Chapter Six: A Sudden Turn of Events

The chilling words of Lord Blood Shadow made Qi Fei feel as if he had plunged into an icy abyss. He had no idea what venomous tricks this demon might employ next. Distraught and desperate to escape the claws of Blood Shadow, Qi Fei knew that with his meager mastery of martial true energy, he was no match for such a fiend.

Blood Shadow, proud to call himself a practitioner of the demonic path, would surely consider any plea for mercy beneath his dignity. At the brink of life and death, Qi Fei gradually regained his composure. Suppressing his terror, his blood-stained face tilted upward as he asked, "Master, I do not understand your words."

Qi Fei’s unexpected calmness gave Blood Shadow pause. The demon soon recovered, his voice cold, "Do not feign ignorance before me. I was careless before, too caught up in teaching you the cultivation method, and let slip a flaw in front of you."

Though Qi Fei both feared and hated Blood Shadow, he maintained a respectful tone, saying, "Forgive my presumption, Master. Allow me to hazard a guess at your intentions."

Blood Shadow regarded the composed Qi Fei, unable to suppress a note of admiration. “You have courage. I never expected such boldness from a youth of the wilds. I find myself inclined to cherish talent. Go on, guess my intent. If you are correct, I might not only spare you, but may even take you as a disciple.”

Qi Fei sneered inwardly, not trusting a word of Blood Shadow’s honeyed promises. Yet the demon’s demand for him to guess at his motives suggested a glimmer of hope.

He met Blood Shadow’s gaze without flinching, his mind racing through every word and deed the demon had shown in recent days. Soon, a dreadful suspicion arose within him.

Pieces fell into place: pawn, martial true energy, corpse poison, Daoist Hundred Ghosts, demonic corpse slaves...

Steadying himself, Qi Fei organized his chaotic thoughts and spoke slowly, "I have been puzzled, Master. You were gravely wounded, hunted by powerful enemies—how could you have leisure to display mystical Daoist arts, thereby inspiring me, a mere mortal, to seek apprenticeship? You went further, sparing no effort to help me cultivate martial true energy. While I am grateful, my doubts only deepened."

Blood Shadow feigned confusion, replying, "Did I not say before that teaching you the cultivation method, helping you attain martial true energy, was so you could join me in dealing with Daoist Hundred Ghosts? Why do you still doubt?"

Seeking a thread of hope, Qi Fei dared not show any fear, instead replying boldly, "Master, have you forgotten your earlier teaching? In martial cultivation, until the innate realm is reached, one stands little chance against ordinary Daoist arts. Even with your true energy and elixirs, I have forged my martial soul—how could I possibly harm Daoist Hundred Ghosts, whose power rivals yours?"

Looking at the blood-stained youth speaking so confidently, Blood Shadow truly felt some affection for his talent. Unwilling to let Qi Fei see through his scheme, Blood Shadow replied in a low voice, "It is true that martial cultivation refines the body, reaching the supreme state where the flesh is indestructible. However, Hundred Ghosts practices only Daoist arts, never martial techniques—his body is as ordinary as any man’s. If you forge your martial soul, and I teach you several exquisite sword moves from the profound Heart Sword Sect, you could injure him with a surprise attack. Besides, his power is equal to mine. If we both were wounded in battle, your intervention could decide the outcome. Why do you still suspect my motives?"

Qi Fei, determined to survive, pressed on, "Even so, Master, you mustn’t forget: for Hundred Ghosts to plot and wound you, he must be shrewd and experienced. It would not be easy to harm him. Moreover, if you fought him to mutual ruin, do you not recall my earlier intentions when we first met? May I ask boldly, Master: do you truly trust me? Are you not afraid I might strike you down when you and Hundred Ghosts are both gravely wounded?"

Qi Fei, undaunted in peril, continued, "Master, the method you used to help me cultivate martial true energy was extremely domineering. Had I not been blessed, I would have died then and there. You went to such lengths, yet took such risks. In my view, as long as I became a martial cultivator, whether I lived or died, it would not affect your plans."

Though Qi Fei remained outwardly calm, his terror grew ever deeper. Desperate for survival, he spoke again, "Master once said Hundred Ghosts is skilled in corpse poison, and adept at refining martial cultivators into demonic corpse slaves. I dare to guess: once I cultivate true energy, whether alive or dead, to Hundred Ghosts I would be a gift you prepared for him. With myriad Daoist arts, Master, you are well-versed in martial cultivation—tampering with me would be effortless for you. Having been poisoned by Hundred Ghosts’ domineering corpse venom, logic dictates you should focus on healing, but who would imagine you would risk further injury to enact such a scheme? In the end, I would become a pawn, catching Hundred Ghosts utterly off guard."

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

Blood Shadow exclaimed thrice. With only a few clues, the youth had seen through his entire plan. This child would never remain in obscurity.

