Seventeen: The Master Kindles the Flame

Lamia has gone out to prospect, so I have no way to tell her this good news.

In Le-Gang's mansion, which exudes a military air, I fiddle with a pebble held by a Valkyrie statue. Suddenly, the stone drops to the floor. My scalp tingles, terrified that I have caused a disaster, but fortunately, it does not break. Even if it had, I couldn't be blamed; who made it so fragile?

Le-Gang is in the study, flipping through military intelligence. As I enter, I smile and say, "Have you heard the news? I've made another contribution."

Le-Gang looks up with a smile and replies, "Congratulations."

I say, "I couldn't find Michael just now. Do you know where he is?"

Le-Gang says, "He is probably busy preparing for the gala. Prospecting is at a critical stage; we are all very busy right now."

He stops talking and buries himself in his reading. I feel a bit awkward, so I walk around his room, flipping through books. Le-Gang does not stop me.

I open a book and say, "On Logistics—a good book. In military campaigns, logistics is almost the most important thing. Logistics concerns the stability of morale, it concerns..."

Le-Gang replies, "Everything you say is correct, so please, start reading."

Is he complaining that I am noisy? If so, why doesn't he just say so?

I say, "I might need to borrow some money from you."

Le-Gang asks, "How much?"

I say, "Sixty million in gold credit, to purchase some essential supplies for construction."

Le-Gang writes me a check and says, "Now, please, let me have some quiet."

I know Le-Gang is generous, but I didn't expect him to be this generous. Trembling, I step forward to shake his hand and ask, "What is the interest rate?"

Le-Gang frowns and says, "No interest, but it must be repaid in a year. Now, my friend, can't you see I am busy?"

Why is he bestowing such a favor upon me? Even though our friendship is deep, sixty million is not a small sum. Ah, could he think I am using the Missouri affair to blackmail him? To intimidate him? Heaven knows, I never thought of such a thing, but if he were to think that, wouldn't it be terrible? No, I must explain that this is not extortion, just a small test of our friendship.

I clear my throat and say, "Listen, Le-Gang, don't you dare let your imagination run wild. Don't you understand who I am by now? We have been through so much; you can fully trust me. I will definitely repay this money. I am not like Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou; can someone who borrows money and doesn't pay it back even be called a person?"

Le-Gang puts down his book and glares at me with a fierce look. My calculations were correct—he thinks I am a vile extortionist! And yet, I was acting purely for the public good. Is this sixty million hush money? No, it's more likely a "last meal" before execution! He is just trying to stabilize me for the time being.

I blurt out anxiously, "Friend, stay calm, please stay calm! I am someone who keeps his mouth shut. I don't want this sixty million anymore—"

Le-Gang bellows, "Get out! Do whatever you want, just don't disturb my work!"

I tremble as I ask, "Are you going to kill me to silence me?"

Le-Gang is so furious he laughs, saying, "I wasn't going to, but if you don't leave this instant, I will slaughter you right now."

I turn into a shadow and slip away in a flash.

***

Reaching the lower level, I am finally able to think rationally—Le-Gang doesn't care about exposing the crime of murdering Missouri, because he and Michael are on the same front, backed by that mummified ancestor.

I have one year to spend this sixty million with a clear conscience. First, I must organize a caravan to procure as many supplies and weapons as possible in Black Coffin, then transport them to the village using Yune and Juno. I also have to buy the ownership of more reactors from Michael. Michael is not Le-Gang; he will likely demand an exorbitant price.

I didn't have to be this rushed, but the location of Weeping Village is too advantageous—so advantageous that it's like a beautiful woman lying unconscious in front of me, letting me steal her possessions to my heart's content.

I can leave the procurement to Mask; his ability to swindle others is top-notch.

At Hellsing's estate, Bella's voice drifts from the dojo: "Oh, my lady, you must learn to take care of yourself. A woman must be good to herself so that a man can be good to her. Don't you understand this principle? I brought this bottle of Livia's Rejuvenating Skin Lotion specifically for you. I am already a half-dead vampire and have no use for it, but you should try it..."

I smile bitterly and ask, "Can Yaochi stand her?"

Hellsing says, "In fact, Yaochi likes Bella very much. Although she is a bit noisy, she is very warm towards Yaochi."

"How is the Belphegor inside her?"

"It has improved a lot; it will be purified in another month."

I take out the Aether Vitamin bottle, and Hellsing takes it, clearly trying his best to hide his excitement.

I say, "Master, I hope Lady Yaochi recovers her health."

Hellsing is not one good at expressing gratitude. He nods and asks, "How should it be taken?"

I sigh and say, "It's a bit troublesome. You must take it first, then transfer it to her through that method."

Hellsing's expression turns awkward. He asks loudly, "What method?"

"The kind of method between a husband and wife... ahem, you know, it's not appropriate for me to describe it."

Hellsing is horrified. "We are both in our twilight years, how could we..."

I say sorrowfully, "That is how 'mana replenishment' is described in all the ancient books I've read."

Watching Hellsing's expression shift from disappointment to determination, and from determination to fearlessness, as if he were ready to sacrifice his life for Yaochi at any moment, I am moved and tell him the truth: "Actually, I was joking. She just needs to take it directly, one pill after each meal..."

