Emperor’s Divine Palm (Bawang Shenzhang)

+++

After entrusting Winny with his blood sample, Doyun returned to the World Tree.

He spent time cultivating and conversing with Tiamat while awaiting the results.

“So, how old is your daughter this year?”

“Ninety years old. Thanks to you, she was born not long after the world became peaceful.”

For dragons, their age is counted from the moment they hatch. This is because they undergo most of their growth within the egg, emerging as near-perfect beings.

“Good thing she’s much younger than me. It would have been quite awkward if my niece ended up being older.”

“Are you including the years from your regression? How old were you exactly?”

“Not sure. I stopped counting after 100 years, but I feel like I surpassed 200 subjectively.”

Doyun sipped his tea.

“But if she’s 90 years old, isn’t her hatching period long overdue?”

“Yes. Due to my injuries, I lacked sufficient life force to nurture her properly, slowing her hatching. It’s quite regrettable.”

“Hmm…”

Although it didn’t show outwardly, Doyun sensed Tiamat’s sadness.

‘If possible… I should stick close to the egg.’

At first, he had grumbled about it being a nuisance, but that was just a joke.

For a dear friend, surely he could do at least that much.

“Does the quality and quantity of life force absorbed after hatching also have an effect?”

“Of course. The more plentiful and richer the life force they bathe in, the healthier and finer the dragon grows. It has a greater impact while they’re hatchlings, but even as adults, there’s still a significant difference. Most divine beast species are like that, and even spirit-type species are considerably affected.”

“Spirit-types too?”

Doyun asked, thinking of Sophie.

“Yes. Speaking of which, I’m referring to that half spirit-type girl from another dimension who accompanies you.”

“Sophie. What about her?”

“She has quite a bit of potential. You seem to be paying close attention to nurturing her – be sure to expose her to plenty of life force too.”

“Oh… I see?”

Doyun had also sensed Sophie’s considerable talents, but hearing it from a dragon’s mouth gave him a different feeling.

“So can I simply provide more life force if I wish?”

“Basically, by staying in close proximity for extended periods. But the most effective method is feeding her your semen generously.”

Doyun momentarily lost his words.

“…Why bring up semen out of nowhere?”

“Didn’t you know? Semen is the seed of life. It’s the part of a living being’s body with the highest concentration of life force.”

“…”

“While you’re at it, you could give some to my daughter too.”

“Are you insane?”

“Huhuh.”

Tiamat smiled enigmatically but didn’t clarify if she was joking or not.

“…Come to think of it.”

Doyun desperately changed the subject.

“Dragons give birth alone, don’t they? So what will your daughter’s first name be? Did you even have a surname?”

In this world, surnames were biologically inherited by offspring – an absolute law used as the most common means of identifying parentage.

Enoch hadn’t received a surname since his father was a commoner without one. So did dragons without surnames simply not get them either?

“I have no surname. Instead, I’ll pass down my full name to her.”

“Is that how it works? Then what will you call that child? Tia?”

“That does seem fitting. When she emerges from the egg, I’ll tell her it’s a nickname given by the Hero.”

“Just call me uncle.”

Doyun sipped his tea, imagining his soon-to-be-born and undoubtedly adorable niece.

“Ah, I made some use of the cores you gave me this time.”

“They’re yours, so use them as you wish. I have a few more in my lair, so let me know if you need any. But be careful with those precious items.”

“I used them for something very important, so don’t worry.”

Either way, Doyun had no use for them himself, and selling them for money was meaningless.

This matter, as the Vagabond Hero had said, was of vital importance involving the Alliance’s very survival.

What was the purpose behind all his lifelong struggles, even spanning his previous life? To Doyun, the cores were a small price to pay.

‘But then… the ‘Sun’. Just what do they intend to use that outrageous thing for…?’

Doyun was truly curious about that.

“Say. Do you know about the ‘Sun’?”

“I’m aware of it. Why?”

“Apparently, my blood could be effective as a material to subdue its power.”

Tiamat’s expression froze momentarily.

“…What are you saying?”

“It seems the Alliance intends to do something with it.”

“Are you telling me that’s an existing elixir that has manifested in this world?”

“Yes. And it has appeared in the present era.”

“Huih…!”

Tiamat was genuinely shocked, a rare sight.

Indeed, the Sun was an elixir capable of leaving even the Dragon Lord herself utterly dumbfounded. But just what did they intend to use such a thing for?

“I’m quite tempted. Should I request a trade from the Alliance?”

“Apparently, it’s meant for an extremely important purpose.”

“What a pity… If I could feed it to my daughter, she would gain potential surpassing even Red Dragons with just its pure fire attribute alone.”

“…To that extent?”

“If consumed, she would grow into the strongest dragon in history, exceeding even me. Truly regrettable…”

Doyun was greatly surprised to see her reveal such overt greed, a side of her he had never witnessed before.

‘So the Sun really is that outrageous…’

He sipped his tea, his curiosity about the Sun’s intended use only growing.

+++

Doyun headed to Skeletonia’s top blacksmith, which had a partnership with the World Tree, together with his team to outfit Sophie’s equipment.

