Chapter 3

Chapter 2. Starting from the Beginning (2)

'What the hell is this!'

The text that appeared as he was dying.

It has appeared again.

The difference this time is that the content of the text is different.

'Has time stopped?'

Xuhui couldn't help but have such suspicions.

The two old men, who had been glaring at him, were now motionless like statues.

Not only had their movements stopped, but even their pupils were frozen.

Moreover, his own body couldn't move either.

'It's not just everything that has stopped.'

At that moment, something glinted in the corner.

In a situation where he couldn't move his body and the two old men didn't even flinch, something was repeatedly disappearing and reappearing.

8, 7, 6……

It was a symbol he had seen before.

It was changing, disappearing, and reappearing below the text.

In addition, the language that appeared when he returned to the past, indicating that he should refer to it, was also visible.

<Refer to the language.>

[空 : 0, 一 : 1, 二 : 2, 三 : 3, 四 : 4, 五 : 5, 六 : 6, 七 : 7, 八 : 8, 九 : 9]

'Five, four? This is……'

As Xuhui focused on the pattern, his eyes sparkled.

He instinctively realized that the symbols in the corner represented numbers, time.

Moreover, the numbers were gradually decreasing.

5, 4……

The numbers were intentionally decreasing.

It was as if they were forcing him to make a choice.

'Wait, a choice?'

4…… 3……

Xuhui hurriedly read the text.

In the midst of this, one line of text caught his eye.

Specifically, a line stating that he would follow any task.

The words he had spoken in front of the two old men were written in the text.

▷ [I will follow any task.]

▷ [I want to receive a different task.]

▶ [I will cut off my right arm.]

'What does this mean……'

Xuhui's emotions were complex.

Even in such a situation, two things were clear.

The time for making a choice was almost over.

And the line about cutting off his right arm must be avoided at all costs.

He didn't know what his actions would lead to, but he had a feeling.

In the end, Xuhui's gaze moved to the second line of the text.

<'I want to receive a different task.' has been selected.>

It will continue.

Suddenly, the surroundings, which had been slightly dark, brightened again.

And the two old men, who had been staring at him, started moving as if nothing had happened.

'Really……'

As a tingling sensation spread through his body, Xuhui covered his mouth with his palm.

He had just said something.

It was so quick that he only realized what he had said after the fact.

"Tsk tsk."

Dang Chao, seeing Xuhui's actions, clicked his tongue.

He then stroked his long beard and showed a smile whose meaning was unclear.

"You want a different order? What's your reason?"

'……!'

Seeing the mantis asking, Xuhui's mind snapped to attention.

He felt an overwhelming killing intent that made it hard to breathe.

It was the Fire Essence Demon Art (火蘊魔功) he had mastered.

A power known to melt bones with just a bit of flame.

"You haven't even told me what task you will give me, and you're already demanding a different one!"

Xuhui couldn't answer the mantis's continued questioning.

He had no proper rebuttal, as he hadn't even thought of one.

After a brief silence.

The one who broke the silence was.

"Enough!"

The mantis.

"Ah!"

And his own shout.

Shiver.

Xuhui stood stiffly, his body rigid.

A flash of light, and a single beam of light appeared.

The sharp blade was now aimed at his throat.

If the mantis hadn't shouted faster than Xuhui, the blade would have pierced his neck.

'It's Hei Bi……'

Xuhui's gaze turned to the woman in front of him.

She had appeared through the ceiling.

A vassal of the Tai Huang Pavilion, the mantis, and a master who could not be touched even by hundreds of people like him.

"Let's hear the reason before deciding."

Clang.

As the mantis gave the order, Hei Bi finally sheathed her sword.

Despite the killing intent being withdrawn, Xuhui's face was still pale.

"Please don't misunderstand, Tai Huang Pavilion. I didn't say I wanted a different task to choose on my own."

"Then?"

"I recently heard a rumor that a group from the Huashan Sect is gathering at the border of Nanzhou. Didn't you always say that eliminating the Huashan Sect was a long-standing goal of our sect?"

"……So?"

There was a reaction.

Xuhui quickly bowed his head and shouted.

"I want to seize this opportunity! My Bi Ke team is specialized in reconnaissance and drawing the enemy's attention. If you tell me when to deploy our sect's masters, I am ready to go at any time."

Reconnaissance, in reality, means being a decoy.

If discovered by the enemy, he would lose his life.

This had actually happened.

He had faced the Huashan Sect's master, Jiu Zongming.

