The Qi Arts Master Chapter 48
“Eh?!”
Dam Soyeon widened her eyes in shock, swept up in Tian Ailang’s swift motion before she could even react.
“Which way to Five Pines Pavilion?”
Caught off guard by Tian Ailang’s sudden question, Dam Soyeon pointed absently in one direction.
Tian Ailang nodded and unleashed his Shrinking Ground Technique.
Taat!
“Kyaa!”
The abrupt acceleration and crushing air pressure tore a scream from Dam Soyeon’s lips. The winter wind sliced like knives. But just as quickly, the resistance vanished—Tian Ailang had cloaked them both in his inner energy upon hearing her startled cry.
Freed from the biting cold, Dam Soyeon was still dazed by the scenery whipping past.
“Um…”
Tian Ailang, carrying her as he raced onward, glanced down at her call.
“Speak freely.”
“It’s too fast… I feel dizzy.”
Tian Ailang halted his movement. He’d blocked the chill with a barrier of qi, but hadn’t accounted for the vertigo of speed. To fix it, he looked down at Dam Soyeon in his arms.
Meeting his gaze, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she made no move to climb down, waiting quietly instead.
“This should do it. There might be a strange sensation at first, but don’t resist.”
Dam Soyeon nodded faintly.
As he spoke, a cool energy flowed into her body. It felt refreshing, but she couldn’t tell what had changed.
“All set. Shall we go?”
“Y-yes…?”
Tian Ailang smiled and launched forward again.
“Ah!”
Now she felt it—whatever he’d done, the blurred scenery slowed to a leisurely pace, as if they were strolling. The winter mountain vista was breathtaking. The lower slopes were snow-free under clear skies, but higher up, the snowy landscapes dazzled.
Her tension easing, Dam Soyeon lightly wrapped her arms around Tian Ailang’s neck and relaxed into him. She began taking in the view properly.
Then she looked up at him. When they’d first met, his hair had been short; now it was long enough to tie back fully. His sharp yet straight jawline looked like a master painter’s single bold stroke. His pursed lips spoke of a man’s stubborn resolve and sense of duty. His straight nose, not overly prominent, seemed made for loving one woman alone. And those clear eyes—gazing into them brought instant peace.
Dam Soyeon pressed her ear gently to his chest. The steady heartbeat was more beautiful than any palace orchestra could play. Even while carrying her up the mountain without pause, his breathing remained even. What would take her half a day on foot, he covered in moments. He seemed extraordinary.
“Am I… heavy?”
Dam Soyeon asked timidly.
Tian Ailang smiled. “Not at all. Is that pine grove over there the Five Pines Pavilion you mentioned?”
They’d already reached the mountainside pavilion. Though reluctant, Dam Soyeon spoke up. “Yes. You can put me down now.”
Her feet touched the ground lightly, and she took in the Five Pines Pavilion before her. Tian Ailang admired the five majestic pines spreading wide.
“Impressive. Five pines stretched out like that.”
The trees intertwined artfully, forming a natural canopy like umbrellas. It was wondrous.
“Yeah. I can see why Emperor Qin Shi Huang thought to shelter here from the rain.”
“Feels embracing, somehow.”
Tian Ailang had seen plenty of trees growing up in the mountains, but this felt special. Below the cliffs, a river wound around the slopes, frozen in striking patterns.
Savoring the crisp air, Tian Ailang bellowed, “Ah~~~ Feels great!”
“Ah~~~ Feels great!”
Dam Soyeon beamed and echoed him. Tian Ailang grinned back, offering his hand—time to head to the summit.
Understanding, she shyly took it, letting him scoop her up again.
“Ready?”
She nodded bashfully.
Tian Ailang sprang lightly, and like the wind, they vanished from the pavilion toward the peak.
* * *
“Come out.”
In a secluded spot behind Damga’s rear mountain, Chanhho called.
Dozens of black-masked figures appeared like ghosts, dropping to one knee.
“We greet the Young Lord!”
Chanhho eyed them coldly. “How did you find me?”
His icy tone made the figures tremble. The aura radiating from him was worlds apart from his recent past.
One answered promptly. “We used Tracking Cat.”
Chanhho nodded reluctantly. The Demonic Cult’s sole Tracking Cat could follow any scent anywhere. Normally, they’d use Thousand-Li or the enhanced Ten-Thousand-Li Tracking Incense with specialists, but since the latter had faded from him, they’d deployed the cat—a rare move requiring at least the Demonic Elder’s approval for urgent matters.
Knowing this, Chanhho gazed heavily at the kneeling masks. “What is it?”
His words carried majestic weight. The lead figure steadied his shaking hands and offered a letter from his robes.
