31 – Conclusion

I mostly just watch how the process works on divvying the loot. Spirit stones are piled up on one corner. After that the elixir boxes and manuals. The result of all the loot being around 2400 spirit stones, four elixir boxes, and sixteen manuals.

“These cultivation techniques from Wuyi are truly demonic. As representative of the Zixiao Dao (Imperial Cloud Daoist) Palace, I will take all of them.” Qingling said as she took three books. Most of which detail cultivation through insects, Gu as they call them. And the one this Wuyi uses is using Blood Nest Gu, eating virgin’s blood and life to nourish themselves. Then replacing parts of his body with insects. I cringe just from glancing at the manual. The rest are how to cultivate other insects Gu, but it looks like he just mastered a few of them.

“What do you, being a representative of the Imperial Daoist Palace, have to do with these?”

“I see that you don’t know. During the early golden age of Xia, the ruling emperor of the time enacted a great purge of all demonic sects in the world. After that, it is the task of every sect to report and destroy any more demonic manuals to the Emperor. As of right now Zixiao Palace is the one responsible for this matter in Xian territory.” Qingling explains

“Oh, so like the Inquisition after the Second Crusade. Neat.” Remembering the similarity on the shared responsibility. As her sect responsible for disposing of this manual, the Inquisition goes around the world to make sure there’s no cult or religion with human sacrifice existing. 

“This will prompt an investigation no doubt.” I add, remembering how it works back home

“Indeed. The Demon Hunter Hall to be exact. Which will further vilify our sect.” Qingling laments

“How so? Shouldn’t you be more popular?” I don’t get on how her sect will be unpopular because of this.

“No one likes being probed. Besides, any cultivation manual is a viable way to progress and no one wants to relinquish such possession willingly. Even more so a demonic manual that can hide its nature though of course they are extremely rare.” Qingling explains.

“How did your Inquisition become popular then?” Qingling wonder with curiosity

“Oh they are very transparent on the usage of their budget. As they are funded by all Christian nations, a portion of our tax goes to them. Then we get a yearly report on their activity. Corrupt officials apprehended along with their names, heretical cults destroyed, pedophile island sunk with heavy ordinance, then so on. Along with how much money they spent for each operation. Seeing how a cruise missile is used with all the receipts on the expenses, gives a wee joy for all taxpayers.” I let out a chuckle as I remember fondly reading the receipts as one of my favorite past time come Christmas

“I see. Must be nice.” Qingling huffed with a little jealousy

“Moving on to the other manuals.” Qingling continues the divvy

Gujian forfeited the cultivation manual and the nether thread manual from the female cultivator he slain for more spirit stone share. Fumo takes the body tempering technique from the silver body cultivator in exchange for giving away spirit stones. As for me, I get the lion share of the loot. As apparently my timely support and the fact that I have dealt the killing blow against the five of them, the golden core puppet included. I get my thousand spirit stones back. Along with the manuals from Yunyi, the manuals Gujian forfeited, those from the Yougu sect. Which is frankly useless to me as I cannot practice the cultivation manuals but apparently I can trade it back in my sect. 

As for other manuals, I got the manual on how to refine corpse puppets, a manual on making weapons from human bones, the necrotic palm techniques which requires me to practice the cultivation manual of the Yougu sect. The cultivation manual and Nether Thread manual that Gujian forfeited are incomplete on the last parts. The biggest haul is from Yunyi, he alone gave me four manuals. I store all of them for now. Will review them properly later. 

But then I found another box within my storage ring. Which shouldn’t be there at all. Probing with my divine sense, it is an elixir box. Within is the pill the old man gave to me when I first ended up in this world. Is he secretly keeping tabs on me to see if I am safe? It… felt nice to be taken care of. Feels like it is a really long time ago when I ever felt being taken care of by family.

“Now, to the last item.” Qingling said as she pulled out a black banner.

It is the banner that controls the undead last night. Radiating black aura around it. Immediately the air surrounding it smells like an ossuary. I, along with everyone, knows for certain that it is a powerful artifact.

“This is the Nether Bone Banner. The primary artifact of the Yougu sect. This should be a Nascent Soul treasure. But it looks like it was broken and restored improperly. Now it is a Golden Core treasure at most.” Qingling said before offering it to me. I looked at the other two who nodded.

“It is clear that most if not all of us would die if you are not here brother. This banner is rightfully yours.” Fumo then add

“How does it work?” I said as I grip the banner. Immediately how it works streams into my mind. The banner captures souls. Using it as fuel to generate Necrotic Qi. Which will then be used to summon their bones as undead puppets. As long as the banner is fueled, the banner can summon and resummon undead puppets nonstop until the souls within the banner are spent. Then I saw the hundreds of thousands souls still within the banner.

Immediately, I slam the banner to the ground. Once. Then twice. Gujian and Qingling immediately restrained me. The banner wasn’t damaged in the slightest.

