The Everlasting God

Wait! Something was wrong. Why was Meridian Disorder still on my status bar?

Could even Night's Breath not fix it?!

The joy that had just surged through me was instantly doused.

Getting my light attribute back was no use if Meridian Disorder kept me from using Martial Arts. I was still a cripple.

If everyone else used Martial Arts to fight the Weird, while I had to rely on my attributes to tough it out, how many attributes would it take to make up the difference?

But when Fang Yue looked more closely, he noticed the word "Weak" after [Meridian Disorder], and neither of the two Houtian Martial Arts had a red icon anymore.

Could it be...

Fang Yue's heart stirred. He tried to circulate his inner energy, and the meridians it passed through immediately sent a stabbing pain through him. The number -1 appeared above his head.

But the pain lasted only a moment before [Night's Breath] suppressed it. His terrifying recovery rate instantly replenished the health he'd lost.

What was this "Meridian Disorder [Weak]" supposed to be? That was it? That was it? That was it?

Fang Yue brightened and continued circulating his inner energy. When it reached the final acupoint and completed a full cycle, a piercing pain suddenly struck.

-99!

Fang Yue's body stiffened, and a huge, frightening number appeared above his head.

Damn!

It had gotten stuck at the very last step.

So he could use his inner energy, but the health loss was way too extreme...

The huge -99 above Fang Yue's head was impossible to miss. Shi Wuliao and the others saw it right away, their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

"Holy shit!"

"Brother Ye, you're in big trouble!"

"Lie down, lie down! Brother Ye, your injuries are terrifying!"

Shi Wuliao and the others were practically scared shitless.

-99!

They all had only 100 health. Losing 99 meant they were just one point away from dropping dead on the spot.

They crowded around Fang Yue in concern, but he just waved them off.

"It's fine."

How was that fine, man? We all saw the -99 above your head.

But Fang Yue said he was fine, and it turned out he really was.

He easily broke free of their grasp, then walked ahead with his saber as if nothing had happened.

"This..."

Everyone was stunned. It took them a while to come around.

"A real pro is a real pro. He didn't even flinch at -99."

"That's what you call a professional player. He dropped from 100 health to 1 and still calmly carried on! What nerves!"

"Woohoo, let's go! With a master like him watching our backs, we're totally safe!"

At that moment, Fang Yue's standing in their eyes shot up. Even Niu Niu, who was a little conceited, couldn't help marveling inwardly.

If he'd suddenly lost 99 health, he would've panicked like crazy. There was no way he could've calmly kept patrolling through the night.

"Professional players really are something. Impressive."

What they didn't know was that Fang Yue had 200 health. The -99 looked scary, but it wasn't enough to make him panic. Besides, he'd recover all that health in no time.

Fang Yue could tell that his Meridian Disorder wasn't as serious as he'd thought.

With [Night's Breath] bolstering him, his meridians were healing rapidly.

Every so often, he circulated his inner energy to test them, and sure enough, the pain in his meridians grew weaker and weaker.

As Fang Yue walked from the guard station to the night patrol route, a system notification suddenly appeared.

"System Notification: The [Meridian Disorder] (Weak) status has been removed."

Fang Yue froze, then broke into a delighted grin.

Just as I thought!

[Night's Breath], the everlasting god!

Now that's what you call real medical skill! Cue the tactical lean-back!

Doctor Hong? He wasn't fit to carry Night's Breath's shoes.

Even with the [Meridian Disorder] status, he could still use his inner energy and saber techniques, but losing health every time was such a pain.

Only he could pull it off. With [Night's Breath] rapidly restoring his health, he could force himself to use Martial Arts despite the health loss. Anyone else would've been done for on the spot.

Looking at the word [Normal] on his status bar, Fang Yue couldn't help grinning foolishly.

The five behind him thought the severe injuries had driven Fang Yue out of his mind, and didn't dare ask.

Just then, Fang Yue's ears twitched, and he abruptly stopped.

The others froze, then seemed to realize what was going on. They quickly stood back-to-back, warily watching their surroundings.

"The Weird?!"

"Brother Ye, what did you notice?"

"Danger! Stay alert!"

Although Shi Wuliao and the other players had never encountered the Weird, they knew how powerful it was and naturally didn't dare let their guard down.

Fang Yue didn't answer. His nerves were taut as he gripped his rusty saber and stared fixedly ahead.

He'd heard footsteps coming from the front.

Could he really be this unlucky? Was he going to encounter the Weird on his very first night patrol?

Fang Yue's stance put everyone behind him on edge. The surroundings fell silent, and the atmosphere grew especially tense.

Tap, tap, tap.

On the silent street, the only sound was the crisp rhythm of footsteps drawing closer. About six shadowy figures flickered in and out of view in the darkness.

"They're here! It's the Weird!"

The same thought flashed through everyone's minds. Then...

With a poof, a ball of fire flared to life, illuminating the pitch-black street.

"Waaah!"

"Y-y-yikes!"

"Haah! Come on!! I'm not afraid of you!!"

Almost the instant the fire lit up, several loud shouts erupted behind Fang Yue.

The flames made it hard for Fang Yue to see what was in front of him. He raised a hand to shield his eyes and turned to glance behind him.

Shi Wuliao and the others had their eyes shut, yelling and screaming wildly.

Fang Yue was speechless. Was it really necessary to be this scared? Had they never played a horror game before?

"Possessed by the Weird?! Everyone, stay on guard!"

A shout came from ahead. One of the voices sounded familiar, and Fang Yue froze.

"Brother Yong?"

Brother Yong was the man who'd almost mistaken Fang Yue for the Weird and killed him the previous night.

He was holding a Soul Fire torch in his left hand and pointing a gun at Fang Yue's group with his right.

Brother Yong froze too, recognizing Fang Yue.

"Brother Ye? What are you doing here? Get over here! The people behind you have been possessed by the Weird!"

No, no... Those people had simply been scared out of their wits.

Fang Yue had adjusted to the firelight by now. He recognized the people behind Brother Yong as the same group from the previous night.

It took some explaining to clear up the misunderstanding.

As Fang Yue explained, Shi Wuliao and the others lowered their heads, faces red, not daring to interrupt.

Beside them, Niu Niu gave a snort, looking rather pleased with himself. He'd been the only one who hadn't shouted just now, though his legs had trembled so badly he couldn't move. Otherwise, he might have turned and run. But if he didn't say anything, who would know?

Meeting Fang Yue's faintly approving gaze, Niu Niu's body stiffened and his back straightened.

As soon as Fang Yue looked away, Niu Niu glanced at the others beside him. LOSERS!

Shi Wuliao immediately understood Niu Niu's look and clenched his little fists.

Damn it! If only I'd gotten the Lucky Gift Pack, I wouldn't be suffering this humiliation now!

If Niu Niu gives me that look again, I'm done with this night patrol!

The others were also a little embarrassed and annoyed, thinking: If we weren't so reluctant to waste the money we paid, we'd leave this team too!

"Brother Ye's here!"

Seeing Brother Ye return, everyone quickly reined in their feelings.

Fang Yue glanced at the people in the team, puzzled. The atmosphere seemed to have shifted somehow, but he couldn't tell what had changed.

He didn't dwell on it and immediately shared the information he'd gotten from Brother Yong.