Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 38

39. Backroom Deal

After actually manipulating the Returning Light, Han Li discovered several things.

When the talisman was transformed into Returning Light using the Object Manipulation Technique, it became incredibly sharp, capable of cutting through almost anything. With a flick of his wrist, he could attack enemies. However, there were limitations to this technique.

First, manipulating the Returning Light consumed too much magical power. If he could cast the Fireball Technique more than a hundred times in a row, he could only manipulate the Returning Light for about fifteen minutes at most.

Now that he thought about it, the reason why the Golden Light Merchant hadn’t used the Returning Light from the start was because his magical power was too weak, and the time he could use the talisman was severely limited.

The dwarf had used the Object Manipulation Technique, leaving him with almost no magical power. He then encountered Han Li, who had higher magical power than him, so he was defeated without being able to do anything.

Besides this, another flaw was the distance limitation. The Returning Light could only be freely controlled within a short range.

If it went beyond that range, it would immediately become dull, revert to its original form, and fall to the ground.

If these were the only two drawbacks, they could be naturally resolved as Han Li’s magical power increased. However, the last one was a flaw of the talisman itself.

After using the talisman several times, he realized that the Returning Light emitted by the gray sword drawn on the talisman was gradually weakening with each use. It was as if its lifespan was decreasing.

In other words, this talisman clearly had a limit to the number of times it could be used and its duration. Once that limit was reached, it would lose its spiritual energy and disappear.

Therefore, Han Li stopped training with the Returning Light. Such a powerful item should be saved for crucial moments. Someday, this talisman would save his life in a moment of crisis.

The golden talisman that created the Golden Light Bird would also have the same limitations. Since he didn’t know the incantation yet, he had to keep it safe and prepare for the future. And no matter how much Han Li studied the triangular spirit tablet and the Jin family genealogy, he couldn’t figure them out at all.

* * *

Five days passed. As soon as Han Li removed the sign he had hung outside the valley, Li Feiyu came rushing over, babbling about the story of the fire demon.

Han Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this absurd story. He simply turned his head away from Li Feiyu’s mocking face. Li Feiyu stopped laughing and asked Han Li in a serious tone.

“You know why I came to find you, right?”

“Yeah, the higher-ups sent you to test me.”

Han Li said calmly, as if it were nothing.

“Good, you know.”

Li Feiyu took a deep breath, as if relieved of a burden.

“Then, as your friend, how should I report to them? They’ve already promised to promote me from Deputy Head of the Outer Affairs Hall to Head to try and buy me off.”

Li Feiyu chuckled as he spoke. Hearing this, Han Li frowned and quietly muttered.

“It seems I need to meet with Sect Leader An and convey my intentions directly for them to be at ease.”

“Good idea. I’ll tell them that.”

Li Feiyu shrugged. Then, Han Li and Li Feiyu chatted about all sorts of trivial things. During this time, Han Li even showed Li Feiyu the Fireball Technique at close range.

Not long after, Li Feiyu left the Divine Hand Valley to report to Sect Leader An.

* * *

The next morning, just as dawn was about to break, Han Li stealthily infiltrated Sunset Peak like a ghost and quietly slipped into Sect Leader An’s room. Sect Leader An had just woken up and saw the shadow standing in front of his bed. He forced a smile and asked.

“What brings you here, Great Master Han? I didn’t even get a chance to greet you. We were supposed to meet at noon, so why are you here so early?”

Han Li cast a cold gaze at Sect Leader An, and it felt as if all the hairs on his body stood on end. Han Li was satisfied after seeing Sect Leader An’s flustered expression. Just now, he had used the Heavenly Eye Technique. After several days of research, he had discovered a new use for the Heavenly Eye Technique: it could make ordinary people tremble with fear. In that it could make the opponent feel uneasy and unable to do anything, it was similar to the Soul-Seizing Technique, a strange skill that was rumored in the martial world.

“It’s nothing. I just thought that if we talked early in the morning, we could have a clear mind to discuss things. That way, we wouldn’t offend each other.”

Han Li replied strangely, his face devoid of any emotion.

* * *

Sect Leader An’s heart began to pound at Han Li’s words.

In fact, after Li Feiyu delivered the message yesterday that Han Li would come to Sunset Peak at noon today, some of the higher-ups had judged Han Li to be a dangerous person and suggested killing him at the first opportunity. However, there were also many who opposed this. Such reckless action carried too much risk. If it failed, it would only provoke Han Li’s anger.

The reason that Han Li was too threatening was just an excuse. They were actually amazed by Han Li’s incredible achievements and coveted his martial arts. The two sides argued in front of Sect Leader An, unable to reach a conclusion until the end of the meeting, and only glared at each other. In the end, Sect Leader An’s uncle, a man in gray robes, uttered a chilling remark that silenced everyone.

“You want to kill Physician Han? Aren’t you afraid of his family seeking revenge?”

His words had the effect of pouring ice water on the heads of those who were heated up.

“That’s right! If he has such martial arts at such a young age, he must have a strong backing. If we kill him recklessly and they find out, our sect will be finished!”