“Why are you stopping me!?” I shouted as I struggle to break free

“It is a Golden Core treasure! Even if you don’t want it, it is worth tens of thousands of spirit stones!” Gujian lectures me while he held my right arm

“It is a Golden Core treasure! You can just set free the souls within without breaking it.” Qingling suggest while holding my left arm

“Alright-alright. Unhand me.” I calmly pushed them away

Let’s see. First, plant my feet firmly to the ground. Then I summon the 60mm railgun and FIRE towards the banner!

BOOM!

The banner breaks with an earth shattering shriek. Knocking everyone away from the treasure. Except me. Tens of thousands of blue motes erupt free from the broken banner. Wisps of mortal souls. Free from their torment. For a moment, the sun dims. And the tens of thousands blue motes dance once, then twice in the air as they rise. As if conveying gratitude before they vanish and the daylight returns once more. Brighter than before. Then the ringing from railgun firing on close proximity returns.

—

Unfair! 

Unacceptable! 

Decades! 

Of effort!

If only the banner retains its original might!

If only there’s more than worthless mortal souls within the banner!

Accursed Xuan!

You have wiped my sect!

And now you stop me from reviving my sect!

Gaining Merit at our expense!

UNACCEPTABLE!

I CURSE YOU!

I CURSE YOU WITH MY IMMORTAL SOUL!

EVEN IF I WILL NEVER ENTER THE CYCLE OF REINCARNATION, I WILL DRAG YOU DOWN WITH ME!

The soul of the young sect leader of the Yougu sect gleamed eerily with resentment and hatred. He pours all his hatred, regret, resentment, and remaining soul essence into a final curse. The soul turned Soul Grudge Curse zoomed towards the brightly shining skull headed cultivator. No one notices. Not the daoist from the Imperial Palace, not even the monk from Lingshan temple.

Except him. He caught the soul grudge curse in his hands.

“Wooo, What’s this?” The deer head said casually. His head glows bright like the sun after he destroyed the banner. Radiating a holy and divine aura like some kind of divine creature. But then he took a sniff.

“Smells delicious.” The two words strikes terror to the last remaining sentience within the Soul Grudge Curse

Then the curse saw it. How its jaws opened.

The deer’s jaw opened.

Revealing wolf’s jaw.

The wolf’s jaw opened.

Revealing a serpent’s jaw opened.

Revealing something, that should be a human jaw.

But everything about it is wrong.

Rows, and rows, and rows of teeth.

WAIT!

NO!

IT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS!

Then the jaw closes.

Then chews.

“Salty. Nice.” Such is the last thing the curse hears

—

“You said I glow brighter?” I ask Fumo as I swallow the salty snack. I know I wasn’t supposed to eat random things. But it smells so delicious that I can’t help myself.

“That is correct. It would seem like you gain an immense amount of Merit after releasing the souls and destroying the banner.” Fumo answered with a squint. I looked at the others, everyone was squinting and shielding their eyes.

“Is this thing permanent?”

“The Merit Halo should settle after some time.”

“Alright then. Also, sorry about the sound.” I apologize. To make sure no one stops me, I immediately fire without warning everyone. Not even closing my own ears. For now, I try to absorb this Merit Halo as Fumo calls it into my body. Which works. Somewhat. They no longer cover their eyes but are still squinting. Unfortunately I have no idea how bright I am.

“I never thought you would really destroy it.” Fumo said as he picked up the broken pieces.

“Yea. Sorry about that. I am no fan of necromancy. Using corpses is one thing but using souls will never be acceptable.” 

“Even I am tempted to keep the banner. I hope that I can follow your example.” Fumo then gives me the broken pieces. “Perhaps even the materials can be repurposed for something better also?”

“Perhaps.” I take the materials and store it in my ring. Fumo pressed his palm together and bowed. I looked at the others. Gujian has his eyes still closed, pulling his hair, trying not to say his piece. While Qingling closes her eyes, trying to make her peace from a treasure being destroyed.

“As everything is resolved, I will take my leave. Also escorting Her Highness back home.” Qingling then bowed to the rest

“Oh, wait. One more thing.” I went to Princess Mengli’s servant. The one that should be our enemy but now somehow press ganged into being the princess’ servant.

“What’s your name?”

“This one’s name is Yunyi.” He bowed and introduced himself

“Oh, you share his name. So that’s why.” Then I took the old Yunyi’s corpse from my storage ring. “I think it would be more fitting if you are the one that gives him his funeral.”

The young Yunyi seems to be taken aback. Before accepting the body and storing it in his own storage ring. He looked at me once more, before pulling a scroll of real PARCHMENT! Goddamn! Never thought I would see one still existed.

“Thank you. It means a lot to me. This would be more valuable in your hands.” He bowed and offered the scroll which I swiftly took.

Then he bowed once again before leaving with Qingling and the princess. With them gone, I open the parchment. Which looks like a local map. Showing Jinchuan and the various roads. A little west of the capital, near the mountain range is marked with some kind of spiral symbol.

“Do any of you know what this symbol means?” Fumo immediately closes the parchment when I try to show it. His eyes went wide before calming himself.

“Ehem. It would be best if you show this to the elders of your sect.” He advises but unwilling to tell what it was. Gujian looks confused as he didn’t get the chance to peek.

