Chapter 16
It had already been decided to stop, and so no further actions would follow.
Driven by a reluctance to waste time and out of efficiency, unfinished words that were not meant to be heard poured out again, releasing the full harm of realized speech.
Clearly, through Huan Zheng's two retinas he saw and verified the warm entreaties he had once uttered being cast aside, his pleas thrown away with no desire to negotiate further.
A moment of shock and sudden panic struck, and the will to keep living declared its cause, a firm desire that compelled him to speak out once more.
Unwilling to yield so easily, Huan Zheng then spoke, deliberately grinding his teeth and letting out a harsh shout before his words were assembled.
He tried to forget the torment that struck every corner of his heart, and begrudging compensation had to be proposed, offering directly to teach arts from his master as if they were millions piled within vast wealth.
There was no need to say more; Ling Xu ought to understand what importance a senior position—or a master—held in the realm of cultivation.
Pausing to ponder for a moment, many immediate benefits flashed into view, naturally including burdens far above the average that would cause both joy and anxious intuition to mix into a precarious balance.
Not agreeing to a deal that might secretly favor one party behind the curtain, the fear of betrayal of vows that lay in the shallow depths was weighed, seeking to know whether this cooperation would truly be carried out as hinted.
Motivated by personal desire, not governed by outside wills like the events of past times, the pace toward the rear area hardened once more, signaling Ling Xu's unwillingness to go through the next few minutes of the journey.
"Among the many scars of the Outcasts in the contemptuous eyes of the masses, there is of course one, embedded within countless vessels where the perfection of the elders linger.
"So you can speak plainly your hidden meaning now, the particular clarity about your kindness this time?
"Rather than let everything sink, a delayed repentance means selling off every item that can be bartered until patience runs thin."
"Even in a situation like this, you still insist on bargaining, wanting the rules of trade and sale to apply?!
"And didn't I say to accompany you?! If so, further clarity should follow, coming quickly to fulfill the unity of our arrangement?
"Is that what you mean?!!"
"If this is merely trickery, you need not trouble yourself; everything must align with the order and designs we have studied."
"Ahhhhh! A climb of shameful gratitude you refuse to plant, tightening the blade after the discourtesy you crafted!!
"I swear thousands of pleas directly to you. There is an interest—no, what I mean is a follow-up agenda expected to be carried out according to the agreement. So I hope you will not obstruct it, declaring delays at this meeting that only burden both shoulders.
"Besides, there is no need to fear the creative variables that will define what comes next. By weighing harms and benefits amid uncertainty, you can be sure to open, proposing the opening of gaps of opportunity to grow, to expand, and to be traversed both in and out as fortune rises.
"On top of that I swear, I will teach you what I can about cultivation!
"I will teach, in broad strokes, understanding from the small to the greatest oceans. Please contemplate the agreement I offer!!"
"...."
There was no denying that distrust festered, crystallizing an awkward ambiguity over the sudden change in his attitude toward Ling Xu.
Examining the absurdity of his comportment, the humility shown specifically to Ling Xu was weighed, prompting questions about intent and purpose as if fanatic devotion had been triggered.
If he were merely seeking a master to accompany him, he was sure one or two people would be willing, ready to line up regardless of sect or the wealth of experience each senior might bring to teach the fundamentals completely.
The notion that skill was appreciated crossed his mind, implying a proportion more than mere adequacy, so it was unsurprising that the sudden offer was found astonishing.
To validate that there was purpose, the hidden aim behind Huan Zheng's method of learning seemed to possess advantages no senior adhered to, and a ripple of skepticism in Ling Xu's shallow depths was quickly answered, hinting that ordinary life might be scorned and that divulging the dangers at the highest levels would be blocked unless protected directly by him alone.
So confident was he in his capacity for dedication.
Still, anxieties were hard to shake, marking the reflection of a young girl's posture who did not seek continued commitment as they looked ahead.
Thinking that the agreement could not be finalized in the near term, the looming claw of death narrowed his breath, registering regretful sighs and accelerating carbon dioxide beyond normal levels, bringing forth a thousand apologies in hopes of being entrusted when obligations threatened.
He could not fathom why forgiveness had to be sought and pleaded.
But judging sincerity and a strong will to undertake the entrusted duty, what had been promised seemed verified beyond measure, surpassing simplicity and flying above the criteria that normally delayed the moment of death.
Of course, hopes and dreams do not always end, and they continue to tell stories of delight for children to savor.
Trying to forget, to temporarily repress the impossibility that an enlightened childlike girl across from him could be useful, the medical skills so desperately needed in practical treatment were held back, letting go of fantasies rooted in inner motives, and deliberately continuing the conversation while grinding his teeth a second time.
Regaining the lead, Huan Zheng's voice boomed, ensuring the listener could accept and realize that all kinds of benefits would follow along with handing over foundational cultivation knowledge that surpassed anyone else's.
'Do you need help? From any angle, regardless of how many chances arise, catastrophe will creep in, ensuring involvement whether consciously or not.
'To be frank, the greater desire is to reject, to appoint an outsider as overseer rather than have an enemy in the shadows declare the duty.
'But it would be a pity, not worth discarding such a grand plan, just letting go of golden opportunities that can be taken at any time.
'Without being asked, one's conscience will press, drafting a written oath in black ink as deeper proof.'
'Putting aside future gains, what must be done now? It is not possible to fold hands and let laziness allow the pulse of continuity to wither.'
"Hmmmm ...."
Do you, Sir, have conviction?
'Wait, whose voice was that just now? Hey, don't joke—tricks always stab, killing sense like poison laughs!'
Sorry to startle you so abruptly, Sir.
You should know I am a steadfast certainty, the true location of the brilliant Stellar Foundation felt in times past.
After going through the torment of the process without a single disruption, the enthronement by my Former Lord gave you a mandate, an order to protect and cherish the softness of your heart to accompany you along the stages of cultivation.
'In other words—'
A precise appointment. Based on instructions before departure, from now on you are the owner, the rightful ruler of the Stellar holdings of my Former Lord.
With all due respect I call myself Secret, an appellation meaning the Unidentified.
To be continued…