Arc 14: Dayan Empire | Chapter 250: Karmic Connection
Translator: Lynn
Sponsored chapter (4/8)
The man in black spoke, “Then let’s reminisce about the old days.”
This suggestion took aback Xu Ziqing. He had uttered those words on impulse, but now faced with the opportunity to converse, he found himself unsure where to begin.
Questions flooded his mind. How had Brother Nan Zhengya managed to escape? What was his purpose in coming to the palace? Xu Ziqing also wondered about the profound change in Nan Zhengya’s aura and cultivation. However, each query seemed to touch upon secrets others might not view as a mere reminiscence of that, but as probing inquiries. This hesitation held him back.
After a moment of internal struggle, Xu Ziqing offered a wry smile, “Brother Nan Zhengya is astute; surely you sense my curiosity. Yet, I hesitate to press. Why don’t you lead the conversation and share what you can about the old days?”
The man in black chuckled softly in response, “Encountering you several times before seemed mere happenstance, but your connection to Master Yun makes it more significant. Now, seeing you again, I realize how intertwined our paths have become.”
Perplexed by this revelation, Xu Ziqing queried, “Brother Nan Zhengya… what do you mean?”
Ignoring the question, the man in black shifted the topic, stating, “I came to the Tiancheng Prince’s Mansion to harness its dragon energy, aiding in concealing my demonic aura.”
Though doubts lingered in Xu Ziqing’s mind, he decided to pursue what he had wanted to know earlier. Following the man’s lead, he replied, “Ah, I see.”
Then, after a moment’s thought, Xu Ziqing added, “Brother Nan Zhengya’s current situation suggests he shouldn’t be stranded in Shengyan City.”
The black-robed man replied simply, “I have important matters to attend to, requiring my presence here.”
Xu Ziqing nodded understandingly.
Observing him, the man in black shook his head, remarking, “You are straightforward. I find it difficult to take advantage of you.”
Xu Ziqing smiled gently, “Brother Nan Zhengya has his reasons.”
The man in black sighed, a surge of power briefly enveloping him before receding, subdued by the surrounding wood energy and restraints—a display unnoticed by others but keenly felt by Xu Ziqing.
Sensing the familiar aura, Xu Ziqing’s eyes widened, “Brother Nan Zhengya’s cultivation has reached this level!”
Having met Nan Zheng in the Wild Beast Plain three years ago, Xu Ziqing had known him as a skilled practitioner at the late stage of Golden Core Formation, but to discover he was now a Nascent Soul Daoist astonished him. Recalling Nan Zheng’s presence during the auction on the third floor, Xu Ziqing realized his cultivation far exceeded that of Nascent Soul Stage.
Considering the implications, Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but feel perplexed, even as his admiration for Nan Zhengya remained unchanged.
Noticing Xu Ziqing’s reaction, the man in black appeared satisfied. “At least you maintain vigilance.”
Caught off guard, Xu Ziqing sighed softly, “If Senior Nan Zhengya has something to say, why not say it plainly?”
The black-robed man reassured him, “No need to fret. I see your caution, lest you inadvertently jeopardize my benefactor.”
Perplexed, Xu Ziqing queried, “Benefactor?”
The man in black’s tone softened. “Your Shixiong once saved my life, for which I owe him two debts. I’ve repaid one, but owe you one as well. Rest assured, I won’t harm you, even in Master Yun’s presence.”
Surprised by this revelation involving his senior brother, Xu Ziqing struggled to understand the ambiguity in Nan Zhengya’s words. Beyond the benefactor issue, if his Shixiong had encountered Nan Zhengya before, he would surely remember him. Xu Ziqing’s thoughts raced, his emotions conflicted.
The man in black continued, “Don’t be surprised. You may not be from this world, but you were reincarnated here, where you met Master Yun. Have you ever wondered why?”
Xu Ziqing’s heart skipped a beat. Memories of his past life flooded back. Even his Shixiong remained unaware of this, yet the person before him seemed privy to these secrets.
The man in black smiled as he observed Xu Ziqing’s bewildered expression. “A man faced dire circumstances under a tyrant’s rule. Along the way, a swordsman avenged his enemy for him, and in return, the man owed him a debt. Rewinding time, that man unexpectedly returned to youth, where he could strategize, seek revenge, and start anew. Yet in this time of upheaval, the currents of time and space swirled, and a solitary soul became entangled, reincarnated as the long-awaited son of a family—a life doomed to a premature end.”
As these revelations echoed in Xu Ziqing’s mind, he murmured, “The swordsman is my senior brother, the reincarnated person is you, and the solitary soul… is me.”
The black-robed man nodded affirmatively. “Indeed, I reincarnated before you, and only after your reincarnation did Daoist Yun form his Golden Core. Hence, I owe you a partial favor.”
Still somewhat dazed, Xu Ziqing mused, “That’s why I always felt an inexplicable closeness whenever I saw you, and why there exists this karmic bond between us.”
