Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 13

No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t think of a way to escape. Han Li was still young and no match for someone with as much experience in the martial world as Master Wen.

Even if he acted calm on purpose, he would know. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Master Wen sensed Han Li’s change and was satisfied. He knew that only when his opponent lost their composure would they reveal their true feelings.

“Do you think I’m deliberately delaying my cultivation progress?”

“Yes. You finished the previous stages in just three years, but it’s been two years since then, and you still haven’t reached the fourth level. Do you think that makes sense?”

Master Wen’s face, as he looked at Han Li, was full of dissatisfaction.

“No matter what I say, you won’t believe me, Master Wen.”

Han Li gave a wry smile. He hadn’t realized that concealing his cultivation progress would have such a big impact. The mysteries he had been pondering were solved in an instant, but he couldn’t figure out where he had gone wrong.

“There’s no need to say more. I’m not interested in your past actions. I’ll ask you one last time. If I give you one year, can you reach the fourth level of the Eternal Spring Technique?”

“How can I give you a different answer? Now, first release my acupoints and then we can talk.”

Master Wen’s face, which had been twisted in a ferocious manner, relaxed at Han Li’s answer, but he didn’t make any move to release his acupoints.

“How can I trust that mouth of yours? You might pretend to cultivate while plotting your escape.”

After a moment, he took out a sandalwood box from his pocket. As he carefully opened the box, a white pill came into view. Only then did Master Wen release Han Li’s acupoints and push the box towards him.

“You’re a smart kid, so I won’t say anything unnecessary. You know what to do.”

Han Li, his fingers stiff, reached out and took the box. Without even knowing what it was, he swallowed the pill in one gulp.

“Haha! That’s right. You’re a smart kid after all. If you save me, I won’t be stingy with rewards. Even if I can’t take you as my direct disciple, I’ll make sure you enjoy the wealth and glory you desire.”

Master Wen clapped his hands heartily and promised Han Li.

“Now, tell me about this pill.”

“Alright, very well. This is a Corpse Worm Pill. It’s not a real pill, but an insect egg made with a secret method. Since you’ve eaten it, it will lie dormant inside you for a year. But don’t worry, it won’t affect you in any way for a year. However, if you don’t take the antidote after a year, you’ll slowly die. That’s because the worms will hatch from the egg and devour all your organs, big and small, in the most painful way imaginable.”

Han Li’s whole body trembled when he heard about the pill. Anger surged within him, but he decided to be satisfied with being alive for now.

“I heard you have a large family to support? I wonder if the silver you send home each month is enough. If it’s not, tell me. I always keep your family in mind as well.”

With Master Wen’s short but profound words, the claws he had been hiding were revealed. Han Li turned pale and didn’t know what to do.

With his remaining will, he barely gritted his teeth. Even if he begged for his life or threatened him, he wouldn’t let go of Han Li’s weakness.

“Rest assured, I will definitely reach the fourth level within a year.”

Han Li said, his hatred for Master Wen burning fiercely. He was not yet detached from personal feelings or the lives of his family.

This match with Master Wen ended in Han Li’s crushing defeat. As soon as Han Li finished speaking, Master Wen let out a long sigh. He seemed tired of hiding his ever-changing expressions.

‘This Eternal Spring Technique is truly wicked. It’s so difficult even when dealing with a snot-nosed kid.’

The Eternal Spring Technique was a martial art that varied greatly depending on who practiced it, and not just anyone could master it. He knew well that it was possible because Han Li was naturally intelligent and mature.

* * *

Han Li was about to leave the room when he asked,

“The senior brother standing behind you hasn’t said a word. Who is he?”

“Guess. You’re so clever, you should be able to figure it out.”

Master Wen couldn’t help but chuckle at Han Li’s question and cunningly avoided answering. Han Li, as if it were nothing, glanced at the man behind him once and left the room without a word. Then, he thought about what had just happened.

‘I was caught so easily. To think I tried to deal with him with such petty tricks, Master Wen is not someone to be trifled with. I need to think about what to do before I fall into his hands.’

Han Li, lost in thought, quickly moved to his residence.

Meanwhile, in the room, Master Wen was examining the iron tube he had taken from Han Li with a tired face. When he pressed a slightly raised part of the iron tube, a poison needle was shot out instantly. A black hole began to form where the needle had been shot, and seeing this, Master Wen couldn’t contain his rising anger and shouted.

“How can there be such an ungrateful bastard? When did you make this poison? I never taught you. If you act up again, I won’t let you off.”

While Master Wen was filled with rage, Han Li couldn’t overcome the drowsiness that was washing over him and fell asleep.

The sun slowly rose in the eastern sky.

Han Li was still lying on his bed, deep in thought, as if his fatigue hadn’t been relieved.

‘How can I escape? I’m alive now, but who knows what will happen in a year?’

Han Li wasn’t worried about the Eternal Spring Technique. He had already reached the fourth level, so reaching the fifth level in a year would be possible. And he wasn’t worried about the Corpse Worm Pill either.