“That severe huh?” He nods as I reroll the parchment and put it in my storage ring. Alright, another thing that everyone seemingly knows about that I don’t.

“Well, it seems like this is where I say goodbye.” Gujian then pat himself

“How’s your head?”

“I don’t think I will try that again anytime soon. My body still feels weird.” He then pulls out another bigger sword and rides it. “If any of you ever visit the territory of Tianjian Sect, stop by and visit. I will pay for the drink.”

With that said, he flies away. Then I look at Fumo.

“How about you? Still want to accompany me towards the places where I as demonic deer passed?” I ask for confirmation

“Of course.”

“Alright, I just need to pick something back in the capital.”

—

The deer headed cultivator passes through the golden gate. His head glowing bright like the sun. The soldiers followed him. So do the people of the capital. No longer in fear like when he arrives. The king and princess of Jin, followed by the people, move forward to meet him. Then, started by the king, he and hundred thousand citizens kowtow and proclaim their gratitude.

“We thank Immortal for saving our kingdom!”

“Immortal’s grace is as heavy as the mountains!”

“May Immortal achieve the Great Dao and live as long as Heaven!”

They all speak in unison. Making the deer headed cultivator flinch in surprise.

“If not for Immortals’ divine intervention today, our kingdom would have been destroyed and our people slaughtered. From today onwards, The kingdom of Jin shall forever remember Immortal’s great kindness and virtue!

We are willing to erect a temple in Immortal’s honor and offer incense for ten thousand generations.

May Immortals enjoy eternal life and boundless longevity!”

The deer head looks at the buddhist cultivator beside him. Unsure on what to say. Fumo gets the assignment and steps forward.

“Amitabha Buddha…” Fumo shook his head, his expression serene

“King Wanqing, please raise. And have your people raise as well. This monk and fellow daoist only did what was right. We only lent a hand by chance.” He took the king’s hand and helped him raise.

“As for the temple, there is no need. This monk does not seek fame or worship, the others also only do what is necessary before leaving.” Fumo continues. The deer headed cultivator nodded at the back

“However…” Fumo suddenly adds

“If your majesty truly wished to repay this karma, then build a temple not for this monk. But for my brother Danxing here.” Fumo then points at Danxing with an open hand. Whose body froze like a deer in the spotlight. His three sets of eyes bored straight at Fumo’s head as if screaming ‘what the hell are you saying’.

“It is his presence that made us stay and help. And he has freed the souls taken from the two provinces. It is his virtue that should be celebrated.” Fumo then finished speaking. Then silence as everyone awaited his words. Danxing took a rigid step forward.

“Ehem. Well, you are not so bad yourself.” Danxing said to the king. “So… built it also for commemoration and reminder. To govern with Virtue, to treat your people… with benevolence, then so on. That would be best.” 

Then the king bowed once more.

“I, Jin Wanqing, swore to build the temple. Today from the next year forward will be held as the holiday for the entire Kingdom of Jin. To celebrate Immortal Danxing, the Liberator of Souls. Then to my descendants, to hold their coronation within the temple and to swear an oath to govern with virtue and treat their people with benevolence.” The King of Jin proclaimed and kowtow once more. This time, Danxing help him raise

“So… does this mean I no longer have a bounty on my head?”

“Of course not Immortal lord. I will rescind my request to the immortal sects.” The king of Jin answers

“Good good.” Then he moved towards the princess. 

“As for you. I know that an apology will not suffice. But I apologize that I killed your soon to be husband.” Princess Qiuhua still recoils in fear of his presence. Different from everyone, she saw how terrifying he was before.

“Hmmm, this is for you then.” He took out a small box from his storage ring. “This here is an elixir from my old man. Can be used by mortals. Sell it, use it yourself, it is for you to decide.” He grabbed the princess’ very small hands compared to his and put the box in her hand. So the princess can’t exactly refuse.

“There is one more thing I almost forgot.”

—

I looked down on a dead body. It is Xiaochuan. The escort boy from the caravan I helped here. His eyes closed, body already starting to turn rigid. Fumo and a citizen, an innkeeper, beside me. He didn’t get to the shelter in time. Apparently busy running around to fulfill my errand. His head cracked after hitting a wall from being thrown off from the fight between us and the rogue cultivators.

“Where’s Ruolan? Heck, where’s Lao Meng and the caravan he worked for?” I ask on the citizen guiding me to his dead body

“I don’t know. I swear! Princess Ruolan and her caravan members disappear before evening. The rooms they rented at my inn were empty before the soldiers came and evacuated the people.” He explains quickly

So they just… leave him here? What the fuck? Fumo is already praying and giving the boy his funeral rites.

“Bury him properly then.” I said to the innkeeper who immediately do as asked

I looked at the body as he was carried away. I guess, this kind of death is common then? If one is unfortunately caught within the range of conflict between cultivators? Even this city, there won’t be any survivors here if they are not evacuated in time.

“Who’s the boy?” Fumo politely asked

“Just a caravan escort. Never study formally. But he can read!” I said the last sentence like how Xiaochuan would have said it. Which makes me chuckle. 

“He is really looking forward to his lucky silver.” 

And now he will never have it