Chapter 4. A Hard Day to Laugh (3)

Three months later.

"Strange."

The young man, leaning against the window, spoke lazily, a faint smile on his face.

"It's not just four days or a month. It's been three months, and there's nothing unusual, you say?"

"......"

"Even more, his condition has improved?"

"That's right."

The young man tilted his head.

"Is that possible?"

"......"

"Didn't they say that the stronger the traces of demonic power, the more fatal it would be?"

"Indeed, that is so."

"Even after losing his inner strength and his dantian being destroyed, he's still a demon. The traces of demonic energy should have remained in his body. Shouldn't he be in a state of decline?"

"......"

"Still, he's a remarkable fellow. Even in that state, he's showing more than expected."

"......Young Master."

"Hmm?"

"There's something I'm curious about. May I ask?"

"Hehe, go ahead."

"Why do you care so much about Third Young Master?"

It's quite a risky question. At least, it's not something one in his position should ask easily.

The young man chuckled.

"Have you forgotten what I said just now?"

"Excuse me?"

"When that fellow was struck by demonic possession, the Blood Soul Pavilion Master himself said that the chances of recovery were almost zero. Even if he woke up by some miracle, he would be paralyzed or suffer from madness. But how is he now?"

"......"

"Always like that. That fellow has always defied my expectations. Frankly, who knows if he'll grow as much as before a year from now?"

"That's impossible."

"I know, I know. It's not something that can be controlled by human effort. I know all that... but he keeps making me uneasy."

"......"

"It's not just me. Most of those who have a grudge against him are probably feeling uneasy too. He's always had good luck, after all."

The young man still wore a smile, but his eyes were gradually turning cold.

"When will Lin arrive?"

"He entered Guangdong this morning and is expected to reach the main mountain by noon tomorrow."

"Returning to the sect after half a year?"

"Yes."

"Tell him to drop by my room when he arrives."

The young man's smile deepened.

"I need to check if the once-renowned sword has rusted or broken."

* * *

Bang!

The wind rushed in, and the maid, Yinghua, squeezed her eyes shut.

Tian Xiazhen frowned.

"Still only this much?"

The wind pressure from his punch in the air was unsatisfactory. It was evidence that he hadn't loosened his muscles and joints as much as he wanted.

"Well, it's still worth a look."

Over the past three months, he had worked tirelessly to restore this wretched body to normal.

If it weren't for the Wu'ai Gong, he would have been in big trouble.

Thanks to it, he managed to purge all the impurities in his body, including the traces of demonic energy. It felt like he had scrubbed off a decade's worth of grime.

'They called it a 'Qiang Tang,' right? I benefited a lot from it.'

They said it was a medicinal bath only allowed for the upper echelons, but its effects were indeed top-notch.

After washing away a significant amount of impurities and a large amount of demonic energy, it seemed to have deliberately revitalized his vital energy.

He could feel the medicinal power, which he hadn't noticed at first, a couple of months ago.

The concentrated medicinal power not only revitalized his muscle quality but also enhanced the functions of his internal organs.

The most encouraging thing was that it had mostly healed his internal injuries. Now, he could say he had a body condition befitting his age.

'Yeah, everything is good. Everything is good, but...'

Tian Xiazhen clutched his hair.

'Ugh! I want to get out of here right now!'

Over the past three months, he had not only restored his body but also racked his brain to escape this hell.

After hearing about Xiliang's character, he boldly ventured into the front yard and wandered around. Thanks to this, he was able to clearly memorize the surrounding terrain.

And the conclusion he reached?

'In this state, I can't get out at all.'

There were over thirty demons guarding outside his quarters, apparently on orders from above.

They weren't just simple bodyguards. They thoroughly screened anyone entering or leaving the place and also monitored him, the Third Young Master.

Two months ago, when Tian Xiazhen, determined, tried to leave, a bodyguard stopped him and said:

- You are forbidden to go out until you are fully recovered. I apologize, but you cannot go any further.

