Twilight's Threshold Chapter 85: Livestock Creation Technique - Novel Cool

Chapter 85: Livestock Creation Technique

Chapter 85: Livestock Creation Technique

"Beast Creation?"

Hu Ma felt extremely uncomfortable when he heard these two words.

He instinctively wanted to take a closer look, but he couldn't bear to. He could only see, under the dim light of the hall, that Wu He's body was already without skin.

All he could see were patches of scars and exposed muscle tissue. In the herbal scent, he could smell the stench of decay, which came from the festering wounds on her body.

She was the beauty that the apprentices in the outer courtyard dreamed of, the woman they only dared to fantasize about in their dreams. But she was actually a person without skin.

Or perhaps, she had.

The skin was hanging on the wall behind her, but it was a dog's skin.

"She was transformed into a beast using the Livestock Creation Technique."

The Old Shopkeeper's voice sounded behind Hu Ma, cold and furious, yet deeply guilty: "I am sorry to her. My abilities are limited, and I could only remove that dog's skin from her."

"However, she can't leave the herbal ointments and can't go outside. She has to endure the pain of poison burning her body every day. If she can't bear it..."

He paused for a moment before lowering his voice: "She can only wear that dog's skin and live as a beast in this world."

"Before, it was all thanks to the Green Jade Ointment you sent, which made her feel better for a while. She could at least go out for some fresh air."

"..."

"Green Jade Ointment? The small piece of Ta Sui I sent before?"

Hu Ma suddenly understood. When he had given that piece of Ta Sui, the Old Shopkeeper had openly asked if he had more.

At the time, he thought the Old Shopkeeper was a bit greedy.

But he never expected that small thing to be so important to Wu He Sister. If it were him, he might have been even greedier.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say, and only slowly stepped out of the side room.

Looking up at the Old Shopkeeper, he asked: "Who did this?"

"It was the Vat Sect."

The Old Shopkeeper said softly: "A group of lowlifes who do despicable things, creating beasts, performing vivisection and torture, and driving away evil spirits. They all practice evil techniques that lack moral integrity."

"Perhaps, you've wondered why there's only me, a lone shopkeeper, without any old apprentices around?"

"Ha ha, it's also because of them."

"Five lives lost, three crippled, and a large number of Blood Food. All of this is thanks to them."

"..."

As Hu Ma listened, his heart stirred.

This was the bloodbath that Second Pot Elder Brother had mentioned. The Evil Spirits were indeed lured here by the Vat Sect?

He had always wanted to understand but never knew how to ask. Now, the shopkeeper had brought it up on his own.

The Old Shopkeeper only sighed softly: "After that incident last year, I should have gone back to the city. But I begged all my old friends to plead on my behalf, and I stayed in this village, waiting for these fellows to return."

"Now, it seems they're almost here."

"Since one has appeared, it means the others will be back soon. We haven't waited in vain..."

"..."

Hu Ma was puzzled about what exactly happened last year and why the Old Shopkeeper was so determined to wait.

But he knew that at this moment, he should act as if he knew nothing, so he patiently waited.

The Old Shopkeeper didn't say more but suddenly turned to look at Hu Ma: "How is your cultivation technique coming along?"

Hu Ma's heart skipped a beat. He quickly untied the bandage on his left hand and showed it to the Old Shopkeeper: "Please take a look."

"When I fought the hawker, I was hit by a needle and blocked it with my left hand."

"The needle was likely coated with a deadly poison. But I immediately transformed into a state of death, stopping my blood flow, which prevented the poison from entering my body. Now, the wound is almost healed."

"..."

"Very good."

The Old Shopkeeper picked up the oil lamp, glanced at it, and saw that there were only a few insignificant needle marks on Hu Ma's hand.

He sighed with relief, put the oil lamp back, and looked at Hu Ma seriously: "You are calm and decisive, which makes you suitable for our Age Keeper's cultivation techniques. Your progress is already quite fast."

"Once you finish refining your left hand, you can start refining your right leg. When you have the ability to use one hand and one leg, you'll be able to help me..."

"He mentioned helping before."

Hu Ma's heart stirred: "So he wasn't talking about the Ta Sui worship next spring, but about these people?"

His thoughts raced, but he said: "Whenever you need me, just give the order."

"Regardless of the teachings you've given me, it's simply because..."

"..."

He subconsciously glanced at the side room and paused: "Just for people who commit such heinous crimes, I will not hesitate."

These words were not fake. Transmigrators and the people of this world had many differences, but there were some things that caused a rare resonance due to the same sense of justice.

There were always some bottom lines that, as human beings, should never be crossed, no matter what.

For example, the Livestock Creation Technique and the practice of vivisection and torture. Whenever he saw or even heard about them, he felt a deep, bone-chilling fear.

When the shopkeeper heard Hu Ma say this, he was slightly surprised, and a hint of unexpectedness flashed in his eyes.

