Chương 41: Golden Finger (Final)

Lucian arched an eyebrow at Wang Chen's dreamy expression. Has he gone insane? Thinking about how Qi deviation could cause internal injuries, madness, and death, Lucian admitted it would not be far-fetched for Wang Chen to have lost his mind.

"Tell me what the heavens told you," he said, more curious about his experiment's results than the young man's well-being.

"Uh." Wang Chen opened his mouth to answer, but couldn't find the words.

"I don't know. I need to keep cultivating." Attempting to stand, Wang Chen's legs trembled under his weight. He placed one hand over his chest wounds, and with the other hand as support, forced himself upright.

"Benefactor, please continue! I can handle it," he said, his tone excited despite his dazed eyes. Frowning, Lucian did not respond immediately, instead analyzing the situation. Can Qi deviation cause a sudden personality change? He wasn't so eager a moment ago, he thought. That doesn't matter. He is clearly suffering side effects from the blood meridians carved into his body. Xu Hua never mentioned anything about the nine heavens sending him messages. I guess it was my fault.

With a tired sigh, a bit bothered that his experiments didn't work as intended, Lucian said, "Rest for a few days. We will continue after your wound closes." Inwardly, he had decided to observe Wang Chen's condition and use him however he could.

"No, no!" Wang Chen shouted in clear distress. Next, he tried to grab Lucian's arm, but Lucian stepped back and kicked him in the abdomen. Spitting blood, Wang Chen fell to the ground again. The Blood Essence that had been holding his wound together dissipated, as Lucian watched him with an emotionless gaze. Groaning in pain, Wang Chen clutched his chest. Blood was leaking through his fingers, but his expression was the same mixture of excitement and dazedness.

He looked at Lucian with eyes filled with hope, not fear or rage about being hurt.

"Please, Benefactor," Wang Chen muttered between ragged breaths.

"I need to cultivate. The Bright Yang Meridian is so close!" Lucian's eyes sharpened in surprise.

"You shouldn't know the name of the fourth meridian." He had never shared any of this knowledge, acquired through the Rune of Lust, with Wang Chen or Bai Xiaomeng. First, he did not have the time or the desire to teach them the secrets of cultivation, the same secrets he had barely learned. Besides, he always used the other's ignorance to his advantage. This shouldn't be possible, he thought. From Xu Hua's memories, mortals shouldn't be able to learn about cultivation.

Speaking of such things could lead to death, and breathing techniques are closely guarded secrets! Even mortals with a Spiritual Root wouldn't be able to learn about these without a sect backing.

"The heavens told me," Wang Chen answered through gritted teeth, his eyes shining as if recalling something gleeful.

"Yes! I was enlightened!"

"Nonsense—," Lucian said, but he was interrupted by a strong headache. The word 'enlightened' echoed repeatedly in his mind, as a new batch of Xu Hua's memories surfaced from the depths of his soul. They were hazy, broken, and mismatched. Xu Hua experienced enlightenment as well, he thought in confusion. He received knowledge from the heavens! So why can't I remember it? Why can't I recall the information sent by the so-called nine heavens?

His instincts screamed in alarm, and the Seven Vampiric Curses shone in the darkness of his Sea of Consciousness. Knowledge shared, yet not truly one's own. His eyes went wide. This resembles the Curse of— His thoughts were cut short by the sound of the door opening. Like a fish swept away by a sudden current in the river, his thoughts scattered, and Lucian turned toward the door. There, he saw Bai Xiaomeng gasp and rush to Wang Chen's side. Enjoying this book?

Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. His attention, however, was on the bald man behind her. Standing by the doorway and smiling amicably, the man wore a patchworked rectangular outer garment over a long-sleeved yellow robe. At his waist, there was a wooden plaque engraved with the characters ' Shui Di'. The bald man, resembling a monk from Xu Hua's memories, pressed his palms together and bowed slightly to Lucian.

"This humble monk greets Benefactor," he said with a serene smile.

"My bestowed Dharma name is Shui Di." Lucian's eyes held a hint of caution as he observed the self-proclaimed monk. I didn't hear him approach. Even with Shui Di standing right in front of him, Lucian couldn't detect the sound of his breathing or heartbeat! Glancing at Bai Xiaomeng, who was frantically yet silently tending to Wang Chen's wounds, Lucian narrowed his eyes. She's afraid, but holding herself together, he thought, shifting his gaze back to the monk. Yet I didn't hear her approach either.

But her breathing and heartbeat are now louder than ever. How could I have failed to perceive her? Momentarily lost in thought and sensing that something was amiss, Lucian heard the monk speak again.

"May I know the Daoist's name or title?"