Blood Shadow reflected that, now poisoned by chilling corpse venom and pursued by formidable foes, he was truly at the end of his road. Qi Fei’s talent was mediocre, but his intellect was extraordinary. If Blood Shadow used his treasured artifact to transform him, perhaps one day the boy could avenge his deep-seated grievances. Yet, as Qi Fei said, Blood Shadow’s previous malicious plot would leave the youth wary, and even if he imparted all his knowledge, how could he win the boy’s trust—let alone have him willingly oppose the mighty Heart Sword Sect?

Blood Shadow’s expression shifted as his mind raced, lost in bitter thought.

Qi Fei observed this, his own nerves fraying, unsure whether the moisture on his body was blood or sweat. His previous calm had vanished entirely.

It was over. He had guessed Blood Shadow’s intent, but what could he do now? Who knew what vicious means the demon would employ next?

Just as Qi Fei fretted for his life, Blood Shadow’s expression suddenly changed.

Earlier, Blood Shadow had recklessly stirred his remaining martial true energy to help Qi Fei, which triggered the previously suppressed corpse poison. In moments, terrifying black veins twisted across his face.

Blood Shadow’s mind was thrown into chaos as the chilling poison surged through his meridians. His rash use of martial true energy disturbed the balance between his Daoist essence and the poison within—one misstep, and he could be consumed by madness.

Qi Fei slowly stood, watching Blood Shadow hastily marshal his energy to resist the poison. He thought: this is a heaven-sent chance. Better to fight for life than sit and await death.

Without hesitation, Qi Fei clenched his fists, summoned his newborn martial true energy, and launched a strike at Blood Shadow.

But Blood Shadow was no ordinary foe. Before Qi Fei’s punch could land, the cunning demon raised his hand and invoked Daoist arts, once again freezing Qi Fei in place.

Trapped by the immobilizing spell, Qi Fei burned with hatred and frustration. Blood Shadow had invaded his home, plotted to harm him, and now, after their confrontation, was he doomed to die in this valley?

With despair in his heart, Qi Fei could only pray that the corpse poison would finish off the hateful Blood Shadow. Yet, fate was cruel. Watching Blood Shadow’s face gradually return to normal, Qi Fei knew he was doomed.

Blood Shadow subdued Qi Fei’s rebellious spirit, swallowed several pills, and circulated his energy to suppress the poison. After a long time, his complexion improved.

Though he had managed to contain the poison, Blood Shadow’s face betrayed a helpless sadness. Years ago, his heart meridian was damaged and his energy sea shattered, and though a spiritual jade had slowly restored his meridians, his body still bore many hidden wounds. He had hoped to use Qi Fei against Hundred Ghosts, but his reckless use of true energy had now awakened the poison’s chill, which had invaded every channel in his body. It seemed his end was near. Harm begets harm—is this retribution?

Blood Shadow gazed at the terrified Qi Fei, sighing inwardly: Qi Fei was still a youth. Though clever and unflinching under pressure, at the final moment his fear could not be concealed. His heart and will needed further honing.

With this in mind, Blood Shadow sighed deeply and made his decision.

"Very well. Since you have seen through my scheme, I will let you go as promised. As for dealing with Hundred Ghosts, I will find another way. Qi Fei, kneel and accept me as your master."

Qi Fei was stunned. Had his reckless cultivation damaged his hearing? Or had Blood Shadow’s sudden poison attack muddled the demon’s mind?

At that moment, Qi Fei realized he could move his limbs again. The sudden change left him bewildered. Why would the demon not only overlook his earlier defiance but also change his mind and let him go? What was Blood Shadow plotting?

Blood Shadow’s face was stern, and his impatience showed as Qi Fei hesitated. "If you don’t want to die, kneel and accept me as your master. Or do you wish to become a demonic corpse slave under Hundred Ghosts?"

The situation had taken an unexpected turn. Though Qi Fei could not fathom why Blood Shadow would spare him, he dared not delay. He knelt before Blood Shadow.

"Master above, please accept my bow."

Could it be that the demon truly intended to spare him? With such unfathomable Daoist arts, Blood Shadow could have easily killed him—there was no need for pretense. Qi Fei had shown utmost respect before, only to encounter sinister schemes. Now, after fighting back with all his might, Blood Shadow not only forgave him but accepted him as a disciple. The ways of the demonic path were truly unpredictable.

Qi Fei, still a young man, was overwhelmed by relief after his brush with death, and two crimson tears rolled down his cheeks.

Blood Shadow received the bow with an open gesture, his expression less cold than before. "Qi Fei, do you know why I have changed my mind—not only sparing you, but accepting you as my disciple?"

Qi Fei cursed inwardly, thinking: You old fiend dare claim to spare me? You invaded my home, set traps to harm me—this is calamity without cause!

He dared show none of his true feelings, remaining kneeling and answering honestly, "Disciple does not know. I beg Master to enlighten me."

Blood Shadow did not answer directly, instead asking, "Do you know what is the most profound, unpredictable, and venomous thing in this world?"

Qi Fei was puzzled by the question, but before he could answer, the valley echoed with Blood Shadow’s raspy, hate-filled voice.

"It is the human heart. Its danger far surpasses that of Daoist arts; its venom and cruelty cannot be matched by any demonic craft."