Chapter 116: Speaking and Marrow Cleansing

Zhang Shou Zheng’s condition was not too dire. Thanks to the exhaustive efforts of Qing Yu Tong to stabilize him, his injuries had largely healed. By Saturday, he was finally able to walk on his own.

"Young Master, today is Saturday. I am supposed to personally escort you to the Master, though I must admit, I really don't want to leave this place right now."

Tie Niu stood at the doorway of the hospital room, his eyes fixed intently on Qing Yu Tong. Without a change in expression, she raised her foot and brought her high heel down onto his toes. Tie Niu immediately let out a series of exaggerated, theatrical howls.

"Alright, Jiu Er, pack our things. We might need to stay at the Old Ancestor’s villa for a couple of days," Zhang Shou Zheng said, walking over to her.

"That won't be necessary. Everything you need has already been prepared at the Old Ancestor’s place. By the way, as for Jiu Er, she is to begin her training as well, under the personal guidance of Guardian Yin Lin," Tie Niu said with a grin, waving his hand dismissively.

The morning air was crisp and refreshing. Zhang Shou Zheng insisted on completing his practice of the Azure Dragon Spirit Eye at sunrise before boarding the car to head toward the Old Ancestor’s villa.

As for Dilong High School, Jiang Li Tian had already arranged for their leave of absence. Since there were no members of the Heaven Demon Sect at the school, the events of that night had been well-concealed, and not a single word had leaked out.

Zhang Shou Zheng sat in the car, eyes half-closed, with the window rolled down.

About half an hour later, the car arrived at the villa. As soon as it came to a stop, a gray, nimble shadow darted out, leaped onto Zhang Shou Zheng, cupped his cheeks in its small hands, and planted a firm kiss on his face before letting go.

"Kong Kong, it’s only been a few days, but you seem different," Zhang Shou Zheng said, stroking the little creature’s head with a smile.

Kong Kong lifted its chin proudly, its throat working as it opened its mouth to emit a strange, guttural syllable: "Shou... Shou... Zheng!"

Hearing his name, Zhang Shou Zheng was so startled he nearly dropped the creature. Seeing Kong Kong’s smug expression, he tapped the little one on the head and enunciated clearly, "It’s Shou Zheng!"

Kong Kong looked at him with a mix of confusion and understanding, then tried again: "Shou Zheng!"

"Heh, how is the Old Ancestor’s handiwork? I refined the bone in its throat that was preventing it from speaking. Now Kong Kong can slowly practice its speech, and it will only get better from here," Li Ta Gu said, walking over with a smile. He patted the creature’s head, but then his gaze shifted to Zhang Shou Zheng’s shoulder. Upon spotting the bandages underneath, his expression turned chillingly stern. Seeing this, Tie Niu tiptoed away toward the other side of the yard in terror.

"Freeze!"

Li Ta Gu flicked his arm toward Tie Niu, who instantly became rooted to the spot. "Young Master, help me!" the copper corpse wailed.

"Old Ancestor, this wasn't Tie Niu's fault. I was the one who ordered him and Sister Yu Tong to guard an important target. My injuries were due to my own lack of strength; I cannot blame others."

Zhang Shou Zheng reached out to steady Li Ta Gu. The Old Ancestor’s rigid face slowly relaxed, and with a flick of his finger, he released Tie Niu, who fell to his knees, drenched in cold sweat. "Thank you for sparing my life, Master."

"Stay out of my sight until my anger has subsided," Li Ta Gu snorted, flicking his wide sleeves before heading toward the swimming pool, gesturing for Zhang Shou Zheng to follow.

Zhang Shou Zheng followed dutifully, a thin layer of sweat breaking out over his skin. This Old Ancestor was truly temperamental. Recalling what Li Yin Lin had said earlier, a sense of foreboding washed over him.

"Strip and get in the water," Li Ta Gu said, standing by the pool.

"Oh... and what is the Old Ancestor planning to do?"

Zhang Shou Zheng removed his clothes and stepped into the pool. The water, now that autumn had arrived, felt bitingly cold. Jiu Er watched from the shore, her expression filled with concern.

"Yin Lin!"

Li Ta Gu called out softly. Li Yin Lin leaped down from the second floor of the villa and walked over to Jiu Er. Her silver hair danced in the breeze as she said, "Jiu Er, come with me."

Jiu Er bit her lip and followed. Zhang Shou Zheng had already told her about her lineage as a descendant of the Zombie Ancestor. Upon learning this, she felt a wave of relief; she hadn't turned into a zombie because of Qian Hao, but because it was her innate constitution. It explained why even as a child, her wounds had always healed with unnatural speed.

"Shou Zheng, I intend to teach you the 'Taiqing Secret Record.' However, there are too many impurities within your body, and you have yet to reach the state of Inedia. Therefore, you must purge these impurities periodically. I will now cleanse your marrow and refine your physique before imparting the teachings."

Li Ta Gu smiled faintly and flicked his finger at Zhang Shou Zheng. A flash of azure light shot out, hovering above Zhang Shou Zheng’s head. Initially the size of a soybean, it expanded like ripples on water until it transformed into a green lotus blooming above him. Zhang Shou Zheng felt a cool, refreshing sensation wash over his scalp.

On the shore, Li Ta Gu’s expression grew solemn. After a deep breath, his hands moved through a series of complex mudras, weaving arcane incantations into shafts of blue light that seeped into Zhang Shou Zheng’s body. He chanted in a cryptic, tongue-twisting language that seemed to resonate with the hidden powers of heaven and earth. The green lotus above Zhang Shou Zheng descended into his mind.

A strange, scorching energy began to course through his limbs and bones. It felt as though he were trapped in a giant steamer, yet the heat was radiating from within his very core. A quarter of an hour passed, and Zhang Shou Zheng’s entire body turned as red as a boiled shrimp. The water in the pool began to churn and bubble, emitting a faint, foul odor.

Another hour passed, and the stench intensified, carried away by the breeze. Li Ta Gu remained unmoved, continuing his rhythmic, obscure chanting.

Black, viscous fluid began to seep from Zhang Shou Zheng’s pores, dripping into the water and turning the once-clear pool into a murky, dark mess. Kong Kong hopped around the perimeter, covering its nose with its monkey paws and frantically waving them to clear the air, chattering, "Stinky... stinky... stinky..."

Li Ta Gu looked at Kong Kong with amusement. He finally ceased his chanting and sat cross-legged by the pool, eyes half-closed, watching the blurred figure of Zhang Shou Zheng with a look of quiet satisfaction.

By noon, the mist had cleared, revealing Zhang Shou Zheng’s slender frame. His skin appeared much fairer than before, while the pool water had turned completely pitch-black.

Zhang Shou Zheng opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath. As he drew in the air, he was nearly choked by the lingering stench. Realizing that the foul odor had come from his own body, his face flushed bright red.

Yet, he felt significantly lighter. Even without activating the Azure Dragon Spirit Eye, he could see further, and his hearing was noticeably sharper.

"Why are you still sitting there? Get out! Follow me to the training room."

Li Ta Gu smiled and turned toward the villa. As Zhang Shou Zheng climbed out, Tie Niu rushed over, teary-eyed with gratitude. "Young Master, thank you for interceding for me. I’ve rarely seen the Master so furious; I truly thought I was done for today."

"You worry too much. You are a Copper Corpse, after all—those are quite rare," Zhang Shou Zheng said, patting Tie Niu on the shoulder in comfort. He knew the Old Ancestor wouldn't kill such a rare specimen easily. But upon hearing this, Tie Niu looked as if he might break down in tears again.