Chương 404: A Glimpse (IV)

Just based on the fact that she stayed silent and didn't immediately create distance between us, I figured that she was wrestling with some demons deep within. As soon as she came to the gazebo, I was reminded that I've yet to use my eyes on either of them... so, I did. The girl herself was fascinating enough, with natural talent rivaling the kids'. [--Creator's Eyes used] [Target: Zhao Yun] [Age: 16] [Talent: low-Heaven(?)] [Cultivation Realm: mid Foundation Establishment] [Cultivation Method: Flame Berth Sutra (peak Heaven)] [Cultivation Arts: Molten Surge Art (peak-Sky), Fiery Steps (peak-Earth)...] [...] [Traits] [Angry (Epic) -- deep anger resides within her, and she is more prone to outbursts of rage] [Untrusting (Legendary) -- she finds it very difficult to trust others, even after knowing them for a long time] [Flame-Touched (???) -- Spirits of Fire blessed her at birth, twisting her roots into ones of flame] [Outspoken (Rare) -- has a tendency to speak her thoughts freely, regardless of the circumstances or consequences] [Chained (Epic) -- a low-level curse is currently pressing against her dantian, slowing down her cultivation progress considerably] [...] [Assessing suitability...] [A unique Physique has been discovered; an unknown Anomaly has been discovered] [...] [Roots of Vermillion (Ancient) -- a breath of fire once loomed across the open fields, and through it flew the bird of red; its fiery plumes were the ancient seeds, for its fire was to spread the dread. As one of the four Holy Beasts, the Vermillion Bird was said to have once reigned over the South of All; though its traces remain, they are rather thin and fleeting. The unique physique is rather distantly related, though it still contains within it the regality of fire Vermillion Bird was known for] [Accursed (Epic) -- a strange, though simple, curse binds the target's dantian; Host can easily dispel it by merely targeting the precise point of formation] [...] [Recommendation: Host is recommended to first help the target deal with her curse; additionally, the target's current cultivation method, though fire-based, is at a constant clash with her physique. Roots of Vermillion requires a method that conjures a controlled type of flame rather than the wild, untamed ones] [Final Assessment: An unrealized talent as of now, within the target resides the potential of the ages; though she is unlikely to ever become an Empress, with a few strokes of fortune, the crown may yet await her...] As always, a few 'unexpected' parts, though impressive all around.

It was when I looked at her father, however, that I understood why she was angry and deeply untrusting and why I got a bit angry as I was deceived by the bubbly, giving-me-all-the-stones persona. [Target: Zhao Zhong] [Age: 328] [Talent: peak-Sky] [Cultivation Realm: Early Inner World] [Cultivation Method: Heart-Dulling Sutra (low-Mortal)] [Cultivation Arts: Heart-Regression (low-Mortal), Heart-Burden (low-Mortal)...] [...] [Traits] [Sadistic (Legendary) -- a deeply sadistic man who enjoys watching others suffer, in particular those of his own blood] [Crippled (Legendary) -- will never make a further advance in cultivation but can sap the hearts of others to extend his lifespan almost indefinitely] This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. [Unending Hunger (???) -- due to the nature of his cultivation method, the target will never feel satiated, haunted by the feeling of hunger that never ends or dulls] [Proud (Legendary) -- pride is rooted deeply in his bones; any slight, real or perceived, will elicit vengeful thoughts] [...] [Assessing Suitability...] [Several Anomalies have been detected...] [Rotting Heart (???) -- due to the nature of his cultivation method, his heart had gotten wholly twisted over the course of decades. Though he cannot feel anything, he hungers for emotions and must push his actions further and further to elicit any type of response. Harbors desire for his own kin, though the twisted nature of his heart manifests it through sadistic actions; he isolates her, repeatedly punishes others on her behalf, and makes of her a pariah. Ultimate escalation is her death, and the scant few traces of humanity left in him are trying to prevent it at the moment] [Nameless Anomaly (???) -- target's cultivation method is of strange, perverse origin. It alters human nature through infection of Dao, something that is considered a grave taboo across the heavens] [...] [Recommendation: Host is currently incapable of curing the man's ailments; short of ending the man's life, he will continue to get worse until he is no longer able to maintain even a semblance of control over his hunger. If possible, Host should investigate how he came into possession of Heart-Dulling Sutra] [...] [Final Assessment: a feeble, non-existing talent corrupted by heaven-defying means, which allowed him to exist within the confines of immortality. He is bound to die a painful and wretched death] I was... conflicted, in more ways than one. On one hand, I kind of understood now why he was so desperate to offload her onto me. But the reasons why he had to do it left me a bit chilled.

I've long since recognized that I've been heavily insulated from parts of this world, but I was under no illusion that they didn't exist. Was she aware of it? I don't know. Maybe. Probably not the depths of it, as she would not be here if she did know, but at least parts of it. The part where she is being actively isolated from the rest... there's no way she's not aware of it, at least on some level.

"Why... why do you say that?" she asked, lowering her head and biting her lips.

"No reason," I said.

"Merely musing on things out loud."

"... w-what is the question?"

"Are you happy?"

"!!!" Her eyes widened as she stared at me rather... dumbly. I mean, I get it; it's a question she likely never expected to get, not in a million years. And yet, it seemed to disarm her almost immediately.

"No," she said.

"I'm not happy."

"Hm," I said.

"Do you want to come with me?"

"I do," she said.

"But... I won't stay. Not forever."

"Nor do I expect you to," I said.

"All birds eventually leave their nests. Or, in your case, your second nest."

"... heh," she cracked a faint smile and stood straight up.

"I'll go but... don't hurt him. He may not have been the best father in the world, but at least he was one." I stayed silent, recognizing she didn't know much of anything.

"Hm. Very well. Don't think less of me when I accept your father's money," I said.

"You see, I've a fair few Disciples, and they all seem hellbent on keeping me poor. As such, things most other cultivators can afford--such as dignity--I must sell. And sell often, really."

"T-that boy... he's your Disciple, too?"

"Who? Tao'er? Yes, he is. Hm? Ah, to be young." I noticed the strange spark in her gaze, a rather familiar one that made me quite nostalgic.

"..." she blared red, but didn't deny it.

"W-what is he like?" she inquired.

"It'll be more fun if you discover that on your own."

"Fun for who?"

"Me, of course. Come on. Let us go back. I fear your father might annoy him a touch too much..."