Chapter 540 - 533. Unknown Memory Lane
The Iron Mountain, Tian Yu, was everything Zein thought the old man would be.
He was as old as the Horin Patriarch, but looked way younger. Rather than through pills and medication while dabbing on miasma, it was gained by living quietly on a mountain with fresh air and no commlink. The kind of life Zein would be onboard too.
He wasn’t as bulky as the other defenders Zein knew, but the firm muscle was palpable behind the loose shirt. Even after being inactive for almost four decades, the old man still kept his physique. Although, different from active espers, he was not as tense. There was this tranquility around him that Zein could see coming from living peacefully here, away from any drama.
The old man did need to cater to his needs himself, including hunting for meat and tending to his vegetable and herb garden. He also had to take care of the cabin himself, which was quite wide. However, those seemed to be the activity that maintained his fresh look and firm muscle.
Still, the eyes couldn’t lie.
The black eyes that were scrutinizing Zein seemed so deep and complex; carved with experience that brought both joy and sorrow. Things the old man saw and wished to forget, as well as things that he just found out a few days ago.
Right after Han Joon proposed the plan to ask the Iron Mountain for help, they sent him a small package; a commlink filled only with the information about House Althrea, as well as the Fallen Star. Both Han Joon and Radia weren’t really sure the old man would open it, but from the way he looked at Zein, it seemed that he actually did.
"Hmm," he sat crosslegged on the open pavilion, propping his chin against his knee, and tapped his fingers on the other one.
"..."
It had been a few minutes since he had done nothing but stare at Zein and Han Joon, who were standing quietly in wait, unmoving. For the former soldier and someone who worked under one for around three years, it wasn’t hard.
"You look just like your father, but also not," the old man spoke after around fifteen minutes.