***Coughed!*** Azrael then coughed up blood, prompting Cecilia to rush to his side and support him carefully. His face appeared paler than usual.
Cecilia wiped the blood from his mouth and chin, her concern evident in her voice as she asked, "What happened?"
"It's just the last resort of the heaven," he paused.
"As I was forcefully removing the curse," Azrael explained, his voice tinged with fatigue, "it fought back furiously. When I was overpowering it, it suddenly tried to self-destruct, aiming to wipe out that old man's soul. To prevent that, I had to use my power to protect his soul, and as a result, I took most of the impact."
As Azrael spoke, his gaze shifted towards the old man, who was now meditating nearby. However, referring to him as an "old man" no longer seemed appropriate. The transformation unfolding before their eyes was remarkable.
At first, subtle changes began to manifest in the old man's appearance. His wrinkled skin, weathered by age and hardship, gradually smoothed out, revealing the flawless complexion of youth hidden beneath. The lines and creases that once marked his face seemed to fade away, replaced by the unblemished canvas of his true form. His hair, once sparse and gray, now regained its luster, growing thicker and darker with each passing moment.
As the transformation continued, the old man's posture straightened, shedding the hunched demeanor of old age for a more upright stance. His muscles, once weakened and frail, now swelled with strength and definition, evidence of the inherent vitality that had long lain dormant within him. Even his eyes, once dimmed by the weight of years gone by, now sparkled with renewed clarity and purpose.
With each passing moment, the old man seemed to shed the cloak of his cursed existence, emerging from the shadows of age to reveal the vibrant essence of his true self. It was as though the curse had merely obscured his real appearance, and now, liberated from its confines, he stood before them in all his youthful glory. And as the final traces of transformation faded away, what stood before them was not an old man, but a man in the prime of his youth in his late 20s.
Azrael, now seated cross-legged, focused on his recovery. After a few minutes, the healthy color returned to his skin, and he opened his eyes. His gaze fell upon the young man kneeling before him, the former old man transformed by the removal of the curse.
"Great Benefactor, I owe you my life," the young man spoke with gratitude. "Not only did you remove the curse, but you also protected my soul from its self-destruction."
"A good general is a living general, after all," Azrael replied with a faint smile. "I can't just let you die if I intend to use and work you to the bone. You can only leave after fulfilling your share of work."
"Still, this is the greatest debt I have ever received from anyone," the Saint Lord, now bearing a youthful appearance, looked at Azrael with resolve. "May I know your name?"
"Azrael."
"You mentioned you want me as your general, right? Then," he stood up with dignified bearing, placing his palm over his chest, directly above his heart.
"I, Li Po, the Sage One, willingly initiate a Great Dao Loyalty Contract with my Benefactor, Milord Azrael. I shall serve him for eternity, wielding my swords as his loyal general and standing as a soldier on the front lines."
The power of the Great Dao gathered before Li Po, coalescing into a rectangular shape resembling a piece of paper. With a solemn expression, he accepted the manifestation, allowing it to subside into his being, specifically into the depths of his soul.
The Great Dao Contract is a formidable binding method that secures the promises of Saints through the power of the Great Dao. It exists in two distinct forms, each with its own rules and implications.
The Mutual Agreement Contract involves two or more parties mutually agreeing upon clauses and promises. These contracts interconnect with each other before embedding themselves within the souls of the involved parties. Voiding such a contract requires the unanimous agreement of all parties involved.
On the other hand, the Loyalty Contract is initiated by a single party, unilaterally binding themselves to specific terms and promises. Unlike the Mutual Agreement Contract, this type of contract cannot typically be voided by the party involved. Instead, it remains in effect until all stipulations within the contract have been fulfilled, earning its name as the Loyalty Contract.
Azrael was initially surprised by Li Po's decision to initiate a Loyalty Contract, as he had intended to propose a Mutual Agreement Contract considering the Saint Lord's pride and morality. However, he welcomed Li Po's gesture with gratitude, recognizing the eternal loyalty promised within the contract. With such a solemn vow of allegiance, Azrael understood that the contract would remain unbroken, as Li Po had sworn an eternal loyalty that transcended mere agreements.
Azrael smiled and stood up. "This is more than welcome."
Li Po bowed respectfully. "Thank you for welcoming me, Milord."
A symbol began to form in front of Azrael and flew towards Li Po, who welcomed it with open arms.
"Don't worry, that's not a slave mark," Azrael explained. "It's a symbol that will directly alert you if any of my people are around you. Although the contract will somewhat signal you with a painful warning if you ever try to harm them unknowingly. It's better to know in advance without crossing a line."
"Thank you for your generosity," Li Po replied gratefully.
The symbol also had another function: it would send a signal to Azrael if Li Po ever harbored thoughts of betrayal. Although such thoughts were unlikely due to the loyalty contract, having an additional layer of security was prudent. Azrael kept this part to himself, as revealing his security measures would be unwise.