The Qi Arts Master Chapter 54
Tian Ailang gazed quietly at Song Sogeol, who lay with her eyes closed. With her hair unbound and returned to her natural state, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
From beside him, the Divine Physician spoke up. “It seems to be a different strain from the San Gong Poison. It feels like demonic qi has been mixed in, which makes crafting an antidote extremely difficult.”
He looked at Tian Ailang with eyes full of regret. Ever since that incident, Tian Ailang hadn't smiled once.
“Is there a way?” Tian Ailang asked, his voice hoarse and cracked.
The Divine Physician didn't mind the informal address. He'd watched from the sidelines and knew just how precious Song Sogeol—and the departed Chanho—were to Tian Ailang.
“Is there a way?” Tian Ailang pressed, his eyes indifferent as he urged the man on.
Sweat beaded on the Divine Physician's brow as he met Tian Ailang's gaze. He had his own martial arts to protect himself, but this was the first time he'd felt every strand of his qi prickle with menace.
Furrowing his brow, the Divine Physician hesitated before answering.
“Is there a way?”
Crack!
A web of cracks spidered across the wooden floor centered on Tian Ailang. With a heavy sigh, the Divine Physician stared him down.
“The panacea you mentioned that Daehyeok told me about. And various spirit elixirs to continuously protect her body and prolong her life. That's the only path.”
Tian Ailang nodded. “Divine Physician.”
“Speak.”
“How long can Song Sogeol hold out without me here?”
The Divine Physician shook his head. “If we gather all sorts of spirit elixirs, we might buy some time. But right now, without the qi you're infusing into her, she won't last long—she'll die.”
“Don't you have any spirit elixirs? Just enough to buy me a little time away.”
“Not enough. With what I have, maybe a week or two at best.”
Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been standing quietly to the side, spoke up. “Is there nothing I can do to help...?”
Tian Ailang turned to him. “Ahem...”
Zhu Yuanzhang awkwardly averted his eyes, unable to meet Tian Ailang's gaze. “Do you perhaps have any spirit elixirs?”
Tian Ailang saw nothing before him now. If the emperor himself mocked him to his face, he'd snap his neck without hesitation. Anyone who dared disturb his peace—he'd scour the world and slaughter them all.
Sensing Tian Ailang's aura, Zhu Yuanzhang answered plainly. “No, I don't. We're still just a band of half-baked bandits. My apologies.”
Tian Ailang looked to Ni Daehyeok. Receiving his gaze, Ni Daehyeok bowed respectfully. “We have basic spirit elixirs on hand. I'll ask my father.”
“Please do.”
Tian Ailang stared blankly at Ni Daehyeok with impassive eyes. “What are you waiting for?”
“Pardon?”
“Aren't you going to your father?”
“Ah! Yes, right away!”
Though Tian Ailang had addressed only Ni Daehyeok, everyone in the room took the hint and scurried into action. His presence was so volatile and terrifying that no one dared ignore it.
“Military Advisor, come with me.”
“Ahem, I need to check exactly what herbs we have left.”
Once everyone had filed out, only Dam Soyeon remained, gazing at Tian Ailang with heartache.
She approached cautiously and gently stroked his back. “Brother Tian...”
Tian Ailang turned at the sound of her sorrowful voice. Dam Soyeon could read no emotion in his abyss-like eyes.
Her heart felt like it was tearing apart. She couldn't define the feeling—was it pity for his pain over a friend's betrayal? Sorrow that he'd lost his smile? Or jealousy toward the one he hurt for like this? She didn't know.
Overwhelmed by tangled emotions, she simply stroked his back once more and left the room.
With even Dam Soyeon gone, only Tian Ailang and Song Sogeol remained. He stared at her endlessly with eyes devoid of feeling.
* * *
“Sister!”
Yu Soso looked up from her desk as her brother burst in. “What's all the commotion?” she asked, her expression still icy.
Yu Soho spoke urgently. “The young leader of the Demonic Cult has shown himself.”
Yu Soso's brow furrowed. “Young leader? There was never any talk of one before.”
“They announced his official return just recently. Probably in secluded training all this time.”
“And? Doesn't every group like the Demonic Cult have a young leader?”
“It's that... he's heading this way.”
Yu Soso flinched. She shoved her documents aside, rose from her seat, and moved to the window, flinging it open. Below lay the modest pavilion of the trading company that masked their hideout.
“...What's the young leader's level of martial prowess?”
“Well...”
As her brother's answer dragged on, Yu Soso turned from the view outside. Yu Soho sighed before replying.
“The Demonic Cult publicly declared he's reached the Ultimate Demonic Realm.”
Yu Soso's face hardened completely. “The Demonic Cult? Themselves?”
“Yes... Can we trust it?”
“Probably... It's certain.”
She bit her lip lightly. Yu Soho tilted his head. “Isn't it just bluffing?”
She shook her head. “No. They might bluff about Peak or Transcendent Realm, but not about the Ultimate Demonic Realm.”
“Ahem...”
“It's likely to show the surrounding factions that the Demonic Cult endures—nay, thrives—putting pressure on them. It's more effective than hiding. Absolute confidence in their strength. That's their hallmark.”
“Pressure?”
She nodded. “Yes. On groups like us, to lure them under their banner.”
Yu Soho's face grew grave. “Then what do we do? We lack the time and money to relocate again.”
Yu Soso sighed. “We have to.”
