Chapter 11 : Guilt?

After entering the house his mother exited his room looking a bit jittery.

"Where did you go all night?"

"To train."

"Your cultivation level, it's much lower than it was before, and what happened to your clothes, why is there blood? " A worried look was on her face as she started to examine his body.

"I'm fine mother, it's just that I had to start from scratch in order to cultivate the method master gave me. So I punctured my dantian to let the Qi leak out. "

"You idiot, you could have just guided it out of your body. Wait- Master? I thought."

Niyad smiled weakly, then walked away.

"That would take too long, I have to reach the peak of Qi condensation realm within a week."

"A week!?" She was about to tell him how ridiculous that sounded but then she remembered who exactly his Master was so she kept quiet. She already knew his master and the Jade Queen were the same person. "Anyways, clean up and eat then go back to training."

Niyad did as his mother instructed, after arriving at the same spot in the forest, he sat in a meditative position once more and started to absorb and refine Qi.

Surrounding him was an abundance of Qi that danced around him, one would describe them as tiny sparks of light that looked similar to fireflies. They reacted to him as if they wanted to force themselves into his meridians without him having to call on them.

If a normal person could properly observe his cultivation, they would turn green with envy. A normal cultivation rate was two times slower than the rate at which Niyad cultivated. Niyad had long surpassed being a genius at cultivating, he was now a cultivation monster.

When he finally opened his eyes it was the  third night and now he only had four more days to reach his goal. He examined this body and the filth he was covered with made him feel queasy. Each time he made a breakthrough his body would be cleansed of all the impurities present. It was almost like a rebirth, his organs became healthier and more efficient the stronger he got.  

Niyad who hated being dirty got up with the intention of making haste to the river. However, he was completely distracted by a wooden lunchbox.

He smiled to himself, "How did she know where I was?". After washing himself and getting changed he sat comfortably to eat. Niyad froze after inspecting the contents of the lunch box. There was an assortment of foods which immediately threw him off.

Lunch boxes prepared by his Mother would mostly contain only rice and meat or soup. This lunch was way too extravagant to have been made by her. He placed the lunch box next to the river then turned to leave.

Sercy appeared, blocking his path, causing him to pause. He wasn't surprised this time because he knew the person who left the lunch would be watching.

"It's not poisoned." Sercy said softly.

"I didn't say it was." Niyad responded.

"I was observing you earlier and it seems as if the cultivation method is working for you."

"Yes."

"No discomfort?"

"No-Yes, you're making me uncomfortable. What do you want from me?"

"I-I felt I was too sensitive before when I left. Anyways I only came to check if the cultivation method was working well for you. That's all." Sercy really didn't want to see or talk to him. But it was necessary if she really wanted to help her kind.

"Why do you want me to get strong so badly?"

"I merely sent you the cultivation methods whether or not you want to use them or get stronger is your choice."

"Choice? Haha. Choice? You think you gave me much of a choice when your dog threatened me with the life of my mother?"

Sercy's eyes widened in confusion, then realization dawned, "Count, what did you do!?" She demanded.

"Sercy, he was being a little shit, so I scared him a little." Count appeared next to Sercy with a mischievous grin.

Sercy glared at him clenching her fists in frustration. She then turned her attention back to Niyad.

"Whatever you choose to do is up to you, I hope you don't misunderstand. You don't need to worry, neither of us will ever hurt you or your relatives. We'll bother you no further."

Sercy turned around stiffly then disappeared. It was obvious that she was angry at Count. She had made an effort to speak with Niyad although she didn't want to see him, only to be treated like a villain. She felt extremely wronged, ~Aren't I supposed to be the one who's upset?

If I don't beat Count to death today...~

Count stood there looking at the spot Sercy disappeared from for some time before glancing at Niyad.

"It seems my little princess really does like you. Hehe, I think I became that villainous father-in-law figure without even realizing it. I suggest you continue cultivating. Although my threats were empty, getting stronger is in your best interest."

He walked towards Niyad then tapped him on the shoulder twice before disappearing.

Niyad stood by the river trying to make sense of what just happened.

~So, what he did was not what she intended. But he just wanted to scare me? That's besides the point he threatened to kill my mother. But still if someone made my daughter upset I'd probably kill their entire family. So wait... He's her father!? Then that means there are actually two dark fae still alive?~ 

Niyad started getting a headache, he glanced at the lunch box once more before moving to sit by the river. He sat in silence then finally started eating.

~Also he said that she likes me... Is that true? That would explain why she kept my knife...Should I make her something to wear in her hair then?~

Niyad  ate in a sluggish manner trying to understand everything that took place, whenever he thought something finally made sense, one additional detail or lack thereof would make him confused all over again. 

~What the hell am I even thinking? Liking doesn't mean it's that type of like. Why would she even like me? That bastard is probably just lying again.~

He chewed slowly.

~She isn't a good cook but she tried so I'll eat it.~

A painful expression was on his face as he knocked his chest forcing himself to swallow. The rice felt like sand going down his throat. Sercy, who rarely needed to eat, had no way of knowing how bad her cooking was.

Niyad went back to cultivating, once again immersing himself in a deep trance.