Lord of Rot

Hearing Bode’s explanation, the man in the black robe knew he could no longer get a high price. Some people had stopped when they heard it was a wondrous item, but after learning about its useless and troublesome properties, they also turned and walked away.

A legendary wondrous item that poisons its user. It was simply outrageous.

The man in the black robe said helplessly, "Two Jinri, and I’ll throw in a sword."

"Are you sure you want it?" Bode asked, looking at Leech.

"It’s rather interesting," Leech said with a nod. "Perhaps I can keep it for my collection."

"Exactly, for your collection!" the man in the black robe chimed in. "A wondrous item for a collection is an absolutely top-tier piece! And only two Jinri!"

Bode said, "This is my cousin. One Jinri, and you throw in the sword."

"His cousin, the Baron?" The man in the black robe looked at Leech in surprise. "Alright, one Jinri! It’s a deal. Glad to make a friend!"

Leech watched the two of them come to an instant agreement. He never thought he’d acquire a completely useless wondrous item this way. If he didn’t know his cousin’s personality, he would have suspected he was being set up.

The two of them went back and forth, giving him almost no chance to get a word in.

But the price had been negotiated down. ’One Jinri... That’s perfectly in line with Baron Porcupine’s style—extremely cost-effective.’

After paying, Leech took the [Poisonous Touch]. The man in the black robe repeatedly warned him not to use the item carelessly, because the sensation of being poisoned was excruciating. Without prompt treatment, it could even lead to death.

Leech temporarily abandoned the thought of testing it on himself. ’Besides, I’ve already found a user for this wondrous item.’

They quickly left the Black Market.

Back at the cottage to change clothes, Leech looked at the Longsword by Bode’s side and asked, "Cousin Bode, who do you plan on giving that sword to?"

Bode looked at him in surprise, as if to say, ’How did you know I was going to give it away?’

Leech hadn’t heard his thoughts, but he read the meaning in his gaze, making it seem as if he were using the Mind Reading Skill. "That sword isn’t suitable for you. It’s obviously a lady’s sword."

"That’s right," Bode admitted with a decisive nod. "I’ve met someone very special."

A knowing smile spread across Leech’s face.

’So he’s caught in the web of love. Interesting!’

"Who is she? Does she like dissecting frogs, too?" Leech pressed.

"She’s one of my subordinates," Bode said. "She’s skilled with a hammer."

’A hammer is front-heavy, which is completely different from an unbalanced Longsword. But one shouldn’t try to understand Bode’s way of thinking.’

"I wish you success," Leech said, lightly patting Bode’s shoulder. ’This is the first time Cousin Bode has chosen to give someone a gift instead of dissecting them. That’s huge progress.’

One of Bode’s retainers came over and said in a low voice, "My lord, the ’item’ you purchased has been handed over to your page."

He was referring to the dying Transcendent.

"Thank you. I appreciate your hard work," Leech said with a nod.

He turned to Bode and said, "Cousin Bode, I’m going to check on the ’item’ I purchased."

Bode nodded. "If you plan on dissecting her, be sure to call me."

"Er, I will."

’I have no interest in dissecting corpses.’

Leech hurried to a house in Linta Bay that the Porcupine Castle caravan had purchased. Little Joel was standing guard at the door. Upon seeing Leech, he immediately straightened up. "My lord!"

"Good work," Leech said with a nod as he entered. Little Joel puffed out his chest and proudly continued to stand guard at the door.

His page, Rob, was tending to the female Transcendent on the bed.

The door was pushed open.

Hearing the sound, Rob turned, and upon seeing Leech, he immediately straightened up. "My lord!"

’These are the young soldiers trained in Porcupine Territory. Their combat prowess might not be much, but their posture and bearing are exceptional—enough to intimidate ordinary people.’

"What’s her condition?" Leech asked, looking at the woman on the bed.

"The Alchemist said some force is keeping her alive, but that she probably won’t last much longer," Rob said, his voice tinged with sadness.

Leech wasn’t surprised. Even a common person could see she was on the verge of death. He immediately ordered, "Go buy a coffin."

"Yes, my lord!"

The young page accepted his orders and trotted off, leaving Leech alone in the room with the female Transcendent.

The woman struggled to open her eyes.

The rapid drain on her Life Force left her unable to speak. Her gaze was scattered, her pupils unfocused. Her breathing was labored, and each gasp was accompanied by a trickle of blood.

She was too gravely injured, and it was too late for treatment.

To fulfill Leech’s command, the Alchemist had directly stimulated her body and mind, forcing her to cling to life.

"I don’t know who you are," Leech said softly, looking down into her eyes. "But I have bought you. You are mine now."

The female Transcendent’s expression didn’t change. ’I’m dying. I have no interest in anything. He’s just a fool who bought my body.’

"I have a way to let you live."

The female Transcendent’s gaze sharpened, and her eyes began to blink, a clear sign of her roused spirit.

Leech continued, "It is a form of death and rebirth. I cannot be certain if the one who awakens will still be you. But if you are willing to pledge your loyalty to me from this day forward, I will instruct her to avenge you."

He wasn’t telling the whole truth. ’This isn’t resurrection, merely the reanimation of a corpse.’

Her breathing became ragged.

"If you agree, blink your left eye."

The female Transcendent’s left eye blinked.

Leech said, "Hold on for a little longer. We have to wait."

Soon, the coffin was purchased and carried inside.

In the meantime, Leech had already drawn the Magic Array.

He shut the door securely.

He dragged the coffin into the center of the Magic Array by himself. Then he lifted the female Transcendent, whom he had already stripped naked. Her body was a horrifying sight, covered in gashes, festering wounds, rot, and fractured bones.

He gently placed her inside the coffin.

After a moment of thought, Leech took out the wondrous item, [Poisonous Touch], and placed the black claw on her chest.

He used gold to fill each of the female Transcendent’s wounds.

He even stitched her severed arm back on with a needle and covered the wound with gold.

Fortunately, he had learned to sew in his past life on Earth, and his needlework wasn’t bad. However, the sensation of the needle passing through flesh and the woman’s pained trembling made it clear this was not a pleasant experience.

The money Leech had made from selling honey, and nearly all the gold he carried on his person, was poured into this endeavor.

Once everything was ready, he looked into the female Transcendent’s eyes. "You can stop breathing now. I will grant you a new life."

He added the last part only in his mind: ’Even if the one who awakens is no longer you.’

His words were cruel, telling someone who was desperately clinging to life to choose death.

But the female Transcendent trustingly closed her eyes. She was already in the abyss. Since death was inevitable, it was better to choose a death that might grant her a chance at revenge.

He closed the coffin lid, chanted the Spell, and waited in silence.

The wait this time was far longer than any he had experienced before. Leech was tense. Whether he succeeded or failed, his gold would become permanent golden scars, impossible to retrieve.

His Spiritual Power swept over the coffin time and again, but he still hadn’t found a body ready to accept his spirit.

Leech had sent Rob and Little Joel back to the castle. The rest of his retinue were all Soldiers. Only the two boys were sharp enough for the task Leech had in mind: he needed them to search the city’s streets and alleys for craftsmen—apprentices would do. ’This is my maternal grandfather’s territory, after all,’ he thought. ’Tricking a few skilled workers into coming with me shouldn’t be a problem.’

He also needed them to purchase seeds for crops suitable for planting in Porcupine Territory.

Finally, as the morning light streamed through the window, a sound startled the dozing Leech awake. He opened his eyes and looked toward the coffin.

The coffin lid was pushed aside. The female Transcendent, now covered in a web of golden scars, stepped out.

A Corpse Ghost.