The Qi Arts Master Chapter 71
BOOM------!
In the midst of the explosion and thunderous roar, silence blanketed everything. The vast forest, its creatures, the creeping fog of the Poison Mist Zone, the Unorthodox Alliance attacking the Beast Tribe, the Beast Tribe themselves, Maeng Geon, and Dang Jeonga—all fell utterly still. Especially where the Dangga's Twelve lay.
Their bodies were obliterated beyond recognition. Only Number One clung to life, barely sustained by his inner energy, his limbs gone.
“Cough! You dare... touch Dangga and think... you'll get away with it...”
Even in death's grip, Number One spat threats. Tian Ailang approached slowly and gazed down at him coldly.
“Mind your own business. You're the arrogant one for thinking you'd touch my people and walk away unscathed.”
“Insolent fool...”
Ignoring him, Tian Ailang turned to the Unorthodox Alliance, locked in standoff with the Beast Tribe amid the lull.
Over fifty at a glance—clearly their elites. The Beast Tribe, down to just over twenty with their dead, was hopelessly outnumbered.
“Everyone, freeze!”
Tian Ailang's mighty lion's roar made the scrambling unorthodox fighters flinch and snap their eyes to him.
“I am Tian Ailang, lord of the Qi School! And these are my sworn brothers, the South Forest Beast King and his Beast Tribe!”
He met their gathered stares with unflinching poise and continued.
“Anyone who harms my people, I'll hunt to the ends of hell and make them pay—like these Dangga vermin here!”
With that, before all eyes, he crushed Number One's head under a powerful stomp.
CRUNCH!
The gruesome sight left everyone forgetting to breathe, swallowing in hushed dread.
The Yunnam Unorthodox Alliance. Even their leaders broke into cold sweats watching. They'd bowed to Dangga's orders under duress, but it was the fearsome might of these Twelve that had truly subdued them. Seeing the top of them meet such a pathetic end plunged them into terror.
As the leaders weighed fighting to the death or fleeing, Tian Ailang spoke again.
“This is your last mercy! Withdraw now! Go home, await my visit, and beg forgiveness!”
RUMBLE------
The earth began to quake around Tian Ailang. Winds of inner energy whipped up, chilling every soul on the battlefield to the bone.
The Alliance felt razor blades grazing their skin.
“Or prepare for war against me!”
CRACK!
The ground split from Tian Ailang, carving a line between the Alliance and Beast Tribe. Residual energy vibrated the earth, ready to swallow the intruders whole.
Some collapsed trembling, others from southern folk faiths prostrated, crying the gods' wrath. A few just dropped weapons, staring blankly.
The leaders, beholding Tian Ailang's otherworldly divine might, lost all will to fight.
“We withdraw, Divine Dragon.”
The five leaders bowed deeply, utmost respect, awaiting his approval.
Tian Ailang withdrew his aura.
“Go.”
Not even emphasizing, yet they fled like receiving the gravest command.
As the Alliance vanished in an instant, sighs of relief rippled from the Beast Tribe.
“Phew.”
“Thought we were goners.”
“Urgh.”
“Hey, you okay?”
As they checked each other, Maeng Geon slowly approached Tian Ailang.
“Ha! Incredible. Thanks. You saved our hides.”
Maeng Geon laughed heartily, expressing gratitude.
Tian Ailang shook his head.
“No. This happened chasing Palgaksa—my responsibility too. Sorry for your fallen tribesmen.”
“Hmph! The dead are tragic, sure, but we know the wild's law: survival of the fittest. We won't crumble easy. And I salute how you treat your sworn brothers. We Beast Tribe swear by all South Forest spirits to serve you and Qi School as absolute allies with all we have.”
The Beast Tribe roared agreement, each paying deep respects in their way. Tian Ailang smiled faintly and nodded; Maeng Geon bellowed a laugh.
“Hahaha! Smile more—you've got a good one, even if not like mine. But why let 'em all live? Some reason?”
Tian Ailang eyed the direction they'd fled.
