Corrupted Crimson

by Patrick Laplante

  “Maybe I should clean up a bit before going,” he muttered.

  An hour later, Cha Ming and Feng Ming were seated in a private room at the Laughing Buddha, a famous restaurant in the city. After a brief review of the menu, Cha Ming ordered multiples of each vegetable dish. His breakthrough had left him famished. As Feng Ming slowly ate away at a few of them, Cha Ming gorged himself on whatever he could lay his hands on.

  “You look like you haven’t eaten in a year,” Feng Ming said. “Did anything happen?”

  “I broke through to marrow refining just before coming to see you,” Cha Ming said before continuing to another dish.

  “So fast?” Feng Ming said. “How could you skip over so many subrealms? Body refining is known to be one of the most difficult and painful cultivation methods. Advancing to marrow refining should take several decades of effort—it’s why grandmaster spiritual blacksmiths and core treasures are so rare.”

  Cha Ming shrugged. “My body-cultivation technique requires one to be a talisman master, and it also requires five jin of elemental immortal jade and one jin of immortal-jade core, prepared with special methods to dissolve them. Tell me, is it fair that I broke through so quickly or not?”

  There was a price for everything, and it would be ridiculous if there were no benefits to cultivating the exclusive technique.

  “Hm…” Feng Ming said. “Maybe you can help me out with something.”

  “What’s this something, and why are you being so secretive about it?” Cha Ming said.

  Feng Ming quickly explained the information Zhou Li had shared.

  “Are you kidding me? You’re going to trust information given by that guy? That’s a terrible idea.”

  “But I tried tossing the note in the fire,” Feng Ming said. “I know it sounds silly, but do you remember what happened at the arena? If it was a bad idea, something or another would be stopping me from doing it. I’m lucky, remember?”

  Cha Ming hesitated. “Let’s at least ask Wang Jun about it. He’s pretty good at this kind of thing, right?”

  “But he’s too averse to risk,” Feng Ming said. “He’ll definitely try to stop us.”

  “When did it become ‘us’?” Cha Ming said. “Besides, if he agrees, both me, Huxian, and his two friends will come along. In my humble opinion, there aren’t many forces in the city that could stop us.”

  He rapidly finished off the remaining dish; a healthy glow had appeared on his previously pale face.

  “How could we possibly lose this much money over a short period of time?” Wang Jun exclaimed. “And where did these crappy and overvalued real-estate purchase ideas come from?”

  The sudden burst of energy was all he could muster. He began coughing with no end in sight.

  When did my health become so poor? More to the point, there was nothing wrong with him physically according to the best doctors he could get his hands on.

  “They came directly from you,” Elder Bai said. “Do you truly not remember?”

  “How could I remember something that didn’t happen?” Wang Jun croaked. “My memory has always been photographic. You know that.”

  “That’s why I’m so concerned,” Elder Bai said. “We know you can’t be cursed, and the doctors say there is nothing physically ailing you. Having known you for all these years, however, I refuse to believe there is nothing wrong with you.”

  “I agree with Elder Bai’s assessment,” Protector Ren said. “Although I can’t detect a cultivator’s tampering, there is definitely something amiss. Your odd behavior started as soon as you escaped the assassination attempt. We initially thought you might be an imposter, but you knew far too much for that to be the case.”

  Wang Jun collapsed into his chair in a dispirited manner. “Elder Bai, do you remember our conversations from before the attempt on my life?” he said.

  “I took extensive notes,” Elder Bai said.

  “Please use these notes and your best judgment and operate the business as per our initial plans and modify accordingly,” Wang Jun said bitterly. “We shouldn’t lose too much money if we follow them, but neither will we gain.”

  Elder Bai nodded. “I’ll do what I can. Please get well soon.” He swiftly exited the office and began issuing a salvo of commands.

  Wang Jun looked to Protector Ren. “Would you mind letting Cha Ming inside?”

  Cha Ming walked into the office with a frown. “I take it things have gotten worse?” he said to Protector Ren.