Since then, he had attempted to go out over ten times, but all failed. Their stubbornness was like a barren rock mountain where not even a blade of grass could grow.

These cold-hearted people were impervious to bribes or threats.

After much deliberation, Tian Xiazhen reached a conclusion.

'First, I need to fix my body.'

They said he couldn't go out until his body was fully recovered? Then I'll just recover it.

In any case, he couldn't survive with this body. Might as well take this opportunity to fix it.

With a clear goal, his recovery progressed more smoothly. He also learned the lesson that life is what you make of it.

...If they start their nonsense again, I'll break their legs.

'Anyway, I've almost fixed my body. I can just go out and breathe some fresh air.'

His fists clenched involuntarily.

'As soon as I get out, I'll head to the nearest Anjia in the south.'

There were dozens of Anjia scattered throughout the Central Plains, all for the purpose of being the best assassin.

Half were created by the Yitian Alliance, but the other half were secretly built by him.

Over more than thirty years, he had meticulously prepared them in case he needed to escape from the Yitian Alliance.

He had smuggled out various medicinal herbs and supplies. Once he got there, it would only be a matter of time before he regained his former martial prowess.

'I need to settle all the monsters and prepare a nest egg. Then I'll escape to a place far from the Central Plains.'

Better to be a snake's head than a dragon's tail. He would live a comfortable life away from the tedious martial world.

Of course, the Demon Sect would send trackers, but that didn't matter.

No one knew about the existence of the Anjia, and once he regained his former martial prowess, evading the trackers would be as easy as eating cold porridge.

All he needed to do was get to the Anjia. His real life would start from there.

"Alright. No need to waste time."

Tian Xiazhen muttered resolutely and stripped off his clothes, intending to change into something more comfortable for movement.

"Ah!"

Yinghua, her face red, hurriedly left the room.

'Why is she like that?'

After seeing him for over three months, why now? Could it be that she found him too repulsive?

Well, that could be it.

Feeling good about leaving this place, he dismissed such trivial matters.

Tian Xiazhen hummed a tune, changed into ordinary martial clothes, and stretched his body.

'Alright, I'm leaving legally. They can't possibly stop me after I've fixed myself to this extent.'

Tian Xiazhen walked towards the door.

That's when it happened.

He flinched.

'...?'

Tian Xiazhen's eyes sank deeply.

He had purged a lot of impurities and even healed his internal injuries, but he was still just a normal person.

He had rebuilt his dantian but hadn't accumulated even a grain of inner strength.

Still, his senses were sharper than before.

The abilities of the best assassin didn't just disappear. Even without using his superhuman senses, he was much more sensitive than ordinary people.

A moment later, a voice came.

"Are you in there?"

"Uh? Ah, yes! He, he is here, but..."

"Move aside."

"That is... I need to inform Young Master first..."

Rip!

"Ouch!"

Tian Xiazhen frowned.

Did Yinghua just get slapped?

Creak!

The door was roughly opened, and a woman appeared.

She must be in her twenties now.

Her beauty was such that anyone, regardless of age or gender, would be amazed.

Her cold and distant demeanor, which would normally be considered a flaw, added to her unique charm.

She had a somewhat authoritative and languid aura.

A voice that perfectly matched that aura flowed out.

"It's been a while."

Who are you?

Tian Xiazhen stared blankly at the woman. He didn't recognize her, so it felt awkward to greet her warmly, and even more awkward to ask her to leave.

The woman's eyes deepened.

"You look better than I expected."

"Uh, yeah."

"......"

"......"

"Are you going to keep me standing here? I'd like to have some tea."

What, this brazen attitude? She barged in without permission and now wants tea?

Tian Xiazhen waved his hand.

"Sorry, come back later. I have somewhere to go."

"......?"

"Please move aside."

Whoever she was, now wasn't the time to dawdle. His focus was solely on escaping the Demon Sect.

