning breeze. Mologan City moved at its own rhythm—merchants shouting, children darting between carts, cultivators and townsfolk weaving past one another.
He walked slowly, hands clasped behind his back.
"I should start practicing those techniques from the memory fragment," he muttered. "But where...?"
Street performers conjured flickering lights as he passed. Two teenagers nearby chatted excitedly about last year's tournament, their voices blending into the background.
"The forest... yeah. Time to go back."
He smirked slightly. "I wonder what happened to my cave while I was gone."
He turned toward the city gate. The guards stiffened at his approach, but said nothing as he casually tossed a low-grade spirit stone into one of their palms.
Outside the walls, the world opened up—wilder and quieter.
From his pouch, he summoned his flying sword—a sleek blade that gleamed in the sunlight. It hovered with a soft hum, wind curling around its edge.
Flux stepped on. Qi flowed through him and into the sword. A gust gathered beneath his feet, and he rose into the sky.
"Whew… I missed this feeling."
His robes fluttered as clouds rushed by. Then he paused midair, blinking.
"…Do I even need the sword to fly anymore?"
He floated there, thinking, then shrugged. "Whatever. This way's faster."
He leaned forward. The sword shot across the sky like a silver streak. Mountains blurred beneath him. Valleys passed in moments. Trees became streaks of green.
Last time, he journey when he meet Ryo and travel together, it had taken a month. But now he estimate flying at full-speed, he'd reach Oaktown in under a week.
Wind roared past him. He chuckled. "Wonder what that loudmouth's up to now."
He closed his eyes briefly. "Hopefully, we'll meet again."
---
Five days later, the jagged outline of Oaktown appeared on the horizon, nestled at the forest's edge.
Flux descended into a quiet clearing as the sun dipped low, painting the sky with amber and violet.
"My Qi's definitely stronger," he murmured. "Flying nonstop for days and I barely feel it."
He looked toward the gates,he smiles slightly. "I'll rest tonight… Head into the forest tomorrow."
We walk inside through the gate, the guards barely looked up as he passed. Flux toss a spirit stone into their hands, and he vanished into the town.
The guards" huh? What a straight forward person. Hope you have a great day here then."
Compared to Mologan City, Oaktown was calm—slower, smaller, but full of familiar things for him. Lanterns lit doorways. Families finished dinner. Merchants packed their stalls under the fading light.
The Spirit Willow Inn still stood, its weathered sign swinging gently. Warm light spilled from inside like an old friend welcoming him home.
He stepped in. Soft chatter and the clink of bowls filled the air.
He sat on the table and the waiter approach him, he said to the waiter "I'll take five plates of meat, fried rice,three bowl of beef broth,fried lotus root, and twenty meat buns," he said without looking at the menu.
The waiter nearly dropped his notepad. "Y-yes, right away, sir!"
After eating his fill, Flux returned to his room and sat in meditation. His breathing slowed. The world faded. Qi flowed.
---
Dawn arrived, and Flux wake up from his meditation, then he walk downstairs.
Downstairs, breakfast scents wrapped around him. He sat at the same table, ordered his usual feast, and waited.
This time, the innkeeper came out—a kind-eyed old man with a soft smile and a worn beard.
"Have you been here before, sir?" he asked, studying Flux. "You seem familiar…"
Flux blinked. "Hmm? Oh really?"
The man chuckled. "You remind me of a little cultivator who use to be a regular here. His a Quiet type. Last time I see him was a year ago . He ate like a beast, despite being small."
Flux kept his eyes on the food, expression neutral.
"He always wore a black robe and a big hat," the old man continued, settling into a chair. "He was a rogue cultivator came into town from the forest, he sold his haul at the market, then came back here to eat like he hadn't eaten in days."
Flux said nothing.
"We'd only see glimpses of his face—when he sometimes lifted his hat to eat, or when he wasn't paying attention." The man smiled faintly. "Honestly, he was the cutest kid I'd ever seen."
He laughed softly. "he had a voice like an adult's too. Probably used some kind of technique to sound older. You know how Cultivators are, right?"
The innkeeper leaned back, his eyes distant. "No one ever messed with him around here. He was already at Foundation Establishment back then when he first came in town. Then one day—just vanished, we haven't seen him since then."
He looked at Flux again. "You remind me of him. Not just the clothes… and big appetite ,something about your presence feels the same."
Flux stirred. "No," he said softly. "I don't know him."
"Ah, is that so?" The man sighed. "I hope he's alright."
Flux smiled faintly and lifted his cup. "I think he's doing just fine."
The innkeeper's eyes sparkled. "Good. That's good to hear."
They chatted for a while—small talk, mostly. The town had changed, just a little.
When he finished, Flux stood and nodded. "Thank you. It was nice speaking with you."
"You're welcome anytime, sir. Safe travels."
---
Outside, Oaktown he watch the people getting ready for the day. He walked slowly through the streets, tracing paths he used to take after days of hunting.
The eastern breeze still smelled of forest .He was walking while thinking about his days here.
Back then, he still haven't use any spell to alter his appearance. He still look like a child , but he try his best not to look like a child. No one questioned him, and he didn't think any deeper about it.
He didn't tell the innkeeper the person he was talking about was him all along.
There was no need.
"That's all in the past now."
He turned toward the forest.
"Time to go."