Chapter 7
-----------------------------------
The next morning, the third young master finally opened his eyes, sending the entire household into a frenzy. Housekeeper Bo, ever the dutiful servant, immediately sent a few errand boys to a local shrine to burn incense and offer donations as thanks.
City Supervisor Li Xiping somehow caught wind of the news and, not missing an opportunity to curry favor, brought his personal doctor to assess Xu Zhenyan. Finding the youth in stable condition, he soon excused himself, blaming his busy schedule. However, he promised to send his fastest bird to central province with a missive for Xu Tianwang.
Currently, the boy in question reclined against his pillows, surrounded by a small crowd of individuals. Despite his frail and tired appearance, he spoke animatedly with them.
"But young master, how did you end up in such a state…?"
Housekeeper Bo's tone was filled with concern, also reflected on his round face. Someone not in the know might assume it wasn't his employer laying there, but his very own son.
"It's probably as you suspect. When I saw storm clouds gathering, I headed for high ground, wanting to find a cave or grotto to spend the night. However, on my way there, something inconceivable happened…"
Xu Zhenyan spoke in a quiet, raspy voice, the listeners having to strain their ears to hear. Yet, before he could finish, a violent coughing fit suddenly beset him.
When Lee Shin saw this happening, he shot a glance toward housekeeper Bo. The man, savvy as he was, quickly caught on to the bodyguard's meaning. With a wave of his sleeve, he dismissed the gathered servants.
"The third young master needs his rest. Don't make things inconvenient for him."
Lowering their heads, the maids left reluctantly. Xu Zhenyan never visited the Eastern Province villa, so they were rather curious about him and his story, but there was no recourse.
Yet, when Feng Xian'er turned and followed the others, housekeeper Bo put a hand on her shoulder.
"This is my daughter, young master Xu. While you were unconscious, she was the one caring for you."
Smiling ingratiatingly, he bowed toward the boy. Though he didn't say much, both Lee Shin and Xu Zhenyan understood his motives—it was an attempt to prop up Feng Xian'er.
The bodyguard frowned, finding the behaviour inappropriate given circumstances, but the Xu clan's young master raised a hand placatingly.
"It's all right, she can stay."
He didn't look at the girl, but his tone was kind.
Houskeeper Bo showed a pleased expression.
"Thank you, young master. It's her good fortune to remain by your side."
He glanced at his daughter, who stood there demurely, not saying much.
Inwardly, the father was a bit dissatisfied. Now was the time for Feng Xian'er to be sensible and show her good side, not stand around like a statue.
Yet, before he could prod her, Xu Zhenyan suddenly cleared his throat.
"…as I was saying, on my way up the mountain, something strange happened."
When he started speaking, the three visitors' attention immediately returned to him. Lee Shin showed a look of concern, which Xu Zhenyan picked up on. However, he doubted it was for his health. Instead, he suspected the man was worried over him letting something slip.
Of course, there was no way he'd tell the truth, not even to Lee Shin or his father.
"Thinking back, I can hardly believe it myself. I heard stories of people being struck by lightning, but even when the clouds roiled above my head, I wasn't too worried. After all, there was no way it would really happen, right…?"
Xu Zhenyan trailed off, apparently caught in remembrance. A shadow of terror was cast over his features, as if vividly recalling how a bolt of white lightning came down on top of his head.
The listeners' felt their hair standing on end. Could the third young master be telling the truth? It was too inconceivable…!
"Young master, you mean…?"
Lee Shin posed the question hesitantly, gears turning in his head. The strange backlash he experienced when rescuing Xu Zhenyan suddenly appeared at the forefront of his mind. Could a heavenly tribulation have been responsible for his wild soul force? He struggled to believe it—those were simply a myth!
Xu Zhenyan revealed a rueful smile.
"What you're thinking is correct, though I dread to say it. While I have my fair share of sin, I never thought the heavens would punish me directly…"
He opened and closed his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something else, but decided against it.
Lee Shin immediately shook his head.
"Don't be ridiculous, young master. The Xu clan has long dealt with judicial matters, so the villains that wander this earth, I know better than most. Day and night, they consider only evil things, yet receive no heavenly judgement."
His decisive tone immediately helped dispel any growing doubts Feng Xian'er and housekeeper Bo may have had. The rotund man, never one to miss an opportunity, chipped in as well.
