Chapter 225 – Legend of the Sage Alchemist (VII)

Chapter 225

Legend of the Sage Alchemist (VII)

We actually walked on foot, crossing the narrow alleyways and emerging onto the main street within a few moments. Oddly enough, though, nobody paid attention to us, almost as though they couldn’t see us. Either that, or everyone in the city knew well enough not to look at these two when they were out and about.

Sort of like an understood thing.

Regardless, the journey across was smooth and relatively quick, with us coming upon a massive pavilion towering over all the neighboring buildings within less than ten minutes. Instead of going in, however, she shuttled to the side, and Gu Zhao followed, with me right behind.

We went into one of the decrepit buildings, rundown beyond belief, as though no human hand had touched it for over a century. Luckily, we didn’t stay amidst the rubble, as she headed to the stairs that led downwards.

As we walked, I felt something overcome me for a moment, realizing it was likely a barrier of sorts–just in time for the world to change. The rundown, cracked walls turned smooth and well-kept, and even the stairs that just looked like they’d give in at any moment became sturdy and enduring.

They wound into a spiral for a little while before we emerged into a small yet clean and presentable room. There wasn’t much in the way of decor, only the bare necessities.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the bed, where I finally saw the legendary young woman from the quest. Okay, I’m being a bit pissy because I never quite picked up on whether to call her a ‘girl’ or a ‘woman’. Judging by her looks, she was closer to ‘girl’ than to ‘woman’ in my eyes, though that might just have to do with the fact she was practically skin and bones.

Her cheeks had sunken so deep I could practically see the imprint of her teeth bulging from the inside. Honestly, if not for the minute movements of her chest going up and down, I’d have simply assumed she was a remarkably well-preserved mummy.

We walked up slowly as the old woman sat on the bed and grabbed the girl’s hand; the latter’s fingers were literal toothpicks with no meat on them whatsoever. I almost frowned; even if Long Tao destroys the vine and severs the parasitic relationship, what kind of a life can she expect?

No, maybe they have ways of restoring muscle mass relatively quickly. And even if not, with proper nutrition and a lot of care and time, she should eventually go back to normal.

“She’s my everything, old Gu,” the woman said. “Remember her? How lively was she?”

“I do,” he nodded. “Whenever she’d find a hurt puppy or a kitten, she’d come running to the sect and beg disciples for some healing pills. She’d cry right at our doorstep until somebody gave in.”

“Ha ha ha. It does sound like her. I spoiled her too much, I realized.”

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“Hmm. Looks like my words have flown over your head, Madame,” A newcomer’s voice was cold and full of hostility, startling practically everyone–even the other two in the room.

Looking back, I saw an old man–no, wait, I saw a young, handsome man leaning against the wall near the staircase, his arms crossed at his chest, his face scrunched into a look of abject derision. It was as though he were looking at the most disgusting thing in the world and doing so against his will.

He stood at about five-eight, give or take, yet his stature and manner of carrying himself made him seem much taller than that. Draped in black robes with emerald-green embossing, he made me really want better robes for the kids. Yes, for the kids. Definitely not just for me.

His hair was tied up into a ponytail, black like obsidian, and hanging loosely to the side, while his eyes were almost as green as the robe’s embossing.