The Blindfolded Emperor: I Only Wanted a Quiet Life

Chapter 7 Bone Tempering

A gentle warmth spread through Jasper's chest, slowly flowing into every part of his body. For the first time, he truly understood the power of this world. It wasn't just about swinging a sword. It was about understanding the truth behind it.

His eyes drifted back to the parchment lying before him.

"The river does not resist." 

"The river does not chase." 

"It flows because flowing is its nature."

Before entering the Still Water Realm, those words had sounded like meaningless poetry. Now… they were a guide.

Most beginners tried to force spiritual energy into their bodies. They pulled at the Qi around them with everything they had, trying to cram it through their meridians by sheer will. That was why so many failed. Broken meridians, unstable foundations and permanent injuries.

The Silent River Breathing Method took a completely different path. A quiet river never chased the water flowing toward it. It simply remained still. And because it remained still… everything naturally flowed into it. The calmer the river became, the deeper it grew.

Jasper slowly closed his eyes. The candle beside him flickered softly, casting faint shadows across the stone chamber. His breathing settled into a steady rhythm.

Inhale. 

Exhale. 

Slow and Steady. 

Without forcing anything.

Inside his Mind Sea, the black ocean remained perfectly calm. Not a single ripple appeared. Then… he felt it. His eyes remained closed, but another sense quietly awakened. Tiny strands of silver drifted through the air around him.

They floated like gentle streams of mist, weaving silently through the chamber. Before today, they had been invisible. Now he could see every movement they made.

Spiritual energy, Qi. It surrounded everything.

Jasper didn't try to seize it. He simply continued breathing. One silver thread drifted toward him before slipping gently through his nose. Another passed through his palm, then another and another. Soon, hundreds of silver strands flowed toward him as though they had finally found the place they belonged.

The moment the Qi entered his body— 

Crack!

Pain exploded through him. His back arched violently. His fingers dug into the stone floor as every bone in his body felt as though it were breaking apart. His spine trembled, his ribs creaked and his arms shook uncontrollably. The spiritual energy wasn't healing him. It was destroying his old body… so it could rebuild something stronger.

This… was the Bone Tempering Realm. The first true step beyond ordinary mortals.

Silver Qi flowed through his skeleton like molten metal. Every brittle weakness hidden inside his bones was crushed apart before being forged anew. Sweat poured from Jasper's forehead. His breathing grew heavier. Yet his expression never changed.

Inside his Mind Sea… the black ocean remained perfectly still. He continued circulating the Silent River Breathing Method. The calmer his thoughts became… the smoother the spiritual energy flowed through his body.

Crack. 

Crack.

Crack.

A sticky black substance slowly seeped from his pores. It coated his arms, neck and chest. Years of impurities hidden inside his body were being forced out one piece at a time.

Time lost all meaning. Minutes blurred into hours. Jasper remained motionless throughout the entire process.

Finally… the burning sensation faded. The pressure disappeared. Silence returned to the cultivation room. Deep beneath his skin, his bones carried the faintest silver glow before it slowly disappeared.

A blue notification appeared.

[System Notification] 

Bone Tempering Realm — Stage One achieved.

Jasper slowly opened his eyes. Everything looked different. The room hadn't changed but he had. The flickering candle seemed clearer than before. The shadows resting in the corners no longer blurred together. Even the air itself felt heavier against his skin.

Then… a horrible smell reached his nose.

"…" 

Jasper slowly looked down. His entire body was covered in thick black filth. "What in the…" He wrinkled his nose. "So that's what everyone in those cultivation novels was complaining about."

Without another word, he stood up, unbolted the heavy wooden door, and stepped outside. The hallway was quiet. Chris and Victor were sitting against the wall. Both of them were fast asleep.

Jasper sighed. "I guess they've been waiting here the whole time."

Before he could say anything, Chris's nose twitched. His eyes snapped open. The old servant immediately spotted Jasper standing over them.

"Y-Young Master!" He shot to his feet so quickly he nearly stumbled. Then he grabbed Victor by the shoulder and shook him hard.

Victor groaned. "Five more minutes, Uncle…"

"The Young Master is here!" Chris hissed.

Victor lazily waved him away. "Who cares…" He sniffed the air without opening his eyes. "…Why does it smell like old cow hooves out here? Did one of the horses step in dung?"

Chris's face instantly turned pale. Without another word, he yanked Victor upright by the collar. Victor finally opened his eyes. His gaze landed directly on Jasper. Then… the smell reached him. His face went completely white.

