A Waste of Time

Chapter 54: Embered Whisper

Ru and Jia sighed inwardly, though they were genuinely happy for their Young Master’s clone. They couldn’t deny that everything surrounding these two boys felt more than slightly unfair to their tastes.

These two’s rate of advancement was simply absurd, with or without their direct help.

“Hot damn!” Ippo barked after activating the Lightning Grid Skill for the first time. “Ru Sensei—hit me with one of your Water Qi Techniques. Start weak, then ramp up. You can use Physical-Attacks, too.” He gestured toward his instructor while drifting toward the new patch of flattened earth that would serve for his Physical Exercises and Weapon Training, since the real body had demolished his old spot with that boulder stunt earlier.

The Swordsman nodded, though he looked drained—his Dantian nearly empty after pouring so much Water Qi into the Spirit-Formation. Even now, he clutched a Water Spirit Stone, desperately absorbing every drop of Qi he could reclaim.

Jia watched from her post, refusing to leave her Young Master Daemon unattended. Protector Jian caught the subtle threat hidden in the glance she threw his way and wisely followed her brother. He, too, was curious to see how the boy’s new Skill would hold up in real combat tests. The moment he stepped away from Daemon, he felt the sharp hostility in Jia’s eyes loosen its grip—another reminder of how protective this pair was of that unnaturally dangerous child.

How do I always end up sandwiched between monsters pretending to be mortals? Fu Jian lamented inwardly as he trailed after Ru.

“Arghhh!” Ru instantly regretted testing the barrier with a quick palm strike to Ippo’s shoulder. His shout cracked the air when a sharp Current of High-Voltage Electricity zapped his arm to the elbow. He staggered back, swearing under his breath. “Huff—! I... huff... I think I’d better not use Barehanded Techniques... Is it alright if I switch to my Sword?” He reached for his Weapon’s hilt, dark thoughts bubbling up like poison from a cracked vessel.

For the briefest moment, the usually composed Swordsman felt the mad temptation to strike this smug boy down and see if his precious Lightning Grid would fry him again—only harder.

Ippo only smirked. “I’d strongly recommend a wooden Practice-Sword, Ru Sensei. Unless you like playing lightning rod?” The boy’s grin widened when he saw the older man’s eyes snap back to clarity, guilt flooding his expression.

The Swordsman broke out in cold sweat. I was about to lose it... over a zap. His mind reeled at the shame. If he’d been an enemy, he could have toyed with me like a drunk goat on a frozen slope! He lowered his head, swallowing the bitter taste of pride, and rummaged through the scattered rack for a wooden Practice-Sword. The metal ones glimmered in the sun, mocking him with the memory of that shock.

Meanwhile, at the center of the camp, Jia glanced at Daemon’s cocoon with furrowed brows. “Why is Young Master Daemon still in that state?” she asked Ippo once he deactivated the Lightning Grid to let Ru catch his breath. “Is something wrong with him?”

The boy tossed a sly look at Protector Jian before flashing a roguish grin at Jia. “We shouldn’t reveal all our cards in front of our honored guest, Sister Jia. This way, we can keep him entertained next time he shows up.” He winked at her, delighting in the faint blush that bloomed on her cheeks. Little Mei and Xia both rolled their eyes at his shamelessness.

Fu Jian chuckled dryly. So that’s the polite way to say: ‘Time to leave, old man.’ He cupped his fists respectfully. “Then I shall not impose any longer than I already have. Farewell, Young Master Ippo—it’s been... enlightening.”

Ru, his face calmer now that the intrusive thoughts had been banished, mirrored the respectful gesture. “Take care, Protector Jian.”

Jia also cupped her fists and lowered her head. “We owe you two favors. Please do not hesitate to knock on our door when you wish to claim them.”

The man’s lips twitched in reluctant amusement. Two favors... that’s better than a sack of gold in these lands. He offered a final nod, threw one last glance at the faintly humming cocoon—silver-blue arcs dancing across its surface—and departed, a Wind Spirit Stone and Gentle-Feather Talisman ready in his hands.

At least that Young Master Daemon showed me enough to make my report worthwhile, he mused as the Gentle-Feather Talisman lifted him gently into the air. He gave me just enough to chew on—while burying the main course under a mountain of mystery. Sly little fox.

