A year ago—when Liam first transmigrated to this world—on Ghost Island, he'd visited a fake underground tomb of Kakin's True Martial King.
King Wangu Hui Guo Rou is probably dead.
According to Alain Blanchett at the time, Ging Freecss believed after investigation that during the era when King Wangu Hui Guo Rou was active three to four hundred years ago, he was fully capable of conquering the entire Azian Continent—even unifying all six continents. However, just before he was fully prepared and about to take action, he suddenly gave up.
In his later years, King Wangu Hui Guo Rou became even more reclusive and imprisoned himself in an underground tomb, as if his old age was... unknown.
Liam once speculated the king's so-called preparations to unify the six continents may have been to comprehensively promote the practice of Nen—train an extraordinary army composed entirely of Nen users in the Kakin Empire. However, when the time came to take action, something unexpected happened. Finally, nothing happened.
It's unimaginable that a legendary king would be allowed to give up his ambition to dominate the world.
Will it be related to his final death?
Now Liam learned King Wangu Hui Guo Rou once had a considerable batch of Nitro Rice. This thing obviously came from the Dark Continent. It was also obvious he must have obtained it from the Dark Continent himself—because no one who gets their hands on this kind of immortal treasure would so kindly give it to others.
In other words: King Wangu Hui Guo Rou once wanted to unify the six continents. Went to the Dark Continent to get Nitro Rice. But in the end, he still died. His tomb became a treasure hunt goal for the world...
What I want to know most now is: which came first? The king's desire to unify the entire human world, or reaching the Dark Continent to get Nitro Rice?
If the former came first and the latter last, then this is what happened:
King Wangu Hui Guo Rou was very ambitious. About to prepare his army. But he encountered an accident. He then went to the Dark Continent and brought back a batch of Nitro Rice. Gave up his original ambition to unify the human world. Or maybe he simply began to lose consciousness and eventually died.
It's possible he brought some kind of "disaster" back from the Dark Continent. Or maybe... eating Nitro Rice IS a disaster in itself.
If eating longevity rice actually caused King Wangu Hui Guo Rou's old age to be unknown, then—I have to say, that's quite darkly humorous.
If there's such black humor, then I'll have to adjust my future plans. No matter how much I want to eat longevity rice, I don't want to end up with an unknown outcome in my old age. Isn't that nonsense?
And if King Wangu Hui Guo Rou went to the Dark Continent to get Nitro Rice first, with the intention of unifying the human world behind, then the historical truth seems different:
King Wangu Hui Guo Rou thought that after eating Nitro Rice, he could live forever. So he ignited his ambition to unify the six continents. However, he encountered some kind of accident and stopped this plan. In the end, he himself didn't really achieve longevity...
Even if you eat longevity rice, it doesn't mean you won't be killed. So the key is: what kind of accident made King Wangu Hui Guo Rou give up conquering the six continents? What kind of accident led to his final fall? Could it be the same accident?
And Liam's various speculations about King Wangu Hui Guo Rou all led to the same question:
Can the rice left by this guy be eaten?
I won't get into trouble if I eat it, right?
While Liam was thinking, the old lion elder had finished carving three small jade Buddha necklaces and placed them neatly on the ground in front of him.
Although Liam was a little distracted, the elder was only carving—he wouldn't miss any details. Not to mention the curious Shizuku who was observing more carefully.
"Then what?" Shizuku asked. "Is it over?"
"There's still the most important step." The Great Elder said solemnly. As he spoke, he used the carving knife to draw a cut on his arm. Blood dripped down drop by drop. "The spell must be drawn with blood to finally complete it and add magical effects."
Shizuku reminded, "It has no magical effect now."
The Great Elder choked. Didn't you insist on watching the process?
Liam was about to follow the technique when he saw the elder dip his fingers in the blood from the wound—then dance on the spot. After dancing for a while, he painted a pattern on the first small jade Buddha.
Shizuku and he both looked carefully and immediately memorized the strokes he used to apply the pattern.
But this great dance move...
Shizuku might be willing to try it. But I feel this isn't necessary—especially since the old lion is doing the shaman dance and drawing talismans while mumbling some words. Others do shaman dances by chanting sutras. What he's reciting seems to be "Hui Guo Rou," "Hui Guo Rou" and the like. Outstanding. Speechless.
