I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 83: Human Pill

"Chen Laodi, if you're able to read this letter, it means I wasn’t wrong about you. Entrusted by others, loyal to the task — you, my brother, are a true gentleman。"

"What I can’t let go of the most are those two disciples. They’re both good kids. I owe them too much. From now on, I entrust them to you. Since they’ve been placed under your care, you may handle them as you see fit. I, a dead man, have no more say in the matter。"

"The half-manual inside the box is precisely the 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》. As for why it came into my possession, that’s a long story。"

"I was born as a servant of the Xu family, born the same day as the young master. The madam believed we shared a special bond, so she appointed me as his page. Twenty-nine years ago, I was twenty years old. One night, a group of black-clad men suddenly broke in and began killing indiscriminately. The guards fought back desperately。"

"Amidst the chaos, in order to help the young master escape, the steward had me swap clothes with him. Just after he fled, a powerful enemy burst in and asked whether I was the Xu family's young master. I thought to myself, I must not shame the Xu family's name, so I said, ‘Names are not changed when walking or sitting.’ I admitted it outright。"

"I thought I would surely die. Unexpectedly, the man did not kill me. Instead, he knocked me out and took me away。"

"When I awoke, he told me he was Lord Xu’s sworn brother. Upon hearing that Six Doors Authority intended to harm his brother’s family, he risked his life to save me。"

"At the time, he was gravely wounded, his mind already unclear. I couldn’t bear to tell him the truth. Later, he entrusted me to Wu’s Martial School and, before leaving, stuffed that half-manual into my chest. He told me only by mastering the entirety of 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》 and cultivating it to the ultimate peak could one possess the strength for vengeance。"

"After leaving those words, he vanished. He never appeared again. As for me, I changed my name and became the youngest disciple of Master Wu。"

"Master had seen the real young master and knew I was an impostor. After learning the full story, he still took me in and even intended to betroth Junior Sister to me. His kindness is something I can only repay in my next life。"

"After breaking through to Seventh Grade, I began researching this 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》, but for twenty years, I never managed to find the right path. I fear it can only be practiced after first mastering 《Three Suns Body Tempering》。"

"In this life, I failed at martial cultivation. I wanted to save the young master, but only stripped him of his final hope. I let down my master’s expectations, sowed discord among my fellow disciples, failed to care for Junior Sister, and let her die in a foreign land... A man like me should’ve died long ago。"

"Fortunately, you appeared. Only then did I realize fate had its plans — why I had clung to life until now. During our first spar, I discovered that you possessed 《Three Suns Body Tempering》. Back then, that was exactly the art practiced by the young master. So from our very first exchange, I sensed it。"

"After several tests, I confirmed you knew nothing of 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》. So I made up my mind to pass this 《Six Suns Qi Nurturing》 on to you。"

"Still, I hope you think carefully. I once heard the young master say that 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》 was handed down from ancient times, with a tremendous origin. Later, I thought it over — the Xu family’s calamity might be linked to this divine art. If you choose to cultivate it, you will bear immense karmic burden. Once on this path, there is no turning back。"

"Brother, I give you this manual. Do with it as you will. Whether or not you choose to cultivate this divine art, you need not avenge the Xu family. That sin — let me bear it。"

"Brother, your talent and willpower far exceed mine. In the future, you’ll surely become a hero like Lord Xu. I only hope you won’t end up like me — trapped by emotions, wasting a lifetime。"

……

The letter was long.

After reading, Chen Ming remained silent for a long time.

He finally understood why Old Liu had become so despondent — he owed too many people.

He owed his young master, his savior, his master…

He carried the Xu family’s deep blood feud and his master’s earnest expectations. But he simply couldn’t do it. He couldn’t even break through to Sixth Grade, let alone speak of vengeance.

Even the senior disciples of the martial school disdained him, and his junior sister didn’t care for him, eloping with someone else…

For him, living was simply too painful. If not for those two disciples, he might have ended it long ago…

By then, Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda had already finished digging the grave.

Chen Ming put away the letter and tucked the manual into his chest. Then, he placed Old Liu’s most-worn set of clothing and his favorite jar of Nü’er Hong into the pit and began burying it.

He took out a dagger and carved the words "Grave of Liu Fu" onto the tombstone.

Lastly, he arranged incense, paper offerings, and candles in front of the grave and had the two boys kneel and kowtow.

Chen Ming pulled out two cups and poured two servings of wine from the wineskin he carried. One he poured on the grave, the other he downed himself.

Silently, he thought: Old bro, when the day comes that my name shakes the world, I’ll return to toast you again.

……

On the way back, Chen Ming didn’t utter a word. He stared out the carriage window, lost in thought.

Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda dared not ask anything.

The two months they spent living at the Chen residence were the most comfortable days of their lives — less chores, no scolding, meat every day, even a monthly allowance.

It was like a celestial existence.

Only one thing: this Second Master was a bit strict when urging them to train.

Suddenly, Chen Ming spoke, "Starting tomorrow, you two will add an extra hour to your daily training."

"Ah?"

Both their faces turned bitter.

Then, he added, "Monthly allowance will be doubled."