Inside the side room, there was a faint sound of water, as if Little Miao was trembling, and her low sobs could be heard faintly.

The Old Shopkeeper listened to Hu Ma’s words, seemingly moved as well. After a long pause, he looked at Hu Ma seriously and sighed softly, "Since we’re on this topic, there are some things I might as well make clear to you!"

"I’ve passed you the cultivation techniques but haven’t taken you as a disciple, simply because I don’t want the title of master and disciple. Otherwise, it would seem like I’m using the title to bind you. Given the short time we’ve known each other, even if you truly called me master, I doubt it would foster the kind of bond where you’d accompany me through trials and tribulations."

"Furthermore, to be honest, the disciple I initially wanted wasn’t you, but Xu Ji..."

He paused slightly before looking at Hu Ma and said, "It wasn’t because he gave a more valuable gift, but because his family has fallen from grace, and he dared to swear a blood oath to serve me. So, when that group of scoundrels returns, I can use him to fight for me..."

"As for you, I do find you promising. If you can survive, I can pass on a crucial technique to you before you leave, which isn’t impossible."

"..."

"Such a thing?"

Hu Ma was slightly shocked, finding it strange, but upon reflection, it did align with the Old Shopkeeper’s attitude.

"But ultimately, it’s a matter of fate. Xu Ji is too restless, and his life won’t last long."

The Old Shopkeeper sighed, "Thus, it seems I can only rely on you now."

"If that group doesn’t return, you can just learn some skills and work diligently in the Red Lantern Association. But since they are coming back, you won’t be able to escape."

"Originally, I didn’t have to tell you this, but since you’ve learned from me and are in this village, there’s no way to avoid them. But given the situation, I might as well be more straightforward. I’m teaching you to deal with them. Are you willing to help me wholeheartedly this time?"

"If you agree, I will not only pass the techniques to you but also provide you with more blood food to aid your cultivation."

"..."

Hu Ma could feel the weight of the Old Shopkeeper’s gaze as he spoke, filled with a heavy pressure.

It seemed like a question, but could he really refuse?

So, after pretending to think for a moment, he replied solemnly, "I still stand by my word."

"Even if the Shopkeeper doesn’t allow me these things, I won’t tolerate those who commit heinous crimes."

"But the Shopkeeper knows my capabilities. All I can promise is to do my best, to help as much as I can with what I have."

"..."

These words were sincere, and he was willing to help, but how exactly did the Old Shopkeeper want him to help?

"You speak the truth..."

The Old Shopkeeper listened to Hu Ma’s words, fell silent for a moment, and then sighed, "The Vat Sect isn’t easy to deal with, and your current Daoist power is insufficient."

"But we have no choice; we must hurry!"

As he spoke, he opened a cabinet on the side of the hall. Inside, there were three tiers, all filled with oil lamps. He took one out, placed it on the table, lit it, and said to Hu Ma, "Take it. Start refining your leg as soon as possible. With this hand and leg, you’ll have a bit more confidence to protect yourself when facing these people."

"From now on, come to the inner courtyard every night for your meal, and take more blood food."

"Yes!"

Hu Ma saw that he wasn’t going to elaborate further, so he didn’t ask and simply agreed, picking up the oil lamp.

This time, unlike before, his left hand didn’t become numb. Instead, it felt cool to the touch, and his right leg also felt slightly cool.

He knew this was also a technique of the Age Keepers. These oil lamps corresponded to the parts of the body they needed to practice. Each lamp contained a carefully concocted poison that could kill a specific part of a person’s body.

This was also why the Old Shopkeeper could only teach one person. Besides the need for blood food, each lamp required careful preparation. Once used by one person, it wouldn’t be effective for another.

In short, for Age Keepers, precisely and thoroughly killing a part of their own body was itself a challenge in cultivation.

Of course, Hu Ma could have skipped this step, but there was no need to say it.

Picking up the oil lamp, Hu Ma was about to leave, but as he reached the door, he turned and looked at the side room, saying, "Wu He Sister, thank you for saving my life today."

"If you need any rouge and powder or gold and silver jewelry, just let me know."

"Oh, right, I have a jar of black paste, which our village people prepared themselves."

"I’ll bring it over later; it should be helpful to you."

"..."

"Thank... thank you, Elder Brother Hu Ma."

Wu He’s voice finally came, trembling, "But please..."

"Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else..."

"..."

"I absolutely won’t!"

Hu Ma promised and was about to turn and leave the room when the Old Shopkeeper hesitated slightly and said softly, "Wait."

Seeming a bit reluctant, he slowly took out an exquisite porcelain bottle from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

Sighing, he said, "I won’t let you do this for nothing!"

"Since you’ve agreed to help us, we won’t hide anything from you. This is the best thing, take it back and use it to nourish your body!"

(End of Chapter)

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