This blacksmith offered priority service and discounted prices to World Tree guild members. As such, most guild members tended to use this particular blacksmith.

“Welcome~!”

Upon presenting the World Tree’s insignia and entering the blacksmith’s shop, a cheerful female assistant greeted them enthusiastically.

“Woah… there are so many amazing items here…”

Sophie, seemingly experiencing such a place for the first time, looked around in wonder with an innocent expression.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?”

“A female Disciple focusing on agility, proficient in the Horn Technique. Please outfit her to the maximum extent within an unlimited budget.”

The assistant seemed quite flustered by his request.

“Ah… Sir. My apologies, but our blacksmith is renowned as the finest in all of Skeletonia. Of course, we take pride in our mass-produced items’ cost-effectiveness, but if Grandfather crafts top-tier equipment with his own hands, the prices truly reach astronomical levels…”

“I’m aware. You can verify my credibility by contacting the guild if you wish. This is a tip.”

Presenting the insignia confidently along with an exorbitant one gold coin tip, any traces of doubt and bewilderment vanished from the assistant’s face.

Although she hadn’t seen his face before, she realized the man before her was a top-tier Disciple of the World Tree.

“Heheh…! My apologies for the rude words! I’ve noted your order and will inform Grandfather right away! Miss, please come this way so I can take your measurements!”

An unrestrained smile bloomed on the assistant’s face. Overjoyed at the lucrative opportunity after so long, she eagerly led Sophie inside.

“Huh? No, it’s okay! I’ll pay for my own equipment, so please outfit Doyun first…”

“I’m fine, so let’s get your equipment sorted first. Even if we’re just a two-person team, I’ll cover it as the leader.”

“But, but still…! I really can’t…”

“Aye, if your husband is the one paying, no need to be shy~ Now, this way please!”

“Huh?! Husband…!”

Despite her apologetic protests against Doyun’s order, the assistant’s smooth remark about a ‘husband’ caused her to hang her head in embarrassment, meekly allowing herself to be led inside with a flushed face.

Weapons and armor were expensive. And the better the quality, the more eye-poppingly pricey they became – this applied even to Disciples from reputedly well-paying guilds.

However, Doyun’s remarkably generous order drew stares from others at the counter, paying no heed to such financial concerns.

“Hey, that newcomer… no, Disciple. Was it Han Doyun?”

“Wow… someone with 20,000 gold can place such orders at the finest blacksmiths…”

“I’m jealous. Losing even one javelin costs me a month’s salary. Dammit.”

Despite the murmurs around him, Doyun simply stood there idly fiddling with the sword at his waist, long accustomed to such reactions.

But then, amid this scene, a World Tree carriage arrived outside the blacksmith’s, and a guild errand runner entered.

“Disciple Han Doyun! An urgent summons from the Guild Master!”

Everyone looked at him quizzically. An urgent summons? What was it about?

“Someone from the Alliance has arrived!”

All eyes turned to Doyun, who nodded and headed for the carriage.

It seemed the results were in.

+++

Millaine was aboard the carriage. The busy sub-master herself had come to escort Doyun, who had merely gone shopping at the city’s blacksmith.

With an exasperated look, Millaine spoke.

“Disciple Han Doyun. Just what have you done this time…? The Vagabond Hero has arrived, not for personal business, but as the current highest-ranking representative of the entire Alliance…”

“Hmm…”

Doyun swallowed dryly, feeling apologetic. It seemed he had unintentionally caused Millaine quite a fright again.

The carriage travelled swiftly, and upon arriving at the house, Doyun immediately headed to the parlor room.

“We meet quite often, Master.”

“Hahah! I truly feel delighted every time I see you now! Constantly surprising me like this, wah!”

He laughed cheerfully. This time, he had somehow convinced Eloah, puffing on a pipe filled with tobacco.

“I really had no expectations at all! It was merely an expression of desperation towards Winny-Kaisk. But for you to resolve the matter so splendidly! It feels like a persistent toothache has finally been pulled out! Kehkeh!”

The Vagabond Hero exhaled thick plumes of smoke as he laughed heartily.

“So, did you provide the decisive impetus for ‘that’ to be handled?”

“…Was Winny’s leak of information exposed?”

“No need to worry! Originally, such a leak of confidential information would be punishable by execution. But it was deemed a necessary discussion for resolving this matter, as evidenced by the fact that it has been so satisfactorily resolved! The Alliance has decided to grant clemency.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Winny-Kaisk will contact you soon, it seems. She seemed to have a great many questions. Just what did you give her? Did you really provide dragon’s blood?”

“I can well imagine the expression she must have made when saying that.”

Doyun kept his words vague.

“And although this wasn’t an official commission, you will be awarded a substantial amount of points. Look forward to it!”

“Glad to hear it.”

Doyun needed a large quantity of points to uncover the whereabouts of the missing Celestial. This was highly encouraging news.

“And separate from that, there was a personal reward we had agreed upon.”

The Vagabond Hero’s demeanor turned utterly serious.

Doyun nodded, feeling his desire to cultivate tickled by the anticipation of learning a new technique.

“Shall we begin now?”

“Yes, let’s.”

They rose simultaneously and headed outside the building.