Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 17

Recalling the past days when he had mastered the Luo Yan Step [a movement technique], Han Li was filled with emotion. At first, avoiding the thorns was an impossible task.

His whole body was covered in wounds, and he would often end his training sessions covered in blood. It was fortunate that he had the Yang Spirit Pill.

This miraculous medicine was not only effective for internal injuries but also excellent for external wounds. Just one pill could stop the bleeding and start the healing process. After sleeping, no trace of any wound would remain.

With the help of the Yang Spirit Pill, Han Li reached a level where he could use the Luo Yan Step immediately. And a few days ago, he finally reached the 6th level of the Eternal Spring Arts.

This was the last stage of the cultivation method that Master Wen had given him. If he hadn’t had the pills he brought with him, he would never have achieved such results, even if he had died and been reborn.

Han Li had learned a lot while practicing the Eternal Spring Arts for several years. This inner cultivation method was very different from ordinary methods. From the way it was practiced to its effects, it was very different from general martial arts.

First of all, the progress of the Eternal Spring Arts was very slow. Of course, it depended on the practitioner, but it seemed that the person’s talent and whether their constitution matched the Eternal Spring Arts also had an effect.

If someone had talent from the beginning, they only needed to practice diligently. But if someone had no talent, they wouldn’t be able to move forward without the help of miraculous medicines. Han Li was like that.

However, with miraculous medicines, one could overcome the limits of their original talent and move forward. By swallowing one or two miraculous medicines a day, he was able to easily achieve cultivation that would have been impossible otherwise.

Upon reaching the 6th level of the Eternal Spring Arts, Han Li didn’t feel anything special other than his mind becoming sharper and clearer.

The Eternal Spring Arts only improved the mind, brain, and five senses at each stage, and there were no special physical changes.

There were only changes such as his body becoming healthier and his steps becoming lighter. Han Li called the flow of energy created by practicing the Eternal Spring Arts ‘Pseudo True Qi’ [a type of internal energy].

This Pseudo True Qi circulated through his meridians and performed energy circulation, but it had no other power other than making his senses more acute.

The cultivation method he knew ended at the 6th level, but it was clear that there were still stages left. And the final achievement would contain what this cultivation method was trying to achieve.

Han Li couldn’t help but sigh. Considering the current relationship between Master Wen and himself, it might be better not to know the last part of the cultivation method. He cleared his mind and silently went down to the log cabin. Tomorrow, he would finally face Master Wen. He would think carefully about what might happen and prepare to respond to any threat.

* * *

Although it was autumn, the heat of the day still lingered. Master Wen paced the room anxiously, with a worried look in his eyes. After a while, he heard footsteps in the distance, and they were getting closer. When he heard the familiar sound, Master Wen couldn’t hide his joy.

When he opened the door, he saw a figure not far away, and Han Li, whom he had been waiting for a long time, began to appear. Master Wen calmed his excited heart and said with a smile,

“It’s certain that you didn’t run away. That means you’re very clever. Come in, let’s talk slowly.”

A benevolent smile bloomed on Master Wen’s face like a flower.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t set up any strange tricks in the room. Is my room a tiger’s den or something?”

He continued, reading Han Li’s wariness.

“I came here on my own two feet, so what’s so difficult about entering the room?”

As he was about to take a step, Master Wen quickly stepped aside from the door with a smile. As Han Li entered the room, Master Wen was about to close the door, but stopped at Han Li’s words.

“If you close that door, I will assume you have a sinister plot to trap me and will no longer cooperate.”

Master Wen was dumbfounded, but he withdrew his hesitant hand from the door. And without batting an eye, he replied,

“You’re still the same. I was just going to discuss a few things. If you don’t want to close the door, let’s not.”

Master Wen leaned back in his chair as before. Han Li also thought there was no need to be polite now and sat down comfortably.

The two of them observed the changes in each other over the past six months. Master Wen looked even older than before. He now looked like an old man in his seventies.

‘Is it really as he said? Maybe he’s just trying to restore his original appearance.’

Han Li looked around and found a man standing motionless in a corner. He wasn’t making any sound, so he looked like a corpse. By now, Master Wen had also finished observing Han Li and had a satisfied expression.

“Looking at you now, I suddenly remember the first time I saw you. You were only ten years old back then. Time really flies.”

Even though the other person was speaking gently, an uneasy feeling arose the more he listened. He couldn’t figure out what his intentions were, so he couldn’t let his guard down.

To Han Li, Master Wen was an old fox. If he was careless, he could fall into a trap set by the other person at any time.

“Elder, how could I forget your care? I always keep it in my heart. If you have something to say, please speak comfortably.”

Han Li also observed Master Wen’s mood and answered politely. It was as if he had returned to his old self.

“Yes. Hearing that, I know that all the care I’ve given you hasn’t been in vain. Now, let’s talk about your achievements in the Eternal Spring Arts.”

Master Wen naturally got up as if he were a kind teacher and tried to check Han Li’s pulse.

‘This old fox! He’s really showing his age! And he’s so thick-skinned!’

