Chapter 10: The Three Great Illusions of Life

Life’s three great illusions.

Phone vibrating.

I can turn the tables.

She likes me!

Li Rui stared at the tiny characters before him, unsure what to think.

Jiang Yan is a noblewoman of Huaqing Sect—her birth, realm, and appearance all far surpass his, and he’s already seventy!

I’ve heard of foot fetishists, of those who fancy ugliness.

But this is the first time I’ve seen someone infatuated with an old man.

Li Rui has enough self-awareness to know that even if someone did fancy old men, they’d never choose someone like him.

Huaqing Sect has plenty of elderly immortals with ethereal aura—no need to pick him.

But if not out of affection, then she must be after something on him—a stable boy like him can only be of interest to Jiang Yan for one thing—Wu Bone!

Li Rui immediately went on alert.

If that’s the case, then everything makes sense now.

No wonder he’s always drawn Jiang Yan’s attention; though he didn’t know how she spotted his Wu Bone, he decided to avoid contact with these four Huaqing Sect members as much as possible.

【Gained recognition from sect noblewoman, achievement +2】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 0】

【Talent: Wu Bone】

【Achievement: 70/100】

Only when Han Qin led the group up the mountain and Jiang Yan’s figure vanished completely did the flickering characters finally stop.

In less than a quarter-hour, his achievement points surged by ten full points.

But Li Rui felt no joy at all.

The more Jiang Yan paid attention to him, the more dangerous his situation became.

What kind of colossal force is Huaqing Sect?

Even a speck of dust falling from it could crush him, a lowly stable boy.

Halfway up the mountain, the forest was lush and dense; beneath the trees, a dilapidated temple could barely be seen.

Better sleep in a grave than a ruined temple.

Local villagers avoided this place, so few ever came.

It wasn’t because ghosts or spirits truly dwelled there—it was simply that the temple had a roof to shield from wind and rain, making it a common hideout for bandits and outlaws.

At this moment.

Inside the temple’s Buddha hall.

A young man in lavish robes stood out grotesquely against the surrounding decay.

“All beings believe in you, but I do not.”

He gazed at the Buddha statue, coated in dust, his face filled with scorn.

If believing in Buddha could make one good, ordinary people would have no right to worship at all—what you want, you must seize yourself!

Just then—

A voice sounded outside the Buddha hall.

“Xu Shi-di, long time no see.”

The young man named Xu Hua turned his head and saw Han Qin standing outside the hall, as if appearing out of nowhere.

“So it’s Brother Han.”

Xu Hua showed no sign of panic upon seeing Han Qin.

“Hand over the cultivation art you stole from Master Ma, and I’ll report to the Enforcement Elder—shatter your sinews and bones, but spare your life.”

Han Qin barked.

Simultaneously, the sound of splintering wood echoed around the Buddha hall.

Zhu Yue, Zhou Hu, and Jiang Yan burst through windows from three directions, surrounding Xu Hua in the center.

“Ma’s got money to burn, but you four won’t stop me!”

Xu Hua sneered.

“Arrogant!”

Zhu Yue roared, drawing his sword first.

A sharp clang rang out as his blade leapt from its scabbard, striking straight for Xu Hua’s vital point.

Xu Hua didn’t dodge or retreat, nor did he draw his waist blade—he simply extended two fingers.

Tink!

A crisp sound.

Xu Hua pinched Zhu Yue’s swordtip between his fingers, halting it dead in its tracks.

Empty hands catch a blade!

Zhu Yue’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Xu Hua: “You’re Eighth Rank?!”

Xu Hua didn’t answer—he kicked Zhu Yue square in the chest.

A muffled groan escaped Zhu Yue as he staggered backward in pain; had Han Qin not rushed over to catch him, he’d have slammed into the hall’s wooden beam and been seriously injured.

“Forget martial virtue—attack together!”

Han Qin’s expression turned grim.

The bounty notice never mentioned Xu Hua had broken through—had he known, his cautious nature would’ve made him refuse this mission outright.

Zhou Hu and Jiang Yan’s faces grew serious too.

Like Zhu Yue, they were both Ninth Rank.

Zhu Yue was crippled in one exchange—neither of them stood a chance against Xu Hua.

The key now rested with Han Qin.

Han Qin shed his usual gentle demeanor; his longsword was already drawn, its chilling aura making even the air feel cold.

“Today, let me test the true power of Falling Petals Sword.”

Xu Hua let out a soft whistle and drew his long blade.

Han Qin frowned as he noticed faint black mist clinging to Xu Hua’s blade: “You’ve trained in demonic art?!”

Zhu Yue and the others suddenly understood.

No wonder Xu Hua broke through to Eighth Rank in just a few days—he’d trained in demonic art.

“Demonic art?”

“Techniques are tools—what’s the difference between orthodox and demonic? Brother, you’ve sunk to a lower level.”

Xu Hua’s lips curled into a sickly, delighted smile.

Han Qin snorted, unwilling to waste words—he knew demonic arts were powerful, and even he felt pressure.

At this moment—

Jiang Yan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke: “Brother, hold him off for me for a minute.”

Han Qin turned and saw Jiang Yan holding a brilliant golden talisman, its surface densely covered in vermilion script written in swirling, fiery strokes.

“Divine Weapon Talisman?!”

Seeing the talisman, Han Qin’s eyes lit up.

“Good! Jiang Shi-mei, cast it freely!”

Xu Hua, who had been so confident until now, finally paled: “You’re—”

Before he could finish, Han Qin’s sword was already at his chest.

Below the mountain.

Several crows, hidden somewhere, croaked harshly.

Li Rui gazed at the moonlight.

It was Xū hour.

“Why is it taking so long?”

Since Zhu Yue’s group climbed the mountain, a full hour had passed—logically, the fight should’ve ended long ago.

Real combat isn’t like wuxia novels, where battles drag on for days.

Anyone who’s fought for real knows: swinging a blade at full strength can exhaust you to the point of dislocation within fifteen minutes.

For experts, one strike is enough.

“Something’s gone wrong!”

Li Rui’s heart sank.

He acted instantly, quickly leading the four Xuehema horses to a hidden spot—should Xu Hua have allies, a confrontation would be disastrous.

Li Rui knew this mountain forest well.

Soon, he led the four Xuehema horses into a valley, where layers of trees completely concealed them from view.

Having finished, he clapped his hands in satisfaction.

Then he headed toward the ruined temple.

He’d visited that temple several times before and still remembered it well.

Soon, he spotted a corner of the abandoned temple.

Liu the Constable was leading a dozen constables surrounding the temple, and faintly, he could hear the clashing of weapons and shouts coming from inside.

It was none other than Zhu Family’s eldest son, Zhu Yue.

“Ghost Sect.”

“You traitor of Huaqing Sect.”

The distance was too great; their words were indistinct, and he could only catch fragments here and there.

Li Rui had no intention of stepping forward to help.

He had come here only to observe the situation, so he could escape easily.

(End of Chapter)