Section Seven: Compensation

“When the time comes, we’ll see if you can learn it, junior brother. Perhaps you may even master the Soul Technique. The Divine Eye is not as reliant on the heart’s formula as other divine martial arts.” Each time Ling Luo reached a new level in his heart’s formula, he would attempt to teach its techniques to Bu Jingxian, but never once succeeded. He always felt that their master, the Elder of Northern Spirit, neglected their third brother, never passing on even the simplest moves. As the eldest, Ling Luo always hoped to help. “Your injuries healed remarkably fast, junior brother. It seems the Soul Technique is truly extraordinary at healing!”

“At last, I see the value in this Soul Technique—it doesn’t fear wounds or beatings. My mood now is as if clouds have parted and the moon has emerged, all at once bright and clear. No longer do I consider it useless as before.”

Though both brothers were punished, the darkness and loss of freedom in the water prison did not break them. Whenever Ling Luo was troubled, Bu Jingxian would keep him company, offering solace and someone to confide in, so his gloom gradually gave way. Two days passed in this manner, until Ling Luo suddenly fell ill.

Such a thing should have been impossible. After mastering the third stage of the Divine Formula, one is no longer sullied by worldly filth, and no ordinary illness can invade the body. By the fifth stage, even poisons become ineffectual, let alone mortal food, which Ling Luo never touched. He drank only harmless wine or water to support his life, and the energies of heaven and earth provided all he required.

Bu Jingxian carried Ling Luo, weighed down by water, out of the pool, calling for help, but received no answer. He tried to probe the cause with his inner force, but compared to Ling Luo, his power was far too slight and was instantly dissipated by Ling Luo’s own divine technique. Ling Luo’s body burned with an alarming heat, as if he might ignite at any moment.

While Bu Jingxian was at a loss, the iron door of the water prison creaked open, as if someone had unlocked it. Moonlight cast a long shadow that reached him. The sudden brightness stung Bu Jingxian’s eyes, forcing him to shut them until he adjusted. In that moment, the inner gate’s bars clanged open as well.

When he opened his eyes, he saw an old man with white hair and a wrinkled brow—his master, the Elder of Northern Spirit.

“Disciple greets Master!” Bu Jingxian hastily bowed, then urgently said, “Eldest brother, he…”

The Elder glanced indifferently at Ling Luo, whose face was flushed in the moonlight, nodded, and said, “The Divine Formula is most averse to corruption, whereas the Soul Technique feeds on earth’s energies, which are rife with impurities. You have shared the water with him for days; earth’s energies have imperceptibly entered his body, undermining his cultivation and sapping his strength, which is why he has fallen ill.”

Bu Jingxian was dumbstruck. So Master had foreseen this, yet still punished them together in the water prison—what was his intention? Was it a veiled warning to keep his distance from Ling Luo in the future?

At that moment, Ling Luo let out a painful moan, snapping Bu Jingxian back to reality.

“Master, I beg you to save eldest brother and spare him from this punishment. All this happened because of me. I am willing to endure two extra months in his stead!”

The Elder’s face remained expressionless as he replied, “Then you shall take Ling Luo’s place.”

With that, he lifted Ling Luo and left without a backward glance.

Bu Jingxian silently returned to the water, feeling no jealousy toward Ling Luo—only confusion at his master’s indifference. Why was he treated with such disregard?

The iron gate clanged shut behind him. Bu Jingxian immersed himself once more in the cold water, unable to stifle a wave of sorrow. The taste of loneliness and neglect is a torment unimaginable to those who have never known it.

It was a long time before he heard the heavy outer door close. He had no idea why the Elder had lingered so long after leaving the cell.

The water prison returned to utter darkness. Bu Jingxian stood quietly in the water, still as a statue, even the faintest ripple gone. The vast chamber was silent as a tomb.

Ling Luo, under the Elder’s care, soon recovered from his fever. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in his own chamber, while his master perused some papers on the stone table by his bed.

“Do you still feel unwell?”

Ling Luo checked his condition and found nothing amiss. He immediately rose to his knees to thank his master for saving him, but the Elder said, “It was the corruption from the Soul Technique that caused this. You’ve lost much cultivation. For your own good, I hope you keep your distance from Bu’er in the future.”

Ling Luo was momentarily stunned, but at once understood the cause and effect. Master had known what would happen, yet punished them together in the water prison, making this outcome inevitable. He called it a hope, but it was in truth a command. Ling Luo had always obeyed his master’s word, but when it came to his third brother Bu Jingxian, he found it impossible to accept.

It was not just a matter of special affection—years of brotherhood had bound him too deeply. He bit his lip and said, “This was my fault for being careless, for failing to maintain the Divine Shield and letting evil energies invade. It was not my junior brother’s fault. I beg Master to see the truth!”

The Elder gazed at the prostrate Ling Luo for a long while, then his tone softened, full of fatherly affection. “Luo’er, I do not forbid your closeness out of dislike for Bu’er. It is for both your sakes.”

“Master, how can you say so! Third brother has lived here for years as if he were a beggar. The others receive your special care, but only he is neglected—never granted even a single move! The other disciples avoid him, some even mock him to his face. They don’t treat him as a brother, but as an outcast! It’s true he is cunning, but his heart is not evil. He has never uttered a single complaint against you, always saying that being allowed to stay here is your greatest kindness, and never letting greed breed resentment. Though many have bullied him, he keeps the sect’s rules and never seeks revenge. I admire his wisdom and character, yet you bar me from befriending him—how can I accept this!”

“He does not resent me, but you resent me on his behalf.” The Elder replied coolly.

“I dare not,” Ling Luo protested, bowing again. “But I know you are a man of your word, and I cannot accept your coldness toward him.”

“I have my reasons. Among my disciples, only you three are worthy to inherit my mantle. The others were taken for their wealth, and no matter how talented, they’ll never succeed me as head of our sect.”

Ling Luo was stirred. “Master, you underestimate me! If, in future, my second or third brother proves more capable, I will gladly acknowledge them as sect leader and assist them with all my strength. If I were to suppress my betters for my own reputation, how could the true way of martial arts ever flourish, or new mysteries be revealed? How could I focus on cultivation, if I spent my days harming the talented to preserve my own name?”

Realizing his outburst, he quickly knelt again, not noticing the Elder’s approving smile.

“Since you have such lofty ambition, very well! I will not stop you from associating with Bu’er. Recover your strength, for soon I will have you spar with Chu’er. You must win, not lose!”

Ling Luo rejoiced at the first part, but grew anxious at the second. “Second brother is proud—if I defeat him…”

“Have you forgotten my teaching?”

“I remember! Win or lose, never hold back; only by giving your all can you live up to yourself and others.” Then he added, “But my second brother…”

“Luo’er, Chu’er carries a heavy burden, but so do you. He cannot lose, nor can you. So you must both give your all. Besides, this was his own request. If you let him win, how will he learn his limits? If you spare him today, you may foster his arrogance, but will his real enemies do the same? Only by knowing his strengths early will he avoid his weaknesses—surely you understand this?”

“Thank you for your guidance, Master! If I can win in ten moves, I will not waste a single extra move!” Ling Luo’s reply reassured the Elder. As the Elder turned to go, Ling Luo quickly asked, “And my third brother…”

“To secure your release, he volunteered to take your punishment.”

“Master…”

But before Ling Luo could plead further, the Elder raised a hand to cut him off. “Enough. Say no more.” And with that, he left.