Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The bandits were tried and true criminals. Every single one of them was fierce and ruthless. Therefore, when Zhao Donghan knew that Luo Hong wanted to meet this group of criminals, he was shocked to the core.
“Just go find out where they are. I have my reasons.” Luo Hong did not tell Zhao Donghan his intention. Of course, he could not tell the man that he wanted to join the bandits for the sake of his Sin Level.
If his plan was exposed, given Zhao Donghan’s character, he would definitely dissuade his young lord and might even inform Butler Chen about the plan. If that really happened, Luo Hong’s evil plan would run into a huge obstacle.
Therefore, Luo Hong decided to keep it a secret.
Since the young lord did not want to talk about it, Zhao Donghan was in no position to question him.
With his hands behind his back, the sunlight shed its bright brilliance on Luo Hong’s side profile, and with the white robe around him, he looked a little troubled.
Zhao Donghan’s heart raced when he saw the brilliant scene. He remembered what his young lord had said yesterday.
‘I heard that the young lord was attacked by the bandits when he went to Jishan Village to collect rent. The temporary guards were all killed, yet he came back alive. He never spoke about it after he came back and has been shouldering all the pressure. Given his righteous character, how can he endure the pain of the guards dying for his sake?!’
Zhao Donghan once again believed he had seen through the young lord’s thoughts.
‘The bandits must be the young lord’s enemies. He might be planning to avenge the dead guards. That’s why he’s telling me to find out where the bandits are hiding!’
Zhao Donghan breathed heavily, and he felt like there was a fire burning strongly in his heart.
‘The young lord…is an honorable man!’
He clenched his fists tightly and emotionally as he believed he understood the young lord’s plan. The scar on his face started to twitch again.
With his hands behind his back, Luo Hong glanced at Zhao Donghan whose eyes were burning with determination. He had a feeling that his guard was trying to fill in the blanks with his imagination again.
“The bandits are ruthless men, so be careful, Zhao,” Luo Hong expressed his concern to his guard after some careful thought.
Zhao Donghan got even more emotional after he heard his young lord’s kind words. His body was already shaking.
“My young lord, don’t you worry! They are just mere bandits! I’m still confident enough to deal with them! I used to follow the lord to war in the south and the north in the past…Erm..Ahem…” Zhao Donghan almost let his secret slip due to the overflowing excitement.
‘War in the south and the north? Can a puny guard like you even go to war?’ Luo Hong suspiciously sized Zhao Donghan up. ‘The sun is still hanging in the sky. You really shouldn’t talk like you are drunk…’
“Oh right, my young lord, you asked me about the cultivation ranks last night, and I happen to have a secret manual with me. Maybe you can have a look at it…” Zhao Donghan said after a deep breath as he remembered the little task that Butler Chen had given him last night.
He took the little manual out and gave it to Luo Hong.
Luo Hong was surprised. ‘Great! You really are a meticulous man, Zhao!’
He took the manual, but when he touched it…Bang!
As though an invisible keen sword qi exploded in front of him, Luo Hong’s eyes widened. He felt that the ominous energy that he gathered in his dantian was further compressed.
It was vague, but Luo Hong felt like there was an energy sword in front of him that grew so strong that it pierced the sky!
“What the…?” Luo Hong held his breath as he looked at the title written on the cover: Sword Qi Manual.
It was Sword Cultivation, the strongest out of the four major cultivation systems. Zhao Donghan had mentioned that Sword Cultivation originated from Martial Cultivation but had transcended its limit and got separated from the old, hence giving birth to many powerhouses who established their own sects.
“Where did you get this?” Luo Hong looked at Zhao Donghan with furrowed brows.
This manual should be a highly sought after item.
“This Sword Qi Manual is used to strengthen your basics. It was given to me by a respectful senior. Since you have started cultivating, my young lord, it will be more suitable to help you to build your foundation. I have already ascended to the Steel Bone state, and my roots are fixed, so it’s no longer useful to me,” Zhao Donghan said with a smile.
