Chapter 565: 518 Leaving a Shadow

After the two of them spoke a series of words that no one could understand, they decided to stay of their own accord.

Even Tang Zhao felt a jolt in his heart upon hearing this talk of "playing around."

In Wangliang Mountain, for an Abyss Envoy whose status is superior to all manors, "play" can have many meanings.

Never mind Xing Cang, even Tang Zhao did not want two harbingers of doom suddenly appearing before his eyes.

That Pipa seemed to have no interest, merely plucking its strings faintly, and asked, "What is fun about a Third-tier Manor? Only that coffin is a bit curious. Did someone die here? Your Manor Master?"

No deduction was needed; in Wangliang Mountain, only Manor Masters have funerals and coffins; those sword slaves and former sword slaves do not even have corpses when they die.

Tang Zhao said, "Yes, it is our old Master. The previous Manor Master..."

That Pipa did not care at all who the previous Manor Master was, and asked, "Oh, then what about your New Master?" It cast its eyes toward Xing Cang and said, "Is it you?"

Xing Cang hurriedly said, "This old servant is not. This old servant is merely a sword slave, just acting as a steward at the old Master's behest. The New Master is the old Master's son; he is not in the manor, but is currently resting in Yulang City."

That Pipa's voice rose slightly, saying, "You are a sword slave? One is either a slave in Wangliang Mountain or a sword slave. Strange, strange! And, your new Manor Master is the old Manor Master's son, the Spirit Hall is here, the coffin hasn't been buried yet, and he is in Yulang City? Even stranger..."

At this moment, He suddenly said, "Manying, why is it strange that his son is in Yulang City?"

The Pipa's string sounds condensed slightly, then it said, "You don't understand, this is the custom on the human side. When a father dies, the son should be here keeping watch; he should be sad and heartbroken."

He shook its head and said, "Father died, what does that have to do with the son? It's not like he died himself."

Tang Zhao pursed his lips, and even Xing Cang's facial features twitched slightly.

The Pipa said, "There are indeed people who think like you. Humans, nothing they do is strange. But this manor certainly has many oddities. I think..."

Tang Zhao stepped forward and said, "Reporting to the Abyss Envoy, the Master staying down the mountain is not out of unfilial piety, but out of great filial piety. Our old Master's greatest wish during his lifetime was for Changfa Manor to ascend to the Second-tier and move closer to Lord Wangliang. Unfortunately, he was just one step away; he failed before achieving his goal and could not see this day. Our Master is rushing about day and night to fulfill the old Master's last wish, vowing that if this matter is not completed, he will not hold the funeral. He wants the old Master's spirit in heaven to witness this great event. In ten days or half a month, it will be accomplished. When our manor is gloriously promoted to the Second-tier, bringing honor to our ancestors, we will then hold a grand funeral, and the old Master will be able to smile in the underworld."

The Pipa's string sounds stopped, not knowing what it was thinking; it only had two suspected eyes, and no emotion could be discerned at all.

Instead, He asked curiously, "Eh? Can manors in Wangliang Mountain be promoted?"

Tang Zhao thought: So you don't know anything? Even if you are a newly appointed Abyss Envoy, is there no training when you start the job? Can't you stir up people's psychological shadows? Can a novice like you handle this kind of sword art that toys with people's hearts?

He explained, "Yes, there has always been this rule..."

He recounted the rules for the challenge required for promotion, and seeing He reveal an expression of great interest, Tang Zhao's heart stirred, and he continued to share the news that the Civil Battle with Sunset Manor had already had its rules set.

Firstly, he wanted to see the reaction of these Abyss Envoys to engaging with a legendary, special manor like Sunset Manor; secondly... it would be even better if he could make use of them.

He still remembered Tu Fei telling them to curry favor with the Abyss Envoys.

Perhaps he could save a sum of money on incense.

After hearing this, He became instantly excited and said, "Oh, there is such a lively event? I thought Wangliang Mountain was a stagnant pool; I didn't expect there to be such excitement to watch! If I didn't come down occasionally, I wouldn't even know about this!"

Tang Zhao followed up immediately: "If the Abyss Envoy is interested and can grace the upcoming Sword Fighting meeting with your presence, it would be the greatest honor for us servants."

Once these words were spoken, He was overjoyed and said, "That's right, I can go to the scene to watch the fun!"

However, apart from it, no one was happy. The Pipa's gaze was fixed quietly on the scene, while Xing Cang's heart sank, inwardly cursing: This thing Xing Qi doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth; could he have actually believed Tu Fei's nonsense? How could an Abyss Envoy be so easily persuaded to protect you? They are clearly harbingers of doom; one should avoid them, yet you are inviting them into the house?

But while he was imposing at the gate of Changfa Manor, he could not say a word when encountering these two non-humans. He could only watch helplessly as Changfa Manor was led into the ditch by this ignorant Xing Qi.

The Pipa suddenly said, "Sunset Manor? Why did you choose Sunset Manor?"

As expected, this question came. Tang Zhao said honestly, "I heard that Sunset Manor has fallen into decline recently and is feared to be unworthy of being a Second-tier Manor, so we want to take its place. One reason is the old Master's last wish, and the second is to kick out those who hold positions but do not perform their duties in Wangliang Mountain, to rectify the atmosphere. Could it be that we were wrong and cannot choose Sunset Manor?"

He interjected, "It's not that you can't. It is an important place among the Second-tier Manors. But the place is important, while the people are mediocre; as long as the place called Sunset Manor exists, that is enough. You chose Sunset Manor; you can change the name to New Sunset Manor later."

Looking at its appearance, Sunset Manor didn't matter; it would get angry at anyone who didn't let it watch this excitement.

