Chapter 90: 86 A Temporary Parting

86 A Temporary Parting

The water light rippled, reflecting the candlelight on the table...

Inside the bedroom, this was the only source of light.

Tang Zhao gently swirled the water basin and muttered silently, "Fairy Sister, this business today is very important. As soon as I call you, please come out. I beg you."

Before coming here, he had used 'Simulated Holding' once more to add another layer of 'Auspicious Color' to himself. Judging by how he had escaped death and gained a Sword Seed instead, that luck was indeed useful. Even if Xue Jiejie's Lucky Bag was eighty percent responsible, the Auspicious Color must have contributed twenty percent, right?

Therefore, he had just used 'Simulated Holding' again to add a layer to Xue Daxia as well.

With luck maxed out, Tang Zhao made one final plea and grabbed Xue Daxia's hand.

Xue Daxia's hand was almost unrecognizable from its previous shape; it was pitch-black, swollen, and the skin was festering. Although Tang Zhao knew he was a respectable Great Hero, he couldn't help but feel fear. He gritted his teeth, first channeled his own Internal Energy over, and then tentatively used his Mental Power in the 'Empty Spirit' state to link the two of them together.

Ever since he had exhausted his Mental Power outside several times, his spirit had grown increasingly robust. Gradually, he could direct it to explore outward, gaining a bit of a "Spirit Sense" feeling, though he could only extend a sliver out of his body, like a thin membrane wrapping around him.

In other words, he could "see" anything he touched.

Although it was a bit of a chicken rib, the sensation of consciousness leaving the body and the five senses extending was quite miraculous.

Now, this shallow layer of spirit connected his body with Xue Daxia's. With both hands entwined by his spirit, they felt like a single hand.

Into the water—the water was ice-cold.

Splash—

A graceful shadow rose from the water.

Tang Zhao had seen the fairy several times, but he had never felt her posture was so slender or her appearance so beautiful, to the point that even that green armor looked like a celestial garment of rainbow feathers.

"Young man, do you want the gold one, or the silver one?"

Was her speech a bit too brief?

Tang Zhao looked at her and felt that she seemed to have subtle changes every time she appeared; did her expressions seem more vivid?

And the fact that she would actively slack off—did that prove she was becoming closer to a real person?

Was this a 'Resurrection' or... self-learning?

Since the fairy wasn't strictly following the procedure, Tang Zhao also used a casual tone: "I want the original one."

At this moment, his heart stirred—

Was the Sword Seed currently in his hand the same one that had originally been driven into his body?

The things he had put into the water before had all been directly replaced. The broken Glasses were swapped for good ones, complete with a 'Golden Finger'. The 'Paulownia Attracting Phoenix Art' was swapped for the 'Divine Bird Draining Fire Art', which wasn't even the same type of cultivation technique. Could this Sword Seed, having passed through the fairy's hands, still be the original one?

Xing Ji said this Sword Seed was exceptionally suitable for him and appeared very docile. Was it born that way, or had it been modified by the fairy?

If so, then who would the Sword Seed taken from Xue Daxia be suitable for? And after passing through Si Liyu's hands, who would it be suitable for then?

In the future, when he obtained a sword, could he swap it directly?

Could a sword that could be called a "miracle" also be swapped through the fairy's operation?

While he was thinking this, the fairy had already started to stutter...

Tang Zhao hurriedly took a box from his bosom, which was filled with rings.

Or rather, "Art Rings".

These were standard-issue Art Tools produced by Zhuoyu Villa, and also the most common type. They came with a protective Rune Formula; in terms of defense, they didn't even compare to the one Xing Ji had casually drawn for Tang Zhao before, and they only lasted a bit longer—even with careful storage, they wouldn't exceed half a year. Yet, they were still in short supply. The price upon leaving the villa was three hundred taels. After changing hands a few times on the market, the price could double. It could be called profiteering.

For a Talisman Sword Master, wealth in the Human World was easily obtained; what they sought was not this—at least, not entirely.

Xue Yeyu had the most of these Art Tools on hand, and they didn't take up space, so she generously gave Tang Zhao a large box.

Sss, sss, sss...

Finally, the fairy said slowly: "I will give this to you..."

Another shadow appeared behind her.

The last time this appeared, Tang Zhao was in extreme pain and hadn't seen it clearly; he only vaguely remembered that it looked as if wings had grown behind the fairy, slanting upward.

Only now did he see that it was a book behind her, with the opened pages resembling wings, spreading out to both sides.

A Sword Manual?

Tang Zhao was wondering why a Sword Manual would open at this time when Xue Daxia's hand shook, as if pulled forward by some force. Tang Zhao hurriedly gripped him tightly, eyes fixed on his fingertips. Seeing the space in front of the fingertips shift, he suddenly shouted loudly: "Teacher Si, come in!"

As the door opened, Si Liyu entered immediately. Tang Zhao was already holding a Sword Seed in his hand; with a flick, it flew toward Si Liyu. Si Liyu did not resist and let the Sword Seed sink into his body.

This process was extremely short, not even allowing for a full breath, but Tang Zhao suddenly felt his hair stand on end, as if a great disaster were imminent.

Was that a psychological effect, or was his consciousness sounding an alarm? Was there truly a fatal threat in the sky?

Fortunately, the feeling vanished in an instant. Tang Zhao relaxed. Si Liyu, however, had turned pale and was leaning against the table.

Xing Ji and Xue Yeyu followed them in. Xue Yeyu went over to check on Xue Daxia, and Xing Ji said, "It's done."

Tang Zhao said happily, "I did not fail the mission. It's just that some danger seemed to approach just now..."

Xing Ji said, "Mm, I felt it. It was a Heavenly Demon. The stronger the Mental Power, the more obvious this feeling is; you have met the standard. I still need to ask someone to calculate if there was any impact. How is Xiaosi?"

