Rèn Chāngmíng was digesting his gains from his battles in his cultivation cave. The cave entrance was open since he decided not to go into closed cultivation. He felt that if any disciples were unreachable at such a crucial time in the academy’s development, it may lead to some uncomfortable situations. He didn’t think it would ever be more than that, though. Not with people like Yàn Lìqín and Elder Jiang, at least. He didn’t feel too far from a breakthrough but didn’t want to dip into the revenge intent he saves for emergencies. He started keeping a reserve just in case he needed to fight for the academy or defend himself without notice.
Suddenly, Rèn Chāngmíng heard a voice call out to him in a familiar manner. “Junior Brother!”
Rèn Chāngmíng jumped up. He now had a few people who called him ‘Junior Brother,’ but he recognized the voice as Yù Quán’s. He hadn’t spent much time with him since they arrived at the academy. They had to train and cultivate, and then the tournament happened. He was going to leave Yù Quán, as he probably had to digest his gains as well, but he was glad he had come to him. Rèn Chāngmíng went outside and looked down from where his cave sat on the mountain. Staring back up at him was a smiling and waving Yù Quán.
Yù Quán remembered not wanting Rèn Chāngmíng around, but he had actually come to like the little guy. Although, he wasn’t so little anymore. Rèn Chāngmíng was starting to look like a Muscle Tempering stage cultivator. He was well-defined, especially for his young age. Yù Quán knew he had to have reached the last levels, as he was already in the late levels before they came to the academy. Seeing Rèn Chāngmíng’s physique reminded him that he had not yet gotten the chance to progress through the Skin Tempering stage. He would definitely set some time aside for it, but he didn’t think it was too urgent, as he could already fight the average Bone Tempering stage cultivator. Remembering this made him wonder if it was normal to be able to jump stages to fight. Even if it were, he wouldn’t procrastinate too much. If he could jump stages, some people would still be in higher realms. He would never truly be safe unless he was the strongest.
Rèn Chāngmíng jumped down to the ground below, landing on two feet and one hand. When he stood back up, he bowed. “Congratulations on your achievements, Senior Brother.”
Yù Quán waved him off. “Alright, hurry and get up. There’s no need for all of that.”
Rèn Chāngmíng smirked. Yù Quán was never one for formalities or sentiments. “What brings you here?” he asked.
“I need your help starting missions as the Representative of Law Enforcement. Could you follow me to town?”
Rèn Chāngmíng thought for a moment. He was close to a breakthrough, but it wasn’t like it couldn’t wait for a bit. Plus, Yù Quán didn’t know, but he was the most knowledgeable on such missions. How could he not be? Yàn Lìqín had him carry out similar missions for training and cultivating his revenge intent.
“Sure! Do I need anything?”
Yù Quán shook his head. “Unlikely. Although we may do some law enforcement work so I can get the hang of it, so anything you would normally use for such things. Including combat.”
Rèn Chāngmíng nodded. They walked out of the academy, stopping by the living quarters so Rèn Chāngmíng could grab a sack that he slung over his shoulder. Yù Quán was curious about what he had in there but decided he didn’t need to pry. If Rèn Chāngmíng was bringing it, it was probably because he was going to use it. He would get to see the contents then.
…
When they made it to town, Yù Quán walked through for a bit before making a sharp turn. The road he was leasing Rèn Chāngmíng down now was leading them out of town and into the forest.
“Weren’t we going to town, Senior Brother?”
Yù Quán shook his head. “ This matter concerns some personal secrets, so I had to say that. Really, we’re going into the forest again.”
