Just how long have I been wandering around? It’s been a few years since the divination and I began seeking the western lands. Ah! Ouch! Will this pain ever go away… that old fool sent too much of the tribulation lighting at me. I suppose the only thing that will truly relieve this pain is death, well that should be pretty soon according to the divination. I hope I can find a successor before I die. Huh? What’s that over there? Hmm… bandits attacking a carriage. In the end, humans never change, no matter what continent I’m on. Obtaining some good karma before I die should help give me a better life if I reincarnate. Alright, this old lady will help.

Despite being nearly two kilometres away I arrive at the scene within a matter of seconds, bringing a fist clad on to flame one of the bandits face. The astonished look on the bandits face’s quickly turns to anger and fear after witnessing me appear from nowhere while killing their comrade in a single punch.

“What’s with those looks!? Is there no one brave enough to confront this old sage!?” I yell while shifting my gaze to meet all the bandits that surround the carriage.

The one who seems to be the leader regains his composition first and yells, “It’s just one woman, and there’s fourteen of us! Just surround and beat her! Once we deal with her and this carriage we can take the woman back and have some fun, before selling her as a slave or killing her!”

It doesn’t take more than a second for the bandits to give me some rather lustful and creepy stares after their leader's words. I was originally going to capture some of these guys and sell them off as criminal slaves but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll kill every last one of them. I begin to spread out my qi all over my body as it begins to form an armour of fire around me and as it fully forms, I draw out my sword. As soon as it’s out, my blade becomes wrapped in my crimson flames.

In a swift strike I cut through several of the bandits closest to me with the trail of fire that my sword leaves burning their bodies as I move towards the rest of them. In just a minute all but the leader remains alive, curled up on the ground in tears.

“Please have mercy! I’ll do anything just don’t kill me!” The bandit leader cries out having completely lost the will to fight.

“This old lady wonders how many times you heard those very same words directed at you, have you ever consented to them?” I ask.

With the realisation of the meaning behind my words, his arms go limp and eyes lose any semblance of life, completely resigning himself to his fate.

“I see.” I say in response to his unspoken words as I bring my sword down, ending his life.

Hmm… just as I thought, moving around my body like this is much more enjoyable than that annoying bureaucratic life.

I begin to make my way towards the carriage while spreading body dissolving liquid over all the corpses. Suddenly the carriage doors swings open and a seemingly middle-aged man comes out. Based on his clean brown hair, expensive looking clothing, and the aura he gives off, this youngster is probably nobility in this country. Approaching him I ask, “you alright, sir? I hope this old one was of some assistance.”

“Old one?” the man quickly mumbles before continuing, “Yes I fear I would not have made it home tonight if it were not for your assistance Miss Sage. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Baron Gottfried von Rees. My territory is the city just up ahead. Considering my previous guards have recently been killed, I would like to hire your assistance as a guard until we reach my residence. If you don’t mind of course.”

“Haha, it has been a very long time since anyone has called me ‘Miss’, as long as I can ride in that carriage with you I’ll accept. This old sage tires from walking for so long after all.”

“Very well.” Gottfried says as he invites me into the carriage.

Inside the carriage is the Baron and me, while is butler takes the reigns for the horses since the coachman died to the bandits earlier. As we make our way to the city Baron Gottfried asks me various questions.

“Do tell Miss Sage, why is it that you keep referring to yourself as old? In my eyes you are younger than me, probably in your late 20s or early 30s.”

“I’m flattered you think I look so young. But appearances can be deceiving. It may not seem like it but this old sage is far older than you are. Anywa— ouch!”

“Are you alright? Were you hit in the fight before?” Gottfried asks with a concerned look.

“The pain will pass in a moment. It is just an injury from a couple years ago flaring up.”

As the pain subsides we continue to chat until reaching Gottfried’s residence. In our conversation I mention that I am from an empire far to the east of here and unfamiliar with these lands, so he told me all about this country. This is the Kingdom of Coruve. To the east, it is bordered by a mountain range, and to the south is the Capital of Coruve and the open sea. I had known about the mountain range since I had passed through it already but I was very interested in the sea as it has been a long time since I have last seen it. On the northern and western borders are the Grand Principality of Ngamy and the Republic of Almy, respectively. Both of which are rival nations. Through our conversations, I learned that Baron Gottfried had a misunderstanding regarding me. It seems that in this country and all the surrounding countries, a sage is someone who is a great mage. In these lands, magic is incredibly prevalent, unlike back home. Those that can don the title of sage are far and few between, as such they gather much respect. Unfortunately, I’m no mage… but I like the respect I’m given so I don’t feel like correcting him for a while.

