Chapter 28: So That's How It Is

Yan Buji changed into fresh clothes, ordered someone to report the matter to Sun Youzhi, then switched rooms to continue resting.

"Father!!!"

"Rou Er? You're back?" Yan Buji's face was pallid, as if he had been seriously frightened.

Yan Xirou's eyes reddened, tears couldn't help but flow.

Upon returning to the residence and hearing that her father had almost been assassinated, Yan Xirou was so frightened she nearly fell to the ground; she forced herself to see that her father was unharmed, only then could she relax.

"Father, it's such a relief you're okay! Who was that thief? Why did they try to assassinate you?"

Yan Buji gave a wry smile and shook his head: "How would I know? I ask myself, I've never offended anyone in this life, why would I resort to hiring a murderer? The crucial point is that the thief never actually struck; they only frightened me and left. What luck."

Yan Xirou wiped her tears, a little angry, and said: "We must have Lord Sun investigate that thief's identity, otherwise father would have been frightened for nothing!"

"It's fine, I hope Lord Sun can locate that thief's whereabouts soon."

"Hmm! Father, are you tired? Let me massage your shoulders."

"Alright, Rou Er, you're thoughtful." Yan Buji said with a look of contentment.

It was the lingering traces of intercourse on her body that kept Yan Buji sneering inwardly.

This matter needs no further thought; it's 100% a test by the Iron Tiger Guard, and they even returned for a second assassination—clearly their minds are heavy!

Moreover, I've already adjusted my qi and blood to the state I had when I met Ling Yan before, so there should be no mistakes.

To be safe, it's best not to go out for the next two days; after that vague spying disappears, then go out.

On the other side.

At the out‑city relay station.

Kūn Gate Master learned the situation, nodded, and said: "So it seems Yan Buji is just an ordinary person. Though his heart is unorthodox, he gave his daughter to Zhou Hua, also to pave the way to the capital?"

"From the recent asset movements of Yan Residence and the news Sun Youzhi, the magistrate, sent today, it does appear so," the man beside him said. He was the one who went to test Yan Buji today, trusted deeply by the Kūn Gate Master.

"Hmm, watch Yan Buji for the next two days; if he shows no movement, recall the men to investigate the nearby villages."

"Understood."

The Kūn Gate Master hesitated briefly, looked at him: "Zhang Feng, are you sure you didn't detect any abnormal aura on Yan Buji?"

"No. Combined with the information Miss Ling Yan gave earlier, that person does have slightly stronger qi and blood, but he's still just an ordinary human." Zhang Feng spoke very confidently.

The Kūn Gate Master nodded: "Hmm, it's not that I distrust you; it's just that Yan Buji is deep‑minded, and even after two tests you haven't seen anything extraordinary about him, which puzzles me. I thought such a person would at least have learned some martial skills."

"Perhaps he does know a bit; I see his hands are calloused, likely he practiced external techniques without internal cultivation. In his pampered, hurried life he also forgot how to face opponents. Unlike us masters, who, once achieved, can adjust our whole condition to the peak, bone marrow to heart blood, old skin replaced by new."

Zhang Feng meant that a master‑level fighter's body bears few scars or calluses, something ordinary cultivators can't imagine.

After all, when training daily and sparring, how could one be as pristine as a noble lady?

Yet the reality is that master fighters can control their qi and blood flow, even the activity of individual muscles. Their combat power is extraordinary; not only does their outer skin become as white as jade, but only when they strike does the rushing qi and internal energy erupt.

The most obvious case is someone like the aging Kūn Gate Master: normally he looks like an ordinary old man, but when he actually fights, he instantly becomes towering and fierce, his aura surpassing his former self!

Two days later.

Yan Buji sensed that the outside spying had vanished, so he dared to disguise himself in the afternoon, masquerading as a servant, and after several twists through the city finally reached Huang Songshan.

He didn't take the dock stairs directly; instead he climbed up from the cliff's sheer wall, taking less than half a day.

Arriving near Lingshan Academy, Yan Buji covered his face and observed the wandering scholars; finding no cultivators, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Sneaking into the academy, Yan Buji searched around and soon found Zhou Hua's residence.

The place was deserted, a rather secluded dwelling.

As he approached, he heard familiar sounds from inside, emitting waves of lewd murmurs; Yan Buji frowned.

Among those obscene words were some abnormal ones, like "master's little dog"?

It's hard to imagine those came from Rou Er's mouth, even Xiao Cui's voice was mixed in.

"Looks like Zhou Hua used some kind of drug; otherwise Rou Er couldn't have said that."

While pondering this, Yan Buji planned to bring him to trial in a few days, but suddenly another voice sounded.

"Brother Zhou, feel it? Yan Xirou's Yuan Yin is churning inside us, that's youth, hahaha!"

"Brother Li, it's awesome!"

"Hahaha."

The two men's laughter echoed, as if aware no one was around, they became even more reckless.

Huh?!

That voice was....

Yan Buji squinted, waited a while, then saw Rou Er and Xiao Cui, freshly washed, walk out, looking bewildered, and leave.

Indeed, they must have taken some kind of mind‑altering drug.

But who was the other person in Zhou Hua's room?

Yan Buji frowned, saw Zhou Hua exit with an elderly white‑haired man, and instantly recognized him.

"Is that him? Li Fengping!"

Zhou Hua clasped his hands and said: "Brother Li, see you tomorrow."

"Rest assured, as long as that formation remains effective, I'll return naturally. Hehehe."

"Hmm, just don't know when that old slick Yan Buji will come looking for me. I heard he caught a wind‑cold; he should be fine by now, right?"

"It should be these past few days. Especially today, we made his Rou Er suffer so badly; he'll definitely notice something off. Then you just follow our plan and say, at worst we take this concubine." Li Fengping laughed.

"Brother Li, rest assured, once we obtain Yan Xirou as a concubine, you'll have your share of benefits!" Zhou Hua chuckled.

Li Fengping gave a slight smile, took his leave.

Hidden in the shadows, Yan Buji finally understood: Zhou Hua had colluded with Li Fengping to violate Rou Er!

"But why? What does Rou Er's Yuan Yin mean to them?"

Youth?

Although there are some yin‑harvesting, yang‑supplementing evil skills among the common folk, those are only used by martial‑training people; the two of them have no inner Qi at all. Moreover, after the bedroom activities and being so old, they actually look better than an ordinary adult!

It seems Rou Er is more important than I thought, but it doesn't matter; she's just a daughter.

As for the formation they mentioned, that actually piqued Yan Buji's interest.

While pondering, Yan Buji floated down into the courtyard, flashed into the room and instantly knocked unconscious Zhou Hua, who was about to rest.

Seeing the surroundings spotless from cleaning, he guessed that Zhou Hua had enchanted Rou Er and Xiao Cui to make them clean up.

Hmph, they really know how to enjoy.

Unfortunately, mortals can only think of such trivial matters, not as strong and vicious as his own desires.