Chapter 46

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Chapter 46: The Evil Weapon

Lou Yun’s abrupt question made Chang Xiang visibly pause. After gathering himself, Chang Xiang burst into laughter. “Ha ha, lad, you’ve got it wrong. I only influenced some aspects related to your cultivation. As for your IQ and innate senses, those are truly your own natural talents. I didn’t possess the ability to grant you those!”

Hearing Chang Xiang say this, Lou Yun felt an inexplicable relief deep inside. If all his talents were truly gifted by Chang Xiang, then without him, he really would be an utter good-for-nothing!

A tinge of apology entered Lou Yun’s tone. “Brother Chang, never mind then. Please continue!”

“Mmm. Actually, there’s not much left to say. In short, I am a spirit. I lack a physical body and cannot cultivate the way you do. The key to my existence is the spiritual energy you absorb. That’s why before, when you asked me to help heal your father, I told you I couldn’t do it. Forging weapons for you last time consumed the spiritual energy I had painstakingly accumulated, plunging me into a deep coma. Fortunately, your current rate of absorbing spiritual energy is much faster than before. That’s why I could recover a little within such a short time.”

Lou Yun pondered and spoke again. “Brother Chang, did you have a physical body before? You haven’t always existed in this state, have you? Is there any way for you to regain a body?”

After a stretch of silence, Chang Xiang finally replied. “I did have a body before, but an accident occurred… leaving only this wisp of spirit behind. Naturally, there are ways to regain a physical form. However, these methods are still far too difficult for you at your current stage. I won’t speak of them now, lest it distract you. It wouldn’t benefit your cultivation.”

Chang Xiang had essentially finished explaining his origins. This time, it was Lou Yun’s turn to fall silent. A long moment passed before Lou Yun spoke in a low voice, yet with absolute conviction. “Brother Chang, if one day you believe I can help you regain a physical body, tell me. I swear I will do everything within my power to help you!”

Deep within Lou Yun’s body, unseen by the youth, a faint smile appeared on Chang Xiang’s face. “Alright. I look forward to that day.”

…

At the same time, within a small, unassuming room deep inside the Ancient Weapon Academy, ten people sat scattered around a large, round table in the center. Among them were nearly every instructor Lou Yun had encountered since his arrival: Han Tianxiao, Bai Yue, Qian Ruming, and others. At this moment, all eyes were fixed on the elderly man seated at the head of the table.

This was an old man with graying hair and a slightly plump build. His ruddy complexion radiated health, and his demeanor seemed kind and approachable. He was Xia Guanqiu, Principal of the Ancient Weapon Academy, an earth-level magical weapons master, and Xia Zhilan’s grandfather.

Xia Guanqiu cleared his throat. “I’ve just briefed you all on Little Lan’s ordeal during her return journey. The black-robed man sought to kill Yun’er for two stated reasons: first, Yun’er supposedly saw something he shouldn’t have seen; second, Yun’er’s connection to a certain individual. Yun’er’s parents died young; I raised this child with my own hands. The person connected to her… it can only be me. Yet, I genuinely cannot recall earning the enmity of such an individual. So, I wish to ask you all: does this black-robed man stir any recognition?”

The assembled members glanced at one another before settling into deep thought. Xia Guanqiu did not rush them. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, set it down calmly, and watched the group.

Qian Ruming was the first to break the silence, her small eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Men clad in black robes wearing malevolent ghost masks? I know a few. But Yun’er reported his magical weapon itself was entirely black! That… I’ve never heard of such a thing. Logically, a magical weapon of that description would be instantly recognizable and memorable, making it impossible for its wielder to remain obscure. Yet, we’ve never heard of him. Only two possibilities exist: either he is a complete newcomer, or…” she paused meaningfully, “…everyone who has ever seen his black magical weapon is dead.”

Subdued nods of agreement rippled through the room. Most concurred with Qian Ruming’s logic. Everyone, except for one individual.

Han Tianxiao tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop. “There is another possibility,” he offered thoughtfully. “This man attempted to kill Little Lan to silence her – ensuring she couldn’t reveal what she witnessed. So, what kind of event, upon being witnessed, merits murder? What could be that severe?”

Han Tianxiao looked up, meeting the focused gazes of his colleagues. He continued his train of thought. “Little Lan mentioned she saw the black-robed man swallowing something. Even if he were consuming human flesh – and she witnessed it – that alone shouldn’t necessitate her murder, should it?”

He paused briefly before adding another layer. “Combine that with his unprecedented black magical weapon… I wonder: is it possible she stumbled upon him practicing or cultivating some truly vile technique or art? Hence the need to eliminate her, preventing exposure?”

