Chapter 17: The Ring of Wu Ying Bao

Just past noon.

The sky was clear, without a single cloud.

The entire guard force of the Tianhua Library was summoned by the head guard.

Hou Gong, who was quietly drinking tea, also became aware of the situation through Song Hua's report.

"Master, I have to gather the guards for a moment, so I'll be right back."

"There's no need to report such trivial matters to me."

"I am your shadow, after all."

"Hmm."

A total of 32 guards gathered in the small training ground in perfect unison. Nearly 90% were swordsmen, and the rest were experts in fist techniques.

In front of the neatly lined-up guards, the head guard, Tian Gui Ren, stood on a small platform.

After praising the guards for their hard work, he immediately got to the point.

"I have called you here today because of an incident that recently occurred outside. I believe you all know what it is. Yes, it's about the disturbance that happened when the Eldest Master went out. I have two things to say about this. First, the excessive response of the guard force. This is something that should be criticized."

The head guard's gaze briefly swept over Song Hua before returning.

"Everyone knows that the Eldest Master has recently shaken off the past and changed. The Eldest Master is the successor to this library and represents the Tianhua Library. It is natural that he will interact with influential people from outside. Therefore, the guard force must not only protect but also be especially careful to maintain the library's dignity."

The head guard continued to elaborate on specific matters of decorum and etiquette.

"Secondly, it concerns the party involved in the recent incident. They are members of the Guanghui Sect. Although their sect is called Guanghui, it doesn't mean they emit light, as you all well know."

A few guards bit their lips to suppress their laughter.

"They have been gaining power recently, and we have information that they are plotting to avenge the humiliation they suffered by targeting our library. No one, including the head of the family, the three Masters, the scholars of the library, or anyone else in the Tianhua Library, should be harmed. That is the reason for our existence. Specifically, ... ."

The head guard paused.

This was due to the deputy head guard, Wen Xiao, who approached him cautiously and whispered something in his ear.

Tian Gui Ren was surprised.

"The Eldest Master is looking for me?"

"Yes."

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"I didn't hear."

Tian Gui Ren then informed the guards that the Eldest Master was calling for him.

He left the unfinished matters to the deputy head guard and hurried to the Eldest Master's quarters.

**

"The Eldest Master, the head guard is here."

Hou Gong, who was just sitting, opened his eyes.

'Head guard?'

He was sure the entire guard force was summoned. Where did Song Hua go? He wouldn't lie to me, would he?

He composed himself and answered after a moment.

"What is it?"

"I have something urgent to discuss."

His voice was polite.

'Song Hua lying? Impossible.'

From what he had observed, Song Hua was a straightforward child who couldn't even lie. He often spoke his mind without thinking, which sometimes caused problems.

'Head guard, huh.'

In Fan Hang's memory, the head guard was a vague figure.

He only knew his name and face and treated him with respect due to his position, but he had never paid much attention to him.

We'll see when we meet.

"Come in."

He offered a seat and sat across the table from Tian Gui Ren. Hou Gong immediately asked his question.

"I heard the guards were summoned just now."

"Yes, but it was such an important matter that I couldn't hesitate."

"During that time?"

"Yes."

Tian Gui Ren added with a smile.

"I want to actively assist the Eldest Master."

His voice was subtle.

Hou Gong smiled.

'Help me? What a joke.'

A middle-aged man in his forties with a scruffy beard, trying to be subtle, only made him feel nauseous and more suspicious. He had never asked for help, and if he really wanted to help, the best thing would be to do his job properly.

"Let's hear it."

Tian Gui Ren took something from his waist and placed it on the table.

'What?'

It was a dagger.

The sharp blade glinted.

"Doesn't the Eldest Master have something to do? Don't you need to die?"

'What a lunatic.'

"Haha..."

Hou Gong burst out laughing.

The head guard also chuckled.

"Is the Eldest Master happy to see the dagger? Are you glad you can die now?"

"It doesn't have to come to this."

"No, now is the right time. There's no need to delay it further. You might not have noticed, but the weather is so pleasant that it's hard to find a better day to die."

So that's how it is. Hou Gong clearly understood the situation.

The reason for summoning the guards was to create a private setting to force him to commit suicide. When did this start, and how far has it spread? It could be the chief administrator.

"Hmm..."

He closed his eyes tightly and then opened them.

When his eyes were half-open, the whites of his eyes turned completely black, but when he fully opened them, they returned to normal.

The execution of one of the three great protective techniques, Zhan Xue.

It was so fleeting.

"So, do you still think the head guard wants me to die?"

"Of course, ha ha."

"Ha ha, what if I don't want to?"

"Can a man's resolve change?"

"Head guard, I am not the same person I used to be."

"Is that so?"

"Of course."

Both were smiling, but a chill passed between them.

"Then."

Pfft.

Tian Gui Ren's hand touched and then left Hou Gong's chest.

He had struck two points, Jueque and Qimen, which were pressure points.