The woman's face hardened.

Move aside in front of me?

"Where are you going?"

"Just somewhere. Don't block my way, move aside."

"Are you going to see the Sect Leader?"

Tian Xiazhen involuntarily gasped.

The Sect Leader? I'd rather die than go to him!

"No."

"Then it's settled. Let's talk, shall we?"

"I told you, I have somewhere to go."

"Unless it's important enough to see the Sect Leader, talking to me should come first."

"Hey."

"Tea is fine, or would you prefer wine? Oh! Given your condition, wine might be too much, right?"

Tian Xiazhen's face twisted.

What kind of monster appeared at this historic moment when my true life was about to begin?

"You don't understand what I'm saying."

"......?"

"Have your tea or wine in your own quarters. What are you making a fuss for?"

"......What did you say?"

"I don't want to explain. Get out. If you want something to eat, tell the maid, and I'll leave."

What's going on?

The woman was confused whether the Third Young Master in front of her was really the person she knew.

'Did he go insane after being struck by demonic possession?'

She remembered the Xiliang of the past.

His confident expression, his eyes gleaming with ambition that couldn't be hidden.

His baseless ease and his extremely arrogant tone,

His beastly nature, which he pretended to hide but often revealed with lustful gazes, had made her uncomfortable many times.

All of that, which he had tried to package as 'cruelty,' and his excessive devotion to his desires—where had that man gone?

'What's with that desperate look in his eyes?'

The woman, who had been staring at him, snapped her fingers.

Click!

Tian Xiazhen's face twisted.

The sound of footsteps came from beyond the open door.

Two burly warriors appeared. At a glance, they were clearly first-rate experts.

The woman, keeping her eyes on Tian Xiazhen, said:

"I'm going to have a deep conversation with Third Young Master. I don't know how long it will take, so block anyone who approaches."

The two warriors bowed.

"As you command!"

Creak.

The door closed.

The woman sat down in front of the table as if it were her own room.

Her posture, with her legs crossed and her chin resting on her hand, was incredibly alluring. The mature woman's aura was something no man could ignore.

"Let's have tea later."

"......"

"Sit down. We have something to talk about, don't we?"

At that moment,

Tian Xiazhen met the woman's eyes.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. It was a relaxed smile that only someone in a position of power could show.

"Are you unwilling to talk to me?"

"......"

"Even so, it can't be helped. You broke the contract. For all the investments I've made in you..."

"What's your name?"

"......?"

"What's your name?"

"......Just in case, I'm not in the mood for jokes."

"Answer quickly. What's your name?"

The woman's face turned cold.

"It doesn't seem like a joke, but you don't seem to be in your right mind. What rudeness is this?"

"Rudeness?"

"Even if you're the Third Young Master, speaking to me like that is..."

Without listening to her, Tian Xiazhen walked over and forcefully opened the door.

Creak!

The warriors looked at him in surprise.

"Move aside."

"......?!"

"Unless you want to be beheaded for suppressing the Sect Leader's disciple, you'd better move quickly."

The warriors involuntarily swallowed. The woman's frown twisted subtly.

"Hey, Third Young... "

"Move aside quickly."

"......"

"Still not moving?"

Tian Xiazhen snorted.

"Showing loyalty? Fine, I'll acknowledge it. I'll give you a fitting reward for your loyalty. Yinghua!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

Yinghua, who had been fidgeting on the side, rushed over. Her cheek was swollen and red from the beating.

Tian Xiazhen's voice turned cold.

"Tell them outside that there are heretics suppressing, detaining, and threatening the Third Young Master."

"Ah, yes!"

"Also, inform them that an unknown bandit woman assaulted the Third Young Master's maid without permission. Got it?"

"Y-Yes, I understand!"

Tian Xiazhen laughed wickedly.

"For your loyalty, a price on your head seems appropriate. How does that sound?"