As the sun begins to set we finally arrive at Gottfried’s residence. Stepping out of the carriage I find myself analysing the large mansion standing before me. Although I can only call it large in comparison to the rest of the buildings in this city. When compared the great houses in the White Jade Empire there is nothing noteworthy about them.

“Here is your reward for you escort Miss Sage, 2 gold coins.” Gottfried says handing me a small pouch. “I would still like to extend my thanks and invite you to have dinner with my family.”

“No, I’d rather not impose on your kindness too much. I will just look for an inn and eat there. Have a good ni— *rumble*”

“Haha, Seems like your stomach is rather honest Miss Sage.” Gottfried says with a light chuckle.

“This old lady apologises for that unsightly display just now and for intruding on your family’s dinner.” I say while being guided into the mansion.

After entering the mansion Gottfried directs his chefs to start dinner while having some servants gather his family in his study. Gottfried opens the door to his study and allows me to enter first. The room is a bit on the small side but still a suitable size room for nobility. There is a desk in the far end and in the centre is a long table with an equally long couch on both sides.

I take a seat on one of the couches and Gottfried takes a seat opposite to me and we begin to chat once more, this time explaining the currency system in these lands. The lowest tier of coinage is copper. Up from there is bronze, silver, electrum, gold, white gold, and finally pure platinum. It takes 100 copper coins to equal one bronze coin, 100 bronze coins to equal 1 silver coin and so on. The coinage system back home is similar but we also have jade and mutton jade coins topping platinum ones.

Our idle chat continues for a few minutes until there are a few knocks on the door before it’s opened. In comes a small stream of people, two woman and two men, who I assume to be Gottfried’s wife and children. One of the women looks to be middle-aged, has red hair that shows signs of greying, and is wearing a fancy formal dress. The other woman is a young little girl most likely less than ten years old. She has light brown hair similar to her father and is wearing a small dress with a cute flowery design geared towards young girls. Of the two men who walked in one looks to be a working adult with an appearance that looks like he could pass for a younger version of Gottfried. The other man is a young boy who seems to be roughly the same age as the little girl and has red hair similar to his mother.

“Allow me to introduce you to my family. This if my wife Sophia, my eldest daughter Alisha, my eldest son Sven, and my youngest son Walter. I have one more daughter, Ceceania, but she is currently bedridden and can’t join us here.” Gottfried says.

Suddenly Madam Sophia stands up and does a slight bow as she says, “I have heard the situation from our family’s butler a moment ago and on behalf of the rest of my husbands family I thank you for saving his life, Miss…”

“That reminds me I have yet to actually hear your name. I have just been addressing you as Sage this entire time, how rude of me.” Gottfried says.

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“Yes, that seems to have slipped by this old one too. I am Lan Yueliang. Oh, Lan is my surname and Yueliang is my given name. In my home country, we give our family name, first then given name. That doesn’t seem to be the case here though.” I say.

“Now then, since we have all been introduced how about some dinner.” Gottfried says as he leads the way to the dining hall.

After being led into the dining hall some of the servants guide us to our seats at a long table situated in the centre of the room. Shortly after getting seated the chefs bring a bountiful amount of food and set it before us. Between some vegetables I recognise, and meats that I’ve never seen before, everything looks just as delicious as it is beautiful. As I cut deep into the meat, juices spill forth and it feels as if it was melting in my mouth as I chew.

Having finished my meal I bring up a napkin to my mouth as I say, “that hit the spot. I haven’t had a decent meal in months. I feel like I need to repay you all for such a great meal.”

“No it is I who should still have to repay you, for there is nothing I can do to truly repay you for saving my life.” Gottfried says.

“You shouldn’t call me your benefactor in you can not accept my goodwill.”

“Very well then, if you insist. Just what is it you have in mind Miss Yueliang?” Gottfried says as everyone else gives me a look of anticipation.

“As I recall you mentioned having another daughter who is sick, I believe you said Ceceania was her name. Can you tell me a little more about her?”

