Chapter 50: The Disciple of the Great Sect

The camp was ablaze with light, its main tent bustling. Having shed his armor and bare-chested, Yuan Baiyi sat with his entire right shoulder mangled and bloody, his expression grave, as though deep in thought. Beside him, Nie Xun held a small knife, deftly slicing away the fetid, decaying flesh corrupted by demonic poison from Yuan Baiyi’s wound, all the while sprinkling pale red medicinal powder across the injury. Yet, the powder’s effect seemed wanting; it barely stemmed the advance of the poison. The rotting area grew ever larger, a shadow of black creeping even across the bone. Nie Xun, sweating profusely, hands trembling, fretted aloud, “Commander, this demon poison is fierce. Our powder can’t stop it.”

“Our medicine was meant for monsters with scales, fur, or feathers,” Yuan Baiyi replied, glancing at his wound, his tone contemplative. “The beast that wounded me wasn’t a living creature turned demon. Its poison isn’t something our powder can cure.” Though the demonic toxin wouldn’t claim his life, the wound’s persistence would slow his pursuit of the two monsters. If too much time was lost, they would surely escape far beyond reach.

“Perhaps I could try?” spoke Qi Xiu, who had been quietly observing from the side since being summoned. Yuan Baiyi looked up, surprised, then smiled lightly. “Young Daoist, you truly possess many talents. Then I must trouble you.” Qi Xiu nodded, stepped to Yuan Baiyi’s side, and drew several Suppression Talismans from his robe, pressing them firmly onto the wound.

A sizzling sound echoed—threads of golden light shivered, wisps of white smoke rising. The wound writhed with black, sticky demonic poison, wriggling like maggots, but it was forced out and dissolved into black smoke. Once the poison cleared, Yuan Baiyi’s flesh immediately began to regenerate; the rotten tissue sloughed away, new buds of flesh sprouting, visibly improving.

Good heavens—like a Wolverine! Qi Xiu stared in astonishment at Yuan Baiyi’s extraordinary healing speed.

“Go now,” Yuan Baiyi said, donning a light garment and waving Nie Xun away. “I am indebted to the young Daoist for saving my men from harm tonight. Yuan Baiyi thanks you sincerely.” Rising, he clasped his hands to Qi Xiu with genuine gratitude. Yuan Baiyi had poured much effort into assembling this Western Wind Regiment; any loss was deeply felt. Had Qi Xiu not helped tonight, the battle at the city gate would have cost at least a dozen lives.

“Commander, you are too kind. Banishment of demons is my duty,” Qi Xiu answered, uncertain if Yuan Baiyi had mistaken him for someone else, but followed suit.

“Young Daoist, though you seem quite youthful, your talismanic arts are exquisite. May I ask, who is your esteemed master?” Yuan Baiyi’s question made Qi Xiu realize instantly—he had been mistaken for a disciple of some grand sect. Thoughts whirled, but he answered without hesitation, “To be honest, my master complained of my mediocre talent and only accepted me as an outer sect disciple. He instructed me not to mention his name, lest I embarrass him. I am not worthy of the Daoist title; Commander, please call me Qi Xiu.”

Outer sect? Yuan Baiyi recalled Qi Xiu’s earlier display of talismanic agility—a clear path of both martial and spiritual cultivation. Yuan Baiyi’s expression grew odd. Mediocre talent? When did the Spiritual Radiance Sect become blind? No, the sect’s people are eccentric, not stupid. Such talent would be coveted by any major family or sect. There’s no way the Spiritual Radiance Sect would admit him as only an outer disciple. Likely, this youth is the disciple of some roaming master from the sect, left to hone his temperament in the world. Such peculiar thinking would not be unusual for them.

Having sorted out Qi Xiu’s identity, Yuan Baiyi’s gaze grew confident, even sympathetic. What was that expression? What did he understand? Qi Xiu felt he had successfully misled the Commander.

“Qi Xiu—a fine name. In truth, I summoned you here to ask for your help in the complete extermination of the two monsters, restoring peace to the people of this land.”

“Commander, you jest. I don’t—wait, two monsters?” Qi Xiu was taken aback. Wasn’t there just the fox demon?

“Yes. As I fought the fox demon earlier, another monster lay in ambush. My wound is thanks to it.” Qi Xiu frowned. If Yuan Baiyi struggled, what could he offer but a double sacrifice?

Noting Qi Xiu’s concern, Yuan Baiyi explained, “Though the monsters wounded me, they were hurt worse. The fox demon lost two tails to my sword and suffered a broken demon barrier—seriously injured. The stone demon, resembling a Buddha statue, was struck by my blade and shattered half its body. Both are heavily wounded, unable to flee far, and must be hiding. If the army scours the mountains, they’ll escape for certain. That’s why I wish you to join me. Help delay one monster, and after I slay the other, we’ll unite to finish the remaining one.”

“This… may not be wise,” Qi Xiu replied, his expression uneasy. This was more than winning favor—it was staking his life.

“Name your price,” Yuan Baiyi leaned back in his chair, voice calm but edged with authority.

“Anything at all?” Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered, echoing back.

“Anything.”

“Including true arts?”

Qi Xiu still fretted about the matter of true arts. Yuan Baiyi, as an imperial official, surely had access.

“True arts? What do you want them for?” Yuan Baiyi asked, puzzled.

“My master thought me dull and never taught me cultivation methods, only a portion of talismanic arts to practice,” Qi Xiu continued seamlessly with his earlier lie.

“Oh,” Yuan Baiyi nodded knowingly, ever more sure of his earlier deduction. This odd behavior was indeed characteristic of the Spiritual Radiance Sect.

“How many volumes do you want?”

“How... many?” Qi Xiu was stunned. Weren’t true arts rare? Why did Yuan Baiyi speak as if they were sold wholesale?

Seeing Qi Xiu’s surprise, Yuan Baiyi explained, “Such unfortunate disciples of great sects exist only in the Spiritual Radiance Sect. True arts are precious to ordinary folk, but to those above the threshold of the Dao, they're nothing more than waste paper. If you wish, our regiment holds several transcribed copies; you may read them, just don’t share them outside. But let me warn you: true arts are key to entering the Dao. Disciples of great sects usually learn a lineage’s true art, so that upon entering the Dao, they can inherit the fundamental teachings. If you recklessly study arts from another lineage, it may affect your path after entering the Dao. Think carefully, lest you hinder your own sect’s inheritance.”

What inheritance? Qi Xiu muttered inwardly, then clasped his hands in thanks. “Then I must trouble the Commander to lend me those volumes.”

Seeing Qi Xiu’s determination, Yuan Baiyi no longer pressed the issue. “Very well. Nie Xun, fetch the copies of true arts from the regiment and deliver them to Qi Xiu.”

Nie Xun’s acknowledgement came from outside the tent. A ripple of relief and satisfaction stirred in Qi Xiu’s heart. Who would have thought? That elusive true art he had sought for so long was obtained so easily, and in several volumes at once. Being conscripted was indeed worthwhile.

…