I Have Medicine

Chapter 529 - Runic Inheritance

Gu Qi felt that his strength had greatly increased. In the blink of an eye, he went straight from Xiantian stage two to Xiantian stage five. His foundation was incomparably sturdy, and his true qi wasn’t the least bit empty or hollow. He was in an excellent state of mind.

Sure enough, fortuitous encounters and adventures were the best ways to increase one’s strength!

After making up his mind, Gu Qi couldn’t help but turn his head and look at Zhao Ji.

Originally, he thought that he would still meet Zhao Ji’s tranquil features. But this time was different. What he met were Zhao Ji’s gentle gaze and a familiar look in his eyes.

All of a sudden, Gu Qi was on the verge of tears: “…Ah Ji?”

Countless runic diagram images were flickering around Zhao Ji’s entire body. However, those diagram images sank back into his body a moment later. Meanwhile, he faintly raised the corner of his mouth, flashing a smile. He nodded: “Ah Qi.”

Gu Qi clenched his fingers. After that, he rushed to Zhao Ji’s side, raised his arms, and wrapped them around his neck.

He showed an extremely happy and sunny smile: “Ah, this guy is finally all better!”

Zhao Ji allowed him to climb halfway onto his body. He was as still as a mountain and as calm as stone: “Yes. In the future, we’ll definitely be even better than before.”

Such a change caught Gu Zuo off guard. After staring at Zhao Ji and Gu Qi practically hugging each other for a while, he still didn’t know how he ought to react.

The normal version of his father… It had been a long time since he’d seen him.

How were they supposed to interact?

Just as he was thinking this, Zhao Ji looked over and waved to Gu Zuo.

Gu Zuo was gently pushed by Gongyi Tianheng from behind, and walked over numbly.

Zhao Ji vigorously pressed his hands on Gu Zuo’s shoulders. His voice was filled with relief and gratification: “Xiao Zuo, you have grown up!”

Right away, the edges of Gu Zuo’s eyes reddened with tears.

In his mind, he suddenly remembered scenes when he was a child. At that time, his father often pressed his shoulders out of encouragement, but because he was short as a kid, Zhao Ji would have to crouch down on the ground. Now that he had grown taller, he could already stand in front of Zhao Ji’s face.

It had to be said that Gu Zuo’s heart was filled with happiness when Zhao Ji said such words. In the past, although there was nothing wrong with having a somewhat muddleheaded father, this one was safer and more reliable.

When Gu Zuo was young, Gu Qi was half parent and half playmate. Zhao Ji had been the calm and steady elder. When Zhao Ji left, Gu Qi and Gu Zuo only had each other to depend on. For Gu Zuo, there actually wasn’t anyone he could truly rely on. In the end, he and Gu Qi supported each other even more.

Until he crossed paths with Tianheng… In fact, before he had any feelings of adoration for him, Tianheng was more like an elder brother, who replaced that sense of security brought by Zhao Ji. After the two fell in love, Gu Zuo’s feelings for Tianheng were ones of admiration and respect, dependence and desire to be depended upon. And things became very complicated.

A lot of thoughts suddenly came to mind, and Gu Zuo was left speechless.

Zhao Ji pressed on Gu Zuo’s shoulders again: “You did a good job back then, but from now on, I’ll be there, too.”

Gu Zuo took a deep breath: “Yes, father.”

After the family gradually calmed down, Gu Zuo pulled Tianheng, and gave a formal introduction to Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji said: “Previously, my consciousness was very muddled, but I know everything I need to know. Tianheng and Xiao Zuo are partners, which means you’re like half a son to me and Ah Qi. In the future, we’ll all be one family.”

Tianheng faintly smiled: “Many thanks for accepting me, Uncle Zhao.”

Zhao Ji solemnly said: “Ah Qi and I will like whoever Xiao Zuo likes. You’re doing well now, so just don’t let Xiao Zuo down in the future.”

Tianheng raised his gaze and met Zhao Ji’s eyes that seemed to see through everything. He nodded his head in a serious manner, and answered: “Uncle Zhao, rest assured. Ah Zuo and I are inseparable in life and death.”

After a brief conversation, the four began to explore the cave.

