Hidden Shadow – CH 165

Chapter One-Hundred-Sixty-Five: Avenging You

“Only if I can do it,” Hua Rongjian said.

He had dealt with many people over the years, but only a handful could be considered true friends. Lu Danzhi was one of them. Although he was somewhat of a slacker, he never neglected a friend’s request.

“First, that woman was Yelu Huangwu; I am sure you can guess that.” Lu Danzhi had recovered from his pain. “The second matter concerns you.” Hua Rongjian’s eyes showed doubt.

“Although my medical skills are not excellent, I am skilled at making human skin masks. I can create a flawless mask because I understand human bones and flesh better.” Lu Danzhi paused, then said, “Rongjian, you are actually only in your early twenties. Did you know about this?”

Hua Rongjian was stunned for a moment, then murmured, “Impossible…”

His denial was actually tinged with hesitation. He did not remember anything from his childhood. He was shorter than his peers, and his father explained that he had suffered a serious illness, which caused him to forget things and his health to suffer. He clearly remembered being very weak for a period of time before gradually recovering.

However, he knew his own physical development better than anyone else, and Hua Rongjian had his doubts. But at home, he was pampered by his mother, his elder brother was strict yet loving, and his father was often troubled by his mischievousness, hence his frequent scoldings. Everything seemed normal; what reason would there be to deliberately conceal his age?

Hua Rongjian never doubted that he was not of the Hua family bloodline because he looked very much like his father, and even more so, he bore an eight or nine-tenths resemblance to his younger brother, Hua Rongjun. If they stood together dressed identically, they could easily pass for twins.

“Perhaps I am mistaken.”

Things that were desperately concealed were usually not good news. Lu Danzhi would never have revealed this so easily if it were not for the fact that this was the last time he would see Hua Rongjian.

“The third thing… I buried a box in the old spot behind the mountain. It contains all my life’s learning. I entrust it all to you; perhaps it will be of some help to you.”

Hua Rongjian had not yet recovered from the shock of the previous incident, and hearing his dying words only made his mind more chaotic.

“Rongjian, my days are numbered,” Lu Danzhi said.

“How could that be? Cui Yichen’s death has nothing to do with you. Try to think positively.” Hua Rongjian assumed he was blaming himself for the incident and had given up on life.

Lu Danzhi shook his head. “I was injured by Xiaochen’s Transcendent Realm skills and the lingering power of that ‘Startling the String,’ and after fleeing for over a month, I am completely exhausted. Thankfully, you finally arrived.”

At the time, Cui Yichen was ordered to kill Lu Danzhi in the cabin, and Lu Danzhi’s coaxing and deception only made him hesitate slightly.

Although he managed to escape to the deck, he had already suffered severe internal injuries; otherwise, the lingering force of the Startling the String would not have easily harmed him.

“After I die, please cremate me and scatter my ashes in a secluded place,” Lu Danzhi said with a smile. “I like freedom.”

“Alright, I promise you,” Hua Rongjian replied, somewhat dazed. Having never experienced the loss of loved ones, he felt nothing at this moment, even as Lu Danzhi spoke his last words. He had simply been overwhelmed with too many things to process.

An Jiu quietly left, sneaking back to her room.

The next day.

As dawn broke, a series of knocks echoed through the inn.

An Jiu’s door was also knocked on.

“What is it?” An Jiu answered.

The attendant asked cautiously. “A guest passed away last night, and his family wishes to proceed with the funeral procession from the inn. If you mind, please leave at dawn; the inn will not charge you a penny. If you wish to continue your stay, the bereaved family says they will cover the cost.”

Such bullying was typical of Hua Rongjian.

An Jiu, not wanting to be recognized by Hua Rongjian, said, “I will leave shortly.”

“Yes, thank you for your understanding, My Lord.” The attendant visibly relaxed.

An Jiu left quickly, but the innkeeper was not without powerful and influential people who would not tolerate such treatment. Soon, a commotion arose outside.

While there was resistance, it was not outwardly too violent. The innkeeper’s agreement meant either the deceased was a fallen official or someone with a powerful background; everyone unanimously chose to negotiate secretly.

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, the people at Yunlai Inn began hanging white silk ribbons. As An Jiu stepped out of her room, she saw Hua Rongjian standing dazedly by the railing. She lowered her hat, concealed her aura, and slowly crossed the lobby.

