Three months later.
“Strange.”
A young man gazed out the window, his voice languid, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Not three days, not even a month. Three months have passed, and there’s been no sign of anything unusual?”
“……”
“In fact, his condition has improved?”
“That’s correct.”
The young man tilted his head, puzzled.
“How is that possible?”
“……”
“Wasn’t it said that the stronger the traces of demonic energy, the more fatal it would be?”
“Indeed, that is true.”
“Even if he lost his internal energy and his dantian was destroyed, he’s still a demonic cultivator. The traces of demonic energy should still linger in his body. Shouldn’t he be wasting away by now?”
“……”
“Well, he’s a strange one, that’s for sure. Even in that state, he’s showing more resilience than expected.”
“……”
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
“There’s something I’ve been curious about. May I ask?”
“Haha, of course.”
“Why are you so concerned about the Third Young Master?”
It was a rather dangerous question. At least, it wasn’t something a subordinate should casually ask.
The young man chuckled.
“Did you forget what I said earlier?”
“Huh?”
“When that guy fell into demonic deviation, the Blood Soul Pavilion Master himself said it. The chances of recovery were close to zero. Even if he woke up, he’d either be paralyzed or suffer from madness. But look at him now. How is he?”
“……”
“It’s always been like this. That guy has always defied my expectations. Frankly, who knows if he’ll grow as strong as before in a year’s time?”
“That can’t be possible.”
“I know, I know. It’s not something that can be controlled by human effort. I know all that, but… he keeps making me uneasy.”
“……”
“It’s not just me. Most of those who’ve crossed him are probably feeling uneasy too. That guy, he’s always been ridiculously lucky.”
The young man still wore a smile, but his eyes gradually grew colder.
“When is Lin coming?”
“He entered Guangdong this morning. He should arrive at the main mountain by noon tomorrow.”
“His return after half a year?”
“Yes.”
“Tell him to come see me when he arrives.”
The young man’s smile deepened.
“I need to check if the once-famous sword has rusted or if it’s been broken.”
Bang!
The gust of wind made the maid, Yinghua, tightly shut her eyes.
Tian Hazhen frowned.
“Is this all I can do?”
The wind pressure from his punch in the air wasn’t satisfying. It was proof that he hadn’t fully loosened his muscles and joints yet.
“Well, it’s passable.”
For the past three months, he had gone through hell to restore this wretched body to normal.
If it weren’t for the Wuji Art, he would’ve been in big trouble.
Thanks to it, not only was the turbid energy in his body expelled, but even the lingering traces of demonic energy were completely eradicated. It felt like scrubbing off ten years’ worth of grime.
‘The Rejuvenation Elixir, was it? I owe a lot to that.’
It was said to be an elixir only allowed for the higher-ups, and its effects were indeed top-notch.
After washing away a significant amount of turbid energy and a large portion of demonic energy, it seemed to have revitalized his vitality as if on purpose.
The medicinal effects, which he hadn’t noticed at first, became palpable a couple of months ago.
The concentrated medicinal power strengthened his tendons and invigorated the functions of his internal organs.
The most encouraging part was that most of his internal injuries were healed. Now, he could say his body was in a state befitting his age.
‘Good. Everything’s good. Everything’s fine, but…’
Tian Hazhen grabbed his hair.
‘Ugh! I want to get out of here right now!’
For the past three months, he hadn’t just been fixing his body.
To escape this hellhole, he had even cut back on sleep, racking his brains.
After hearing about Xiliang’s personality, he boldly ventured into the front yard, wandering around. Thanks to that, he had a clear picture of the surrounding terrain.
And the conclusion he reached?
‘In this state, there’s no way I can escape.’
For some reason, the higher-ups had stationed over thirty demonic cultivators outside his residence.
They weren’t just ordinary guards. They thoroughly screened anyone coming in or out, and at the same time, they were there to keep an eye on him, the Third Young Master.
Two months ago, when Tian Hazhen had firmly decided to leave, a guard stopped him, saying:
- We’ve been ordered to prohibit your outings until you’ve fully recovered. We apologize, but you cannot leave beyond this point.
