Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 427: Chapter 427. A Promise of Extension

”What makes you say so?” Xei Nuli asked.

”I have been in the presence of a Lord Stage power before. That’s how I recognize yours,” Amon answered. ”You might be suppressing your power using concealment art when you noticed my presence, but I’ve since felt yours before you suppressed it.”

Xei Nuli laughed. It was a hearty laugh instead of a girly giggle like before. ”I am convinced now that you are truly the court jester. Everything that you have said is wrong in so many ways.”

”Is it? Are you saying that you are not a Lord Stage cultivator?” Amon asked.

”I am saying that you are a delusional man. Please be off now. I am giving you face because you are a formal delegate from Echos. Please do not test my patience.”

”Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” Amon asked.

Xei Nuli laughed again. ”I know what you want, Mister Amon. It’s the same as what everyone wants when they come to us. Sadly, I can’t help you. Let’s say even if you are right about me, there is nothing you can offer me. If I am a Lord Stage cultivator like you said, what do I need from you that I can’t get myself?”

Amon nodded his understanding.

”If you understand, please leave,” Xei Nuli said. He resumed spoon-feeding the old man in the wheelchair.

”Is he Xei Qing?” Amon asked instead of leaving.

Xei Nuli’s feeding motion stopped again.

Amon said, ”The most painful thing for a mother is to watch her child slowly die before her eyes, knowing there is nothing she can do to prevent it.”

Suddenly, heavy pressure descended upon him. The pressure was so oppressive he was forced to his knees. This pressure was only localized around him, though. The old man in the wheelchair didn’t feel any discomfort.

”Hehe... I am right... You are a... Lord Stage cultivator,” Amon uttered with difficulty.

”You can still speak... Perhaps you are not the jester I thought you were,” Xei Nuli said.

The pressure was gone as abruptly as it appeared. Amon could stand again, but he didn’t immediately rise. His muscles were numb, and he was panting. He felt like he had just performed intense exercise.

He remained squatted while speaking, ”Forgive me if I struck a nerve. I know your parents no longer live, and you have a child who is not a cultivator. Your youngest child, who you gave birth to around ninety years ago, his name is Xei Qing. I assume this man is him.”

”You have studied us...,” Xei Nuli said.

”I try to do that before I meet someone,” Amon responded.

Xei Nuli was quiet for a while. She heaved a long sigh before saying, ”We never expected Qing Er to be insusceptible to aether... Most non-cultivator civilians exist because they don’t have the resources to cultivate. They either give up the trouble of cultivating altogether or remain at the mortal stage for the rest of their lives. In very rare cases, it is not due to choice or poverty. It is because they simply cannot connect with aether. It is a rare disease, and my child is suffering from it.”

Xei Nuli caressed the face of the old man in the wheelchair. The man glanced at her. A drop of tears came down his cheek, but he could not speak.

”He has already passed his natural life span,” Xei Nuli said. ”I’m keeping him alive using medicine and pills... I know it is not right, but I can’t let him go... No mothers should ever bury their child...”

Amon thought such an occurrence should have been common in this cultivation world, considering how cultivation could alter a person’s life span significantly. But he guessed this parent-child nature was the same whether it was in his past world or this one, which meant it was something he could exploit.

”What if I can help you extend his life?” Amon asked. ”Not a forceful extension like you did, but one that gives him a natural life extension, which allows him to function normally as a living person.”

Xei Nuli turned to Amon. This time, she was looking at him for real.

”I told you not to test my patience...,” she said. ”I don’t give a damn if you are an Echos’ official. I will crush you into a pulp if you make fun of me or my child.”

”I do not,” Amon finally rose. ”You asked me what I can offer you. This is my offer. If I can give your son that, would you trade the Zillium from your undocumented stocked with me?”

Xei Nuli was silent again. Her condescending expression was no more. After a while, she asked, ”How will you extend my child’s life?”

”I don’t have the means for now, but give me a year or two. When I return here, I will bring the means,” Amon answered.

Xei Nuli took a deep breath before saying, ”If you can fulfill what you offer, I don’t mind trading our undocumented Zillium with a discounted price, but I can only wait one year.”

She glanced at Xei Qing before continuing, ”My child has suffered because of my unwillingness to let him go. I know he yearned for the release of death. I’ve been pondering about letting him go these past few weeks. I don’t want him to suffer too long... So, I will grant you your wish if you can fulfill your promise. On the other hand, if you fail... I will not let you go. Don’t think you will be safe by simply not showing up. You not only prolong my child’s suffering but also give me false hope. I will hunt you down for this transgression. Do not think Echos can protect you!”

”I understand. One year it is then,” Amon stated.

”I hope for your sake that your confidence wasn’t a product of your arrogance. Go now. You have one year to prove if you are Xei Clan’s ally or enemy.”

Amon nodded. Without saying anything further, he left the place.

Xei Nuli kept her eyes on Amon until he was out of sight. She then caressed her old child again. ”Please be strong, Qing Er. At least for one more year. Please endure for mommy...”

*

Amon sneaked out of the castle and reunited with Huang San and Xu Bao.

”Care to explain now?” Huang San asked.

”I will explain on our way back,” Amon said.

”Back? So, we will truly go back with empty hands?”

”For now,” Amon replied without explaining further.

They went to the Sky Stable. As an independent state, the Xandar Region also provided this service. They again rented the best transport beast the stable could offer and flew back to Golden Stone City. During the trip, Amon told Huang San and Xu Bao about Xei Nuli.

”Really? This is surprising,” Huang San remarked after hearing Amon’s explanation.

”What I find surprising is your deal with the Xei mistress,” Xu Bao said. ”How the hell are you going to give her what you promised her?”

”I dare to make that deal because of something Prince Huang Zhan said during the meeting with the king,” Amon said.

”Which part?” Huang San asked with a frown.

”The part where he mentioned a mythic tree in Farghous which bears fruits that can prolong life,” Amon answered.

”You are kidding, right?” Huang San asked. ”That is just a rumor. For all we know, there is no such a tree!”

Amon disagreed. He knew such a tree existed because it was recorded inside one of the books from the Pyramid Legacy. The tree’s name was Longevity Tree. It was categorized as a Mid-Mythical spirit plant. The record said that this tree bore fruit that could prolong the lives of those who ate its fruits, even those who didn’t practice the profound way.

The effect was reduced for non-cultivators, but eating one fruit could extend a non-cultivator’s lifespan by ten years. Not only would the consumer receive an increased lifespan, but also improved health. It was mentioned that the consumer would experience the extended life as if their bodies were at their prime.

”There can be no smoke without fire. If Prince Huang Zhan dared to suggest sending troops into Farghous to search for the tree, there should be some truths in it. After returning to the capital, I will commission Zong Hua to use her intelligence network to gather information about the rumors. Afterward, I will go to Farghous to search for the tree.”

”Echos’ relationship with Farghous is not great, but it is not bad, either. I will go with you. With my presence, we should be able to pressure the local authorities to aid,” Huang San said.

”No. I will perform this mission on my own,” Amon rejected the offer. ”The crown prince has his eyes on you, as has been proven by his meddling with our visit to the Xei Clan. Although I doubt he fully grasps our intention with the Xei Clan, he still tries to ruin it. He will do the same again if you follow me to Farghous. I have more freedom if I act alone.”

”Are you sure?” Huang San asked. ”Perhaps Xu Bao should follow you.”

”No need. I will complete the objective on my own.”