Chapter 35

More than ten days later, one afternoon, Han Li slipped out of Shenshou Valley again to meet Li Feiyu.

It wasn’t truly sneaking out—Master Mo had long known of his frequent departures from the valley, yet he never interfered, allowing Han Li to come and go as he pleased.

At first, this indifference made Han Li uneasy, wondering what scheme the man had in mind. After several safe trips in and out, he realized no one was following him, and so he relaxed, boldly pursuing his own affairs.

After a long period of reflection, Han Li gradually understood the reason behind the man’s permissiveness.

Master Mo’s leniency toward Han Li stemmed from his own constraints.

Although he held Han Li tightly bound with the “Corpse Worm Pills” and the lives of his family as two heavy locks, he knew such crude control would breed deep resentment, making Han Li unwilling to cultivate sincerely. If he further restricted Han Li’s freedom of movement, it would only backfire. After all, Master Mo’s true goal was to inspire Han Li to cultivate the Evergreen Dao willingly—not to bind his hands and feet and force him.

Once Han Li understood the full context, his boldness grew. Previously, he had to avoid Master Mo’s gaze and tread carefully when entering or leaving the valley. Now, he no longer bothered to say anything—he simply strode past him with complete disregard.

On the surface, Han Li appeared carefree, as if he no longer cared at all, but inwardly he still maintained his cautious nature.

As soon as he stepped outside the valley, he activated the Evergreen Dao, elevating his hearing and senses to an astonishing level, bringing every moving object within dozens of zhang under his awareness.

Han Li believed that even if Master Mo himself were spying on him, he could not escape Han Li’s sensory detection.

In direct confrontation, he might be outmatched, but when it came to mastering the five senses, he had absolute confidence in himself.

Along the way, Han Li carefully avoided the patrolling disciples and entered the secret passage hidden within the old locust tree, climbing into the vicinity of the small pond where they had met before.

Inside, he saw Li Feiyu sitting barefoot beside the pond.

He lowered his head, his bare feet immersed in the chilly water, splashing it rhythmically with loud “plop, plop” sounds, sending up colorful droplets as he played with great delight.

Hearing Han Li’s approach, he didn’t look up, but complained directly:

“Han Shi-di, you’re getting later and later. Every time I have to wait half the day. Can’t you ever come a little earlier?”

“Sorry, I…” Han Li brushed the dirt off his clothes, about to explain.

“Here.”

Li Feiyu didn’t wait for him to finish—he tossed a massive bundle from behind his back straight at Han Li.

“What’s this? Food?” Han Li was baffled, but then felt the bundle was hard and heavy—not something edible.

“All you think about is eating! Didn’t you ask me to sneak out the Sword Manual for Blinking Blade?” Li Feiyu glared at him, then spoke seriously.

“A sword manual? Are you kidding? You didn’t just slip a whetstone from your courtyard in here, did you?” Han Li stared at the enormous object on his arm, his face filled with disbelief.

“So heavy!” He strained his arms, heaving it up—nearly toppling himself over.

“Hahahaha!” Li Feiyu could no longer contain himself—he burst into roaring laughter, rolling on the ground until he was covered in grass and dirt.

Han Li glanced suspiciously at his friend’s bizarre behavior, then at the enormous bundle.

“Thud!”

He gave the bundle a light kick with his foot—it truly felt like books.

Ignoring his laughing friend, Han Li rubbed his chin, squatted beside the bundle, and lifted his buttocks.

For him, speculating about something he could instantly verify was a pointless waste of mental energy.

Two clean, pale hands settled on the tight knot. Ten fingers flickered slightly, a blur of motion danced across the bundle—and the tightly tied knot unraveled miraculously.

“Clap! Clap!”

A crisp sound of applause echoed.

Han Li did not immediately open the bundle—he turned to look at his laughing friend.

Somehow, Li Feiyu had already stopped laughing and put on his shoes.

Now he clapped his hands vigorously, cheering Han Li on as if he didn’t care that his palms were bright red.

“Tsk tsk! Every time I see you use ‘Twisting Silk Hands’ so masterfully, I find it unbelievable. This martial art seems tailor-made for you. It’s only been two months since I taught you!” Li Feiyu kept clapping, murmuring “tsk tsk” in admiration.

“You didn’t turn a book into this giant bundle just to make me perform, did you?” Han Li snapped.

“Of course not. Open it and you’ll understand everything,” Li Feiyu said, his playful expression gone, replaced by solemnity.

Seeing his sudden seriousness, Han Li’s curiosity surged. He turned back, his gaze fixed once more on the bundle.

After a brief pause, he pinched one corner between his index and middle fingers, lifted gently—and revealed everything inside.

“This is…” Han Li’s forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, his eyes bulging as if they might pop.

“Well? Surprised, aren’t you?” Li Feiyu strolled over and patted his shoulder.

Han Li turned stiffly, staring at him in silence for a long while.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I won’t offer myself to you, you know?” Li Feiyu teased with a grin.

Hearing this joke, Han Li seemed to snap back to reality.

“I’m cutting ties with you. From now on, I don’t know you, and you’ve never seen me,” Han Li shouted angrily.

“Did I imagine it, or are you insane? You’ve dragged over half the Seven Perils Hall’s library! If the Hall’s Wardens find out, neither of us will be able to die quickly enough.”

On the upper-left corner of every book cover, bold golden characters written in ink brush declared: “Seven Perils Hall Library.”

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