"..."
"Do you think I could weave all of this together as easily as playing with dolls?"
"I don't know," Pei Ye said candidly. "The way you appeared made it seem like you had deep ties to them. I feel as though you're using me, and the way to activate [Quail Head] was that hand seal."
"...I truly cannot answer your last question. It is just as much a mystery to me, because [Quail Head] is not my ability either. I merely... hold it for the time being." Black Chi found a suitable expression, then continued, "As for your first two concerns, I have been frank with you from the very beginning. 'I help you, then you help me.' Remember?"
Pei Ye slowly nodded. "I remember. You saved my life last night, and avenging my blood debt today also depended on Quail Head's power. Whatever happens, I will repay that kindness."
"Good. Then shall we form a pact?"
"...What?"
"This is how you help me."
"I don't understand."
"Beings like us are born imbued with the mysterious, and our cultivation increases only with age. Only by forming a life pact with a human can we absorb mysterious energy from outside our bodies. To put it plainly, I would bask in a little of your light, borrow a little of your fate, so that I could command Heaven and Earth Profound Qi—what do you humans call it, 'wielding the mysterious,' right? In return, you can receive corresponding benefits from me."
Pei Ye considered this. "Since it benefits both sides, how does it count as me helping you?"
"Because I am in danger now, and have greater need of this life pact to strengthen myself. This pact is called [Shared Fate of Flourishing and Decline]. If disaster befalls me, you too will suffer grievous harm."
"Do you need me to go help you?"
"You cannot help with that. Forming a pact with me is enough."
"Then... why choose me?" Pei Ye finally asked. "Or rather, are there particular requirements for the person you form this pact with?"
"Affinity."
"..." Pei Ye was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. "What do you mean by affinity?"
"Since it is a life pact, our fates must naturally be compatible. Different beasts require different types of human partners. It is a selection made by unseen forces. If you insist that I put it into human language, then 'young,' 'sword,' 'a clear heart,' and 'steadfast' would come closest."
"I won't stay young forever either." Pei Ye pursued the question with earnest curiosity.
"It only represents the choice made here and now."
"Hmm."
"Any other questions?"
"Once you're through this crisis, can the pact still be dissolved?"
"It is troublesome, but possible."
Pei Ye relaxed a little. "All right. You saved my life first, so of course I'm willing to take a risk for you-how do we make this pact?"
"A good question." Black Chi's tone remained even. "The lives of both parties must intertwine, each entrusting life and death to the other, before the pact can be formed."
Understanding dawned on Pei Ye. "You saved me once last night. If I find a way to save you once in return, we can form the pact?"
"You have already saved me once."
Pei Ye froze. "When?"
Black Chi turned that enormous head, and Pei Ye saw the creature's appearance for the first time-majestic, profound, magnificent. Without those two horns, there was also an added delicacy and grace. Every detail was exquisitely sculpted, every scale gleaming like jade.
And at the center of that chi's head, a pair of Jade Eyes, clear as glass, quietly met his gaze.
Pei Ye cried out in shock, "You're that-"
"Not entirely." Black Chi turned away again. "You needn't apply medicinal herbs to it anymore."
"Then... how do we form the pact?"
"Very simply. You only need to say 'Pei Ye, Quail Head' once."
"Pei Ye, Quail Head," Pei Ye tried.
"Mysterious Fire, Shi Shen," Black Chi replied.
Pei Ye felt something connect.
The silhouette of a chi appeared in his dantian, encircling the deep-blue ball of light. He could clearly sense [Quail Head] within it. Through that chi silhouette, this seemingly immortal-bestowed ability had become anchored in his dantian.
"That's all?" Pei Ye felt no change.
"That's all."
"If you'd told me earlier that you were that cat..."
"A cat you've spent two days with is enough to earn your trust?"
"Hmm, I'd feel a little closer to you. And I like it a lot."
"You had best not presume to treat others as pets."
"...Sorry."
"Since we now share our flourishing and decline, may I ask you something?" Pei Ye said after a brief silence. "What exactly has happened to my body?"
Within this dream, he could look inside himself. The good news was that the injuries to all five viscera had healed, and every trace left by the Little Flood Dragon Heart, which had clung to him like maggots burrowing into bone, had vanished. The bad news was that his dantian seed had vanished too; all that remained of it was a dense ball of Dark Blue light.
"Put simply, you achieved what that man originally intended to achieve." Black Chi pondered for a moment. "But what use such a body serves, I do not know either."
"Will I turn into a monster like that?" Pei Ye raised his forearm, covered in blue markings.
"No, but it will still alter your body to some extent. The result of those alterations should fulfill the Torchworld Cult's original purpose, though for you it may fall somewhere between good and bad."
Black Chi thought for a while, then said, "My guess is that what lies in your dantian is a mass of nourishment for a seed to grow in."
"A seed? A dantian seed? But it already dissolved mine."
"Yes. An ordinary dantian seed can only serve as fertilizer." Black Chi spoke while continuing to think. "So I believe that what can grow within this must be a stronger, more unusual seed."
"...I've never heard of dantian seeds being replaceable."
"You haven't?" Black Chi sounded somewhat surprised. "Why do I feel that this ought to be quite commonplace?"
After a little thought, Black Chi said irritably, "...I have lost many memories."
Pei Ye gently patted the enormous body beneath him.
"But I should be right," Black Chi finally said with conviction. "You need to find that seed. The Torchworld Cult must know where it is."
Chapter 24: Settled
On the fifth day of the eighth month, the weather finally cleared. Sunlight pierced the clouded gloom and shone into the little town, swiftly melting away every trace of the damp chill that had shrouded it for two days. Washed clean by the downpour, the small county town of Fenghuai had green grass and fresh air, bright eaves and black tiles. Even the hazy distant mountains seemed much closer.