Since then, he had tried to escape over ten times, but each attempt failed. Their stubbornness was like an unyielding mountain with not a single blade of grass growing on it.
Bribes didn’t work, threats didn’t work—these cold-hearted bastards.
After racking his brains and pondering over and over, Tian Hazhen reached one conclusion.
‘I’ll fix my body first.’
They said he couldn’t leave until he fully recovered? Then he’d just recover, wouldn’t he?
Anyway, he couldn’t live on with this body as it was. Might as well take this opportunity to fix it.
With a clear goal in mind, his recovery gained momentum. He also learned the lesson that life is all about perspective.
……If they pull that crap again, I’ll break their legs.
‘Anyway, my body’s almost fixed now. I just need to step out and get some fresh air.’
His fists clenched involuntarily.
‘As soon as I get out, I’ll head straight to the nearest safe house in the south.’
There were dozens of safe houses scattered across the Central Plains for the world’s number one assassin.
Half of them were created by the Righteous Heaven Alliance, but the other half were secretly established by him.
He had prepared them over thirty years, anticipating the situation after fleeing the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
He had stashed away elixirs, medicinal herbs, and all sorts of supplies. Once he got there, regaining his former strength would just be a matter of time.
‘I’ll liquidate all the treasures and make a fortune. Then I’ll flee to a place far from the Central Plains.’
It’s better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon. He’d escape this suffocating martial world and live a life of luxury, rivaling even kings.
Of course, the demonic sect would send pursuers, but that didn’t matter.
No one knew about the safe houses, and once he regained his former strength, shaking off pursuers would be a piece of cake.
Just get to the safe house. His real life would begin from there.
“Alright. No point wasting time.”
Tian Hazhen muttered resolutely and quickly stripped off his clothes. He was changing into something more comfortable to move in.
“Gasp!”
Yinghua’s face turned red, and she hurriedly left the room.
‘Why’s she acting like that?’
After seeing each other day in and day out for over three months, why the sudden reaction? Maybe she couldn’t stand the sight of me?
Well, that’s possible.
Feeling good about the thought of leaving, he decided to let the small things slide.
Tian Hazhen hummed a tune as he changed into ordinary martial attire and stretched his body.
‘Alright, I’ll leave legally. Surely, they won’t stop me after I’ve fixed myself up this much.’
Tian Hazhen walked towards the door.
That’s when it happened.
Twitch!
‘……?’
Tian Hazhen’s eyes narrowed.
Even though he had expelled the turbid energy and healed his internal injuries, his body was still ordinary.
He had rebuilt his dantian, but he hadn’t accumulated even a speck of internal energy.
Yet, his senses had become terrifyingly sharp.
The abilities of the world’s number one assassin hadn’t gone anywhere. Even if he couldn’t use his heightened senses yet, he was far more sensitive than any ordinary person.
A moment later, a voice came from outside.
“Is he inside?”
“Huh? Ah, yes! He, he is, but……”
“Move aside.”
“But…… I need to inform the Young Master first……”
Screech!
“Ah!”
Tian Hazhen frowned.
Did Yinghua just get slapped?
Thud!
The door was roughly opened, and a woman entered.
She looked to be in her early twenties.
Her beauty was such that anyone, regardless of age or gender, would be struck with admiration. Her cold demeanor, far from being a flaw, added to her unique charm.
Her aura was somewhat authoritative and languid.
A voice that perfectly matched her aura flowed out.
“It’s been a while.”
Who are you?
Tian Hazhen stared blankly at the woman. It felt awkward to greet someone he didn’t remember, and telling her to leave felt even more awkward.
The woman’s eyes deepened.
“You look better than I expected.”
“……Uh, yeah.”
“……”
“……”
“Are you going to keep standing there? I’d like to have some tea.”
What’s with this audacity? She barged in without permission and now wants tea?
Tian Hazhen waved his hand.
“Sorry, but come back later. I’ve got somewhere to be right now.”
“……?”
“Just step aside for now.”
