Chapter Fifty-Seven: Necromancy

“Lord Hise, very well, our Holy See will show you respect,” Steller managed to force a thin smile. “However, those five people are absolutely necessary for us. No matter the cost, we must take them back. I sincerely hope you will agree, Lord Hise.”

Hise answered with a noncommittal air, “Oh, five people? Take them, then! I don’t know them anyway.”

After all, those who had asked him to save Hog and Linley hadn’t mentioned anyone else. Hise was never one to meddle in others’ affairs. And to be fair, the Radiant Church had treated him quite well over the years; he felt they deserved some consideration.

The five brothers Buck, who possessed the bloodline of the Undying Warriors, were taken aback, and Linley could not help but speak up anxiously, “Lord Hise…”

“Linley, is it? Do those five people matter greatly to you?” Hise curled his lip. “You don’t seem to know them, do you? Then don’t worry yourself. Look after your own comfort; life and death of others are none of your concern.”

Steller breathed a sigh of relief and offered Hise a grateful bow and smile. “Thank you, Lord Hise.”

“Let me take a look at these five people the Radiant Church values so highly,” Hise said with a squinting, amiable grin as he turned his curious gaze to Buck and his brothers.

But as he studied the five brothers, Hise’s expression gradually changed, his face darkening. Just as Steller was about to lead the brothers away, Hise’s voice dropped, “Steller, I’ve changed my mind. Leave alone, and let them stay. Otherwise, leave your life here. The choice is yours.”

“Lord Hise, you—” Steller was furious at Hise’s sudden reversal, but under that icy gaze, he dared not utter another word.

Hise then lifted his head, eyes chillingly cold. “Steller, listen carefully. Go back and tell Haitings: if your Church ever again covets those five brothers, don’t blame me for showing no mercy. I’ll march straight to your Holy Capital myself.”

“You leave now and I’ll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise…” A cold gleam flashed in Hise’s eyes, and a dreadful aura of killing intent filled the air.

Though Steller burned with anger and frustration, he knew before a godlike being he had no right to protest or even be angry. He bowed respectfully, then flew away.

After Steller’s departure, Hise glanced around, called Linley and the others, and led them away.

It was already bright the next morning when Hise returned to Deco County’s capital, quietly entering a secluded courtyard of a tranquil inn in the city.

“Master Qian Kun, are you awake? The task you entrusted to me is done,” Hise called out toward the loft in the courtyard.

Before long, a window on the second floor opened, and Qian Kun, clad in a loose black robe and with slightly disheveled hair, floated down from above.

“Thank you, Master Qian Kun, for letting me intervene and save Hog and Linley. By chance, I also encountered the descendants of a dear old friend and managed to save them from the Radiant Church,” Hise said, bowing earnestly.

Seating himself at a stone table, Qian Kun waved dismissively. “Enough, Hise. This humility is unlike you.”

“Master, there’s something I need to attend to at the headquarters of the Sabre Organization, so I may not be able to continue hosting you,” Hise continued.

“No matter! I have nothing pressing, so I’ll just wait here,” Qian Kun answered with an easy smile. “I must say, Hise, you know how to enjoy life. This is a fine place. I’m not in any hurry to leave—plan to relax for a few more days. After all that cultivating, it’s rare to have such leisure.”

“In that case, Master Qian Kun, I hope you enjoy yourself, and I shall take my leave,” Hise said with a smile, his figure flickering as he disappeared.

After Hise left, Qian Kun shook his head and sighed softly, “Loneliness is the fate of the strong. If I live as long as Hise, with centuries stretching endlessly ahead, how will I pass the time? At least I can traverse other worlds and marvel at their wonders. But Hise, O’Brien, the High Priest—they’re all cooped up in this tiny Yulan Plane. That must be truly dull.”

...

More than a month later, in the O’Brien Empire’s Northwestern Province, on the outskirts of the provincial capital Bazel, nestled the town of Yunfeng. Here, Linley, his father Hog, the necromancer Saisler, the five Buck brothers, and the sisters Rebecca and Lina were living quietly together.

They kept their identities secret; townsfolk believed Hog and Linley were noblemen from afar, Saisler their steward, and the Buck brothers their bodyguards. Linley and his companions lived on the westernmost edge of town, with the nearest neighbors several hundred meters away.

Lina and Rebecca returned from the market, baskets in hand, chatting and laughing as they walked. Cooking was their daily task, a respite from their training.

They crossed the open ground where the planned manor was still under construction, so for now, they lived in temporary wooden cabins.

“Big Brother Linley’s training is so strange,” Rebecca muttered.

At that moment, Linley was wielding a black heavy sword in one hand and a supple violet sword in the other. The heavy sword seemed weightless as a feather, while the violet sword appeared to carry the weight of a mountain.

Suddenly, a black-robed figure flashed through the air, landing directly in front of Linley—it was Qian Kun.

Linley instinctively grew wary and puzzled, but just then, his father Hog came hurrying over. Upon seeing Qian Kun, he was overcome with joy and excitement, hastily bowing in respect. “Master Qian Kun!”

“Master Qian Kun?” Linley’s eyes widened in surprise. He looked at Qian Kun with curiosity; he had heard his father speak of this man. Besides, thanks to the titanic battle between Qian Kun and Dylin, all of Yulan Continent now knew of both Dylin, king of the magical beast mountains, and the reclusive godlike expert Qian Kun of Fenlai. Qian Kun’s name was now as widely known as Dylin’s.

“Master Qian Kun, Lord Hise saved us before. The friend he mentioned must have been you, right?” Hog asked eagerly.

Qian Kun nodded with a faint smile. “Yes. Steller of the Radiant Church was there at the time, so I wasn’t in a position to appear myself. I asked Hise to handle things.”

“So, Master Qian Kun, you truly are the godlike expert of the Holy Alliance—the ancestor of the royal house of Fenlai?” Hog fixed his gaze on Qian Kun, unable to conceal his nervous skepticism.

Qian Kun blinked, then, noticing Linley’s intense stare as well, couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. “Ha! Hog, what do you think? If I were truly Clyde’s ancestor, would I have helped you, helped the Dragonblood Warrior clan? Back then, I was merely amusing myself, tricking Clyde by claiming to be the Fenlai royal ancestor—and he believed it.”

“A joke?” Hog and Linley were stunned, glancing at Qian Kun in astonishment. They never imagined that this legendary godlike figure would be one to toy with Clyde in such a way, treating life as a game. Wasn’t that a bit much? Well, they truly didn’t know what to say.

Seeing their expressions, Qian Kun’s smile only deepened. “Haha, Hog, don’t worry so much. When you’re strong enough, go and kill Clyde to avenge your wife. I won’t interfere with his fate.”

“By the way, I’m here today to see Saisler. Is he around?” Qian Kun asked amiably.

Linley couldn’t help but ask, “Master Qian Kun, may I ask why you’re looking for Saisler?”

“Lately I’ve been bored and have taken an interest in necromancy. I’m here to learn necromancy from him,” Qian Kun replied, leaving Hog and Linley even more surprised and at a loss for words.