It was very strange. Within this cave, there was only one passageway, and nothing else. Until they reached the end of the passage, there were no stone rooms or other hidden chambers.

It seemed that the stone cave was indeed a simple inheritance cave. It was just to benefit the younger generations.

Gu Zuo sighed at the magnanimity of that ancient senior.

After that, Gu Qi and Zhao Ji also talked about their own gains.

Gu Qi said: “What I got from that runic picture was a complete inheritance. An extremely ancient senior of the human race summed up his life’s nature and experience to create the Heaven-Refining Profound Origin Body Cultivation Method. It contains one inner cultivation method, three pieces of ultimate knowledge, and ten types of martial skills. If this body cultivation method is learned to the highest level, it would reach straight to the Lesser Emperor Realm. And after that, there are still some ideas left hanging. In other words, if anyone wants to become a Greater Emperor, they have to understand something about themselves… Currently, I don’t understand this at all. However, I feel that with this inheritance in hand, I don’t need to learn anything else in the future. The things in here are enough for me.”

Gu Zuo nodded his head, and agreed with his dad’s opinion.

Ultimate knowledge was a type of martial skill, but not all martial skills could be known as ultimate knowledge. A piece of ultimate knowledge had its own characteristics. Generally speaking, it had to be at least an earth-level martial skill to be called ultimate knowledge.

Since there were three pieces of ultimate knowledge, he reckoned that at least one of them was at the heaven level. Otherwise, directly reaching the Lesser Emperor Realm didn’t need to be mentioned.

A greedy mouth would bite off more than it could chew. His dad, Gu Qi, had a strong comprehension of the fire attribute and had a destined relationship with this body cultivation method. For the time being, it was best to practice it with a heart free of distractions.

Soon after, Zhao Ji spoke up: “What I got is a complete inheritance that, in theory, reaches the rune grandmaster level.”

Gu Zuo was taken aback.

Tianheng was also slightly surprised: “I’ve only heard about rune masters nowadays. As for rune grandmasters, they haven’t been seen in many years.”

But, in theory?

Runes were a very peculiar type of pattern. A kind of miraculous intrinsic order between heaven and earth. Currently, there were many formations and seals that were actually composed of runes. In addition, it was harder to become a rune master than a pharmacist — Although there was not much difference in the numbers on both sides, pharmacists were limited due to medicinal beads. Meanwhile, runes could be learned by anyone who didn’t have medicinal beads. It was just that there were some unpredictable conditions that were very harsh and demanding, and those who could learn it were extremely rare.

On top of that, from ancient times to the present, passing down the inheritance of runes was challenging. As a result, the majority of the current rune masters was divided into five ranks, from rank one to rank five. Above rank five was the rune master… The number of rune masters was less than that of heaven-level pharmacists. As for the rune grandmaster, that was a legendary personage who only existed in the age of antiquity. Now, this figure had long disappeared like the Greater Emperors.

This cave dwelling was very old, and the inheritance was ancient. If the rune grandmaster inheritance could be obtained, it would be a joyous surprise, but it wouldn’t leave others baffled. However, what was a little startling was that Zhao Ji said, “In theory.”

Zhao Ji was aware of their puzzlement, and directly said: “Originally, this rune master was only a half-step rune grandmaster, but when he was making these runic inheritance pictures and constructing the cave, he was struck by inspiration and suddenly realized some profound mysteries. Thus, since his inheritance wall had already reached the end point, he made a new diagram with the inspiration he gained. At that time, the rune master was already a lamp that had burned away the rest of its oil and this diagram hadn’t been verified. As a result, it’s only in theory.”

After hearing this, everyone understood.

This should’ve been a rune grandmaster, but to no avail, there was no verification. Rune masters weren’t people who spoke without thinking. Since he didn’t have the chance to speak with facts, he naturally could only use the words “in theory.”

Tianheng nodded his head: “So it’s like this. Congratulations to Uncle Zhao.”

Following this, Gu Zuo curiously asked: “Father, you seem to know a lot of things?”