Han Li cursed inwardly and quickly dodged.

“What’s the rush? Even I can see that you’ve aged a lot. My Eternal Spring Arts has definitely reached the 4th level, so why don’t you give me the antidote to the Corpse Worm Pill first? That way, I can show you my achievements with peace of mind.”

“Ah! That’s right. Look at my mind. They say when people get old, their minds go bad. I was originally going to give you the antidote as soon as I met you, but I forgot.”

He rummaged through his sleeve and took out a small medicine bottle, then took out a dark pill from it. Han Li subtly smelled it.

But a pungent smell stung his nose from the pill. When he looked up at Master Wen, he was also looking at him with an ambiguous expression.

Han Li hesitated for a moment. He doubted whether this pill was the real antidote. But with the deadline approaching, he would have no choice but to die if he refused the antidote.

Han Li comforted himself that he had appeared on time as Master Wen had said, and now that he was in his hands, he wouldn’t give him a fake antidote. He swallowed the pill and waited for it to take effect.

On the other hand, Master Wen returned to his chair and leaned back without any sign of tension. And he didn’t say a word. It was as if he had forgotten the purpose of calling Han Li.

Soon, he felt a pain in his stomach, and the pain disappeared in an instant. He quickly examined his body. As far as he could tell, the Corpse Worm Pill had melted away like snow and left no trace.

Han Li was overjoyed, and his feelings were clearly visible on his face. Master Wen wouldn’t miss this. He only spoke again after waiting for Han Li to confirm the effect of the medicine.

“Han Li, it was unavoidable that I had you take the Corpse Worm Pill. If I hadn’t urged you, you wouldn’t have reached the 4th level yet!”

“Thank you for your kindness, Elder. But next time, I would appreciate it if you could spare my body.”

With the worries he had been holding in his heart gone, Han Li felt much better.

“Now, can I check your pulse?”

Han Li was uncomfortable with Master Wen’s cautious words. Who knew if he would use the excuse of checking his pulse to touch his pressure points like last time?

* * *

Since the other person had given him the antidote to the Corpse Worm Pill without hesitation, it could be said that he had shown enough sincerity.

If he refused to have his pulse checked again here, he would only raise unnecessary suspicion. No one knew what might happen because of this.

If he checked his pulse and then suddenly changed his mind and tried to do something, he had already thought of a way to escape from his grasp. Han Li looked up at Master Wen as if nothing had happened.

“Since you gave me the antidote so readily, Elder, I’ll trust you one more time. Please don’t disappoint me.”

He rolled up his sleeve and held out his arm. At the same time, he carefully observed the other person’s reaction, planning to escape immediately if he saw even the slightest sign of anything strange.

Unfortunately, Master Wen was not revealing his emotions. He only raised and lowered his eyebrows when Han Li agreed to have his pulse checked.

He silently placed his dry hand lightly on Han Li’s wrist.

Han Li subtly adjusted his inner strength to the 4th level. Looking at Master Wen’s expression, his heart was pounding. He immediately turned his gaze to his waist, not the arm he had given to Master Wen. There was a dagger he had made himself.

Master Wen’s face slowly lit up with joy. When he checked Han Li’s pulse, he found that a strange inner force was constantly circulating through his meridians.

And that inner force had long exceeded what he had wanted. It was a sincere joy that came from the depths of his heart.

“Yes, this is it! You have truly reached the 4th level of the Eternal Spring Arts! Hahahaha! You’ve done so well! Haha! Hahaha!”

Master Wen began to laugh loudly without any hesitation. His laughter was so loud that the room seemed to shake. But his hand continued to hold onto Han Li and wouldn’t let go.

“Elder, what are you doing? Please let go of my hand now.”

Han Li asked with a dark expression. He had already realized that the situation was turning strange. Even when he exerted his strength, Master Wen didn’t budge.

“Let go? Okay, I’ll let go!”

Master Wen stopped laughing and scolded with a vicious expression.

“You brat!”

A loud ‘bang’ rang in Han Li’s ears, and his vision turned black. He could no longer stand and fell to the floor. His left hand, which had been touching the dagger, also had no choice but to drop limply.

‘Damn it!’

Although his body wouldn’t listen, his mind was clearer than ever. He had been too complacent. He had let the other person make the first move. He couldn’t do anything.

“You’re still far from it, kid. Now, no matter what you do, you won’t be able to escape.”

Master Wen became arrogant as he easily got his hands on him as planned.

“Come here!”

Master Wen grabbed Han Li’s clothes and pulled him. Han Li, who had fallen to the floor, was dragged and forced to kneel in front of Master Wen.

Just as he was about to touch Han Li’s pressure points, a ‘pop’ sound rang out, and his finger was flung away.

A low reverberation was felt as if he had struck an iron plate, and he felt pain in his fingertip.

“What kind of strange thing is this!”

Master Wen was surprised by the unexpected situation.

“Could it be that you’re wearing armor inside?”

He shouted in surprise. But it didn’t seem possible to hide armor inside the light clothes Han Li was wearing. This fact made him even more confused.

# 19