A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 22: The Birth of the Inner Demon

Han Li watched Li Feiyu’s figure gradually disappear into the distance, standing silently in place without a word.

After they agreed that Li Feiyu would come back the next day before noon to collect the medicine, he took the initiative to say goodbye to Han Li, saying he needed to go back and recuperate for a while.

During this long period, Han Li never questioned Li Feiyu about the reason for taking this elixir. Han Li knew that even if he asked, it wouldn’t change what had already happened.

Since Li Feiyu, the so-called “Senior Brother Li,” was willing to give up everything for future glory and honor, it meant he must have his own unavoidable hardships forcing him to do so. No one would voluntarily commit suicide, and even slow, costly suicide is something no one would willingly undertake. If he forced Li Feiyu to reveal his hardships, it would only reopen the wounds that were nearly healed, turning them bloody once again.

It was clear that Han Li’s approach was correct. Before leaving, Li Feiyu was grateful for Han Li’s understanding since he didn’t pry into the specific reasons behind taking the Bone Marrow Extracting Pill. Though he didn’t say it aloud, Han Li knew he owed him a favor—not too big, but not insignificant either.

Han Li planned to honor their agreement: he would neither spread Li Feiyu’s secret nor fail to prepare an elixir to ease his pain as soon as he returned to Divine Hand Valley.

The reason was simple: since Li Feiyu wasn’t a villain who truly wanted to harm him, Han Li wanted to make him owe him an even bigger favor—one that would make it difficult for him to refuse any future requests.

Li Feiyu’s martial arts would only improve over the coming years; the stronger he became, the more helpful he might be to Han Li. Even if he didn’t need his help in the next few years, it didn’t matter. Helping out someone who wasn’t truly bad was a pleasant thing for both body and mind. Although Li Feiyu might not necessarily be a good person, after today’s events, he posed no harm to Han Li.

After thinking over everything thoroughly, Han Li felt he hadn’t missed anything and leisurely returned to Divine Hand Valley.

Shortly after relaxing back in the valley, Han Li began preparing the elixir Li Feiyu needed. This medicine, which could reduce the perception of pain, wasn’t hard to make. All the required herbs were available in the valley’s herbal garden, but the preparation was somewhat tedious and required careful attention.

After an afternoon of busy work, Han Li finished making enough medicine for Li Feiyu’s use over a year. He could have made more, but he hoped Li Feiyu would come to collect it annually so the latter wouldn’t gradually forget the favor owed.

By evening, Han Li unusually sat down on a chair in front of his house, looking up at the dark starry sky and the bright moon, lost in thought.

Han Li was once again missing his family.

He had been away from his parents for over four years. Since ascending the mountain, he spent almost every day engrossed in practicing martial arts formulas, leaving no time to worry about home and never going down the mountain to visit. Instead, he sent most of the silver he earned each month home, and each year, he received only one letter written by Uncle Zhang on behalf of his parents, assuring him they were safe. The letters were brief, mainly telling him that everything at home was fine. They rarely mentioned other matters, only noting that life at home had improved considerably.

His eldest brother had started a family and career, his second brother had found a new bride, and the wedding was expected next year. All these changes were thanks to the silver Han Li sent home. Yet, from the tone of the letters, Han Li could sense his family’s increasingly formal and distant attitude—almost as if treating a stranger.

At first, this feeling frightened Han Li, leaving him uncertain how to respond. But as time passed, this fear naturally diminished, and the image of his family grew hazy in his mind.