Chapter 78

## Chapter 78. Ten Thousand Liang? No Way

I stepped back and returned to the scene of the explosion to examine the traces of what was once a young child.

"Crazy..."

At the site of the explosion, there was nothing left but unrecognizable flesh, bone fragments, and blood.

This is the Soul Seizing Great Technique (奪魂大法).

An extremely evil black art that implants demonic powers into a child's mind, causing them to gradually awaken as a demon as they grow.

Not only that, but they were made to die in a violent explosion by squeezing out their last bit of innate energy just before death. Even a skilled martial artist would be helpless if they didn't know about it in advance.

- Elder, how do you control the Soul Seizing Demons?

- Heh heh. Do you really want to know?

The face of the demon brain, who was grinning at me, made me want to crush it, but at that moment, I could only hide my killing intent behind a stern expression.

- ...Isn't it too dangerous if there's no way to control them? A demon whose soul has been invaded by demonic energy doesn't distinguish between friend and foe.

- There's no need to worry. The Supreme One controls all demons, so the Soul Seizing Demons will kneel and worship before him.

The Supreme One the demon brain referred to was the Blood Demon Sect's leader, the Blood Demon.

He probably meant that the Blood Demon had a way to subdue the Soul Seizing Demons.

- But it's not always possible for the Supreme One to intervene. If a war breaks out, the frontline commanders will also need a way to control the demons...

- You're quite talkative today. Why are you so curious about this? Planning to sell information to the Martial Alliance?

As our gazes met, I saw the madness in the demon brain's eyes and bowed my head.

- How could I?

- Heh heh. I was just joking. Still, don't shorten your own life out of idle curiosity. Your only concern should be completing the Four Great Evils.

- Yes.

- Now, pick out the children with strong bones and sinews from this group. I'll personally teach a few as an experiment.

- ...

This was one of the most terrifying memories from my past life related to the demon brain.

I clenched my teeth, recalling the face of the young child who had screamed in agony before dying.

"Brain Demon. Are you really alive? Or are the remnants of the Blood Sect carrying out your legacy?"

The child was a wicked person who deserved to die.

Even if he hadn't awakened the Soul Seizing Great Technique and become a demon, he would likely have become a demon master who harmed countless innocents in the future.

But was that because he was inherently evil?

It could be, but wasn't it also because he was kidnapped, his brain tampered with, and demonic powers implanted, turning him into a monster?

- I don't know, I don't know! Blood Sect? I was an orphan from the start... I learned martial arts at the orphanage, and then at the Nan Gong family...

Nan Gong family (南宮世家).

One of the Five Great Families and a prestigious lineage often mentioned as one of the top sword schools in the world.

Their martial strength is strong enough to rival the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.

'Was it a coincidence that the child grew up in an orphanage near the Nan Gong family?'

It might be an overreaction.

The Nan Gong family is too powerful to be secretly swallowed up.

But if even a part of my speculation is correct...

'I should visit that orphanage someday.'

It's difficult right now.

There's still the entrance exam, and people would find it strange if I suddenly took a leave and left.

For example, Nan Gong Sura.

'My martial arts are still not enough to investigate the Blood Sect.'

The most important thing is not to reveal my true identity to them.

I'm not a righteous hero, and I don't want to invite unnecessary danger.

I just want to completely sever the evil connection with the Blood Sect in this life.

"Brain Demon. If you're still alive..."

Crack...

I unconsciously tightened my grip on the sword.

"This time, I'll finish you off for sure."

Fortunately, the cold morning air cooled my heated mind.

* * *

"Huff..."

Gong Sun Shou slowly opened his eyes after completing his morning meditation.

It was just before dawn.

No one at the White Dragon Hall had woken up yet.

"Sir, wouldn't it be better to get more sleep?"

Except for him and Hei Ying.

"Hehe. Maybe it's because I'm old, but I can't sleep. You're the one suffering because of me at this hour."

"It's fine. It's not just one or two days."

Gong Sun Shou smiled at her slightly pouting tone.

In just a few days, Hei Ying had become more open about her feelings.

'This is thanks to Mr. Bai.'

He knew that Bai Shu Long had met Hei Ying and given her advice on her troubles during his forced leave.

'What a helpful man.'

He had shared stories that Gong Sun Shou couldn't bring himself to tell.

