Chapter 49

Chapter 48. Pervert, Yin Weapon (1)

Xue Hui was practicing in a spacious room.

Indeed, befitting a wealthy family, a large annex was attached to the bedroom.

It was spacious enough to be perfect for personal use.

"I need to master the Wind God technique..."

He had been lost in contemplation of 'perfect movements' for a while, neglecting the technique for a moment.

However, it was a skill he could not afford to overlook, the highest ability bestowed upon him among his fortuitous encounters.

◆ Four Great Extreme Demon Arts Wind. Skill Characteristics Table ◆

Wind God (風神): → N (Neutral) ↓↘, A <4.5x Speed>

The term 'neutral' in the skill table was unfamiliar.

Moreover, there was no way to understand what '4.5x speed' meant.

The only clue was that the AI had demonstrated it so quickly.

"I'll try it like this..."

Xue Hui recalled the movements the AI had made and tried to replicate them.

But nothing changed.

Unlike before, this time, even though he understood the meaning to some extent, it was difficult to use the skill.

"It seems the technique moves forward with the body..."

Xue Hui decided to start over.

From what he could infer from the AI's movements, 'speed' meant moving faster than usual.

The surface interpretation also suggested this.

The term 'neutral' (中立) meant standing in the middle.

"Haaat!"

The same movement.

Faster movement.

And a subtle change in speed.

Xue Hui practiced, altering his movements dozens, even hundreds of times.

After about an hour, he heard people talking while taking a short break.

The effect of the Hundred Li Hearing Technique he learned during tracking training.

"Is that person really here?"

"What are you doing? Stop what you're doing and go."

"Where is he staying?"

Glancing out the window, he saw people moving somewhere.

When the commotion died down, Xue Hui picked up his sword to resume practice.

But Shi Dou appeared at that moment.

"Leader, did you hear the news?"

"…What news?"

"Yes. People nearby say that the person who will marry Miss Zhu has arrived. It's some Zheng Gongzi, I think..."

"Marriage?"

"Yes. That's why everyone is rushing to see him. Would you like to go, Leader?"

"Why should I go there?"

He had no intention of resting, especially since he hadn't figured out how to use the Wind God technique.

Of course, that was before he heard the news.

"I knew you'd say that. They say he's from the Huashan Sect, so he probably can't fight..."

"Huashan? Did you say Huashan?"

"Yes. That's what I heard."

Gritting his teeth, Xue Hui's face contorted.

The Huashan Sect, the sect that had conspired with the Taihuang Pavilion Master to drive him to death.

Hearing about the place where those despicable people belonged made his blood boil.

"Lead the way."

"Excuse me?"

Xue Hui immediately recalled his Dan Ying Sword.

He was curious about what this person looked like.

"Let's go and see his face."

* * *

Creak.

At the back of the inner courtyard, in the center of the garden, there is a pavilion called Guanzhiting.

Originally, 'Guanzhi' means marking a time period on pottery. The owner, Zhu Wanjun, named it after his favorite pavilion.

Drip.

A servant girl carefully poured tea and observed the atmosphere.

In front of her were Zhu Wanjun and Zhu Suohui, and opposite them sat the much-discussed Zheng Wuyan.

The servant, who thought it was a meeting for reconciliation, sensed something was amiss when she heard Zhu Suohui's uncomfortable voice.

"If I had known you were here, I would have come sooner. I didn't expect to find you here without any prior notice."

As soon as she sat down, Zhu Suohui briefly revealed her true feelings.

But her rebuke did not affect the other person's expression, which remained bright.

"I apologize, Miss. I missed you so much that I asked the owner to invite me, despite knowing it was impolite."

Zheng Wuyan seemed unconcerned.

When the other person showed no reaction, just as Zhu Suohui was about to make another uncomfortable comment,

"Let's stop there. Mr. Zheng joined me on my way back after completing a task I asked him to do."

Zhu Wanjun interjected.

"Is that so? I didn't know. I'll be more careful next time, to see if it was by chance or intentional."

"Suohui."

"It's fine, Owner. I was clearly impolite today, so don't worry about it."

As if she had expected this reaction, Zheng Wuyan calmly responded.

Then, with a smile, he changed the topic.

"Qinghai has two famous scenic spots: one is Haixin Mountain, and the other is the garden of Wanjin Mountain Villa. I now know that the latter is indeed as beautiful as they say."

"Hehehe. I'm embarrassed. I have a habit of showing off, so it seems the rumors spread."

"Your modesty is commendable. You, Owner, have built Wanjin Mountain Villa and annually distribute food to the people, setting a good example for all."

"Hehehe. Mr. Zheng, you're really flattering me."

Unlike Zhu Suohui, Zhu Wanjun and Zheng Wuyan were exchanging smiles.

After a light cup of tea, Zheng Wuyan leisurely looked around.

A crowd had gathered a short distance away.

Judging by the large number, they had likely left their work to see him.

While scanning the crowd, his brow suddenly furrowed.

It was because of two men. For some reason, after seeing them, his forehead even developed a slight vein.

"By the way, is the head of the Zheng Sect feeling better?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Hee. I heard his stomach has been bad since last year, so he's taking a break from the sect to recuperate."

Zheng Wuyan finally understood and bowed his head.

"Yes, that's right. It will take some time for him to recover."

