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Chapter 6: Eradicate or Reform ALL Demonic Cultivators!
🕑 Added 2023-09-29 01:27:34 +0000 UTCFinishing the last dumpling, Slifer leaned back, patting his belly with content. The burp that followed echoed in the room, resonating with his deep satisfaction. "Ah," he sighed, "Eating is truly one of life's simplest pleasures." Then, smirking, he thought, Just because this body doesn't demand it, doesn't mean I'll starve it of its ten meals a day.
Suddenly, the familiar voice buzzed in his head, "Master, I have returned."
Startled, Slifer quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, hoping to look a bit more presentable, though the sauce stains still lingered. Rushing out into the courtyard, he saw Amelia, Fenlock, the 'identical twins'—Caelum and Hughie, and a bald, fat old man who looked like an older, plumper version of the twins.
Are all my lackeys from the same family? Do they have a family discount on loyalty or something?
His chain of thoughts was broken when Morvran stepped forward, presenting a scroll. Slifer's eyes lit up immediately. "Is this..." he began.
"The Heaven Rank scroll, Master," Morvran confirmed.
Ding!
Congratulations
Your Disciples Have Completed Their First Task!
You Have Gained 5 Karmic Credits
You Have Gained An Additional 5 Karmic Credits
Trying to maintain a calm exterior, though his excitement bubbled just below the surface, Slifer asked, "And how many spirit stones did it cost us?"
A brief pause filled the air. Amelia, wearing a smug grin, remarked, "Actually, Master... we got it for free!"
Slifer's eyebrows shot up. Free? In this world, nothing's truly free. There’s always a catch. Did they threaten someone? Or maybe they promised a favor? Oh, not the ominous 'favor to be redeemed later'. That's always a recipe for disaster!
Eyes narrowing, Slifer mused aloud, "So... no cost, you say? That's... unusual."
Amelia, taken aback by her master's reaction, blinked a couple of times. He usually loves it when we acquire things without spending a dime. Why the suspicion now? She tried to regain her composure, "Yes, Master. It was a very... generous donation."
Caelum cleared his throat nervously, "Well, Master, the disciple initially wasn't keen on parting with the scroll. But, we managed to... persuade him."
Slifer's gaze remained fixed on Caelum, waiting for him to elaborate. But before Caelum could continue, Morvran cut in, his voice dripping with a stern pride, "Master, we did what we do best. We demonstrated precisely why he should not refuse you."
A bead of sweat trickled down Slifer's forehead. Oh no, what did they do this time? Composing himself, he inquired, "You beat him up, didn't you?"
Morvran nodded proudly, "Yes, Master. That young man won't be leaving his bed for at least a week."
Slifer's thoughts raced. In a world where minor injuries could be healed with a mere drop of elixir, what in the heavens did they do to him?
Amelia chimed in, her voice tinged with righteousness, "Frankly, he was lucky. For showing such disrespect towards Master, he deserved much worse."
Hold up. If they did that, why did the System reward me with credits? I thought it had an aversion to anything even slightly demonic. Then it hit him. Oh, the System doesn't dock me for violence against demonic cultivators. It's like a cosmic vigilante, putting its crusade against darkness above all else.
Just then, a System notification popped up:
Congratulations!
You Have Uncovered Your Main Quest: Eradicate or Reform All Demonic Cultivators!
Reward: Hidden
Failure: Hidden
Slifer's jaw dropped in disbelief. Eradicate or reform ALL demonic cultivators? That's absurd! The Black Rose Sect's cultivators were practically boy scouts compared to some of the more sinister factions out there. How could one possibly be expected to change or eliminate every single one of them?
His thoughts spiraled. This is insane. What's with the hidden reward and failure? Is the System trying to trap me? His skepticism grew, feeling that the System was acting in bad faith. If the penalty for failure is death, then this is pretty much a guaranteed death sentence. How can anyone even hope to accomplish such a quest?
