Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 728 (1): Yin Fire and Karma

In fact, Zhao Changhe was feeling troubled as well. You do know that I’m in the middle of dual cultivation, right? What are you even doing here? I’m trying to focus on both... doing the motions and talking to you. Do you have any idea how weird that feels?

Thankfully, the conversation taking place between them was happening in a mere instant; otherwise, he would have felt unbearably guilty toward Yue Hongling.

And seriously, this whole “if I decide you’re clothed, then you’re clothed” thing is absolute nonsense! My actual body is obviously unclothed, and you can see that! What’s the point of slapping some imaginary clothes on my form in my spiritual sea? It’s like blindfolding yourself with a piece of fishnet and thinking yourself smart!

His intentional suggestion to have her teach him directly was not just a simple question; it was also a subtle probe. He wanted to see what difference there might be between learning from the Heavenly Tome and receiving direct guidance from her.

When he studied through the Heavenly Tome, whether through immersive VR-style imagery or text-based explanations, it felt akin to self-studying with video tutorials or textbooks. It was effective, but it was not the same as being taught by a real teacher. And truthfully, his reluctance to engage deeply with the tome was not entirely due to caution. The primary reason was that concepts like karma or causality were not something one could simply pick up through self-study. They required instruction to truly master.

His previous success in tracing the origin of the Southern Li Fire in the subterranean sky was only possible because the flame itself was already present—he was merely following its trail back to the source. That was the simplest form of tracing causality, barely scratching the surface. Beyond that, attempting to delve deeper using only the tome had proven to be exceptionally difficult.

These abstract, esoteric concepts might come more naturally to someone like Tang Wanzhuang, but they were far removed from Zhao Changhe’s innate strengths. And since he had no way of knowing whether the tome carried hidden dangers, he was reluctant to expose Tang Wanzhuang or anyone else to its potential risks. It was one thing to study basic elemental principles, but delving into karma was another matter entirely. It simply seemed far too risky...

If the tome could be tampered with in ways beyond his understanding, then why not bypass its layers altogether? If the tome’s spirit stood right before him, why bother with indirect explanations through simulations or texts? Why could she not teach him directly, face to face? Would that not be the most effective way to learn, allowing him to ask questions and receive immediate answers?

But the blind woman had never intended to be Zhao Changhe’s teacher or master. Their goals were completely misaligned, to say nothing of the sheer headache of teaching someone like him. Who in their right mind would want to be your master or superior?

Still, if she stood here urging him to study diligently but refused to teach him herself, was that not basically admitting she had ulterior motives for pushing him toward the Heavenly Tome? Zhao Changhe was already cautious enough, but this kind of behavior would make him treat the tome even more like scrap paper.

Noticing the increasingly skeptical look that Zhao Changhe was giving her, the blind woman broke her silence after a long pause, “You’ve come this far relying solely on yourself. That independence is a strength.”

Zhao Changhe raised an eyebrow. “When have I ever insisted on advancing alone? I’ve had plenty of teachers: Instructor Sun, Hongling, Wanzhuang, Qing’er, even Shelly—they’ve all taught me at some point.”

“Try removing Instructor Sun and repeat that list,” the blind woman said flatly.

“...Old Cui has taught me too, as have the Thief Saint and even Lie, in a way.”

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“In a way, yes. In reality, you’ve never had a true teacher,” the blind woman said. “What you’ve received is nothing more than useful suggestions, not structured and consistent guidance that led you forward. You’ve always relied on yourself.” She paused, then added with a rare note of admiration, “To give credit where it’s due, Zhao Changhe, you’ve exceeded expectations. I honestly never thought you’d reach this level.”

Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly and said, “So this is the part where you praise me and then refuse to teach me, right?”

After another pause, she finally said, “I told you long ago, I don’t take sides. The Heavenly Tome reveals itself naturally to those who possess it. How much you understand depends entirely on your comprehension. If I start instructing you directly, it changes the nature of what this is.”

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “You’ve already bent the rules so many times—playing with nuances in timing, framing things however you like. You’re hardly a stickler for rules. Pretending to be some strict enforcer of what’s right or wrong doesn’t suit you... You’re clearly just a mischievous witch pretending to be conservative.”

The blind woman’s heart skipped unexpectedly, though her face remained impassive.

Zhao Changhe continued, his tone deliberately slow and probing, “From what I’ve observed, you’re not the type to meekly accept rules or serve as a passive follower. If you can’t even command the tome but are instead shackled by its rules, how are you any better than Dragon Bird? You’d be just another spirit bound to an object. What’s next? Looking for a master? Well, how about me?”

The blind woman suddenly smiled—a rare, beguiling smile that carried a sharp allure despite her sightless eyes. “You? ... Haha... If you were truly worthy, then... who knows? I might just consider it.”

Caught off guard by her response, Zhao Changhe tensed as if struck by lightning, a flood of sensation coursing through him. Alas, this time, no meteor shower came with it.