  “I can no longer be trusted,” Wang Jun said wistfully while throwing his hands up in the air. “At least things aren’t so bad with you, seeing as you broke through to the marrow-refining realm.”

  Cha Ming nodded. “I now have a fist strength of 43,200 jin, among other abilities. I might not be stronger than Protector Ren, but I’m at least confident in surviving his attacks.

  “Body refiners are best at survival and stamina,” Wang Jun said. “They also have very keen senses. Speaking of which, I take it you are aware of my issues?”

  “I am,” Cha Ming said. “I also have a theory. I think you might have been possessed.”

  “Possession?” Wang Jun mulled that over for a bit. “Yes, that could be the case. But these cases are so rare. Why would you think evil spirits are involved?”

  “Because the aid I lent to the chaplain of the Church of Justice was related to evil spirits,” Cha Ming said. “I covered the entire church in a grand formation that detects evil spirits, and we found multiple cases. The chaplain believes that evil spirits are causing much of the problem in Songjing.”

  “The Church of Justice,” Wang Jun muttered. “They can’t help me.”

  Cha Ming frowned.

  “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m being obstinate, but their arts are extremely ineffective against me. Not only do I cultivate shadow and fate, but I have something called a Shadow Soul Constitution. I’m practically immune to most of their methods.”

  “Why don’t we at least give it a try?” Cha Ming said. “Perhaps the chaplain will take this case seriously in the hopes of converting a heathen.”

  Wang Jun chuckled wryly. “Yes, I’m sure he’ll see it that way.”

  “So the heathen finally shows his face within these blessed halls,” the chaplain said with a satisfied smile. “What can I do for you today, Second Young Master Wang?”

  The pale-faced Wang Jun was sitting uncomfortably in a wooden chair.

  “My friend seems to be afflicted by—” Cha Ming started.

  “I want to hear it from him,” the chaplain cut in. “Only he can ask for his own salvation.”

  Cha Ming facepalmed inwardly. It was exactly as they’d predicted.

  “I’m not asking for salvation, I’m just here for an evaluation and potential treatment,” Wang Jun said. “We suspect that I’ve been possessed by an evil spirit. However, the light-based grand formation you’ve set up seems to have detected nothing. I’m only speaking with you as a formality.”

  “You are a heretic by birth, not by choice,” the chaplain said with a compassionate tone. “Therefore, I can forgive your obstinate viewpoint. As for the failure of the formation… Well, this is your unique constitution’s fault. However, Heaven never seals off all exits.”

  He walked over to a simple cupboard in his office and withdrew a golden box. He opened the box and revealed a pill that glowed brightly with the warmest and most consoling light Cha Ming had ever seen.

  “This pill is reserved for emergency situations,” the chaplain said. “Some vile means are able to resist an inquisitor’s powers of light. This pill completely negates any resistance to light a person has for a full twenty-four hours. It is only effective if willingly ingested.

  “This is an important core-protection treasure reserved for chaplains. If I use this on you, I put my life and the lives of my believers at risk. Therefore, I can only trade it for other means which will increase the church’s ability to protect the people in the upcoming conflict.”

/>   “I hardly see how this petty royal struggle will affect the great Church of Justice,” Wang Jun remarked snidely.

  “You know nothing,” the chaplain said. “The conflict I am speaking of is much greater than the tiny Song Kingdom. Regardless of whether you understand why, I want 10,000 high-grade spirit stones in mortal-grade weapons and alchemical products and 100,000 high-grade spirit stones in magic-grade weapons and alchemical products. If you can’t produce it right away, I want a certificate of obligation issued on behalf of the Wang family.”

  “That’s absurd,” Wang Jun said. “What are my other options?”

  “You can find a powerful Buddhist monk,” the chaplain said. “One of the three masters will do the trick, and they’ll have a much easier time acting than I will. I can handle a simple possession, but if it’s something else… I might not be able to do more than help you for a single day.”