He didn’t know who she was, but now wasn’t the time for chit-chat. His focus was solely on escaping the demonic sect.
The woman’s face stiffened.
Telling me to move aside?
“Where are you planning to go?”
“Just somewhere. Don’t block the way.”
“Are you planning to see the Sect Leader?”
Tian Hazhen involuntarily let out a choking sound.
The Sect Leader? I’d rather fall on my sword than go see him!
“No.”
“Then that’s fine. Let’s talk, you and I.”
“I said I’ve got somewhere to be.”
“If it’s not as important as seeing the Sect Leader, then talking to me should come first.”
“Listen.”
“If tea isn’t to your liking, how about wine? Ah! Given your condition, wine might be too much, huh?”
Tian Hazhen’s face twisted.
At this historic moment when his real life was about to begin, where did this monster come from?
“You’re not listening.”
“……?”
“Have your tea or wine at your place. Why are you making a fuss here?”
“……What did you say?”
“I don’t want to argue. Get out. If you really want something, tell the maid and then leave.”
What’s going on?
She was now confused if the Third Young Master before her was really the person she knew.
‘Did he lose his mind after falling into demonic deviation?’
She remembered the Xiliang from before.
The confident expression, the eyes burning with uncontainable ambition.
The baseless arrogance and utterly conceited tone, not to mention the beastly gaze that pretended not to notice but was filled with lust—she had often felt uncomfortable around him.
All of that was wrapped in the emotion of ‘ruthlessness,’ a man excessively devoted to his desires. Where had that man gone?
‘What’s with that desperate look in his eyes?’
The woman, who had been staring at him intently, flicked her finger.
Snap!
Tian Hazhen’s face twisted.
From beyond the open door, the sound of footsteps approached.
Soon, two burly martial artists appeared. At a glance, they were top-tier experts.
The woman kept her gaze fixed on Tian Hazhen as she spoke.
“I’ll be having a deep conversation with the Third Young Master. It might take a while, so block anyone who tries to approach.”
The two martial artists bowed.
“As you command!”
Thud.
The door closed.
The woman sat down in a chair by the table as if it were her own room.
Crossing her legs leisurely and resting her chin on her hand, her posture was incredibly alluring. The mature aura of a woman that no man could ignore emanated from her.
“We’ll have tea later.”
“……”
“Sit down. Don’t we have things to talk about?”
That’s when it happened.
Tian Hazhen met the woman’s gaze.
The corner of her lips curled up slightly. It was the confident smile of someone who held the upper hand in the relationship.
“Don’t want to talk to me?”
“……”
“Well, you have no choice. You broke the contract. The investments made in you so far……”
“What’s your name?”
“……?”
“I’m asking your name.”
“……Just so you know, I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
“Answer the question. What’s your name?”
The woman’s face turned cold.
“This isn’t a joke, but you don’t seem to be in your right mind. What’s with this rudeness?”
“Rudeness?”
“Even if you’re the Third Young Master, such language towards me……”
Without listening to her, Tian Hazhen walked over and flung the door open.
Thud!
The martial artists looked at him in surprise.
“Move.”
“……?!”
“If you don’t want to be executed for oppressing the Sect Leader’s disciple, you’d better step aside quickly.”
The martial artists involuntarily swallowed. The woman’s brow twitched slightly.
“Hey, Third Young……”
“Move. Now.”
“……”
“Not moving?”
Tian Hazhen sneered.
“Look at that loyalty? Fine, I’m the type to acknowledge what deserves acknowledgment. I’ll give you a reward befitting that loyalty. Yinghua!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
Yinghua, who had been fidgeting to the side, quickly ran over. Her cheek was swollen and red from the slap.
Tian Hazhen’s voice turned icy.
“Tell the outside that there are heretics who have oppressed, detained, and even threatened the Third Young Master.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Also, inform them that there’s a nameless bandit woman who laid hands on the Third Young Master’s maid without permission. Got it?”
“Y-yes, I’ll deliver the message!”
Tian Hazhen grinned wickedly.
“A life for loyalty seems fair, don’t you think? How does that sound?”