The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 132 The Weight of a Master's Sacrifice

Aiden realized something was terribly wrong.

Vera was supporting Great Master Thorne as they ascended the mountain.

Which meant...

That Great Master Thorne, one of the most powerful masters in Martial World, was being assisted by a fourteen-year-old girl.

"...What in the world...?"

Aiden stood frozen in place, struggling to process what he was seeing.

It didn't make sense.

Great Master Thorne was an absolute grandmaster, a warrior who had reached mid-stage Kingdom of Harmony.

And yet, he was relying on a child's support?

This was a man who could ascend from the base of Suncrest Sect to its peak in a single bound.

What could have possibly happened?

"...Great Master, what is this...?"

"It is done. Where is Damien?"

"Master has yet to hear the news, but he should be out soon. But before that..."

Aiden turned his gaze to Vera.

Her pale complexion had returned to normal.

But that wasn't all.

The energy flowing through her once-fragile body was now sharper, steadier.

'What... happened?'

He couldn't understand.

Vera had completely drained her Innate True energy.

No amount of fortune or miracle could restore that.

It was impossible.

Throughout history, countless warriors had used up their Innate True energy, and not one had regained it.

Never.

Yet somehow, Vera had not only recovered but had grown even stronger.

That was when Aiden looked at Great Master Thorne again.

And an unthinkable, horrific, impossible possibility took root in his mind.

"...Great Master... don't tell me..."

"It is done, Aiden. What's done cannot be undone. I must rest now. When Damien arrives, tell him to come to my chambers."

"No, Great Master, wait—Great Master!"

But Great Master Thorne merely gave a faint smile.

He no longer had the energy for further conversation.

He had climbed all the way up Mount Suncrest Sect in this state.

Surely, he had not let Vera carry him.

But he must have felt it—

How treacherous the Suncrest Sect peaks were.

Once, he had soared up like a crane, leaping across cliffs with ease.

But now?

No longer.

Vera understood his condition.

She lowered her head slightly before Aiden, silently asking for his understanding for not properly greeting him.

"...Very well. My master and I will visit tomorrow."

"Good, Aiden. I will make sure Vera returns safely, so do not worry."

"It's not Vera I am worried about..."

Aiden started to say something more but swallowed his words.

Instead, he simply bowed his head.

Great Master Thorne patted his shoulder lightly before leaving with Vera.

With sluggish steps, Aiden returned to his quarters.

The sun had yet to set, and the disciples were still training in the courtyard.

When Aiden arrived, Marcus widened his eyes in surprise.

Vera was not with him.

For a moment, countless dreadful possibilities flashed through his mind.

Unlike the others, Marcus knew the full extent of what had happened.

Had she... died?

Or worse...?

Marcus quickly shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside.

But since he had shown her kindness—

She would respect his wishes.

By the time Vera arrived at Aiden's quarters, he was already waiting.

The moment he heard approaching footsteps, he rushed outside, barefoot.

Kneeling, he immediately checked Vera's condition.

"Are you alright? Any injuries?"

"Thanks to Immortal Pharmacist, I'm fine. The Thousand-Year Jade Pendant from Everstone Clan's Lord also helped."

"...More importantly, what about your Innate True energy?"

His voice trembled as he asked.

Clearly, Aiden had already reached a conclusion of his own.

Immortal Pharmacist was revered as the Miracle Doctor of Martial World.

His medical skills and secret techniques had saved countless lives.

During the Great War, it was Sword Sovereign who had slain the Heavenly Demon, but it was Immortal Pharmacist who had kept the battlefront standing.

Even Aiden had witnessed his abilities firsthand—

The way he had mended shattered cors and reconnected severed meridians.

Because of Immortal Pharmacist, Jordan had climbed to Kingdom of Harmony's early stage, becoming a major force in the Reverse Heaven Unity.

With such feats in mind—

Aiden couldn't rule out the impossible.

"...Well?"

Vera hesitated.

To explain her restored Innate True energy, she would have to speak of Great Master Thorne.

But he had forbidden her from doing so.

"...Great Master Thorne told me to tell you to come see him tomorrow."

"...I see."

For a moment, Aiden's expression flickered with sorrow.

Great Master Thorne's silence only confirmed his suspicions.

If he didn't want Vera to say anything...

Then Aiden's worst fears had likely come true.

Which meant there was only one thing left to do—

Respect his decision.

"...You've done well. Now that you're safe, get some rest. But why didn't you go straight to the Blooming Peak Pavilion?"

"...I just... felt I should come to see you first."

She hesitated before answering.

Aiden let out a small chuckle, ruffling her hair.

Time was cruel.

In a few years, she would outgrow this moment.

A time would come when patting her head would be inappropriate.

"...I see."

"...Yes."

"Then sit with me for a bit. The moon is quite bright tonight."

For a moment, Aiden's expression flickered with sorrow.

Great Master Thorne's silence only confirmed his suspicions.

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If he didn't want Vera to say anything...

Then Aiden's worst fears had likely come true.

Which meant there was only one thing left to do—

Respect his decision.

"...You've done well. Now that you're safe, get some rest. But why didn't you go straight to the Blooming Peak Pavilion?"

"...I just... felt I should come to see you first."

She hesitated before answering.

Aiden let out a small chuckle, ruffling her hair.

Time was cruel.

In a few years, she would outgrow this moment.

A time would come when patting her head would be inappropriate.

"...I see."

"...Yes."

"Then sit with me for a bit. The moon is quite bright tonight."