Shen Zhihui, acting as the host, had arranged their accommodations early that morning. After finishing his meal, Yin Huizhi did not linger. He tactfully took his leave, guided by a servant, and exited the banquet hall ahead of the others.
For a moment, only Shen Zhihui and Xie Ling remained in the hall.
“My Lord,” Shen Zhihui said.
Xie Ling swirled the wine in his cup but did not respond. Shen Zhihui’s expression changed instantly. He rose quickly, stepped forward, and knelt heavily before Xie Ling. “This subordinate has erred.”
Xie Ling lifted his eyelids and asked, “Oh?”
“This subordinate should not have used the Ghost Market to amass wealth without my Lord’s permission,” Shen Zhihui said in a low voice.
The silence in the hall was unsettling. Xie Ling let out a soft laugh and slowly shook his head. “Zhihui, oh Zhihui. Do you believe that I have no one else to use besides you now?”
His voice was not loud, but the words caused an involuntary chill to run through the listener’s body. The color drained from Shen Zhihui’s face. “My Lord, I did not mean it that way. I”
Xie Ling gently interrupted him. “You should be well aware of my taboos.”
Having followed Xie Ling for so long and witnessed countless cautionary examples, Shen Zhihui was indeed aware. In his previous life, this man was notorious, but he was actually not unkind to his subordinates; he could even be described as indulgent. However, there was one condition: his followers had to be absolutely honest and obedient, without any deception.
To play petty tricks in front of him or to act against his orders under the guise of serving his interests led only to death. He loathed deception and those who thought themselves clever above all else. Shen Zhihui’s recent actions had been exactly that: an act of self-perceived cleverness.
“I was wary of the youth, so I defied your orders and sent him away on my own authority. That is my first sin. I spoke evasively to avoid the truth; that is my second sin.” Shen Zhihui drew a long blade from his waist and presented it to Xie Ling with both hands, his head bowed low. “My Lord, please punish me.”
Xie Ling did not take the blade. Shen Zhihui looked up blankly, his steady eyes showing the panic of someone about to become an outcast. “Master, I truly know I was wrong. I did not lie.”
“I did not say you lied.” Xie Ling glanced at him and spoke coldly. “Missing limbs are unsightly. Put it away. There will not be a next time.”
Shen Zhihui nodded, his eyes red. “Thank you, Master,” he whispered.
In both lives, he had hated the South Sea Palace to his very core. Even if Xie Ling had not spoken, he would have repeated the actions of his previous life. However, the timing was not yet right. Even with his memories and the leverage he held over many people, he could not overturn the South Sea Palace silently in a short period.
To move quickly, to strike a fatal blow, and to remain inconspicuous required a vast amount of wealth to gather allies. The Ghost Market auction was undoubtedly the best choice. He simply had not expected Xie Ling to arrive or to deliberately allow his subordinates to be extorted.
Xie Ling knew what he was thinking and let out an indifferent chuckle. “Why thank me? Xie Gou is the one paying in the end. If you want to thank someone, thank him.”
“…”
Indeed, Xie Ling’s current public identity was the Young Master of the Xie family. This meant he was essentially using the Xie family funds to fill Shen Zhihui’s coffers. Memories of Xie Gou’s actions from his previous life flashed through Shen Zhihui’s mind, and murder flickered in his eyes.
“My Lord, I can force him to surrender the entire Xie family directly. You do not need to remain beneath him.”
“And how would you make him surrender?” Xie Ling countered. “By abandoning our plans to stage a night raid on the Xie manor, only to be hunted across the entire territory? Shen Zhihui, since when did you become so impatient?”
Shen Zhihui was speechless. Xie Ling was right. If they stuck to the plan, it would take no more than six months to achieve their goal. Was he being too impatient? Shen Zhihui felt lost.
In truth, he was not. The Xie Ling that Shen Zhihui had known in his previous life was a young man consumed by hatred and extreme ruthlessness. Had anyone tried to advise him then, he likely would have done exactly what Shen Zhihui suggested. What did a bounty matter? What did a detour matter? Those he wanted dead had to die.
However, the Xie Ling who had been recruited by the Main System after his death and had spent a thousand years exiled through countless small worlds was no longer the same. After cycle upon cycle of playing the villain in nearly identical lives, his original hatred and obsessions seemed to have been drowned out.
Xie Ling drained his wine and said lazily, “I am leaving that little thing in your care for a few days.”
The understanding between them went without saying. Shen Zhihui knew Xie Ling had business to attend to. He pushed aside his emotions and nodded. “Yes, my Lord. Rest assured.”
Yin Huizhi waited in his room until evening, but when Xie Ling did not return as promised, he decided to go out and look. However, he had only walked a few steps from his door when several guards in sturdy attire blocked his path.
