The Decaying World-Chapter 77 - 72: Devour 4

Once the others had arrived, Lin Hui explained the situation, his gaze sweeping over them.

"Who is willing to go and investigate this matter?"

"Ten Thousand Medicine Mountain Villa is at least a five-day carriage ride from here. A round trip would take ten days, which might be too long... If the Baihua Sect is truly making a move, considering the time it took for the news to reach us, it would be too late by the time we got there," Wang Hongshi said gravely.

"That’s true." Lin Hui frowned. Right now, only he and Xue Meng were strong enough within the sect. The others could handle ordinary trouble, but they would be outmatched against a medium-to-large-sized martial hall like the Baihua Sect, which had more than one Inner Power Realm expert.

"Forget it. You’re all dismissed for now. I’ll make the trip myself." Lin Hui felt that sending anyone else wasn’t safe enough. It was better for him to go test the waters and assess the situation himself.

Of course, he wasn’t going to Ten Thousand Medicine Mountain Villa. Five days was too long. He planned to go to the Baihua Sect.

’No matter what agreement Ten Thousand Medicine Mountain Villa and the Baihua Sect ultimately sign, if the Baihua Sect is simply gone, won’t any agreement become meaningless?’

After his Inner Strength broke through to his legs, his speed had increased even further, boosting Lin Hui’s confidence once more.

’As long as no one can catch me or restrain me, I’m practically invincible against those in the Inner Power Realm.’

If Daoist Baohe’s speed back then was a ten, then his own current speed, at full burst, was over thirty.

The gap between them was something only a speed-focused expert could truly comprehend.

After packing lightly, Lin Hui left the headquarters that very day and headed directly for the Baihua Sect.

The Baihua Sect’s headquarters was located in Baisan Town, about a two-day journey on foot from Xinyu Town. But with Lin Hui’s speed and Body Technique, once he was familiar with the route, it would take him a few hours at most.

*

*

*

Lin Mansion.

Just as Lin Hui was preparing to personally deal with the major threat of the Baihua Sect, his father, Lin Shunhe, was leading a group out to welcome his new second wife, Liu Shenglan, into the Lin Mansion.

Liu Shenglan was over fifty years old. This time, she came from the Inner City with her son and daughter from her previous husband to stay at the Lin Mansion for a while.

She and Lin Shunhe were truly in love. To be precise, she loved Lin Shunhe, admired him, and was willing to support him.

However, her children somewhat disapproved. She had spent a long time in the Inner City trying to persuade them, and they had only reluctantly agreed to come for an extended stay this time, rather than just going through the motions like before.

The second wife was given a two-story building resembling a small courtyard house. To please Liu Shenglan, Lin Shunhe had named it Jade Willow Garden.

After the three of them settled in and washed off the dust from their journey, they gathered for a walk by the small stream in the courtyard.

"Mother, this place is indeed more peaceful than the Liu Family’s estate. There’s no pressure and no overbearing uncles. But I still don’t understand why you chose Lin Shunhe."

The speaker was Liu Shenglan’s son, Liu Wu Jun. He was in his mid-twenties, with a refined, scholarly, and humble appearance. He was carefully supporting his mother, who was nearing childbirth.

"You don’t understand. In the first half of my life, I chose the wrong person. In the second half, from the moment I met him, I knew I wouldn’t be wrong again." Liu Shenglan smiled faintly, a nostalgic look on her not-so-beautiful face.

"Why are you so certain? Aren’t families like the Lin Family a dime a dozen in the Outer City?" Liu Wu Jun asked, still puzzled.

"Because at that time, no one around me dared to step up and help. I was alone, in disguise, and had joined a merchant caravan when we were attacked by bandits. I was on the verge of death, but unexpectedly, he was the only one who stood up for me. Back then, he was so much like your father... except Ah He wasn’t pretending, unlike your father. He wasn’t putting on an act; that’s just who he is."

Sighing, Liu Shenglan caressed her belly.

