The next morning, I continued sparring with Yuan Fei.Around noon, I received a call from Old Lame Song.
He was back in town and had seen the note on my door, so he called to check in.Judging from his energetic voice, things at home must have been sorted out.
I didn't bring up my own matters, simply saying I 'd been away for a few days.He asked briefly about Xu Dafa, and I gave him a quick rundown.As for the aftermath, I hadn't followed up.
This society-one can't say it's all good or all bad.Beneath the sunlight, there are always shadows.
We can't control everything.
Old Lame Song expressed his gratitude and I mentioned the urn issue, as well as the fact that I 'd moved the wooden figure.
As soon as I brought it up, he fell silent for a moment, then said, "Li, come by my shop when you have time."
"Come alone.Don't bring that yellow-skinned weasel."
来自his tone,it sounded like something serious.
After the call,I skipped breakfast and had Xu Wanrong drive me over.On the way,I told her to also move her master 's tools from the shop to the villa.
Over two hours later, I left Old Song's shop with a broad smile.
He had finally revealed the secret of the Blood Thorn.
Besides using Dao energy to activate the spirit generals,there was another method.
But that method was a Song family secret-and Hu Wenhui wasn't wrong: it wasn't an orthodox technique.
I 'd already suspected something when I discovered the Blood Thorn could absorb blood energy and lingering souls.
Old Song didn't hide the truth.He admitted it was black magic.
But in the end,what's righteous or evil depends on the person using it.
He hadn't told me before because he feared I 'd go astray.
Because if I were to use the method he taught-ignoring morals and law-I could become a top-tier expert within just one year.
But doing so would disgrace the 108 spirit generals sealed with in the Blood Thorn.
Xu Wanrong was waiting for me at the shop entrance.Once I got in the car, she asked,
"Li Yang, you 've been going out a lot lately.Are you preparing for revenge?"
I replied, "Something like that.But I'm not ready yet.Don't worry-when the time comes, I'll bring you along."
She had only recently regained a bit of emotional stability.I didn't dare to reveal anything about my setup just yet.
If things fell apart, she might not be able to handle it.
She didn't ask further.
I could tell the matter with Tang Quan had hit her hard.She was no longer the headstrong girl she once was.
I 'd looked into her past.She was an orphan, raised by Tang Quan.The two were like father and daughter.
So part of her transformation stemmed from hatred, and part from losing her protector.
With no powerful backer behind her anymore, a girl like her was shouldering far more than just grief.
Since she arrived, she'd barely spoken. Whatever I asked her to do, she did without question.
I asked, "How's life in the mainland? Are you adjusting?"
She replied with a simple, "Mm."
I continued, "The San Yin Sect is a massive organization. If our ambush succeeds, your master's killer will likely be among them. Once you've avenged him, you can choose a city you like and live a good life."
Tang Quan had left behind more than tools—his fortune was enough for Xu Wanrong to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
My words were a subtle hint for her to know when to stop.
San Yin Sect has been around for centuries, with millennia of deep roots. It's impossible to topple it completely.
Yet Xu Wanrong, who had been relatively calm, clenched her jaw and said,
"As long as San Yin Sect exists, I'll keep fighting them.
If you give up, I'll find someone else. I'm willing to pay any price I can afford."
I decided to stay silent. There was no persuading her.
We returned to the villa by dusk.
Zhan Ling wasn't just our security—she cooked as well.
But demon hunters don't fuss over food. Meat was portioned per person—one slab each, no trimming.
We didn't mind. Xiaocui's fair little mouth was soon covered in grease, almost rivaling Huang Jiu's.
With no other choice, I ended up tearing her food into smaller pieces like caring for a child.
After dinner, Huang Jiu asked if we were heading to the "Empty House" again.
I considered it. Going there daily would raise suspicions.
Better to space out our visits every couple of days—it'd be more effective.
Besides, two untrusting groups working together would need time to discuss.
When Huang Jiu heard we weren't going, it vanished in a flash.
Which was perfect—I could have some fun with Xiaocui.
To avoid falling asleep suddenly, I painted a Wakefulness Charm on myself.
I climbed into bed and skillfully began "disarming" Xiaocui.
They say practice makes perfect. By the third time… well…
Though she was shy, she didn't resist.
But as I covered her, the Wakefulness Charm failed.
I fell asleep on top of her—again.
The next morning, I awoke full of doubts.
But it wasn't the kind of situation I could ask anyone about.
And it didn't seem like Xiaocui was sabotaging me—she had even taken the initiative, wrapping her arms around my neck when I kissed her.
Still, it left me unsettled, and I was distracted the entire day. Yuan Fei beat me up pretty badly during training.
By evening, Huang Jiu returned.
Around 10 PM, the two of us set out again.
This time, I sensed we were being followed the moment we stepped out.
In fact, there were two separate groups.
一进空房子,我就跟黄久说,
"长寿的秘诀实际上是 '长寿护身符' -- 它包含了巨大的生命力,可以延长人的生命.但它现在已经很低了,把它放在一个极端的阴位置可以帮助它恢复.
我们事先没有排练过,但我们的默契开始了.
黄九立即问道: "那为什么不把它留在这里?"
我说: "你是哑巴吗?把它留在这里就像把它放在银盘上一样.
他说: "这是空房子.没有人来这里.圣贤教派和那些来自深邃世界的人只是使用它-他们不会期望我们做同样的事情.
我想了想说,
"你有一个点.但今晚不行.明天我们会带来一些材料,并建立一个小编队.即使有人找到它,它也会为我们争取一些时间.
说着说着,我用我的道气激活了一颗珠子 -- 小翠的耳环.
它看起来像一颗磨光的植物种子,散发出一些生命力.
虽然微弱,但足以引起怀疑.
待了大约十分钟后,我说,
"今天就够了.如果我们呆得太久,有人可能会发现我们.
明天晚上我们再来,把物品留在这里吸收阴能量十天左右."
黄九跳到我的肩膀上.
我们离开了空房子,不停地往回走,警惕任何突然的袭击.
幸运的是,跟踪我们的人只是在看,没有采取任何行动.
回到别墅,我终于长出一口气,感到既放心又兴奋.
经过这么多天的努力,我们终于看到了结果.