"Really? A month ago, he sent a message saying he would be fine soon."

"Yes... I guess everything will be fine."

"…?"

Confused by the answer, Zhu Wanjun tilted his head.

Zhu Suohui also looked puzzled and glanced at her father.

"Miss, since you came without prior notice today, let's meet again next time."

Suddenly speaking coldly and standing up, he turned to her.

And his last words were even more puzzling.

"I discovered an unexpected person."

* * *

"Leader, did that woman seem interested in me?"

Shi Dou, who had been looking at the pavilion, seemed very uncomfortable.

Perhaps he thought she had shown interest in him at the inn.

But Xue Hui wasn't interested in that.

"Shi Dou."

"Yes, Leader."

"Is that person really from the Huashan Sect?"

"Yes, that's what I heard."

"Who said that?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Who said he's from the Huashan Sect?"

Shi Dou scratched his head and glanced around before answering.

"I overheard it while passing by..."

"I see."

Xue Hui nodded.

Then he asked again.

"Didn't you say you could recognize a Yin Weapon if you met one?"

"Of course. How could I forget that guy?"

"Is that so?"

Xue Hui turned his gaze back to the pavilion.

He quietly pondered, looking at the words floating in front of his eyes.

[State, Status Summary]

Yin Weapon [First Disciple of Elder Baihun]

Health 40/400,000

Internal Energy 120,000/120,000

Realm: Peak

Combat Power: 1,680,000 <+Proliferation (增殖)>

If the information was true, Zheng Wuyan must have already passed away.

His body was occupied by the Yin Weapon, who was impersonating him.

What stood out was his combat power.

He had heard he was strong, but he hadn't expected him to be a 1,680,000-level expert.

Moreover, the proliferation ability was something he had never seen before.

Xue Hui [Yingyingdan (True) Commander]

Health 700,000/700,000

Internal Energy 1,200,000/1,200,000

Realm: Super Peak

Combat Power: 5,900,000

But compared to himself, who had already reached Super Peak, he was not on the same level.

While his combat power and additional abilities were intriguing, that was the extent of it.

He was far below Xue Hui's standards.

'What should I do...?'

Still, Xue Hui had to think about it.

Because of Zhu Suohui.

He had two missions to complete for her, which weighed on his mind.

He was worried that if he used the demon art during a fight, the missions might disappear.

Since his identity was confirmed, it would be better to let him go and follow to subdue him later.

"…!"

At that moment,

He felt the Yin Weapon's gaze.

'Not him?'

Looking more closely, the gaze was slightly off to the side.

It was directed at Shi Dou, not himself.

"Leader, do you think it's him?"

Shi Dou spoke, having noticed the gaze.

Xue Hui didn't answer.

It was best to stay quiet for now.

"Hehe. Didn't I tell you repeatedly? I can recognize him at first sight. I guarantee it, it's not him."

Xue Hui ignored his words.

Then he saw Zheng Wuyan stand up.

'Something caught his attention...?'

Zheng Wuyan and two people from Wanjin Mountain Villa were walking towards them.

When they were about ten feet away,

"There are some notable people here."

The fake Zheng Wuyan spoke, looking at them.

Zhu Suohui, who was next to the old man who seemed to be the owner, responded.

"They are my guests."

"Guests...?"

The man's expression suddenly changed.

Looking at her, he said coldly,

"You're playing a bit too much. From the looks of it, you've brought some rare experts from Qinghai..."

"Rare experts in Qinghai? Do they seem that impressive to you, Mr. Zheng?"

"Rather, it's more of a different meaning."

The man nodded at the old man's question.

Then he turned and approached Xue Hui and Shi Dou.

"Isn't that so, Xingzhangs?"

Xue Hui didn't answer.

Shi Dou took care of the conversation.

"Hahaha. We are a bit special! Our martial arts were impressive enough for Wanjin Mountain Villa to invite us."

"Oh, really?"

The man's eyes narrowed slightly.

But only for a moment. He quickly returned to his usual expression and looked at Xue Hui.

'Trying to identify our martial arts.'

Xue Hui sensed a sticky demonic aura in the man's eyes.

He didn't resist the aura.

At his level, he couldn't detect Xue Hui's martial arts.

Xue Hui had been cultivating a demon-free internal energy method even before meeting him.

"Rude. What are you doing to my guests?"

Sensing the tension, Zhu Suohui couldn't stand it and intervened.

Only then did Zheng Wuyan avert his gaze and bow to her.

"Please don't misunderstand, Miss. I just wanted to greet you and see who you are."

He smiled brightly, but no one believed it was genuine.

The fake Zheng Wuyan, realizing his mistake, quickly bowed his head.

Then, as he turned to leave, Xue Hui stopped him.

"Did you think we wouldn't find you?"

Chug.

Stopping in his tracks, a warning voice came from behind him.

"Did you think you could hide by pretending to be someone else and concealing your demonic aura?"

"…!"

Xue Hui guessed.

He could see the confusion on his face.

Even when he slowly turned around, it was the same.

"You should have hidden it better. Enough to deceive everyone. But even so..."

Xue Hui's hand went to the hilt of his sword.

As he drew it and gave the final warning, time seemed to freeze.

"It's impossible to hide from me."

[A golden opportunity! You have discovered a weakness in the Yin Weapon. How will you respond?]

The turn-based system activated as soon as the fight began.