The Qi Arts Master Chapter 11
Tian Ailang worked diligently to expel the malicious energies swirling in Ni Daeyeok's head through his Baihui acupoint. But the head was the most vital and delicate part of the human body, so despite his urgency, progress came frustratingly slow.
After grunting and straining over the treatment for what felt like ages, the White Tiger padded up beside Tian Ailang.
Grrooowl! Spiritual energy flowed from the beast. Thanks to it, drawing out the demonic qi tormenting Ni Daeyeok became far smoother.
Another full sichen—two hours—passed before Tian Ailang finally purged all the foul energies from Ni Daeyeok's mind via the Baihui point.
Without a moment to catch his breath, he hurried to Dam Soyeon's side. She lay unconscious, bound atop a rock, curled like a shrimp in an awkward twist. Blood had rushed to her head, drawing pained groans from her lips.
Such congestion could harm the body, so Tian Ailang gently adjusted her into a comfortable position. He then sat in the lotus pose and laid her head across his lap. As the pooled blood naturally drained back through her body, restoring smooth circulation, her recovery would quicken.
Figuring it would take time for the Dam siblings to rouse, Tian Ailang calmly opened his entire body and began a meditative circulation unique to Qi Arts masters—not the method of circulating dantian inner power through the governing and conception vessels, but transforming the body into a conduit for the boundless energies of nature.
This technique excelled not at accumulating inner power, but at restoring fatigue and healing internal injuries. Its greatest advantage? It required no intense focus, unlike conventional meditation—meaning no grave risks if abruptly interrupted. He could move or defend at a moment's notice against any sudden threat.
Tian Ailang sank into meditation, replaying his battle with the elder known as Ji No.
How much time passed? Through closed eyes, he sensed the first light of dawn breaking.
"Ugh...."
Ni Daeyeok stirred then, clutching his throbbing head from the aftereffects.
The noise drew Tian Ailang's eyes open.
"Thank goodness."
Meeting Ni Daeyeok's gaze, Tian Ailang beamed a bright smile in greeting.
The voices stirred Dam Soyeon too. She blinked awake, groggy, only to freeze as if acupoint-struck.
It was the sight of Tian Ailang that pinned her. She had no clue what happened last night, but here she was, pillow on his lap.
She'd always thought a grown woman waking on a man's lap belonged in romance novels. And gazing up at his face, glowing in the morning sun, she wished the dream wouldn't end.
Dam Soyeon eyed the blood staining Tian Ailang's face and clothes. Then, flicking her gaze sideways, she saw her brother Ni Daeyeok's blood-smeared mug. On Tian Ailang, it only heightened his solitary allure; on her brother, he just looked filthy.
Her mind raced with wild fancies. Blushing furiously, she squirmed.
Sensing her gaze and movement, Tian Ailang looked down.
"Ah! You're alright too, miss."
His warm eyes and smile deepened her flush. Shyly, she turned her head—right into an even more improper view of him. Steam practically rose from her face.
"Miss Soyeon, are you still not feeling well?"
Tian Ailang worried, watching her cheeks turn crimson. He'd thought her fully healed—must be lingering effects.
"N-no!"
Dam Soyeon yelped, face aflame, bolting upright.
"Oof!"
"Easy now. Your body's probably stiff from being bound so long."
Tian Ailang fussed over her, then turned to Ni Daeyeok, who was still scanning the surroundings with a dazed look.
"Young hero Tian... where are we...?"
"The Blood Cult abducted you both while I was away. I'm sorry."
"Ah... no, don't apologize. That's not on you, young hero Tian. I remember those strange women attacking out of nowhere. So the Blood Cultists...?"
"Fortunately, I caught up in time to intervene, but their leader slipped away."
"Then those...?"
Ni Daeyeok rubbed his temples, nodding toward the corpses beyond.
"Yes. They called themselves the Yin Slaughter Squad. Seemed like blood-harvesting yin-supplement practitioners. Probably targeting you, young hero Dam..."
Ni Daeyeok reeled at the unthinkable blood-harvesting yin supplement. In plain terms, he'd nearly been drained of blood and qi by those weird women. He had no idea how, but still.
"Yin Slaughter Squad, huh... Not much intel on Blood Cult members. Talk about a humiliating way to go. Ugh, hate that. Anyway, you saved me again. Truly grateful, young hero Tian."
Ni Daeyeok bowed deeply, rising with a grunt.