And then another concern surfaced. Wait a minute, there's no time limit mentioned...
He thought fast, his mind racing. Nope, System, you've got the wrong guy. Why couldn't I have gotten a System that gives me credits for, say, mastering culinary arts or tasting exotic foods? Now, that’s a main quest I could get behind!
Well, as long as it doesn't involve a pie-eating contest. A shudder ran down his spine as he recalled his past life's untimely demise due to such a contest. As he shook off the memories and process his outrageous mission, a tentative voice interrupted his tumultuous train of thought.
Fenlock, who has been looking ashamed and guilt-ridden, finally mustered the courage to speak, "Master, I... I didn't want any part in this. They made me!"
Morvran shot him a sharp glare, while Amelia huffed, "Really, Junior Brother? Snitching on us now?"
Slifer quickly raised a hand, trying to regain his composure. "From now on," he began with a deliberate calm, "there will be no more... aggressive negotiations. Or killings! Unless I give explicit orders, understood?"
The disciples looked at one another, their faces a canvas of confusion. Wasn't violence always their go-to solution? The universal fixer of problems?
Slifer sighed, running a hand through his hair. While the few credits from the System for these acts might seem like a boon now, it’s negligible in the grand scheme of things. Especially when weighed against the potential repercussions. The image of an angered Great Elder came to his mind.
And what if they kept this up? He imagined a future where, by beating up every disciple who crossed their path, they eventually ran into a protagonist-type. Antagonizing such a character meant nothing but certain doom. The mere thought made his heart flutter.
Amelia tilted her head, "Master, aren’t those... techniques... what you taught us? To always make sure your wishes are fulfilled?"
Hughie nodded in agreement, "Yeah, the 'persuade till they agree' method."
Slifer almost rolled his eyes. I have a lot of retraining to do.
Morvran, ever the serious one, added, "It is always effective, Master. A touch of pain can be quite enlightening."
Slifer waved his hands frantically, "That's not what I meant! Well, not to that extent. I wanted you to be diplomatic.”
Hughie scratched his head, "Diplo-what now?"
Caelum nodded sagely, "Ah, I've heard of that. It's where you talk things out before using your fists, right?"
Morvran's eyebrows drew together, diplomacy was a whole new realm for him, "I... see."
Do cultivators get brain fog or something from cultivating too much? Or maybe, given their long lifespans, they just take a few centuries longer to catch on to basic concepts. These disciples of mine... Not the brightest lot.
Perhaps if I can distract them with a task... Slifer thought. He quickly opened the Disciple Management Panel and selected the option to assign a task. A list of missions, ranging in difficulty, appeared before him.
A holographic list shimmered before him:
Current Quests Available
- Gather Rare Moonlit Herbs: Qi Condensation
- Protect the Sacred Altar from wild beasts during full moon: Foundation Establishment
- Save Lushan village from bandits: Core Formation
- Retrieve the Mystic Phoenix Feather from the Azure Mountain: Nascent Soul
"I've got a special assignment for the three of you," Slifer declared to Amelia, Caelum, and Hughie, adopting the tone of a quest master who hands out world-saving missions—except in this case, the heroes might be more villainous than valiant. "The village of Lushan needs your 'expertise.' Bandits have been wreaking havoc there, and you're the ones to put an end to it."
Amelia, Caelum, and Hughie exchanged glances before nodding in unison. "Understood, Master,"
Slifer quickly turned his attention to Fenlock, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere but here. "Fenlock," Slifer began, “get everything prepared for the Master-Disciple Ceremony. We need to make this official."
Ding!
Task Assigned: Prepare For The Master-Disciple Ceremony
Karmic Credits: 10
The sooner I get this ceremony done, the sooner I can put this one to work. Slifer's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a sudden chill that permeated his very being, making his blood run cold. An icy voice echoed in his mind. Come to my quarters, now.