Luo Hong stared at Zhao Donghan’s scar for a long while before he sighed. “Fine, I’ll believe you. First, you must help me find out where the bandits are though.”
Despite saying so, Luo Hong’s suspicion lingered in his heart. Since many extraordinary powers were involved in the path of cultivation, he had to be careful.
He did not open the manual right away. Instead, he kept it in his sleeve and brought Zhao Donghan and Little Douhua back to the Luo Residence.
After the trio arrived home, Little Douhua strode to the kitchen. She had slowly gotten into character as the cooking maiden of the Luo Residence.
Meanwhile, Luo Hong went back to the study
…
Butler Chen was making tea in the courtyard, hence the faint fragrance of tea spread in the air.
Zhao Donghan got changed into a set of lighter attire with a large sheathed saber at his back. He walked closer to Butler Chen and bowed with cupped fists.
“My lord, I have given the young lord the Sword Qi Manual as told. Besides, the young lord told me to find out where the bandits are hiding. I suspect that he’s trying to avenge the dead guards,” said Zhao Donghan politely.
Butler Chen’s hand froze when he heard Zhao Donghan’s report, and the tea in his cup rippled with the sudden halt.
“The young lord told you to find out where the bandits are?” Butler Chen sighed. He finished the tea in his cup, but strangely, all he could taste was bitterness.
“The young lord is exactly like his father…If it’s the young lord’s order, just go ahead. It’s better to find out the truth. Remember, don’t startle the enemy. Leave it to the young lord to decide.” Butler Chen said calmly. The way he spoke always sounded peaceful and calm.
Zhao Donghan nodded. He clasped his hands, bowed, and walked out of the courtyard.
His buff figure strode out of the Luo Residence with determination and courage in his eyes, and he quickly traveled out of the county.
…
Back in the study, Luo Hong was not in a hurry to check the Sword Qi Manual. He already had the Demon Cultivation Art, Phantom Shadow, and even though it was incomplete, his cultivation path had commenced.
Even though his strength did not skyrocket overnight, judging from the description, Phantom Shadow would turn him into a summoner of sorts. Then, he would be able to summon and control shadows when he mastered it.
Therefore, he was not in a hurry.
He took the invitation for the literature gathering out of his sleeve. Other than specifying its intent to invite Jia Sidao to the gathering, the invitation card also had its seat number labeled: Section C, 13.
“Section C…The gathering has four different sections, including A, B, and D. It seems like Jia Sidao isn’t someone with a high status among those scholars.” Luo Hong pouted.
Jia Sidao was probably just someone the gathering had invited to fill the seats and make the place livelier.
Luo Hong’s gaze then landed on the sender’s name, and he could not help but raise his brows at the name.
“Hu Zhishui…”
The moment he saw the name, his vision started to flash while his mind got jumbled up as more memories gushed into his head.
Even though Luo Hong had a great reputation in Anping County, Hu Zhishui could rival him in terms of name and might even be better known than him.
After he put the invitation card on the table, he put his hand on the table and his fingers started to tap rhythmically.
His eyes shone after some thoughts. However, he realized that his thoughts were stuck at a dead end.
As a matter of fact, other than becoming a literal antagonist, he could learn how other b*stards did things. He could even go against those with a good reputation and mess up their plans. Sabotaging others would surely be counted as an Antagonist Act!
‘I’ll remember you, Hu Zhishui!’
He kept the invitation card away and took the Sword Qi Manual out.
Truth be told, Luo Hong was reluctant to learning swordsmanship. In his opinion, swordsmen were all cool and righteous warriors, and if he learned the way of the sword, his image might further affect his Sin Level.
However, he had gotten a cultivation manual for free, and it was right in front of him, waiting for him to flip it open. He would be sorry if he did not read it. Therefore, he ultimately decided to open it.
The moment he opened it, the sword qi that was compressed in the manual burst out all of a sudden. Before he could react, it flew towards the center of his brows.