The Decaying World-Chapter 67 - 62: Probing, Part 2

"Useless. You truly are useless." Song Zhanlong glanced at his other two disciples.

"The Qingfeng Temple is stronger than I thought. Can anyone here handle it?" he asked faintly.

"It’s just the Qingfeng Temple, a crippled one at that, with only a few disciples left. So what if Junior Sister Mu lost? But she’s exaggerating the opponent’s strength, trying to make you think her defeat was inevitable to lessen her punishment..." Senior Brother Wang Hongshi said gravely.

"I didn’t...!" Mu Qiaozhi said urgently, trying to speak.

"Shut up!" Wang Hongshi scolded. "Weakness isn’t what’s frightening. What’s frightening is that you’ve been defeated in your own heart, unable to muster even a shred of a will to win! Master, I will handle this."

Song Zhanlong nodded with satisfaction.

The reason Wang Hongshi was his favorite disciple was precisely because the kid was so much to his liking.

’He was the great Black Dragon Sect Leader. He couldn’t possibly make another trip himself just for a crippled Qingfeng Temple, could he?’

’In truth, he had his doubts about Mu Qiaozhi’s story, but she wouldn’t have cut off her own hand just to put on a show.’

’So, the most likely explanation was that after Mu Qiaozhi switched her focus to Martial Arts, her Body Technique had slowed, and her defenses hadn’t improved, turning her into a mishmash of styles. That must be why she was ultimately defeated by her former junior brother.’

’Of course, he had also considered the possibility of an Inner Power Realm expert hiding at the Qingfeng Temple. But after repeatedly questioning Mu Qiaozhi and her followers, he was certain they weren’t lying.’

’Since it really was just the work of a former disciple, then... sending Wang Hongshi was all the more fitting.’

Wang Hongshi was an unparalleled genius he had saved on his way here from Xingdiao. With dedicated training, he had just reached the Body Tempering Limit. His defenses were so tough that swords and blades could barely scratch him, making him nearly unbeatable for anyone not in the Inner Power Realm. Coupled with his precise Hidden Weapon Technique, his strength was a whole level above Mu Qiaozhi’s.

"However, that Lin Hui does come from a powerful background. His father is someone highly regarded by Lady You Ying of the Inner City Rain Palace. Master, perhaps we should...?" Wang Hongshi lowered his voice, asking tentatively.

"You Ying is strong, but we aren’t making a move on the boy’s father directly. Pay it no mind. Just don’t kill him," Song Zhanlong said dismissively.

’An Upper-Tier Summoner is indeed powerful, far more than I can handle,’ he thought. ’But I’m not so pathetic that I’d be scared of the son of one of her lackeys.’

He knew exactly what kind of lunatics those people from the Inner City were. If the boy’s father actually went crying to You Ying because his son was crippled, he’d probably be the first one to get crippled himself.

"Yes, Master!" Wang Hongshi nodded slightly. Having received his orders, he glanced at the sky, then turned and quickly descended from the platform, heading for a side door.

"Master, I..." Mu Qiaozhi, her face pale, tried to speak again, hoping to explain herself.

But Song Zhanlong couldn’t be bothered with her anymore.

’The Mu Family Summoner is nothing special,’ he mused. ’And with Mu Qiaozhi having lost a hand, her potential has plummeted. Even if it heals, she’s useless now—at best, only slightly stronger than an ordinary person.’

He simply waved his hand, gesturing for her to get lost.

A flash of agony crossed Mu Qiaozhi’s eyes.

’I’ve been abandoned,’ she realized.

’That was just the kind of man Song Zhanlong was. He had used his martial might to gather a large following in a short time, but in his eyes, people brought in through threats and force were nothing more than disposable clothes. If a piece of clothing got torn, you just replaced it.’

’And now that I have no value... not only will I have no standing here, but when I return to my family, I won’t be given any importance either...’

’The Mu Family was also an incredibly pragmatic place...’