"Yes, sir!"

The two were immediately full of motivation, wishing they could return and start training right away.

Having been used to hardship since childhood, what was an extra hour of training each day if the monthly allowance could double?

Chen Ming had already realized — these two belonged to the kind with no great ambition, content with small comforts.

Like donkeys driven by a stick and carrot. To motivate them, silver was the most effective method.

Since he owed Old Liu such a huge favor, at the very least he should train Old Liu’s two disciples into talents.

 ……

When Chen Ming returned home, the gatekeeper Old Li said, "Second Master, Young Master Zhou and Young Master Deng have been waiting for half a day."

"Got it."

He sent Old Liu’s two disciples off, then went alone to the rear courtyard, where he saw Zhou Weihao and Deng Ziyang in a heated conversation, tone quite intense. Who knew what they were arguing about?

For the past month or so, Zhou Weihao had come looking to spar every few days.

He had met Deng Ziyang a few times, and the two quickly became acquainted.

As Chen Ming approached, he heard, "...In terms of beauty, of course Miss Zixue of Jiangzhou is superior — truly eyes like autumn water, bones like jade..."

"That’s because you haven’t seen Miss Wanyu of Tingyin Pavilion — now that is a national beauty, a smile that could topple a kingdom..."

Turns out, they were talking about women.

No wonder the two got along so well.

As soon as Chen Ming stepped into the courtyard, the two who had been arguing so fiercely turned to him at once and asked, "Brother Chen, do you think Miss Zixue is more beautiful, or Miss Wanyu..."

"Stop."

Seeing them squabble, Chen Ming quickly interrupted and said, "I’ve never met either of them, how could I judge? Besides, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Once a woman is beautiful enough, it’s hard to say who’s more beautiful — it’s probably about even."

Though the two were a bit dissatisfied with his evasive answer, they couldn’t do much about it.

Zhou Weihao said, "Next time I’ll definitely take Brother Chen to meet Miss Zixue."

But Deng Ziyang said, "Unfortunately, Miss Wanyu has already gone straight, entered Prince Langya’s residence. It’s now near impossible to see her peerless beauty again."

Chen Ming had to change the subject. "What brings you two to me today?"

Zhou Weihao finally remembered the real reason and said, "Indeed, something major has happened. Those vicious attackers have finally been caught. This morning, Lord Zhao personally went to interrogate them."

Chen Ming asked, "Oh? They’ve finally been caught? Who was behind it?"

Zhou Weihao looked around and, seeing no one nearby, lowered his voice. "They were followers of the Cult of Eternal Life."

Chen Ming was shocked. It really was the Cult of Eternal Life?

He too lowered his voice. "The Cult of Eternal Life has truly resurfaced?"

"Indeed!"

Zhou Weihao nodded solemnly. "That’s what Lord Zhao said himself. This group belongs to one of the most cruel and bloodthirsty branches of the Cult of Eternal Life — the Blood Demon Sect. Do you know why they hunted those noble young men?"

"Why?"

"To refine Human Pills." Zhou Weihao’s face was grave. "It’s said that disciples of the Blood Demon Sect have a secret technique that can refine the blood and flesh essence of martial artists into a single Human Pill. Once consumed by an ordinary person and digested, they can directly become a martial artist."

At this point, his tone grew chilling. "Two Ninth Grade Martial Artists can be refined into one Ninth Grade Human Pill. Three Eighth Grade ones make one Eighth Grade Human Pill. Five of the Seventh Grade can make one Seventh Grade Human Pill. That’s why, whenever the Blood Demon Sect disciples appear, they frenziedly hunt martial artists to refine Human Pills."

Chen Ming felt his scalp go numb. He exchanged a glance with Deng Ziyang, whose face was also pale — clearly, Zhou Weihao’s words about the Blood Demon Sect had frightened him.

No wonder the Cult of Eternal Life was labeled a demonic cult, condemned by all, hated across the world.

Just the Blood Demon Sect’s methods alone made them natural enemies of all martial artists.

And the fact that the Cult of Eternal Life still hadn’t been completely eradicated showed just how thick their blood bar was.

Chen Ming said with some worry, "Now that the Cult of Eternal Life has reappeared, I fear the world is in for trouble."

Zhou Weihao sighed, "Indeed. Once Lord Zhao reports this to the court, it will surely shake the world." Then he comforted him, "But really, there’s no need to worry too much. Whenever the Cult of Eternal Life shows up, the Heaven's Path Alliance always sends disciples to respond. The Cult won’t be able to turn the heavens upside down."

Chen Ming nodded, thinking it best to stay indoors for the time being.

At this moment, Deng Ziyang suddenly asked, "Brother Yang, have you ever met disciples of the Heaven's Path Alliance? Are they really as unreasonable as the rumors say?"

Zhou Weihao seemed to recall an unpleasant experience. His face showed both fear and loathing. He shook his head and said, "Unreasonable is putting it mildly — they’re outright overbearing."

But he was unwilling to elaborate, only adding, "At least, disciples of the Heaven's Path Alliance don’t kill indiscriminately. In that respect, they’re far better than the monsters of the Cult of Eternal Life."