Chanhho took it. An urgent seal stamped it like an emblem.
He unfolded it impassively. The message was short, but his eyes stayed glued.
“Appointed Acting Cult Lord? Return to the cult at once?”
He looked at the leader. The man bowed deeper under his gaze.
“Yes. The Lord declared this time he’d shatter the heavens and emerge, then entered Heavenly Demon Cave.”
“Father did?”
“Yes. Thus, the Demonic Elder now handles all affairs.”
Chanhho nodded unpleasantly. “As always.”
“The Elder urged you to return immediately—much to do as Young Lord.”
“Go back.”
The firm command made the leader look up. Chanhho’s brow twitched.
In the Demonic Cult, especially to a superior, meeting eyes directly was suicidal insolence.
“Insolent.”
Ssssh.
A world-devouring demonic energy erupted from Chanhho, dark and tyrannical, crushing the figures.
He’d restrained his power fully while hiding his identity, limiting his inner energy—especially risky near Tian Ailang’s supreme skills. Even at peak, any slip could expose his demonic qi.
Now unleashed without restraint, unimaginable demonic power surged.
“Kuhk.”
“Ugh.”
Not just the leader—all groaned, hands clawing the ground.
“Grrrh.”
Chanhho ramped it up, glaring at those still kneeling on one knee.
Crack!
“Gaaak!”
The leader’s arm snapped, sending him sprawling face-down. The others prostrated hastily.
“Ugh… mercy, Young Lord.”
Chanhho withdrew his energy indifferently.
“Hahk!”
“Hahk. Hahk.”
They gasped raggedly.
“Leave.”
His curt order shook them. They knew his commands were absolute, but returning empty-handed meant punishment—fear swelled.
“Young Lord… the Lord commanded too…”
Their zeal crashed against his frosty gaze.
“Don’t bother me further. Go. I’ll return when the time comes.”
Faces ashen, they rose. The leader, arms broken, was supported by others. They bowed deeply to Chanhho and vanished like wind.
Chanhho watched their direction with irritation, then turned away.
* * *
Atop the summit, Tian Ailang and Dam Soyeon stared blankly.
Soon Dam Soyeon flushed crimson, flustered and fidgeting.
Tian Ailang was much the same.
Before them, the white tiger was locked in fervent animal passion.
“Is that why it didn’t respond to my energy…?”
Or maybe too focused to notice the call.
How had it found three females in this vast mountain? The white tiger toiled busily at propagation.
Too embarrassed to watch, Dam Soyeon turned away—but stole peeks.
Tian Ailang approached the engrossed tiger and smacked its head hard.
Thwack—!
A clear crack echoed across Mount Tai’s peak, proclaiming enlightenment to the world.
Grrroar!
Pain jolted the tiger; it whipped around to see who dared interrupt its sacred(?) duty.
Thwack!
Another crisp hit swelled a lump on its head.
Humiliated at being struck by a mere human, the tiger lashed out with razor claws.
Grrrng!
“Kyaaak!”
Dam Soyeon screamed at the swipe. Tian Ailang frowned and moved.
Boom!
He blocked the tree-shattering claw effortlessly with one hand.
The tiger gaped—its strike stopped cold by a human’s palm. Bloodshot eyes from all-day labors cleared, revealing the man: its once-dead savior and master(?).
It hastily withdrew its paw. Old bonds remained; as Mount Tai’s spirit beast now, it would magnanimously forgive. It was no longer the injured white kitten but the mountain’s qi-infused king, stronger than before.
But such thoughts didn’t last.
“Take this first.”
Tian Ailang infused his fist with qi and swung.
Thud! Pow! Bam-bam!
A barrage pummeled the tiger, drawing agonized howls.
Grrrooow!
The tiger’s mind reeled. Tigers err sometimes—did it warrant such rage? And this benefactor had returned far stronger than before. Already mighty then, now monstrous. Keep absorbing spirit energy like this, and the immortals would whisk him to godhood.
Yelp!
The tiger finally tucked tail, rolling belly-up.
Only then did Tian Ailang stop, eyeing it steadily. Partly because its wail was absurdly pitiful.
“Hoyah. Still don’t remember me?”
Belly-up, the tiger wagged its tail—rationalizing it as joy at reunion, not pain from the gulf in power. It was glad, truly, so wagging came easy.
But seeing his three wives retreat, eyeing him pitifully, regret and gloom hit. He’d wanted to look cool. Pride shattered.
Whiiiine!
The tiger whimpered mournfully.
“White tiger, you recognize me now? Crying from joy, huh.”
Tian Ailang’s oblivious words unleashed a storm of injustice in the tiger’s heart.