Chapter 19

“Senior Brother Han, you really are oblivious to the world outside—how could you not know about something this big? Even if you were in seclusion, your master should have mentioned it to you.” Xiao Suanpan’s tone betrayed renewed suspicion.

Without a word, Han Li swiftly pulled a waist token from his person and handed it to Xiao Suanpan.

“Senior Brother Han, what are you doing? How could I possibly doubt you? Just seeing you, I feel a sense of familiarity—I’m sure we’ve met before, hehe!” He quickly glanced at the token with the corner of his eye, confirmed it was genuine, and immediately broke into a smile.

“Now can you tell me?” Han Li still cared about the question he had just raised.

“Of course, of course I can.”

“Damn, I’ve probably offended this guy,” Xiao Suanpan muttered inwardly, yet he honestly spilled everything.

Over the past few years, the conflict between the Seven Mysteries Sect and the Wild Wolf Gang had intensified. The two sides had fought over a dozen battles—large and small—for several prosperous towns whose ownership was disputed, suffering heavy losses on both sides. The Wild Wolf Gang’s members were all trained like bandits, fighting with utter disregard for their lives; once they saw blood, they grew even more frenzied. Though the Seven Mysteries Sect’s disciples were more skilled in martial arts, they lacked that ruthless edge, hesitating and holding back in combat. As a result, the latter suffered far greater casualties. After several consecutive battles, the Seven Mysteries Sect’s senior figures could no longer sit idle—they dispatched most of their inner-disciples to join the upcoming series of clashes. On one hand, these territories must not be lost; on the other, the disciples needed to witness the brutality of the martial world and hone their actual combat experience.

In later skirmishes, the Seven Mysteries Sect gained the upper hand, but their inner-disciples suffered too many casualties—many senior brothers who left never returned. At this point, Xiao Suanpan sighed deeply.

Later, the sect masters changed strategy: inner-disciples were first assigned to less critical missions elsewhere to gain experience, and only after acquiring some martial world experience were they sent to fight the Wild Wolf Gang. As a result, casualties dropped significantly. This policy was formally incorporated into the sect’s rules over the past two years: all disciples must descend the mountain for training before being granted an official position within the sect.

Thus, nearly all the older senior brothers on the mountain had been dispatched below—either entangled with the Wild Wolf Gang or undergoing training. Aside from the necessary guards, only these young, uninitiated disciples remained on the mountain.

Hearing this, Han Li finally understood the reason for the mountain’s changed atmosphere.

*Clang!* A loud crash rang out as a soft sword flew into the air.

Zhao Ziling pressed his right wrist, where the impact had injured his tiger’s mouth, his face pale as he staggered backward several steps, gasping heavily.

Just now, caught off guard by Senior Brother Li’s rapid chain of sword strikes, he had been forced to parry with his soft sword—only to have the immense force transmitted through the blade knock the weapon from his hand.

“Senior Brother Li, truly formidable. I yield.” Zhao Ziling forced a smile and bowed.

Around him, a wave of cheers erupted.

“Senior Brother Li, such superb skill!”

“Senior Brother Li, what an amazing sword technique!”

“Senior Brother Li, please instruct this junior!”

Voices of eager admiration, refusing to be outdone, echoed across the entire grounds.

Senior Brother Li sheathed his long blade, a faint blush rising on his face—he was about to say something when suddenly his expression changed, his brow furrowed as if remembering something.

He clasped his fists coolly and said, “I have urgent matters to attend to. I must take my leave.”

Turning, he floated gracefully out of the arena, displaying a refined display of lightness skill, vanishing into the pine grove beside the cliff.

“Tsk tsk! Senior Brother Li not only has excellent sword technique, but his lightness skill is impressive too.”

“Exactly!”

“Exactly!”

More praises rose again.

Han Li frowned. Senior Brother Li’s martial skill was indeed good, but he seemed fond of showing off—probably just youthful arrogance.

He turned the thought over in his mind and couldn’t help but smile wryly—he wasn’t even older than these people. Why did his thinking always feel so aged, as if he were already an old man? It seemed his cultivation of that scripture had aged his mindset.

“Younger brother, I still don’t know your name?” Han Li glanced at Xiao Suanpan standing nearby and suddenly asked his name.

“I’m Jin Dongbao, but Senior Brother Han can just call me Xiao Suanpan.” Xiao Suanpan perked up instantly upon hearing Han Li ask his name—he felt he had just secured a powerful patron.

“If you fall ill or get injured, come to me—I’ll treat you for free.” Han Li patted his shoulder, glanced at the crowd now arguing again in the arena, and walked without looking back into the nearby pine grove.

Left behind, Jin Dongbao stood dazed, utterly confused, unable to grasp what Han Li had meant.

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