Chapter 19. The Reason for the Escape (4)

"Have you returned?"

"Bring me some tea."

"Ah, yes."

A moment later, a bowl of tea was placed in front of Hong Weiwén. When he was mentally exhausted, he drank not alcohol but tea.

Shēnhuī, looking at Hong Weiwén, was quite surprised.

'So serious?'

Hong Weiwén's face, which usually maintained a calm smile in any situation, was now quite stiff.

After some time had passed,

When the tea was almost cold, Hong Weiwén finally picked up the teacup.

"Shēnhuī."

"Yes, Master."

"Have you told me about Gǔzhúlín before?"

"Yes. It's a demonic forest that existed even before our school was established in Dàshān, and it's said that strange spirits live there. You also mentioned that we gather the spirit bamboo that grows there to make our school's spirit medicines."

"Right. Gǔzhúlín is exactly that place."

Hong Weiwén leaned back in his chair.

A smile had appeared on his face, but his eyes remained as cold as ever.

"Do you know which place in the school is the hardest to infiltrate?"

It was too broad a question. Moreover, it was an unexpected question in the middle of talking about Gǔzhúlín.

"Are you referring to Gǔzhúlín?"

"Exclude Gǔzhúlín. Even the heads of the school can't enter without Master's permission. My question is not about whether we can physically enter, but whether we can plant our eyes there."

"Then it must be the Military Strategist's Office. I've heard that even the Venerable Ones dare not touch it due to the Chief Strategist's formidable organizational control."

"You're wrong. The Military Strategist's Office is actually quite easy to infiltrate."

"Really?"

"The Chief Strategist is a rare genius. He's the type who would use spies to understand the flow of power struggles within the school. So, it's not hard to infiltrate. It's just that no one does it because it would be obvious that my movements would be exposed."

"……Then?"

"The Law Enforcement Hall."

Bubbles rose in the tea bowl Hong Weiwén was holding. The cold tea was boiling again.

"The Law Enforcement Hall is a completely isolated organization. It exists solely to protect the Grand Master and the school. It is entirely different from other groups that decide their direction based on power."

"……!"

"It is naturally composed of the most loyal demons in the school. That's why no one pays attention to them. There's no need to, and it's impossible to do so. Shaking them would be the same as shaking the Grand Master's authority."

"……I see."

"That's why I didn't pay attention to them. No, I couldn't. That was my oversight."

"What do you mean, Master?"

Hong Weiwén took a sip of tea.

The smile disappeared from his face again.

"That guy is still alive."

"……What?"

"Xīliáng, that guy is still alive."

Shēnhuī's face stiffened.

"Even after eight months?"

"They say he sent a skilled and experienced person, a squad leader of the Law Enforcement Hall, I believe."

"But even so……"

Before entering Gǔzhúlín, Sāngōngzǐ's physical condition had improved significantly.

But even so, he was only at the level of an ordinary civilian who hadn't practiced martial arts. Surviving for eight months in a place dangerous enough to make even high-ranking demons tense? Does that make sense?

"I can understand one month. Maybe even three months. But surviving for eight months with that body is impossible."

Hong Weiwén himself had never entered Gǔzhúlín. In this generation, only a few top-ranking figures, excluding the Law Enforcers, had set foot in Gǔzhúlín.

But there is a level of danger that can be imagined. The Grand Master, the Master, had said this:

- No one can survive for three months unless they have reached the peak of demonic power (Jímó).

If the Master said so, then that's how it is. The Master's words carried that much weight and trust.

Xīliáng had certainly not reached the peak of demonic power. So, how could he have survived until now?

Hong Weiwén recalled his conversation with the Master a moment ago.

- The third one seems to be holding up well.

- ……!

- I plan to call him soon.

- …….

- You said you are currently targeting the youngest?

- ……Yes.

- Understood.

That was the end of the conversation with the Master. That was all there was to it.

Hong Weiwén couldn't understand why the Master had told him this. Was it just to see his face, or did he notice something in that short conversation? He couldn't guess.

'As always.'

The Demon God of Tiānwàitiān. A being beyond human comprehension.

'He rules but does not govern.'

He never interferes even when the disciples are at each other's throats. Is it a test to see if they can overcome this to seize the next leadership, or does he have another intention? It's unclear.

What kind of world does the Master see? Is this world so worthless to a god?

If I could see what the Master sees……

'If I could reach that realm……!'

Looking down at the teacup, Hong Weiwén spoke.

"Shēnhuī."

"Yes, Master."

"Place some people around that guy's residence."

Shēnhuī's eyes lit up.

Hong Weiwén sipped the tea. The heavy fragrance made his mouth feel sticky, but his mind felt clearer.

"Neither the demonic transformation, poison, nor the demonic forest could kill him. I thought that would be enough."

"……Do you plan to take action yourself?"

"Directly? That's not possible. I don't want this fight to turn into a street brawl. But……"

"……."

"I don't particularly want to stop a murder driven by revenge."

Shēnhuī's eyes widened.

"Then the people you gathered……?"

"We'll just give them the knives. Whether they use them or not is entirely up to them."

Hong Weiwén smiled broadly. Shēnhuī felt a chill run down his spine at the brightest smile he had ever seen.

"Isn't that how the Master handles us? Throwing us into hell and letting us figure it out. I think that's quite good."

* * *

"Master!"

"What is it now?"

"Calm down first. You need to be more cautious."

"Caution is bullshit. I'm sick of missing opportunities by overthinking."

"Still, it's too hasty! You don't even know what precious things are near the inner depths of Lín!"

"Would it make any difference if I knew?"

Má Dōngfēi was momentarily speechless.