“Yeah. From South Forest to Poison Mist Zone, a huge force encircles us. Not high-level, but too damn many.”
“Figures.”
Maeng Geon, who'd sensed it vaguely, clicked his tongue. If not wounded, he'd never have spared his tribesmen's killers.
Tian Ailang eyed him.
“You felt it too, huh? Makes this easier. They're weak by our standards, but lethal to survivors here. Probably more sacrifices ahead.”
Maeng Geon nodded readily.
“Yeah. Regrettable, but unavoidable.”
Tian Ailang patted his shoulder lightly, then approached Dang Jeonga.
Maeng Geon glanced at them, tsked, and went to tend his tribe.
In the ruined forest heart, scarred by battle, Dang Jeonga stood tense. Same Dangga as the slain Twelve Tian Ailang had rage-killed—what should she do? Fear made her shrink.
“You'll explain the details, right?”
She nodded, head bowed, and recounted what she knew.
When it turned to the Poison Maiden tale, a thick killing intent surged from Tian Ailang—then subsided.
“Filthy bastards.”
Harsh words escaped him. Done, Dang Jeonga awaited judgment quietly. Even if Dangga Lord and Twelve caused this, to them she was just another Dangga. If he killed her for the dead Beastmen, no resisting. And home meant hell anyway—death here wasn't bad.
Tian Ailang sighed at her calm poise amid fearing death. Dangga blood tied her to collective blame, but what sin had she committed? Pitiable, really. Plus, he owed her a true debt from her training.
“Caught Palgaksa. Remember what I said in the cave? Asked if I could help.”
Dang Jeonga looked up anew. He'd switched to casual speech. Oddly comforting. Awkward before—casual with Maeng Geon, half-formal with her. No one dared casual, even half, with Dangga's lady; she'd taken formal as due. But seeing their bond, she'd yearned for such freedom, even in address. Now his casual like Maeng Geon's eased her guilt strangely, fulfilling something.
She met his eyes amid odd feelings. On this miracle battlefield, his pure gaze—untouched by bravado—struck her.
“Ah!”
She flushed, recalling that talk. Cornered then, virgin condition for Poison Maiden had sparked desperate thoughts: break it, dodge shameful death?
She cleared her throat, steadying.
“Yes. If you succeeded in hunting Palgaksa, I'd ask then. Even if you couldn't help after hearing, I said it'd be fine.”
Tian Ailang nodded.
“Right. I'm ready now—make your request.”
She hesitated, shook her head slightly.
“Killing the Twelve and sparing me here already fulfills it. But...”
Struggling, she bit her lip, chin tucked. Voice cracking, she pressed on.
“Since it's out, one more shameless request. Is that okay?”
“Speak.”
Flatly, he watched. She clenched fists, lips trembling, finally opened them.
“Kill Dangga Lord Dang Cheon-geum. His greed will doom all Dangga. As family and daughter, begging an outsider brings bloody tears, but I plead earnestly. Forgive this shameless wretch burdening you to excise our rot.”
Done, she bowed as greeting an emperor.
Tian Ailang used void grasp to lift her.
“I accept. But the scales tip your way, so I'll add terms.”
“Anything.”
“Henceforth, Dangga treats Qi School and my people as near-sworn allies.”
Her eyes widened.
Tian Ailang's brow twitched.
“What? Too hard?”
She shook head frantically.
“No! It's what I'd beg as condition. At least while I live, Dangga pledges absolute alliance with Qi School.”
He smiled back at her cupped-fist salute, returning it. No empty words—solid promise within her power. He liked that.
* * *
Regaining breath, the group tidied up. From corpses, they selected Beast Tribe bodies for wind burial rites.
Maeng Geon led with tribal dance; others joined, circling the bodies.
Praying they'd return to nature, reborn as beast friends therein. Tian Ailang joined solemnly.
Death dulled on him lately, but now he just wanted to remember and pray like them. Their hopes stirred a faint smile: someday reunite with parents, clan, grandpa?
Thanks to it, clear blue sky—not Poison Mist Zone fog—watched over them.