113 – Unforeseen Development
After the martial demon lass officially ascended the auction platform, the auctioneer briefly introduced her, causing an uproar among the bidders.
“This is a rare article!” “Yes, yes, it’s an irregular martial demon!” “I didn’t really expect there to be such a thing here!” “Inform the Master at once! Tell him that there is an ‘irregular martial demon’ being auctioned, and ask him to increase the funds!”
As conversations rose and mixed together, the voices became noise and destroyed the originally quiet environment.
Everything changed because of the martial demon lass’s appearance.
As mentioned before, irregular martial demons are extremely rare. They rely on the spiritual qi of the world, not martial cultivation, to gain human form. As a result – despite being in the Earth Realm – they do not possess Earth Real strength. Of course after they gain human form, if they learn martial arts, then that’s another matter.
But despite this possibility, irregular martial demons are generally easy to subdue. Because they didn’t gain human form through martial cultivation, most of them don’t know how to use true qi and don’t understand martial arts. As long as their qi passageways are sealed, they will become no different from ordinary people.
However, Xue Qilin doesn’t know the exact reason why the bidders are so interested in irregular martial demons.
Hence she asked Shui Yun’er about it.
Shui Yun’er was silent for a while, and then replied in an oppressive tone of voice: “… because they are unique.”
After a pause, the girl carried on and explained in detail: “The relationship between humans and martial demons is not too good – at least not as good as you’d think. Humans are apprehensive of martial demons because they are the only existence in the world dominated by humans that can threaten their status.”
“Humans are born with talents and a form that make them stand out in the world. But martial demons can gain human form by practicing martial cultivation or absorbing spiritual qi of the world. This is a natural law of the world, yet some humans believe that it is a violation of their…”
A violation of their uniqueness.
No, it probably means that humans fear martial demons’ prospects.
Human nature is universal… Xue Qilin sighed.
“So, they hate, fear, and look down on martial demons, and use this method to gain peace of mind – is that it?”
Shui Yun’er nodded lightly, sad.
She doesn’t approve of this common sense, yet she is powerless to change the world’s views, and so she can only pity martial demons and be sad for them in a nearly masochistic way – Xue Qilin feels that this is what Shui Yun’er’s expression conveys.
After getting the answer, Xue Qilin felt temporarily incredulous that there is such a big barrier between martial demons and humans. Perhaps due to the intimate relationship between Qi Qiqi and White Dragon, Xue Qilin had the misconception humans and martial demons have a fairly close relationship.
“But then what about the auction? Why are they so pleasantly surprised? According to reason, isn’t it better to just kill her?”
“For martial practitioners, the bodies of Earth Realm martial demons are a kind of…”
Probably because the word that is about to come out of her mouth is really repulsive, Shui Yun’er frowned.
“… tonic.”
Xue Qilin held her breath when she head this word.
The thing called realm hinges entirely on the strength of the “martial root”. In fact, cultivation revolves around the tempering of the “martial root”.
The bodies of martial demons are full of spiritual nutrients that can nourish the spiritual center – which martial practitioners call “martial root”. Moreover, the higher the realm of the martial demons, the more prominent the effect is.
To put it bluntly, the bodies of martial demons are actually a tonic that can help martial practitioners advance in realm.
Although the lass already had a hunch earlier, but she felt uncomfortable about it.
It’s too cruel – no, it’s only natural.
The world’s resources are a kind of transfer.
To live better, you need to get more. This is a naked fact.
However, Shui Yun’er isn’t done yet.
“In addition, the bodies of martial demons are an excellent source of materials. Their blood is more suitable for tempering swords than first-rate spring water, fur can be made into tough and durable clothes, and bones can be made into bows with excellent performance.”
She continued to speak in an almost heartless fashion.
All emotion on Xue Qilin’s face gradually disappeared.
Only a cold detachment can keep her from getting angry. She knows that she can’t let herself get angry easily, because anger often makes it hard for her to control herself.
“Lastly…”
Shui Yun’er took a deep breath, giving Xue Qilin a bad premonition.
“They can satisfy people’s desires.”
What desires? Lust, greed, gratification, vanity? Probably all of them.
Needless to say, humanoid martial demons possess all the physical functions of humans, and thus can naturally have sex with humans.
Additionally, having a martial demon as a servant can satisfy the vanity of some people. In their view, the rare irregular martial demons are probably equated with “luxury goods”.
Xue Qilin fell silent. She knows that this is the ugly side of human nature.
