Why should I ever feel ashamed if shame does nothing but bind people? To me, it is nothing more than an empty emotion—fragile, powerless, and ultimately meaningless. Shame does not help one rise; it only prevents one from reaching higher, from grasping what lies beyond. And thinking about what others might say or think only builds invisible chains that shackle ambitions. Such concerns are luxuries for the weak.
"Hmm… are you serious?" Mil Do Nim was utterly taken aback when he heard Yang Zhai's blunt words. His face twisted into an awkward expression, the thought echoing sharply in his mind: how could he say such a thing so casually? I was only joking, but he actually took it seriously. Could it be… is he truly a shameless man, or worse—a pervert? Did he not feel the slightest hint of embarrassment when saying something like this aloud?
"You won't go back on your words, will you?" Yang Zhai asked, his calm demeanor showing no sign of doubt or hesitation. His eyes, steady and unreadable, gave away nothing.
"About that… can we perhaps not… do this?" Mil Do Nim stammered, his composure slipping into embarrassment. His voice carried the weight of awkwardness, his tone lacking the confidence he earlier commanded. "I only said it casually… I didn't mean it literally."
"Fine. Since you've shared these techniques with me, I'll overlook it this time. But still, going back on your word makes me reconsider… What if, in the future, you decide to whisper to Master Zuh that I received these techniques from you? Wouldn't that place me in grave danger?" Yang Zhai replied, his expression unchanged, though his words carried a heavy undertone.
Mil Do Nim: "…"
Wasn't he the one who begged for my help? And now he questions my authenticity? Where was this concern when he came pleading?
"Fine then. I'll do it. But only my upper body. I refuse to expose my lower half." With a reluctant sigh, Mil Do Nim slid his robe off his shoulders, lowering it down until his torso and abdomen were bare.
Yang Zhai's eyes scanned his chest and arms with careful precision. He then circled around to inspect his back. Yet, no matter how he looked, there were no scars, no markings, no trace of strain left by the techniques.
"Good, I will take my leave first."
Without waiting for a reply, Yang Zhai turned and departed.
"Yang Zhai… even though the techniques I gave you are undeniably powerful, they will bring you little benefit in the long run. The truth is, the reason my techniques cause me no toll lies not within the techniques themselves, but within my body." A sinister snicker escaped Mil Do Nim's lips as his thoughts deepened.
"Even if powerful, so what? The techniques I gave you are complex and layered with complexities. They will demand months, if not years, of your time to fully comprehend. By then, I will have already carved out my revenge. Even if you eventually discover the truth, what will it matter? By then, it will be far too late. And let's not forget—even after learning them, they won't serve you in the way you hope." His sneer lingered as he left.
Yang Zhai tucked away two of the scrolls and focused his attention on the Rotten Breath. With a single glance, he understood its essence.
"My Earth Path realization is shallow, barely scratching the surface. Understanding the full essence of Insectification will take time and effort I do not have. But my Poison Path realization… it stands at peak stage. The intricacies of Rotten Breath are clear to me almost at one glance." He furrowed his brows, sinking into thought.
And yet…there is no difference, no hidden trait that makes this technique toll free. Nothing. By all logic, this should have left deep scars on Mil Do Nim's body. Even though I don't expect much, let's test it once to see if I am missing something. I should test it myself tomorrow morning.
He carefully stored it away and summoned the Empty scroll.
Unrolling it, he analyzed its intricate inscriptions, tracing through every word and diagram. Once again, he found no abnormalities. Sighing, he placed it aside and called forth the Insectification scroll.
He studied it for several minutes, silently considering.
"Even if I cannot grasp its essence yet, one thing is clear—this technique also carries no hidden secret. All three techniques, while undeniably powerful, are extremely difficult to master. They would take ordinary cultivators decades to comprehend, let alone wield effectively. In the hands of most, they are useless—dead weight."
His eyes, cold and calm.
"Still… a person can always turn useless things into useful tools. As long as one knows how to use them, and when and where to use them, every tool has value."
