LUO FAN
It felt like the heavens struck me dead. The whole world went very still while I stiffened like a corpse.
It was only when I felt a tap on my back that I gasped for air.
"Relax," Ruan Yanjun said. "You're as pale as a ghost."
My whole body felt cold and numb. My fingers trembled frantically.
For months, I had grieved my master's death. I had blamed myself for it. I had allowed them to nullify my martial arts in atonement for my crime. I had willingly subjected myself to torture and had swallowed all the shame and humiliation.
And now this monk is telling me that my master has been alive all along?
I felt so betrayed. I wanted to scream and smash something, but I held all those emotions at bay. "Where is he?" My voice cracked.
"He has secluded himself ever since. He may not want to see anyone, especially you."
"If you know where he is, please tell me."
Han Bao looked away.
"Priest Wei is waiting for an answer," Ruan Yanjun said. "Tell him what you know."
"I heard he's somewhere near the border to the east, living as a hermit on top of a hill near the town of Suyang," Han Bao replied. "As for the exact location, I'm afraid I don't know."
I turned to look at Ruan Yanjun. "Do you mind, Lord Ruan, if I take a break from my job so I can go search for my master?"
"You don't have to take a break. That's part of the reason why I've taken you here. We'll both go and meet your master."
I lowered my head to him. "Thank you."
He did not respond and turned his attention back to Han Bao. "Since you are the source of this poison, check on our priest and undo the damage you've done."
Han Bao did not respond, but I felt a hand reaching for mine. He placed my arm across the table and pressed his fingers over my wrist.
A moment later, he sighed.
"I'm afraid I cannot undo what has been done. There is no cure for the White Vulture, and because it's not really a poison, it's not something that requires neutralization. In other words, an antidote is not possible."
"Are you telling me that there's nothing you can do?" Ruan Yanjun asked.
The monk lowered his head in shame.
Ruan Yanjun sighed. "Since you're useless after all…" He paused and turned to me. "A-Fan, he's all yours now. Seek justice for what he's done to you."
I immediately understood that Ruan Yanjun wanted me to kill Han Bao as retribution for his crime. I was stupefied.
I did resent the monk, but I had no intention of killing him. "Lord Ruan, I assume that you've made a deal with Monk Han. He's done his part. You have to keep yours."
"Oh, but his information is not very useful. He only admitted to his own crime. Why should I provide him protection in exchange for some garbage?"
"Lord Ruan, you must not back out from a deal."
"I'm a businessman, A-Fan. A deal is not finalized unless I see the goods delivered in perfect condition. So far, he has delivered me rotten goods. It's not a good deal."
"Then fine, do not provide him protection, but let him go."
He looked surprised. "A-Fan, you are still suffering because of what this monk has done to you, yet you're letting him go?"
"He's already regretted what he's done."
"Regret? Are you sure? As far as I know, this monk is rotten to the core and will not hesitate to kill you once he gets another opportunity. So be wise and nip the bud before it flowers."
I shook my head. "I won't."
"Then I'll kill him for you."
I grabbed his hand. "Lord Ruan, if you kill him, I won't follow you anymore."
"A-Fan, do you realize the danger he poses to humanity? He has created a dangerous weapon, and he will make it again, and he will even pass the knowledge to someone else, and then the weapon will be everywhere. People will be suffering from a disease that has no cure. Is that what you want?"
Of course not. I would never want something like that. Although Ruan Yanjun made a good point, I wanted to give the monk a chance to redeem himself.
"I understand your perspective, my lord, but Monk Han is an excellent alchemist. This world only has a handful of him. I've already lost my cultivation. He's the only one that's left. Let's give him a chance. With his skill, he can help a lot of people."
"A-Fan, I've put up with your demands quite a few times already. This time, I will no longer heed it." Ruan Yanjun turned to his disciple who was standing by the door. "Kill this monk in front of me."
When the disciple stepped forward, I quickly stood up and hurried to the other side of the table. I pulled Hao Ban right behind me. Alchemists rarely cultivated their martial arts. Most of them were very passionate about refining they'd rather use their precious energy to create magical potions and elixirs rather than splurge it for physical training.
Judging by Han Bao's frail frame, I was certain he was one of those alchemists.
"Do not touch him," I warned.
Ruan Yanjun sighed. "A-Fan, step aside or I'll carry you like a bride and parade you all over town."
His threats only strengthened my resolve to protect Han Bao. "Lord Ruan, if I can defeat your disciple, will you give me Monk Han as a reward?"
Ruan Yanjun laughed. "Since you asked for it, then of course. I'll give you two Han Bao's if you want, but perhaps I should let you know that the disciple you wish to challenge is an Elite Cultivator."
Elite Cultivator, a level five.
I tightened my grip around my stick.
"Do you still wish to proceed?" Ruan Yanjun taunted.
I took a deep breath. I had already given my challenge. I should not back out now regardless of the obvious outcome, but I had an idea. "I do, but you must not interrupt, otherwise, I win."
He smirked. "A-Fan, you're trying to outwit me in my own game."
Ruan Yanjun was a highly intelligent person, so he knew exactly what I had in mind.
I knew that he would not allow me to die.
"Fine," he continued and turned to his disciple. "Gong Meng, do not go easy on our priest, but do not kill him."
Gong Meng bowed to his master before approaching me.
I took a deep breath and initiated an attack with my stick. He easily grabbed my stick and then my wrist. He twisted my arm around and tried to lock it behind my back.
I knew that move. If I failed to get away from him right at that moment, I'd end up in a position where my only option was to surrender not only because it was too painful but because there was really no escaping it.
Before he could completely subdue me, I quickly turned the other way. When he refused to release my arm, I feigned an upward punch to his face. While he raised his free hand to cover his face, my fist landed on his stomach.
He briefly froze, not because it was painful but because he did not even feel anything at all. I knew that I did not have the strength to inflict any pain on an elite fighter like him, so that punch was also another fake to make him lower his guard and give me an opportunity to poke my finger at a very precise spot on his stomach.
This was one of the most basic moves that my master had taught me at a young age. It was supposed to be a trick to temporarily paralyze an unguarded opponent to get an opportunity to escape, but during our travel, Ruan Yanjun had made some minor modifications and had even given it a name — Intimate Contact. According to him, in order to properly execute the move, a delicate touch right on the perfect spot would give maximum stimulation, so it requires both precision and a bit of time.
I succeeded and Gao Meng grunted in pain, but despite my best effort, it was not enough to paralyze him.