Si Liyu was sitting by the table; having just closed his eyes, he opened them slightly now, his gaze flickering, and said, "It is fine."

Xing Ji said, "We agreed on three days before. If you find it unbearable..."

Veins bulged on Si Liyu's forehead, and he said loudly, "No problem, it's only three days! Xue Daxia could hold on for a month, I only have three days, what could be the problem?"

Seeing the sweat already falling from his forehead, Tang Zhao recalled his own pain at the time and felt empathy.

Xing Ji nodded, stopped asking him, and turned to ask Xue Yeyu, "How is Xue Daxia?"

Xue Yeyu frowned and said, "I need to go home and take him to my father; perhaps he can still be saved." As she spoke, she took out a box the size of a snuff bottle. Not knowing which mechanism she triggered, the box grew larger, and when opened, it was big enough for a person to lie down in.

She asked Tang Zhao to help carefully lift Xue Daxia into the box. After closing the lid, the box shrank back to the size of a palm. She said to Tang Zhao, "I am going back. Are you really not coming with me?"

Tang Zhao apologized, "I still have to participate in the war. If I am still alive after the war, I will definitely go to join Jiejie."

Xue Yeyu glared at him and said, "Children don't know about taboos. What is this talk of life and death? Look at the lords of the Land Inspection Bureau; they never say such unlucky things."

Xing Ji turned his head back and said with a smile, "Rest assured, if I am still alive after this battle, I will certainly send Tang Zhao to Zhuoyu Villa."

Xue Yeyu huffed and turned her head away, then said to Tang Zhao, "You must protect yourself well when you reach the Demon Cave; the people from the Land Inspection Division are mostly unreliable, you know?" She then stuffed a pouch into Tang Zhao's hand and said, "Inside are a map, a token, and a few handy Art Tools. If he doesn't send you there when the time comes, just go yourself. Once you enter Zhuoyu Villa, report my name, and absolutely no one will give you a hard time."

Tang Zhao thanked her and said, "Sister, take care on your journey, and I entrust Xue Daxia to you."

Xue Yeyu said, "That goes without saying, he is my uncle, after all." Having said this, she walked out the door.

Xing Ji said, "Wait, Tang Zhao and I will see you off."

Tang Zhao was startled, guessing that Xing Ji had something to say to him, so he followed him out.

Xue Yeyu arrived in the villa and bid the two farewell. She put on a grey-white garment that resembled a white owl, and with the two wings on her back flapping, her body drifted upward and she rode the wind away.

Tang Zhao could not help but feel envious, saying, "A Talisman Sword Master is truly convenient."

Xing Ji said, "A Talisman Sword Master naturally has some strange and peculiar methods, but when it comes to true ability, it is still the Sword Guest. As for flying, once one becomes a Sword Guest, who doesn't know the Sword Art—Sword Qi Transforming into Rainbow? Traveling a hundred miles in an instant is far better than flapping wings. I told you to go to Zhuoyu Villa to have you forge your own sword, so that your future on the path of the sword will be broader; don't just focus on the Talisman Dao and neglect your training as a Sword Guest."

Tang Zhao smiled and said, "Understood, Chief Xing."

Xing Ji smiled upon hearing this form of address and said, "You will stay here and take care of Si Liyu for these three days, is that a problem?"

Tang Zhao said, "Of course, that was what we agreed upon."

Xing Ji said, "Actually, I am very worried about Xiaosi. He only said that Xue Laiyi persisted for a month, but he doesn't know how many pain-relieving pills were consumed in the process. At least for the first half-month, Xue Laiyi could move as normal, but it emptied out the Xue Clan's coffers. Now that there is nothing left for him to eat, he can only endure it raw. You watch the situation; if he cannot bear it, strike his acupoints. You will feed him his meals."

Tang Zhao hummed in acknowledgment, suddenly thinking: Teacher Si is a martial officer of the Land Inspection Division who has been on the battlefield and practiced Gang Qi; his willpower far exceeds that of ordinary people. If even he finds it hard to endure for a few days, what kind of torment are those children suffering after being turned into sword slaves? Wangliang Mountain claims to have methods to suppress pain, but how much can it suppress? Just how many sword slaves are locked up in that place?

Sooner or later, he would raze that hellish place to the ground.

Xing Ji said, "If you see that he is truly in great distress, hide outside for a while and let him cry and fuss by himself to vent once. He is a proud person, and he will certainly try to act tough in front of you. But acting tough is just suffering; you must leave him some space."

Tang Zhao had not expected him to have such thoughtful considerations and said, "I understand."

Xing Ji said, "Also, while taking care of him, don't forget your own training. Originally, I should have taken you to familiarize yourself with the Authority Sword during these last few days, but now that time has been shortened, I truly cannot spare the effort. Since there is no one here, you should practice well and take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the environment. Although the environment will change after the Demon Cave descends, there is no harm in getting more familiar with it."

Tang Zhao nodded again.

Xing Ji took out a chain with a pendant in the shape of a jar the size of a thumb and said, "And this, a gift from Lao Pingtou for you. A Dharma Artifact. It is much more useful than that box of Xue Guniang's that expands and shrinks. Art Tools on the outside that even touch upon space start at one hundred thousand taels, yet they cannot compare to even one ten-thousandth of this."

Tang Zhao suddenly realized, not expecting that he would also possess a spatial treasure; that was something he had wanted most when listening to stories.

However, he would not see this fat old man for a long time to come; it was kind of him to still think of him.

Xing Ji turned the jar upside down, and a miniature sword fell out, immediately growing larger; a single-horned divine beast on the sword sheath looked vivid and lifelike.

"Take good care of your sword."