Zhao Ji felt very remorseful for this child whom he hadn’t taken much care of and whom later rescued him. Although he was actually a strict father when Gu Zuo was young, after waking up this time, his attitude towards Gu Zuo was extremely gentle: “The patterns on the right-side wall have already been etched into my consciousness. As I unlock them layer by layer, they will be slowly imparted to me, training me to become a rune master…”

During this process, while the knowledge was constantly sealed away, some of the memory fragments that overflowed would still be absorbed by Zhao Ji.

These memory fragments, which all came from the rune master, were intermittent and dissipated quickly.

As it turned out, the inheritance in this stone cave was left behind by a member of an alliance called the Supporting the Heavens Alliance. Every member in it possessed world-shaking power. It seemed that they were going to accomplish a matter of certain death, so they preserved their legacies in this place to leave behind a spark for the alliance.

The rune master was also a member of the alliance. After arranging everything, he took on the task of drawing the runic pictures. The inheritances of those members definitely weren’t so easy to preserve. After doing this, he himself was also at the point of death. The last flash of inspiration consumed everything he had. In the end, his entire body turned to nothingness, and the stone cave was sealed from that moment on.

Gu Zuo couldn’t help but sigh.

After considering things, it was likely that those alliance members really died. Otherwise, they should’ve returned. As for this cave, it had been closed shut for so many years. Clearly, no one had ever come back… What a pity for those exceptional powerhouses.

But it had to be said that Zhao Ji and Gu Qi’s luck was too good.

These two inheritances were wide-ranging and profound. If it was known to outsiders, this would inevitably give rise to a foul wind and bloody rain, causing countless people to fight over it. Thinking about it again, there were so many runic pictures along the stone wall that still hadn’t been comprehended and passed down. Once this became known… An ignorant man would be innocent, but treasuring a jade ring would be a crime. At that time, even Tianheng wouldn’t be able to keep this place.

Tianheng’s heart moved: “Uncle Zhao, are you able to seal this stone cave again? It would be even better if it could be hidden.”

Zhao Ji thought about it, and said: “Perhaps, the rune master wanted to protect his successors. After the successors understand the inheritance, they can control the opening and closing of this cave through a type of rune.”

Now that Zhao Ji was the inheritor, this cave actually belonged to Zhao Ji. He could open or close it whenever he wanted. When others came, even if their levels reached that of the rune master who created the cave, they would have to spend countless years to slowly deduce it.

To put it simply, Zhao Ji was already the stone cave’s owner.

Gu Zuo was relieved upon hearing this: “Since it’s like this, father should hide this cave. By all means, we must never tell anyone else.”

Tianheng also nodded his head: “Ah Zuo’s right.”

As soon as the two said this, Gu Qi was momentarily stunned: “Wait a minute, this cave…”

Gu Zuo knew what his family’s dad meant, so he smiled and said: “This cave was discovered by father, and he shares a bond of fate with this cave. Naturally, this cave belongs to him.”

Zhao Ji said: “If it wasn’t for you guys coming over, we wouldn’t have been able to open this cave dwelling.”

Gu Zuo shook his head: “Helping you guys was just a small favor.”

Tianheng added on: “What Ah Zuo’s says is true.”

The stone cave was very good. Moreover, it could be said that it could play a huge role in Tianheng’s hands and could greatly enhance himself as well as his foundation and influence. If it was someone else who encountered such an opportunity and wanted to ask for his help to unlock the cave, the lion’s share of this cave would naturally belong to him. If the other party could get an inheritance like Gu Qi and Zhao Ji, that would be enough — Just like that Yu Cheng.

Indeed, it seemed as though opportunities could be opened in the future, but the reason why they were called opportunities was because they were fleeting. It wasn’t known how many people had encountered opportunities, but were temporarily unable to take them out. Later on, those chances would become someone else’s property, leaving the person who originally discovered them to sew a wedding dress in vain. First come, first served. This was the principle. When one couldn’t obtain something for the time being, it was because there weren’t enough chances, but when one couldn’t take those things out in a short time, that chance no longer belonged to them.

However, the ones who encountered this opportunity in front of them weren’t other people, but the parents of Tianheng’s beloved Gu Zuo. As such, he was purely helping them. No matter how great the opportunity, given his broad mind and open heart, he wouldn’t take it for himself.

Gu Zuo knew his big brother the best, so he was aware of what his big brother would choose. It was only natural that the touching warmth coming from the bottom of his heart wasn’t the least bit small.

