Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 22

"Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 22: Do You Even Know What a Demon Cultivator Is? What Demon Cultivator Saves People?"

Chapter 22: Do You Even Know What a Demon Cultivator Is? What Demon Cultivator Saves People?

"Boy, you're here?"

Inside the sword prison.

The shadow had grown accustomed to Gu Han's occasional visits and no longer found them surprising.

"The soul-seizing technique I taught you—how's it working out for you... Hmm? Why have your malevolent energies disappeared?"

He sounded regretful.

"Tsk tsk, what a pity. With those malevolent energies aiding you, if you were to cultivate demonic arts, you'd make twice the progress with half the effort! So, have you thought about it? Are you interested in becoming my disciple?"

"No!"

Gu Han's rejection was crisp and decisive.

"Not even as a nominal disciple, but a direct disciple!"

"Still no!"

"You..."

The shadow faltered.

"Then why are you here! Are you so bored that you're mocking me now?"

"I'm here to thank you."

Gu Han's expression turned serious.

Without the soul-seizing technique the shadow had taught him, restoring his innocence and avenging his father's death wouldn't have been nearly as smooth.

"Thank me?"

The shadow perked up.

"Are you finally going to release me?"

"No."

"Then how do you plan to thank me?"

"I haven't thought of that yet."

"..."

The shadow trembled with anger.

This little brat—does he have no shame?

No, this isn't just having thick skin; this is outright shamelessness!

"By the way..."

Gu Han suddenly looked a bit embarrassed.

"I have a question to ask you."

"...Go ahead."

"I have a friend..."

At the familiar tone, the shadow's heart clenched.

Of course.

Before Gu Han could finish, the shadow had already lost his temper completely.

"Didn't I tell you already! I'm a Demon Lord! A Demon Lord! I only know how to kill, not how to save! That so-called extreme cold ailment—I can't cure it! Let your friend wait for death!"

"No way at all?"

The shadow's blunt response made Gu Han suspicious.

"Think again."

"No! No way!"

The shadow roared incessantly.

"How many times do I have to tell you—you..."

Halfway through his rant, he paused, as if struck by an idea. His tone softened abruptly, and his attitude became unexpectedly accommodating.

"Well, there might be a way."

"What way?"

"I have a condition!"

"If it involves releasing you, forget it!"

Gu Han shook his head firmly.

That was his bottom line.

Without sufficient strength to protect himself, he would never release the shadow.

"Obviously not."

The shadow understood.

There was no chance Gu Han would let him go, so he didn't even bother mentioning it anymore.

"What's the condition, then?"

Gu Han grew curious.

"Haven't thought of it yet!"

The shadow mimicked Gu Han.

"When I do, I'll let you know!"

"..."

Gu Han hesitated for a moment.

"Alright!"

After a pause, he nodded.

"I agree."

"Hmm?"

The shadow was surprised.

If Gu Han had agreed without hesitation, he would've doubted his sincerity. But judging from Gu Han's reaction now, once he made a promise, he wouldn't break it.

"This friend—important to you?"

"We just met."

"So why help him?"

"He helped me."

Gu Han's expression turned serious again.

"I don't like owing people favors. If he helped me, I'll naturally help him too!"

"I helped you too."

"That's different. If you hadn't helped me, I'd have killed you."

"..."

The shadow choked on his words, almost losing his temper again.

After a long while, he calmed himself down.

"The cold energy in his body has already seeped into his marrow. I'm not skilled in healing arts, so I can't think of a way to save him! However, strictly speaking, he doesn't need saving!"

"No need?"

"To be precise, he's already developed an extreme cold constitution. Though it's somewhat mediocre, it still counts as a special physique. With the right cultivation technique, the cold energy can become an asset, eliminating any life-threatening danger. Of course, such a constitution... won't achieve much in the future!"

"Do you have a technique?"

"Of course!"

"But aren't you a demon cultivator? Where did you get such a technique?"

"Stole it!"

The shadow instantly lit up with enthusiasm.

"Back when I conquered the universe and dominated the eight directions, if I lacked resources, I took them! No technique? I took it! No women... ahem, boy, cultivating demons has many benefits. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider...?"

"Give me the technique!"

"..."

Interrupted mid-rant, the shadow glared at Gu Han and casually sketched out a cultivation method.

"This technique may not be extraordinary, but its concept is brilliant. It follows an extreme path, almost tailor-made for someone with an extreme cold constitution. I found it interesting back then, so I memorized it."

"This technique..."

The more Gu Han read, the more profound it seemed.

"What rank is it?"

"According to your standards here, heavenly rank."

The shadow said nonchalantly.

Heavenly rank!

Gu Han's heart skipped a beat!

Even across the entire Great Qi Dynasty, finding a technique above the profound rank was nearly impossible. Yet the shadow casually tossed out a heavenly rank technique!

And this was considered mediocre to him?

"Then..."

Gu Han took a deep breath.

"How does it compare to the *Great Freedom Demon Sutra*?"

"Compare it to what?! The *Great Freedom Demon Sutra* is an ultimate scripture that leads directly to the highest realms of the demonic path! Even I can't fully comprehend it yet. Comparing this to it is an insult!"