“Of course. She is only six years old but none of the doctors I’ve asked knows how to deal with the illness that plagues her. None of them seems to think my daughter will live the rest of the year, but I can’t just give up hope like that. It was actually because I went looking for another doctor who might be able to help that I met you today. Why do you ask?”

“Depending on what her condition is, this old one might be able to save her. Can you take me to see her?” I ask.

Without any hesitation upon hearing my words, Gottfried stands up paying no mind to the chair he knocked down and says, “Yes, of course. Come right this way.”

As we approached Ceceania’s room a strange heat permeated throughout the halls and only got hotter until we arrived at her door. As I push open the door a strong burst of hot air flew by, confirming the suspicions I’ve had. Together with Gottfried and his family, we surround Ceceania’s bed as she lay there unconscious. Her body is covered in bags that were once full of ice now melted into lukewarm water. It feels as if I was sticking my hand into a volcano as I bring it to Ceceania’s forehead, allowing to fully confirm all the suspicions I’ve had until now regarding her condition.

“Lord Gottfried, I’ve figured out what your daughter is suffering from. It’s an out of control fire physique.”

““A fire physique? What’s that?”” Both Gottfried and his wife ask in unison.

“It is a rare type of condition that someone can be born with. A person with such fire physique means that they have a body constitution that is similar to that of a fire spirit. Normally it won’t do much other than raise the temperature nearby, although it’s not particularly noticeable. It can also raise their resistance to heat and they don’t burn as easily. However, if it goes out of control like this it can cause the life force of the person with this special physique to be drained and has greater uncontrollable effects like the unnatural temperature in this room for example. This only happens when a human has a stronger than normal physique that brings the body closer to being that of a fire spirit. It is not without benefits though. If one can keep such a strong physique in check they are rendered immune to fire and don’t feel the effect of scorching temperatures, they could even sit inside a pool of magma if they so desired. Of course, it normally isn’t possible to keep such strong physiques under control, not without some outside interference. This old one also has a fire physique, although it is nowhere near as strong as your daughter’s, I should still be able to keep her's under control.” I explain.

“Really you can help my daughter!?” Gottfried says as he gets down and kowtows toward me.

“Yes, but I do have something I want to ask of you as well.”

With his head still to the ground discarding any semblance of noble pride, Gottfried says, “Anything! As long as you can save her I’ll do anything if it’s within my power.”

“It may not seem like it, but this old one is currently dying right now as my body is slowly getting weaker. I have been for a couple years now, ever since I failed the final tribulation and sustained my injuries. This one had performed a divination a few years ago and found that I should head west. If I were to head west I would find I disciple worthy of inheriting my skills. I ask of you, Lord Gottfried von Rees, will you allow your daughter Ceceania von Rees to become my disciple?”

“I swear by the ancestors of the Rees family to allow my Ceceania to become your disciple!” Gottfried says.

“I’ll hold you to that then. Now then, time to start.”

As I draw closer to Ceceania’s body, I take a small bright red jade treasure box from my interspatial ring as well as various other artefacts I’ve stored away in here and move everything into the treasure box along with the cloak I was wearing. And lastly, I remove a small knife and two pills from my ring before placing the ring in the treasure box, finally closing it. Using the knife I prick Ceceania’s skin to draw her blood allowing it to drip from the knife blade onto the treasure box.

“With this, my greeting gift for this new disciple of mine is complete. From now on, no one but Ceceania will be able to open this multi-layered treasure box. As she grows in strength in the future she will be able to access more layers from within granting her the many artefacts this old one had made and collected throughout these past few thousand years.” I say while placing the box on the nearby desk.

As I once again approach Ceceania’s bedside I cut myself with the knife and allow Ceceania’s and my blood to mix together before sliding it off onto the two pills I had previously pulled out. With Ceceania still unconscious, I forcefully feed her one of the pills shortly before eating the second one myself. Not even ten seconds later my body begins to dissolve.

“The process is starting and in a few moments your daughter should wake up. Unfortunately, this will be the last time you ever see me, but don’t worry, I’ll be seeing you lot quite often from now on.”

“Wait what do you mean and what’s happening to your body!?” Gottfried yells as he finally stands up.