"Ugh!"
"Stretch slowly. You were bound for hours, so stiffness is expected. Especially since demonic qi ravaged your head—aftereffects might linger, so take care."
"Ah... that explains the killer headache."
"Yes. I've cleared all the demonic qi from your head, so focus on rest for now. Miss Soyeon needs to recover too."
Ni Daeyeok thanked him again, then leaned against a nearby tree stump and eased into meditation.
* * *
BOOM!
The reporting masked man slammed into the wall, vomiting blood as he perished.
"Failure? Failure?! Blood Brain! What the hell is this report I'm hearing?!"
Blood Cult's Lord, the Blood Demon, roared at Blood Brain, who broke into cold sweat on his grotesque face.
"It should have succeeded. We even sent Ji No."
"Then what the fuck is this?!"
CRASH! The Blood Demon crushed the report in his fist, smashing down. The armrest shattered to splinters.
"Besides the Dam siblings, some unidentified man was a top-tier master. Seems he foiled the Demonic Cult too—not Ni Daeyeok. We trusted Kusila's intel from the crown prince's side too much. Still, we sent Ji No as backup..."
"You, the head of the Blood Cult, just trusted intel without verifying?!"
Blood Brain had plenty to say, but he bowed low before the raging Blood Demon.
The Yin Slaughter Squad was mostly first-rate, but devastating against men due to their matchup. Their leader Yo Hyang was peak transcendent initial—should've been a cakewalk. And with Ji No tagging along, success seemed guaranteed. Blood Brain and even the Blood Demon had approved it.
But rational excuses meant nothing now. The usual Blood Demon was cunning, bold, brimming with confidence. When truly furious, though, his Blood Demon Heavenly Heart Art unleashed unchecked killing intent. He'd even slain his own son once. Blood Brain shrank back.
"F-forgive me!"
Blood Brain prostrated, slamming his forehead into the hall floor.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Blood sprayed from his brow, pooling on the stone.
The Blood Demon watched silently, then extended a hand. Just before the next impact, an invisible force lifted Blood Brain's head.
"Rise."
At the curt command, Blood Brain stood against his will—terrifying void-grasping inner power.
"Blood Brain."
"Yes, my lord."
Blood Brain replied politely, blood streaming unchecked down his face.
"What did Ji No say?"
No one knew when it started, but the Blood Cult had a dharma protector. He'd existed before the current Blood Demon claimed the throne—and the first sight of each other's faces came upon ascension. The Blood Demon, then a heaven-defying top-ten master full of youthful vigor, was shocked speechless upon meeting him.
He'd never imagined someone beyond the Profound Realm, impossible to gauge. The Blood Demon figured he could take him at the cost of an arm, but on coronation day, he consoled himself against the risky gamble.
Thus began their uneasy companionship. Rumors swirled: Ji No tied to the old Demonic Cult before its Blood Cult split, or a traitorous Daoist. Truth was unknowable.
"Ji No's returning with the gravely wounded Yo Hyang. Yin Slaughter Squad—wiped out. His letter says the siblings' escort did it."
"Why didn't he kill the escort and bring the siblings?"
Blood Brain bit his lip, hesitant.
"Ji No didn't say. Even if pressed..."
They both knew Ji No obeyed missions without fuss—unless he refused, then silence. Rank favored the Blood Demon, but Ji No couldn't be manhandled.
"...Then investigate separately. Damn it! Those scheming imperial bastards think we're jokes? Blood Brain!"
"Yes!"
"Send word to Kusila. Press responsibility for the intel's source and accuracy, our losses—negotiate fittingly. But say once Yo Hyang recovers, we'll send her as escort and maid. Might not handle her well, but useful. Call it a gift."
Blood Brain saw the ploy: punish the failed leader, secure gains.
"As you command!"
* * *
Tian Ailang and the Dam siblings pressed on, tending their bodies in brief rests. Horses and packs lost, they trudged endlessly by compass.
Traversing rugged peaks proved grueling, especially for Dam Soyeon with her weaker martial arts. Tian Ailang infused her with qi each time, easing her strain.
Ni Daeyeok teased her for it and got thwacked. Tian Ailang's bright laugh followed; Ni Daeyeok chuckled along; Dam Soyeon sheepishly withdrew her hand. This became their routine.
Short time, but sharing life-and-death forged deep bonds. They'd grown close.
"Hoo~! Shenyang at last."
Today, fresh from teasing and