Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Sorrowed Druid

It was a long journey across the barren plain. The sun travelled across the sky, ready to set by the time Yaihan got close enough to the gray clouds to notice a change in weather. The sudden rush of cool air was soothing to his skin despite the heavy winds rustling his clothes and hair. 

A fortification came into view. After some squinting, Yaihan saw a long fence surrounding a few small structures. A small storm brewed above the area, covering it in a gentle shower. After another gale passed through, Yaihan picked up his pace and headed towards the stronghold. 

Upon arrival, Yaihan walked past the long fence, trying to peer through the narrow gaps in between the towering posts. With the spaces being too narrow, Yaihan instead walked around towards the front entrance on the other side. It didn’t take long for another Xiwaoan to come into sight. A pair of guards stood in front of the stronghold’s main entrance. They wore little more than mangy rags and armed themselves with long bronze spears. 

“Hello,” Yaihan said as he waved to the closest guard. The man protecting the entrance turned around and stared at the cultivator with a look of pure exhaustion. His bones were visible through his skin. Bags were underneath his drooping eyes. Every strand of hair was in disarray, while scars and bruises covered his skin. 

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” the second guard said. He was older than the other and didn’t look any better. “You must be running from the Oni.”

“I was told that there was a stronghold that needed my help. Is this Shanyong?” Yaihan asked the older man.

The guard shook his head. “Not quite. Shanyong is further that way. We’re just a small camp in between that province and the territory that the Oni-Zhen control. We’re what stands between them and the final major city still under Xiwao’s control.”

Yaihan poked his head past the guards and peered into the enclosure. Dilapidated huts dotted the area while weary looking men and women roamed without cause underneath a calm shower. “Doesn’t look like much,” the cultivator noted. 

“You’re telling us,” the first guard said. “Our finest fighters are out searching for food, leaving only the sick and wounded behind.”

“And that druid girl,” the older man added. 

“Right. She got left behind too.”

“A druid?” Yaihan said with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yeah. She’s got healing powers.” The first guard turned around and stuck his hand into the calming shower. “She’s the one responsible for this rain. It’s got therapeutic properties for all those that are doused by it.”

“Is that so? May I step inside and experience it for myself?”

“All humans are welcome here, friend,” the second guard said with a smile. As Yaihan passed through the entrance, both other men examined him from the top down. “But I’ll have you know, a man in a healthy condition such as yourself will be asked to fight.”

“It’s my duty,” Yaihan said as he looked over his shoulder. “I’m more than willing to fight the Oni-Zhen.”

“Such confidence!” the older man boasted. “I remember when all Xiwaoan soldiers shared the same feeling!”

“Feel free to access what remains of our supplies,” the first guard added. “We have plenty of water. But food is in short supply. You can have some, but keep in mind that others need to eat too. Try not to gorge.”

“That’s surefire way to get yourself drafted to the front lines,” the second man watching the entrance said. 

“Thank you. I will have a look around for myself.”

Yaihan tilted his head up and stared at the gray rain cloud. He took in a deep breath through his nostrils as he basked in the rain. The water drops glistened like liquid silver as they covered his body. All throughout his skin, he felt a tingling and cooling sensation. The little weariness he did have vanished as soon as the magical shower doused him. 

After embracing the revitalizing sensation, Yaihan focused on the interior of the camp. The people inside were too focused on themselves to notice Yaihan. Every individual had their own problems. Some slept. Others grieved. Some were clearly insane, evident by their incoherent rambling towards no one in particular. 

“Excuse me, ma’am,” Yaihan asked of an old woman that sat underneath a tattered tent that spanned only a few feet. She sat on the dirt in front of a young boy that drew circles in the ground with a stick. Some of the rain slipped through the holes of the tent’s ceiling, creating splotches of mud on the ground. “I was told that there is a druid in this village.”

“Ah,” the old woman creaked. “You’re looking for Lysa.” 

“She’s the one responsible for this rain, correct?”

She nodded. “That’s true. But if you’re looking to get an injury healed, you’ll be waiting for a long time. You might be better off trying to tend to your wounds yourself.”

“I’m perfectly fine. I just wanted to meet her.”

“Go to the big tent on the far side of the camp. Opposite of here.” The old woman pointed behind Yaihan. 

“Thank you,” Yaihan said with a bow. 