Slifer quickly turned, his face paling, ensuring his disciples couldn't see his obvious fear. That voice. It's unmistakably the Sect Master. He cursed inwardly, berating the disciples in his mind for causing such a ruckus that it reached the Sect Master's ears. Of all the times, why now? I just got here, damn it!
A deeper, more terrifying thought struck him. What if he's discovered that I'm not the real Slifer? That I'm an imposter? He felt the weight of panic set in, his heart thudding wildly against his chest.
Alright, Slifer, you've been in tighter spots before... okay, that's a blatant lie, but how bad could this be?
He winced at his own thoughts. I really need to stop asking questions I don't want answers to.
Gathering his composure, he turned back to face his disciples. "I have urgent matters to attend to with the Sect Master. Focus on your missions, don’t cause trouble.”
Morvran nodded sternly, "Understood, Master."
Amelia chimed in, trying to cheer him up, "Don't worry, Master. The Sect Master probably just wants to congratulate you on acquiring the Heaven Rank scroll!"
Yeah, I’m sure he just wants to congratulate me on putting that kid in hospital… or whatever it is they have here.
Slifer trudged along the path leading to the Sect Master's quarters. Along the way, his eyes landed upon a pristine lake. Its waters, clear as crystal, shone under the sun. The stillness of the surface momentarily distracted him from his troubles.
Wait a minute, he thought, chuckling lightly to himself. Isn’t it a ritual in these isekai situations to gaze into a water reflection or a mirror and finally see what you've become? He knew, thanks to the memories he had inherited, exactly what he looked like. But what was the harm in indulging in a little cliche?
Taking a moment, he approached the water's edge. Bending down, he allowed his reflection to slowly come into view. An aged Asian face stared back, white hair flowed gracefully to his shoulders, matching the thick white beard and mustache that adorned his face. His eyes, however, still held the spark of youth.
Slifer nodded in approval. “Just as I expected.”
Yet, as his gaze drifted down to the rest of his reflection, his brow furrowed in discontent. His robe hung loosely on his slender frame, and Slifer could make out the sharp edges of bones, giving away his emaciated state.
“Did this old man even remember to eat?” he murmured, raising an eyebrow. Ah right, Nascent Soul cultivators live off qi. Who needs food when you can inhale energy?
"No! That's no excuse!" he exclaimed, shaking his head. "A healthy man ought to have a healthy belly!" And by "healthy," Slifer distinctly meant a generously rotund belly. One that would jiggle with every step and be a testament to many indulgent meals.
He gently patted his stomach, as if consoling it. "Don't you worry, little one," he murmured, "We'll get you nice and plump soon."
Suddenly aware of how ridiculous he must seem, he shot a glance around, half-expecting someone to have witnessed his soliloquy. Fortunately, the coast seemed clear.
As he resumed his journey, fragments of memories began to surface. They pieced together an image of the original Slifer's dynamics with the Sect Master. His brows knitted in disapproval. Oh heavens, what was that weasel-like behavior? He cringed at the thought. The former Slifer was a man of many faces, in front of almost everyone, he was proud and imposing, but in the presence of the Sect Master, he turned into a groveling, fawning mess.
Ugh! I refuse to bow down like that! Slifer thought, his face scrunching in disgust. Well… I guess if my life depends on it, then maybe a little bow won't hurt.
Finally, he arrived at the cave's entrance. It was an ominous hole in the mountain, shrouded in dark mists and guarded by eerie formations of rocks that looked like demonic faces. Very edgy, Slifer noted, amused. The Sect Master was the only one in the sect who lived in a cave.
Maybe it's a status thing? Slifer mused. You know, being a demonic sect's leader and living in a creepy cave to add to the aesthetic? But Slifer quickly dismissed that. Honestly, why would anyone trade a comfortable bed for cold, hard stone? If I were the Sect Master, I'd at least have a proper mattress in there.
Slifer had to hand it to him: before the Sect Master's reign, the sect was a chaotic mess. Disciples stabbing each other in the back—literally, elders mysteriously vanishing, and chaos reigning supreme.
