Chapter 92: There’s Always Something That Can’t Be Ignored
This time, Shi Hao learned from his mistake.
He moved slowly through the darkness.
With each step, he used the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art to suppress his energy flow, making no sound.
When he had followed Jiao Han earlier, although he had been careful not to make any noise, the slight pressure of his feet on the ground, the faint energy leakage from circulating his technique, had alerted Jiao Han.
That was the true strength of a fifth-rank expert. Shi Hao, having never tracked someone so powerful before, hadn’t considered that possibility.
Now, however, as he moved stealthily, he circulated the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, containing his energy completely within his body, preventing any leakage.
He peeked around a corner and saw two martial artists walking away, talking.
After they were gone, and seeing no one else around, he continued deeper into the compound.
He reached a library and listened at the door, but he heard no sound from within.
He quietly opened the door and slipped inside, searching the room.
The Leopard Palace was built within a circular mountain, and this library, located in a cave-like indentation in the cliff face, was completely dark, no moonlight reaching it.
Although there were lanterns and torches outside, the overall lighting was dim, and the library was pitch black.
Shi Hao cupped his hands together, palms facing outwards, and generated a faint demonic flame using the Mysterious Charm Technique.
He wished he had Xu Xiaoyan’s jade tube with the Night Fragrance Grass, a makeshift flashlight.
The flame between his palms cast a small circle of light, which he moved around the room.
Paintings and calligraphy, each a valuable masterpiece, hung on the walls.
He was tempted to steal a few and sell them… Considering he still needed three of the four main immortal ingredients for his next breakthrough, and only had the Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit so far, he was quite short on funds.
A long, rosewood table stood against the wall, covered in antiques.
He crouched down and carefully opened a drawer. There were many valuable items, but nothing useful in terms of information.
He searched the rest of the library, but it was the same.
Disappointed, he slipped out.
He reached a small training ground with a large, locked room beside it.
Peeking through the barred window, he saw numerous weapons hanging on racks.
An armory, he thought.
Beyond the training ground was the black-lacquered pavilion where Jiao Han had tried to trap him earlier.
He avoided it, continuing his search, carefully checking each room.
Time passed slowly. It would soon be the hour of the Tiger (3-5 am).
Yue Ya’er would be arriving with her troops soon. He had to escape before then… Without Xu Xiaoyan’s Void Traversing Brick, he couldn’t get past the outer defenses.
He stopped before a two-story pavilion with an upturned roof and two fire-breathing beast statues on either side.
It was located in a secluded corner of the compound, away from the other buildings.
Because the area was so dark, without even any lanterns, he had almost missed it.
He circled the building, looking up at the second floor.
He leaped gracefully, landing on the windowsill.
After a moment of silence, he extended his hand, channeling his true energy through the gap between the windowpanes.
A soft click came from inside.
He opened the window and climbed in.
Generating a small flame, he looked around. It was a bedroom.
A wardrobe stood against one wall, a bed with neatly arranged silk bedding beside it, and a square table with writing materials, a few books, and a blue account book.
His heart leaped. He examined the book in the flickering light.
It contained records of the Leopard Palace’s recent income and expenses.
He closed the book and placed it back on the table, then continued searching the room… He hoped to find the Leopard Gate’s main account book.
But he couldn’t find it. It was likely not kept here.
Suddenly, he extinguished the flame and looked out the window.
He saw servants hanging lanterns in the surrounding area.
Two figures, talking, were approaching. One was Jiao Han, the leader of the Leopard Gate, the other a woman.
This is bad, he thought. He hadn’t expected Jiao Han to return, let alone to this specific building.
He felt a sense of doom.
He quickly turned, drew the Heroic Deeds Blade, and hid under the bed.
He held his breath, slowly circulating the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, while simultaneously enveloping his body in a thin layer of Immortal Ice Technique energy.
He used the Immortal Ice Technique to regulate his body temperature, while the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art suppressed his life force and controlled the flow of his Daoist energy.