The Demonic Cult had relentlessly sent agents to recruit Salmak, forcing Yu Soso—the sect's leader—and her subordinates to flee time and again. Each move meant abandoning unsold properties, steadily eroding their wealth. Beyond that, sustaining their followers' food, clothing, and shelter was no small expense.
They had covert income from prepped hideouts like this trading company, but without their main operations, costs far outstripped earnings. Dismantling this base and fleeing again would deliver a severe financial blow.
Knowing her dilemma, Yu Soho said grimly, “They say the numbers are small—shall we ambush them with our elite agents?”
“No, it'd just be pointless deaths.”
“Sister, these are our elites. And with me there, even Ultimate Demonic Realm won't stand a chance. It's not invincible, right?”
“Yes, they're not human.”
She shook her head firmly. “...”
Yu Soho was speechless. Was his sister, Salmak's leader, joking? But he quickly remembered she never joked, and his expression turned serious.
“How can you be so sure?”
She answered flatly. “I've seen it. The prowess of the Transcendent Realm.”
Her face chilled as she spoke.
* * *
In the Alliance Lord's office, Divine Sword Baek Cheongseon gazed at the overcast sky outside.
“Nok Yeong.”
“Yes, my lord.”
At Baek Cheongseon's call, a warrior in green night clothes emerged from the shadows and bowed.
“Tsk tsk, with all those titles, you always pick that one.”
“It's just how I was born, it seems.”
“Tch, fine. Do you remember that girl we met before?”
“That insolent assassin bitch who dared defy you, my lord?”
“Sigh... Nok Yeong.”
“Yes.”
“Why so prickly? Do you miss her?”
Nok Yeong flinched. “Nonsense.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Yes.”
He stated it firmly. “I'll take your word for it.”
“...”
“On days like this, cloudy ones, I sometimes think of that day... and that girl.”
“It was righteous action for the world's justice. And she was a lowly wench. Why remember trash like her?”
Baek Cheongseon shook his head. “Nok Yeong... Anyone hearing you might think I'm some unorthodox sect leader or Demonic Cult head.”
At the rebuke, Nok Yeong prostrated himself hastily. “That wasn't my intent.”
But regardless of his will, Baek Cheongseon's qi lifted him upright. “Alas, what sin did I commit in a past life to pick up a guy like you...”
“If I'm unnecessary, I'll repay your grace with my life.”
Nok Yeong drew a short dagger and gripped it in reverse.
“Enough!”
Rumble!
Lightning flashed from the dark clouds outside, thunder crashing. Baek Cheongseon's voice pierced through it to Nok Yeong. “Never say such nonsense again. If you do, I won't forgive you.”
Nok Yeong sheathed the dagger and bowed deeply. “Yes... My apologies.”
“Sigh. You wouldn't know a joke if it hit you.”
“My apologies.”
“Enough with the apologies.”
“Yes, my apologies.”
Baek Cheongseon shook his head ruefully.
* * *
“This is a Haomen token?”
Tian Ailang examined the palm-sized jade plaque etched with intricate patterns. Its thickness and luster screamed value, adorned with craftsmanship unlike any he'd seen.
“Yes, Brother. Confirmed by the Beggar Clan branch in Jeonam, Shandong Province. Never seen it before, but they say it belongs to someone of very high standing.”
“Why was this on Sogeol?”
“The branch speculates Brother Sogeol has ties to Haomen's leader or a high-ranking member.”
“...”
Tian Ailang glanced at Song Sogeol, lying still as death with a serene face.
“If I take this, will Haomen recognize it?”
“Yes, likely. But they're so secretive and compartmentalized, we couldn't learn how to make contact.”
“It's fine. I'll find the way.”
“Understood.”
“And the man I asked for?”
Ni Daehyeok nodded. “Yes, we sent a trusted clansman to the place you specified. The old Divine Physician is there?”
“Yes. It's not that I doubt the one who treated me, but I want to explore every option—tell the true Divine Physician that in advance.”
Doctors, especially famed ones, hated interference from peers, so Tian Ailang flagged it early. Ni Daehyeok, understanding fully, replied with a reassuring look.
“He'll understand.”
“And treat them well—they're my people. If they're lacking nothing, I'll repay the favor later.”
Ni Daehyeok waved it off. “Don't say such distant things, Brother. We're sworn brothers—would I skimp on your people?”
Tian Ailang nodded lightly. “Right. Thanks. I'll be off, so take care of Sogeol.”
“Yes. Don't worry. Commander Zhu Yuanzhang has indefinitely extended my return to the main force.”
“Good. Tell him thanks later. And the patriarch too.”
“Yes, but don't trouble yourself over it.”
“He's opening the clan vault to gather elixirs for Sogeol—how could I not be grateful? Tell him it's a great debt, and I'll repay it for sure.”
Ni Daehyeok smiled faintly and nodded. “Yes, got it.”
Tian Ailang's words would please Dam Haung. Every leader knew the immense value of indebting a master like him—and the weight of his promises. A Transcendent Realm expert, a one-man army, pledging aid anytime? Merely declaring “Our clan has a Transcendent Realm master!” deterred foes powerfully.
Few would challenge a great clan like Damga lightly, but with Ni Daehyeok secretly aiding the Red Turbans, imperial blades could strike anytime. Thus, Dam Haung had calculated accordingly, aiding Tian Ailang proactively. It was insurance for his son and clan alike.
Of course, duty played the biggest role. A father's pragmatic calculus simply came with it.
Tian Ailang gave Song Sogeol's face one last look, then strode from the room with a hardened expression.