Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 58

He Lang fell heavily into a pool of water. Although he used his internal energy to protect himself, preventing any serious injury from the fall, he still felt dizzy and disoriented, seeing stars in the darkness around him.

The cave was dim and chilly, giving off an eerie feeling. He Lang stood up, rubbing his arms and feeling a chill. Despite the cave’s depth blocking the sunlight, it wasn’t completely dark inside. The stone walls had a faint glow, allowing him to see.

He felt heavy-hearted, thinking it would be difficult to find a way out. However, upon closer inspection of the stone walls, he discovered a map-like carving with some markings. After some contemplation, he found a passage.

Seeing the light at the cave entrance, He Lang realized he had successfully found the exit and stumbled upon an unexpected treasure: the Xuan Vine Gua Tu had mentioned.

The vine, growing in the shade, had a black-red hue with vibrant green leaves, making it less intimidating. Since it was a rare medicinal herb, He Lang took a substantial piece of it with him.

By the time he returned, the sun had risen, and the medical shop was open. The doctor used the Xuan Vine leaves to make medicine. He Lang also discovered that the vine had high medicinal value but had only identified it as a blood tonic.

Noticing He Lang’s pale and exhausted appearance, the doctor suggested he pay extra for blood-replenishing pills. Given the town’s friendly and sincere people, He Lang agreed.

After taking the medicine, He Lang felt relieved. He remembered Ao Li should have woken up by now and hurried back to the inn, worried whether Ao Li could take care of himself or if he might wander off.

Thinking about it made He Lang sweat, and he rushed back.

When he opened the door and saw Ao Li still there, He Lang finally relaxed. He approached with a smile, holding a pill meant to stimulate brain function.

Noticing He Lang’s return, Ao Li’s back stiffened, and he turned around with an angry expression.

His eyes narrowed into a menacing glare, his innocent demeanor gone. His brows furrowed, and his aura was unsettling. He Lang almost thought Ao Li had regained his memory.

Without delay, He Lang hurriedly handed over the medicine and a glass of water, trying to calm him, “Please take the medicine quickly.”

Unexpectedly, Ao Li scowled deeply, waved his sleeve as if to push He Lang away, and shouted, “I hate you!”

He Lang protected the medicine, his face darkening with a hint of anger. However, he knew Ao Li responded better to gentleness than harshness. He patted Ao Li’s head, softly persuading him to take the medicine, and promised to buy him candy and a kite later.

Ao Li’s anger dissipated slightly, and he obediently swallowed the pill, holding the small cup and continuously complaining, “I hate you the most. You, you left me alone here.”

“It’s not like I didn’t come back,” He Lang feigned nonchalance, offering him a candied fruit, worried that the pill might be bitter.

Ao Li clenched his teeth, trembling with anger. When he had woken up earlier and found the room empty with no sign of He Lang, it felt like the world was spinning and collapsing.

He wanted to leave the inn but remembered He Lang’s repeated instructions not to wander off. He was left waiting, his mind racing with anxious thoughts.

Was He Lang tired of him and no longer wanted him? Or did he have other friends now?

Unable to calm down, Ao Li, restless and agitated, pressed against He Lang, pushing him onto the table like a temperamental child, wanting to bite him to vent his frustration.

He Lang instinctively turned his head to avoid Ao Li’s overly intimate approach and patted his head, “Sect Leader, don’t worry. I would never abandon you during our escape.”

Despite his words, Ao Li remained unsettled, fearing that He Lang might abandon him after their journey. He anxiously asked if He Lang would still be by his side day and night in the future.

He Lang’s temples throbbed as he recalled a distant past when a young boy in a new yellow robe had looked at him with hopeful eyes, desperately seeking a promise.

Back then, he had made a promise but failed to keep it.

He Lang shook his head, looking at the person before him, and said softly, “I’m sorry, but I can’t make that promise.”

“……”

The person, who had been clinging to him moments ago, instantly changed expression, eyes widening as if stung by the words.

He hadn’t expected that the person who always went along with him would actually refuse him. This unexpected blow left his mind in a state of confusion. Did he bring him along only out of necessity, and actually dislike him deep down? Ao Li sniffled and slowly lowered his head.

He knew he was being unreasonable, but he was just so angry and disgusted by his serious explanation. He thought he would have preferred if the person had just comforted him as he did the day before.

He Lang blinked, noticing the demonic energy rising behind him. At first, he was pleased that Ao Li had regained his power, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the strong aura, feeling a sense of danger.

When Ao Li looked up again, his previous sadness and disappointment had vanished in an instant, replaced by a neutral, almost emotionless expression. His gaze was sharp, with eyes glowing darkly like lightning in a stormy sky, exuding a dangerous aura.

He Lang felt a sudden sense of unease and frowned, retreating cautiously.

Since earlier, he had felt that Ao Li’s emotional fluctuations were severe, and he was becoming increasingly irritable, transitioning from a naive child to an angry young man.

Ao Li watched his retreating movements silently, his eyes lowered in a lifeless manner as he advanced step by step towards him.

With a loud “bang,” the door was slammed open, drawing the attention of someone from the next room who had noticed their commotion.

The person, already in a bad mood, started to curse at He Lang by the door, but upon seeing Ao Li surrounded by black energy, his face changed drastically. He scrambled downstairs to alert others, shouting that there were members of the demon cult upstairs.

He Lang realized the situation was dire and quickly subdued Ao Li’s pressure points.

However, many of the skilled martial artists downstairs had already heard the shout, and by coincidence, the Xuan Kong Sword Sect members were resting in the hall.

Their reaction was swift; in a few steps, they used their lightness skill to ascend the stairs, surrounding the area tightly with their blue-robed disciples.

Assessing the situation, He Lang slowly approached Ao Li, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, which finally eased the tension of the surrounding disciples. They gradually closed in and surrounded them.

However, Ao Li was greatly displeased by their approach. He slightly moved his fingers, ready to act, but He Lang quickly restrained him.

With so many people present, and with various martial artists and innocent civilians outside, it was not the right time to act.

He Lang signaled Ao Li with his eyes but received no response. He looked around and spoke in a low, pleading tone, apologizing and explaining that his previous remarks were just a joke. He urged Ao Li not to be so stubborn, or he might truly abandon him.

Ao Li bit his lip, relaxed his grip, and reluctantly complied with He Lang’s instructions, allowing them both to be bound by the disciples.

—

Author’s Note: This is a very short update. Due to my busy study schedule, I have very little free time and cannot guarantee daily updates or quality. I hope for your understanding, and if you have any feedback, I will seriously consider it. I will do my best to keep updates regular. Thank you, everyone.