Merely, Gu Zuo and Tianheng had decided things just like this. What kind of people were Gu Qi and Zhao Ji? How could they really think that this was what the two youngsters should do?

Zhao Ji raised his hand and said: “No need.”

Gu Qi nodded, too: “Foolish son, don’t turn your elbows outward, but don’t turn them too far in either!”

Gu Zuo made a helpless expression.

What did this have to do with elbows? Would it kill him to give some praise?

Zhao Ji had always been a very thoughtful person, and he wouldn’t change his mind because of what other people said. Thus, he spoke forthrightly: “The cave dwelling was discovered by me, and Ah Qi and I are one. The cave dwelling was opened by Tianheng, and Xiao Zuo and Tianheng are one. I will refine the rune into three tokens, and give them to the three of you, respectively.

“After I hide the cave, no one else can find it, but the three of you can use the tokens to enter and exit on your own. Each token can bring up to three people with you at a time. When going out, you must have a token to move freely.”

Gu Zuo opened his mouth: “Father…”

Tianheng’s expression was also somewhat shocked.

From Zhao Ji’s words, he could make out several more things. Even the hints contained in them happened to coincide with what he would do if he got this cave.

Zhao Ji nodded towards the two of them: “There’s no need to refuse this. Ah Qi and I have this inheritance, which can be enjoyed throughout our lives. The remaining inheritances can be used to enlighten those close to us, and can be used to develop our foundations.”

Although he was ambitious and wanted to start an enterprise in the modern world, his ultimate goal was just to provide a better life for his family. In this world, Gu Zuo was considered “married” and had his own path to follow. He no longer had to worry about this child, and his lover Gu Qi also had his own things he liked. For Zhao Ji, he had enough happiness and blessings. For the time being, there was no need to run a business.

As for himself, he was now comprehending the path of runes. He was deeply interested in it, and had already decided to thoroughly research it. The inheritance he obtained could be studied for a lifetime and still not reach the end… Once he learned this skill, and when the time was right, he would naturally be able to carve out and develop his own slice of heaven and earth.

His half-son, Gongyi Tianheng, had great ambitions and strong abilities, and his power was constantly growing. Later on, there would definitely be many places where Zhao Ji could be useful. In addition, Gu Zuo was his and Gu Qi’s only son. This would never change with the passage of time.

In any case, they wouldn’t be using any more inheritances, so why not just treat this cave as something that could further enhance Tianheng’s power? Tianheng and his son were one. As Tianheng got better and better, so too would his son. The greater his son’s investments, the greater the importance of his son in Tianheng’s heart. That fellow knew the score, and wouldn’t let down his son.

Zhao Ji had been walking alongside Gu Qi on their journey together the entire time. When it came to relationships, he had his own opinions.

If two people wanted to be together for a long time, becoming an inseparable part of one another, then they had to let their feelings age like fine wine, lasting and fragrant. It couldn’t burn fiercely for a short while and easily disperse due to all kinds of reasons.

Why had Gu Qi been steadfastly waiting for Zhao Ji for so many years? Why had Zhao Ji forgotten everything, but still remembered Gu Qi? It was because they had gone through many things in the process of growing up. Everything was entangled together, and they were practically soulmates.

In this way, Tianheng and Gu Zuo also experienced many things. They helped each other, understood one another, and then, they became inseparable in life and death. If they were ordinary people, this kind of love was enough to last a lifetime, but since they were cultivators, their lifespans would continue to increase. As such, they needed to work together, hand in hand, to maintain mutual need and foster love for one another… Spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically — Only when none of those things were lacking between them could they stick together on this man-eating continent.

Of course, Zhao Ji didn’t believe that Tianheng would have a change of heart in the future. It was just that, as a father, he would inevitably think a little more on behalf of his son.

Among Gu Qi and Zhao Ji, Gu Qi was more careless due to his personality, while Zhao Ji was more pragmatic and thoughtful.

After Tianheng finished listening to Zhao Ji’s words, he immediately understood the other’s hidden meaning. Then, he smiled.