The faint layer of icy energy masked his body heat, making him blend in with the surroundings, while the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art prevented any energy leakage.
Against a fifth-rank expert like Jiao Han, he couldn’t afford any carelessness.
And this was different from before.
When he had followed Jiao Han earlier, he had used the Soul Chasing Locking Steps to sense his energy flow from a distance… and he had still been discovered.
Now, with Jiao Han about to enter the room, it was too late to escape.
He placed the Heroic Deeds Blade on his chest. That way, if he was discovered, he might be able to block a few blows before dying.
The door creaked open downstairs.
Candlelight flickered from the bottom of the stairs.
The bed was covered with a luxurious silk canopy that reached the floor. Even if someone looked up the stairs, he wouldn’t be seen.
“Leave us. Don’t let anyone near this place,” Jiao Han’s voice came from downstairs.
Then, the sound of the servants’ retreating footsteps.
“Master, such a commotion earlier. Who were you searching for?” a woman’s seductive voice asked.
“Two fools looking for trouble,” Jiao Han snorted, his tone laced with annoyance. “I don’t know how that girl managed it, but despite carrying an injured man, and leaving a trail of blood, they just… vanished.”
He paused, then asked, “Why aren’t you with that Zong Hai Xiu brat? What are you doing here?”
The woman chuckled, “What’s so interesting about that boy? I don’t know if he’s just a good actor, but he actually believes I’m some kind of saint. He’s always showering me with affection, but he won’t even touch me. He insists on divorcing his fiancée and marrying me properly.
“I’m tired of him. If he wasn’t from the Zong Hai family’s main branch, and somewhat useful, I would have left already. He’s so naive. Doesn’t he realize where he met me? Do those places really have girls who sell their art but not their bodies?”
Jiao Han said grimly, “It’s precisely because he’s naive and has genuine feelings for you that he’s useful to us.”
The woman said, “Master, I’m worried. The Ancestral Altar has captured several of my sisters. Those caught by them are never seen again. I’ve been making excuses, trying to prevent Zong Hai Xiu from revealing my true identity. If the Ancestral Altar finds out about me, I’m doomed.”
“Master, it’s too dangerous. Do I really have to go back?”
Jiao Han said, “We have to control Zong Hai Xiu. Don’t worry. You’re different from the other ‘female ghosts.’ You weren’t trained with them, and your background is impeccable. You’re from a ‘royal’ family, your ancestors having fallen from grace. Your origins are clear.”
“Just keep Zong Hai Xiu occupied. They won’t find out about you for now. We’ll think of something.”
The woman said, “I can handle that fool Zong Hai Xiu. But this can’t continue forever. He’s serious about divorcing his wife. I’ve managed to calm him down a few times, but I’m afraid he’ll do something rash and expose me. It’s my fault for pretending to be so virtuous. He actually believed me and insists on giving me a proper title.”
“Master, this can’t continue. Let me return to the sect.”
Jiao Han said, “Just be patient for another half a month. The situation might change. It’s a pity that Blood Shadow’s assassination attempt on Yue Ya’er failed. Otherwise, the Ancestral Altar would be too preoccupied to bother with us.”
The woman whispered, “I heard about that as well. I can’t believe even Blood Shadow Undying Child failed. Does that Yue Ke Tai girl possess such strength?”
Jiao Han said, “It was just an accident. That Yue Ya’er girl isn’t exactly virtuous. She brought a pretty boy to her room, intending to… have some fun. But that pretty boy turned out to be quite skilled and saved her. Thinking about it, Blood Shadow was too impatient.
“He should have waited until they were… occupied, and then struck. I doubt they would have survived that.”
The woman giggled, “You’re so wicked, Master. You want them to die in a moment of passion.”
The sounds of rustling clothes and the woman’s seductive moans followed, “Master… Master…”
Jiao Han laughed heartily, “I knew you were itching for it.” The sound of someone being lifted, a stool falling over, the flickering of candlelight, and then footsteps ascending the stairs…
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