Chapter 36: Rewards of the Living
By the time Lord Shen returned to Mistforge...
The sun had already climbed above the broken mountains.
Smoke drifted lazily over the city.
The walls were scarred.
Several watchtowers had collapsed.
Houses near the city center had become little more than piles of stone and timber.
Yet...
Mistforge still stood.
For that alone...
Everyone offered silent thanks.
Lord Shen did not immediately return to his mansion.
Instead, he stood upon the city wall and looked across the battlefield.
Bodies of beasts covered the snow.
Some were already dead.
Others still breathed weakly.
Their frightened cries echoed across the ruined plain.
Captain Han approached and saluted.
"My Lord."
Lord Shen nodded.
"The battle is over."
"Everyone who fought yesterday will rest first."
"No exceptions."
Several soldiers looked surprised.
"But, My Lord—"
"The city can wait."
"They cannot."
"An exhausted warrior makes mistakes."
"Those mistakes kill people."
His calm voice carried effortlessly across the wall.
"The engineers will begin repairs immediately."
"The blacksmiths and carpenters will assist."
"The merchants will distribute food."
"The healers will treat the wounded."
His gaze shifted toward the beasts lying beyond the gates.
"And..."
"Open the gates."
Captain Han blinked.
"My Lord?"
"Help the surviving beasts."
"They belong to this mountain."
"My territory."
"They fought because they were manipulated."
"They are victims as much as we are."
A few soldiers exchanged surprised glances.
Lord Shen noticed.
"If they can still be saved..."
"Save them."
"I will not allow needless slaughter."
Orders spread throughout the city.
Soon...
Hunters.
Healers.
Citizens.
Even children carrying water began helping wounded Frost Wolves, Ice Foxes, Horned Rabbits, and countless other creatures.
Mistforge had always lived beside the mountain.
Never above it.
A deep howl echoed from somewhere within the city.
The guards immediately relaxed.
A massive Frost Wolf walked from the shadows.
He was larger than any horse.
His silver-white fur shimmered beneath the morning light.
Ancient blue markings glowed faintly across his body.
His icy eyes possessed the calm wisdom of an old king.
This was Feng Xue, the Frost Wolf King of the current generation.
Lord Shen's lifelong companion.
The beast had remained hidden throughout the battle.
Watching.
Waiting.
Prepared to intervene the moment true disaster appeared.
Lord Shen rested a hand upon the wolf's head.
"You've worked hard."
Feng Xue snorted softly.
"Not as hard as you."
Their thoughts flowed effortlessly through the Beast Contract.
"The city survived."
"It did."
The great wolf lowered himself.
"You held back again."
Lord Shen smiled faintly.
"I always do."
His eyes drifted toward the busy streets.
"If I solve every problem..."
"...they will never grow."
Feng Xue's tail flicked once.
"Some would call that dangerous."
"It is."
"But warriors raised in perfect safety..."
"...remain children."
His expression softened.
"I accept controlled crises."
"I do not accept meaningless deaths."
"If the city had truly been in danger..."
"You and I would have ended everything."
The Frost Wolf King nodded once.
That had always been the agreement between them.
The wolf suddenly looked toward the city center.
"There is something else."
Lord Shen raised an eyebrow.
"The one who destroyed the Abyss creature..."
"...wasn't Tianyu."
"It was Yun Che."
Lord Shen looked genuinely surprised.
"The blacksmith's son?"
Feng Xue nodded.
"His final attack killed it."
"There was something stranger."
"He transformed."
Lord Shen became still.
"What kind of transformation?"
"Into the Abyss creature itself."
Silence.
Even Captain Han looked stunned.
Lord Shen slowly folded his hands behind his back.
"I see..."
"So the Yun bloodline truly awakened."
He looked toward the distant Yun residence.
"The miracle finally happened."
Centuries ago...
The legendary Yun Clan had possessed one of the rarest bloodlines in the world.
A bloodline capable of assimilating defeated creatures.
As the clan declined...
The bloodline weakened generation after generation.
Eventually...
It disappeared entirely.
Yun Jian himself possessed barely a trace.
Perhaps one or two percent remained.
