Chapter Thirteen: Private Counsel (Part Two)

Hu Hai’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he listened, unable to contain his excitement, fists clenched as if he were ready to leap into action right then and there. Shi Jun, however, paid him no mind, remaining calm and quietly waiting for Huang Quan to continue.

“This Heart of Contract generally has a higher success rate only when the user’s spiritual power is stronger than the recipient’s, and it tends to be more effective on non-human beings with weaker consciousness. For example, the Blue Spirits—once you, my lord, forge a contract with them, they will obey your commands for life. But if the recipient is a well-trained and strong-willed immortal, demon, or underworld being, you’ll only be able to control their mind for a short period, sealing away much of their spiritual power and causing them to lose most of their abilities. Yet, if they manage to gather enough strength or receive help from others to break through the mental shackles, they can dissolve the contract entirely and regain their original power.” Huang Quan paused there, a touch of weariness flickering across his face.

* * *

Having heard so much in one go, Shi Jun felt he now understood most of his own abilities. He had intended to let the matter rest, but seeing Hu Hai’s insatiable curiosity—after all, it wasn’t every day one encountered a true master—he hesitated, then asked again, “Your words have been of immense benefit to this junior; I thank you deeply! But regarding my friend here, might you offer him some guidance as well?”

Hu Hai, realizing his luck had finally arrived, held his breath, eyes ablaze and fixed on Huang Quan without blinking.

Huang Quan turned his gaze to Hu Hai, studied him intently, and then smiled. “Very well, since you have spoken, my lord, I shall make an exception this once.”

He then addressed Hu Hai with a gentle smile. “This young man is truly fortunate. On your very first visit to the Underworld, you’ve already been aided by the Elixir of Purified Heart and a Crimson Essence Fruit—the latter is rare enough, but the Elixir of Purified Heart is an extraordinary spiritual treasure. It was cultivated by General Wuchang himself at the most potent spot in the Infernal Heart Hell to help him grow in power; it’s his personal reserve. Now that you’ve taken it, you’ve cleansed your heart and marrow, been reborn, and your future prospects are limitless! Here, let me give you a little trinket—perhaps you’ll find it interesting.”

Hu Hai could hardly wait for Huang Quan to finish, repeatedly exclaiming, “I’m interested! Very interested!” He stuck out his palm, eager to snatch up whatever treasure Huang Quan offered and study it thoroughly.

Shi Jun watched with a grin, genuinely happy for his friend.

A moment later, an open palm revealed a thin booklet and a small crystal object, about an inch long.

“This is called the Spirit-Returning Finger Sheath. It has already been enchanted with spells,” Huang Quan explained, tossing the tubular little crystal to Hu Hai.

Hu Hai caught it in delight, turning it over in his hands as if it were a priceless treasure before asking, “Thank you, Elder! But what exactly is this for?”

“The Spirit-Returning Finger Sheath is a non-elemental magical artifact. Just wear it on your usual finger, and it will take effect. But once you put it on, it will recognize you as its master and can’t be removed at will,” Huang Quan said with a smile.

Hu Hai curiously toyed with the sheath, eager to slip it onto his right index finger, but was startled by Huang Quan’s next words. “Wait, if I can’t take it off, won’t it just become part of my hand?”

Huang Quan shook his head. “Not quite. It can be removed with a specific incantation, though there’s rarely any need for that. Once it’s on, it will mimic your skin color and merge with your flesh. It’s been with me for many years and has developed some spiritual awareness, but since I never refined it deeply, it still has much room to grow—something most fully cultivated artifacts lack. For you, it’s just right.”

As he finished speaking, a flash of white light shot from his finger toward the Spirit-Returning Sheath in Hu Hai’s hand, and he uttered a low command: “By command of Heaven and Earth, all magic flows home—Spirit-Returning Finger Sheath, recognize your master!”

* * *

At Huang Quan’s sharp command, the once transparent, lifeless crystal sheath in Hu Hai’s palm suddenly shimmered with a gentle radiance, before turning the exact color of his skin.

Hu Hai, itching with curiosity, asked, “Is this sheath really powerful?”

“Haha, moving mountains, turning the sea, changing stone to gold… that’s beyond its abilities!” Huang Quan quipped, then continued, “The Spirit-Returning Sheath is an offensive artifact. Normally, it will absorb and store refined elemental energy from the universe. In battle, you just recite an incantation to release its stored power, aiding you in overcoming your foes. But since this little thing was just a pastime of mine and never truly refined, its storage is limited. Once depleted, you’ll need to give it time to recharge. So I advise you to treat it as a protective tool, and not rely on it too much.”

“I get it! Like bullets in a pistol—once they’re spent, you have to reload,” Hu Hai exclaimed excitedly, “But how long does it take to recharge?”