Those who had been clamoring to kill Han Li changed their stance when they heard that their own lives were in danger. There were still one or two who still wanted to kill him, but the consensus shifted towards trying to resolve the matter through dialogue. Sect Leader An couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt at Han Li’s meaningful words just now. It seemed like the other party had heard about yesterday’s debate and was giving a warning.

However, as a seasoned martial artist who had experienced everything as the Sect Leader of the Anjeolcho Sect, he shook off Han Li’s Heavenly Eye Technique and quickly returned to his original state.

“What do you mean? Everyone in our sect is grateful for your kindness.”

After a moment of contemplation, Sect Leader An decided to observe the other party’s tone and respond accordingly.

“But from what I know, there seem to be some who are planning something unfavorable to me.”

Han Li said calmly.

Sect Leader An’s heart sank upon hearing this, but judging from the other party’s tone and the fact that he had come to see him alone, he didn’t seem to know the details, only rumors.

“There seems to be some misunderstanding. Yesterday, there were indeed some ungrateful people in our sect who expressed some opinions, but you can rest assured. They have been apprehended and are being well-managed. Most of the disciples in our sect are grateful to Divine Physician Han, so how could they do anything unfavorable to their benefactor who saved their lives?”

Sect Leader An spoke in a sincere voice after pondering how to respond. Han Li sneered at these words. You can know the depth of ten fathoms of water, but you can’t know the heart of a person! If there was enough profit, big shots would not hesitate to be ungrateful and even betray their sect.

This was one of the reasons why Han Li had returned to the Divine Hand Valley and locked the door. It was to allow them to regain their composure and prevent them from losing their reason due to greed. From the moment he spoke with Li Feiyu, Han Li had planned to visit Sect Leader An at an unexpected time. No matter how much stronger he was than ordinary martial artists, if they tried to kill him with strange and unheard-of methods, there would be countless ways.

And just now, he had thrown out bait to test the other party, and Sect Leader An had swallowed it whole. It seemed that there had indeed been discussions within the Seven Mysteries Sect about harming him.

However, Han Li didn’t care at all. He planned to leave this place immediately after his negotiations with the leader of the Seven Mysteries Sect and never return.

“Enough with the useless talk. I’ll be frank with Sect Leader An. I’m leaving this place today and will never return to Sunset Mountain. Before I leave, I want to make a deal that will benefit everyone.”

Han Li stared intently at Sect Leader An before suddenly making a secret proposal.

“A deal?”

Sect Leader An was surprised by the news that the other party was leaving, and then confused by the talk of a deal.

‘What could Divine Physician Han want to trade with me?’

All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind. On the day of the originally scheduled appointment, Han Li did not appear at the Seven Mysteries Hall. Only Sect Leader An attended the meeting. Sect Leader An announced to everyone that there was no need to wait for Han Li and that he had already left Sunset Mountain. He even said that he had left not only this region but also the Yue Kingdom itself, so there was nothing to worry about. Everyone was shocked by this news and could only look at each other, speechless.

* * *

After Han Li left Sunset Mountain, Sect Leader An immediately accepted Li Feiyu as a direct disciple and promoted him to Head of the Outer Affairs Hall. His affection and trust for Li Feiyu became extraordinary. And a few years later, when Han Li’s uncle made a big mistake and violated the sect rules, he ignored the public opinion and pardoned him.

Sect Leader An was injured countless times in subsequent factional struggles, but he miraculously recovered each time. It was all thanks to the pills in the silver medicine bottle. Whenever someone asked about the pills, he would always mumble. Of course, none of those who begged for the pills succeeded.

Decades later, just before Sect Leader An’s death, the name of the pill was revealed to be Yangjing Pill. Even though there were only three pills left at that time, the fame of the elixir caused a bloodbath, and Sect Leader An’s successors had no choice but to suffer. But this was a story for the distant future, so it was irrelevant now.

* * *

Li Feiyu returned to his residence, looking dazed, with a few medicine bottles and a letter. In his room, there were piles of such medicine bottles. The letter said that Han Li had already left and that the contents of the medicine bottles were elixirs he had made with all his heart, which would probably help extend Li Feiyu’s life. And he told Li Feiyu never to give up. The last part of the letter congratulated Li Feiyu and Zhang Shua on their marriage and wished them many children and a happy life.

Li Feiyu was silent for a long time before suddenly bursting out of his room and running.

He climbed to the nearest peak to his room and looked towards the gate of the Seven Mysteries Sect, but he couldn’t see anyone. Nevertheless, Li Feiyu took a deep breath and shouted with a calm expression.

“Take care! Farewell!”

Li Feiyu’s back looked lonely as he turned around. At that moment, a carriage was speeding down the old road.

* * *

Inside the spacious carriage, only Han Li and Gu Hun were riding. Han Li had rented the carriage for a while with silver. The coachman was an ordinary, dark, and thin middle-aged man who didn’t speak unless Han Li asked him something first.

Gu Hun, who was next to him, was large and wore a bamboo hat, so it would be really annoying if someone who liked to talk asked unnecessary questions.

On Han Li’s shoulder sat a Cloud Wing Bird with yellow feathers, which was full of spiritual energy and was now resting.

Gu Hun was carrying the clothes and belongings on his shoulder, and Han Li was carrying the delicate and small items, such as the items and magical artifacts found in Master Wen’s residence, on his body.

# 40