Not enough for anyone to notice.
For it to awaken again...
The odds were almost impossible.
"One chance..."
"...in ten thousand."
Feng Xue's ears twitched.
"Coincidence?"
Lord Shen slowly shook his head.
"No."
"I've lived too long to believe in coincidence."
He looked toward the ruined mountains.
"The world is changing."
"And ancient bloodlines always awaken when troubled times approach."
Later that afternoon...
Two brothers stood inside the City Lord's study.
Yun Ren stood straight despite the sling supporting his empty sleeve.
Yun Che remained unusually quiet.
Lord Shen sat behind his desk.
No servants were present.
Only Captain Han and Feng Xue rested quietly nearby.
Lord Shen smiled.
"You've both worked hard."
His gaze settled upon Yun Ren.
"Congratulations."
"You have entered Foundation Establishment."
Yun Ren bowed deeply.
"Thank you, My Lord."
Lord Shen nodded before looking toward Yun Che.
"And you."
"You exceeded every expectation."
"I am pleased."
Yun Che scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I... mostly survived."
Captain Han laughed loudly.
"Modest."
"You killed an Abyss creature."
Lord Shen allowed himself a faint smile.
"Indeed."
Then his expression became serious.
He looked toward Yun Ren's missing arm.
"I owe you an apology."
"You lost this protecting Mistforge."
Yun Ren instinctively lowered his gaze.
"It was my duty."
"It was."
Lord Shen reached beneath his desk.
He placed a long wooden case before them.
"Open it."
Yun Ren carefully lifted the lid.
His eyes widened.
Inside rested a beautifully crafted mechanical arm.
Silver and dark steel intertwined into elegant joints.
Tiny runes covered every finger.
The wrist was decorated with blue crystal lines resembling flowing veins.
It looked less like a tool...
And more like a masterpiece.
Lord Shen spoke quietly.
"This is a Foundation Establishment artifact."
"A Marionette Arm."
"It was crafted in the Celestial Marionette Empire."
"It will respond to your thoughts."
"It will feel almost identical to your original arm."
Yun Ren stared speechlessly.
He had prepared himself to live the rest of his life with only one hand.
His father had already begun designing a crude replacement.
Useful.
Practical.
Nothing more.
This...
This was priceless.
"My Lord..."
"I..."
He couldn't finish the sentence.
Lord Shen waved his hand dismissively.
"Accept it."
"You earned it."
Yun Ren bowed until his forehead nearly touched the floor.
"Thank you."
"I will never forget this kindness."
Yun Che suddenly raised his hand.
"My Lord..."
Lord Shen looked at him.
"Is there really no way..."
"...to regenerate a lost limb?"
The City Lord leaned back thoughtfully.
"There are."
"Many, in fact."
"At Spirit Transformation..."
He flexed his fingers slowly.
"...one can reshape the body through Spiritual Qi."
"A missing limb becomes little more than an inconvenience."
Yun Che's eyes brightened.
"So Big Brother—"
Lord Shen gently shook his head.
"That road is still very long."
"If you seek true healing before then..."
"There is only one place I would recommend."
His expression became respectful.
"The Verdant Sanctum Empire."
"The greatest healing nation in the known world."
"Their priests, druids, and saint healers possess miracles beyond imagination."
"They do not merely heal wounds."
"They restore life itself."
He smiled faintly.
"If anyone can regrow a lost arm..."
"It is the healers of the Verdant Sanctum Empire."
Yun Che quietly memorized the name.
A new destination had just been added to the long list of places he intended to visit someday.
-------------------------------
Lord Shen watched the two brothers in silence.
Then, without warning, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"A worthy goal."
Yun Che looked up.
Lord Shen continued,
"A journey with a purpose will always bring greater rewards than one without."
"If your destination is the Verdant Sanctum Empire, then every battle, every friend, every lesson along the way will shape you."
"When you finally arrive..."
"...you will not be the same person who left Mistforge."
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully.
Those words resonated with him.
He had always wanted to travel.
Now...
His journey had gained meaning.
It was no longer simply adventure.
It was for his brother.