"You may call me Lu Xian."

"Benefactor Lu, it may be presumptuous of me, but may I ask for a favor?"

"Speak." Lucian frowned.

"May I tend to that young friend? Seeing others in distress pains my heart." Glaring at Shui Di for a second, Lucian stepped aside and gestured for the monk to enter. Shui Di bowed lightly, his palms clasped, and moved inside. Soundless steps. Lucian noted. The monk crossed the room and knelt beside Wang Chen. He seemed to forget about Lucian, or at least ignore the latter's gaze, and focused entirely on the bleeding young man. He knelt by Wang Chen's side and began muttering a strange chant.

Bai Xiaomeng glanced at Lucian, her expression tense. She seemed to struggle with a decision, but then she bit her lip and remained by Wang Chen's side, holding his hand. Meanwhile, Wang Chen stared at Bai Xiaomeng like a fool. From the moment she had entered, it seemed he had forgotten about cultivation. The pain, the stranger, and Lucian's coldness were an afterthought for him. He had chosen to stare at her, in silence, not even blinking. After a few seconds, Shui Di finished his chant.

His hands began to glow with a soft silver light, and opening his palms, he pressed them downward. The light flowed like mist, spreading through Wang Chen's body, entering through his wounds and the seven orifices of his face. Bai Xiaomeng trembled, fearing the effects of such a strange technique. She glanced back at Lucian and Shui Di, not knowing what to say. Before she could say anything, she felt Wang Chen grasping her hand, and her focus returned to him.

"I'll stay with you, Young Master," she whispered, her eyes welling with tears.

"No matter what." A few moments later, the light faded, and Shui Di stood up. Still smiling, the monk turned to Lucian.

"Thank you, Benefactor Lu," he said, pressing his palms together and bowing.

"This young friend should now be safe and free of pain." Lucian and Bai Xiaomeng both turned to check on Wang Chen. And, to their surprise, he was snoring, fast asleep. His eyes were closed, and he had a peaceful expression. No wounds or scars could be found on his chest or in any other part of his body. It was as if the wooden puppets and Lucian had never hurt him. Even the blood that was smeared on his skin, mouth, and clothes was gone. Holding back her tears, Bai Xiaomeng kowtowed to Shui Di.

Then, she spoke with a choked voice, "Thank you, Grand Cultivator Shui Di." Shui Di stepped aside, avoiding the kowtow, and shook his head gently.

"Please, Benefactor Bai, there is no need to thank me or address me in such a way. Calling me Monk Shui is more than enough."

"Tell me what you want," Lucian cut in, walking toward Wang Chen as if to inspect him more closely. But in truth, he was positioning himself closer to Bai Xiaomeng. Depending on Shui Di's intentions and next actions, Lucian was ready to stay, flee with her, use her as a shield, or drain her to replenish his Blood Essence.

"Just passing by, just passing by." Shui Di waved his hand.

"It was a fateful encounter. I saw the village's wreckage while traveling and decided to take a look. It was fate that let me encounter Benefactor Bai and see if anyone required assistance." Lucian turned to Bai Xiaomeng, his questioning gaze making his intention clear.

"Monk Shui did arrive and question me about others in here. I remember Young Master Wang's wounds, and brought him to check," she said, licking her lips in distress. Then, not wanting to hide anything, she added in a low voice, "He appeared beside me as if he had fallen from the sky." So he can fly, Lucian thought.

"Hoho, I apologize if I frightened you, Benefactor Bai," Shui Di said with a chuckle.

"I was practicing a movement technique. Appearing so suddenly was not my intention. Please, forgive me!"

"Now that you did what you came for, there's no need to stay any longer," Lucian said, the hostility in his tone unmistakable. Lucian did not like having someone nearby who could evade his senses, heal others, and possibly fly. The Curse of Wrath would not activate again anytime soon. If a fight broke out now, it would be to the death. And he didn't like his odds.

"Hoho, you are right, Benefactor Lu." Shui Di nodded.

"It is time for this humble monk to take his leave. Let us meet again if fate permits. After all, there is now karma between us." Shui Di bowed once more, about to leave. However, as soon as he stepped back, Lucian spoke again.

"Tell me why you keep calling us benefactors." Smiling, the monk replied kindly, "Because both of you have granted me something precious."

"I didn't give you anything," Lucian muttered with a frown.

"You are giving me your time, are you not, Benefactor Lu?" Shui Di's smile widened.

"Exchanging names, asking questions, speaking with me. All that is the same as you giving me time, no?" Lucian stared at him in silence, then gestured toward the exit with his chin.

"You may go."

"Yes, yes," Shui Di said, turning around.

"Until the next time fate allows."