After leaving, she wandered around the area and chose an inconspicuous private inn to stay in and wait.

Until the fifth day.

An Jiu hid on the roof beam of Qingfeng Restaurant, waiting from sunrise to sunset, but Chu Dingjiang did not appear as promised.

Chu Dingjiang broke his promise… An Jiu analyzed that there were two possibilities: either the messenger from the Piaomiao Mountain mansion had deliberately taken a roundabout route or Chu Dingjiang had encountered difficulties. She did not know if he was in trouble, but An Jiu could only think of one thing—Cui Linglong.

After nightfall, An Jiu carved the characters “Linglong” on the roof beam and then slipped away, rushing to the small town near the docks.

The night was shrouded in mist.

From afar, the entire town was shrouded in darkness. Even before approaching, an unusual aura could be sensed, with only a few lanterns lit on the distant dock.

An Jiu stopped in a small grove of trees not far from the town.

She could not see Cui Linglong here, but An Jiu dared not approach rashly. Even with his inner strength sealed, Chu Dingjiang still possessed ninth-level strength, not to mention his Transcendental mental power. If even he was trapped in this place, how could she possibly break through?

An Jiu silently kept watch all night until dawn, but there was no movement.

As a ray of sunlight appeared on the horizon, the town regained its vitality. By noon, it was bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the deathly silence of the previous night.

This was too strange!

An Jiu recalled her feelings when passing the dock and vaguely felt that this place had some connection to the Piaomiao Mountain mansion.

Out of caution, An Jiu did not enter the town to investigate. She decided to observe for another day or two.

During the day, carriages and horses came and went in a constant stream.

She approached the road, using her mental power to scan the passersby. Her scan revealed quite a few skilled martial artists, and several experts emanated an undeniable murderous aura.

An Jiu was all too familiar with this murderous aura; only those with blood on their hands would possess it.

As more and more such people appeared on the road, An Jiu’s suspicions deepened.

The next evening.

An Jiu’s mental power detected a familiar sensation. Her gaze locked onto a gray-roofed carriage on the road. A flicker of joy finally broke through her calm demeanor.

She focused on the carriage and followed alongside it through the woods until they reached a crossroads. She whistled.

The carriage paused briefly. An Jiu quickly approached and nimbly climbed aboard.

Two people sat inside: Chu Dingjiang and Zhu Pianxian.

When Zhu Pianxian saw An Jiu get in, she trembled slightly, shifted to a corner to make room for her, and looked at the two with a wronged expression.

An Jiu cast a questioning glance at Chu Dingjiang.

“We will talk once we are inside the city,” Chu Dingjiang said.

The carriage continued on its way, and Zhu Pianxian only breathed a sigh of relief after they had safely entered the city.

“You’ve been waiting outside for two days?” Chu Dingjiang asked.

An Jiu nodded.

She had not done anything wrong, but while Chu Dingjiang appreciated her composure, he was also somewhat displeased. “What if I had died if you had not come to my aid?”

An Jiu thought carefully for a moment. “I will definitely avenge you.”

“…”

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy. Zhu Pianxian looked at the two strange people and coughed lightly. “My two brave warriors, we’ve already entered the city. May I leave?”

Chu Dingjiang gave her a disapproving look.

Zhu Pianxian felt a chill run down her spine and hurriedly declared with a tragic expression, “This humble servant will live and die with you two brave warriors, sharing the same hatred!”

“Once the pursuit by Piaomiao Mountain mansion begins, they will not stop until they achieve their goal,” Chu Dingjiang curled his lips, looking at Zhu Pianxian with a half-smile. “Will Madam Zhu cooperate with us, or will she remain aloof?”

Zhu Pianxian was furious inside. She was incredibly shrewd; how could she not guess that this matter stemmed from the two men before her? But on her face, a bright smile bloomed. “How could this humble servant alone possibly fight against the Piaomiao Mountain mansion? I am deeply grateful that you two brave warriors do not find me a burden.”

“I have long admired Madam Zhu’s name. There are almost no missions that Piaomiao Mountain mansion cannot accomplish. Madam Zhu, you need not hide your abilities,” Chu Dingjiang said bluntly.

Zhu Pianxian did have some reputation, but most of the news about her was about how greedy she was. Few people knew what her abilities were, and Chu Dingjiang naturally did not know either. But since Piaomiao Mountain Mansion was offering six thousand taels, it meant that killing her would be quite difficult.