Lord Shen's expression became serious once more.
"There is another matter."
"When you slew the Abyss creature..."
"...did you feel anything unusual?"
Yun Che hesitated.
"I..."
"It felt like something entered me."
"I can still sense it."
Lord Shen nodded.
"As expected."
"That is called an Abyss Seed."
Captain Han's face darkened.
Even Yun Ren instinctively looked toward his younger brother.
Lord Shen continued calmly.
"It is not poison."
"It is not a curse."
"It is... corruption."
"It grows slowly."
"Patiently."
"It studies the soul."
Yun Che listened without interrupting.
"The Seed does not create new emotions."
"It cannot invent hatred."
"It cannot invent greed."
"It cannot invent arrogance."
Lord Shen raised a finger.
"What it does..."
"...is magnify what already exists."
"If a man is slightly greedy..."
"He becomes obsessed with wealth."
"If he carries pride..."
"It becomes arrogance."
"If fear exists within him..."
"It becomes terror."
"The Abyss does not change who you are."
"It pushes you toward the worst version of yourself."
Silence filled the study.
Yun Che unconsciously remembered his battle against the tiger.
His fear.
His hesitation.
Lord Shen noticed the change in his eyes.
"I am telling you this because..."
"...you must destroy the Seed yourself."
Yun Che blinked.
"You can't remove it?"
"I can."
Lord Shen answered honestly.
"My Sword Intent could erase it."
"But..."
"It would also wound your soul."
"I am a swordsman."
"Not a master of souls."
"I refuse to gamble with your future."
He folded his hands.
"You have two choices."
"The first..."
"Conquer it yourself."
"The second..."
His eyes drifted toward the western horizon.
"...travel across the sea."
"There is another continent."
"And upon it stands the Heavenly Soul Court, an Ancient Sect of Pure Souls."
"It is the greatest spiritual civilization known to mankind."
"Their Soul Masters can cleanse corruption without harming the spirit."
"If one day you find the Seed beyond your ability..."
"Go there."
Yun Che quietly repeated the name in his mind.
Heavenly Soul Court.
Another destination.
Another reason to travel.
Then he smiled.
"I'll beat it myself."
"My personality is solid."
"I know my weaknesses."
"My fear..."
"I've already acknowledged it."
"And once something becomes visible..."
"It can be overcome."
Lord Shen's smile widened slightly.
"Excellent."
"The strongest prisons are the ones we refuse to acknowledge."
"You've already unlocked the door."
Lord Shen leaned back.
"Now..."
"There is another matter."
"You've enjoyed considerable freedom these past few years."
"I allowed it because your inventions benefited Mistforge."
His gaze became sharp.
"But now..."
"It is time to give something back."
Yun Che had already guessed where this was heading.
"The Mountain Piercer."
Lord Shen nodded.
"I won't demand it."
"But I would like something similar."
"In return..."
"I shall officially recognize the Yun family's inventions."
Captain Han looked surprised.
Lord Shen continued.
"From today onward..."
"No one within this kingdom may reproduce your bicycles, training equipment, parks, or future inventions without permission."
"They will either obtain your family's approval..."
"...or pay royalties."
"The law shall protect your ideas."
"If you wish..."
"I can even forbid all production outside the Yun Smithy."
Yun Che's eyes widened.
This...
Was far more valuable than gold.
After thinking quietly for several moments...
He shook his head.
"The royalties are enough."
"Our family doesn't yet have the capacity to supply an entire kingdom."
"But..."
"I have a proposal."
Lord Shen gestured for him to continue.
"I don't wish to sell the Mountain Piercer."
"Not yet."
"Instead..."
"I want the Yun Smithy to become Mistforge's official military workshop."
"We'll specialize in city defense."
"You provide support."
"We create the equipment."
Lord Shen rested his chin upon one hand.
"What kind of equipment?"
Yun Che answered immediately.
"Cannons."
"They'll possess greater range and destructive power than ordinary siege weapons."
"Mines."
"They'll deny enemy movement and protect strategic positions."
"Grenades."
"They'll allow ordinary soldiers to threaten stronger opponents."
"For now..."
"Those three."