However, the events 750 years ago necessitated change. The demonic invasion was a cataclysmic event that not only reshaped the landscape but also altered the balance between the demonic and righteous sects. Slifer remembered it clearly, having just broken into the Nascent Soul realm. The invasion was repelled, but at a heavy cost. The aftermath saw the Sect Master taking the reins, but it also garnered intense scrutiny from the righteous factions who became extremely wary of any demonic activity.
The Sect Master transformed the sect in a way that nobody had thought possible, making it more similar to that of a righteous sect. He had instigated strict rules, regulated inter-disciple fights to official dueling grounds, and even established a merit-based system that reduced the number of mysterious 'accidents' dramatically. More importantly, he had re-strategized their operations to be covert, focusing on resource accumulation and secret alliances rather than wanton violence and flashy displays of demonic prowess.
It's a rather relaxed sect now, Slifer mused, well, if you can call doing demonic rituals and annihilating innocents relaxed.
Slifer heaved a sigh of relief, grateful for the cosmic luck of transmigrating into an elder's body instead of some unfortunate outer disciple. Being a main character in these stories usually means years of abuse. There's always that one time where they find a heaven-defying cultivation manual or some old master's soul, and then—boom!—they're overpowered. But until then, it's all about being stomped on.
Suddenly, a voice jolted him from his daydream. "Elder Slifer," a disciple bowed deeply, "The Sect Master awaits."
Taking a deep breath, Slifer entered the cave. Inside, it was exactly how he would have imagined for a demonic Sect Master in a xianxia novel. Skulls? Check. Dark, creepy lighting? Check. A distinct, otherworldly air of menace? Double-check.
When Slifer’s eyes landed on the Sect Master, he did a double take. Seated on an obsidian throne, etched with intricate patterns, was a man who looked... well, ordinary. The Sect Master could easily pass for the friendly guy who used to work at the local Chinese takeaway—average build, hair neatly combed back, and a face that said 'Would you like spring rolls with that?' rather than 'I am the master of dark arts.'
Is that Mr. Chen? No, wait, focus. This guy is a demonic sect master, not your go-to for Kung Pao Chicken.
But then the Sect Master lifted his gaze, and those eyes—far from the warm, inviting eyes of a man who'd offer you an extra egg roll—were piercing and full of ancient cunning. His skin, though it looked typical, was a front; Slifer knew the man sitting before him had been alive for over a thousand years.
The Sect Master was currently smiling warmly at a disciple who looked uneasy. "You seemed to have taken your time arriving after I summoned you," the Sect Master commented, his voice soft yet edged with a hint of mockery. The perpetual smile on his face was chilling to those who truly knew him.
Slifer knew the deceptive nature of the Sect Master's seemingly jovial disposition, he was as calculating as they came. The smile never reached his eyes, which remained cold and scrutinizing.
"Forgive me, Sect Master, I–" The disciple's voice quivered, his face a mask of confusion and fear. This was his first time being summoned by the Sect Master. He had no idea what the Master meant by being late; he had appeared as soon as he was summoned.
"No need for long explanations. You won't be late again, I assure you," the Sect Master said, his smile widening. With a casual flick of his wrist, the disciple was engulfed in flames. His scream was agonizingly brief as he was reduced to ashes.
A cold sweat formed on Slifer's brow. Was that a message for me? he pondered, his heart racing. He sent a silent apology to the disciple, sensing the true target of the Sect Master's ire.
The Sect Master's eyes, still beaming pleasantly, fixed on Slifer. "Now, Elder Slifer, why did you keep me waiting?" His tone was mild, but the underlying threat was evident.
Oh, fuck! That poor kid wasn’t even late, was he? Slifer gulped mentally. "Sect Master, I...I departed immediately upon receiving your message," Slifer said, voice shaking slightly.
The Sect Master's eyes twinkled with mischief, "Yet, it took you four hours."
