54. Wisdom is the Offspring of Suffering and Time
Clay woke up to the sweet smell of a wine and when he opened his eyes, he noticed he had been lying on a wooden bed inside a dim room.
As he got up, he felt his body has become heavier and when he had full view of the room, he saw a man drinking opposite him. Clay did not need to focus to know who he was. The silhouette of a muscular arm was enough to identify who had been looking out of him.
"I was hoping to bury a client and take all his possession but I guess it did not happen."
Urda threw a spatial ring to which Clay caught with his Qi.
"There are at least ten bottles of Tapa'y wine in there, aged at least a hundred year. They say that the aroma is irresistible that can make even least oenophile drink or even bathe or drown from it. I usually drink one bottle when it is worth celebrating.”
“Is turning into a beast worth celebrating?” Clay casually responded as he took out one bottle. The aroma indeed makes him salivate but upon opening the bottle, he could feel it is not an ordinary drink. Clay summoned glass and poured himself a drink.
“Why not. You eliminated someone many people had been dying to kill.”
Clay closed his eyes as the wine coursed through his throat. Recalling what transpired, although he did not feel completely exhausted that time, it was the changes in his body that made him lose consciousness. Thanks to Urda he avoided being eaten by some random beast.
Inspecting his body, he did not need to have a mirror to see that the transformation only spared his hands and the area below his ankles and of course his head. He felt he has gotten taller and the deep wound in his body has completely healed as well.
"Why?" Clay humbly inquired. He would like to know why this man is helping him. It is obvious Urda is not after his life nor his spatial ring.
“Mrggh.” Urda cleared his throat but did not respond then gulped the bottle until it was empty.
Reminiscing his past, he was six when his mother was abducted by Blood Moon Sect and his grandpa practiced Death Qi in attempt of vengeance. Years later when he broke through to Foundation Establishment, his first son was born. Who would have thought that his child was abducted again by the same sect eight years later. His wife could not endure the depression and the next thing he knew, his wife incorporated Death Qi to her body in attempt to seek vengeance as well.
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He was forced to cripple the cultivation of his beloved wife and the next five years became his most painful memory.
Later, his brother-in-law joined the sect to subvert and exposed the abductions forty years ago but not only did the plan of incriminating the sect end in failure when he tipped off the Alchemist Guild and Royal Family, it also caused an innocent Elven Colony to be obliterated.
He remarried in hopes of burying the past, but the pain haunted him every night. He then realized he can never do anything as a cultivator, but as a merchant, he can only hope that the factions he has been secretly funding would bring him justice one day.
When he first met Clay, he thought they were the same so he personally wanted to help in guise of conducting business but after witnessing Clay’s strength, he had the urge to befriend and recruit Clay. He was being honest when he mentioned that he would give Clay a proper burial, but upon arriving on the scene, the most thoughtful gift awaited him.
He kneeled and cried in euphoria and celebrated the death of a Nascent Elder from Blood Moon Sect. He had prayed for someone to give justice and yesterday, the heavens heard his prayers.
"I planned to corrupt myself with Death Qi and kill as many as Blood Moon Sect members before I die but because of you though, I do not think I will be doing that anymore and will probably die a senile old man."
Urda got up from his seat and approached Clay.
"These are the rings of those whom you killed. I took out the gold coins and bank notes as payment for saving your life. "
Urda handed the spatial rings and took the glassed from Clay poured a small portion and poured it into his mouth.
“Mrgghh.”
Urda then poured another cup and gave it to Clay then summoned a small box from his ring and placed it beside the wine bottle.
"I do not have the courage to watch you completely transform, but if you want me to still give you a burial and honor your grave, you just need to break the talisman inside the box before your last breath." Urda turned around and prepared to leave.
"Even I do not know why they are after me." Clay said before Urda reach the door.
"I wish I knew but this is far as I can help. Goodbye, young man. "
Urda did not look back and levitated and flew off with his beast.
He knew it was Clay who killed the Nascent Elders of Blood Moon Sect with those terrifying Qi Projections. Urda smiled knowing he can now live in peace.
With two Nascent elders gone, it is only a matter of time before Blood Moon Sect is coveted by rivaling factions. He wanted to convince Clay to completely eliminate sect and help him exact fully vengeance however he did not want to deprive Clay of his remaining days.
As for him, he may not live to see the whether or not the sect will be exterminated but knowing that two of their supporting pillars gone is more than enough for him to be grateful and be contented if this what fate has to offer.
He was hoping Clay would tell him his dying wishes but seeing how young Clay is, he did not persuade him as it might turn into an argument. He just prayed Clay would die peacefully.