"I only regret not meeting him sooner."

"It is my fault. I failed to stay by your side to protect you, causing you to nearly suffer such a calamity..." Liu Wu Jun’s face filled with shame.

"It’s not your fault. Your sister has her condition. If you didn’t look after her, it would likely be even more dangerous... In the entire Liu Family, you’re the only one who can help keep her in check." Liu Shenglan shook her head and said gently.

"Rest assured, Mother. My sister and I will treat Uncle He with the same respect we show you," Liu Wu Jun said with a hint of resignation.

"And his only son, who is now your brother. If you have time, you should look after him a little," Liu Shenglan reminded him.

"You mean Lin Hui? He’s a Martial Artist who practices Outer Strength. We don’t really cross paths in our daily lives..." Liu Wu Jun sounded troubled.

’In truth, I just want to placate my mother. If not for my upbringing, I wouldn’t want to waste a single thought on these countryside folk from the Outer City. I’d be grateful if the people of the Lin Family just kept their distance and didn’t try to curry favor.’

’Fortunately, I’ve met Lin Hui a few times before. My impression is that the man knows his place. For an Outer City person, he’s considered well-mannered and not completely unhinged.’

"I don’t care. As his older brother and sister, you have to show some gesture of goodwill," Liu Shenglan said, shaking her head.

"You may not know, but our little brother Lin Hui, though he only practices Outer Strength, has actually made a bit of a name for himself. He’s been squabbling with a few small martial halls and even became the Sect Leader of that... uh... Qingfeng Temple," Liu Wu Jun explained simply.

"I’m not sure either. I only heard that he was always practicing with his sword. Don’t tell me he’s actually achieved something with it now?" Liu Shenglan said in surprise.

"He has some talent. His Outer Strength is decent, and his comprehension is alright. He’s doing fine in the Outer City now. He doesn’t need our help," Liu Wu Jun said softly.

"That’s good, that’s good..." Only then did Liu Shenglan feel relieved.

"It’s my sister I’m worried about. It’s fine when I’m around, but if I’m occasionally held up with something, it could be troublesome if she runs into Lin Hui alone," Liu Wu Jun said softly.

"Can’t you just get him into your sect?" Liu Shenglan asked again.

"That... that’s not possible. At his age, it’s impossible to start over with his training."

After a great deal of coaxing, Liu Wu Jun finally managed to get his mother to go rest.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw his sister, Liu Xiao, standing by the courtyard gate, looking at him.

"How is it? Are you feeling better?" Liu Wu Jun walked over and asked with concern.

"I’m fine, as long as my emotions don’t fluctuate too much," Liu Xiao said calmly.

She was a typical direct disciple from an Inner City sect, following the classic path.

First, she underwent Summoning, then cultivated the Inner Family arts, merging the advantages of both paths. She began her Foundation Establishment at the age of ten and has been in arduous training for a full decade, now being twenty years old.

"How do you plan to help the Lin Mansion?" Liu Xiao asked softly.

"For Uncle He’s business, I’ve helped arrange for a good deal of capital. As for Aunt Yao Shan, I had an expert check on her health, and there are no issues. It’s just Lin Hui who’s a bit difficult... He walks the heretical path of the Outer City, and his path is already set. It’s beyond saving."

"Can’t he just stop and start over? I heard his comprehension is good, and he’s even developed some Secret Techniques on his own. He has a decent reputation," Liu Xiao asked, puzzled.

"It’s no use. The Outer City method of progressing from Outer to Inner is actually a heretical path forged by those who lack the aptitude and innate constitution. It’s different from our righteous and brilliant path of Summoning first, then cultivating strength. Once you go too deep, it’s hard to turn back. Besides, I’ve checked. He doesn’t have the aptitude..." Liu Wu Jun sighed. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

’I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sighed since arriving at the Lin Mansion.’