But there was no other way.

If he didn't say this, his life would be in immediate danger.

He wanted a different task, but to survive, he had to take on the old task.

'Will it be okay?'

Xuhui subtly raised his eyes to gauge the reaction.

If the situation didn't flow as he remembered, he would have to end his life here.

"……"

"……"

The mantis didn't answer.

Then Dang Chao spoke.

"Hehehe. It seems the information came from the Eagle Heaven Pavilion of the main headquarters. Otherwise, how could a mere team leader hear such a rumor?"

Dang Chao's casual words made Xuhui's eyes widen.

'Right.'

It wasn't just a hunch.

The Eagle Heaven Pavilion was one of the higher-level organizations of the Demon Sect that collected information from the Central Plains.

The fact that he mentioned it meant his answer was accepted.

"Interesting. I was just about to give you that task. What a coincidence."

And the mantis confirmed his thoughts again.

At the same time, the killing intent he emitted noticeably disappeared.

Still.

In a situation where he should have sighed in relief, Xuhui's gaze moved to another place.

'Again, this……'

<Life + 4>

The symbols and patterns that appeared above Hei Bi.

And below, the interpretation that explained their meaning.

'Life…… increase…… four.'

This time, he didn't just let it pass.

The pattern similar to the number ten.

According to the translated content below, it meant 'increase'.

No, it was certain.

This was definitely a meaningful word.

'Life' 'Increase' 'Four'

Although he didn't know what it meant yet, it was clearly related to Hei Bi.

And it was a very close relationship.

* * *

Dusk.

Xuhui walked down a small road after leaving the office.

This road was in the north of the Tai Huang Pavilion.

At the end of the road was the Jiyixiao, where his team members lived.

According to what you said, the Deputy Leader will personally lead the mission. Before that, someone needs to scout the area. You will go to the Hangu Pass, investigate the people and the terrain there, and pass the information to the Bi Ke team leader.

The task the mantis mentioned was exactly the same as his memory.

To investigate the terrain around the Hangu Pass and pass the information.

He was lying so naturally.

'And no one came.'

Not even the Deputy Leader or a team leader.

Because of this, his retreat was cut off during the information gathering process, and he ended up dying.

"Did you get a big mission this time?"

Thud.

Xuhui's head moved.

In front of an artificial pond.

A man was sitting on a row of boulders, giggling.

"Be more careful. Why did you search the Tai Huang Pavilion office……"

His name was Ze Shan.

A member of the Black Moon Team, always following behind Jie Ming.

Known for his strength, he was exposing his thick arms and legs even in the cold winter.

"Ah. Were you listening to my muttering? Sorry. Well, if you already heard it, there's nothing I can do. Hehehe."

It wasn't unusual for Xuhui.

Sometimes, even his own team members mocked him openly.

Maybe because he often saw Jie Ming beating him up, or maybe because he was ordered to by the Tai Huang Pavilion.

But that wasn't important now.

"Hey."

Xuhui called out to Ze Shan, who was turning away.

"Why? Do you have something to say?"

He clearly remembered meeting this guy here in the past.

Back then, he had just ignored him.

He was afraid of the repercussions from Jie Ming.

"I need to confirm something."

"What kind of test?"

But this time, he couldn't just let it go.

<Life + 1>

The word floating above Ze Shan's head.

Maybe he could find the key to this now.

"What are you doing?"

Thud thud.

As Xuhui approached step by step, Ze Shan tilted his head.

One step.

Another step, and his expression changed subtly.

Pfft.

Suddenly, Xuhui's movements became much faster.

Startled, he drew his sword from his waist.

Clang! Clang!

His figure wobbled as he hastily parried a few times.

"It's too late, you bastard!"

Thud!

That was the end.

Xuhui's sword, moving half a breath faster, pierced his heart.

"Ku……er……"

Splash!

Holding the sword, Ze Shan fell into the pond, his body trembling like a leaf.

Unable to believe what had just happened, his wide-open eyes were fixed on Xuhui's forehead.

"Why did you search the Tai Huang Pavilion office?"

The pain of the other party was transmitted through the sword handle.

The more it hurt, the deeper Xuhui's sword pierced.

"To find something. I want to get stronger, but I can't find a way no matter how hard I look."

"……Ku……kuk."

"Damn, this third-rate sect just throws a low-level martial art at you and tells you to get strong on your own. Would you follow it? At least the starting line should be the same to feel less wronged."

"Th……this……"

"Don't be too upset. I'll follow you soon enough