Bing Xin watched. She dealt with the issue a little earlier than expected and returned to see a bloody struggle against many foes. Ah, is there anything better? Watching the little monk use his wits and strength to kill. Yes, she could have helped, but what then? There was no absolutely desperate situation in this world, there were only those who despair.

  She needed to see if he had truly fallen from back then. Fortunately, he hasn’t.

  Today, his spade aims below even the very depths of many Hells, his heart pointed to the Heavens.

  To be with her meant he needed to be merciless and cruel, a murderer and a calamity. To fall upwards from grace, far enough so there will be no place in heaven or earth for them. They’ll face the consequences with a smile, reveling in all that is gained in turn.

  One day. One day when this calamity strikes, all birds shall fly.

  —

  “This is unheard of. Stupid, even. But what else could I do?” He muttered.

  Dejiu was holding a piece of the Hollow Craven Soldier he killed an hour ago.

  “You must eat, my little monk. How else will you recover your strength? That remnant could only heal your wounds, not your hunger.”

  “Shouldn’t I at least cook it first?”

  “Cook with what fire? You could try to smoke it by having it sit against the hellish air seeping through the walls, but it’ll be hours after you died of hunger before you feel satisfied in its doneness.”

  “Wench.” He muttered. Bringing it to his lips he grimaced. Vomit threatened to spill out. Not only was it daimon meat, but these ones were quite humanoid. Even this piece of flesh was cut from its thighs after plucking the stone feathers off.

  Dejiu halted his breathing and bit down. He tore a small chunk so he wouldn’t have to chew. Immediately swallowing, he sadly couldn’t evade the taste. “Kreuk!” He choked out.

  “Stop your crying little monk. Finish your meal, however much you can. You have earned it by killing them.”

  “Hey,” Dejiu said between horrific squelches. “Did you return to me from whatever you were busy with before I ended the battle?”

  “I’m not telling.”

  “No fun, no fun. Well, it doesn’t really matter for what I wanted to ask — do you know why these Hollow Craven Soldiers blinded themselves?”

  “I know of it. Do you wish to hear? You may want to blind yourself too.”

  Dejiu tensed and swallowed what disgusting bits he had procrastinated to eat. “I do.”

  Bing Xin laughed. “I was joking little monk. Ah, but you may blind yourself later — it’s because of a certain terror even among Impure daimons. Of course that whelp is nothing compared to me, but you’re even less than that thing.”

  “Is it near me?” He asked fearfully.

  “A little. Far away, yet close. Where do you think it is? Guess.”

  Dejiu rubbed his head in thought. “Far away, but close? Doesn’t that just leave the guardian of this Pillarshard?”

  “In a way. But you’re right.”

  “Will you explain further?”

  “No. Otherwise you’ll blind yourself. Such is the nature of its powers.”

  A shiver ran down his back. “Thank you.”

  “Ho? Thanking me? What brought about this change? A life and death battle? Thankful for the gifts I have bestowed to you?” She madly laughed again.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “A little. I would’ve died tenfold so far, but I can’t forget that you’re the reason I’m here in the first place.” Dejiu stood up, tired of eating. Even a little bit made him full. “Time to claim what's mine.”

  It took him a few minutes before ten Impure Hell Shards lay before him. Of course he could’ve absorbed them immediately upon digging them out, but come on! This was much more satisfying.

  With a giddy smile and a mad gaze edged in greed, he glazed over his jewels.

  “Wipe that drool.” Bing Xin said, ending his klepto daze.

  “Huh? Oh! You’re right.”

  [You have acquired a Hell Shard (Impure)]

  [You have acquired a Hell Shard (Impure)]

  [You have acquired a Hell Shard (Impure)]

  The monotone voice continued until all ten were done. He could’ve cut it short, but once again, he erred on the side of satisfaction. Actually, should he? He’s supposed to be a monk. Tested by the mountain’s cold. Tempered in abstinence. An ascetic by nature.

  “As if.” He laughed as he grabbed his spade.

  He stretched his arms and shoulders using the lengthy shaft. Healed and full, he’s ready to descend again.

  That rejuvenation pill worked brilliantly. He thought as he inspected his body.

  Bing Xin returned when he was resting atop a puddle of daimon blood. There she taught him how to access the soulbound remnants he obtained. It turned out all he needed to do was will to summon it — just like when he wanted to summon the characters of his Seekers Accord.

  A shame he could only use it once though — a consumable. He recalled the description.

  [Soulbound Remnant: Craven Soldier’s Rejuvenation Pill]

  [These malformed soldiers led their kind through the Seventh Hell. Each of them sought to obtain wings, but in their pursuit, they lost their sight. Stored in their pockets, these poor pills failed to return their sight, but they could be used for other things.]

  [Remnant Grade: Mid Impure]

  [Remnant Type: Consumable]

  At least he obtained something else though… bracers! Initially, he didn’t even know how to wear them, but fortunately, they just appeared on his forearms! Shaped to fit perfectly too!

  [Soulbound Remnant: Scavenger’s Soaring Bracers ]

  [Captains of their abominable kind, these scavengers took it upon themselves to find meals for their young. Abandoned by their progenitor, to scavenge was all they could do. Provides average defenses against physical attacks.]

  [Remnant Grade: High Impure]

  [Remnant Type: Armor]

  Interesting. Although she’d likely know more than me, it's nice to know a little more of my foes from this.

  Dullgrey, the bracers looked to be the same stone feather material that covered each of the three types of daimons he’d seen. Luckily they looked and felt sturdy. Unluckily they were a little heavy. “Hey, can these break? Or will it return to my soul or something?”

  “Enough damage and they’ll break like any other bracers. They’ll also be destroyed at the moment of their owner's death.” She answered.

  “Huh. Okay,” He nodded. “How do I recover damage then?”

  “Dismiss it. It will slowly recover and repair itself inside the soul.”

  He looked at the bracers again and his mind churned. Beautifully plated in layered feathers, he reckoned he could see these for quite the sum if he sneaked to the Heiyang Prefecture later to sell them. Provided he survives the Seventh Hell of course.

  “Wait, can I even sell these?”

  “Perhaps. You must make contact with the buyer to transfer it though. The Seekers Accord makes the trade almost intuitive.”

  Ah, but the future was bright, brilliant even! He could even see the light at the end of the tunnel. Although the light looked hellish, it was light nonetheless.

  I wonder what Teacher Jiansu wears to battle. Leg and arm bracers? Gauntlets? A jian? A nine-ringed dao!? Amitabha! I’ll kill more of these guys if it means I get to have more gear! More to wear, more to sell! He grinned.

  “Enough dawdling, little monk. Cultivate.” She said sternly, ending his dreams short.

  Dejiu sighed as he complied. “Not descending for more daimons? I was ready.” He sulked. He really wanted to try getting more remnants.

  She didn’t respond, but he still listened. Her hawk-like eyes were always watching—

  A life-threatening shiver ran down his spine as he closed his eyes.

  Oops. Maybe he shouldn’t have thought that. He forgot that her bat-like ears were always listening—

  “Cultivate.” She ordered.

  “...Yes, Miss Bing Xin!” He whimpered.