Qi Arts Master Chapter 96
Tian Ailang emerged from the formation with Song Sogeol in tow. There was no need to seek out Haomen Lord Song Kang separately. The man was waiting just outside the array alongside Medical Pavilion Lord Ma Chung.
“My daughter...”
Song Kang's eyes reddened faintly as he gazed at his healthy girl. Tian Ailang caught the expression and wore a peculiar look of his own.
Unexpected.
The Haomen Lord was a man whose face remained utterly impassive unless he was deliberately acting a part. He'd once said it was a habit from a lifetime of wearing masks, yet here he was, rushing to his daughter's side at the news of her full recovery—and showing such emotion.
“Father!”
Song Sogeol dashed into her long-lost father's arms with unbridled joy.
“You've endured so much.”
Song Kang patted his daughter's back as she clung to him. He marveled quietly at the change in her qi—raw, unrefined energy surging fiercely from her body.
Knowing the full story as he did, Song Kang turned eyes of profound gratitude toward Tian Ailang. No one understood better than he the efforts the young man had poured in. Ma Chung had also relayed just how wholeheartedly Tian Ailang had devoted himself to the treatment.
Song Kang gently eased his daughter from his embrace. Then he offered Tian Ailang a deep cupped-hands salute.
“Thank you for saving my daughter.”
Tian Ailang felt the sincerity in the gesture. He returned a light salute of his own.
“I only did what was right as her sworn brother.”
“Indeed. Since we both know each other's hearts, I won't belabor my thanks.”
Song Kang released the salute and met Tian Ailang's gaze squarely. Song Sogeol watched the two men lock eyes with such gravity, a puzzled expression crossing her face.
She'd assumed her father had tracked her down using Haomen's intelligence network, given his position. But the atmosphere suggested he knew not just Tian Ailang, but the entire Medical Pavilion as well.
She'd only heard the bare bones—that Tian Ailang, the Medical Pavilion, and some Zhen divine doctor had worked tirelessly to heal her. The lack of details only fueled her curiosity.
“What on earth happened while I was out? How do you and Brother Ailang seem to know each other so well?”
Song Kang mirrored her puzzlement at the question. Tian Ailang spoke up.
“I didn't go into details. Only that she'd been saved—and that mattered most. It's been ages for you two, so enjoy your reunion. If you like, you can fill her in on everything yourself, Lord Song.”
“Is that so?”
Song Kang nodded faintly. From what he'd gathered, Tian Ailang wasn't one to boast of his accomplishments. He probably found it awkward to speak of them.
“In that case, I'll do just that.”
Tian Ailang turned to Song Sogeol.
“Sogeol, take a break for now. Training resumes once you're rested—keep that in mind.”
“Got it, Brother.”
Quick on the uptake, she linked arms with her father.
“Ha Chun!”
At Tian Ailang's call, Ha Chun—who had been standing by nearby—hurried over.
“Yes, House Lord.”
“As you know, these are most honored guests. Guide them to a quiet spot for conversation and see to their every need.”
“Yes, sir!”
Ha Chun bowed to Tian Ailang, then gestured politely to Song Kang and Song Sogeol.
“This way, please.”
Song Kang regarded Tian Ailang with satisfaction, noting the even stronger air of command he exuded. Song Sogeol eyed this somewhat unfamiliar side of him with curiosity.
Once the pair had departed under Ha Chun's guidance, only Tian Ailang and Ma Chung remained before the formation.
Ma Chung spoke then.
“Care for a walk?”
Tian Ailang nodded readily.
“Yes, sounds good.”
The two left the Medical Pavilion and strolled a quiet mountain path. They walked in silence for some time before Ma Chung finally broke it.
“What are your plans now?”
His voice carried deep concern laced with trust.
“Revenge.”
Tian Ailang answered plainly.
“I see.”
Ma Chung accepted it without surprise, as if he'd expected as much.
“But not right away.”
Ma Chung tilted his head.
“Some scheme in mind?”
Tian Ailang replied with firm resolve.
“I'll make my people strong. Strong enough to protect themselves whether I'm there or not.”
Ma Chung grasped his intent at once.
“Planning to train them yourself?”
“Have to.”
“Heh. The kids are in for it—they'll be hearing 'you're dead' every day.”
Tian Ailang chuckled softly.
“Lucky for them, this is the Medical Pavilion. Any injuries, and we patch 'em up right away.”
Ma Chung inwardly pitied his disciples at the words and smile.
“How far do you aim to take them?”
Tian Ailang closed his eyes briefly to gather his thoughts before answering. It was a question he'd already pondered deeply after planning the training for his retainers.
“At minimum, peak realm. No—transcendent realm for everyone. That's when I'll rest easy.”
“Heh, heh heh, ha ha ha...”
Ma Chung could only laugh in bemused disbelief, offering another silent prayer for his disciples' futures.
If Tian Ailang pulled this off, he'd forge a group of over twenty transcendent experts—a force even massive sects could only dream of. But coming from Tian Ailang, who had wrought one 'impossible' miracle after another, it didn't sound like empty talk. Somehow, he'd make it happen.
As his thoughts settled, Ma Chung eyed Tian Ailang with sudden unease.
