“Take care of yourself,” Han Xianlong said, waving along with the elders as Han Rui departed toward the exit. Unlike before, smudges covered the face of the handsome youth, while several portions of his robes appeared scorched.

I can’t wait for the day I don’t have to maintain a low profile, Han Rui sighed softly as he limped toward the exit. The door silently parted, and the youth exited in slow and labored steps.

“Escort that rascal to his quarters!” Han Xianlong’s voice thundered in the ears of the guards stationed outside.

In a flash, one guard approached Han Rui, “Young master, please let me escort you to your quarters.”

Han Rui shook his head, “Take me to where the girl from the Su clan is staying,” he said.

“No problem, young master,” the guard said as he reached into his inner robe. He retrieved a small crimson pill before presenting it to the limping youth, “Young master, please swallow this. It will help with your injuries.”

Han Rui grabbed the pill without hesitation, swallowing it whole. “Thank you,” he said, as a modicum of energy washed over his face.

“Let’s go. It will be rude to keep my guest waiting.”

The guard nodded. Saying nothing further, he respectfully carried Han Rui, before disappearing into a ball of smoke. A moment later, Han Rui and the masked guard reappeared at the entrance of a luxurious building built at the center of a vibrant garden with its own lake.

Numerous flower petals listlessly floated on the pristine waters, swaying according to the whims of the elements.

“Young master, please let me know if you need further assistance,” the guard said with a courteous bow.

“Thank you, but it would be unlikely. I’m already feeling much better. You may return to your station now,” Han Rui said with a smile. The guard nodded, before disappearing in a flash. Meanwhile, Han Rui took a deep breath, the flowery fragrance filling his lungs.

In slow but deliberate steps, he approached the two-story manor. He paused at intervals to appreciate a few flowers, while also plucking a few petals for his own amusement.

Like most buildings in the Han estate, the manor was adorned with depictions of roaring dragons with several intricate wooden and stone carvings. A minute later, the youth stood in front of the imposing entrance made from an array of different woods grafted together.

“Miss Su, may I come in?” Han Rui said softly. Silence greeted his inquiry; however, the impressive wooden door slowly creaked open. The corners of Han Rui’s lips curved upwards as he strolled into the manor. Ignoring the array of impressive furniture, art, and pottery. His limpid eyes landed on Su Meixue, who sat gracefully on a padded wooden chair while holding onto a steaming cup.

“Miss Su, I apologize for only coming now. I had some business with my grandfather and the elders,” Han Rui said with an awkward smile. “May I join you?”

“Please do whatever you want, young master. I’m but a mere guest,” Su Meixue said, her beautiful voice filling the room. Han Rui approached the table in quick strides before sitting in the vacant seat opposite the masked lady, and an awkward silence followed.

“Aren’t you going to take that off?” Han Rui broke the silence. “I don’t imagine it being comfortable.”

“Thanks for your concern, young master. For your safety, it’s best it remains on,” Meixue said as she brought the steaming cup closer to her face. The region around her mouth blurred for a moment, revealing her plump, pink lips. She took a sip of the hot beverage before lowering the cup once more; and like before, the covering had returned to its original form.

“It seems you’re practicing a complicated cultivation technique. I was quite curious to see how you look, but I can’t blame any other person than myself for being weak,” Han Rui said with a self-deprecating smile.

The youth reached into his inner robe before retrieving an oblong, opaque crystal. He gently placed it on the smooth table’s surface, drawing the attention of the veiled lady as she briefly tilted her head to the side. The seemingly ordinary crystal exuded a pulsating crimson glow the moment it touched the table, but nothing else stood out about the item.

“Miss Su, aren’t you going to ask what this is? Or do you know what it is?” Han Rui asked with a smile.

“If my guess is right, it should be a rare form of illumination crystal known for calming the mind and healing minor injuries,” Meixue said confidently, but unable to hide her indifference.

Han Rui clapped, his smile turning even brighter, “As I expected. You’re quite knowledgeable,” he praised. “As you can see, I suffered quite a bit after you guys left. Thankfully, grandfather didn’t go overboard,” Han Rui laughed heartily. Then, he drummed his fingers on the cold table as he continued, “So, are you part of the main clan or someone from the branch family?”

“The main family,” Meixue said after a brief pause.