It continued to ask, "When is this little game of yours set for?"

Tang Zhao said, "It has not been set yet... The Sunset Manor Master and our Master are discussing the format, location, and date repeatedly..." He then recounted the back-and-forth tug-of-war, adding embellishments.

He listened with great impatience and said, "You lot are dragging your feet; are you unable to make up your minds? The Sacrifice is right before us; if you don't set it, won't it drag on for three years? Who can afford to wait that long? In my opinion, it's better to set it quickly. The bigger the excitement, the better; the previous plan for eight people was very good. And the Sword Hero, the Manor Master appearing—three big shows in a row; these programs are all very good."

Tang Zhao said, "If only we could invite the Abyss Envoy lords to come forward. Regardless of what kind of Second-tier Manor Master he is, he looks down on our Third-tier Manor, but he would not dare not listen to the Abyss Envoy's words. Wouldn't he have to compete whenever we say?"

He said, "That is not difficult. Who does your manor worship?"

Tang Zhao felt a surge of joy in his heart, thinking: It's here. He hurriedly said, "We servants are but a Third-tier Manor; how could we have the qualifications to worship an Abyss Envoy?"

He realized, "Right, you miscellaneous ones don't worship anyone. Although some Third-tier Manors have started to worship, you are considered small even among Third-tier Manors. How about this: although I have forgotten why I came, since I am here, it must be your luck. Then just worship me."

It stretched out a claw and picked up a white candle from the Spirit Hall, lit it lightly, and a flame ignited.

In Wangliang Mountain, the color of the flame was also very dim; the light could be yellow or red, but it was not bright at all. It just vaguely cast a shadow on the wall that looked like a bear and a fox.

Then, He blew out the candle flame. The shadow on the wall did not disappear; it was permanently preserved.

This move was just like wild beasts in the mountains using body fluids to mark their territory; once branded, it was its place.

Xing Cang saw an imprint on the wall of Changfa Manor that even he could not control, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly, but he was helpless; he only secretly added another mark against the Xing Qi who had invited the wolf into the house.

Tang Zhao was surprised: Does leaving a shadow represent being a confidant? I didn't expect it to be so easy?

We didn't spend a single cent.

He said, "You can worship this here. You can't use anything better anyway. Once you occupy Sunset Manor, you can worship an image there. When you call me then, I will be able to respond."

The Pipa was originally impatient, but upon hearing this, its heart stirred: It was not entirely stupid. It was a newly appointed Abyss Envoy and did not have a single confidant manor. Now, it could quietly accept a future Second-tier Manor here. And it was a place like Sunset Manor. Sunset Manor relied on its seniority and past merits, and did not worship any Abyss Envoy; Wu Shayu wished he could say he was the Abyss Envoy himself. Who didn't hate him? Now that there was a chance to change people and also take Sunset Manor for itself, Xin Ying was tempted.

However, it also had to succeed. If Changfa Manor was vulnerable and was defeated by Sunset Manor in a few moves, Xin Ying's layout would be in vain.

Of course, it was just a casual move; apart from losing face here, there was no loss.

From the current situation... the Pipa, that is, Manying, did not think highly of this place.

This manor didn't have many people; among the few people in front, there were only a mere four Sword Guests. The two younger Sword Guests were the most ordinary miscellaneous sword guests in Wangliang Mountain, with no skills and no future. Of the two older ones, the oldest was strange; his age was not small, and he didn't even look like a Wangliang Mountain sword guest—there must be a catch. The slightly younger one, the one Xin Ying liked, was very good at talking, but his thoughts were treacherous and unfathomable.

In short, it was a group of mediocre people, either sinister or stupid, with signs of internal strife, plus that "New Master" who made excuses not to keep the vigil and was fooling around in Yulang City. It could be called a small temple with a big demonic wind. Manying felt that they probably couldn't even beat the currently chaotic Sunset Manor.

A farce. It thought.

But He was very interested, and after leaving the shadow, it became even more familiar, actually chatting with Xing Qi about the details. First, it talked about choosing a date, then said it could help with the location: "Just choose Sunset Manor. What home-field advantage? We are all here; what does he dare to do? If you don't want it at Sunset Manor, you can have any place you want. Even circling a piece of land next to the Altar is fine."

Of course, it was just talk; the status of a Second-tier Manor could not be used at the Altar under any circumstances. Instead, He later talked about inviting guests, saying that not only would it come as an Abyss Envoy, but it could also call another wave of Abyss Envoys. They, the Abyss Envoys, were good friends, and it guaranteed that apart from the Sacrifice, they had never come together like this.

Xing Cang listened with fear and trepidation, fearing that the matter would blow up to the heavens. Regardless of suspicion, he kept winking at Xing Qi, telling him to decline. Who knew that the damned Xing Qi didn't understand at all, but instead only focused on flattery, wishing he could really call that whole gang of Abyss Envoys—snakes, insects, rats, and ants—over to save face.

That He was very happy to be flattered by him, and although there was nothing to do, it lingered and did not leave. Tang Zhao even took the opportunity to invite He to tour Changfa Manor. That He was still full of interest and followed Tang Zhao to tour the small courtyard. Turning his head, he saw the Pipa was still on the offering table, and his heart stirred: Could it be that it cannot leave?

Fortunately, Tang Zhao had already obtained the floor plan and memorized it thoroughly; although it was his first time here, he was not afraid of revealing any flaws while acting as a guide, so he led the Abyss Envoy toward the back. Turning his head, he saw the pipa still on the offering table, and his heart stirred: could it be that it cannot leave?

The raccoon then remembered and said, "Manying cannot walk on her own; one of you come and carry Manying. You..." He glanced at Tang Zhao, "You won't do, let the youngest one among you come."