Chapter 330: 336. Chapter 336: Secret

336. Chapter 336: Secret

Lin Ke decided to deeply study the ancient wizard system of this world.

Although Yun Xinying and the Ghost Eye evil technique gave Lin Ke a bad impression, one cannot generalize; without a full understanding, it would be wrong to completely deny the ancient wizard system.

Not being blindly faithful and not being arrogant is the proper mindset for someone engaged in academic research.

Wizards are actually just a group of enthusiasts passionate about academic research.

To study the ancient wizard system, one needs an entry point.

This entry point, Yun Xinying and the Witch Charm organization behind her, could not be more suitable.

Be aware that in the past ten years, Lin Ke has only been exposed to Human Immortal Martial Arts and Mechanical Martial Arts.

Despite having read extensively, he found not a trace of records concerning the ancient wizard system or societies like the Witch Charm.

Perhaps it is because the books Lin Ke has read were filtered by his master Li Shuwen;

Perhaps it is because the authorities have strictly banned such textual materials;

Perhaps there are other reasons.

None of that matters.

What matters is……

Lin Ke, through the mark he left behind, discovered that Yun Xinying had already gone to the Lotus Heart Pavilion on Mianliu River, his thoughts deep and secluded.

Yun Xinying surely could still yield some information under interrogation, but her value lies in drawing out more members of the Witch Charm organization.

If we could follow the vine to catch a few Transmission Skill Elders and the like, the information gained from interrogation would surely be abundant.

Just as he was thinking that, Senior Brother Shi, who had finished dealing with the ghost matter inside the martial hall, arrived.

"Senior Brother, is there something?"

Lin Ke snapped out of his contemplation, rose, and walked toward Senior Brother Shi standing outside.

"Wei Hanshan has arrived, saying he has something very important to discuss and wishes to speak with us, specifically requesting to see you."

Senior Brother Shi's mood was not good, his tone sounding somewhat low.

Anyone whose household has an internal spy would react this way.

A household traitor!

How heartbreaking, how infuriating!

"Oh?"

Lin Ke let out a surprised 'eh,' feeling a bit curious.

How long had it been since Yun Xinying ran away before Wei Hanshan showed up at the door?

His sense of smell and decision‑making ability are really strong.

No wonder he is a capable and ruthless figure who built a top‑ten provincial industrial conglomerate from scratch.

"Let's go, Senior Brother, and go see him together."

Lin Ke gathered his thoughts and walked toward the front courtyard of the martial hall.

Soon the two brothers arrived at the reception hall and saw Wei Hanshan leisurely sipping tea.

However, Lin Ke's attention was not on Wei Hanshan; his eyes were fixed on the middle‑aged steward A Chen standing behind Wei Hanshan, whose presence was extremely faint.

"Hah…"

Lin Ke smirked, then quickly composed his expression and said indifferently, "Mr. Wei, are you here to talk or to make a show of force? Even the former senior brother of the Southern Jianghu Mechanical Martial Arts Beauty Machinery School has been summoned."

The forces of Human Immortal Martial Arts exist in the form of sects, clans, and martial halls.

The forces of Mechanical Martial Arts exist in the form of schools.

Each school adheres to its own principles.

The principle of the Beauty Machinery School is that looks equal combat power; only aesthetically pleasing machinery is truly powerful; only aesthetically pleasing techniques are truly powerful.

In the martial world, practitioners of the Beauty Machinery School are also called dancers.

Because practitioners of the Beauty Machinery School, whether cultivating or fighting, have extremely graceful postures and movements, as if they were dancing.

"No! No! Young Hero Lin has misunderstood."

Wei Hanshan, hearing this, hastily put down his teacup, stood up, and said sincerely, "Wei has come for two reasons: first, to seek peace between our two sides; second, to share some important news with Hall Master Shi and Young Hero Lin. I dare not mention any show of force. Moreover, A Chen withdrew from the Beauty Machinery School twenty years ago; he is a free man, not a senior brother."

"Really?"

Lin Ke squeezed out a sound from his nose, seeming half‑believing, half‑doubting.

He actually knew Wei Hanshan was telling the truth, yet he still adopted this attitude to press the other side.

This guy actually dared to sit there drinking tea leisurely when the two brothers entered the reception hall, instead of rising immediately; his intentions are despicable.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Wei Hanshan repeatedly assented, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He appeared to have been pressured, extremely anxious and uneasy, fearing that if Lin Ke grew angry he would not be given a chance to speak.

In fact, he was quite satisfied with his own performance.

Often, the effect of feigning weakness is better when, after not being pressured, one lowers one's posture even further.

"Please sit, Mr. Wei."

Lin Ke glanced at the scheming Mr. Wei, first invited the Senior Brother to take the left‑hand seat of honor, took the right‑hand seat himself, then gestured for Mr. Wei to sit back down.

"Thank you, Hall Master Shi, thank you, Young Hero Lin."

Wei Hanshan bowed and scraped, sitting down as if granted a pardon.