He didn’t feel that there was anything wrong with Zhao Ji’s way of thinking. On the contrary, because of the other party’s concern for Gu Zuo, he agreed with it even more. When it came to Gu Qi, Tianheng already understood him very well. But as for Zhao Ji, it was only now that he understood. He inwardly nodded his head.

Gu Zuo didn’t think so much about it. Everything he did came from his heart.

When he saw that the atmosphere between his dear big brother and his family’s father was quite harmonious, he was happy. He couldn’t help tugging Gu Qi’s sleeve. And after Gu Qi glanced at him, he showed a comfortable smile.

Currently, the general distribution of the stone cave had been made. Zhao Ji looked at everyone with a solemn expression: “The secrets here are of great importance. It would be terrible if others find out. In master’s inheritance—” He had already acknowledged that rune master as his own teacher, “—I can learn a runic brand to seal this secret.”

Tianheng’s interest was piqued: “Uncle Zhao, how do you seal it?”

Gu Zuo was also curious.

Zhao Ji said: “By pressing this brand into the Tianfu Acupoint of martial artists and pharmacists, one can block the information that needs to be kept secret will be sealed. Once an outside force breaks the Tianfu Acupoint to plunder that secret, the runic brand will self-destruct. The portion of memories related to the secret will all fade into nothingness. At this time, the only thing the soul-searched person will remember is that these things existed. However, how it happened, how it was comprehended, where it was obtained, and all related information will disappear.”

Gu Zuo couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration: “How amazing!”

This was simply a selective filter! Soon after, he asked: “After the runic brand explodes, can the things learned by the martial artist or pharmacist still be used?”

Zhao Ji said: “Everything one has already learned can be done, but what hasn’t been learned must be comprehended again.”

Gu Zuo nodded his head: “This is already very good. It’s much gentler and more practical than the methods used by many large organizations to keep secrets.”

Tianheng also praised: “Uncle Zhao’s abilities are extraordinary. In the future, if all of the inheritance is digested, Uncle Zhao will have a place at the top of the entire Central Continent!”

Subsequently, everyone made a decision.

Currently, it was left to Gu Zuo and Tianheng to understand the several pictures they previously had impressions of. Zhao Ji hurriedly studied the runic brand, and refined those three tokens. Meanwhile, as Gu Qi cultivated, he was responsible for keeping watch. Zhao Ji directly gave him several simple runes, which allowed him to control the stone men outside to guard against enemies.

Each person was busy with their own things. They seized this period of time, unwilling to waste even a fraction of it.

Not long after, Tianheng’s whole body was wrapped in a ball of bloody light. He had already taken out a lot of information in that picture, and was in the middle of rapid comprehension.

Gu Zuo arrived in front of the picture on the wall that attracted him. As he quietly and attentively observed it, he quickly felt the space between his brows heating up. Within his Tianfu Acupoint, the Nurturing Psyche Realm core was bursting out with intense rays of white light. The frequency of the expansion and contraction of the white light gradually matched a certain rhythm emanating from the picture on the wall…

All of a sudden, the strange air currents in the picture rotated extremely quickly. After that, as though layers upon layers of heavy fog were pushed aside, a line of large characters that could only be discerned by psychic power abruptly appeared!

Spiritual Embodiment Heaven-Shaking Seal!

Gu Zuo’s breathing hitched.

What a bold and imperious name!

Shortly thereafter, he watched innumerable scenes appearing before his eyes.

Wind phoenix, divine dragon, titanic elephant, heavenly peng… Countless, extremely huge creatures looked up to the sky to screech and roar. Amid their voices, space disintegrated piece by piece. Many corpses streamed down and fell only to be fanned into ash and crushed into paste!

Another terrifying attack came towards them, and they were similarly shattered by these howls.

After that, these gigantic creatures turned into empty shadows, and a figure unhurriedly appeared on the ground.

Extremely thin and weak. There was only a pair of eyes that were incomparably bright and clear.

T/N: My apologies for the long delay. I’m currently in school for a graduate program for nursing. Currently, I’m studying to become a nurse practitioner and working as a nurse. I overestimated the amount of free time I would have to translate, so I’m behind schedule. After I finish this volume (which has 8 chapters left), I plan to take a month off to get my affairs in order and build up a stockpile so long delays like this don’t happen again. Thank you for your patience, everyone!

Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.

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