Chapter 172: Hundred Refinements Treasure Manual (I)

Bafang City, the Yan Residence.

In a restaurant not far outside, Wu Shentao sat by the window and turned to glance toward the Yan Residence gates. Across from him sat an unfamiliar old man, about seventy years of age.

"That's how it is. The man has entered the Yan Residence. He might have escaped through the back door or a secret passage, or he might still be inside. What do you plan to do next?" Wu Shentao asked calmly.

Liang Song had entered the Yan Residence, but Wu Shentao had no way to follow. Yan Jun of the Yan Residence was formidable, having broken through to the Marrow Refining Realm several years ago. Even the Forest Net Temple was reluctant to offend a cultivator of that level.

"Very well. I'll trouble you with the matter concerning Ge Bing. My father and Yan Jun have some acquaintance, so I'll send a greeting card later and pay him a visit myself to see if I can learn anything." The old man took a sip of tea and spoke mildly.

He was Ge Bing's father and had come personally after receiving the news. Among his sons, Ge Bing was the most promising, so Ge Wuning took anything that threatened him very seriously. For Liang Song to want Ge Bing dead was no different from wanting him dead.

"The one who tried to assassinate Ge Bing... could it be someone you offended in the past?" asked Wu Shentao, glancing at him.

From their earlier conversation, Wu Shentao could tell from Ge Wuning's reaction when the crippled assassin was mentioned that he seemed to know the man.

"He resembles an old enemy of mine. Whether it's truly him, I'll have to see for myself," said Ge Wuning with a faint smile.

If the assassin truly was that man from back then, then there was nothing to worry about. He was just a loner with no background or allies; before the power of the Forest Net Temple, he was hardly worth concern.

As for Liang Song, after entering the Yan Residence and chatting with Yan Jun about the past, he left through the back door. No one knew where he went afterward.

Twelve days passed in a blink. After hearing news about his master, Lin Zheyu staked out the Tianxiang Pavilion for several days, but never encountered Liang Song. The twenty errand runners he hired also failed to spot Liang Song in any of the city's teahouses.

After appearing that day, Liang Song had vanished once again. After all, he had been scheming in secret for over a decade. Though he had exposed himself through a moment of rashness, it was not a major issue. He had endured for more than ten years; a little more patience would hardly matter.

In an unnamed teahouse somewhere within Bafang City. An old man in a plain blue robe sat by the window, quietly drinking wine and listening to the storyteller.

A young man passed by him unintentionally, a trace of disappointment flashing across his face as he muttered, "Not him."

The old man glanced at him, a knowing expression appearing on his face. He had seen that youth many times before, at different teahouses and at different times.

He's looking for me in teahouses, so he knows my habits well. Could it be Yan Jun? Did he betray me? Impossible. I met Yan Jun under another identity. He never knew I enjoyed listening to stories in teahouses. Could it be that boy, Lin Zheyu, then?

Without changing expression, Liang Song pondered silently. He had heard that Songyi City had fallen to rebel forces. Han Mo, as a City Guard centurion, would not have been able to escape. But Lin Zheyu, being a member of the Feihong Gang, could have followed them to Bafang City.

Few people knew he liked listening to storytellers; only old acquaintances from Songyi City would know about it. Among those acquaintances, only Lin Zheyu, Han Mo, and a few disciples who had disappeared years ago would have reason to look for him.

But how did that boy know I was in Bafang City?

Liang Song found it puzzling. He had deliberately left Lin Zheyu behind, precisely to avoid dragging him into his own affairs.

Liang Song cast another glance at the young man, finished the rest of his wine, then silently stood and followed him from a distance. The whole time, his legs showed no sign of lameness.

***

The scorching sunlight poured down, and heat shimmered from the bluestone pavement. The courtyard was filled with the thick fragrance of medicinal herbs. Lin Zheyu was training hard, sweat pouring from his body like rain.

After a long while, he exhaled deeply and stopped.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 5]

[Skills: Raging Wind Slash (Perfection), Golden Goose Technique (Ninth Stage: 100%), Tortoise Breath Grand Method (Third Stage: 100%)]

"I've gathered another 5 units of Origin Force, but still haven't found a suitable body-refining technique to improve," Lin Zheyu glanced at the data in his consciousness and muttered to himself.

Over the past ten days, he had neither found Liang Song nor managed to buy a suitable body-refining technique from the black market. Body-refining techniques were far too rare.

"The black market opens again tonight. Hopefully, I won't come back empty-handed." Lin Zheyu sighed.

After resting for a while, he stood and went to the corner where a medicinal broth was simmering. The broth was nearly done; he waited another ten minutes before pouring it out.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Uncle Lin, Mother asked me to call you over for dinner."

Han Tianshun's voice came from outside the courtyard. Whenever they knew Lin Zheyu was back, Han Mo's wife would have someone invite him to eat with them. They thought it improper for a grown man living alone, who couldn't cook, to eat out every day.

"All right, I'm coming," Lin Zheyu called back loudly.

He waited a bit for the medicinal broth to cool, drank it down, then stepped out and headed toward Han Mo's wife's home.

***

Outside of the house, the breeze was gentle, and a great dark cloud drifted over the blazing sun; it seemed rain was coming.

After finishing his meal, Lin Zheyu played with Han Tianshun, who was whining about not wanting to go to private school, and taught him a few moves of the Barbaric Ox Fist. The boy thought his elder brothers were too weak and refused to learn from them. He only wanted to train under Lin Zheyu.

Even Han Mo's wife and children managed to reach Bafang City. That must have been thanks to Lin Zheyu pulling strings through the Feihong Gang. It's been so long. I wonder how his strength has grown; has he been slacking off?

From a distant corner, Liang Song watched Lin Zheyu and Han Tianshun playing together, feeling a wave of emotion. By tracking the errand boys, he had easily located Lin Zheyu's residence. He watched for a while but did not show himself. He then turned and quietly left.

Moments later, a tall, burly figure appeared near the spot where Liang Song had been.

He's gone. Who was that just now?

Lin Zheyu frowned slightly.

After returning from dinner, he had sensed someone secretly watching him. Though the watcher hid well, he had been overconfident, staying too close. Lin Zheyu had noticed him easily. So, without revealing his suspicion, Lin Zheyu went back inside, changed clothes, and disguised himself slightly, planning to flush the man out. But within moments, the watcher had vanished.

Since arriving in Bafang City, I've met very few people, much less made any enemies. Why would someone be watching me? Could it be someone targeting Han Tianshu instead?

Lin Zheyu pondered in silence.

Among Han Mo's sons, only Han Tianshu served in the City Guard, so he was the most likely to have enemies. Lin Zheyu decided to wait until Han Tianshu returned and ask him about it. But his doubts were soon resolved. A simple-looking young man came running up and knocked on Lin Zheyu's courtyard gate.

"You're saying an unfamiliar old man suddenly stopped you and forced you to reveal my information?" asked Lin Zheyu.

"Yes. That man was very strong. I... I had no choice but to tell him about you. He also told me to give you a message; he asked you to stop looking for him. You won't be able to find him," said the young man.

"I see." Lin Zheyu nodded.

He now understood who the one spying in secret had been; it was most likely his master, Liang Song, who had deliberately come just to see him from afar. But the man clearly had no wish to meet face to face.

Lin Zheyu thought for a moment and then said, "Then forget it. Tell the others the job's done. This tael of silver is your reward; take the rest back and split it among the others."

"Yes. Thank you, sir," said the young man respectfully before he took the silver and left.