“Oh, really?” Han Rui nodded slowly as his fingers tapped on the table. “I’m sure you know this already, but I’m not remotely proficient in matters related to cultivation.” Han Rui paused as he chuckled softly, “However, I’m quite familiar with other worldly and esoteric matters. Although I might be a cultivating dunce, I’m not stupid. There isn’t any record of a Su Meixue in the official records of the Su clan. I don’t believe the Su clan would do something as despicable as sending some random person over here, right?” Han Rui asked with a smile.

Silence once again dominated the room; however, it only lasted a moment before Meixue spoke up.

“I was adopted ten years ago. While I’m indeed from the main family, I can understand why you wouldn’t find me in any of the records,” she explained while raising her cup to her mouth.

Oh. How convenient. It seems those guys planned this for quite a while, Han Rui mused as his fingers drummed on the table. He opened his mouth to speak, but the delicate voice of the masked lady cut him off midway, “Young master, you’re much different from what they say about you.”

Han Rui’s brows shot up as he bent his head to the side, “Oh?” he chuckled. “What are the masses saying about me?”

“I wouldn’t know about the opinions of the masses; however, I would say you’re not what many people consider you to be,” Meixue said, her voice calm and steady. “It would be difficult to believe that you’re actually the son of the Valiant Dragon of the Han clan.”

Han Rui exploded into laughter, reclining in his padded chair.

“Did I say something funny, young master?” Meixue asked.

“The fact you thought your pitiful attempt to rile me up would work is quite amusing,” Han Rui teased with a smile.

“That was never my intention, young master. I only speak the truth as I see it,” Meixue clarified in one breath.

“Well, either way, I really couldn’t care what you or anyone else for that matter thinks of me. It’s not my business what sort of ludicrous imaginations you all seem to have about me,” Han Rui chuckled. “It’s almost as if it’s a crime to be normal,” he added.

He readjusted his sitting position before he continued, “Everyone wanted to be associated with the Valiant Dragon when he was alive; and according to the stories I’ve heard, your Su clan practically did everything possible to ensure that our families would be united by marriage. Unfortunately, my parents would meet their demise barely six months after I was born; and like a wisp, fleeting to the touch, the general interest in the Han clan waned—”

Meixue interjected, “Young master, what are you trying to say? Nothing you have said is unfamiliar to me, and it’s irrelevant at this point who decided to initiate the marriage pact. The only undisputable fact is that the Han clan can’t be compared with the Su clan.”

Han Rui nodded, “You’re right, and that’s exactly why you’re here and not Su Liren. Or do you think it’s a coincidence you were adopted by the Su clan?”

Meixue froze for a moment, before regaining her calm.

Han Rui, on the other hand, continued from where he left off, “I’m impressed to be honest. I never thought I’d be a victim of such a cliched situation. If my guess is correct, your elders would have probably canceled the marriage a long time ago if they could predict my lack of cultivating talents. I’m sure they must have been somewhat relieved when news of my scholarly prowess martialized at barely ten months old. Naturally, that wasn’t enough to satiate a powerful cultivating clan. The more time passed, the more they realized they had indeed made a mistake.” Han Rui paused; his limpid eyes focused on Su Meixue. Then, he suddenly pointed at the masked lady, “That’s where you came in. Su Liren was too good to be tossed aside to a declining clan; no, she was much too talented to become the wife of a talentless hack.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Han Rui burst out laughing again, using one hand to cover his mouth. “They must be feeling ecstatic now that elder Mingdao has sent word of our willingness to cancel the marriage. I’m sure they never expected things to go that smoothly. The Su doesn’t have to send someone as talented as Liren here, and they can still publicly announce that they fulfilled their promise of wedding their daughter to the Han clan. I’m sure they had prepared so many countermeasures should we have declined. I’d be a lair if I said I wasn’t curious to see it play out.”

For the first time, Su Meixue let go of the steaming cup. Although Han Rui still couldn’t see her face, he could feel her piercing gaze land on him.

“Young master, is this your attempt to mock me?” She asked.

“Not at all,” Han Rui chuckled. “I’ve simply echoed my theories. What benefits do I gain from mocking you?”

Su Meixue gracefully reached for her hat, and the mysterious item unraveled like living tentacles, revealing the face of the young woman. Han Rui froze in his position, his quivering eyes lingering on the upper right portion of her face, which seemed to be visibly rotting. Her round, turquoise, slit pupils burned with an uncanny fiery essence, while her silver-black hair cascaded down her shoulders.

The unsullied section of her face was covered in layered wax which bubbled at the perimeter of the decomposing half.