"If one follows the righteous path, like you and me, one can enter the Inner Family within a year, reach Perfection in five, and combine Copper Skin and Iron Bones with an Inner Family burst for unparalleled power and astonishing defense. You’d have a chance at reaching Circulation within ten years. But on the heretical path, the Inner Power Realm is the absolute peak. There is no hope of reaching Circulation; all potential is exhausted." Liu Wu Jun glanced at his sister. "You’ll probably stabilize your realm in another six months, right?"

"Yes. The realm of the Summoning Priest is truly difficult. The trials are constant, which is far more troublesome than breaking through to the Circulation Realm," Liu Xiao nodded, a rare hint of frustration on her face.

"The key is the Divine Sound. Pay attention to discerning the Divine Sound; that’s crucial for a breakthrough," Liu Wu Jun reminded her.

"Yes, I understand."

The two of them stood together and exchanged some more experiences about breaking through realms before returning to their respective rooms to rest.

*

*

*

Baisan Town.

On the outskirts of town, as soon as Lin Hui entered, his eyes were dazzled by the sight of colorful flowerpots everywhere.

Throughout the entire town—between houses, along windowsills—pots of various fresh flowers were placed everywhere.

The strange thing was, given the current weather and season, it shouldn’t be a time for flowers to bloom at all.

He followed the directions to the contact point, searching along the town’s streets. After more than ten minutes, he finally found the secret branch location where Qingfeng Temple had previously stationed members to investigate the Baihua Sect.

’Rulai Tea House?’

Standing before the branch location’s entrance, Lin Hui hadn’t expected it to be a teahouse.

From inside, the continuous sounds of storytelling and singing could be heard.

There was also the sound of a cheering crowd; it seemed quite lively.

He recalled the information he had gathered before leaving. The owner of this teahouse was a local Baisan Town resident, formerly of the Black Dragon Sect, with the surname Hu and given name Zhen. He was someone Song Zhanlong had arranged to be here long ago.

Pushing aside the teahouse’s cloth curtain, Lin Hui slowly walked inside.

This was a side door, meant for waiters and tea servers to use, not the guest entrance at all.

Inside, waiters bustled back and forth, all busy delivering tea and snacks.

Seeing him enter, a waiter immediately hurried over.

"Sir, this is the kitchen area. Can I help you?"

"I’m looking for Shopkeeper Hu Zhen."

"Do you have a token or a letter?" the waiter asked quickly, taken aback for a moment.

Lin Hui took out the black Jade Pendant that represented his identity and showed it to him.

He was then led to a private room in the very back.

The waiter also brought an extra pot of tea and asked him to wait a moment.

Sitting cross-legged on a cushion, Lin Hui checked the progress data on his Blood Seal, silently waiting for his contact to appear.

’To deal with the Baihua Sect, first I need someone who knows the area best to lead the way. And this Hu Zhen is the person in our sect who knows the most about them.’

Lifting the teacup, Lin Hui gently brought it to his lips and took a sip.

It was a floral tea steeped with some kind of petal. It tasted quite good.

"The tea looks good, and it tastes good too. A pity..."

He suddenly said softly.

"A pity about what?"

The private room’s door slid open silently. A line of long-haired women in white Formal Clothing filed in, quickly surrounding Lin Hui.

The one who had spoken was a bewitching woman in a blue dress who entered last.

The woman’s chest was half-exposed, and she swayed alluringly as she walked. The hem of her skirt had been intentionally cut to her upper thigh, and as she moved, the slight breeze she created caused it to flutter up and down, offering vague glimpses of the scenery beneath.

"Sect Leader Lin of Qingfeng Temple has graced us with his presence. Why not use the main gate, instead of insisting on these disgusting back-alleys? That’s hardly the action of a gentleman." The newcomer’s enchanting eyes shimmered as if on the verge of tears as she looked his way.

"I’ll come and go as I please. Isn’t your Baihua Sect being a bit too nosy?" Lin Hui said casually, setting down his teacup.