Rèn Chāngmíng was a bit confused. But he and Yù Quán had been through too much for him to have any cruel intentions towards him. He trusted Yù Quán; if he had to hide the truth, there was probably a good reason to do so. They continued through town and eventually entered the forest. Passing by tree after tree, with the occasional bush or critter here or there. Eventually, Yù Quán led Rèn Chāngmíng through a denser part of the forest, where almost anyone would get lost trying to navigate, out into a clearing in the forest. The forest had many such clearings, but none quite like this one. This one was perfectly surrounded by dense forest on each side, almost as if meant to keep it hidden from the outside world.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Rèn Chāngmíng, in awe, continued to follow Yù Quán up a dusty set of stone stairs built into the side of an odd plateau-like hill that very obviously hadn’t been taken care of, but they didn’t seem ancient or anything. Almost like they were kept clean up until recent times. They went up the stairs, where Rèn Chāngmíng saw what looked like a heap of trash that might have been something before whatever caused all that happened. As he saw the sight, his eyes locked on a peculiar woman. Rèn Chāngmíng immediately entered a readied stance. He trusted few people after being a slave to bandits. He found it especially hard to trust them if they were in the Dragonwood forest, where as many unnoticed crimes occur as stars in the sky.
Yù Quán quickly put his arm on Rèn Chāngmíng’s shoulder, giving him a calm look and a slight nod. Rèn Chāngmíng realized Yù Quán knew this person and slowly stood at ease. Before Rèn Chāngmíng could ask who the woman was, she said something herself.
“So, this is him?”
Yù Quán smiled and nodded. “This is my junior brother, Rèn Chāngmíng. Junior Brother, this is Su Chunhua, an acquaintance of mine.”
Su Chunhua rolled her eyes. “Acquintance? Your’e practically my superior now.”
Yù Quán shrugged.
Hearing this exchange, Rèn Chāngmíng was confused. What did she mean by superior? And wasn’t Su Chunhua the name of the woman Yàn Lìqín and Liàng Píng had interrogated? She was already gone by the time he and Yù Quán had arrived, but he had heard about the affair from Liàng Píng and Yin Mengxia.
Both Yù Quán and Su Chunhua noticed Rèn Chāngmíng’s apparent confusion, and then Su Chunhua looked at Yù Quán. “You haven’t told him yet?”
“I didn’t have a choice, if there’s a place one could say things secretly without either of my elders knowing, I don’t know it.”
Su Chunhua let out a sigh. “Ren… Changming, is it? Your senior brother is starting an organization that will move in the shadows of Blossom Falls. He has taken me in to help with things, and he came to you because we need your help.”
Rèn Chāngmíng was shocked. When was Yù Quán so ambitious? Starting his own shadow force while being a member of the up-and-coming force that is the Yellow Qilin Academy?
Rèn Chāngmíng looked to Yù Quán, “...An organization.”
“A cult.”
Su Chunhua shot Yù Quán a shot of disdain, and Rèn Chāngmíng’s jaw dropped. Yù Quán looked at Su Chunhua, back at Rèn Chāngmíng, and to Su Chunhua again. “What? That’s what it is.”
Su Chunhua pushed Yù Quán aside. “Yes, it is a cult. But we don’t really believe in anything superstitious. It’s all an act. And we won’t even be trying to make anyone do anything odd we’ll just be-”
“I’ll do it,” Rèn Chāngmíng said, cutting Su Chunhua off.
Su Chunhua was speechless. “...Huh?”
Yù Quán laughed. “What, did you think you would have to convince him to help me? You may know people Su Chunhua, but none quite like Rèn Chāngmíng.”
Su Chunhua stayed shocked as Yù Quán led Rèn Chāngmíng over to the rubble to show him around. As they walked away, she placed her hand on her temple and shook her head. She couldn’t help but smile. She wondered what she got herself into and who she had gotten into it with.
…
Yù Quán
Realm: Body Tempering Realm
Stage: 1st Level Skin Tempering
Main Cultivation Art: [Stolen-eyed Mùmùlián Body](Level 3)
Strength: 850 Catties
Qi: 1167/2220 wisps
Mùmùlián Core: 22/100
Strange Fire: (Level 2)Murderous Flame(x1)
Techniques:
[Mùmùlián Eye Stealing](Level 3)
[Mùmùlián Eye Refining](Level 3)
[Murder Mantra](Level 1)
[Yellow Qilin Dance](Level 1)
Attributes:
[Strange Fire: Murderous Flame]
[Star Gazing Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Maned Hog Ferocity Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Winged Watcher Awareness Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality False Dragon Pride Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Death-Dealing Dama Killing Eyes](Level 1)(x2)