Gong Sun Shou stood up and said,

"Today is an important day, so I need to cleanse myself properly."

"I prepared warm water for you."

"Hehe. I'll miss you when you get married."

"What? Suddenly talking about marriage..."

"Surely you don't plan to stay single forever."

"…I've never thought about it."

Gong Sun Shou smiled mischievously at her.

"Start looking now. You're not lacking in looks or ability. If you decide, there will be plenty of good men lining up. I could even play matchmaker if you want."

"Stop it and go take your bath!"

Smack!

Gong Sun Shou entered the bath after being hit on the back.

While he was cleansing himself, Hei Ying stood guard outside.

Gong Sun Shou slowly washed his body and said to Hei Ying outside the door,

"Time really flies. It's already been a month since we made the agreement."

"…Yes, it has."

Today, Gong Sun Shou would take the entrance exam for the Azure Dragon Academy.

At first, he thought it was a ridiculous challenge, but now he felt confident enough to give it a try.

All thanks to one man's teachings.

"Has Mr. Bai returned yet?"

"He left last night and hasn't returned."

"Hmm. He's a fine man, but he has a sneaky side. What could he be doing out all night...?"

"…Should I check?"

"No. It's not right to invade a grown man's privacy. Or… are you curious?"

"…What?"

"Oh ho?"

Gong Sun Shou had experienced countless intrigues and power struggles in the imperial palace for decades.

He couldn't miss the subtle change in Hei Ying's tone.

"Surely you're not..."

"No, I'm not."

"Hehe..."

"…I'm not."

"Hehehehe!"

"I'm not, I said!"

Fortunately, he was in the bath. If he had been outside, he would have been hit on the back a few more times by Hei Ying.

"Haa… Think what you want. You'll tease me no matter what I say."

"Hahaha. Youth. It's youth."

Gong Sun Shou, who was washing his body while chuckling, suddenly smiled wistfully and said,

"The secret letter has arrived."

"…Have you read it?"

"Yes. Fortunately, it seems I can take the exam and leave."

"…I'll prepare."

A short while later, Gong Sun Shou, who had finished bathing, changed into clean clothes.

Today, instead of the dirty gray training uniform, he wore a pristine white martial uniform and tied a hero's headband tightly around his forehead.

Finally, he sheathed his sword at his waist and looked in the mirror, finding himself looking quite presentable.

"Hmm. Old man. You're up early."

"Good morning..."

At this moment, Xian Yuan Jiang and Wei Zhi Tian also woke up. Without even rubbing the sleep from their eyes, they went to bathe.

Gong Sun Shou sat alone on the veranda, looking at the front gate.

A short while later, Bai Shu Long, who had left last night, entered through the gate.

"Mr. Bai. You're finally back?"

"…Sir, you're up early."

Gong Sun Shou stared at Bai Shu Long, who looked unusually tired today.

He could smell the strong scent of blood on him but didn't make a fuss about it.

"You don't look well. Is there something troubling you?"

"…Is it that obvious?"

"An ordinary person wouldn't notice."

But Gong Sun Shou was not an ordinary person.

Though he hadn't mastered martial arts, his intuition and insight were on par with a grandmaster.

"If you have something on your mind, feel free to talk about it."

"There's no one I can talk to about it."

Bai Shu Long knew this, so he didn't hide it. He just shrugged and smiled.

"If you don't want to talk, I won't press you. In return..."

Gong Sun Shou stood up and walked to Bai Shu Long.

He found it both surprising and gratifying that this cunning young man had serious troubles.

Finally, he had a chance to repay the young man's kindness.

'Just ten thousand liang? No way.'

Gong Sun Shou thought it was fortunate that such an opportunity came before he left the White Dragon Hall and said,

"I'll grant any request you have, just once. This promise is valid until my death."

"…What?"

"Sir!"

Bai Shu Long blinked in surprise. Hei Ying, who had been listening, was also shocked but soon sighed deeply and shook her head.

"Sir, what if I make a very difficult request? Why would you make such a promise?"

"You don't know, but there aren't many requests that could put me in a difficult position."

Gong Sun Shou chuckled and patted Bai Shu Long's shoulder before turning around.

"Let's have breakfast together. I'm starving after waking up so early. Hehehe!"

After the five of them had breakfast together, they all left the White Dragon Hall.

It was their last breakfast together.