*

*

*

「In Xinyu Town.」

Lin Hui led Weiwei, Xiaohu, and Xiaopang—the three of them—back to the gate of his home.

The three of them had heard that Lin Hui’s family had risen to prominence again, but they didn’t have a concrete idea of what that meant.

But when they were actually standing before the gates of the Lin Mansion, which occupied an area comparable to a government official’s estate, they finally understood what the "rise" of Lin Hui’s family truly meant.

"Young Master Hui, you’re back?" Two burly men hired by his father were guarding the side gate.

They were supposedly disciples of the Hundred-Step Divine Fist, but Lin Hui could tell their footwork was impressive, while their fists, in contrast, seemed somewhat weak.

Both were clearly skilled practitioners of Body Tempering, with physical stamina a cut above that of ordinary people.

The Lin Mansion was now set up on par with a top-tier clan in the Outer City. Having skilled Body Tempering practitioners as low-level gate guards was a luxury, but not unheard of.

"Mm. Have Ding Ning come see me," Lin Hui nodded. "These are my fellow sect members, here as guests. Register them so they can come and go as they please for the next few days."

"Yes, sir," the two replied respectfully.

Lin Hui then led the three of them through the side gate.

"Master... this is your house?! It’s huge!!" Xiaohu’s mouth had been hanging open ever since he saw the front gate.

Xiaopang, who was beside him, was the same.

Though Xiaopang’s family was also well-off, their home was certainly nothing on the scale of the Lin Mansion.

An estate of this size was considered top-tier in the entire Outer City.

"Holy cow... Master, your house is bigger than three of mine put together...!" Xiaopang exclaimed, grabbing the back of Xiaohu’s clothes and gawking in every direction, his eyes wide.

As for Weiwei, who walked at the very back, a slight blush was on her pretty face. It was clear she felt a little awkward.

She had seen large estates before with her father. The Lin Mansion was a bit extravagant, but not enough to faze her. Back when the Qingfeng Temple was still thriving, her father had occasionally brought her to the residences of various nobles, so she was not without worldly experience.

What made her feel awkward now was that after her father’s departure, she had no one to rely on. She truly had no choice but to follow her junior brother to the Lin Mansion for shelter.

Yes, they were here seeking refuge.

Lin Hui led the three to his personal courtyard.

"You all can stay here for the next few days. My courtyard has six rooms, so pick whichever you like. I usually stay in the loft. Meals will be brought to us. Once this trouble with the Black Dragon Sect blows over, we’ll return to the Qingfeng Temple."

"Won’t we be too much trouble?" Weiwei asked in a low voice.

"It’s no problem. We’re all from the same sect, don’t worry about it." Lin Hui paused. "The Black Dragon Sect’s plans were thwarted, and I severed one of Mu Qiaozhi’s arms. They’ll probably send someone stronger soon. Continuing to stay at the Qingfeng Temple is what’s truly dangerous."

"But... hiding like this isn’t a permanent solution," Weiwei said, frowning.

"I’m the Sect Leader. I’ll figure something out. For now, just settle in and don’t worry," Lin Hui said calmly. "My father has many connections. I plan to find some experts to... negotiate... with the Black Dragon Sect, but that will take time."

"I see..." Weiwei understood. "In that case, be careful when you’re out by yourself."

"Mm," Lin Hui nodded. "But like you said, this can’t go on forever. Senior Sister, you need to reach the Body Tempering Limit as quickly as possible. When you do, I’ll teach you my improved Qingfeng Swordsmanship for your Second-Time Body Tempering. No matter what, increasing our own strength is the only true path forward!"

"Okay!" Weiwei nodded emphatically.

’To be honest,’ she thought, ’it’s fine for half-grown kids like Xiaohu and Xiaopang. They don’t think much of it. But I’m their senior sister, and of marriageable age... to just move into the Lin Mansion like this... and all because of my junior brother... it feels a bit...’

She kept telling herself it was for her safety, only for her safety. But the inexplicable awkwardness, the feeling that she was depending on her junior brother for everything, still made her deeply uncomfortable.

