Chapter 17

As the old saying goes, bad news travels a thousand miles.

The news that the ruffian of Baoyun Escort Agency had run over Bai Linhua quickly spread throughout Zhejiang Province.

Many busybodies, who had heard the news in a rough manner, loudly proclaimed that the predicted annulment of Youshenyun's engagement had come true. However, they frequently clammed up when they finally grasped the situation.

It was not Jin Meihao who broke off the engagement with Youshenyun, but Youshenyun who abandoned Jin Meihao.

Everyone who heard the news doubted their ears.

It was the complete opposite of everyone's expectations.

Most people, who could not believe this absurd event, thought that the Jin Family would quickly verify the truth of the rumor.

However, the Jin Family remained silent, without any response.

It's true!

Only then did people realize that this shocking rumor was indeed true.

“Wait, but why did Youshenyun really run over Bai Linhua?”

“Well, it turns out that her face is covered with freckles, hidden by thick makeup.”

“Huh? I heard from the Jin Family's servants that it was due to her terrible temper.”

“No, it's not that. There was a man she was secretly meeting.”

They were enthusiastic about the fall of their idol.

Numerous rumors spread, fueled by those who had envied and resented her.

It was also rumored that Jin Meihao had gone mad at the Jin Family.

However, just as things were developing this way,

More shocking stories began to emerge from the mouths of Baoyun Escort Agency's members.

“...So, who did Youshenyun knock down?”

“The Black Bear of the Jin Family...”

“...With one blow?”

It turned out that Youshenyun had knocked down the Black Bear, one of the top experts of the Jin Family, in a duel.

Many people, who had previously expressed dozens or hundreds of different opinions, now seemed to have a unified opinion.

“Hey, you! You can't joke like that!”

“Come on, say something that makes sense!”

No one could believe it.

However, it was an inevitable situation.

The defeat of a top expert in the martial world by an ordinary person was a stark contrast to the previous scandal.

Even with the condition that no internal energy was used, such an event was unprecedented in the long history of the martial world.

A lion is still a lion, even in old age.

People marveled at the strength of Baoyun Escort Agency.

It was thought to be on the verge of collapse, but now it had captured the attention of all the people of Zhejiang Province.

The members of Baoyun Escort Agency were quite enjoying the attention.

“Dragons, you know, wear the mask of a water dragon until they ascend to heaven.”

“Goodness, just a few days ago, they were all badmouthing the eldest young master.”

“Me? When did I do that? Where did you hear such lies?”

The courtesans, who were having dinner together, chattered like this.

“Exactly when did he practice external martial arts?”

“When else? After he woke up, he stayed in his room and must have been practicing alone all this time.”

“Indeed, I didn't know he had such exceptional talent, having never practiced martial arts before.”

“Heh, that's what I mean. I thought the martial talent of the Duke had disappeared, but it turned out to be in the eldest young master.”

The members of Baoyun Pavilion and Houyun Pavilion, who had witnessed Youshenyun's prowess up close, gave him a thumbs up.

“Sisters, the young master is really different from before. He's so warm.”

“Oh, really?”

“Really. This candy is something the young master bought for me.”

The maids, who had been full of preconceptions, also changed their expressions when they heard Danshilian's words.

In this way, the members of Baoyun Escort Agency, who were discussing Youshenyun in different places, shared a common thought.

It was nothing other than:

‘I thought the Duke had come back to life.’

With this thought, many people held their breath and were lost in emotion.

In fact, the members of Baoyun Escort Agency were all deeply wounded in their pride.

When You Huo Ye was alive, it was unthinkable for the Jin Family to look down on them.

However, they now considered it a humiliation they had to endure.

As mentioned earlier, their pillar, You Huo Ye, was already gone.

But Youshenyun had reignited the nostalgia and pride of the past.

—Don't forget! Each and every one of you is the root and everything of Baoyun Escort Agency!

A warm yet strong figure was being projected onto Youshenyun.

A person's reputation can change in an instant.

There was no end to the whispers of disapproval about You Jinxiang, who had defended the Jin Family, which had betrayed them.

Youshenyun, who had fought against them and restored their forgotten pride, won the hearts of everyone except for Jiyun Pavilion and Xiaoyun Pavilion.

All the members' eyes were on Youshenyun's room.

‘What is he doing now?’

‘I don't know, but...’

‘...He must be planning something great that we can't even imagine.’

They looked at the tightly closed door, curious about Youshenyun's next move.

Part 2

In stark contrast to the festive atmosphere of Baoyun Escort Agency, the atmosphere in Youshenyun's room was calm and composed.

