Night Talk

Chapter 46: Night Talk

After Nie Wuya's complete annihilation, the suffocating, cold, and dead silence in the canyon rapidly dissolved like morning mist dispelled by sunlight. The pervasive thick fog gradually thinned, and the long-lost sunlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds, dappling the ravaged battlefield with warmth and life, illuminating the scorched marks and scattered ashes on the ground.

Most of the surviving Xuntian Guard members were wounded, their breathing ragged. Their dark robes were stained with dark red blood, the filth of zombies, and the dust of battle. They supported each other, their faces a mixture of relief at surviving, grief for their fallen comrades, and irrepressible excitement and awe. Their gazes converged on the two figures in the center of the field – Xuntian EnvoyZhao Kuang, leaning on his broad-bladed saber, his chest rising and falling slightly, still radiating a scorching aura, and Li Yifan, his face as pale as paper, his aura weak but his spine still straight, his gaze calm.

The lightning-fast yet perilous final battle, especially Li Yifan's last burst of crimson-gold flame that incinerated demons and resembled the rising sun, was deeply imprinted in everyone's minds. It had already surpassed their understanding of what a martial artist in the Tendon Refining Realm could achieve.

"Clear the battlefield! Treat the wounded! Tally the casualties!" Zhao Kuang took a deep breath, suppressing the churning blood and the stinging pain in his meridians. His voice, hoarse yet undeniably authoritative, broke the brief silence.

"Yes!" The team members responded in unison, enduring their fatigue and injuries, and immediately sprang into action. Well-trained, they had clear divisions of labor: some quickly checked their fallen comrades, bandaging the lightly wounded on the spot, carefully carrying the severely wounded aside, administering pills, and channeling true qi to stabilize their conditions; others vigilantly patrolled the surroundings with their sabers, preventing any escaped corpse refiners or insidious traps laid by Nie Wuya; still others began collecting scattered crossbow bolts and weapons, carefully searching for any valuable spoils of war that might have been left behind.

The air was filled with a foul mixture of blood, burnt flesh, and the stench of corpses. This battle had come at a bloody price for the Xuntian Guard. After a headcount, three elite members in the late stage of Bone Refining had unfortunately perished in the fight against the fearless corpse refiners, their bodies already cold. Eight others sustained injuries of varying degrees, two of them seriously, requiring immediate transport back to the garrison for treatment, but fortunately, no one's life was in danger. However, compared to successfully eliminating a mid-stage Blood Refining demonic overlord with a fearsome reputation, this price was an acceptable outcome for a hard-won victory.

Zhao Kuang walked to the bodies of the three fallen comrades with a somber expression. He closed the eyes of each one that had not closed in death and gently wiped the bloodstains from their faces with trembling hands. He was silent for a moment, then abruptly turned, his gaze sweeping over all the team members. His voice was low and powerful, "Brothers! Today, we have lost three good brothers! They sacrificed their lives to protect the people of Qing Province and slay the demon! Their heroic spirits are not far, their loyalty and valor will live forever! We who live must carry on in their stead! This blood debt has been repaid with the complete annihilation of the demon!"

His words, filled with grief, carried a resounding force that made the team members, their eyes red, grip their weapons tightly.

"This victory," Zhao Kuang's voice suddenly rose, his gaze turning to Li Yifan, who was recuperating nearby, "owes its greatest credit to Captain Li Yifan! If he had not remained calm in the critical moment and used a secret technique to heavily wound Nie Wuya, breaking his evil arts, we would never have been able to completely eliminate this fiend! To face a mid-stage Blood Refining demon with late-stage Tendon Refining cultivation and secure victory – such courage, strength, and merit – I, Zhao Kuang, admire it!"

Upon hearing this, the team members turned their gazes to Li Yifan, their eyes filled with sincere respect and gratitude. They had personally experienced the danger of the battle and knew that without Li Yifan's earth-shattering strike, the outcome today would likely have been entirely different. The purification and heat brought by that crimson-gold flame had dispelled the gloom in their hearts and earned them their complete respect.

Li Yifan, having taken a pill, had stabilized his aura slightly. He stood up, cupped his hands towards Zhao Kuang and the others. His face was still pale, but his voice was calm and firm, "Lord Zhao Kuang flatters me. Slaying this fiend was the collective effort of the entire team. Lord Zhao Kuang's frontal confrontation and pressure on the enemy were of paramount importance. I merely seized the opportunity by chance. The fallen comrades are the true heroes."

