Chương 9: Jiangshi (Part IV)

It cost most of my Blood Essence, Lucian thought as he stood up. If I do not find more blood, I will never be able to strengthen my body.

"Young Master!" Lucian watched as Bai Xiaomeng rushed to Wang Chen's side. The plump young man was thrashing, his mouth wide open as blood poured from it in torrents. His skin turned pale, his eyes glazing over and fading to gray.

"No, no, no!" Bai Xiaomeng cried as Wang Chen drew a final labored breath and went still, appearing to have drowned in his own blood. Her eyes were quickly filled with tears. Grief and anger surged through her heart once more, accompanied by a sharp light in her hands, hidden from both her and Lucian. She glared fiercely at Lucian and spoke in a venomous tone,"I thought you could save him!" Contrary to her expectations, it was not Lucian who answered. A cold hand reached for her face, brushing her cheek lightly.

"Little Meng, that expression does not suit you," Wang Chen said in a rough voice, his skin cold and pale. The sharp light in Bai Xiaomeng's hands dissipated without anyone noticing it. Next, Lucian cleared his throat, unwilling to endure further crying or questioning.

"Within a month, you must replenish your blood with that of a human. Once a year, you must consume a human's heart. Once a decade, you must drink a drop of my blood. All must be fresh, not taken from a corpse. They may be given willingly or not. Ordinarily, these would need to be consumed immediately after the transformation, meaning now." Wang Chen lay on the ground in a daze, while Bai Xiaomeng's mouth fell slightly open. Receiving no response, Lucian said, "I'll take it as if you understood me."

Wang Chen slowly sat up and took Bai Xiaomeng's trembling hand.

"Benefactor," he said, staring at Lucian with his gray eyes, without fear.

"Are you a Demonic Cultivator?" Knowing what a cultivator was, Lucian answered calmly, "No." Wang Chen nodded and stood up, helping the still-stunned Bai Xiaomeng to her feet. Bowing with cupped fists, he said, "I thank Benefactor for the blessing of saving my life, but this lowly Wang does not deserve such a gift. While I desire revenge, I cannot do such a thing to Little Meng."

"Young Master, you must!" Bai Xiaomeng cried, pulling free from his grasp.

"This lowly servant would gladly die for you."

"Little Meng, do not say such things. How could I live by drinking your blood and eating your heart like a fiend?" he shouted, striking his chest.

"Enough." A chill ran down their spines at Lucian's command. Wang Chen, in particular, felt something within him recoil instinctively.

"Communicating through intent is not always ideal," Lucian muttered.

"This Lord said that usually you would have to consume someone's blood and heart alongside my drop of blood. However, that is not necessary in your case, because I am the one responsible for your ghoulification." If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. There was too much to process at once, but the final word caught them both off guard.

"A jiangshi?" They spoke in unison. Lucian understood the meaning through intent and assumed it corresponded to a ghoul. He nodded, repeating the word carefully, not only through intent but in the same language.

"Yes, a jiangshi." Bai Xiaomeng did not know whether to rejoice that her Young Master was alive or lament that he had become such a creature. When Lucian had said he would turn him into a monster, she had not imagined something so severe. Meanwhile, Wang Chen frowned.

"But I do not feel any different."

"You will," Lucian replied, walking toward the pile of scrolls.

"If you cease eating, drinking, and sleeping normally, your body will deteriorate. If you fail to drink blood each month, your skin will dry, and you will resemble a corpse. If you fail to consume a heart each year, your own heart will rot, and you will die." Wang Chen's lips trembled.

"And if I do not drink your drop of blood?" Lucian crouched to pick up a scroll and answered without looking back.

"Then you will lose your sense of self entirely. Your empty body will wander the lands, killing mortals and consuming their blood and hearts until someone destroys you or there is nothing left to devour." Wang Chen swallowed dryly. Clasping his fists, he spoke in a nervous tone.

"I hope Benefactor will allow me to follow you." he licked his dry lips.

"At least until I obtain my— no, our revenge." Remembering Bai Xiaomeng's words, Wang Chen felt a lump in his throat. Meanwhile, Bai Xiaomeng stood quietly, her lips quivering. So much had happened in less than a day that her mind felt completely overwhelmed. I would not be surprised even if the heavens collapsed, she thought, her gaze lingering on her Young Master's face. I hope Young Master Bai… no, Young Master Wang can live a better life from now on.

Lucian hummed in acknowledgment of Wang Chen's request and tossed the scroll in his hand toward him. Wang Chen caught it with unexpectedly swift reflexes, startling himself.

"The leader and the one who touched your servant are dead," Lucian said calmly.

"The other two fled. If I were to guess, they went to a place called Peacock Mountain." While Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng processed the information, Lucian pointed at the scroll.

"I assume you know how to read," Lucian said, looking at Wang Chen.

"Uh?"

"Yes, yes, he does," Bai Xiaomeng answered for him, seeing his confusion and suppressing a sigh.

"Does the Grand Cultivator want Young Master to read for him?"

"Uh?" Lucian ignored Wang Chen's questioning look and shook his head.

"No. That is a severely damaged map. From your previous reading, it should depict this Azure Magpie Forest." Wang Chen glanced at the scorched scroll, unwilling to appear ignorant or let Bai Xiaomeng answer for him.

"Yes, it does," Wang Chen said.

"Then it is decided," Lucian said, placing his hands behind his back.

"Familiarize yourself with the map later so we can leave this forest." He paused briefly, recalling how Wang Chen had asked Bai Xiaomeng to address him.

"Brother Wang," he said aloud in their language, then continued through intent, "Go retrieve your silver box and bring it here. Do not forget the lid." Wang Chen nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable being addressed so familiarly by a stranger, but lacking the mental strength to protest. Lucian then made an effort to recall Bai Xiaomeng's name.

"Little Meng," he said, "gather the goods into bags or other containers. Prioritize books first, then daily necessities such as food, then weapons, and lastly the valuables." Bai Xiaomeng froze in surprise. And Wang Chen found enough resolve to object.

"Benefactor, addressing her so intimately is somewhat inappropriate." Lucian looked at them both.

"Then tell me how you wish to be addressed." Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng exchanged a glance before turning back to him.

"Wang Chen is fine," he said.

"I am accustomed to being called Servant Bai Xiaomeng," she answered. To their surprise, Lucian shook his head and pointed at Wang Chen.

"His name is acceptable. But this Lord will not call another's servant as his own. Now, do your tasks."