Xīliáng, holding the Zétuó grass and tea leaves, said,

"Whatever threats are there, the fact remains that we don't have time. And I have no intention of giving up the spirit bamboo there. So, I think it's a waste of time to hesitate."

"I'll go to the Law Enforcement Hall Chief. I'll ask what precious things are inside and how to prepare. We need at least some information……"

"Even if you know, it won't make any difference."

Swoosh.

Xīliáng drew his sword.

It was the Huándāo that Má Dōngfēi had brought with the Zétuó grass and tea leaves. The slender Huándāo, with its slight curve, was three feet long.

He flicked his finger on the blade.

Ting.

A clear resonance. It was a sword worthy of being called a treasure, unlike the weapons he had used before.

"Why did the Grand Master only send the heads of the school to get the spirit bamboo? If it were possible to prepare, he could have sent his subordinates."

"……."

"Is it for security reasons? That's unlikely."

"……It means that no one can be sent unless they are strong enough?"

"Yes."

"Then it's even more impossible!"

They had grown closer over eight months, but he had always maintained a line. This was the first time he had reacted so intensely.

"Master, you have become very strong. But you still fall short of the Venerable Ones in the Council of Elders……!"

As he spoke, Má Dōngfēi realized he might have been disrespectful.

Xīliáng didn't mind.

"You're right. I can't compare to the Nine Great Venerable Ones, the strongest in the new sect."

"……Master."

"But I have something they don't."

"Really?"

Grip.

Adjusting his robe, Xīliáng thought.

'Dark Shadow Technique, Dark Godly Body.'

He had never used the concealment technique in Gǔzhúlín.

There was no need, and he couldn't, and he shouldn't.

To Xīliáng, Gǔzhúlín was a training ground, not a battlefield. There was no reason to use concealment to avoid threats, even if it were possible.

But now, it's different.

The inner depths of Gǔzhúlín are an unknown territory. And he has about three months.

Gǔzhúlín is no longer a training ground.

It has become a battlefield where he must achieve his goal by any means necessary.

'Inhaling Zétuó grass will last for half an hour. Given the size of Gǔzhúlín, half an hour is more than enough to reach the inner depths.'

He was once known as the King of Assassins. His concealment technique was at the peak of his generation.

However, he couldn't use the Dark Godly Body because he had transformed the Dark Shadow Technique into a demonic skill.

That's why he needed the Zétuó grass. He had to suppress his demonic energy to manifest the Dark Godly Body.

It would consume a lot of internal energy, but it would be enough for a simple theft and escape.

'The Dark Godly Body can deceive even a top-level expert. Even if discovered, there would be no problem with escaping.'

But what if, somehow, even escape was impossible?

Xīliáng's eyes gleamed.

'Then I'll create chaos.'

Má Dōngfēi hurriedly said,

"I don't know what plan you have, Master, but it must be convincing."

"Of course. I don't want to die."

Thud.

Má Dōngfēi knelt on one knee.

"Master, I dare to speak my life."

"Why are you so scared?"

"Would it be better to give up the spirit bamboo?"

"……."

"Thanks to the characteristics of Gǔzhúlín, you have grown at an incomprehensible speed. Even without the spirit bamboo from the inner depths, you can stand out in the near future……"

"Dōngfēi."

"Yes, Master."

Xīliáng smiled.

"I'm not the type to enjoy danger. If it wasn't necessary, I wouldn't risk my life to enter that place."

"……."

"Don't worry. Despite the many dangers over the past eight months, I'm still alive, right?"

Má Dōngfēi sighed inwardly. He realized that no matter what he said, Master wouldn't change his mind.

A hint of coldness appeared on Xīliáng's face as he looked down at Má Dōngfēi.

He had intended to get the spirit bamboo anyway, but now he had an additional reason. That's why he had urgently researched the effects of Zétuó grass and tea leaves for two days.

'Once I leave Gǔzhúlín, that Hong Yērén will target me again.'

He learned from Má Dōngfēi that Hong Yērén was Sāngōngzǐ's younger sister. If he left Gǔzhúlín, the damn Hong siblings wouldn't leave him alone.

The question was whether that was the end of it.

'Is it just a matter of revenge? Or perhaps……'

Perhaps the disciples were secretly fighting each other.

He didn't know the reason. The most likely was that they were trying to eliminate competitors for the next leadership, but he couldn't be sure.

Of course, it might not be a fight among disciples. But Xīliáng believed his guess was correct.

If it were a revenge-driven assassination attempt, his superhuman senses would not have missed the clear intent to kill for three months.

'I need to become so strong that they won't even dare to touch me. And I need to do it soon.'

He was prepared to rot in the new sect for a year or a few years to gain freedom. The Grand Master wouldn't let him go unless he showed him the necessary strength.

But he didn't want to rot inconveniently day by day.

If he still dared to touch him after feeling the difference in strength……

'Then I'll have to make a proper mess.'

Xīliáng patted his stomach.

"Wait for me. I'll be back quickly."

"That's not possible, Master."

"It's an order."

"I cannot follow that order. If you insist on going alone, cut off my head and go."

Xīliáng shook his head.

"Only to the entrance of the inner depths. Don't come inside. I absolutely can't allow it."

"……."

"Your answer?"

"……I accept the order."

Thus, the two, fully prepared, rushed towards the inner depths of Gǔzhúlín.

How long had they run?

"……?!"

Xīliáng's mouth dropped open. Even Má Dōngfēi's rock-like face showed rare surprise.

At the entrance to the inner depths, where they thought the last guard would be, they saw a scene.

Sssss.

On both sides, countless corpses lay dead. White steam and the smell of rotting flesh filled the air.

And at the entrance to the inner depths, a path made by bamboo, a humid wind blew.

Whoosh.

"……What the?"