Yue Hongling clung to him, catching her breath, her arms wrapped around his neck. “Why did it feel like you finished a bit... quicker than usual?”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

“It’s fine. You’re still incredible,” Yue Hongling murmured, lying limply against him and holding him down to keep him from getting up. “Don’t move just yet... I’m not used to lying out here under the open sky. But it feels like your mind was wandering for a moment there.”

“Uh, yeah... I guess I’m not used to it either.” Zhao Changhe gulped, glancing around. The blind woman was gone, and the world was silent. For a moment, he wondered if he had imagined the entire exchange.

Yue Hongling sighed softly. “I thought our dual cultivation was already as effective as it could get, but compared to that sneaky Sisi with her gu arts, it’s starting to feel lacking. You’re almost fully recovered, but my muscles and bones are still aching.”

Zhao Changhe, finally snapping out of his daze, said, “It takes a hundred days to heal damaged tendons and bones. Dual cultivation works wonders for internal injuries, not so much for external ones. To be honest, my quick recovery had a lot to do with my Eternal Blood Demon Body. If you want to heal faster, the Spirit Tribe’s witchcraft might have some miraculous methods... but honestly, there’s really no need to rush. We still have a lot to process here. For instance, I’m planning on checking out the burial ground after we rest a little.”

Yue Hongling raised an eyebrow. “In the middle of the night? What for?”

“To study the yin corpse qi. It’s strongest at night.”

Understanding that he was preparing for what lay ahead, Yue Hongling did not argue. Instead, she rose and began getting dressed. “Alright, let’s go. I’ll go with you. After fighting the Black Hmong King, I gained some insights that might be helpful.”

Not far behind them, the blind woman hovered with her arms crossed, watching the couple as they walked hand in hand toward the burial ground. A faintly mocking smile lingered on her lips.

See? In the end, you’re just diligently heading off to study the power of yin corpses like a good boy.

Should I really teach you about karma...? The blind woman furrowed her brow, slightly conflicted. Seriously, Xia Longyuan didn’t have much of an education, but he managed to figure it out. You’re a university graduate yet all you think about are muscles and Dragon Bird! And you want to be my master?

Fuck off and die.

* * *

“These corpse puppets have steel-like bodies and immense strength. This puzzles me.”

Under the moonlight, the pair strolled through the burial ground, Yue Hongling’s sharp eyes scanning the skeletal remains as she mused aloud.

During the day, members of the Spirit Tribe had been re-burying the skeletons, but the task had yet to be completed. As night fell, even the bravest among them refused to work in such an eerie atmosphere, leaving the burial ground abandoned and still somewhat littered with remains. The uneven ground, with fresh pits and loose soil, exposed many bones to the open air. Some even lay scattered across the slopes, gleaming stark white under the moonlight.

Although Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling were skilled martial artists and not prone to superstition, the sight still made their scalps tingle.

But this was precisely the kind of environment that maximized the yin corpse qi. If another practitioner of corpse puppetry happened upon this scene, it could very well spark another disaster of the undead.

In response to Yue Hongling’s attempt to lighten the mood, Zhao Changhe said, “Don’t you think that the strangest thing about these long-dead and decayed corpses is that they can still regain any sort of sentience? That’s entirely different from ancient gods and demons who never fully died and are simply reviving. These skeletons are completely dead, yet still...”

“They rise,” Yue Hongling finished his sentence, nodding. “If I’m right, the so-called power of yin corpses is a specific type of yin qi that gathers the lingering soul fire around the corpses, allowing them to come back to life. The stronger a person was when they were alive, the longer their soul fire lasts, making it more likely they’ll retain some level of thought. Most skeletons only act on basic instincts. On the other hand, the Black Hmong King’s soul fire wasn’t fixed to his spiritual sea—it could move to any part of his body. This shows that his spiritual sea had lost its original purpose, and placing the soul fire anywhere worked the same way.”

As Zhao Changhe processed her theory, his mind instinctively referred to the Heavenly Tome, analyzing Underworld Guide’s abilities and comparing them with Yue Hongling’s explanation. “So this isn’t martial arts at all.”

Yue Hongling chuckled. “Martial arts are merely a path to understanding the profound. Why get hung up on definitions?”

Zhao Changhe nodded, pausing by a skeletal figure and crouching to examine it.

What Yue Hongling referred to as lingering soul fire was visible as faint, flickering lights near the bones—what modern minds would recognize as phosphorescent light, a chemical reaction unrelated to souls or spirits. Yet her conclusion, based on this misinterpretation, was not necessarily wrong. After all, yin corpse qi was very much real in this world. Strong individuals often left behind traces of will or intent, fragments buried deep within the earth that coalesced into soul fire.

To learn corpse puppet techniques, one had to first control yin corpse qi, then locate the lingering obsessions or intent tied to the remains and coalesce them into soul fire. Finally, one had to brand their own seal of control or something of the sort onto the corpse or soul fire.

It was a practice entirely opposite to what Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling were accustomed to. Mastery was out of the question at this stage, but studying it would undoubtedly reveal the mechanisms behind Jiuyou’s abilities. Understanding her methods would prevent them from being caught off guard when the time came.

The blind woman’s urgent intrusion into his dream was likely to emphasize this very point. Jiuyou’s power was enough to make even her anxious.