No wonder the other Black Mist Lions don't know how to make this small jade Buddha necklace. Just this process—are you embarrassed to show it to others? Will the disciples still have awe of the so-called temple after seeing it?
Liam further wondered if this funny step of drawing the talisman was something Wangu Hui Guo Rou did to tease this guy back then.
The Great Elder was also a Magical Beast cub back then. Teasing the little fool is something every adult enjoys...
"Hui Guo Rou..."
The Great Elder danced with enthusiasm—already painting the third small jade Buddha with blood.
There wasn't much expression on Shizuku's face, but her hands and feet were eager to try. Liam held her down.
Shizuku looked puzzled.
The Great Elder danced and painted three times in a row, seeming to still have unfinished business. He looked up at the black jade Buddha statue that was full of cracks, looked down at the three small jade Buddha statues with blood stains on their chests, and said with emotion, "Sure enough, the spirituality is gone! Lost! In the past, after completing the ritual and drawing the blood talismans, these talisman patterns would be completely integrated into the pendant, but now..."
He shook his head with a wry smile.
The blood stains on the chest of the small jade Buddhas slowly flowed down, gradually blurring the original pattern.
Liam focused his eyes and observed the black jade Buddha statue.
If this thing has special abilities, it must have aura contained in it. But now I can't see anything.
In Hunter World, even antiques and treasures will be contaminated with aura.
Aura isn't exclusive to Nen users. Everyone has aura in their body. Some masters with extraordinary skills may unintentionally pour their own aura into their works even if they're not awakened.
What's more—treasures truly made by Nen users?
But the black jade Buddha statue in front of him seemed to be an ordinary stone sculpture. Still full of cracks. May disintegrate at any time. The kind thrown on the side of the road without anyone taking a second look.
These three imitation small jade Buddhas were also similar. The necklaces worn by the Black Mist Lions he'd seen before were more or less contaminated with some aura—but covered up by their own aura, making it difficult to distinguish. But the three newly made small jade Buddhas in front of them had no aura at all. Only traces of fresh blood dripping down.
The Great Elder looked at them helplessly. "This is the only way we can do it."
Do I want this?
If I don't want it, he can give away his pendant. However, they're all pendants that have lost their spirituality anyway. The one he's wearing now isn't much different from the three failed ones on the ground.
Liam smiled. "Of course. It's good to keep as a souvenir."
He wiped off the blood on the three small jade Buddhas and put them away. He glanced at the cracked face of the black jade Buddha statue. "Thank you, Wangu Hui Guo Rou."
Speaking of which, my body in this life might be the descendant of this Wangu Hui Guo Rou.
If I said the things he left behind were destined for me, that wouldn't be considered nonsense.
I went to Sensui Mountain to help Kurapika find Scarlet Eyes. Met a gray man. Finally gave me half a Nen Beast.
This time I went to the Kamavor Mountains to rescue Kurapika. Met another gray man. Finally gave myself a cart of something that looks like Nitro Rice.
I don't know which gray cockroach I can meet next time? What good things will you give me?
And both times are related to Kurapika. You're really a lucky charm!
Liam went to look at Kurapika lying unconscious. Although his condition had improved, he probably relaxed completely after knowing he was out of trouble. Passed out. Still showed no sign of waking up.
"We have to go. Find him a hospital to stay in for a while as soon as possible." Liam said.
Shizuku naturally had no objection.
Essi said, "Let me arrange it. After all, I'm also a Professional Hunter. I hold a license."
He smiled and borrowed Liam's previous joke.
"Then we won't be polite." Liam nodded.
In front of the dilapidated Zen monastery, because Essi was taller and obviously older, he took the initiative to carry Kurapika on his back.
Ryan—the Black Mist Lion—was silent the whole time. Now he spoke, thanking Liam and the others. He guessed if it weren't for them, he might have been killed together with Rand in the black fog.
Liam said, "But if it weren't for us, your other two companions probably wouldn't have fled to the temple and been killed?"
Ryan said, "We attacked you first. If we didn't attack you, nothing would have happened."
"Much more reasonable than before." Liam nodded and touched his fist to the other's chest.
"Let's go." Liam turned around and strode away. The outline of the mountain in front was already dyed red by the morning sun. The morning light dispersed the darkness of night.
Essi and Shizuku followed closely, Essi carrying the emaciated Kurapika on his back.
Looking at the three people leaving, Ryan remained silent. Suddenly wondered, "Why are they all empty-handed? Weren't those three small jade Buddhas taken away by them?"
