Chapter 195: Conversation

More than ten days passed quickly. Just as Zuo Zhicheng had expected, with his self-healing ability and control over his body, aided by medicine, he was able to perfectly heal these injuries.

Inside the room, the stove burned fiercely, driving the cold from the world outside the house. A faint scent of incense filled the air, and just smelling it lifted one’s spirits, giving a feeling of restoring energy and building strength.

The bed and chairs were covered with unknown expensive furs, both soft and comfortable. A pot of freshly brewed tea sat on the table, its subtle fragrance drifting through the air, faint but present.

Zuo Zhicheng, wearing a thin white garment, reclined on a long chair, carefully reading a martial arts manual. He had asked Qingyue Qiu to bring him some secret martial arts books that belonged to the Shadow Corps. During this period of bed rest, he had relied on these martial arts manuals to pass the time.

Across from him, Qingyue Yang sat in his seat, savoring a cup of tea.

Taking a small sip, Qingyue Yang sighed, “This Dragon Blood Tea only yields ten pounds a year. Even I can only get one pound. When Lord Zhu learned that you had come to Haijing and were seriously injured, he immediately sent three pounds. He must be feeling quite pained about it.”

The Lord Zhu he referred to was naturally the Patrol Superintendent of Southern Bay, the true leader of the Shadow Corps, Zhu Yuwen.

“You probably don’t know, but besides tasting good, this tea also has the effects of strengthening bones, generating blood, and prolonging life. Would you like to try it?” As he spoke, Qingyue Yang lifted another cup of tea and handed it to Zuo Zhicheng, who was reading.

While still looking at the manual in his hand, Zuo Zhicheng took the Dragon Blood Tea and drank it all in one go. “It tastes good.” He felt a clear fragrance swirl in his mouth, then transform into a stream of scorching heat that flowed straight down his throat. Soon after, his entire body felt warm, and his mind became clear.

“Of course, this Dragon Blood Tea is worth a fortune on the black market. But scarcity makes it precious. If it were me, I wouldn’t sell it even for ten thousand gold.” Qingyue Yang smiled. “Speaking of which, Brother Zuo, how are your injuries now?”

Qingyue Yang looked at Zuo Zhicheng’s skin, which had become smooth and delicate like a baby’s, and once again marveled at the other’s powerful vitality. From the outside, Zuo Zhicheng’s burns seemed completely healed. Moreover, due to his practice of the Yama Golden Body, scars, calluses, and dead skin could not stay on his body for long, making him look as if he had never been injured.

However, external injuries were easy to heal; internal injuries were hard to cure. Qingyue Yang did not know the current state of the other’s condition. After all, according to Physician Xia’s earlier assessment, it was a miracle that the other had survived.

“The wounds on my internal organs have all healed, but my bones are taking longer to mend. It will probably take another ten to twenty days to fully recover,” Zuo Zhicheng said calmly as he put down his teacup. “What about the matter I mentioned earlier?”

With Zuo Zhicheng’s words, a palpable pressure pressed toward Qingyue Yang.

Pressure was something difficult to measure with specific numbers but was very common in life. For example, when a tall person spoke to a short person, it could create a sense of pressure.

When your boss or superior spoke to you, it could easily exert pressure.

Or, if you knew someone had killed or robbed, speaking to them might also bring pressure.

And now, Zuo Zhicheng, whose vital energy was abundant and whose body was as powerful as an ancient beast, had the record of killing the Crimson Sun Monk and fighting two Dharma Kings alone—one dead and one retreated. Coupled with his strong Power of Mind and Spirit, even just his tone turning somewhat indifferent gave Qingyue Yang a heavy sense of pressure.

Qingyue Yang’s expression turned extremely serious. Without any intention of delay or evasion, he thought for a moment and said straightforwardly, “Brother Zuo, I won’t hide it from you. You should know that for any power, the strength of Dao Arts is something they view with great caution and wariness. Back when Emperor Yingzong banned Dao Arts, it sparked a storm of bloodshed precisely because the power of Dao Arts was too great.

A Human Phase Master might be formidable, but if I had two thousand elite soldiers, I would be confident of taking them down on the spot. However, a Dao Arts expert, if handled correctly and with the right timing, could potentially obliterate an army of a hundred thousand in an instant.

That’s why Emperor Yingzong back then prohibited the spread of Dao Arts among the people and vigorously promoted martial arts. As for your request to view Dao Arts manuals and gather Life Groves, I’m afraid it will be very difficult to get approval.”

The Emperor Yingzong Qingyue Yang referred to was an emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty over a hundred and fifty years ago. At that time, under the pretext of Dao Arts causing chaos in the court, he secretly dispatched troops to suppress and subdue many sects. The power displayed by various sects through Dao Arts during that time truly shocked the entire court.

Since then, no one dared to propose banning Dao Arts again, but the already secretive practitioners of Dao Arts went completely underground. From that time on, the Great Qi Dynasty began extensively recruiting talented individuals from among the people and established a system of canonizing Taoists, enlisting many accomplished practitioners to serve the court.

Zuo Zhicheng frowned slightly. “You can’t make the decision either?”

Zuo Zhicheng’s slight frown seemed almost imperceptible, but in Qingyue Yang’s eyes, it felt as if the air had grown heavier. He felt uncomfortable all over, as if needles were pricking his back.

‘What a guy, such intense pressure. Even I feel like this; others would be defeated before even fighting him. Elder Tang was right—this man’s physical strength has reached the peak of human capability. Practicing Spirit Refining with such physical power is indeed terrifying.’

But Qingyue Yang was, after all, the leader of the Shadow Corps. Sensing Zuo Zhicheng’s imposing aura bearing down on him, he straightened his back, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. “Although I am the leader of the Shadow Corps, these matters aren’t something I can decide alone. However, Brother Zuo, find a time to come with me to Haijing and meet some of the higher-ups in Southern Bay.”

Facing the sudden surge of aura emanating from Qingyue Yang, Zuo Zhicheng seemed unaffected and simply nodded slightly. “I’ve been in Haijing for quite some time. I really should pay a visit. Wait a while; when my injuries are mostly healed, I will personally come to visit.”

Qingyue Yang felt that his own aura was completely useless in front of Zuo Zhicheng and had been ignored, giving him the illusion that he was as fragile as a chick in the other’s eyes.

From that moment, he knew he had lost this mental confrontation.

With his background and power, a mere glare from him was usually enough to make people tremble with fear. But Zuo Zhicheng completely disregarded his authority and status. Instead, Qingyue Yang felt nervous in Zuo Zhicheng’s presence, as if worried that the other might throw a punch if displeased. Even though he had achieved Grand Completion of Qi Training and even cultivated the Human Aspect, and knew that the other would not do such a thing, he couldn’t help thinking it.

Because Zuo Zhicheng’s performance in the previous battle was overwhelmingly strong—strong enough to threaten his life.

‘This person is not only powerful but also has a fearless, unruly nature…’ Although he had lost in the mental confrontation, Qingyue Yang didn’t mind. He simply pondered carefully whether Zuo Zhicheng’s character would be an advantage or a disadvantage for the Shadow Corps.