Wait, In the Original, Yahul Lived Past Twenty—What Happened?
Is there a way to save him? I asked urgently.
"There must be a reason the elder brought this up."
"There are two methods."
Two methods! Unlike me, bubbling with joy, Yahul remained calm, as if he already knew the answer. That didn't bode well.
"The first is to absorb others' true energy through the Suction Star Demonic Art. That child has already passed the point of his first outbreak, yet he's remained fine until now because he's cultivated the Suction Star Demonic Art. In essence, preying on others' yin energy has extended his lifespan."
"……"
"The second is the Yang Strengthening Art. By mastering a technique that cultivates yang energy to its extreme and controls it. If he can overcome the Extreme Yang Body, it will become a heavenly aptitude, allowing him to achieve unparalleled heights."
"No way……?"
"Indeed. My Nine Flames Burning Art is a profound art that handles yang energy."
"……"
"Send that child to be my disciple. Unless you intend to watch him die!"
* * *
Before speaking alone with Father, Yahul took a moment with me.
"What? The Tianshan Flame Lord proposed discipleship to you a month ago?"
"Yeah."
"That was right before I entered the Changgung Pavilion. Why didn't you tell me?"
Yahul glanced at the hand I'd injured.
"I meant to tell you the day he came…… but you hurt your hand that day, so I forgot. How's your hand? All better now?"
"No need to worry. But you forgot?"
"Yeah. I figured refusing would end it."
True enough, why would the Tianshan Flame Lord, of all people, repeatedly offer to take Yahul as a disciple? It was truly odd.
"What happened after? Was today the first time since?"
"No, he's come every day since you entered the Changgung Pavilion. Can I just see your hand once?"
"Ha."
I sighed and spread my hand wide.
"Sorry. Did I grab it too tight earlier?"
My fingers itched to seize Yahul's collar with this splayed hand and shake him while yelling, Is my hand the issue right now?!
I looked at Yahul with concern. According to the Tianshan Flame Lord, he was still fine for now. Thanks to the Suction Star Demonic Art maintaining balance, he wouldn't feel anything beyond excessive internal heat. But Yahul's body was like a dam with cracks—if a hole formed and water began to leak, it would collapse irreversibly fast. And when the pain became unbearable, his instincts would drive him to use the Suction Star Demonic Art……
Did the Heavenly Ghost Bird know about Yahul's constitution and teach him the Suction Star Demonic Art? If so, what a vicious bastard.
Yahul hesitated, as if he had something to say. I asked first.
"Something on your mind?"
"Will Lord Baek Ri-gang send me away?"
"……Your life hangs in the balance, so yes, he'll probably want to."
Yahul's stance against becoming a disciple hadn't changed. Even knowing he'd die young otherwise, his reaction was merely, So? Far from normal.
He wasn't an ordinary child, having survived under the Heavenly Ghost Bird, but still……
No, he survived learning the Suction Star Demonic Art—why act so detached from life now?
I added, "If you really don't want to go, you'll need a convincing reason to sway Father."
"A reason to convince him…… Got it."
Yahul's face hardened with resolve.
"Then I'll go."
I watched him walk away, then hurriedly grabbed him.
"Why?"
"You're really going to refuse? ……This is a real opportunity."
"Worried about me?"
"Is that even a question?"
Even as I snapped irritably, Yahul smiled like he was pleased. Is something seriously wrong with that kid?
"It's fine."
Hah. Words weren't getting through.
I nodded toward Father's room.
"……Alright. Go on."
"Yeah."
Yahul's figure vanished beyond the open door. Staring at the firmly shut door, I swallowed dryly and stifled my presence. As I crept closer to press against it—
"Baek Ri-yeon."
Father's warning voice rang from inside.
Pouting, I had no choice but to step back.
Damn these murim folk.
Muttering complaints, I headed outside my quarters this time. The moonlit courtyard, shrouded in clouds, lay serene as if nothing had happened. From that darkness emerged a figure with hands clasped behind his back.