He just needed to show the other party his cultivation progress when the time came, and receive the antidote before helping him. He suddenly remembered the medicine bottle in his pocket and took out a blue pill and swallowed it. He waited for the effect, but it was useless.

“This supreme elixir that can detoxify thousands of poisons is useless!”

Han Li was depressed. He didn’t believe everything Master Wen had said. But since he had threatened him by mentioning his family, he had no way to resist.

He doubted whether Master Wen would really keep his promise in a year. If it was as simple as he said, there would be no need to resist, but what if he was hiding something? And if he suddenly launched an attack, he wouldn’t be able to retaliate and would be defeated.

Originally, he had planned to threaten him by using his Eternal Spring Technique cultivation. But now that he had a fatal weakness, he had no choice but to bow down and wait for an opportunity.

‘My life is in someone else’s hands. Do I have to just hope for his mercy?’

‘No, that won’t do. I can’t let Master Wen control my life. There must be a way out.’

But no matter how much he thought, he couldn’t come up with a good idea. His mind became more and more complicated, and when he went outside, a cool breeze brushed past his face. Looking at the sun, which was already halfway up, he felt energized.

‘I will take responsibility for my own destiny.’

* * *

The season had already reached summer, when the hot sun blazed. In a small spring in the mountains, two boys were splashing water to cool off from the heat.

“Haha! Junior Brother Han, you’ve really found a great place. To think there’s such a cool and clear spring in a place like this.”

“Is this something to be so excited about? You know many better places than this, don’t you?”

The two boys were enjoying themselves, exchanging compliments. They were none other than Han Li and Lu Feiyu.

The reunion of the two, who thought they wouldn’t meet until the medicine ran out, was not far off.

This was because the medicine Han Li had made was quite effective. Lu Feiyu could no longer bear the pain of the Autumn Worm [a type of parasitic worm] without the medicine Han Li made.

As a result, all the medicine that was supposed to last for a year had disappeared in just a few months.

Lu Feiyu immediately went to Han Li and asked him to make more medicine. Then, Han Li proposed that if Lu Feiyu taught him the secret techniques of the Seven Fiends Hall, he would make as much medicine as he wanted. Lu Feiyu, who didn’t have many days left to live, readily agreed to his request.

After that, the two often met in secret, far away from their residences. The place was surrounded by steep cliffs on all sides, and there was only space for martial arts training.

The only passage was an entrance connected to a small cave, which was also hidden by the vines growing on the cliff of the mountain.

Han Li would give him medicine, and Lu Feiyu would teach him secret techniques. These meetings had been going on for half a year now.

Lu Feiyu and Han Li got along quite well, and they had become close friends. Han Li splashed himself with water again and said to Lu Feiyu,

“Senior Brother, the Python Strength you taught me is too powerful and fierce, it doesn’t suit me. Isn’t there a more refined and gentle technique?”

“Junior Brother Han, do you think the Seven Fiends Hall belongs to me alone? You can’t learn any martial art you want just because you want to. I only learned a select few of them. Since my techniques are focused on power, I can only learn the fierce ones.”

Lu Feiyu said with a flustered look. Han Li, feeling sorry, smiled awkwardly.

“What you want is really difficult. You’ll surpass me soon.”

“What are you talking about? I’m always knocked down by one of your moves, Senior Brother.”

“Hmph! That’s because I’m using my true energy [internal energy], it’s not my ability. If I couldn’t use my true energy, you might not lose.”

“Senior Brother, what kind of person are you? You’re the best among our young disciples, how can you say that? You’re too humble. Haha!”

“Humble? I don’t know anything about humility. You’ve never learned or sparred with anyone before, have you? All you’ve trained in is a useless mind technique, and yet you’ve learned these moves in such a short time, it’s truly amazing.”

Lu Feiyu continued, his eyes earnest and sincere.

“Junior Brother Han, I don’t mean to interfere, but why don’t you stop that strange incantation for now and learn proper martial arts with me? I’m sure that in less than two years, you’ll definitely stand out. Wouldn’t it be great if we two could conquer this place together?”

Han Li could only smile wryly.

‘If only I could. I’m trapped in a tiger’s den, not knowing when I’ll die.’

Lu Feiyu made the request earnestly every time they met. But when Han Li lightly shook his head and tried to change the subject, he didn’t press further. He just assumed that Han Li must have his own unspeakable reasons.

“Is there any martial art in the Seven Fiends Hall that can defeat an opponent without using true energy?”

When Han Li asked, he raised his head and searched his memory.

“Come to think of it, I’ve heard of a strange sword technique like that. They say you can win without using true energy, but…”

Han Li was delighted to hear about the martial art he wanted and listened intently.

“This sword technique has been neglected for a long time within the Seven Fiends Hall, and no one has ever succeeded in mastering it. I heard that even the elder who created this sword technique died without fully mastering it. What was the name again?”

“What is it?”

Lu Feiyu, as if he had just remembered, clapped his knee and said,

“That’s right. I remember now. It’s called the Blink Sword Technique.”