He also exaggeratedly wiped the sweat from his forehead, appearing extremely fearful.

"Mr. Wei, just speak plainly; there's no need to put on this act in front of us brothers. Our time is precious—you have a large family estate to manage, and we have important matters as well."

Lin Ke, seeing that Senior Brother Shi had no intention to speak, naturally took over the lead in the conversation.

Wei Hanshan heard Lin Ke speak so bluntly, and he put aside his petty thoughts, straightened his attitude, and said earnestly: "Although the Eight Extremes Martial Hall has not openly declared it wants to target my businesses, rumors are rampant in the streets and have already affected the normal operation of my businesses. My visit this time is certainly not to bring troops to question you, but to earnestly seek the understanding of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall and to make peace with it. My sincerity is complete; I have decided to offer the shipping business of Sleepy River as a gift, asking Hall Master Shi to show his stance."

Pausing, Wei Hanshan saw that Shi Shixiong and Lin Ke didn't seem to care much about this matter important to him, and he couldn't help but sigh.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Eight Extremes Martial Hall has recently begun to vigorously develop its businesses, expanding its commercial footprint everywhere; at its core it is still a martial arts school, not a merchant who profits through harmony.

Having suffered injustice and been schemed against, he still would rather take revenge than seek profit, temporarily yielding.

Wei Hanshan then produced his biggest leverage for this peace mission, saying:

"There is one matter I believe I must tell Hall Master Shi and Young Hero Lin."

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This matter concerns what Young Hero Lin is investigating; it is extremely important.

One hundred sixty-eight years ago, when the Human Immortal martial arts were at their peak, a group of strange people caused chaos in the martial world, stirring up the world.

They called themselves the "Wu", their movements were mysterious and deceitful, and their methods were strange.

Martial artists of the martial world cooperated with imperial troops, after several great battles they finally exterminated this group of strange people.

After several grand masters jointly verified it, the cultivation methods of this group of Wu had fallen into heresy; thus they burned their scriptures, cut off their transmission, and strictly prohibited any records of this Wu from circulating.

Thirty years ago, the Wu resurfaced from the ashes, reappearing in the martial world, but they had changed their appearance, becoming even more gloomy and sinister, evil and bloody.

Misfortune befell the family; when Wei was young, his elder sister was abducted.

Three years ago, his elder sister found him, but she had become a complete stranger, even attempting to control him with evil arts, becoming a pawn of her organization behind her.

Wei could barely defend himself, but he dared not offend them, so he did not report them to the imperial court.

Miss Sisi's ordeal is actually what this resurrected Wu is about.

"My foolish son is also just a pawn in their hands." Lin Ke listened quietly to Wei Hanshan's long speech, not caring at all about the other party's wording that completely excluded him from the matter, and simply said coldly: "The Wu Spirits are just a bunch of rats in the gutter; Master Wei, do you really think we don't know? Tell us something we don't know, otherwise we cannot help with your request."

Wei Hanshan was extremely shocked.

The Eight Extremes Martial Hall actually discovered the Wu Spirits?

It seems Yun Xinying fled without a word, surely she has a deep connection with this Young Hero Lin.

No wonder Young Hero Lin today avoids all eyes and acts covertly.

It turns out he has found the trail of the Wu Spirits organization and is trying to catch those rats.

Yun Xinying has most likely suffered a major loss at the hands of Young Hero Lin.

Thinking this, Wei Hanshan spoke solemnly: "Wei also has some influence in the provincial capital; I have already uncovered three strongholds and one contact point of the Wu Spirits organization in the provincial capital."

This is already one of the two remaining trump cards Wei Hanshan has left.

If he still cannot sway Young Hero Lin, he will have to use the life-saving ultimate trump card he keeps for emergencies.

"The Ruyi Gambling House, the Lotus Heart Pavilion, and the manor next to your home?"

Lin Ke retorted.

Wei Hanshan opened his mouth, then nodded dejectedly: "Exactly these three strongholds. As for the contact point..."

Speaking, Wei Hanshan carefully observed Lin Ke's complexion, hoping to discern some clues.

Lin Ke grinned, with a hint of deeper meaning.

Wei Hanshan quickly put aside his probing thoughts and frankly said: "The contact point is in the provincial capital's newspaper office; the editor-in-chief of the newspaper is also a member of the Wu Spirits organization. Her identity is unknown even to his elder sister's daughter, namely Yun Xinying, the mastermind behind the covert harm to Miss Sisi. The two belong to separate lines and are not under the same command."

Master Wei truly lives up to his name; to be able to uncover such secret information, Lin Ke admires him.

After saying that, Lin Ke actually clasped his fists in a salute.

This is not mockery; it comes from genuine sincerity.

Although Lin Ke's dealings with the Wu have been extremely brief, and they have only clashed once, he can still infer that the Wu are difficult to deal with.

The threat of the Wu lies not in their direct lethality, but in the covert and sinister nature of their attacks, which are impossible to guard against.