  “Give me a moment,” Wang Jun said. He withdrew his core-transmission jade and sent a message to an imprint Cha Ming couldn’t see. Then a shadow appeared above the globe. It was a man or woman with completely obscured features. The words they spoke were completely distorted. Even the chaplain could do nothing but frown as the conversation continued.

  Finally, Wang Jun put away the globe. “It’s no use,” he said. “It would take at least a month and a half to secure the Violet Wind Master’s aid, and that’s only if nothing more important crops up. I can’t wait that long.” He turned to Chaplain Chen. “You say that even your best efforts might not be able to buy me more than a day?”

  The man nodded.

  “It’s still worth it. I can make new plans in that period of time. Cha Ming, would you mind giving me a loan?”

  Cha Ming smiled and tossed a bag containing many of the weapons, talismans, and pills he’d bought in Quicksilver. He’d already given a portion of them to Wang Jun, but the market hadn’t been able to absorb this remaining amount.”

  “Excellent!” the chaplain said. He flicked his sleeve and willed the pill into Wang Jun’s hands. “Consume this pill, and we can begin straightaway.”

  Wang Jun ate the pill without any hesitation. As it wormed its way into his stomach, his body began to glow like a lantern from the inside. Meanwhile, the golden light suffused the entire room. It complemented the light of the grand formation and revealed a crimson cloud surrounding Wang Jun.

  “It’s not a possession,” the chaplain said. “It’s a haunting.”

  “What’s the difference?” Cha Ming asked.

  “A haunting does not directly invade the owner’s body,” the chaplain said. “Rather, it bewitches their mind. It will affect their mental health and constantly subject them to illusions. It’s something rarely seen in the cultivation world, and I only know about it because of the sacred writings of our church.”

  “Can you do anything about it?” Wang Jun asked worriedly.

  “I can only restrain them for as long as the pill’s effects last. You’ll be able to function in a mostly normal capacity for a duration of twenty-four hours. This is the best I can do for you because of your unique constitution. Evil spirits are like diseases—if they aren’t destroyed, they will build an immunity to whatever ails them.”

  Wang Jun nodded. He was prepared for this answer.

  “I think we may have even lost out on this deal,” Chaplain Chen said. “Our specialty is in supressing darkness, curses, and devils. Evil spirits are difficult for us and require a tremendous amount of our accumulated faith power. Now, please follow me to the center of the church.”

  They followed the chaplain to the main prayer area, where the exorcism circle was still active. The pastors ushered the curious parishioners outside, while the chaplain sent out commands for the inquisitors to gather.

  “Everyone,” the chaplain said, “we are gathered here today to bind the evil spirits ailing this heathen. While he might be born of darkness, he has donated sufficiently to our cause to show his support and understanding. Please take your positions.”

  Their twelve most powerful members, peak-foundation-establishment inquisitors, assumed the twelve most important positions, while eight dozen other inquisitors took supplementary positions. Cha Ming wasn’t even aware that they had so many forces at their disposal. Had they received reinforcements?

  Chaplain Chen began reading from an ancient golden book. “And the Holy Mother did say, abandon not the children of the shadows, for they are cave dwellers who have not seen the light of day. However, forgive not devils and the unseen, for they have abandoned all righteousness and goodwill. They are a scourge upon this world, which should be uprooted at every opportunity.

  “And if uprooting is ineffective, do not abandon hope. Bind them in shackles of light, lest they cause greater mischief if left unattended.”

  Countless light runes began circling around the chaplain as he chanted. Motes of light burst out from the 108 inquisitors. Each of them paled as the light left them; it was clear that the price they paid wasn’t small. The chaplain’s inner glow also diminished.

  “Oh, Holy Mother, please lend us your aid. Transform these runes of faith into holy shackles,” the chaplain intoned.

  The motes of light manifested into runes, which linked together into chains. “Bind these evil spirits with your holy presence, lest they ravage your flock. We entrust this matter to you in humble appreciation of your power.” The golden chain glowed brightly before shooting out toward the crimson spirits hovering over Wang Jun and wrapping them together in a tight bundle. It hovered near him and turned invisible.