There is no wrong without right, just as there is no darkness without light. Even if people try to show the goodness in their nature, they cannot fully hide the corresponding darkness.
If someone is to blame, then blame this world where everything has two side to it.
However, that is meaningless.
As the two conversed, the auction proceeded, and the bidders bid, eyes shining.
“1000 taels!”, “1200 taels!”, “2000 taels!”…
By having its worth quantified, the priceless life loses its dignity.
People who eat meat, how can they take the moral high ground?
However, martial demons are existences with the same prospects as humans.
They have the same talents as humans and can achieve the same intelligence and wisdom – can such beings really be classified as livestock or goods? At least Xue Qilin cannot stand it.
However, she knows… knows that much like Shui Yun’er, she can’t change anything. So she chose to remain silent, and has no intention to rescue the martial demon lass.
If you can’t do it till the end, then don’t even start, or else it’ll just be an act of self-gratification.
Xue Qilin is already bearing the weight of two people on her back – there are still a few people in Merak Temple. Like this, can she still carry the weight of another person?
Not everyone can bear the weight of life.
Shui Yun’er also seems to have the same opinion, and so she is being silent.
Shouldn’t have come… Looking at the martial demon lass whose features are hidden behind the shadow of her bangs, Xue Qilin sighed. She suddenly felt that she’s being a masochist by staying here.
“Little Yun, let’s go.”
As Xue Qilin stood up, she met the eyes of the martial demon lass.
It is a pair of empty eyes.
There is nothing, no emotion, no hope, no… soul.
She looks like nothing of this is related to her.
She may not be able to feel anything anymore. The long-term pain may have wiped out her soul.
Xue Qilin forced herself to look away.
But at this time, Shui Yun’er finally couldn’t bear it anymore.
“Young Teacher, let’s buy her…”
She said thusly.
“…”
Xue Qilin stayed silent for a while. At the same time, she secretly advised herself not to be soft-hearted.
“Little Yun, I understand… But do you know what it means to buy her? It means that you have to take care of her for the rest of her life… can you do that? Can you give up your pursuit and take care of her for the rest of her life?”
Shui Yun’er opened and closed her mouth, speechless.
Reality is not as simple as you imagine.
If she really bought the martial demon lass, Shui Yun’er would have to take care of her. However, Shui Yun’er is pursuing revenge, and the road she has to take is full of pitfalls. Will she really have the energy to take care of a martial demon?
On the other hand, there is still the question of where to settle her down. Merak Temple has no precedent of taking in humanoid martial demons. Will Qi Qiqi really make an exception? Even if she does, will Ye Zhen agree? Will the others agree? Qi Qiqi is not the only one who has a say in Merak Temple. Even with Xue Qilin speaking up, they still can’t withstand the opposition of the Elders.
It is because she understands this that Shui Yun’er is speechless.
Of course, she can transfer the responsibility to Xue Qilin, but that would be just a show of irresponsibility and an act of implicating others. Shui Yun’er who blames herself for implicating Merak Temple’s outer temple disciples previously most probably won’t do such a thing.
“3800 taels! This Young Master is bidding 3800 taels, is there anyone who’ll bid higher?”
The bidding seems to have reached the highest standing bid. By this time, the auctioneer’s voice is already hoarse.
The person who has the current standing bid is a Young Master from some noble family.
He is dashing and looks cultured.
However, Xue Qilin thinks that he’s an eyesore.
Well, he’s really an eyesore.
“Sold!”
The martial demon lass was sold to this son of a noble family for 3800 taels, for roughly the price of a famous sword.
At the moment when the auctioneer announced the result, the son of a noble family stood up and went to the platform to collect his trophy. A complacent smile on his face, he ignored the resentful, envious, and malicious gazes around him.
Xue Qilin glanced at him, and then turned around and left with Shui Yun’er.
When they reached the entrance of the corridor…
“…!”
An unforeseen development took place.
All of a sudden, Xue Qilin turned around and looked at the platform briskly.
Then her eyes widened.
The bright yellow eyes reflect a head thrown high into the air.
The head is spinning in the air. When it turned to face Xue Qilin, the lass saw the look of shock on the face of the son of a noble family.
Thud.
The head fell on the floor, and a dull sound echoed heavily.
Half a beat later, blood shot into the air from the severed neck, spilled like rain, and stained the people around.
Everyone stared blankly at the scene in front of their eyes until…
The headless body standing before everyone’s eyes finally lost its strength.
It fell on the floor and triggered a second dull sound, rousing the people who are spacing out.
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