Chapter 159 - The Truth Dyed in Red (Part IV) (Patreon)

Hours after he met with Zhi Jian and minutes before Wang Chen returned, Lucian was inside the Bo Merchant Chamber warehouse, standing before the scorched Hao Bang and the broken Chen Yuan. Hearing their breathing and heartbeat, he knew they were alive and recovering.

If I were stronger, I could enhance their healing capabilities, Lucian thought, glancing at Wang Chen, who was standing before Hao Bang. I can only have one more ghoul. Otherwise, the Curse of Pride will trigger. That could become problematic.

In Lucian's memories, he had first turned Wang Chen, followed by Chairman Bo Qing, Courtesan Chen Yuan, and the man now known as Hao Bang, the old Little Crab.

Because of the Resonant Sea Ancestor's actions, he had partially lost the memory of turning the nameless servant into a ghoul and had never bothered to double-check. Why would he try to find something that was never there?

After all, he had no idea fragments of his memories had been destroyed, and even if he had known, it would have been impossible for him to realize that among the memories surrounding the Ancestor were a few newer ones.

Not even the Resonant Sea Ancestor's split soul was aware of the memories she destroyed!

Now, as Lucian looked at the wounded ghouls, known in this world as jiangshi, he said, "They've been avenged. Stop doing whatever this is. We have to talk."

Glancing at him, Wang Chen nodded, offered a brief prayer for Hao Bang, and followed Lucian outside.

After a few minutes, Wang Chen said, "I saw Little Meng."

"I'm aware."

"They didn't let her go." Wang Chen stared at the ceiling as he muttered, "Benefactor, I spent less than two hours with her, but the relief and happiness I felt... It was so much that I didn't even care about the lives I took anymore."

Glancing at him, Lucian replied, changing the subject slightly, "Your wounds were healed, so the good news outweighs the bad."

Chuckling bitterly, Wang Chen shook his head. "I never know if you are trying to improve my mood, make a joke, or just don't care."

The two remained silent for a while as they left the warehouse and headed toward the annex building, Lucian in his tattered black robes and Wang Chen in merchant garments stained with blood.

Entering the training room, Wang Chen turned toward Lucian.

"I want to save her. Tell me what to do."

Instead of answering immediately, Lucian massaged his temples, reviewing the plan he had devised with Zhi Jian. Then he said, "You first need to know whether she needs to be saved."

Frowning, Wang Chen was about to object when he remembered her situation inside the Sailor School. They didn't spend much time together, but as far as he could see, the people there feared her more than she feared them.

Observing him, Lucian waited a few seconds before continuing.

"Tell me everything you saw and everything you talked about. She's intelligent. If she wanted to leave, she would have let you know. Otherwise, there must be clues about what's really happening."

He was bluffing, but manipulating Wang Chen to think that Bai Xiaomeng had left a hidden clue in their conversation was necessary for his plan.

"She was training," Wang Chen said, squinting. "Very hard. She had already beaten almost everyone except the third-year disciples. Benefactor, she's so pretty when she's practicing sword forms! Ah... Sorry..."

Without interrupting, Lucian waited for Wang Chen to say the words he needed to hear.

"We talked about our daily lives. Our routines." Wang Chen smiled, his eyes lost in the memories. "She said I would die there. That they only care about swordsmanship, and that you had killed one of the instructors, so maybe they brought me there to take revenge."

Lucian neither confirmed nor denied it, simply staring at Wang Chen, who met his gaze with heavy eyes.

Giving Lucian a nervous smile at his lack of reaction, Wang Chen continued,

"Then she said there was a Sword Vein beneath the school, and that those talented enough could train near it for a chance to master Sword Qi. Only Sword Masters, people with strong Sword Hearts, can normally do it... But even mortals can refine that type of Qi!"

Yes, I was quite surprised when Zhi Jian told me that, Lucian thought, nodding as though he had just learned the information. He also said it's better to delay the infusion of Sword Qi until a mortal is older and has developed a stronger Sword Heart.

When Lucian had learned this, he had finally understood why Xu Hua had been crippled and forced to struggle throughout his life. It had all been to temper his Sword Heart, emptying his cultivation so his body would better accept Sword Qi.

"Anyway," Wang Chen said, shaking his head, "we mostly talked about that, and how they'll graduate in a few months and probably leave."

Finally, Lucian thought, frowning as he stepped closer to Wang Chen.

"Explain this graduation," he said, adding a faint trace of concern to his voice. "It sounds suspicious."

Alarmed by Lucian's words, Wang Chen forced himself to recall the details.

"I only know they're going to compete, and the best among them will be given a chance to refine Sword Qi!"

"I see," Lucian nodded. "She must have told you what happens to those who refine Sword Qi."

Stumped, Wang Chen shook his head slowly, his eyes darkening. They never talked about this!

"They are taken away," Lucian said, and almost laughed inwardly when he saw Wang Chen stare at him with wide eyes.

"Benefactor! She needs to be saved! We need to save her! We can't let them take her! What if she wins and advances? Please!"

There's no 'if' here, Lucian thought. Zhi Jian told me her advancement is all but certain. However, she won't be taken until an Ancestor chooses her. Otherwise, she'll continue cultivating and training in seclusion.

Approaching Wang Chen, who was breathing heavily, Lucian placed a hand on the plump cultivator's shoulder and gave a firm nod.

"We need to plan this carefully so we don't take away her chance to grow stronger either," Lucian said in a calming tone. "If you let yourself be consumed by despair, you'll only end up dying and condemning her to live in your shadow. She needs to graduate. After that, we'll save her."

Composing himself, Wang Chen blinked. Remembering how independent Bai Xiaomeng had sounded, and how much she hated appearing weak, he lowered his head in thought. A moment later, with a serious expression, he nodded.

"You're right. We need to plan this properly. Tell me what to do."

Lucian smiled. He knew Wang Chen didn't need motivation to save Bai Xiaomeng, especially after seeing where she was and spending time with her. What the young man needed was a deadline and a reason to wait.

A looming, foreboding date to pressure him into growing, but without forcing him to make a bold move. Something short, like days or a week, wouldn't be enough. It would only drive him insane before Lucian could obtain any meaningful results.

But months?

Over the course of a few months, Lucian could gradually mold Wang Chen, create artificial struggles, and ensure the young man attained enlightenment through pain and suffering.

Seeing Lucian smile, Wang Chen felt goosebumps spread across his body.

"Benefactor," he said meekly. "What are you thinking?"

Looking straight at him, Lucian said, "I remembered you survived a life-and-death encounter without lasting injuries in the Broken Maze. Well, the people of Sailor School have cured you, so that's the same. Anyway, perhaps it's time for you to cultivate again."

"Wha—"

Before Wang Chen could say anything else, he looked down in shock, his mouth hanging open.

Lucian's right hand had pierced through his abdomen, sending blood infused with Blood Essence into his meridians and forcefully opening a new pathway for Qi to flow.

It was time to open the Lesser Yang Ascendant Meridian!