“That depends on the environment. In the Underworld, it can recover in moments, but in the mortal realm, it will take much longer,” Huang Quan replied.

He meant that the mortal world had much less elemental energy, so the sheath would need more time to replenish itself. But Hu Hai misunderstood, remarking, “The mortal world’s environment really is filthier than the Underworld—at least there’s no pollution, no exhaust, none of the dust and grime in the air!”

Huang Quan was baffled by talk of “pollution” and “exhaust,” but said nothing more. Instead, he handed Hu Hai the thin booklet. “This book contains the basics of cultivating and controlling spiritual and elemental energy, as well as other fundamental techniques. You’d do well to study it. There are also some minor spells I devised in my spare time—all yours, should you wish to experiment.”

He then taught Hu Hai the incantations needed to use the sheath, before turning to Shi Jun. “As for your own cultivation, my lord, I’m afraid there’s little more I can offer you. But with your talent, you need only diligent practice to achieve great things.”

“You’re too kind, Elder!” Shi Jun replied quickly. “Both Hu Hai and I have benefited immensely today. We shall not forget your kindness in teaching us.”

Huang Quan smiled, and there seemed to be a peculiar emotion in his gaze as he looked at Shi Jun—something so warm and familiar that Shi Jun’s heart stirred, as if there was some secret connection between them, though they’d only spoken for a few dozen minutes. The feeling vanished instantly, and Huang Quan sighed, “You flatter me, my lord. There are people waiting for you outside now; I should send you on your way.” He shot Shi Jun a meaningful look. “You came to the Netherworld in search of Shi Li, but it was all in vain, wasn’t it?”

Shi Jun caught his drift and nodded with a smile, “Yes, a wasted trip—didn’t even catch a glimpse of the person I came for. Such disappointment!”

Huang Quan nodded in satisfaction, then addressed Hu Hai, who was still confused, “When you return, focus on your cultivation. In the end, progress comes from your own efforts—no one can do it for you.”

Hu Hai muttered his assent, though he knew it was time to take his leave. He hurriedly stuffed the booklet and the sheath into his clothes.

* * *

“Hey, do you think the Elder means we’re to keep everything today a secret?” Hu Hai asked as soon as they stepped out the little door, unable to contain himself.

“I think so,” Shi Jun nodded. “Let’s get our stories straight—just say we came looking for someone and found nothing. If needed, we even act disappointed.”

* * *

“Then we’ll just play dumb!” Hu Hai chuckled. “Though it’ll be hard not to brag about such an adventure.”

“Just resist telling Chen Ya, and you’ll manage to keep it quiet,” Shi Jun teased. He knew Hu Hai’s greatest weakness was Chen Ya, though, to be fair, even if he did blurt it out, who would believe such a tale?

“Oh, come on,” Hu Hai protested, “and you, can you keep it from your she-devil? If you can, so can I!”

Shi Jun shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I already promised the Elder. Keeping secrets isn’t the same as lying. I don’t have to report every little thing to her.”

Hu Hai burst into laughter, punching Shi Jun in the arm. “You fool! You just gave yourself away. Admit it—you like her, don’t you? Is something going on already?”

“What are you talking about?” Shi Jun replied sheepishly. “Don’t give me that look—we’re not up to anything!”

“We? ‘We,’ is it?” Hu Hai chortled, relentless. “Come on, just admit you like her. A real man wouldn’t be so shy! I knew something was up when you kept calling her a she-devil. And besides, she’s a marshal—aren’t you afraid she’s out of your league?”

Shi Jun shoved Hu Hai’s oversized head away. “Enough with the nonsense. By the way, why didn’t you use the chance to formally become the Elder’s disciple? You took his gifts, but didn’t even show that much sincerity.”

At this, Hu Hai perked up, instantly forgetting his teasing. He pulled out the Spirit-Returning Sheath, caressing it admiringly. “A treasure! Old Shi, I finally got my hands on a real treasure—this was well worth the trip, haha!” With that, he carefully slipped the sheath onto his index finger and recited the incantation Huang Quan had taught him.

In a flash of green light, the sheath vanished completely. Both men looked at Hu Hai’s finger—no sign of extra thickness or color, as if there were nothing there at all.

“It really disappeared?” Shi Jun exclaimed. “Try taking it off!”

Hu Hai, a little nervous, quickly chanted the removal spell. Sure enough, with another flash of green, the sheath reappeared on his finger.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then grinned proudly. “Well? With this, our ghost-hunting partnership is set!”

Laughing and chatting, the pair made their way out of the corridor. Suddenly, darkness enveloped them, their bodies tensed, and they were hurled away by a tremendous force.