It would be one thing if there were actually something between her and Lin Hui, but the partner she envisioned for herself was not someone like him.

She had already found a potential match at the last festival. She had even been exchanging letters with him from time to time recently.

’Moving into the Lin Mansion at a time like this... I’m worried he’ll get the wrong idea.’

Lin Hui, however, paid no mind to what the others were thinking.

Soon, Ding Ning arrived. After he had arranged for the trio’s accommodations and daily needs, Lin Hui left the Lin Mansion again. With the Inner Power Realm expert of the Hundred-Step Divine Fist watching over his home, even if he was no match for Song Zhanlong, the Black Dragon Sect Leader wouldn’t dare to just show up and cause trouble. After all, it wasn’t a martial arts school.

To do so would be to disrupt the fundamental order of the Outer City and openly defy the Government Office.

The order in the Outer City was established by the Three Greats of the Inner City. Challenges between martial arts schools were one thing, but if anyone dared to openly attack a prominent family in town, Song Zhanlong had better be prepared to become a fugitive once more.

So, Lin Hui wasn’t worried on that front.

He left by himself and wandered casually through the town’s streets.

He soon found himself browsing a temporary market filled with small stalls.

"How much for this?"

Lin Hui stopped in front of a stall selling handmade toy masks, casually picked up a wooden one meant for a child, and asked the price.

"Twenty cash a piece. You can pick any style you like. How old is your child? It’s best to bring them here to try it on, just in case it doesn’t fit," the stall owner, a cheerful old man, advised with a smile.

Lin Hui examined the mask in his hand. It was painted white and was round all over—a round face, a round forehead, and a round chin.

The white complexion, bright red lips, and black eyelashes created a stark contrast.

It looked like a ghastly, pale baby doll.

He held it up to his face. It only covered the upper half.

It was still a little too small.

The eye holes were well-made, though, and didn’t obstruct his vision.

It had a thin, elastic string on the back, making it easy to wear and secure enough that he wouldn’t have to worry about it falling off.

"I’ll take this one." He paid, took the mask, and walked away.

’One mask to hide my face, acquired. Next up, the Black Dragon Sect’s headquarters.’

’Since I don’t plan on revealing my true strength, I’ll just solve this problem with a different identity. But as for the Black Dragon Sect’s location, I really have no idea where it is...’

Lin Hui thought for a moment and realized he didn’t know who to ask.

’They’re open for business, so they must be advertising for new members somewhere. I’ll just wander around town. I’ll probably find someone who can lead me there.’

With that in mind, he slowed his pace and began to meander through the town. Before long, his observations paid off: he spotted a stall set up by the Black Dragon Sect.

Behind the stall stood two ordinary disciples in Black Dragon Sect uniforms. To one side, a wooden sign listed the registration fee, a temporary training fee, the discount upon successful selection, and other such information.

Lin Hui memorized the location, checked the time, and then found a clothier’s shop. He bought a length of black cloth to wrap around his head.

All he needed to do was wrap his head, put on the mask, use a different sword, change into a long-sleeved shirt and pants, and wear gloves. Then, no one would be able to recognize him.

This time, he planned to confront the Black Dragon Sect head-on.

’In any case, I have the advantage in speed. The Black Dragon Sect are outsiders who haven’t established a firm foothold yet, so I don’t need to worry about them having powerful backers. Besides, Song Zhanlong isn’t a speed-based expert. Even if I can’t win, I can retreat whenever I want.’

’All things considered, the Black Dragon Sect is the perfect test subject.’

A whetstone to test just how far his strength had come.

Finally, he went to a blacksmith’s forge and bought a crude, standard-issue longsword to use for the occasion. He then returned to his observation post to wait for the Black Dragon Sect members to pack up their stall and return to their headquarters.

Time passed, and the sky soon began to darken.

The two Black Dragon Sect members manning the stall finally stood up, yawning. They packed their things into a large sack and headed off together in a specific direction.

From a distance, Lin Hui quietly followed.