Not my fault your cave is a four-hour walk away! Some of us can't just fly around, okay? Slifer raged internally but restrained himself. "I... walked here," Slifer replied, a touch of awkwardness evident in his voice. Walking is great and all, but four hours on a mountain is a bit much. If not for this Peak Body Tempering, my feet would be riddled with blisters by now.
The Sect Master blinked, looking genuinely surprised for a split second. "This once, you're forgiven," he said, his smile never faltering.
Slifer bowed his head, muttering a respectful, "It won't happen again, Sect Master." Yeah, no promises there until I can fly.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, he activated his insight skill.
‘Insight!’
Name: Malachar (True Name Unknown)
Realm: Peak Ascendent Realm
Known Techniques: N/A
Known Affiliations: Black Rose Sect
Disposition: N/A
Slifer's eyes widened slightly, his heart rate quickening. The Peak Ascendent Realm... Slifer recalled what he knew of the cultivation realms. The Ascendent Realm was two realms above the Nascent Soul Realm and was whispered to be the pinnacle of the Human Realms. Once a cultivator broke past that formidable realm, they transcended to the Immortal Realms. Legends spoke of those Immortals living for hundreds of thousands of years, if not more.
And he’s in the 'Peak' stages of that realm. Just how close is he to becoming an immortal?
It was likely that the next time Slifer met the Sect Master, he would have already joined the ranks of the immortals.
A notification from the System popped into his mind.
Warning!
Demon Identified
Eliminate
Reward: 500 Karmic Credits
Slifer felt his knees go weak. A d-demon? He’s an actual demon? His mind raced to connect the dots. The changes in the sect, the need to stay under the radar... He's scheming something massive. Shit, what the hell have I gotten myself into?!
The Sect Master, unaware that his true identity had been discovered, continued. "You’ve been keeping yourself busy lately, I heard you had your underlings rough up a Legacy Disciple. Is that true?"
Ah, there it is. Cold sweat trickled down Slifer’s spine.
Dropping his head even lower, Slifer stammered, "This... this foolish elder admits his mistake, Sect Master."
The Sect Master shook his head but not in disappointment. "It's good to remind those below you of who's in charge."
Is that what you're doing to me right now, you old fiend? Slifer thought bitterly.
However, the Sect Master’s next words gave him slight relief. "The Grand Elder is not pleased with your actions, but he's chosen to stay out of this matter. He believes the Legacy Disciple could stand to face some... challenges in life."
Challenges? Slifer snorted inwardly. With rumors of me finishing off Elder Tarnyx circulating, he'd rather steer clear. Plus, who in their right mind would want to confront a cultivator on the brink of death? Hell, I wouldn’t go anywhere near one, they'd drag you down with them if given a chance.
Despite his inner turmoil, Slifer bowed once again. "Thank you, Sect Master, for your wisdom and understanding."
But inside, Slifer's thoughts were anything but thankful. He wanted to get as far away from this demon as possible!
The Sect Master continued to stare at Slifer. "Something about you has changed," he finally stated, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Your trip seemed to have given you quite a gift—a technique that completely conceals your aura. I can't sense even a trace of qi from you."
Slifer gulped, "Indeed, Sect Master. My travels have been... enlightening."
Enlightening is quite the understatement. From the original's untimely demise to this whole isekai business, it's been one wild ride.
The warmth of the Sect Master's smile contrasted sharply with the frosty undertone of his words. "If I hadn't learned about Elder Tarnyx's unfortunate end, I would've assumed that you had lost your cultivation base entirely."
“For your contribution, I’ve given you 500 merits.” Leaning slightly forward in his obsidian throne, the Sect Master's facade barely concealed his raw curiosity. "But this newfound ability," he said, an unmistakable note of longing evident, "do elaborate."
Slifer could hear the subtle hunger in the Sect Master’s voice, and immediately realized the dangerous situation he was in. Oh heavens, Slifer thought, anxiety churning in his stomach. This isn't a technique, I’ve really just lost my cultivation.