At this moment, his expression suggests he wants to draw his sword and cut me down. I am not surprised. Sigh, humans have always been so ungrateful, fickle, and changeable; even one as noble as Hellsing is no exception.

We remain silent for a minute before Hellsing says, "How much money do I owe you?"

I say, "No, how could I accept your money? How many times have the sword techniques you taught me saved my life?"

Hellsing draws a wooden sword. I prepare to run, but hear him say, "You have already mastered Stone Fir, Iron Lotus, Shepherd, and Wandering Cherry. I will teach you the remaining four swords."

He walks toward the courtyard, and I follow him with awe. Ever since I was young, I have idolized Orchid and longed to inherit his true sword techniques. Now, I am facing Hellsing, who is far superior to Orchid in both swordsmanship and character. In my heart, he has replaced my foster father and even surpassed Orchid.

Although I do not agree with his reclusive lifestyle, I long to become a great man like him.

Hellsing says, "The Eight Ritual Swords originate from the eight virtues of a knight. I detailed them last time. This power seems to originate from the gods of the higher realms, whether you call Him God or Buddha. The more merit you accumulate, and the firmer your ideals become, the more you will be able to grasp stronger Thought Blades. The remaining four moves are advanced versions of the previous four; you must practice even harder."

I reply, "I don't know if I'm qualified."

Hellsing smiles slightly. "That is for me to judge."

***

Suddenly, he appears behind me. The gale created during his movement kicks up grass clippings from the ground. This god-like speed forms several afterimages in my eyes; it seems my brain hasn't even had time to react.

He says, "This is 'Torrent,' the next move after Wandering Cherry. You use your Thought Blade to stimulate the blood in your body, inducing greater pain, but this pain will elevate you far beyond your previous realm, stepping into the domain of the gods. When using Torrent, you can even lift ten or twenty tons, or walk freely on water."

I ask, "Master, how great is this pain?"

Hellsing says, "Enough to drive a person mad, which is why you need a firm will."

Immediately after, he demonstrates the second move. In an instant, his figure becomes blurry, shrouded in dark mist. The mist spreads rapidly; before I can escape, I am surrounded. I look around, hair standing on end, feeling that Hellsing is everywhere, as if sharp blades could emerge from every direction.

He says, "This is 'Dark Cloud,' the advanced version of Iron Lotus. Your Thought Blade will conceal you and greatly weaken the enemy. They will become sluggish and suspicious, and you can strike boldly because they will have nowhere left to run."

In a flash, Hellsing's blade is at my throat, and I didn't even feel him approach.

I wipe the sweat from my brow and, to cover up the terror in my heart, say, "It's really hot in here."

Then, Hellsing closes his eyes and plugs his ears, saying, "Try to attack me with all your might."

I shout, "Master, this is no joke! If I strike with all my might right now, I could kill a dozen demons."

Hellsing says loudly, "Do it!"

I cannot help but comply. I pull out my Fishbone Gun and unleash "God-Slayer." Suddenly, a powerful force surges toward Hellsing, but he stands motionless. The force vanishes, and not even a single hair on his head is ruffled.

I gape, acting like an idiot.

Hellsing says, " 'Traceless,' the advanced sword move of Shepherd. When I exclude you from my consciousness, you cannot harm me. All your attacks become irrelevant to me, but I will never actively harm you either."

I ask, "What if the enemy just throws bombs or plants landmines?"

Hellsing laughs, "People are living beings. When the enemy is wantonly destroying everything, you simply slip away quietly, and they won't be able to do anything to you."

He opens his eyes and raises his long sword. The next second, he becomes the center of a storm. Violent fire and lightning erupt from him, forming a vortex. The sound is deafening. I am twenty meters away, yet my skin feels scorched and stinging, as if pricked by needles or doused in sulfuric acid. I have to use Iron Lotus to defend myself.

Hellsing says, " 'Extinction,' the advanced version of Stone Fir. Your Thought Blade becomes a firestorm. Enemies within twenty meters of you will be plagued by misfortune and impending doom. This move is both offensive and defensive; the closer to the center, the greater the power—it can even melt bullets in mid-air."

I ask, "This move looks dangerous. Won't I be too hot inside it? Won't it burn my own clothes? Master, be careful not to burn down your yard, that would be a pity."

Hellsing's gaze drifts to his own clothes and then glares at me. I probably didn't ask the right thing, but he soon ends the technique.

He says, "When you use Torrent, you must evoke a great longing; when you use Dark Cloud, you must possess the desire to protect those around you. When you use Traceless, you must be calm and forget all hatred. When you use Extinction, you must treat the enemy as a deep-seated foe. A master who uses advanced Thought Blades must constantly master their emotions to manifest various changes at will."

I want to say something, but Hellsing says, "Ask if you have questions; I will answer them."

I ask, "If I keep changing like this, won't I become a lunatic? This era is quite short on psychologists, and my heart is actually quite delicate. Mental health is also a part of being healthy."

Hellsing says coldly, "Then you had better learn some psychology yourself. Now, start practicing!"