Chapter 36: Transaction |
As usual, he sat to one side.
He began to brew medicinal herbs for healing injuries.
However, Shan had actually already awakened.
He opened his eyes and looked at You’s back.
A trace of complicated emotion flashed through his eyes.
These past few years…
He had been living in pursuit and flight. To be so carefully tended to like this was a first.
When he had been gravely wounded by He Yi and fallen from the cliff,
he had thought he was certain to die.
For being easily discovered as abnormal,
which led him onto the path of being hunted once again.
But perhaps it was the mercy of the gods,
that allowed him to survive again.
Yet years of fleeing had made him not dare to trust anyone easily.
So, over the past few days, whenever You was in the room,
he had kept pretending to be unconscious, only intending to wait until his injuries improved before quietly leaving.
As for this lifesaving benefactor…
Shan pondered in his heart that before leaving, perhaps he could help him do one thing in return for this kindness.
Soon, You poured the brewed medicinal liquid into a bowl.
Shan immediately closed his eyes, pretending to remain unconscious.
Even when the bitter medicine was fed into his mouth,
not a single twitch appeared on his facial muscles.
As if he were truly still in a state of unconsciousness.
After feeding the medicine…
You did not leave immediately as he usually did.
He sat by the bedside, calmly looking at Shan.
Since childhood, he had followed Lei in studying herbal medicine.
Over the past twenty years, he had treated thousands of injured patients, giving him complete mastery over the condition of the wounded.
So the moment Shan woke, he already knew.
It was just that he understood,
that the newly awakened Shan must be filled with vigilance.
That was why he pretended not to know and continued taking care of him.
But now, based on his judgment,
Shan’s injuries had already healed for the most part.
Yet this man still pretended to be unconscious—he feared that once Shan fully recovered, he would leave without a word.
At that time, all his plans would fall apart.
“Your injuries should already be of no great concern.”
You’s voice sounded calm and steady.
“Will you continue… sleeping?”
Since the other party had already exposed him,
Shan knew he could no longer keep up the act.
He opened his eyes and said with a trace of apology,
“Sorry. Being hunted all this time… I could not help but remain cautious.”
“Thank you for saving my life these past days.”
“I will remember it in my heart and repay it in the future.”
You revealed a gentle smile.
Although Shan’s words were vague,
he could still guess there must be hidden circumstances.
He was also somewhat familiar with the Solar Dynasty’s 《Sun Laws》.
He knew that the previous Solar King had strictly forbidden conflicts among Recipients of Divine Grace.
Yet this man had been injured to such an extent,
and harbored deep resentment toward Ze, the King…
This must mean he had violated some kind of taboo.
But…
this was exactly what You wanted.
If he had not committed a grave mistake and been driven to desperation, how could he possibly have the chance to obtain that long-coveted Divine Grace Technique?
“This is the Theocratic State of the Stars.”
“…not the Solar Dynasty.”
At this moment, You’s tone carried a soothing power.
“You need not be so wary.”
“I am the next Pope of the Theocratic State of the Stars. My body and soul have long been devoted to the great Lord of the Stars.”
“Could it be…”
“that you do not even trust a servant of God?”
As he said this…
his face radiated a pure and devout light.
Anyone who saw it would believe he was a devout believer of the Lord of the Stars.
Shan was stunned upon hearing this.
He had not expected that he had arrived…
in the Theocratic State of the Stars, which stood alongside the Solar Dynasty!
He had also heard of this nation before.
It was said that everyone here believed in the Lord of the Stars.
Looking at You’s devout gaze,
the vigilance in Shan’s heart could not help but dissipate by more than half.
Since he was a high-ranking figure of a theocratic state that believed in the same god,
perhaps…
he truly was different from those people of the Solar Dynasty?
Thus, in the days that followed,
the exchanges between the two gradually increased.
With his vast knowledge, deep understanding of doctrine, and deliberately created resonance,
You made Shan feel as though he had found a kindred spirit.
They spoke of faith, spoke of their respective beliefs.
For the first time, Shan felt…
that someone could understand the pain and anger in his heart!
A thought gradually became clear in his mind.
If he could gain the support of the Theocratic State of the Stars and borrow their power, would he have a chance to overthrow the Solar Dynasty and avenge his fallen clansmen?
But he did not rush to reveal this idea…
Instead, he patiently waited for the right moment.
When his injuries had fully healed,
and he felt he had the confidence to protect himself and leave,
he decided to make a bold gamble!
He took the initiative to reveal the truth to You.
About the origin of the Divine Grace Technique…
About the bloody past in which Ze, the King, had ordered the massacre of his tribe in order to monopolize the Divine Grace Technique!
When You heard this shocking truth with his own ears,
he could not help but reveal a look of horror.
He had never imagined
that behind that King Ze…
there was such a cruel side hidden!
“You told me all this…”
“aren’t you afraid I might turn around and sell you to the new king of the Solar Dynasty?”
You suppressed the turmoil in his heart
and probed.
“I am afraid.”
Shan admitted frankly, but his gaze was exceptionally firm.
“But I believe that compared to the rewards the new king can offer—based on bloodline and law—”
“the compensation I can give you will be far richer, and better satisfy your… true desire.”
He was gambling!
Gambling that You’s desire for Divine Grace
surpassed his adherence to the rules of the church!
Gambling that You was willing to make this transaction with him!
He would not give You too much time to weigh his options.
If he did not receive a definite answer tonight,
he would immediately flee far away.
He would not give You the chance to notify Yula!
And You fell silent for a moment.
Then, he looked deeply at Shan.
Afterward, he asked the most crucial question.
“What compensation?”
Shan took a deep breath and, word by word, spoke the term that could change many people’s fate.
“Divine Grace Technique!”
Even though You had already anticipated it,
his heart still surged like stormy waves!
Divine Grace Technique!
The Divine Grace Technique he had waited for over a decade!
At this moment, no matter how deep his thoughts were, he could not help but redden his eyes.
The deeper the faith…
the more one understood how great the gods were!
Even if it meant throwing himself into the flames like a moth, You wished to get just a little closer… to the divine.
“I agree!”
Without hesitation, You agreed immediately!
And upon hearing You’s answer,
Shan also let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the temptation of the Divine Grace Technique toward a believer like You was immense.
…
He brought over a stone slab, and then carved the Divine Grace Technique onto it before handing it to You.
“Do not forget what you promised.”
Shan looked at You, whose gaze was now extremely fanatical,
and reminded him.
“Don’t worry. You should know that once I obtain Divine Grace, there will be no turning back for me.”
You understood clearly.
A Recipient of Divine Grace who was not of Apollo’s bloodline
would inevitably face suppression from the Solar Dynasty!
But…
he had no regrets!