Daemon, meanwhile, was grinning like a devil inside that veil of crackling light. Let the old man speculate all he wants. Better they fear what they don’t understand. He had no intention of ruining that aura of mystique by popping out butt-naked in front of a paying guest.

Little Mei squeaked when he finally emerged from the cocoon and snapped, “Prepare some clean clothes. I’ll be taking a bath.”

Xia shot him a knowing look that said, There’s enough food waiting too—don’t worry, you glutton. Daemon only grinned wider in reply.

Jia approached, eyes sharp as ever. She checked him over, scanning every inch, poking and prodding as if searching for hidden cracks in his bones. He let her fuss, even though it left him standing stark naked by the creek. He didn’t comment—though inwardly he snickered. She never asks permission when she’s worried. Maybe I should let her keep at it...

Once satisfied, she stepped back, cheeks pink. He trudged into the deep pool she and Ru had dug, the cool Water licking at his skin. Beneath the ripples, he felt that strange new connection—like the Water was alive, the same faint resonance he’d sensed with Fire, Earth, and now even the Wood Element.

Above him, a mischievous gust danced along his shoulders. He could feel the Wind, not just as a breeze but as something that recognized him. The Lightning, of course, pulsed inside him like a second heart—fueled partly by Jia’s reckless mixing of Fire Qi and Lightning Qi, something even she didn’t fully understand yet.

How many Elements am I going to stack up before they start calling me an abomination? Daemon mused, sinking deeper until only his eyes and the tip of one finger poked above the surface.

Screeech!

A shrill cry cracked the camp’s calm. Daemon’s daydream snapped like a frayed rope. The Tigress snarled, fangs bared, nudging her cub deeper beneath the brush. Xia and Mei froze, eyes wide as dinner plates.

“That’s a Ferocious-Creature, no doubt.” Ru’s voice dropped to a harsh growl. He stepped forward, wooden Practice-Sword at the ready. “You two—behind me!” His mind cursed the wretched timing. No Water Qi left. Barely enough for a single decent swing...

At least Ippo’s new Lightning Grid would help. That stunning backlash packed a mean surprise. Jia shifted position to stand between the threat and Daemon, body tense as a bowstring.

She knew all too well—her Young Master pushed himself past the edge every time. Between the Hammer Training at Nie Leixu’s Smithy, the Yellow-Scale Fruits, and that four-Element baptism, who knew if his body had really recovered?

A dark speck cut through the clouds—a massive bird with talons like hooked blades and a wingspan big enough to blot the sun. It looked like an oversized harpy-eagle.

The beast fixed its golden eyes on little Mei, the weakest link. It folded its wings, beak angling down for a lethal dive.

“Humph.” Daemon’s voice rolled like thunder across the clearing. Without rising from the Water, he snapped his fingers—Asura Buff flaring to life in an instant. Let’s test another Skill. The air sizzled. The boy raised one hand lazily.

Chain Lightning—Single-Attack.

Crackle! Vzzt! Scree!

A streak of silver-blue shot skyward, punching a hole through the bird’s feathers and sending it spinning mid-air. Feathers vaporized. A harsh caw ripped the air as the stunned beast struggled to right itself.

The group below gasped—Mei shrieked, Xia grabbed her arm, Ru’s eyes widened in disbelief at the power packed in that bolt. Even Jia’s breath caught.

The massive harpy-eagle flapped wildly, trying to stabilize. But its wings locked, paralyzed by the residual current. It spiraled, dropped, barely caught itself with a desperate snap of wings. More feathers rained like burnt snow.

Snort. Daemon’s nostrils flared. He let his finger hover just above the Water’s surface—one spark dancing at the tip.

“Get down here—now. Or I’ll cook you alive and feed your bones to my Tigress. I won’t say it twice. Live... or die.”

Caw! The battered bird trembled midair—then, as if understanding perfectly, it gave a pitiful croak and limped to the ground. Its talons scraped the dirt, wings folded tight against its body. Its golden eyes held an unmistakable plea: Please—mercy.

Ru exhaled a shaky laugh, lowering his Practice-Sword. Jia’s lips twitched, half amused, half exasperated. The cub peeked from the underbrush, eyes round with awe.

Ippo whistled low. “Who needs a trap or a cage when the prey volunteers, huh?”

Daemon only smirked, sinking deeper into the Water’s embrace. Good. Let them see. Let them wonder. The game’s only begun.

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