Chapter Twenty-Two: The Birth of Inner Demons

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Birth of Inner Demons

Eli Mason watched as Lucas's figure gradually disappeared into the distance. He stood silently, deep in thought.

After agreeing to come back for the medicine the next day, Lucas had thanked Eli and left, saying he needed to recuperate further.

During all this time, Eli never questioned Lucas about the reason he took such a dangerous secret medicine. Eli knew that asking wouldn't change anything that had already happened.

The fact that Lucas was willing to trade his future for the present glory and honor indicated that he had compelling reasons for his actions. No one would willingly choose a slow, costly form of suicide unless driven by something severe. Forcing him to explain his reasons would only reopen old wounds.

Eli's decision not to pry into Lucas's reasons proved to be right. Before leaving, Lucas was visibly grateful for Eli's understanding. Though he didn't say it out loud, Eli knew that Lucas now owed him a significant favor.

Eli planned to honor his promise and keep Lucas's secret. Moreover, he decided to prepare the pain-relieving medicine for Lucas as soon as he returned to the valley.

The reasoning was simple: since Lucas hadn't acted treacherously and killed him, Eli would ensure that Lucas owed him a more considerable favor, making it difficult for Lucas to refuse any future requests.

Lucas's martial skills would only improve in the coming years. The stronger Lucas became, the more beneficial he could be to Eli. Even if Eli didn't need Lucas's help in the future, it wouldn't matter. Helping someone who wasn't entirely bad would still be satisfying for Eli. Although Lucas might not be a good person, he was unlikely to pose a threat to Eli after today's events.

After carefully considering everything, Eli felt there was nothing he had overlooked and slowly made his way back to the Mystic Gate.

Upon returning, Eli immediately began preparing the secret medicine Lucas needed. The pain-relieving formula wasn't difficult to make, as all necessary ingredients were available in the valley's herb garden. The process was just tedious and required careful attention.

After a busy afternoon, Eli had prepared enough medicine to last Lucas a year. He could have made more but wanted Lucas to return each year for his supply, ensuring he wouldn't forget this favor.

As evening approached, Eli did something unusual. He sat on a chair outside his hut, looking up at the starry sky and the bright moon, deep in thought.

Eli found himself reminiscing about his family.

He had left his parents over four years ago. Since joining the sect, his days had been filled with rigorous training, leaving him little time to think about home. He hadn't returned home even once, only sending most of his monthly allowance back. Each year, he received a letter from Uncle Zhang, written on behalf of his parents, assuring him of their well-being. The letters were brief, mostly updating him that everything was fine and mentioning little else. He knew that the silver he sent had improved their lives significantly. His elder brother had married and started a family, and his second brother was engaged and likely to marry the next year. All these changes were due to the money Eli sent home. Yet, Eli had sensed a growing formality in his family's tone, almost as if they were addressing a stranger. This initially frightened Eli, leaving him unsure how to respond. But as time passed, that fear faded, and his family's image in his mind grew increasingly distant.

Only on nights like this, prompted by the serene surroundings, did Eli allow himself to think about his family, recalling the warmth and comfort of home. These memories, now rare, felt precious and soothing, something Eli cherished deeply.

Eli placed his hand on his chest, feeling the small leather pouch containing his amulet through his clothes.

In the past, just touching the pouch brought him a sense of peace. But tonight, the more he touched it, the more restless he felt.

An inexplicable sense of frustration overwhelmed him. His emotions were uncontrollable, his body felt out of sorts, and his internal energy churned wildly.

The thought of "deviation" suddenly flashed through Eli's mind. He stood up, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down. With Doctor Mo not around, he had to handle this crisis alone.

Why would he deviate without reason? Eli was puzzled. Now wasn't the time for deep reflection, but identifying the cause was essential for resolving this issue.

He looked around, searching for anything out of the ordinary.

Touching his chin with his right hand, his elbow brushed against something bulky. Instinctively, he looked at it.

"Leather pouch… amulet…" The words echoed in his mind.

"Could it be causing this trouble?" Eli wasn't sure but knew he couldn't afford to hesitate. His condition was worsening, and he was on the verge of losing control.

Decisively, Eli ripped the pouch from his neck and threw it far away.

"No, this feels even worse. My agitation is increasing, and the energy within me is more turbulent."

Eli barely suppressed the internal chaos, staring intensely at the leather pouch, hoping to find the cause of his deteriorating state.

His body felt increasingly tense, his muscles quivering. A sudden image of Samantha flashed in his mind. She was a fellow disciple, known for her striking beauty and confident demeanor. The memory of her sultry smile, the way her eyes lingered on him, sent a shiver down his spine.

Eli's thoughts grew more chaotic. The allure of Samantha, her curvaceous figure, the thought of her soft skin against his, only heightened his internal struggle. The combination of his physical turmoil and these seductive images created a potent mix, threatening to push him over the edge.

He bit his lip, trying to force these thoughts away, but they persisted. The tension within him built, his breathing became erratic. He knew he had to regain control before it was too late.

In a desperate attempt to stabilize himself, Eli began to circulate his internal energy, focusing on calming the storm within. It was a struggle, but slowly, the chaotic energy began to settle. His thoughts cleared, the seductive images fading into the background.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Eli regained some semblance of control. He stood there, panting heavily, beads of sweat trickling down his face. The crisis had passed, but the experience left him shaken.

He knew he couldn't allow himself to be caught off guard like this again. Strengthening his resolve, Eli vowed to master his emotions and energy, ensuring he would be ready for any challenge that came his way.

The night was long and restless, but Eli emerged from it with a renewed sense of determination. He was ready to face whatever the Mystic Gate had in store for him, knowing that he had the strength and will to overcome any obstacle.