Again, the man in black nodded in agreement.
After a contemplative pause, Xu Ziqing sighed deeply. The realization that their connection spanned across lifetimes explained why he sensed danger yet couldn’t bring himself to distrust Nan Zhengya completely. The black-robed man had shown tolerance and restraint, unlike the proud demeanor often associated with a Nascent Soul Master—perhaps owing to their intertwined fate.
With these insights, Xu Ziqing found some peace of mind. His instinctive trust in Nan Zhengya settled his swirling thoughts, allowing him to let go of his lingering uncertainties.
Noting Xu Ziqing’s regained composure, the man in black applauded softly. “You’ve quickly resolved your doubts. Perhaps I should share the rest with you.”
He then proceeded to recount his recent past to Xu Ziqing: how he had been recruited by Prince Tianjin Xuan Li to venture into the Wild Beast Plain, leading to their encounter there. When the beast tide surged, Nan Zhengya secured what he sought and departed, subsequently arriving at Shengyan City during the auction to acquire the necessary items.
As Xu Ziqing later learned, Nan Zhengya had bid on the Thousand Ghosts Banner at the auction. Despite initially using an Invisible Shadow Cloak, the Ghost Spirit Sect had sensed the banner, prompting Nan Zhengya’s flight until he fully unleashed his supernatural powers, allowing him to evade pursuit.
However, due to pressing matters that required his presence in the city, Nan Zhengya couldn’t stray too far. Instead, he chose to hide in a nearby county prince’s mansion, utilizing its dragon energy to conceal himself while recuperating and making preparations for the unforeseen challenges ahead.
With a gentle smile, the man in black remarked, “I’ll rest here tonight and depart for my tasks tomorrow. Will you entertain me during my stay?”
Xu Ziqing returned the smile. “Senior Nan Zhengya, please be rest assured. I’ll ensure you remain hidden. However, I might need my brother’s help to ensure absolute security.”
Turning slightly, the man in black inquired, “Do you intend to disclose our past lives to your Shixiong?”
Xu Ziqing shook his head. “The past is the past. There’s no need to trouble Shixiong with it. Senior Nan Zhengya means no harm, and my Shixiong won’t object… Besides, my Shixiong mentioned earlier that there might be a karmic connection between us. At the time, I thought it pertained only to our future, not realizing it was tied to the origins of my reincarnation.” Pausing, he pondered whether his Shixiong might already know of this connection, quickly dismissing the idea. “No, he wouldn’t. If he did, his demeanor would’ve made it clear long ago.”
“In that case, let’s spare Daoist Yun the trouble,” the man in black suggested. “I owe him a favor from the outset. Letting this linger wouldn’t be advantageous to me. As his Shidi, you’ve already repaid part of my debt through your reincarnation. Guarding me through the night would suffice.”
He paused, adding, “You needn’t address me as ‘senior.’ After all, I’m just a step ahead of Master Yun. Otherwise, it might seem like I’m taking advantage. As for the debt I owe, I’ll find an opportunity in the future to repay it, always mindful of that obligation.”
Listening to his words, Xu Ziqing agreed silently. Although he felt reluctant to keep this matter from his Shixiong, the complexities of past and present lives rendered it impractical to discuss, aligning with Nan Zhengya’s wishes.
This person had been kind to him, yet bore an air that belied such kindness. Unbeknownst to him, Xu Ziqing now carried a debt of unintended kindness. If given the chance to repay it in the future, their future encounters would be free from any lingering sense of unease. Satisfied with his decision, Xu Ziqing found peace within himself.
Now, with the courtyard lush with vegetation, Xu Ziqing stood up and approached the man in the black robe. Extending his hand, he said, “I can perform a technique. If I touch you, I can conceal our breath within the vegetation.” What he referred to, of course, was the “Wood Containing Breath Technique.”
The man in black hesitated briefly, then stood up and replied, “My black robe has fused with my body. It’s like a part of me. I prefer not to have direct skin-to-skin contact. Just grab my sleeve.” Xu Ziqing agreed without objection. He grasped the edge of the robe’s sleeve, feeling a chill under his palm that hinted at the man’s otherworldly nature. It only reaffirmed that this person, whom he had known previously, truly practiced mystical arts. Pushing aside these thoughts, he initiated the technique. Instantly, a blue light enveloped them, enhancing the vitality of the courtyard’s vegetation while gradually diminishing the aura around them until it merged silently with the plants. Even if Nascent Soul-level beings were to scan the area, they wouldn’t easily detect them.
The man in black noticed the successful concealment and smiled. “Seems like asking for your help was the right choice.”
Hearing this, Xu Ziqing returned a gentle smile. “Among the many wandering souls, I seem to be the only one who could accompany you. It must be fate.”
With that settled, the two fell silent. With no immediate need to flee, Xu Ziqing sensed their stabilized situation and released the robe’s sleeve. They both then sat up, facing each other a short distance apart.
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