Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Old Jack (老杰克) |
| Alias(es) | Grandpa Jack 5 29 |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | Over seventy 5 |
| Affiliation | Holy Soul Village |
| Occupation/Role | Village chief 3 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned in Chapter 1; appears in person in Chapter 2 1 2 |
Background / History
Martial Soul Awakening
Old Jack announces the arrival of Martial Soul Hall personnel and instructs the village’s six-year-old children to gather for awakening. He attends the ceremony alongside Su Yuntao, initially sighing over the children’s ordinary martial souls and low soul power. Tang San and Huang Fei’s consecutive displays of Innate Full Soul Power leave him overwhelmed with excitement 1 2.
That evening, he goes door-to-door sharing the news that Holy Soul Village has produced two geniuses—an unprecedented event during his tenure as village chief 3.
Securing Academy Admission
After receiving the boys’ Martial Soul Awakening Certificates from Su Yuntao, Old Jack arranges their enrollment at Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy. He gives Holy Soul Village’s sole work-study quota to Tang San and borrows another from a neighboring village for Huang Fei, allowing both children to attend without paying tuition. Despite his age and bad legs, he personally makes the necessary trips 5.
Three months later, he loads their luggage and drives them to Nuoding City. The outward journey takes two days. At the academy gate, he helps unload their belongings, urges them to study hard, and leaves visibly emotional without entering the academy or arguing with its gatekeeper 6.
Winter-Break Reunion
Old Jack waits at the village entrance for the children’s return. Huang Fei presents him with Gold Soul Coins sufficient for several comfortable years, cloth for winter jackets, and health supplements. Unable to speak at first, Old Jack accepts the gifts and openly cries. He also welcomes Xiao Wu and tells Tang San that he and Grandma Jack have regularly cleaned the boy’s house 29.
He later hosts Huang Fei, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, serving radish-and-bone broth and preparing the largest room with thick bedding for their overnight stay 30 31 32.
Appearance
Old Jack has white hair, a beard, a deeply wrinkled face, and a hunched back 2 5 29 48.
- Mobility: His legs are bad, making his enrollment errands physically demanding 5.
- Clothing: During the winter reunion, he wears a cotton-padded jacket washed to a pale white 29.
- Expressions: His beard and facial wrinkles visibly tremble when the boys’ awakening results excite him 2.
Personality
Old Jack takes strong pride in his village but backs that pride with practical help. Rather than letting the boys’ talent go undeveloped, he secures certificates, tuition-free places, and transportation. He rejects Huang Fei’s attempt to thank him, asking instead that the children remember Holy Soul Village after becoming successful 3 5 6.
He is openly affectionate and easily moved by the children’s milestones. He tears up when sending them away and cries upon receiving Huang Fei’s repayment. During a quiet evening together, Huang Fei’s happiness is enough to make him happy, even though he does not understand the boy’s reference to watching a “show” 6 29 30.
Relationships
- Huang Fei — Benefactor and affectionate village elder. Old Jack obtains his work-study place and later provides travel funds; Huang Fei repays his kindness with money and supplies 5 29 53.
- Tang San — Supports his education with the village’s work-study quota, transports him to the academy, and helps maintain his home while he is away 5 6 29.
- Grandma Jack — Shares responsibility for regularly cleaning Tang San’s house 29.
- Su Yuntao — Receives the boys’ awakening certificates from him and acts on his advice that their talent should not remain buried in the village 5.
- Xiao Wu — Welcomes her to Holy Soul Village and provides food and overnight accommodation alongside the two boys 29 31 32.
Notable Quotes
“Don't talk to me about thanks. You two came out of Holy Soul Village; just don't forget the village when you make something of yourselves in the future.” 5
“Study hard, and don't bring shame to Holy Soul Village.” 6