Chapter 49: Doing What Must Be Done
Shi Hao knew that in every era of dynastic change, the first to rise up were often just “forerunners.”
They created momentum and shook the foundations of power, but the final victory rarely belonged to them.
A dying beast was still dangerous. Even if the common people were suffering, even if the barbarian court’s chariot was nearing its end, the first wave of resistance was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, a futile effort.
Even a weakened chariot could easily crush them.
But some things had to be done… for others to follow.
Fu Shiyuan was the first to raise the banner of rebellion, the first to shout, “Follow me!”
Shi Hao quickly assessed the situation, knowing the matter of the God-Sealing Stones had triggered a chain reaction.
The tide of change was unstoppable.
Leaving the city, they saw Six Gates constables escorting a group of prisoners, their blades stained with blood, their demeanor arrogant, the people shrinking back in fear.
“Old sir,” Xu Xiao Yan asked an elderly man by the roadside, “What happened there?”
The old man sighed, “What else? The royals in the city wanted Squire Li’s land. One of his servants, instigated by the constables, accused him of colluding with bandits. The Six Gates arrested his entire family.
“Squire Li’s two sons were martial artists, ranked, but they were no match for the Six Gates. They were killed along with many other young men from the Li family.”
Shi Hao saw a group of women, children, and elderly people in shackles, weeping as they were dragged towards the city.
He remained silent. Such things were commonplace in this era, and he was powerless to stop them.
But he couldn’t remain inactive.
He couldn’t save these people, but he had to do something.
That night, they stayed at an inn in a town outside the city.
As darkness fell, the moon rose.
Just a few days after the full moon, it was still almost full.
But clouds obscured its light, dimming its brilliance.
Xu Xiao Yan lay asleep in her room, the only light coming from the moon filtering through the window.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes and sat up.
She floated to the window and looked outside.
A figure leaped over the wall.
She muttered, “That man…”
And then said nothing more.
She lay back down, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Until, just before dawn, when the moon was hidden behind clouds, and the sky was still dark, she heard the sound of rushing wind outside.
A faint sound came from the next room.
She finally fell asleep.
When daylight broke, she got up and went outside.
The town was in chaos, soldiers patrolling everywhere.
She returned to the inn and saw Shi Hao emerging from his room, stretching.
He looked at her, “What’s going on outside? Why is it so noisy?”
Xu Xiao Yan smiled, “It seems there was a major incident in the city last night. The soldiers are searching for the culprit.”
Shi Hao said, “I see.”
They packed their belongings and left the inn. They were quickly stopped by several constables.
The constable in charge demanded, “You’re not from this town. Where are you from? Do you have travel permits?”
Shi Hao said, “Right here.” He presented his travel permit, which he always carried with him.
The barbarian court strictly controlled the movement of commoners. Traveling without a permit could lead to imprisonment.
However, travel permits were easily forged, so this regulation only affected ordinary, powerless people.
The constable took the permit and glanced at it… For martial artists, such documents were easily obtained and not taken seriously. He didn’t examine it closely, simply looking at the young man and woman before him.
“Do you practice martial arts?” the constable asked.
Shi Hao said, “A little.”
The constable frowned, “Which sect?”
Shi Hao replied, “I’m an outer disciple of Ming Kun Monastery in Jin Prefecture.”
The constable said coldly, “Is that so?” He suddenly struck out, his palm aimed at Shi Hao’s chest.
Shi Hao raised his hand, and their palms met with a crack. He stood firm, while the constable swayed slightly.
The constable snorted, returned the travel permit, and said, “Go on.”
Shi Hao took the permit, and they continued on their way.
One of the constables beside him said, “Constable Chen, that young man just now…”
The constable said, “Daoist internal energy. Not the same as the attacker last night.”
He looked up and muttered, “This is troublesome. Dozens of lives taken in a single night, and they were all royals in the city… These villains are becoming more and more brazen.”
Shi Hao and Xu Xiao Yan left the town. Xu Xiao Yan, her hands behind her back, walked around him, studying him.
Shi Hao looked at her, puzzled, “What is it?”
Xu Xiao Yan asked, “How many did you kill?”
Shi Hao feigned innocence, “What do you mean, how many did I kill?”
Xu Xiao Yan chuckled, “Those arrogant barbarians in the city. How many of them did you kill?”
Shi Hao thought for a moment and said, “I don’t remember. I just remember I didn’t kill any women or children.”
Xu Xiao Yan pursed her lips, “Sexist. Why is it alright to kill men but not women? Do you look down on women?”