The Great Elder said, "Maybe they're in his pocket."
"That would make it bulge. I can definitely see it..."
"Why do you care? There's nothing magical anymore. Maybe they just threw it away." The Great Elder breathed a long sigh of relief, then cold sweat broke out. He murmured, "They're so similar. These people—the feeling on their bodies is so similar to that Hui Guo Rou... Among humans, there are groups with terrifying power. They're like monsters among humans... Fortunately, I didn't really anger them."
As for the leaving group of four, Liam walked slower and slower. Essi, who followed, became more and more confused as they walked. Finally couldn't help but ask, "Isn't this the direction to our drop-off point?"
"You should have told me if you knew the road!"
Liam slapped Essi on the arm.
"You were walking so fast, I thought you knew it!" Essi couldn't help but change direction while carrying the sleeping Kurapika on his back. "Come, follow me. Don't look at me like this—I'm also a Professional Hunter after all. Finding people, knowing roads, surviving in the wild—these are the special skills of a Hunter..."
"Aren't you an Oath Hunter?" Liam and Shizuku followed and complained casually.
He checked out the Hunter Association's official website a few days ago. Naturally knew what kind of Hunter Essi was.
The most common Professional Hunters were Bounty Hunters. But in addition there were also Gourmet Hunters, Crime Hunters, Treasure Hunters, Ruin Hunters, Ocean Hunters...
I didn't find any rules to follow. It seemed what you're called a Hunter depends on what you want to "hunt."
For example, there are Professional Hunters called Blacklist Hunters. What the hell is that?
Liam could only find one Oath Hunter like Essi on the Hunter Association's official website—no duplicate at all.
I seriously doubt if anyone wanted to be called a Mother Hunter, that unreliable old man Netero would be happy to accept it.
The ordinary members of the Hunter Association and the names of Hunters were open to the public—unless the Hunter himself took the initiative to hide them.
For example, the unreliable father of the protagonist Gon in the manga directly encrypted his own information to a level comparable to that of a head of state—purely deliberately to make it difficult for his biological son to find him...
Essi led the two of them forward quickly in the mountains, patiently giving them knowledge on how to identify directions and survive in the wild.
Liam felt the latter was of little use with Star Mark protection. Shizuku's own wild survival skills are maxed out. The former really benefited him—he said he'd learned it.
"By the way, that pile of rice..."
When the off-road vehicle that was stuck at the mountain intersection ahead came into sight, Essi suddenly asked about what happened before.
Previously, after Liam asked the Black Mist Lion Great Elder about white rice, his eyes signaled me to be calm—seemed to mean he'd gotten the answer he wanted to ask.
Including Kurapika, this pile of rice suspected of being Nitro Rice was originally found by a group of four. Liam has no intention of bypassing me to eat alone...
Liam said, "Rice. If I want to explain this, I have to start with the continents under our feet... Essi, I think you've heard of the Dark Continent, right?"
V5 only concluded a treaty on the inviolability of the Dark Continent 200 years ago.
Although things about the Dark Continent are secretive, they're far from unknown. In fact, many people are well aware of this. Even teachers at schools deliberately avoid this topic—don't touch this Pandora's box in front of students—but they know the Dark Continent exists...
Under the morning sun, there were several spotted deer wandering near the off-road vehicle parked at the mountain intersection. Liam explained to Essi as he walked over. At first, the spotted deer noticed them but didn't leave.
Seeing this, Essi smiled. "Hunters are usually loved by animals. It seems you have the potential to be a Hunter, Liam."
Then when Shizuku got closer, several spotted deer that were originally curious suddenly seemed frightened and scattered in all directions.
Essi was speechless for a moment and looked at Shizuku in embarrassment.
Shizuku didn't feel anything at all. She grabbed the off-road vehicle with both hands and turned the front around as if nothing had happened, looking at them in confusion.
Liam was so amused he patted Essi on the back and got into the car first.
After returning to the city, they sent Kurapika to the reserved hospital ward to recuperate. Afterwards, Essi brushed off his clothes, said goodbye, and left.
Liam looked at Shizuku in shock.
Yes, even I'm a little surprised at the moment—
When he saw Shizuku materialize Blinky and release a black jade Buddha statue from it!
Covered with cracks. Face exactly the same as True Martial King Wangu Hui Guo Rou. The one enshrined in the temple of the Black Mist Lion clan.