Attempting to play it cool, Slifer hesitated and stammered out, "It's... well, it's not that significant, Sect Master. Just a minor trick I picked up. It's not even perfected yet." He tried to wave it off.
The Sect Master chuckled lightly. "Perhaps, after I emerge from my closed-door cultivation, I could offer my insights on this 'minor trick'. It would indeed be regrettable if you never had the opportunity to perfect it."
Swallowing hard, Slifer hesitated before asking, "And... how long would that be, Sect Master?"
The Sect Master waved his hand dismissively, "A decade at most. You'd best stay out of trouble till then."
As Slifer continued to bow in obedience, internally, his mind raced. System, you'd better have a technique like that in the Shop, or a way to eliminate a demon two major realms above my peak form. Or else I’m as good as dead. No, much worse, he would probably torture my soul for eternity looking for a technique that doesn’t even exist!
Slifer sat on his cultivation cushion in the dim confines of his chamber, still mulling over his unsettling encounter with the Sect Master. That request for the 'technique' could be a big problem, he thought, shaking his head. But that's a concern for future me. First, I need to make it through the next 2 months.
His mood brightened as his gaze landed on the exquisite scroll resting beside him. A smirk spread across his face. "Thought you could play me, System? Well, I've finally gotten one over on you!" Triumphantly, he unfurled the Heaven Rank Scroll, eager to see the secrets contained within.
Activating his Insight Skill, a system notification emerged:
Heavenly Radiance Cultivation Art
Rank: Mid Earth Rank
Gathers The Essence Of The Sun And Moon, Providing A Balance In One's Qi
His elated expression crumbled, replaced with shock and rage. "Mid Earth Rank?!" Slifer's face reddened, and in his anger, he hurled a nearby teacup against the wall, shattering it.
That damned Legacy Disciple tricked me! But another thought stopped him in his tracks. Or did my lackeys betray me? He quickly discarded the thought. No, they wouldn't dare. The consequences would be too severe. It must be that kid!
"That wretch! He deserved more than a mere beating for this deception!" Slifer muttered, glaring at the scroll.
A sudden thought halted his brewing anger. Could it be the System's grading that's different? It wouldn't be too far-fetched. Perhaps the locals deemed it Heaven Rank due to a scarcity of superior techniques.
Rubbing his temples, Slifer attempted to calm himself. Alright, an Earth Rank technique will have to do for now. He took a deep breath, reassuring himself. "I saved a hundred credits, and this should be enough to help me breakthrough to the Qi Refining realm. It's not the worst outcome."
Seating himself in the traditional cultivation position, Slifer began to absorb the words of the technique methodically. He let them seep deep into his consciousness. Closing his eyes, he stretched out his senses, trying to attune himself to the omnipresent qi of the heavens and earth.
There it is... The familiar, yet always elusive, sensation of the natural world's energy grazed his senses. Slifer guessed that his body, having nearly touched the Origin Realm, was more receptive to this qi, making it easier for him to detect.
Tapping into the original's memories, Slifer recollected that the Qi Refining Realm marked the first stage of cultivation. It all revolved around harnessing the universal qi present in everything— from the smallest pebble to the grand celestial bodies like the sun and the moon. Specific cultivation techniques, such as the Heavenly Radiance Cultivation Art, aimed at targeting a particular source of qi, converting it into a form his human body could assimilate, commonly known as ‘Anima Qi’.
To advance to the first stage of Qi Refining Realm, one had to undergo nine cycles of absorbing and converting qi. As you climbed each level within this realm, the cycles required for the next breakthrough would multiply by nine.
“Ah, the significance of the number nine,” Slifer mused aloud. “Always cropping up in Chinese culture.”
He then began to direct the qi, focusing on gathering the essence of the sun and moon. The sun's energy was easy to collect, feeling warm and vibrant as it flowed into him. However, the moon's essence proved elusive. Despite the daylight, the moon hung faintly in the sky, its energy weaker and harder to grasp.