The next morning arrived.
Yang Zhai stood alone in a secluded forest clearing, hidden from all eyes save one—Zuh Qil, who quietly stood nearby.
Placing his palm firmly against the rough bark of a tree, Yang Zhai activated the technique. Slowly, threads of purified void rays seeped from his hand, entering the trunk. But then—he halted, stopping the technique.
He pulled back his hand, it has gotten a bit weak. Black spots began to bloom across his skin, faint yet undeniable.
"As expected…these techniques are ordinary. They hide no special mystery. They are the exact same as those used by Mil Do Nim. I sensed no deviation whatsoever. That means only one possibility remains…" He trailed off, his expression calm, as if knowing everything.
"The truth lies not in the techniques, but in his body. After all, I never once saw him use his ires or kas. Even if he had a way to conceal their presence, he could never perfectly mask the inconsistencies—especially in the middle of combat. To conceal the presence, one must use a method. To conceal that method, one must use another method. Yet, Mil Do Nim showed nothing. The only explanation left is that his body itself holds the secret."
He exhaled silently.
"Sigh… I had hoped to uncover his secret before reaching the Iron Clad Sect. Who could have guessed it would involve his body? That makes him useless to me for now. No matter. Once we arrive, I'll find an opportunity to leave. I can't waste any more time."
No hesitation, he pushed the matter aside. Plans never unfold perfectly, and clinging to them only wasted precious time.
He tested the other two techniques as well, but disappointment struck each time. He stopped midway, unwilling to bear unnecessary toll.
The day passed uneventfully, and the following morning came. Though the island knew no sunrise or sunset, Yang Zhai still measured time carefully, marking every shift.
"Is everyone gathered?" Yu Hao's voice rang out.
"Yes, master, all are present," a servant replied.
"Good. Then prepare yourselves. Today is our final day on this island. Once we depart, we will set our course for the Recn Continent. Remember, that land is unlike Suru. It is a new environment with its own challenges. Make sure you find companions quickly once we enter the sect," Yu Hao instructed, his eyes briefly locking with Li Min's.
Li Min gave a curt nod and departed silently.
Yang Zhai also noticed this, however Yang Zhai pressed his right hand against the side of his head. His expression darkened.
What is happening…? Why do I feel so dizzy all of a sudden?
His body swayed slightly, but he forced himself to steady. Gritting his teeth, he masked his condition and acted normal.
Yet, the dizziness lingered. With no choice, he spoke,
"Elder Hao, I seem to have left something back at the residence. I'll fetch it quickly. Master Zuh, I'll return shortly." Without waiting for an answer, he turned and left.
Zuh Qil, not to stir suspicion, made no move to follow.
Upon reaching the residence, Yang Zhai gave the servant strict instructions.
"You, stay here. If anyone comes, inform me immediately. And remember—do not enter unless absolutely necessary."
He entered a nearby room, sealing himself away from prying eyes.
Summoning a rank five gorilla, he commanded coldly,
"Stand guard."
Then, sliding down against the wall, he closed his eyes and entered meditation.
"What is happening to me? Don't tell me… I'm going to lose control again? This…this problem is growing worse by the day. If this happened in the middle of a battle, I'd already be dead a thousand times over."
His breathing slowed as he forced his body to relax. He released every external distraction, every stray perception of the world around him, until only his inner thoughts remained. Whenever an unfamiliar or dangerous thought surfaced, he eliminated it instantly, not letting them take roots.
Minutes passed.
Finally, his eyes opened. He stood, recalling the gorilla with a flick of his wrist.
"It's under control… for now. At least I can keep myself steady if the changes don't come suddenly."
He gave a deep sigh.
"Once I reach the Iron Clad Sect, I must find a method—any method—to control myself. Otherwise…I might truly go insane."
With that, he rejoined the others.
By then, Li Min had already returned.
"Good," Yu Hao's voice carried authority. "We can leave now. Let's go."
!|!*****!*****!|!