He did not claim credit and did not forget the deceased. His words further warmed the hearts of everyone, enhancing their sense of belonging and cohesion to an unprecedented degree.

Zhao Kuang looked deeply at Li Yifan and said no more. He waved his hand, "Alright, bring the brothers, escort the wounded, and let's descend the mountain! Return to Fuchang County!"

"Yes!"

The team quickly completed their preparations. Carrying the bodies of their fallen comrades on makeshift stretchers and carefully supporting the wounded, they descended the rugged mountain path with heavy yet uplifted hearts. The sunlight on their bodies dispelled the chill of the canyon and seemed to comfort the heroic spirits.

The path down the mountain seemed much shorter than the way up. After meeting up with Liu Ming and the others who had remained at the mountain foot camp, they rejoiced upon learning of the demon's demise, while also mourning their fallen brothers. After consolidating their forces, the large contingent returned to Fuchang County city.

By the time the team arrived at the county town, the sun was already setting. News had spread like wildfire. The county residents, upon learning that the long-standing scourge had been eliminated by the Xuntian Guard, poured into the streets, lining the roads to welcome them. Many had tears in their eyes, especially the relatives and friends connected to the tragic case of the Zhang family, who knelt and offered their heartfelt thanks. The Fuchang County Magistrate, leading the officials of the County Government, personally welcomed them at the city gate with utmost respect and gratitude.

After properly settling the wounded and the bodies of the fallen soldiers at the substation, Zhao Kuang and Li Yifan were invited to the County Government and briefly reported the outcome of the case to the magistrate. The magistrate repeatedly offered to host a banquet as a reward, but Zhao Kuang politely declined, citing the need to return to the garrison as soon as possible to report and handle the aftermath. He decided to depart for Qingzhou Prefecture City early the next morning.

That night, within the Xuntian Guard substation, the lights were bright, but the atmosphere was different from the usual somberness, carrying a certain post-battle weariness and tranquility. Zhao Kuang called Li Yifan to his temporary room alone.

Closing the door, Zhao Kuang even cautiously activated a soundproofing talisman. A faint spiritual light enveloped the room, isolating it from external sounds. He gestured for Li Yifan to sit, personally poured two cups of hot tea, and pushed one towards Li Yifan.

With only the two of them in the room, the authority and grief that Zhao Kuang had displayed during the day had subsided considerably, replaced by an extremely serious and solemn expression. He gazed intently at Li Yifan, remained silent for several breaths, and then slowly spoke, his voice kept very low, "Yi Fan, there is no one else here. Let's talk frankly. That crimson-gold flame you unleashed at the end today... that is definitely not ordinary martial arts true qi. If my old eyes aren't deceiving me, that is... 'Exotic Fire,' isn't it?"

Li Yifan was mentally prepared, knowing that such a matter could hardly be hidden from a master like Zhao Kuang. He met Zhao Kuang's gaze without flinching. After a moment of thought, he nodded calmly, his voice steady, "Lord Zhao Kuang sees clearly. That is indeed Exotic Fire."

Despite his suspicions, hearing Li Yifan admit it directly caused Zhao Kuang to gasp involuntarily. An incredible light erupted in his tiger-like eyes. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity, "As expected! And it is an Exotic Fire of extreme yang and supreme hardness, specifically countering yin and evil! No wonder... no wonder that old ghost Nie Wuya was so terrified when he saw it! Yi Fan, do you... do you know what the words 'Exotic Fire' mean?"

Without waiting for Li Yifan to answer, Zhao Kuang continued on his own, his tone urgent, "That is a rare treasure of heaven and earth! It is a fortune that even Innate realm grandmasters, and even beings of higher realms, dream of but cannot easily find! The appearance of every wisp of Exotic Fire can cause bloody storms! Possessing it invites disaster! Once the news leaks, you will face not only the covetousness of demonic and heretical cultivators, but possibly even the greed of some righteous major sects and reclusive old monsters! However, as long as you advance rapidly, becoming a Hundred-Household Commander or a Thousand-Household Commander, the imperial court will naturally protect you. But for now..."

Li Yifan's expression was grave. He knew that Zhao Kuang was by no means exaggerating. He said solemnly, "This subordinate understands the risks. Therefore, I ask Lord Zhao Kuang regarding this matter..."