Ah, so that's the catch. Slifer sighed internally. During the day, the sun's essence is abundant, but at night, the moon's essence would be stronger. This balance makes it a challenge. No wonder it's only Earth Rank.
Nevertheless, Slifer continued his cultivation. He gathered, refined, and cycled the qi through his meridians, performing one complete cycle, then another. By the time he completed the ninth cycle, something profound shifted within him.
His body vibrated as if resonating with the universe. A barrier in his spirit seemed to crumble, making room for a greater influx of qi. The sensations culminated in a breakthrough: he had reached the Qi Refining Realm.
Instantly, a wave of new sensations washed over him. He could sense the environment around him within a small radius.
When using the Peak Slifer card, he had been too focused on the battle to take much notice of his spiritual sense, but the influx of information was overwhelming; he had to momentarily sever the connection to regain his clarity. This is disorienting but amazing.
Opening his eyes, Slifer felt a gentle flow of qi circulating through his meridians. It was slow, almost negligible, but it was there. "Finally, I'm a cultivator," he whispered to himself, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "I guess it wasn't that hard. Then again, I am in this old demon's body."
Congratulations On Achieving A Major BreakthroughYou Have Gained 10 Karmic Credits!
His triumph was short-lived as he looked up at his stat screen:
Name: Slifer
Race: Human
Alignment: Demonic
Cultivation: Qi Refining – 1st Stage
Lifespan Remaining: 49 Days
Karmic Credits: 63
Skills: Insight (Basic)
Items: Reversal Cards x2, Peak Slifer Card x2, Critical Block x2
"49 days left." His expression darkened. Time's running out.
"I need to speed this up," he mumbled, resuming his cultivation stance. With newfound urgency, he started channeling qi through his meridians again, sticking strictly to the Earth Rank method from the scroll.
No need to worry about Qi Deviation at this stage, he assured himself. Firstly, the Earth Rank technique was less prone to such risks. Secondly, his body, well-acclimated to qi manipulation, could handle it more efficiently.
Amelia, Hughie, and Caelum soared through the skies on their swords, the wind brushed against their faces, creating ripples in their robes as they made their way toward Lushan Village.
Hughie let out a hearty laugh. "It's been a while since Master sent us to wipe out a village, eh?"
Amelia nodded, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "I was beginning to think the master was getting soft in his old age," she said, alluding to the recent scolding they had received for breaking Zarius' bones.
Caelum looked at both of them, his brow raised in surprise. "Wait, you two think master sent us to wipe out the village?" he asked incredulously. "He told us to save the villagers, not kill them."
Hughie shook his head, a confident gleam in his eyes. "No, no, Senior Brother. Master said to use our ‘expertise’. And Hughie's expertise is killing."
Amelia chimed in, "Exactly, Master said to 'put an end to it.' He didn't specify what 'it' is. So why not the whole village? Don't overthink it, Senior Brother."
Caelum rubbed his temples, a deep sigh escaping his lips. Why are my juniors so dense? He felt a pang of responsibility. After all, he was the Senior Brother. "Listen," he began, "Master wants us to put an end to the havoc, not the villagers."
"But if we kill the villagers, then the havoc ends. Isn't that like killing two birds with one stone?" Hughie replied, genuinely believing his logic was sound.
Caelum took a deep breath, trying to contain his exasperation. They've never been asked to save anyone before. This is new territory for them. He understood where their confusion was coming from; their master's orders often involved destruction and chaos. "No," he asserted firmly, "No killing villagers. The bandits are fair game, though."
Amelia pouted, floating closer to Caelum. "Senior Brother is no fun."
Just then, a light bulb seemed to go off in Hughie's head. "Ah, I get it! The villagers are like Master's cattle, and the bandits are wolves trying to prey on them. Master wants us to shoo away the wolves so he can fatten the cattle for some... demonic ritual later!"
Caelum, despite himself, nodded hesitantly. "That... actually does sound like something master would do."
