The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 22: The Birth of the Heart Demon

Han Li stood silently in place, watching the gradually receding figure of Li Feiyu without uttering a word.

After agreeing to come back at noon the next day to pick up the medicine, Li Feiyu had taken his leave from Han Li, saying he needed to go back and recuperate further.

Throughout this long period, Han Li had never questioned Li Feiyu about the reasons for taking such a secret medicine. Han Li knew that even if he asked, it wouldn't change what had already happened.

Since Li Feiyu was willing to sacrifice his future for the present glory of being "Senior Apprentice Li," it was clear that he had his own unavoidable reasons. No one would willingly commit suicide, even a slow and costly one. Forcing him to reveal his reasons would only reopen a wound that was just beginning to heal.

Clearly, Han Li's approach was correct. Before leaving, Li Feiyu was grateful for Han Li's understanding, as he hadn't pressed for the specific reasons behind his use of the Marrow Extraction Pill. Although he didn't say it out loud, Han Li knew that Li Feiyu owed him another favor, neither too big nor too small.

Han Li intended to keep his promise, not only by not divulging his secret but also by deciding to prepare a secret medicine to alleviate his pain as soon as he returned to the valley.

The reason for doing so was simple: since the other party was not a villain and hadn't truly tried to kill him, Han Li wanted to make Li Feiyu owe him an even greater favor, making it difficult for him to refuse any future requests.

Li Feiyu's martial arts would only improve in the coming years, and the stronger he became, the more likely he would be of help. Even if Han Li didn't need his assistance in the next few years, it didn't matter. Gently helping someone who wasn't a bad person was a pleasant thing for Han Li's mind and body. Although Li Feiyu might not necessarily be a good person, at least after today's events, he posed no threat to Han Li.

After carefully considering everything, Han Li felt there were no oversights and leisurely returned to the Valley of Divine Hands.

Shortly after returning to the valley, Han Li began preparing the secret medicine Li Feiyu needed. The medicine to reduce pain perception wasn't difficult to concoct; all the necessary herbs could be found in the valley's medicinal garden. The process was just a bit tedious and required careful attention.

After a busy afternoon, Han Li prepared enough medicine for Li Feiyu to use for a year. He could have made more, but he hoped Li Feiyu would come back each year to retrieve the medicine, ensuring he wouldn't forget the favor he owed.

By evening, Han Li suddenly sat in a chair in front of his house, looking up at the dark starry sky and the bright moon, lost in thought.

Han Li was once again missing his family.He had been away from his parents for over four years. Since he came up the mountain, he had been diligently practicing the chant almost every day, leaving him no time to think about his family, and he had never gone back down the mountain. He only had most of the silver he received each month sent home, and he only received one letter a year from his parents, written by Uncle Zhang, assuring him that everything was fine at home. The letters were brief, mentioning little beyond the fact that the family was well. He knew that their life had improved significantly, that his eldest brother had started a family and established himself, and that his second brother had found a bride and was likely to hold the wedding next year. All these changes were due to the silver he sent home. However, Han Li had noticed from the tone of the letters that his family was becoming increasingly polite to him, even to the point of treating him like a stranger. This realization had initially frightened him, and he didn’t know how to respond. But as time passed, for some reason, this fear naturally faded, and the image of his family in his mind gradually blurred.

Only on nights like this, when something triggered his emotions, would he reminisce about his family and recall the warmth he once felt at home. This rare and precious feeling brought him comfort, and he would savor it slowly, bit by bit.

Han Li placed his hand on his chest, his fingers gently caressing the small leather pouch containing the protective charm through his clothes.

In the past, a few touches like this would bring him a faint sense of satisfaction. But tonight, for some reason, the caressing only stirred his heart more, leaving him restless and unable to calm down.

Han Li felt an indescribable sense of frustration. He couldn’t control his emotions, and his body felt off. The Qi and blood within him began to churn uncontrollably, and the strange energy he had cultivated through his practice started to stir.

The terrifying thought of "Qi Deviation" suddenly flashed through his mind. Han Li stood up, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down. Doctor Mo wasn’t here, so he had to handle this crisis on his own.

He was puzzled. How could he have fallen into Qi Deviation for no reason? Although this wasn’t the time to investigate the root cause, finding the trigger for the Qi Deviation was the most feasible way to resolve this trouble completely.

Han Li raised his head and scanned his surroundings, but he didn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

He touched his chin with his right hand, and his elbow suddenly bumped into something bulging. His gaze instinctively fell on it.

"Small leather pouch," "protective charm"—the names of these items immediately came to his mind.

"Could it be the cause of this trouble?" Han Li wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t hesitate any longer. The situation inside his body was worsening, and he could lose control at any moment.

Without hesitation, Han Li reached out, yanked the pouch from his neck, and threw it as far as he could.

"No, it’s worse. My heart feels even more unsettled, and the churning of Qi and blood is even more intense."

Han Li barely managed to suppress the turmoil within him again. His bloodshot eyes fixed on the small leather pouch, hoping to find the reason why things had gotten worse.

(End of Chapter)