“I’ll have you know; her service isn’t free. If you think you’ll just be able to bask in her Mending Storm without contributing to the Xiwaoan cause, you’ve got another thing coming.”

You are reading story Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse at novel35.com

“Don’t worry. I’m fully invested in this war.”

The old woman stood from her sitting position and took hold of Yaihan’s wrist. She lifted it up as high as her hunched posture would allow and looked at his muscles. “How does someone get into your physique during times like these, eh? Not like we got much food to spare for someone to maintain a build like yours. And most of the healthy men have either been slain, wounded or converted to Oni.”

“A decade of training and meditation,” Yaihan replied calmly, allowing the woman to pinch his biceps.

“Oh. You’re one of those… cultivators.” There was a twinge of disgust in the woman’s voice.

“You’d be correct.”

“I thought it was nothing but nonsense. I’ve known many men that go out seeking strength, only to come back weeks later scrawnier than when they left.” She let go of Yaihan’s wrist and returned to sitting.

“It’s not for everyone. Many seek to cultivate, but they don’t understand how to do it and why it works.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all before. Men that leave their families behind seeking untold power. It’s a tale as old as time. But I guess what’s really important is that you’re here now when we need help the most.” 

“Thank you for the information,” Yaihan said with a bow. “I’m going to speak to the druid. But if you’re interested in learning more about cultivation, I’m willing to talk later.”

The old woman shooed Yaihan away with the flick of her wrist. “Nah. When you’re as old as me, you’ll meet plenty of people that have chased the cultivator’s fantasy. Besides, I don’t want my grandson here getting any ideas. Last thing I need is him running off with the hope of getting stronger by sitting in a forest all day.”

“As you wish.”

Yaihan left the old woman to watch her grandchild in the tent to head towards the opposite side of the camp. He passed by countless other collapsing shelters on his way to the extensive structure by the fence’s edge. A long line of wounded and sick men and women spilled out through the tent’s opening. As Yaihan approached, the unhealthy people outside all shot him mean glares.

“Hey! Wait your turn!” One man shouted as he pressed one hand against what little remained of his other arm.

“You’re not even hurt!” another cried, only to cough up some blood after yelling at Yaihan. 

“I promise you, I am not here to seek the druid’s healing,” the cultivator told the crowd as he stood in front of the tent. “I’m just here to meet the woman.”

“Lysa’s busy!” one man shouted. “She doesn’t have the time for you.”

“If Lysa says she can’t talk to me, then I’ll leave.” To the line’s dismay, Yaihan ducked his head underneath the opening and entered the tent. The room was spacious, larger than the old woman’s tent by several folds. Despite its size, there was little floor space with the ground being covered by blankets. Either an injured or sick person occupied each one. They stopped their chatting and moaning to shoot awkward glances at Yaihan. 

An elegant young woman sat in the back of the tent crisscross. Her attire was extravagant; a brilliant blue dress with an elaborate golden ended just below her waist, showing off much of her bronze-like skin. She wore a glistening fish mask with gems embedded along the fins that flared out from the side. A headband adorned with feathers wrapped around her head while a tidy black braid stretched to her back. The woman held a long, carved staff with both hands. At the end was a ring with weavings around its perimeter. A blob of water floated in the middle, swirling slowly in small loops. 

The druid kept her eyes shut as she kept her staff upright, focused on channeling her energy into the rod. Yaihan tiptoed through the sea of wounded and injured and stood in front of the woman.

“Lysa?” Yaihan asked politely.

The woman opened her eyes and looked up, showing off her rich hazel irises. She maintained a solitary frown as she made eye contact with the cultivator. 

“Yes?” she asked in a soft voice. 

“My name is Yaihan. I have only just now arrived at this camp. Would it be all right if I asked you a few questions?”

The druid turned her head away, shying from eye contact. “I... I am quite busy today. But I could answer a few questions while I channel Mending Storm.”

Yaihan bowed. “Thank you. Any discussion is appreciated. Would it be all right if I sat down for our talk?”

“Go ahead.”

The cultivator lowered himself to his knees and rested his hands on his lap. He looked at the woman for a moment, focusing on the elaborate outfit. “Perhaps we could start with who exactly you are,” Yaihan began.

---

Art Spotlight: Lysa Stillwater (Purifier Form)

You can find story with these keywords: Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse, Read Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse, Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse novel, Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse book, Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse story, Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse full, Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse Latest Chapter