“...You don't mean to include me in this training, do you?”
Tian Ailang let out a hollow laugh.
“Grandfather, you're not as young as you used to be. Just mind your health.”
“Heh. Thanks.”
Ma Chung patted his chest in relief. Tian Ailang's eyes burned with a will that seemed ready to shatter any obstacle in his path—best not to tempt fate.
He'd mastered self-defense arts befitting his station, but age was age; he felt his body and muscles decaying day by day.
Tian Ailang added one more thing.
“That said, for your health's sake, I'll focus on refining your breathing technique.”
“Understood...”
Tian Ailang smiled faintly at Ma Chung's worried expression.
Even if they cursed him and wailed, he'd make them strong—he vowed it again and again.
* * *
The next morning, Tian Ailang received a quiet visit from Haomen Lord Song Kang. He rummaged out the tea set in his room and prepared some brew. He added leaves to the pot, poured in water, and heated it with threefold samadhi flames.
As he poured for Song Kang, Tian Ailang said,
“It's early yet—why not rest more comfortably?”
“Thanks to you, I had a long talk with my daughter and finally got some proper sleep.”
“Glad to hear it. Watching your movements lately, I worried you barely slept at all.”
Song Kang burst into wry laughter.
“I hardly deserve that from you. You've crossed vast distances without rest yourself—not to mention fighting brutal battles along the way.”
“I managed. But you've got years on me.”
Song Kang's eyes widened.
“Ha ha ha! Who in this world frets over Thousand-Faced Asura Song Kang like that?!”
He roared with laughter, then continued with a grin.
“That aside, there were things I meant to say yesterday, but the mood wasn't right.”
“Speak freely.”
“First off, Haomen wishes to swear brotherhood with the Qi Arts House henceforth. This vow holds for my lifetime and my daughter's.”
“I'm honored. I'll treat Haomen as brothers in turn.”
Through their past exchanges, both had anticipated this. They exchanged the oath naturally, without surprise or hesitation.
Song Kang pressed on, pleased.
“I safely delivered the items you requested to Salmak Lord. He was thrilled.”
Tian Ailang smiled warmly.
“My thanks. Their role will only grow from here. If you could keep an eye on them now and then, I'd be grateful.”
“Consider it done. Also, the goods you ordered are waiting outside the Medical Pavilion entrance.”
Tian Ailang brightened.
“Perfect timing—I was eager to start training ASAP.”
“What kind of training demands all that?”
Tian Ailang just smiled. Song Kang didn't press and shifted topics.
“Anyway, have you heard about the secret annex of Guan Yu's legacy?”
“Can't say I have.”
Tian Ailang shook his head.
“A Guan Di Temple has appeared northwest of Gansu, in Gili Mountain. Murim's abuzz.”
Like the hidden annex at Red Cliff—something similar there, perhaps.
Tian Ailang listened lightly.
“What's the fuss?”
“They found gold statues of various beasts and a formation sealing the entrance. Local small sects and merchants took interest at first. But then...”
“Then?”
“Word spread of Guan Yunchang's martial arts manual. Now all Murim's eyes are on it.”
Tian Ailang cocked his head, baffled. Even if it was an unverified manual from a legendary hero like Guan Yu, the hype seemed overblown.
Reading his face, Song Kang chuckled dryly.
“Yeah, I figured you wouldn't care much. But for those dreaming of a reversal of fortunes, a bona fide manual from a titan of his era? Priceless news.”
“Why tell me?”
Song Kang sipped his tea gravely.
“Something's fishy.”
“Fishy? You mean the Guan Di Temple rumors?”
“Exactly. The story traces to a herb gatherer on Gili Mountain, but checks show we can't even verify if he exists.”
“So...?”
Song Kang nodded.
“It might be engineered rumor-mongering.”
“But the gold statues and formation are confirmed, aren't they? The discoverers are real. Isn't that jumping to conclusions?”
Song Kang conceded easily.
“True. The gold and witnesses exist, as does the formation. That's why the manual's authenticity feels so credible.”
“Then what's the issue?”
“The rumors spread too fast—and too wide. It's not natural.”
“...?”
As Tian Ailang frowned in confusion, Song Kang explained calmly.
“Even top intelligence groups like Beggar Clan or Haomen couldn't blanket such a vast area this quickly. It takes massive funds and manpower.”
Only then did Tian Ailang glimpse his point.
“Someone's orchestrating this on purpose—with some plot behind it? And the force capable...”
“Right. My guess? The Demonic Cult. Though it's just speculation for now.”
“No. I trust your analysis. But does it concern me much right now?”
Song Kang shook his head.
“Not particularly. Just sharing intel between brothers-in-arms against a common foe: the Demonic Cult.”
“...Thank you.”
Tian Ailang expressed genuine gratitude. Past experiences had taught him the true worth of information. This tip from Haomen Lord could be priceless to some.
Sharing it as a token of their vow filled Tian Ailang with appreciation.
Song Kang slid his empty teacup across the table, signaling the end. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he clapped his hands.
“Ah! I nearly forgot—might be the more important bit.”
“...?”
Tian Ailang eyed him curiously. Song Kang waved it off casually.
“The Murim Alliance wants to see you.”