It was precisely at this moment that a disdainful snort sounded from outside the door. “Young Han, you got it right!”

The sudden interruption startled everyone within. However, upon recognizing the voice and processing its message, the initial tension eased.

BANG! The heavy double doors were thrust violently open from outside. A rush of wind swept into the room, carrying the distinct aroma of liquor.

Swinging a liquor bottle with careless abandon, Old Man Feng swaggered inside. He marched straight to the sole carved armchair in the room and plopped down heavily. Immediately, he crossed his legs and tilted his head back, taking a hearty gulp straight from the bottle.

Clearly, everyone present recognized Old Man Feng and was accustomed to his eccentric, unconstrained behavior. No trace of surprise crossed their faces.

Instead, in a near-unison moment fueled by deep respect, everyone stood up swiftly. It conveyed an unspoken rule: while Old Man Feng remained seated, they had no right to sit alongside him.

Xia Guanqiu stepped forward, approaching Old Man Feng with a noticeable degree of deference. “Senior Feng, you just said that Tianxiao’s theory was correct. So, you must know the truth of the matter?”

Old Man Feng didn’t immediately look at him. He tilted his head back for another swig, then shook his near-empty bottle thoughtfully. Only then did he speak, his voice unhurried. “Have any of you ever heard of… the evil weapon?”

The two words – “evil weapon” – detonated silently in the room. Utter shock rippled through every face. Expressions turned to disbelief as people glanced nervously at one another.

The evil weapon was a form of magical weapon. On Spirit Weapon Star, practically any family or Sect with any modicum of history held records concerning it.

Heaven possesses both yin and yang. Humanity is divided between male and female. In this world, everything exists in duality. Since the universal energies encompassed spiritual energy, it naturally followed that a counterpart – evil energy – must also exist.

The term "evil weapon" specifically referred to a weapon coalesced within one’s being by cultivating solely through the absorption of this malevolent evil energy.

While various families and Sects documented the concept of the evil weapon, none contained specific instructions on its cultivation methods. Furthermore, no one had ever reliably encountered an actual wielder of such a weapon. Thus, over time, the "evil weapon" had faded into the realm of legend – dismissed as mere folklore, a creation of ancient imagination. It became assumed that no practitioner capable of forging this dark power could possibly exist in the world.

Had the gathered group of esteemed instructors and the Principal not known Old Man Feng personally – known his peculiar habits cloaked in wine-soaked eccentricity, coupled with his uniquely respected position within the Ancient Weapon Academy – most would have dismissed his words as outright nonsense.

Xia Guanqiu furrowed his brow, his skepticism warring with deference. “Senior Feng… do such evil weapons truly exist in reality?”

“Yes!” Old Man Feng declared with utmost certainty. He continued without pause. “Don’t ask me how they are cultivated. I do not know. And even if I did know… I wouldn’t tread that path. However, I’ve heard this much: forging an evil weapon carries immense risk. But should one succeed? The power wielded by an evil weapons master would far surpass that of any magical weapons master.”

Old Man Feng swept his gaze slowly, deliberately, across the shocked faces assembled before him. His eyes, seemingly clouded by age and drink, seemed sharp and knowing. “Furthermore,” he added gravely, “because of their constant absorption of evil energy, an evil weapons master will gradually descend into cruelty and brutality, consumed by bloodlust. They may even lose their mind… slaughtering indiscriminately! The person Little Lan saw absorbing that energy is highly likely one such practitioner. That is why he sought her death – to prevent exposure. This,” he emphasized, his tone turning urgent, “is precisely why I came today to warn you all. Dispatch a team immediately. Initiate a thorough search for this individual. Eliminate him. Do it while he remains a nascent threat. Delay until he has fortified his cultivation, achieved mastery?” The old man shook his head slowly. “…Then his defeat will be arduous, fraught with peril.”

Having spoken his piece, Old Man Feng hauled himself up from the chair. He stretched mightily, his joints cracking faintly. Pointing a slightly trembling finger at the group, still reeling from his revelation, he barked, “Why are you still lingering? Off with you! Shoo! I have matters to discuss with Lao Qiu [Old Qiu – familiar for Guanqiu] here!”

The command jolted everyone out of their stunned state. Murmurs of respectful farewells filled the air as they exited hastily, leaving only Old Man Feng and Xia Guanqiu in the room.