Yin Huizhi stopped and said politely, “What is the meaning of this?”
The guards were brief. “The Master has instructed us to ensure you rest well in the courtyard for a few days.”
Yin Huizhi was quiet for a moment. “Which Master?” he asked in a level tone. The guards did not speak.
“Is it inconvenient to answer?” Yin Huizhi kindly offered an explanation for them. “Very well. Let me ask you this: where is Xie Ling?”
The guard’s pupils contracted briefly, seemingly shocked that he would call Xie Ling by his name, but his mouth remained shut. He revealed nothing. Yin Huizhi had already received the answer he wanted. He changed the subject warmly. “Then when may I go out?”
“I do not know,” the guard replied stiffly.
If he did not know, it meant it was possible to go out eventually. Yin Huizhi nodded. “Thank you. I have no cultivation, so as for my food and clothing over these next few days”
The guard did not know what he was being thanked for but instinctively finished his sentence. “Do not worry. Someone will bring them to you.”
Yin Huizhi gave a faint smile. “Very well, Master Shen.”
The guard’s expression changed drastically. Yin Huizhi met his stiff gaze. “Master Shen, I noticed during the meal. You are always a bit nervous when you speak to Xie Ling. When you are nervous, your shoulders tense up.”
Shen Zhihui’s expression darkened. He raised his sleeve, and his stern guard persona faded away to reveal his true face. He had not expected the youth to have such keen observation skills. Despite having no cultivation or spiritual energy, the boy could see through his disguise. With such an exquisite mind, it was no wonder Xie Ling kept him close.
“You are clever, Young Master,” Shen Zhihui said, lowering his gaze. “The Master ordered me to look after you these few days. Please cooperate and do not make things difficult for me.”
Now that he had confirmed the man’s identity, Yin Huizhi had no intention of provoking him further. He nodded and said, “Master Shen, I have no such intention. I will take my leave now.”
However, just as he turned around, a sharp wind suddenly rushed toward his back. Although his cultivation was destroyed, the basic skills he had built over the years were not lost. Yin Huizhi dodged nimbly and asked coldly, “Master Shen, what is the meaning of”
His voice cut off abruptly. Shen Zhihui had retreated quite a distance. In his right hand, he held a polished white jade pendant with a maple colored tassel swaying gently. The previous attack had been a feint to distract him; Shen Zhihui’s true goal was the pendant.
Yin Huizhi’s fingers twitched inside his sleeve. He gave a fake smile and said, “Master Shen is quite the gentleman.”
“There are no gentlemen in the Qianyin Realm.” Shen Zhihui was indifferent to the sarcasm. “You used a dharma treasure to hide your true appearance while staying by the Master’s side with unclear motives. Since I am looking after you for him, is it not fair for me to see your true face?”
Yin Huizhi froze for a moment, and then a mocking smile appeared on his face. “I am neither a treacherous official nor a demonic attendant, and staying by Xie Ling’s side was not my choice. If you want to purge the Master’s circle, you should not look to me. That object in your hand was given to me by Xie Ling.”
Shen Zhihui’s fingernails turned white, but he said nothing. He stared silently at Yin Huizhi’s face. Yin Huizhi knew the man did not believe him and did not bother to say more. He simply stood in place, waiting for the treasure’s effect to fade.
The two of them stood in the courtyard for fifteen minutes in an eerie silence. Finally, the treasure’s effect began to wane. Yin Huizhi did not actually think Shen Zhihui would recognize him. As a useless person who had entered Linyin’s tutelage through connections, he was rarely mentioned. Aside from those within the sect, the outside world did not even know that the Guanlan Sect had a direct disciple like him.
However, Shen Zhihui’s reaction was entirely unexpected. As the face before him finally settled into its true form, Shen Zhihui’s eyes filled with a hollow disbelief. His lips parted, but no sound came out.
Yin Huizhi noticed the anomaly but could not determine what the reaction meant. It did not seem to be malice. He gave a quiet reminder, “Master Shen, are you finished looking?”
Shen Zhihui blinked as if waking from a dream. His first instinct was to look down, then he looked up hurriedly. “I”
“You?” Yin Huizhi asked patiently.
Shen Zhihui’s lips moved, but he still could not find his voice. Yin Huizhi’s mind raced, though he showed nothing on his face. He glanced at the jade pendant and said, “If you want to keep the object, keep it. I am going back.”
“No, wait!” Shen Zhihui spoke hastily, catching up to him in a few quick steps. “I am sorry. I will give it back to you.”
Shen Zhihui handed the jade pendant back. Yin Huizhi stared at the eager hand for a moment before he could not help but ask, “Master Shen, have we met before?”
Shen Zhihui was silent. The youth before him was half a head shorter than he was, with an air that sat somewhere between childhood and young adulthood. He was likely not yet twenty. We meet in the future, Shen Zhihui thought to himself.