When Pei Ye opened his eyes, he was in a bed at the County Office.
A sense of ease, both familiar and strange, came from his body. Strength lay gathered in his limbs, ready to spring forth. Every breath could flow freely and unhindered into the depths of his lungs, while his chest and abdomen were so docile and quiet.
Pei Ye stared blankly at the ceiling. Only after a long while did he realize that this state was called being healthy.
He flexed his waist and sat up. The buildings outside the window were still collapsed, but the courtyard had already been cleared.
Just then, the door opened, and the monkey-sharp boy came in carrying tea with his head lowered, his eyes still red. He looked up and gave a startled "Ah!" before saying, "Brother, you're awake? I'll go fetch the magistrate right away."
Pei Ye's mind was still a little sluggish. Only after watching the boy set down the tea and leave did he remember that he should ask whether the other boys, who had fled in different directions, were safe.
He swung himself out of bed. His body was clean and fresh. Lifting his undershirt, he found the skin of his lower abdomen smooth, without a single scar. The blood vessels in his right forearm still seemed filled with thick, Dark Blue flames. The abundant sense of strength made him clench his fist.
He lifted the lid from the tea and looked down into it. The Fire Talisman on his forehead had vanished without a trace.
The door opened again, and Chang Zhiyuan entered, his face deeply lined and composed. The old man's white hair was disheveled, his expression weary. His left arm was fixed in a splint and hung in a sling from his neck; it seemed it had yet to receive proper attention.
The upheaval had taken three of Fenghuai's four officials, leaving only Chang Zhiyuan to handle the aftermath. It was easy to imagine the weight of the countless tasks resting on the old man's shoulders that day.
"Have you rested well? Does anything feel uncomfortable?" The old man's voice was as low and gentle as ever.
"I'm completely better. Lord Chang, how are things now?"
"Thanks to your martial prowess, every enemy was killed last night. Lords Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yizhang arrived this morning as well. We have finished inspecting the cellar in the west of town and are now wrapping things up," Chang Zhiyuan said. "The other six victims all survived. Fortunately, Lord Zhao Yizhang brought several precious medicinal pills, and the three whose limbs that villain mutilated received treatment fairly promptly. They should all be out of serious danger."
Pei Ye breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."
"The prefecture has confirmed that this is an evil cult called 'Candle World.' It was almost entirely wiped out fifty years ago and has shown little activity in recent years. We never expected it to turn up here so suddenly." Holding the armrest, Chang Zhiyuan slowly lowered himself into a chair, picked up a cup of tea, and drained it. "While you were dealing with them, did you hear anything about their objective?"
Pei Ye shook his head and held out his right arm before Chang Zhiyuan. "Turning that villain into something like me seems to have been their objective."
"While you were unconscious, I already asked both lords to examine you. Neither could make sense of it either," Chang Zhiyuan said. "Does it hurt?"
Pei Ye shook his head. "I don't feel anything. I'm even much stronger."
Chang Zhiyuan frowned slightly and sighed. "Never mind. I know nothing of such matters either. But this case must be handed over to the Prefectural Government. Let's see what they have to say then."
Pei Ye nodded.
"Have you made any plans for your future?"
"Plans? I haven't thought about it yet."
"For a martial practitioner, the paths are essentially sects, the military, and the imperial court. Your dantian seed seems to have undergone some strange change, so the sect path is closed to you for now, but the other two remain open. I happen to have an official document asking me to recommend talented locals for the Golden Autumn Martial Contest at the end of the month. As you know, Bowang Prefecture has three places in next year's Divine Capital Martial Exam, and this Golden Autumn Martial Contest will determine the first." Chang Zhiyuan continued, "If you're interested, I'll put your name forward."
Pei Ye paused, only then realizing that the season when countless martial practitioners throughout the realm eagerly prepared to test themselves had come around again.
The opportunity he had so often dreamed of two years ago-to pit himself against the strongest fighters in the entire prefecture-was suddenly before him. Before his mind could consider it carefully, his body had already nodded. "All right."
"Good. There's nothing else, then." Chang Zhiyuan smiled faintly and gently pounded his legs. "We'll handle the remaining odds and ends. Go home and rest for now. When the people from the Prefectural Office and the Immortal Platform arrive tonight, we'll still need you to come forward."
"All right."
"Mm. If anything is on your mind, you can come to the County Office and find me at any time."
The two walked out of the County Office side by side. Just as Pei Ye was about to leave, Chang Zhiyuan slapped his forehead. "Oh, right. Wait a moment."
He turned and went back into the County Office. When he emerged, he held a sword and a basket. "I'm getting old, and I haven't been able to sleep. My memory just keeps getting worse-your sword. Also, the pear tree in the back courtyard snapped last night and scattered pears all over the ground. Take a basket with you, or it'd be a shame to let them spoil."
Pei Ye accepted the sword, wiped perfectly clean, and the pears, washed until they gleamed with moisture, and thanked him.
After he had walked thirty or forty feet, an aged voice called out behind him again, "Pei!"
Pei Ye turned. Chang Zhiyuan's slightly stooped figure still stood before the steps. Seeing Pei Ye look back, the old man laboriously raised his left hand to clasp his right thumb, lowered his head, bent at the waist, and bowed deeply.
He pushed open the wooden door with its faded peachwood door plaques. A thin, gnarled jujube tree stood in the courtyard. It had never borne a single jujube for as long as Pei Ye could remember, and its withered, wrinkled, shriveled air was exactly like that of the black-robed old man beneath it.
After so many brushes with life and death, this single day apart seemed to have stretched far longer.
"Grandpa Yue," Pei Ye called.
"Hmm?" The old man raised his head.
Before you continue