"Y-Young Master! I didn't mean… I wasn't saying you smell like… I mean… I would never…"

The words tangled together so badly that even Victor couldn't understand what he was trying to say. Chris stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Young Master, Victor is still young and speaks before thinking. Please forgive his loose tongue."

Victor immediately dropped to his knees. "Please forgive me, Young Master! My family's cow really does smell terrible!" "…Wait! No, that's not what I meant! I mean—"

Jasper raised one hand. Victor immediately fell silent.

"Enough." He looked between the two servants before speaking calmly. "Prepare some hot water. I need a bath."

Chris released a quiet breath of relief. "Right away, Young Master."

Just as he turned to leave, he suddenly stopped. His eyes drifted toward the dark residue covering Jasper's arms. "Young Master… You've been cultivating inside that chamber for three full days. Would you like us to prepare a proper meal as well?"

---

Jasper blinked. "…Three days?" His calm expression finally cracked. "I was cultivating for three whole days?" To him, it had felt like only a few hours.

Chris gave a respectful nod. "Yes, Young Master. You entered the chamber three days ago."

Jasper rubbed his forehead. "So that's why you two have been sleeping outside."

Chris lowered his head. "It is our duty."

Jasper didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. Even after everything the original Jasper had gone through, these two had stayed by his side. That alone surprised him. He looked back at Chris. "I'll eat after I clean up. The smell is unbearable."

Chris nodded immediately. "I'll have hot water prepared at once."

Not long afterward, Jasper lowered himself into a large wooden bath filled with steaming water. The heat soaked into his aching muscles almost instantly. He leaned back against the rim of the tub before noticing dozens of bright red flower petals floating across the surface.

He blinked. "…Chris."

The old servant looked up. "Yes, Young Master?"

"Why are there flowers in my bath?"

Chris answered without the slightest hint of embarrassment. "The cleansing paste has already been mixed into the water." Jasper frowned. "…What?" "We thought the fragrance of the flowers would help cover the impurities your body expelled during cultivation." Chris spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "You mentioned the smell, so we believed it would make the bath more pleasant."

Jasper stared silently at the petals drifting across the water. Then he slowly leaned his head back against the tub. Right… Different world. No soap, shampoo or plumbing. The thought almost made him laugh.

Then… another idea appeared. A business. Back on Earth, entire companies had become unbelievably wealthy selling nothing more than soap, perfume, and cosmetics. Luxury always sold. Especially to rich people. This world was no different. Cultivators used spirit stones. Ordinary people used gold. If he wanted to survive the future, he would need plenty of both. And one thing never changed, no matter the world. Proud nobles and powerful cultivators hated smelling bad. After days of training, every one of them would gladly spend money to smell clean again.

A small smile appeared on Jasper's face. Maybe I'll make soap one day. There's no rush. But it could become a decent source of income.

He sank beneath the warm water, washing the last traces of black impurities from his hair. While submerged, he called up the system. Blue windows immediately filled his vision.

[Congratulations.] 

You have stepped onto the path of cultivation.

[Congratulations.] 

You have begun to understand the true intent of the sword.

[Congratulations.] 

You have awakened and stabilized your chosen Mind Sea.

Jasper smiled faintly. "I'll check the rewards later. First… let's see where I stand."

He tapped his status window.

```

[The Blind Sovereign System]

Host: Jasper Stoneheart

Phase: Mortal Phase

Realm: Bone Tempering Realm — Stage One

Mind Sea Realm: Still Water Realm — Deep Stage

-------------------------

Attributes

Strength: 10

Speed: 8

Stamina: 8

Agility: 8

IQ: 12

-------------------------

Techniques: None

```

Jasper quietly studied the screen. His eyes settled on one line. Still Water Realm — Deep Stage.

 According to the memories left behind by the original Jasper, most cultivators spent years strengthening their Mind Sea before reaching the Deep Stage. Some never reached it at all. Yet one Mind Incense Rune had pushed him straight past the beginning stage.

His gaze shifted lower. Strength had jumped from two to ten. Speed, stamina, agility and even his thinking had become noticeably sharper. The weak, fragile body he had inherited no longer felt like it would collapse after a short walk. He clenched his fist. The muscles beneath his skin tightened with surprising ease. It wasn't overwhelming strength not yet. But compared to the broken young master who had died in the arena… the difference was like night and day.

A satisfied smile appeared on Jasper's face. This was only the first step. The road ahead was still unimaginably long.

He dismissed the status screen with a wave. "Now… let's see what else you've prepared for me."

With that, he turned his attention toward the rewards waiting inside the Blind Sovereign System.