"What about this?"

Gu Han pointed to the sword prison.

"It can't compare to that either!"

A flicker of fear flashed in the shadow's eyes.

"The strength of this sword intent is the most terrifying I've ever encountered. Its master's cultivation far exceeds my understanding. Heh, no wonder you're not interested in becoming my disciple. With such an unparalleled inheritance of sword dao that rivals the *Great Freedom Demon Sutra*, other techniques must seem like garbage to you."

"Unexpected."

Gu Han was slightly surprised.

"You can be humble."

"I've never been arrogant! On the contrary, you—you've never asked about the wonders of the outside world. Where's your ambition?"

"If my cultivation is sufficient, I'll naturally see all the sights of the world. If it's not, knowing more would be useless anyway!"

"You understand well."

The shadow waved dismissively.

"Fine, I've given you the technique. Now stop bothering me!"

"You just said..."

Gu Han didn't move.

"You have many techniques of this heavenly rank?"

"Not all are heavenly rank. I only collect the best. Those generic techniques, even if they surpass the heavenly rank, aren't worth a glance... Hmm? Why do you ask?"

Gu Han smiled.

It was the joy of discovering hidden treasure.

...

Outside.

Li, the steward, paced anxiously, wanting to wake Gu Han but holding back due to the slim chance of success.

Beside him.

Asha yawned, clearly bored.

Suddenly.

Gu Han opened his eyes.

"Young Master!"

Asha wiped his drool, beaming with joy. "You're awake!"

"Boy."

Li's voice trembled. "Have you... thought of a solution?"

Not just him.

Even Physician Xue and the Seventh Prince stared intently at Gu Han. Though they knew the chances were slim, they couldn't help but feel a sliver of tension.

"Yes!"

Gu Han exhaled softly and repeated the shadow's words.

"In short, the cold energy within the Seventh Prince's body doesn't need to be suppressed—it shouldn't be suppressed. If we can find a suitable cultivation technique, this cold energy won't just fail to kill him; it'll become his greatest asset on the path of cultivation!"

Silence fell over the room.

Only Asha blinked, unsure if he understood.

"What's wrong with you all?"

Gu Han was puzzled.

"L-lad!"

Li stuttered.

"You mean... His Highness... has a special constitution?"

A special constitution.

Extremely rare.

Even after a hundred years of the Great Qi Dynasty's founding, only three people with special constitutions had appeared—one was the founding emperor, another ascended to a higher sect early on, and the third... remained in the royal family!

"Strictly speaking..."

Gu Han wanted to say "mediocre," but seeing the Seventh Prince's hopeful expression, he quickly amended his words.

"It... counts, I suppose."

"Empress!"

Li's tears flowed freely.

"Can you see it? His Highness... has a special constitution! If you're watching from beyond, you can rest in peace!"

"Young Master..."

Asha leaned over quietly.

"What's a special constitution? Is it powerful?"

"Well..."

Gu Han rubbed his nose.

Powerful, my foot!

Compared to your *Piercing Truth Eye* bloodline, it's mediocre among mediocrities!

"Brilliant! Truly brilliant!"

Beside them.

Physician Xue sighed deeply.

"I was mistaken earlier, focusing only on suppressing the cold poison and never considering this approach! Alas, young friend, despite your youth, your knowledge and experience far surpass mine. I'm truly ashamed!"

"Hehe!"

Asha grinned proudly.

"Young Master is amazing! He can even come up with ways to save people in his sleep!"

"..."

Gu Han wiped the sweat from his brow.

In truth, it wasn't surprising that Physician Xue had limited knowledge. After all, he specialized in medicine and naturally knew little else. Moreover, he was facing the dimensional strike of a profoundly unfathomable Demon Lord.

"Sigh..."

Suddenly.

A sigh echoed.

It came from the Seventh Prince.

"Too late..."

His face was bitter.

"If I'd met Brother Gu earlier, I might've stood a chance. But now... Physician Xue, how much longer do I have to live? A month? Two months? The next time the cold poison flares up, I'll surely die."

Gulp.

Li and Physician Xue's hearts sank.

The fleeting joy on their faces vanished instantly.

Such cultivation techniques suited for an extreme cold constitution were not only extremely rare but also far more precious than ordinary techniques. Even across the entire Eastern Wasteland, finding one was unlikely. And even if they somehow did, how could the Seventh Prince survive until then?

"Aren't you a prince?"

Asha tilted his head, confused.

"Your family should have great influence. Can't they help you find it?"

"No use."

The Seventh Prince gave a bitter smile.

"They... don't care whether I live or die."

"Your Highness!"

Li's voice turned stern. "You mustn't give up! You're the Empress's only bloodline. Even if I have to risk my life or search the entire Eastern Wasteland, I'll find this technique for you!"

"Sigh..."

Physician Xue exhaled deeply.

Clearly, Li had lost his rationality in his emotional state.

"Young Master..."

Asha, recalling his own misfortunes, looked somber.

"He's so pitiful!"

"..."

Gu Han was speechless.

I haven't even finished talking yet, and you're all acting like it's the end of the world. Is it really that serious?

"Uh..."

He cleared his throat.

"I have the technique."