Shi Hao looked at her, “Wow! Are you seriously picking a fight over this?”
Xu Xiao Yan said, “What? What fight?”
Shi Hao chuckled, “Nothing… nothing!”
Xu Xiao Yan looked suspicious, “You killed so many people, there must be traces. The method of killing, the residual energy… it all leaves clues. That constable just now clearly tested your internal energy to see if it matched the attacker’s.
“Why did he let you go so easily?”
Shi Hao smiled, “Because I’m not the ‘attacker.’”
Xu Xiao Yan said, “Is that so… Take this!” She suddenly leaped into the air, her foot aimed at Shi Hao’s chest.
Her kick was swift and powerful. Shi Hao raised his hand, stopping her foot three inches away with a loud crack.
In the next instant, Xu Xiao Yan moved around him like a swallow, a flurry of attacks, her movements blurring.
Shi Hao was inwardly surprised by her bizarre footwork but didn’t retreat.
He used his fingers as a sword, his steps precise and measured, counterattacking.
Their figures intertwined, their speed increasing. As they fought, Xu Xiao Yan spun and kicked, her leg intercepted by Shi Hao. She flew backwards, her arms extended gracefully, a perfect “white crane spreads its wings” posture.
Shi Hao turned, his finger-sword flashing, continuing his attack.
The girl’s retreating figure disappeared, replaced by a series of flickering, unpredictable phantoms.
Suddenly, she retreated and said in surprise, “That’s impossible. That’s Daoist internal energy… Are you really from the Chongxian Sect?” She made a face of disgust.
Shi Hao smiled, “It’s Daoist internal energy, but I’m definitely not from the Chongxian Sect! If I were, why would I help those rebels steal the God-Sealing Stones?”
Xu Xiao Yan sighed in relief, “That’s good. I was about to be disgusted.”
Then her eyes widened, “But that still doesn’t make sense. You know the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique. That night, the man from the Ghost Extreme Sect thought you were using Black Lotus Realm techniques. But now you’re using Daoist internal energy?”
She looked at Shi Hao hesitantly, “Are you really the person who appeared that night?”
Shi Hao smiled, “You were so certain before. Why are you doubting yourself now?”
Xu Xiao Yan muttered, “But it doesn’t make sense. I’ve never encountered anything like this.”
Shi Hao said, “Your internal energy also has a seventh-rank foundation. That’s not surprising. But although it’s Daoist energy, it’s also incredibly… yin, and your techniques are more like those of the demonic sects. I find that quite strange as well.”
Xu Xiao Yan was clearly not a dual cultivator!
Shi Hao possessed both Daoist and demonic foundations and could use techniques corresponding to either.
Therefore, when he used Daoist techniques, no one would suspect his connection to the demonic sects. And when he used demonic techniques, there would be no trace of Daoist energy.
As for Xu Xiao Yan, she clearly cultivated Daoist internal energy.
But it was unusually yin, and her techniques were bizarre and unpredictable, similar to the Severing Meridian Burning Heart Finger, Soul Chasing Locking Steps, and Violet Vortex Blade Technique taught by Su Mei… There were even similarities in their styles.
In a sense, she was also a “dual cultivator”… using Daoist energy to fuel demonic techniques.
Of course, such a combination, although rare, was theoretically possible.
His situation, however, possessing two completely opposite foundations within him, was truly unheard of, likely unprecedented and probably unrepeatable.
Xu Xiao Yan clearly had secrets of her own. Although curious, he didn’t pry.
She walked around him, hands behind her back, and chuckled, “You seem older than me. If you started training at the same age as me, you would have had two or three more years of practice. Yet, your strength is comparable to mine. Hee hee, it seems your talent isn’t that impressive after all.”
Shi Hao smiled faintly, not bothering to correct her.
She wouldn’t believe him if he told her he had only been practicing for a month.
Xu Xiao Yan tugged at his arm, “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere.”
Shi Hao asked, “Where?”
Xu Xiao Yan smiled, “A place where you can find all sorts of information, a gathering place for the ‘unorthodox.’ But there are two types of people who are never allowed there.”
Shi Hao asked, “What two types?”
Xu Xiao Yan said, “Members of the Chongxian Sect, and demonic cultivators.”
Shi Hao said, “But you have connections to the demonic sects, don’t you?”
Xu Xiao Yan chuckled, “Although I have connections, I’m not a demonic cultivator. My foundation is Daoist. By the way, don’t use any demonic techniques there. Those people are very sensitive.”
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