As the door clicked shut behind the last person, the sternness instantly melted from Old Man Feng’s face. Replaced by a mischievous grin, he chuckled, “So, Lao Qiu… have you met that Lou Yun lad yet? What’s your take?”

The sudden shift in topic took Xia Guanqiu aback. He blinked, then shook his head. “Not personally. But Qian Ruming and the others have reported on him thoroughly. The young man is… unusual. Peculiar. But brimming with latent ability. He’s been designated Special level – slated for intensive cultivation under our program. Furthermore,” Xia Guanqiu’s tone softened slightly, “he saved Little Lan’s life. I intended to meet him soon to express my personal gratitude."

Old Man Feng rolled his eyes dramatically. “Nonsense! That’s not what I meant! I meant… feel him out! Gauge him! As an elder surveying a potential match for his junior!”

An Elder’s perspective?!

This concept caused Xia Guanqiu’s mental gears to momentarily seize. He stared blankly at the wine-fond old man, utterly baffled by his meaning.

Seeing Xia Guanqiu’s confusion, Old Man Feng slapped the back of the chair impatiently, looking like a master scolding an unambitious student. “Little Lan! She’s hardly a child anymore! It’s past time we started considering prospective spouses for her! I’ve been watching this Lou Yun fellow. The boy shows real promise! And Little Lan? Seems rather taken with him! The problem now? The chasm between their cultivation and strength is simply too vast! To ensure my dear ‘Little Lan’ won’t suffer any unfairness or hardship in the future… I intend to lend her a helping hand. Bolster her capabilities!”

Only now did Xia Guanqiu grasp Old Man Feng’s true aim: matchmaking Lou Yun with Little Lan! Ordinarily, Xia Guanqiu would trust Old Man Feng’s judgment implicitly. Were it any other young man recommended by the esteemed senior, acquiescence would follow immediately. But Lou Yun? That presented a significant problem.

A forced, bitter smile twisted Xia Guanqiu’s lips. “Senior Feng… while I haven’t personally met Lou Yun, if you hold him in such regard, he must be exceptional. I know you regard Little Lan as your own granddaughter. Your judgment on her marriage? I would never second-guess… normally. However… regarding Lou Yun… unfortunately, it might prove impossible.”

“Impossible?!” Old Man Feng spluttered, nearly choking on an imagined sip of wine. “The lad’s unwed, the girl unspoken for! What possible impediment? Fear he’ll reject Little Lan? Think her unworthy?!”

“No! No! That’s not it at all!” Xia Guanqiu waved his hands frantically, horrified at the misinterpretation. “Good heavens, Senior Feng! That wasn’t my implication! Ah… I might as well be straightforward. Lou Yun… has already been privately earmarked by the Spirit Weapon Sect as their future son-in-law!”

Old Man Feng’s eyes widened considerably. He stared hard at Xia Guanqiu. “Spirit Weapon Sect? That old turtle Liu Feifan… he’s also set his sights on Lou Yun?!”

“Indeed,” Xia Guanqiu confirmed, lowering his voice. “When Liu Chi visited that day… he mentioned it specifically. Told me in strictest confidence – instructed me not to spread it…”

Old Man Feng slumped back thoughtfully, absently stroking the sparse whiskers on his chin. He began pacing in tight circles within the confined space of the room. “Liu Feifan? I fear that old codger, not a whit! But his woman… ah, his wife is a force I dare not provoke! Ai-yah! However…” A gleam entered his old eyes. “…His granddaughter would be a suitable match for the Lou boy. Both possess outstanding potential…” His expression flickered again. “No… no… impossible! We cannot allow such a promising young man to fall into the Spirit Weapon Sect’s clutches! I must devise a stratagem!”

After several minutes of intense, wine-fueled deliberation punctuated by furious pacing and beard-stroking, Old Man Feng suddenly clapped his hands together with a resounding smack. “Enough fretting! Here’s the plan: I shall commence enhancing Little Lan’s strength! My dear Lao Qiu, your task: Instruct that gaggle of instructors – Qian Ruming, Han Tianxiao, the lot of them! Assign them – Lou Yun and Little Lan – more joint missions! Force interaction! Foster contact! Crucially – forbid him from undertaking missions with that Liu family girl! We need to observe developments! Then? We decide our next move!”

Defiance was unthinkable. Xia Guanqiu couldn’t refuse Old Man Feng. Yet, beneath his acquiescence, his curiosity flared like wildfire. This settled it – he would meet this Lou Yun first thing tomorrow! Just who was this prodigious youth capable of simultaneously captivating both Old Man Feng and Liu Feifan, the revered leader of the Spirit Weapon Sect?!