“No, I am sorry,” Shen Zhihui said, taking a deep breath. He tried to tie the pendant back onto Yin Huizhi’s waist, but Yin Huizhi pushed his hand away with the back of his own. “I can do it myself,” Yin Huizhi said firmly.
Shen Zhihui withdrew his hand immediately. “Very well.”
Yin Huizhi’s confusion deepened, and he frowned. “You know me?” It was almost a statement.
“Yes,” Shen Zhihui answered frankly this time. “I know you.”
Yin Huizhi wanted to ask more, but Shen Zhihui said, “Young Master, I have no ill will toward you. You should return to your room.”
“Is that so? Then let me leave,” Yin Huizhi said.
Shen Zhihui’s expression faltered for a second, and he slowly shook his head. “That does not seem possible. Yes, it is truly not allowed.”
Yin Huizhi found the self-muttering answer even more baffling. He thought for a moment and asked, “What about your Master? Does he know me too?”
If that were the case, he might understand why Xie Ling had gone to such great lengths to bring him down the mountain. Shen Zhihui pursed his lips, avoiding the question. “Young Master, I will go prepare dinner for you. If you feel bored, you may walk around. You are free to go anywhere in the manor, but leaving the manor is not permitted. If you want anything, just tell me.”
Yin Huizhi weighed the situation and realized this was the greatest concession the other man could make. He might have some unknown history with this Master Shen, but the man was intensely loyal to Xie Ling and would not defy his orders because of it.
Yin Huizhi stopped questioning and returned to his room. As Shen Zhihui had said, his movements in the manor were no longer restricted. Aside from guards appearing to stop him if he tried to leave, no one bothered him. However, if he spoke to the servants, they always responded, clearly having been instructed by Shen Zhihui beforehand.
The food served each day was exquisite and happened to suit his taste perfectly, no less impressive than the banquet that first day. The dishes never repeated, leading Yin Huizhi to wonder if the cuisine in the Qianyin Realm was simply that delicious, rather than Shen Zhihui knowing too much.
Three days passed in this manner. It was not exactly a case of being so happy he forgot his home, but he was comfortable enough. On the fourth day, Xie Ling pushed open his door.
As their eyes met, Yin Huizhi felt a strange sense of guilt. Xie Ling scanned him from head to toe and said with an unclear meaning, “You have had a good few days.”
Yin Huizhi coughed lightly and replied casually, “As have you.”
Before the words had even left his mouth, a hard object struck his chest. He let out a muffled groan and instinctively pressed his hand against it. His palm landed on a cold, smooth object. He looked down and saw a fist-sized orb glowing with an icy blue light. His body, which had once been highly compatible with the ice element, was not yet a stranger to this power. He could feel the massive ice-type spiritual energy surging within the orb.
“The thousand-year monster core of the Snow Mountain Wolf King,” Xie Ling said, his voice cold as he answered the unspoken question.
Yin Huizhi had only seen records of the Wolf King in books. It was said that the wolf packs of the snow mountains were incredibly fierce and highly intelligent. They reigned over the mountains, preying on lower-intelligence monster groups, and would even descend to massacre human villages during lean seasons.
These wolves were also quite clever. Whenever they attacked a village, they left no survivors and were never greedy. Once they had wiped out a village, they immediately dragged their food back to the mountains. With so many cultivation sects, such beasts should have been eradicated long ago. Yet the packs had not been destroyed; they had persisted for nearly ten thousand years.
The reasons were simple. First, the dead villagers could not speak, and spiritual energy near the snow mountains was sparse. Those who knew of the attacks were powerless mortals rooted in one place, so the news rarely spread. Second, not enough people died, or the victims were not important enough. Even if news reached the sects, none would bother to reach out to such a remote corner.
Thus, these wolves had managed to become monsters in a barren mountain range, eventually giving birth to a Wolf King. Yin Huizhi had not expected Xie Ling to take the life and core of that king in a single trip. He stared at Xie Ling in shock.
Xie Ling felt nothing about obtaining the core itself, but he was indeed irritable. In his previous life, killing a Wolf King would have been easy. But for this incredibly poor body, it was as difficult as reaching for the moon. Even with his soul inside the shell, he had spent three days and nights on the mountain and nearly been dragged off a cliff by the four-legged beast.
It had been many years since he had been so disheveled, and the experience brought back terrible memories. So, seeing the clean and comfortable Yin Huizhi, dark thoughts began to surface. Maybe I should just kill this troublesome thing right now. The sound of the stupid system crashing and screaming would be very interesting.
What would the Main System do? Throw him into even more “Hell Difficulty” task worlds? Xie Ling looked at Yin Huizhi’s stunned face and smiled, his tone bordering on confrontational. “What makes you think I have had a good few days?”