The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Aiden realized something was terribly wrong.

Vera was supporting Great Master Thorne as they ascended the mountain.

Which meant…

That Great Master Thorne, one of the most powerful masters in Martial World, was being assisted by a fourteen-year-old girl.

"…What in the world…?"

Aiden stood frozen in place, struggling to process what he was seeing.

It didn't make sense.

Great Master Thorne was an absolute grandmaster, a warrior who had reached mid-stage Kingdom of Harmony.

And yet, he was relying on a child's support?

This was a man who could ascend from the base of Suncrest Sect to its peak in a single bound.

What could have possibly happened?

"…Great Master, what is this…?"

"It is done. Where is Damien?"

"Master has yet to hear the news, but he should be out soon. But before that…"

Aiden turned his gaze to Vera.

Her pale complexion had returned to normal.

But that wasn't all.

The energy flowing through her once-fragile body was now sharper, steadier.

'What… happened?'

He couldn't understand.

Vera had completely drained her Innate True energy.

No amount of fortune or miracle could restore that.

It was impossible.

Throughout history, countless warriors had used up their Innate True energy, and not one had regained it.

Never.

Yet somehow, Vera had not only recovered but had grown even stronger.

That was when Aiden looked at Great Master Thorne again.

And an unthinkable, horrific, impossible possibility took root in his mind.

"…Great Master… don't tell me…"

"It is done, Aiden. What's done cannot be undone. I must rest now. When Damien arrives, tell him to come to my chambers."

"No, Great Master, wait—Great Master!"

But Great Master Thorne merely gave a faint smile.

He no longer had the energy for further conversation.

He had climbed all the way up Mount Suncrest Sect in this state.

Surely, he had not let Vera carry him.

But he must have felt it—

How treacherous the Suncrest Sect peaks were.

Once, he had soared up like a crane, leaping across cliffs with ease.

But now?

No longer.

Vera understood his condition.

She lowered her head slightly before Aiden, silently asking for his understanding for not properly greeting him.

"…Very well. My master and I will visit tomorrow."

"Good, Aiden. I will make sure Vera returns safely, so do not worry."

"It's not Vera I am worried about…"

Aiden started to say something more but swallowed his words.

Instead, he simply bowed his head.

Great Master Thorne patted his shoulder lightly before leaving with Vera.

With sluggish steps, Aiden returned to his quarters.

The sun had yet to set, and the disciples were still training in the courtyard.

When Aiden arrived, Marcus widened his eyes in surprise.

Vera was not with him.

For a moment, countless dreadful possibilities flashed through his mind.

Unlike the others, Marcus knew the full extent of what had happened.

Had she… died?

Or worse…?

Marcus quickly shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside.

Then, without hesitation, he asked directly.

"Vera… did she return?"

"She did. You will see her at the Blooming Peak Pavilion later."

"…What?"

She hadn't come here first?

His eyes reflected his confusion.

Aiden met his gaze, then sat down on the wooden porch, muttering under his breath.

"Great Master Thorne was too weak to climb alone. Vera had to support him."

"…Oh, I see. Vera helped Great Master Thorne… wait. What?"

Marcus's eyes widened in shock.

The other disciples, Ethan, Noah, Jace, and Dylan, all looked equally stunned.

Surely, Aiden must have misspoken.

But no.

"…I did not misspeak. Vera helped Great Master Thorne ascend Suncrest Sect."

"…What in the world happened?"

Marcus whispered the question, but Aiden had no answer.

Even he did not know the full truth.

Which meant the others could only be left even more confused.

For now, there was only one thing to do.

Before he could uncover what had truly transpired between Great Master Thorne and Vera, he had to ensure the others understood the gravity of the situation.

"…Everyone, gather around."

At Aiden's words, Ethan, Noah, Jace, and Dylan all gathered in front of him.

Letting out a deep sigh, Aiden ran a hand through his hair before finally beginning his story.

While Aiden was recounting the events that had unfolded at Everstone Clan to the other Three Great Disciples, Vera was assisting Great Master Thorne back to his quarters.

Once, those hands had patted her back when she hiccuped.

Now, they trembled weakly, unable to support their own weight.

"…Are you sure this is far enough?"