I just turn and smile at Gottfried the rest of his family. Before my body completely disappears I say, “don’t worry about it. I would like to give you a parting gift for the hospitality you’ve shown me but this one has no more possessions anymore, so I’ll tell you all my full title, I am the Great Sage Fairy Lan Yueliang of the Crimson Flame that dyes the Moon. Consider your self lucky, not many have heard my full title and lived to tell it to others.”

Before anyone has any chance to respond, my physical body completely evaporates leaving nothing other than the clothes on my back.

****** Ceceania von Rees ******

“(Darkness… all I have been able to see is the darkness… I’m scared. Father… mother… someone help me. It feels like I’m dying… I don’t want to die. Somebody please save me.)”

I keep calling out from within the depths of my heart, but my voice won’t ever be able to reach anyone here.

“(Don’t count this old one as a part of that ‘anyone’.)”

A voice? But I didn’t say anything. Am I saved?

“(Yes, this master is here to save you. Also don’t worry about stressing yourself by trying to talk here, as it will wear on your life. I can read your mind since my soul now inhabits your body. In accordance to the deal I made with your father to save you, I am now your master and you are now my disciple. My surname is Lan, given name is Yueliang, the Great Sage Fairy Lan Yueliang of the Crimson Flame that dyes the Moon, I am a cultivator in the pinnacle of the eighth stage.)”

Cultivator? Not a mage? Even though you're a sage.

“(There seems to some kind of misunderstanding here. Either I haven’t fully comprehended the language of these lands yet which is impossible since I’ve already looked through all your memories, or the more likely chance of a sage in these lands holds a different definition than a sage from the White Jade Empire. Anyways I have your special physique under control now so you should be waking up any moment now. We will start your training in two days, I still need to set things up inside your— or rather, our inner world. After you get up tomorrow just meditate for a bit on your bed and make sure to tell your father that no one is to interrupt for the next 24 hours after you begin, even for food. Now then, it’s time for my well deserved nap.)”

Just as the nice voice said, I slowly gain awareness of my surrounding as I am finally able to open my eyes and mouth on my own for the first time in weeks.

“Father, mother!” I yell as I jump out of my bed and into their arms as tears of joy stain their faces.

“It’s truly a miracle! Are you feeling okay dear? Are you in pain anywhere? Are you sure you should be up like this?” Father asks, throwing question after question at me.

“Father I heard a voice while I was sleeping. She said she saved me and called her self Lan Yueliang. Who was she?” I ask.

“Miss Yueliang… no Great Sage Lan Yueliang my benefactor who had saved my life and now yours.”

“(That’s right, now remember our promise little friend Gottfried. Also no need for the formalities, just keep calling this one, ‘Miss Yueliang’, makes me feel younger after all).” Says a voice that rings throughout the air.

“That voice… Great S— ahem, Miss Yueliang, is it truly you? Where are you?” Father asks, shooting his eyes all over the room trying to find the source of the voice.

“(Like I said, you’ll never see me again but I’ll be seeing you quite often. My physical body has been destroyed in the process I used to help this new disciple of mine. I currently exist as a soul within your daughter and I’m communicating to you all using a sound transmission technique. I can’t do this often since it takes a lot of my energy since I’m just a soul now. Anyways since my disciple hasn’t mentioned it yet, I will be starting her training two days. No one is to enter her room for 24 hours after Ceceania wakes up, not even for meals. After the first training session, I will conduct similar ones with her every day from then onward until she reaches a point where she no longer requires my guidance.)” Miss Yueliang says.

“Wait, just how long will that be? As a noble, I have unspoken obligations to send her to school in the capital the year Ceceania turns 14. If I don’t it would be a tremendous loss of face for our family.” Father says.

“(This old lady understands your position. Do not fret, the subsequent training will only last a few hours and can be done at any time. However, since you want her to attend school I will increase the hours of training before that. This means you will be seeing your daughter far less than before, is this fine with you?)” Miss Yueliang asks.

“Yes, this is fine. It is important that Ceceania attends school for more than just the face of our family after all.” Father says.

“(Then we have ourselves a deal. Now then, I am rather exhausted so I will be going to sleep for a bit. But before I forget, Ceceania is too long and hard to say so from now on I am calling you Cece, and you will also refer to me as master. Do you understand?)” Miss Yueliang asks.

As father nudges me on the back advising me to respond quickly I respond, “Yes, I understand, Master.”