Facing threats from the Wu, Wei Hanshan being able to protect himself and to temporize is already quite rare.

Moreover, daring to investigate them in return and making progress is commendable courage.

Ashamed! Ashamed!

Wei Hanshan is a shrewd among the shrewd; how could he not discern sincerity from pretense?

While he feigned humility on the surface, inwardly he secretly rejoiced at receiving Lin Ke's praise.

Who is Young Hero Lin?

A peerless genius in Human Immortal martial arts, and an outstanding operator in managing businesses and power.

To receive even a single word of admiration from Young Hero Lin and speak of it elsewhere is extremely prestigious.

However, Lin Ke, who had just been full of admiration, immediately shifted his tone and said lightly: "The information Master Wei provided is valuable, but still not enough."

Wei Hanshan heard this and gave a bitter smile.

Before leaving, he already knew that he would most likely be unable to retain that crucial piece of information that could serve as a life-saving ultimate trump card.

Please confirm, Young Hero Lin, that our ensuing conversation will not be overheard.

Wei Hanshan's expression suddenly became extremely solemn, and he earnestly made his request.

Lin Ke waved his hand, using a dual method of Human Immortal martial arts and mental power to seal off the reception hall.

Inside, one could shout and yell, yet outside the reception hall not a sound could be heard.

This casual display immediately shocked the two martial artists present.

Blocking the sound in the reception hall is something Shi Shixiong and the middle-aged steward Ah Chen could do, but they could never do it so easily.

Moreover, they only recognized one of the methods; they couldn't figure out what the other method was for a while.

They felt that, with their early-stage Unity Realm Human Immortal martial arts cultivation and a mechanical martial arts realm of three cores at 30% mechanical heart, they could not break it within half an hour.

Wei Hanshan is not an ordinary merchant either; he is also a mechanical martial arts practitioner, with a realm of two cores at 60% mechanical heart, which is even more astonishing.

Rumors in the martial world are truly unreliable.

Where is Young Hero Lin a Condensed Truth realm martial artist?

The strength is clearly greater than that of the early-stage Return to One Realm Stone Hall Master!

Stone Senior Brother also couldn't help but take a look at his own eighth junior brother, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

As a senior brother, Shi Gandidang actually knows that his own eighth junior brother is a deep-thinking person who likes to hide his trump cards.

Just hearing Shi Gandidang think about it, the eighth junior brother's hidden trump card is actually so huge.

I don't know if the master knows whether the eighth junior brother is already a martial artist at mid Return to One Realm or higher.

I suppose he must know.

Lin Ke didn't take the three's shock to heart, speaking up: "Mr. Wei can speak freely, say whatever he wants. Unless a Cavity Void Realm cultivator arrives in person, no one else can hear what Mr. Wei will say next."

Hmm

Wei Hanshan's throat moved a few times as he weighed his words, then said slowly: "The Witch Charm organization is actually the brainchild of the second daughter of the provincial military governor, Hu Suqi."

What?

Stone Senior Brother jumped up from his chair in shock, saying: "Are you sure you're talking about the second daughter of Governor Hu, Miss Hu Suqi?"

This is a major matter; I dare not speak falsely.

Wei Hanshan's face showed a deep bitter smile: "This news is also something I stumbled upon; I've never told anyone, keeping it as a life-saving trump card."

Life-saving?

Stone Senior Brother snorted: "I think it's a death summons!"

Wei Hanshan gave an embarrassed smile and didn't reply.

This news is indeed likely to bring death, but he has full confidence it can be turned into a life-saving measure!

That need not be told to outsiders.

Lin Ke knew the reason for Stone Senior Brother's loss of composure.

Stone Senior Brother, who has been single since birth, is unwilling to leave the provincial capital; one reason is to temper his martial heart, another is because he has a lover.

This person is none other than the second daughter of the provincial military governor, Hu Suqi!

Upon piercing this layer of window paper, Lin Ke immediately understood: the Witch Charm organization wants to turn his master Li Shuwen into a puppet to explore the secret realm— which secret realm is it?

The legendary Valley of the Dead, which no cultivator below the Cavity Void Realm can enter!

Moreover, even a Cavity Void Realm cultivator may not necessarily escape unharmed from it.

The Valley of the Dead happens to be located in this province, right near the provincial capital.

Having figured this out, Lin Ke didn't say it, but expressed his stance to Wei Hanshan: "Mr. Wei, you can rest easy now; my upcoming investigation will not involve Wei Shi Enterprise, as long as you and your family stay out of this."

Thank you, Young Hero Lin! I understand! I will immediately put my son under house arrest, not allowing him to go anywhere.

Wei Hanshan felt relieved after obtaining the promise.

As long as Young Hero Lin doesn't investigate the Wei clan, the Stone Hall Master will step forward again to say a few good words about the Wei clan.

Even if the Wei family safely weathers this crisis, they might even turn misfortune into blessing.

Which big merchant nowadays wouldn't want to cooperate with the Eight Extremes Martial Hall?