"Go back. Aiden will be worried."

"But…"

Great Master Thorne pressed his wooden staff, a makeshift crutch Vera had found for him, into the ground.

With his other hand, he waved her away.

"Go. Quickly."

"…Understood. My master and I will visit again tomorrow."

"Very well. But before that, I have something to tell you."

"…Something to tell me?"

As Vera tilted her head in curiosity, Great Master Thorne bent slightly, lowering himself to meet her gaze.

"If Aiden or Damien ask what happened, do not answer. Tell them to come to me tomorrow."

"…You don't want me to tell them myself?"

"That's right. Now go."

It was an odd request.

Still, Vera bowed deeply.

Then, turning back, she slowly descended the peak.

The evening sky was painted in hues of crimson.

It had taken an eternity to climb Suncrest Sect.

And another eternity to escort Great Master Thorne from the sect's main gate to his quarters.

He could no longer use lightness techniques.

His stamina was nowhere near what it had been.

Of course, compared to an ordinary old man, he was still strong.

Years of training had preserved his body to an extent.

But even so, no amount of training could truly stop the passage of time.

And his time was running out.

It was only then that Vera understood why he had made such a request.

To speak of his sacrifice and impending death to her master and grandmaster…

That was too great a burden to place on a disciple.

Great Master Thorne had simply wanted to spare her that pain.

"…You didn't need to be so considerate."

She whispered as she made her way down the mountain.

But since he had shown her kindness—

She would respect his wishes.

By the time Vera arrived at Aiden's quarters, he was already waiting.

The moment he heard approaching footsteps, he rushed outside, barefoot.

Kneeling, he immediately checked Vera's condition.

"Are you alright? Any injuries?"

"Thanks to Immortal Pharmacist, I'm fine. The Thousand-Year Jade Pendant from Everstone Clan's Lord also helped."

"…More importantly, what about your Innate True energy?"

His voice trembled as he asked.

Clearly, Aiden had already reached a conclusion of his own.

Immortal Pharmacist was revered as the Miracle Doctor of Martial World.

His medical skills and secret techniques had saved countless lives.

During the Great War, it was Sword Sovereign who had slain the Heavenly Demon, but it was Immortal Pharmacist who had kept the battlefront standing.

Even Aiden had witnessed his abilities firsthand—

The way he had mended shattered cors and reconnected severed meridians.

Because of Immortal Pharmacist, Jordan had climbed to Kingdom of Harmony's early stage, becoming a major force in the Reverse Heaven Unity.

With such feats in mind—

Aiden couldn't rule out the impossible.

"…Well?"

Vera hesitated.

To explain her restored Innate True energy, she would have to speak of Great Master Thorne.

But he had forbidden her from doing so.@@novelbin@@

"…Great Master Thorne told me to tell you to come see him tomorrow."

"…I see."

For a moment, Aiden's expression flickered with sorrow.

Great Master Thorne's silence only confirmed his suspicions.

If he didn't want Vera to say anything…

Then Aiden's worst fears had likely come true.

Which meant there was only one thing left to do—

Respect his decision.

"…You've done well. Now that you're safe, get some rest. But why didn't you go straight to the Blooming Peak Pavilion?"

"…I just… felt I should come to see you first."

She hesitated before answering.

Aiden let out a small chuckle, ruffling her hair.

Time was cruel.

In a few years, she would outgrow this moment.

A time would come when patting her head would be inappropriate.

"…I see."

"…Yes."

"Then sit with me for a bit. The moon is quite bright tonight."

For a moment, Aiden's expression flickered with sorrow.

Great Master Thorne's silence only confirmed his suspicions.

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If he didn't want Vera to say anything…

Then Aiden's worst fears had likely come true.

Which meant there was only one thing left to do—

Respect his decision.

"…You've done well. Now that you're safe, get some rest. But why didn't you go straight to the Blooming Peak Pavilion?"

"…I just… felt I should come to see you first."

She hesitated before answering.

Aiden let out a small chuckle, ruffling her hair.

Time was cruel.

In a few years, she would outgrow this moment.

A time would come when patting her head would be inappropriate.

"…I see."

"…Yes."

"Then sit with me for a bit. The moon is quite bright tonight."