Youshenyun stood with his arms crossed, listening to Wang San's report.

“The heads of Baoyun Pavilion and Houyun Pavilion have asked for the exact date when they will visit you.”

“The time is not right. Just keep saying you don't know.”

“Yes, I will. Oh, and Deputy Leader Luo Jianhuo has also asked me to pass on a request for you to teach the external martial arts you have practiced to the members of Houyun Pavilion when you have time.”

“Teaching? Just ignore it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Wang San was performing quite a few roles simultaneously.

He was acting as a secretary, informing others of a false schedule to accommodate Youshenyun, who was busy with training day and night.

“So, how are the members reacting?”

“It couldn't be better. They all think the Duke has come back to life.”

Wang San was also acting as an intelligence officer, providing information about the internal atmosphere of Baoyun Escort Agency.

Youshenyun, satisfied with the rise in his reputation, asked about You Jinxiang.

“You Jinxiang, that guy?”

“...It's very disappointing. Negative comments are pouring in from all over.”

“Tell me the members' expressions without holding back.”

When Youshenyun asked with a mischievous tone, Wang San, who had been hesitant to speak, scratched the back of his head and spoke.

“...That, that scum. Some people are calling him a traitor who sold out the escort agency...”

Youshenyun burst into laughter at the members' overt curses.

“Ha, he's being buried in hell.”

“Hehe, that's right.”

Youshenyun and Wang San laughed and chatted for a while.

Suddenly, Wang San, noticing the darkening outside, spoke to Youshenyun.

“You must be tired. Rest well. I'll take my leave now. If you need anything, just call me.”

“Alright. Oh, by the way, you need to manage your expression outside. Don't burst into laughter like you did just now when talking about that guy.”

“Of course. Don't worry, young master. Rest well.”

Wang San, smiling at Youshenyun's joke, bowed and left the room.

At that moment,

Youshenyun's eyes, which had been full of laughter, turned cold.

He waited for a while until Wang San's footsteps faded away, then raised one hand toward the half-open window.

‘Let's start, then.’

He still had work to do.

Dark mana began to swirl from Youshenyun's hand.

Whoosh. Slither.

A black shadow crept in through the gap in the window, moving like a living creature.

Once inside, it quickly approached Youshenyun and began to ripple like the waves of a lake.

It seemed to be like a dog playfully greeting its owner after a long time.

Youshenyun, who had been watching with a pleased expression, opened his mouth.

“Show me what you saw.”

As Youshenyun finished speaking, the shadow's ripples stopped.

Then, the shadow detached from the ground and floated in the air.

Whoosh.

The shadow, now floating at Youshenyun's eye level, began to disperse like mist in the air.

Soon, a vision began to rise from within it.

—What is this! The plan is completely in shambles!

The images of two groups in Guan Zhi Miao appeared, and their conversation could be heard.

The identity of the shadow was 'Shadow Whisper.'

A secret spy that Youshenyun had secretly attached to Duguixue when he left Baoyun Escort Agency.

[Shadow Whisper]

Rank: C+

Proficiency: 8.0%

The abyss always watches its enemies without closing its eyes.

Summons a parasitic shadow, Shadow Whisper.

Shadow Whisper can parasitize the shadow of an enemy and store what it sees and hears to share with its master.

—...The master has made a decision. If you allow it, we want to draw our swords.

—...Start in seven days. I will clear the dogs guarding the door in advance.

As the last conversation ended, the vision gradually faded.

Shadow Whisper, having completed its mission, merged back into Youshenyun's shadow.

Youshenyun closed his eyes quietly and began to analyze the content of the conversation between You Jinxiang and Duguixue.

‘In seven days, when You Jinxiang withdraws the escort agency's guards, Duguixue's assassination team will attack me.’

To attempt such an overt assassination.

It seemed that You Jinxiang was on edge due to Youshenyun's unexpected performance.

A deep killing intent clouded Youshenyun's eyes as he realized the assassination plan.

‘Should I just kill him now?’

He wanted to behead You Jinxiang immediately.

However, he quickly calmed himself.

‘No, I can't let my guard down yet. I haven't fully assessed the enemy’s strength.’

Acting on impulse could lead to a greater disaster.

To prepare for any unforeseen events, it was better to use the given 7 days to make thorough preparations.

‘...The probability of failure is much higher, but...’

His eyes sparkled.

A plan he had thought about for a long time naturally came to mind.

He turned his head and looked out the window.

The outside was now shrouded in deep darkness.

‘Perfect.’

The time to head to the tomb had arrived.

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