If these two points were struck, the entire body would be paralyzed, and even the fingers couldn't move.

The technique of striking pressure points varies among different sects, but it involves combinations of meridians. The effects and duration depend on the strength of the inner energy of the person striking.

"The Eldest Master just needs to stay still. I am kind. I will personally help you commit suicide."

"Haha..."

"Why are you laughing?"

"Isn't it funny, of course."

"Eldest Master, your words are getting shorter. Huhuhu..."

"When I wanted to die, I couldn't, but now that I want to live, death comes so easily. Fan Hang is also quite unlucky."

Tian Gui Ren frowned and then raised one corner of his mouth.

"Why do you talk about yourself as if you were someone else? Anyway, it's troublesome when people change. You can't be used anymore. After all, wasn't death your wish? Now, recall it. Vividly recall the time when you desperately wanted to die. As I said, now is the best time to die. It can't get any better than this. Everyone has hope. They've been training, going out, and interacting with the children of prestigious families. Now, no one thinks the Eldest Master will die. Ah, I almost forgot about the Hexagonal Net. But, if you commit suicide like this, what will happen? Destruction. The head of the family will die, and the Eldest Master's uncle, who is as weak as a herbivore, will die. The Second and Third Masters won't be able to live normally. They'll drown in alcohol and become recluses. You can end it all like this."

'It has to look like a suicide.'

Hou Gong nodded.

"You can't do this alone. Who else is involved?"

Suddenly, Tian Gui Ren's eyes turned vicious.

"You brat, are you being stubborn? Why are you being so difficult? You should understand by now. You're smart, so you should know that it won't make a difference."

"You're glaring."

"......?"

Tian Gui Ren shuddered.

Hou Gong spoke in a low voice.

"I've changed my mind."

"......??"

Tian Gui Ren's eyes widened.

Slowly.

The Eldest Master's hand rose and crossed his arms.

"Wh-what... how can you move your body?"

Tian Gui Ren couldn't believe what he was seeing.

His pupils darted around wildly.

He was so unsure of what he was seeing that he doubted his own eyes.

Swallow.

He had clearly struck the pressure points. If the pressure points were struck, the body shouldn't be able to move. So why?

"Huhuhu..."

Hou Gong stroked his chin with the hand that was crossed. He had never been struck by the pressure points. He had already used one of his three great protective techniques, Zhan Xue, to shift the location of the meridians.

Before taking the Hexagonal Net, he needed preparation time for Zhan Xue, but after taking it, a moment was enough. The blackening of his eyes was just a sign that he had closed and opened them.

Hou Gong smiled.

He had been wanting to test his skills in a real fight, and he was grateful that someone had come to him.

"Eldest Master, you're surprising. You have a mysterious technique. But!"

Suddenly, Tian Gui Ren grabbed the dagger on the table and slashed at Hou Gong's neck.

Hou Gong kicked his knees up.

The table flew up and blocked Tian Gui Ren.

When Tian Gui Ren swept the table aside with his sleeve, Hou Gong was already standing with his hands behind his back.

Tian Gui Ren swallowed.

'What is this agility?'

No, more than that, he was calm.

Tian Gui Ren's eyes were filled with doubt.

Hou Gong spoke in a low voice.

"Don't break things."

"You brat!"

Suddenly, Tian Gui Ren extended his left hand to grab Hou Gong's shoulder.

Was the bent finger shape that of a tiger or a dragon?

No, it looked like a cat.

The name "Bilixue" (Thunderclap Hand) was given because Tian Gui Ren's hands were so fast, but to Hou Gong, whose eyesight had been enhanced, it was so slow that he could see the joints and lines on the approaching hand clearly.

Just as it was about to touch his right shoulder, Hou Gong narrowly stepped back. The best evasion is always at the last moment. It confuses the opponent and delays their next attack.

Two steps of the Wu Xing Bu (Invisible Step).

The Wu Xing Bu he used against Yun and the one he used now were in different realms. The red blood from the Hexagonal Net had given him a sense of ease. Not only his footwork but also his sensitivity to energy had improved.

Even though his hand missed by a sleeve, a satisfied smile appeared on Tian Gui Ren's lips.

Hou Gong thought it was worth smiling.

'He must think the decisive move is with the dagger in his right hand.'

The dagger stabbed in the direction of the evasion, and if he continued, he would be offering his heart.

'He can do that.'

Hou Gong paused and swayed.

The Wu Ying Bao's Huan (Ring).

At first glance, it's hard to tell whether moving forward or stepping back is the right choice.

This hesitation is so subtle that Tian Gui Ren's dagger only stabbed the air again. But on the other hand, Tian Gui Ren, misinterpreting the pause as clumsiness, regained his confidence.

"Eldest Master, you're lucky. But how long will your luck last!"

"I'll give you fifty seconds. Do your best."

"Eldest Master, you've become greedy. Wanting to live for more than fifty seconds!"