"Insolent brat. Daring to make me wait. If this weren't the Namgung Clan, I wouldn't let you off."
It was the Tianshan Flame Lord, who'd left long ago.
I grinned broadly.
"I had something to ask, but it felt awkward in front of Father."
The Tianshan Flame Lord eyed me, gesturing to speak.
"I've figured out two layers to what you said—mind confirming?"
"Two layers? Out with it."
I laid out my carefully sorted thoughts.
"First, by revealing Yahul's Extreme Yang Body, you're telling us that if we care for him, we'll convince him to go to you to save his life."
"Correct."
He looked at me like a child showing off a trick. The first was mere smokescreen for the second.
"Second…… You're saying no one else can learn your art except Yahul."
The Tianshan Flame Lord snorted.
"Ridiculous. I wondered what nonsense you'd spout."
I continued calmly.
"You said yourself, 'What connection do you have to care for the child?' Flip it around, and it fits you perfectly, doesn't it?"
"……"
"What connection do you have with Yahul to teach him your art just to save him? So the order's reversed. You want something from him, that's why you're taking him as a disciple—and given his unique constitution, the answer's obvious, right?"
The Tianshan Flame Lord's gaze sharpened piercingly.
Bingo.
In the original story, the Tianshan Flame Lord's art was lost, with no successor. One of the Ten Great Powers of the World, unable to pass it even to his own descendants? Suspicious. Murim folk obsessed with martial arts, spilling rivers of blood over a single manual—yet no disciple to carry on his legacy? There had to be a reason.
Combining that with Yahul's unique constitution and the Flame Lord's fixation, the pieces fit.
An art no one else can learn.
He glared at me.
"So why bring it up? Planning to bargain over the child's life?"
"How could I bargain with a life that's not even mine?"
I stared at him like how could you even think that? His expression grew peculiar.
"Just curious. How sincere are you toward Yahul? Is he safe in your hands?"
And the real point I'd been building to.
"You need to teach Yahul your art, but he refuses to leave us……"
"So?"
"Why not stay here with us?"
"Ha, so that's your pitch?"
The Tianshan Flame Lord clicked his tongue.
"If it were that simple, why would I go to these lengths? Hmph. The Nine Flames Burning Art requires cultivation in a place brimming with fiery energy."
Even hearing it, it sounded far from the Baek Clan.
"Moreover, the Nine Flames Burning Art demands a particular mindset."
"Mindset?"
"Yes. Have you seen that child's eyes? Forcing cultivation would be…… Never mind. What am I doing, explaining to a kid?"
"What's wrong with Yahul's eyes? They're just pretty."
"Bullsh—"
I gaped slightly at him. Hearing raw curses like that felt novel after so long among the righteous murim clans.
Mindset matters, huh. Hm, makes sense why he hasn't just snatched Yahul when I'm not around to teach him.
I glanced around the quiet quarters and pressed on.
"So, Elder, you've never found another Extreme Yang Body all this time?"
"Even physicians in the Central Plains who know what an Extreme Yang Body is can be counted on one hand. Most just think it's a fever. And ordinary remedies can't even bring the fever down."
"Ah……"
"A fever is deadly poison to an infant. Those born with Extreme Yang Body—eight or nine out of ten have issues from childhood fevers by now."
The Tianshan Flame Lord tapped his temple.
I asked, startled.
"You mean they go mad?"
"They end up disabled. Deaf, blind, unable to move properly. Twenty years old? Only the luckiest make it that far. Sure, they might go mad too."
He waved dismissively.
"If you get it, go convince that brat. Time's short!"
"Is Yahul's condition that bad?"
"Not him……! Anyway, dragging it out helps no one. The sooner he learns, the better for him."
Listening quietly, I eyed the Tianshan Flame Lord oddly. He was answering my questions promptly—surprisingly kind—and…… extremely anxious.
What's got him so on edge?