"In the future..."
"There will be more."
Captain Han's eyes brightened.
Lord Shen remained silent for nearly a minute.
Finally...
He nodded.
"Very well."
"Mistforge has never possessed a dedicated military workshop."
"I shall give your family that opportunity."
"If you succeed..."
"The title will become permanent."
Yun Che bowed deeply.
"You won't regret it."
Lord Shen stood.
"As for your reward..."
He looked directly into Yun Che's eyes.
"I've heard about your research."
"Cultivation methods."
"Runes."
"Personal pathways."
Yun Che nodded.
"I don't want to simply inherit someone else's road."
Lord Shen smiled approvingly.
"Nor should you."
"Every cultivator eventually walks alone."
"The greatest mistake..."
"...is forcing oneself into another person's shape."
He slowly placed a hand upon Yun Che's forehead.
"I'll show you mine."
The world disappeared.
Yun Che found himself floating inside endless blue light.
Before him...
Six enormous runes slowly revolved around one another.
Each connected through countless intricate pathways.
They formed an elegant living formation.
Like stars composing a constellation.
Every line possessed purpose.
Every connection possessed meaning.
He forgot to breathe.
This...
Was Lord Shen's cultivation method.
Not the technique itself.
But its foundation.
Its philosophy.
Its structure.
Lord Shen's voice echoed around him.
"I am still learning."
"Perhaps one day..."
"I shall add a seventh rune."
"The greatest cultivation methods contain twelve."
"You may study this."
"I hope..."
"...you create something greater than mine."
The vision faded.
Yun Che returned to reality.
His heart pounded wildly.
This single lesson...
Was worth more than a hundred ordinary cultivation manuals.
Lord Shen spoke once more.
"You may choose one rune."
"I shall gift it to you."
Yun Che didn't hesitate.
"Territory."
Lord Shen nodded immediately.
"A wise choice."
"For someone like you..."
"It has endless possibilities."
He then waved toward a nearby doorway.
"My library."
"Each of you may choose two Foundation Establishment techniques."
"They need not suit my path."
"They only need to suit yours."
The brothers disappeared among countless books.
After nearly an hour...
They returned.
Lord Shen looked toward Yun Che.
"What did you choose?"
"Frost Aura."
"It'll help me forge metals, preserve materials, and control temperature."
"And?"
"Lightning Piercer."
"My attacks often lack penetration."
"This technique specializes in breaking through defenses."
"I believe..."
"It'll work wonderfully with my rifle."
Lord Shen gave an approving nod.
"Excellent."
"A creator choosing support."
"And a hunter choosing decisive offense."
He turned toward Yun Ren.
"And you?"
Yun Ren grinned.
"Wind Rider."
"I like moving fast."
"It'll make my spear harder to predict."
Captain Han laughed.
"Simple."
"But effective."
"And the second?"
"Tempest Prison."
"It traps enemies inside a rotating wind vortex."
"I can attack while they're trying to escape."
Lord Shen looked pleased.
"You've chosen well."
"Neither of you chased flashy techniques."
"You chose what complements your strengths."
"That is the mark of intelligent warriors."
Finally...
Lord Shen opened a small wooden box.
Inside rested two silver badges.
Each carried the emblem of a wolf beneath a mountain.
He handed one to each brother.
"From today onward..."
"You are officially members of the Wolf Brigade."
"You carry my authority."
Captain Han smiled.
"You'll still be considered support personnel."
"So don't think you'll immediately be leading charges."
Yun Che laughed awkwardly.
"I'd rather not."
Yun Ren nodded.
"I'll leave the heroic speeches to Tianyu."
Even Lord Shen chuckled.
The atmosphere finally relaxed.
The brothers bowed one last time before leaving the mansion.
Only after the enormous gates closed behind them...
Did they look at one another.
Then simultaneously...
They burst into laughter.
Yun Ren held up his new badge.
Yun Che clutched his own tightly.
Neither spoke.
Neither needed to.
They had entered the Foundation Establishment Realm.
They had gained their lord's trust.
And for the first time...
The road leading beyond Mistforge no longer felt like a dream.
It had finally begun.