"Besides, if the heavens wanted your life young master, how could you have survived? Also, under our care, your condition will only continue to improve!"
He straightened himself and squared his shoulders, looking very dependable at that moment.
Xu Zhenyan couldn't help chuckling dryly.
"Thank you both, I appreciate the sentiment. In any case, the thing most occupying my thoughts right now isn't heaven's will, but whether I'll soon get something to eat."
His words were scarcely cold when a rumbling noise sounded from the direction of his abdomen. Glancing embarrassedly at his three visitors, the boy laid his hands on his stomach.
Housekeeper Bo was the first to respond, turning on his heel before heading toward the door.
"Those maids, only knowing how to gossip! If your rice porridge isn't finished yet young master, I really won't let them off…!"
Speaking angrily over his shoulder, the man stomped down the hallway, his feet thumping against the wooden floorboards.
When he was gone, the room turned silent. Xu Zhenyan didn't mind it, simply laying there with his eyes half-closed.
Off to the side, Lee Shin stared at him, wearing an inscrutable expression. To the boy, it was clear he had some doubts about the story, but that was neither here nor there.
After a while, the bodyguard spoke up, having decided to excuse himself.
"I won't disturb you any longer, young master. Please take good care of him miss, and don't hesitate to call for me if there's anything."
The latter sentence was addressed to Feng Xian'er, standing nearby with folded hands. When the girl nodded her agreement, Lee Shin turned and left as well.
Then, it was just the two of them.
"Sit over there, otherwise you'll get tired from standing."
Looking the young maid up and down, Xu Zhenyan directed her to a nearby chair. With everything going on, he hadn't really paid attention to her until now.
'She's not bad.'
Feng Xian'er wasn't your typical jade beauty, but she was still attractive. He would describe her as the 'girl-next-door' type, having pretty features without pimples or blemishes and a good figure.
"You were taking care of me, I hear."
When she'd seated herself, Xu Zhenyan casually asked the question, making conversation.
Feng Xian'er nodded.
"Yes, young master."
Not meeting his eyes, the girl gave a quiet reply.
Xu Zhenyan hummed. It was a bit interesting—she was understandably shy, but mixed with another type of discomfort. However, he didn't give it much consideration. Right now, there was something else he found far more interesting.
'…I managed to attain the [Immortal Transformation Technique]!'
Despite its name, the technique was more a body overhaul than anything else. It was essentially a complete opening of the meridians, allowing the user to freely absorb spiritual energy from the natural environment.
In any other setting, this might be taken for granted, but in the world of 'Immortal Devil Transformation', its significance couldn't be overstated.
Most people would never even be able to sense spiritual energy, never mind cultivate their own. Those that could weren't able to extend their senses beyond their bodies—even at the highest level, cultivators only had their own reserves to work with.
The only way for them to grow their soul force was through tonics and medicine, as well as bitter training. Fundamentally, spiritual energy was a kind of life force. Like the physical body, it responded to strain through growth.
Consequently, native cultivators depended heavily on the innate quality of their soul force, as well as receptiveness to tonics and natural growth potential.
However, through the [Immortal Transformation Technique], Xu Zhenyan essentially escaped the system. Not only could he massively boost his cultivation speed by absorbing environmental ki, he could manipulate that ki as well.
It was almost like having an infinite fuel tank—the only limit being his own body. However, like what happened during his 'tribulation', the amount of natural ki he could handle was limited. If he tried to hold or circulate too much through his meridians, he would seriously injure or even outright kill himself.
For that reason, the main perk of the [Immortal Transformation Technique] wasn't chain-casting tier-nine spells like a mage with infinite mana, but instead to boost his cultivation speed. Of course, that was already a tremendous advantage, something every martial artist would kill for.
On top of that, he gained something like a sixth-sense. It would be almost impossible for someone to sneak up or hide from him.
Even now, with his eyes closed, he could 'see' the room's insides. It was difficult to describe, but somewhat similar to echolocation, or at least how he imagined it. However, the impression created by his mind was fairly low-resolution, not suited for sensitive work.
The biggest testament to the [Immortal Devil Transformation]'s formidableness was the fact that his cultivation advanced by two major realms. While asleep.
Exercising a considerable amount of willpower, he managed to fight off a giddy smile.
'Things are going to get interesting, from now on.'
-----------------------------------
Advance chapter available for $1.
https://www.pa tre on.com/user?u=59309466