"Rest assured!" Zhao Kuang interrupted him decisively, his gaze sharp as a blade, "Everyone present today are old brothers I've personally led, confidants of confidants! I have strictly ordered them to remain absolutely silent to outsiders regarding the details of today's final battle, especially about your flame! Any leakage will be dealt with by military law, with no leniency! When we return to headquarters and report to the Thousand-Household Commander and the Grand Commander, the dossier will only state that you and I joined forces, relying on the mutual restraint of our techniques' attributes and formation coordination, and after a bitter struggle, we finally killed Nie Wuya. The matter of the Exotic Fire will never appear in any official record!"

A wave of warmth and gratitude surged through Li Yifan. He stood up and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Lord Zhao Kuang, for your protection! Yi Fan will remember it in his heart!"

Zhao Kuang stood up and steadied him, sighing, "No need for that. However, Yi Fan, you must remember, although Exotic Fire is powerful, it is ultimately an external object, and activating it places a great burden on yourself, as was evident today. The path of martial arts is founded on one's own cultivation and realm. Do not become complacent due to possessing Exotic Fire, or overly reliant on it, thus neglecting your fundamental cultivation. Otherwise, it will be a case of putting the cart before the horse, and you will never reach the peak."

These words were filled with earnest concern and expectation from an elder. Li Yifan responded solemnly, "Your teachings, sir, are pearls of wisdom. This subordinate will certainly remember them and cultivate diligently, never daring to forget the root."

"Good! Good!" Seeing that he was receptive, Zhao Kuang's face showed relief. He patted his shoulder, "With this kind of character, I am at ease. For this mission, you have made outstanding contributions. Upon returning to the garrison, you will certainly be rewarded. On the merit roll, I will request the first merit for you. Corresponding contribution points, pills, weapons, and even cultivation technique rewards will not be lacking. After this battle, your status in the garrison will be completely different. Commander Wang, and even the Thousand-Household Commander, will look at you with new eyes. But with that will come heavier responsibilities and more dangerous missions; you must be mentally prepared."

Li Yifan's gaze was firm, showing no fear, "This subordinate understands. Since joining the Xuntian Guard, protecting the common people is our duty. Bearing heavy responsibility is an unshakeable obligation."

"Good! Such ambition! You are indeed someone I've taken a liking to!" Zhao Kuang laughed heartily, his mood seemingly much improved, "Alright, you are also heavily injured today. Go back and recuperate well. We will return tomorrow."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave."

Li Yifan left the room and returned to his own quarters. He did not immediately fall asleep but sat cross-legged on the bed, holding his breath and centering his mind. The battle today, especially the experience of activating the Nine Yang True Fire at the end, was deeply imprinted in his memory. He carefully savored the profound feeling of merging his spirit, will, true qi, and the origin of the Exotic Fire, as well as the immense power that incinerated evil.

"The might of Exotic Fire is indeed incredible. But Lord Zhao Kuang is right; cultivation is the foundation that supports everything." He looked inward at his Dantian. That wisp of Nine Yang True Fire, having reached minor accomplishment, seemed even more condensed than before, as if it had been tempered through actual combat and had grown. However, the immense consumption of true qi and mental energy required to activate it still made him feel lingering fear.

"Late stage Tendon Refining... facing true powerhouses, I am still too weak." He clearly recognized that without the absolute mutual restraint of his cultivation technique and the Exotic Fire, he would have been utterly defenseless against a mid-stage Blood Refining cultivator.

"I must increase my strength as soon as possible! Reach the peak of Tendon Refining, and then break through to the Blood Refining Realm!"

A determined light flashed in his eyes. The generous rewards from this demon-slaying mission and the impending elevation in status would provide him with unprecedented resources and support for his future cultivation. He took a Nourishing Yuan Pill, swallowed it, and began circulating the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique, guiding the medicinal power to nourish his damaged meridians, consolidate his cultivation, and simultaneously plan his cultivation schedule upon returning to the garrison.

Outside the window, the moonlight flowed like water, and all was silent. Fuchang County had finally escaped the shadow of demons and returned to tranquility. As for Li Yifan's martial arts journey, through the baptism and gains of this battle, it had embarked on a broader, and undoubtedly more magnificent, path.