T/N: you know what, screw it, I don't care if I got a full-time job.
I still enjoy doing what I do want and I'm not planning to stop.
I'll continue releasing chapters for all the fics as usual.
If you want advance chapters, you can find them on my (patreon.com/LizTL)
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Chapter 62
Today, Jingliu broke her sword training routine for the first time. Even by nightfall, she still had not completed her weighted long-distance run.
Once again, she had pushed her body beyond its limits and lost consciousness.
Kanzaki removed her equipment and gently lifted her small frame. Her breathing was so faint it was barely there.
"Are you really not afraid of training her to death…"
"Greetings, General."
Sha Feng let out a long sigh.
For generations, the Tomomu Family of the Xianzhou had served in the military, and none had ever tarnished their ancestors' glory. Even he, a general stationed aboard the Xianzhou, had heard the rumors.
Yet he never imagined the special training given to the Tomomu Family descendants from such a young age would be this brutal.
Even newly enlisted Cloud Knights who had never seen battle would struggle to endure it, let alone a ten-year-old child.
"Has the General come bearing important orders?"
Kanzaki acted as if he had not noticed the pity in Sha Feng's eyes as he looked at Jingliu.
"I mainly came to check on your condition. The Alchemy Commission's concerns have proven correct. So far, more than five million survivors from Cangcheng have begun experiencing premonitions of mara-infection."
At this point, Sha Feng's expression grew heavy.
Most of these people were elderly, and among them… was Kanzaki himself.
Living in seclusion in a remote delve, how could he not feel uneasy?
"This catastrophe has been especially cruel to those over six hundred years old. It has thrown their essence, energy, and spirit into chaos, plunging them into nightmares that trigger the mara-infection."
"As of now, the premonitions of hundreds of thousands have become reality. The Messengers and Judges of the Ten Lords Commission have already guided them into extinction."
"A smaller number of those around five hundred years old are also unable to escape the mara-infection…"
Kanzaki fell silent for a moment. "Please rest assured, General. I am fine. May I ask what else brings you here?"
Sha Feng shared confidential information from the Yueque monitoring report.
After the destruction of Cangcheng, the Xianzhou had returned to its original route, the one with the highest concentration of Abominations.
The expeditions of the Hunt would not stop.
"The Xianzhou has lost its Cloud Knight Sword Master. The Vidyadhara High Elder alone cannot hold back stronger enemies. Until a new Sword Champion is selected, I cannot easily leave the Xianzhou for an expedition."
Hearing Sha Feng's words, Kanzaki understood completely and felt a wave of sympathy.
An Emanator of the Hunt carried a far different weight of responsibility than one of Abundance. As Xianzhou generals, every decision they made affected the lives of hundreds of billions aboard the ship.
They could not act as freely as Shuhu, treating allied forces of Abundance Abominations as disposable tools to weaken the Xianzhou without any remorse.
Kanzaki looked down at the young girl in his arms. Her brow was tightly furrowed, her small face twisted in pain.
After a long pause, he said:
"Give me one more month."
"There's no need for that. Take half a year." Sha Feng knew that Kanzaki had lost almost everything.
Now, all he had left was the disciple in his arms.
Though his training was merciless, it was easy to see how much he cared for her.
Moreover, taking half a year to steady his mind would be safer.
"It's fine. One month is enough."
"…Since you insist, I won't press the matter."
Kanzaki nodded and changed the subject.
"Also, General, please help me register this child into the Cloud Knights' records."
"…She's only thirteen!"
"The General misunderstands. I only plan to place her in the reserve forces for now."
"That's good, then." Sha Feng breathed a sigh of relief.
While there were cases of young soldiers entering battle, many of them from the Tomomu Family line, Jingliu had barely touched a weapon before the disaster at Cangcheng. Even with intensive training, what kind of combat ability could she realistically have in less than two months?
"I will have someone arrange it. I trust your disciple." With that, Sha Feng took his leave.
The lights in the room shone brightly.
Behind the screen, steam rose steadily from the bath.
Jingliu's wrists and ankles were raw and bloody, the wounds stuck to her clothes in a gruesome sight.
Kanzaki did not immediately place her in the medicinal bath.
For this level of exhaustion and injury, simple soaking would absorb the medicine too slowly.
He took out a needle case from his robe and unfolded it. The silver needles of various lengths glinted coldly.
This acupuncture technique was one he had mastered while researching the power of Abundance and the mara-struck. Drawing on medical knowledge from his previous life, learning it had not been particularly difficult.
Kanzaki focused intently as he located the precise points and inserted the needles one by one with steady, gentle twists.
As the silver needles entered her body, the deathly pale girl furrowed her brow slightly and twitched unconsciously.
Once dozens of needles were in place, her previously cold limbs began to warm, and an unnatural deep flush spread across her skin.
Kanzaki nodded slightly. Carefully avoiding the needles, he lifted her and slowly lowered her into the wooden tub filled with medicinal liquid, leaving only her head, shoulders, and neck above the surface.
The moment the vibrant liquid touched her skin, her body began eagerly absorbing its healing power. The originally emerald-green solution started losing its color at a visible rate.
Kanzaki stood watch, carefully observing Jingliu's complexion and occasionally adjusting the needles to better guide the medicine toward repairing her torn muscles and hidden bone injuries.
Gradually, the girl's furrowed brow relaxed. Her tense, pained expression slowly turned peaceful.
The gravity in Kanzaki's eyes had long since softened. He picked up a soft towel and gently wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
"The hardship and pain you face now will help you become stronger quickly… without causing lasting harm."
He gazed at the slender figure in the tub and murmured quietly to himself.
Master cannot suppress the mara-infection forever, nor can I accompany you on the battlefield forever.
Sooner or later, you will have to walk your own path alone.
And… you will have to kill your master.
General Sha Feng's concerns were not without reason.
Among the Cangcheng survivors showing early signs of mara-infection was Kanzaki himself.
However, by committing one of the Xianzhou's Ten Unpardonable Sins, he had used a forbidden method to suppress the infection.
Until he killed Shuhu, he would continue fighting the mara within and live on as long as possible as one of the Long-lived.
Half an hour later, the medicinal water in the tub had turned completely clear.
Kanzaki skillfully removed all the needles, turned off the Jade Sign recording device, and carried Jingliu, wrapped in a bath towel, back to her room to change into her pajamas.
Only after completing everything did a deep wave of exhaustion wash over him.
He took one last look at his peacefully sleeping disciple, turned off the lights, and left the room with a quiet sigh.