  “Many thanks for your help, my brothers in the light,” the chaplain said.

  “Our duty is to serve!” the inquisitors said before dispersing.

  “I suggest you get your affairs in order before your affliction returns,” the weak-looking chaplain said before leaving them near the thrumming formation.

  Chapter 19: Corruption

  Feng Ming took a deep breath as he launched himself off a rooftop, his spear bearing down on a late-foundation-establishment expert. The man didn’t know what hit him. It took a split second for his life to end as the butt of Feng Ming’s spear crashed into the back of his neck. The newly promoted general proceeded to strip the man and confiscate his bag of holding.

  He easily broke the spirit mark on the storage device and scoured the man’s possessions. It wasn’t long before he detected an ominous black card bearing the word “invitation.” Luckily, this man had hidden it in an easy-to-find location. After securing it, he donned the man’s black garb and doupeng, which happened to be his size. The last one he’d killed had morphed into his devil form upon death, destroying the uniform clothes these “customers” seemed to wear.

  A hot wind blew over Feng Ming’s obscured features as he made his way to the Honey Badger Inn. Like many of the figures he’d seen, he approached it without making a sound. The bar was empty save for two customers. Like the ones before him, he silently placed his card on the bar, prompting the bartender to pull a hidden lever. A carefully hidden flight of stairs opened to the basement.

  The spiral staircase traveled fifty feet down before splitting up into several corridors, where a beautiful lady wearing black metal collar greeted him with a smile. “Right this way, esteemed lord,” she said.

  They walked straight through the intersection into a wide-open hall, where many figures were already seated. Like him, they also wore black garb and doupengs to obscure their features. They didn’t speak or make a sound, which was curious given the voice-concealing features of their magical garb. Feng Ming took the opportunity to spread his resplendent force into the adjacent hallways. He spotted several guards, servants, and prisoners—information he rapidly relayed to Cha Ming.

  “If sir could please leave the hundred high-grade-spirit-stone deposit, I will give you your bidding paddle,” the servant said.

  Feng Ming grunted and placed the deposit he’d pillaged onto a silver platter she held out. He then retrieved the black paddle wit
h the number “77,” his lucky number, and took a seat beside a tall cultivator.

  As a formality, Feng Ming attempted to a relay a message outside to Cha Ming, but to no avail. It seemed that his communication earlier had hit a “sweet spot” in the dampening formation.

  Well, he thought, at least they won’t be able to communicate with each other. I hope.

  A figure walked onto the stage as Feng Ming took a seat. “Welcome, lords and ladies to the thirty-seventh biannual auction,” the figure said in a raspy voice. “Today, we offer premium goods in preparation for the upcoming struggle in the capital. Make sure you don’t miss out; failure in this mission will cost you your life and soul. First up today is a devil-barb anemone, perfect for crafting devilish infusion pills. The bidding starts at ten high-grade spirit stones.”

  A flurry of rough, scratchy voices laid down one bid after another before the item finally sold at thirty high-grade spirit stones.

  “The second item, ten mid-grade Sin Crystals,” the figure intoned. “Ideal for condensing your initial devilish form or upgrading it to foundation-establishment level.” Sin Crystals, devilish pills, and devilish-cultivation manuals were snapped up one after another.

  “This item is called a karmic-enhancement flower,” the auctioneer said as he procured a crystal globe containing a jade-and-ochre-colored flower.

  Feng Ming’s fingers itched with an urge to grab it.

  “It is especially difficult to procure because it benefits both sin-based and merit-based cultivators. The starting price is ten thousand high-grade spirit stones.”

  “Eleven thousand!” a voice shouted.

  “Thirteen thousand!” another shouted.

  The bidding continued before finally stabilizing at 17,000. “Nineteen thousand!” Feng Ming shouted.

  “Twenty thousand!” a new voice joined in.

  “Twenty-five thousand!” Feng Ming yelled. Since the arena incident, he was practically swimming in money.