Chapter 33: Hidden meridians are actually a death warrant

"Prisoner Number Thirteen was arrested because he got into a conflict with a noble while dining at a restaurant. After being locked up, he couldn't explain the origin of the valuables on his person, so he was thrown into the Heavenly Prison on charges of theft. Upon entering the prison, he was subjected to severe torture; his skin was torn, his flesh mangled, and all four limbs broken, yet they couldn't extract a single copper coin from him.

It is said that his accent sounded like a local from the capital at first, but certain words clearly carried the cadence of an outsider trying to imitate the capital dialect. Therefore, it is judged that he must have come from elsewhere. As for exactly where he came from, it remains unclear to this day."

After eating a few bites of mutton, Chen Guanlou took the initiative to introduce the situation of Number Thirteen.

He hadn't been idle these past few days; he had been very diligent in inquiring about the situation of Prisoner Number Thirteen.

"Is that all?" The swordsman was clearly unsatisfied.

Chen Guanlou took a sip of wine, didn't even glance at the other party, and continued: "The Six Shanmen searched Cell Thirteen from top to bottom; they practically pried up every single brick. All I know is that it seems they didn't find any useful clues. Furthermore, Prisoner Number Thirteen has a very tough backbone. The prison guard who collects the 'protection money' said he hadn't seen such a tough-spirited martial arts rogue in many years. Additionally, Number Thirteen has calluses on his hands, clearly indicating he is a practitioner of Wu Gong, yet he possesses no martial meridians. Therefore, it is impossible for him to have cultivated any peculiar techniques."

Those without martial meridians can only practice some shallow, common skills. They cannot practice profound martial arts.

"You mean to say that Number Thirteen relied purely on willpower to endure those dark, sunless days and was still alive when he was snatched away?"

"Although it sounds incredible, that is the fact. Unless he has hidden meridians, and the prison guard's insight wasn't sharp enough to see it."

At this moment, Chen Guanlou felt incomparably nervous and anxious in his heart.

This was the first time he had mentioned the two words "hidden meridians" in front of someone.

To cover himself, he ate and drank heartily, not daring to look at the swordsman again.

"Hidden meridians? Those with hidden meridians are one in ten thousand." The swordsman muttered to himself.

"What are hidden meridians? I heard others discussing that Number Thirteen might have hidden meridians, but no one can clearly explain what they are."

The swordsman didn't suspect anything and said directly: "So-called hidden meridians, on the surface, look like an ordinary person. One needs a martial artist of the Fifth Rank or higher to help unblock the hidden meridians before one can cultivate profound martial arts."

"Meaning, hidden meridians are blocked martial meridians? Anyone below the Fifth Rank can't see them?"

"You could say that; they are just obstructed martial meridians, and they are hidden very deeply. Most martial artists cannot distinguish the difference between someone with hidden meridians and an ordinary person."

Chen Guanlou looked expectant, "Then can you distinguish them? Can you see if I have hidden meridians?"

"You?" The swordsman seemed to have heard a huge joke, "Although I don't know how to distinguish them, I can be certain you do not have hidden meridians."

"On what basis do you conclude I don't?"

"The last time hidden meridians appeared in the capital was ten years ago. From this, you can see how rare they are."

"What happened to that person with hidden meridians ten years ago? Did they achieve fame and success?"

"Dead! They didn't!" The swordsman was concise.

Chen Guanlou was puzzled.

Seeing his curiosity, the swordsman kindly explained: "Hidden meridians are so rare and precious; once discovered, the Jixia Academy will absorb them. After that... there is no 'after that'."

Chen Guanlou's mouth hung open in disbelief.

So, hidden meridians were actually Tang Monk meat.

"Since they are rare, why kill them?" He didn't understand.

"Hidden meridians have one characteristic: they can hide one's cultivation level. Even a Grandmaster cannot see through the depth of a martial artist with hidden meridians. Moreover, martial artists with hidden meridians cultivate martial arts at an incredibly fast speed and have a high probability of stepping into the Grandmaster realm. After hearing this, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?" The swordsman asked back with a half-smile.

"The Chosen One." Chen Guanlou blurted out. Hidden meridians were definitely the Chosen One, the protagonist template of a novel.

Unexpectedly, the swordsman sneered, shook his head, and said: "Martial artists with hidden meridians are fundamentally born assassins. As long as such people live for one day, many people will be unable to sleep or eat in peace."

Chen Guanlou was left speechless, wanting to refute but finding he couldn't say a word. He had nothing to say. He only sighed at this god-forsaken world.

Indeed!

A martial arts genius who cannot be seen through, who can perfectly disguise themselves as an ordinary person. Just ask if the powerful and noble are afraid, if Grandmasters are afraid, if martial artists are afraid.

In a world where martial arts are supreme, everyone plays with their cards face up.

Suddenly, a guy playing with cards face down appears; who wouldn't be terrified?

Kill!

They must be eliminated quickly.

Such people must never be allowed to live.

Chen Guanlou silently took a sip of wine, his heart churning. With hidden meridians posing such a huge risk, his previous plans had already miscarried.

He suppressed the various complex thoughts in his heart and continued the conversation: "How does one judge if a person has hidden meridians?"

The swordsman shook his head, "I don't know. I only know that the Jixia Academy has a way to test if a person has hidden meridians."

Upon hearing this, Chen Guanlou raised his eyebrows slightly, "Is it that mysterious?"

The swordsman gave a cold laugh, "What do you think?"

Chen Guanlou:...

He hurriedly changed the subject and started talking about Prisoner Number Thirteen again: "If Prisoner Number Thirteen is also a rare case of hidden meridians, is this the reason why he was snatched away? The Six Shanmen attach such importance to it, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard has stepped in; is it because the higher-ups have already confirmed that Prisoner Number Thirteen is a hidden meridian case?"

"I don't know. This matter requires you to confirm it."

"You don't know someone..." Halfway through his sentence, Chen Guanlou hurriedly shut his mouth; his life was more important. He also guiltily avoided the other party's gaze.

"Are you trying to say that I know people in the government, or even suspect that I am a lackey of the government?" The swordsman smiled, his eyes full of mockery.

Chen Guanlou immediately laughed it off, "I just thought that your connections must be broader than mine, and you know more people. I really can't find out about the matters above. I was only able to hear about hidden meridians because I got lucky and happened to hear people chatting about it."

"You just happened to hear it, and you heard the key point, solving my doubts of many days. You might as well listen again and confirm the authenticity of the news."

"I really can't."

"Chen Guanlou, you don't seem to be clear about your own situation." The swordsman picked up a piece of mutton, put it in his mouth, chewed slowly, and stared at him leisurely.

Chen Guanlou took a deep breath, knowing the other party wouldn't let him off easily.

He pulled a bitter face, "I'll do my best!"

"I believe you will definitely be able to handle this matter. Don't worry, there will be benefits for you afterwards. Thanks for the treat, I'm off."

The swordsman climbed over the wall and left.

Chen Guanlou ate his meal without any appetite.

The swordsman's threat was within his expectations.

What truly made his heart turn cold was that the situation of hidden meridians was so dangerous. If he were to disguise himself as having hidden meridians, wouldn't he be courting death?

Difficult, difficult, difficult!

How on earth should this matter be resolved?

Wait!

Why didn't Duan Tianlin suspect him of having hidden meridians back then? Was it because his Wu Gong was too low? Or was it that Duan Tianlin lacked experience and couldn't even think of hidden meridians? ===== CHAPTER 34 =====