“I apologize for showing you such a sight, young master,” Meixue said with a courteous bow. “I feel it’s only right since you won’t be yourself for a while.”

Han Rui cocked his head backwards, “Huh?” What are you talking about?”

“Young master, I must admit, your analysis was remarkably on point,” Meixue said as she stood up. She approached Han Rui, who remained seated, in slow steps, and only stopped when she towered over the man. “While your cultivation talents are indeed lacking, your intelligence is admirable,” she said as she reached into Han Rui’s inner robe. She rummaged for a few seconds but found nothing, then she removed her hand.

“Shouldn't you buy me dinner before attempting to feel me up?” Han Rui teased with a smile.

A faint grin appeared on Su Meixue's lips; her impassive gaze still fixed on Han Rui. “Perhaps another time, young master,” she replied, her fingers gently caressing the youth's chin.

“Are you the reason I can’t move? You know assassinating me is a foolish idea, right?” Han Rui said.

“You need not fear assassination, young master. However, the reason behind your immobility lies in your own actions. Accepting things from strangers, no matter how seemingly kind, is ill-advised,” Meixue explained, maintaining her smile.

A look of realization crossed Han Rui's face, vividly recalling the guard who had given him a pill.

“Has the Su clan infiltrated the Han clan?” he muttered, fear palpable in his voice. “Did they send you to interrogate me? Perhaps your elders are interested in the sudden revival of our clan. Because I can’t think of any other reason why you would do this.”

“Indeed, you weren’t lying about your intelligence,” Meixue said. “The Han clan has undergone an extraordinary growth in recent years; my purpose is to unravel the mystery behind it and, if possible, transfer that knowledge back to the clan,” she explained, delicately poking Han Rui's nose.

“You're the first person not to be repulsed by my appearance, and there's no pity in your eyes either. For that, I sincerely thank you,” she said, her smile brighter than ever. “Do you have any final requests?”

Han Rui pondered for a moment before speaking, “Actually, I have a proposition for you. No, let's call it a wager.”

Meixue's brows furrowed slightly. “What is it?” she asked, unable to quell her curiosity.

“It's simple, really. Since it has come to this, it's only fair that I gain something if I manage to alter the situation—”

Meixue's abrupt chuckle interrupted Han Rui's speech as she involuntarily covered her mouth.

“Young master, I understand you're attempting to stall for time, but it's futile. Then again, why would I indulge you in this wager? What benefit does it bring me? All your secrets and knowledge will soon be revealed, so I don’t see the point of it.” Su Meixue sighed, shaking her head.

“It might have been brief, but it has been a pleasure knowing you. Goodbye, young master,” she said with a sweet smile.

A four-inch needle descended from her sleeves, and the surrounding temperature dropped. Frost covered the needle's tip, and an eerie purple liquid hovered just below the icy tip. Without hesitation, Meixue stabbed Han Rui's forehead, and a soul-churning screech escaped from his mouth.

Han Rui's eyes rolled inwards, his neck slumping to the side, drool escaping his parted lips. Su Meixue delicately retrieved a small crystal from her space ring, and it radiated with a crimson light as soon as it appeared.

Then, a familiar voice echoed, “Is it done?”

“Yes, elder. Are you on your way back?” Su Meixue asked.

“That’s not important right now,” Elder Mingdao said abruptly. “Use the crooked soul to begin the possession,” he instructed. “Send a message as soon as you succeed. If by any chance you fail, you know what to do.” Mingdao’s voice disappeared, and the crystal shattered.

Meixue sighed deeply, refocusing on Han Rui. This time, she tapped her ring once more, and another crystal appeared. However, the transparent crystal was hollowed in the center. A tiny illusionary figure rampaged within it, using its bestial claws to slam against the crystal’s walls.

Meixue stared at the crooked soul for a minute before returning her attention to the needle buried in Han Rui's skull. Unlike the other tip, a bubbling cerise hue dyed the pointed end.

“Any mistakes from here on could be catastrophic,” Su Meixue muttered as she took a deep breath.

“In that case, do you need any help?”

“No, I'm good, young master—" Su Meixue reeled, the crooked soul falling out of her hand. The crystal cracked a little, to the delight of the rampaging soul trapped within, but it still couldn't free itself from its prison. However, Su Meixue's bulging eyes shifted between the impaled youth in the chair and the smiling young man standing next to her.

“H-How?” Her lips quivered as she squeezed out her words. A dagger appeared in the lady’s hand, and she threw it toward Han Rui before he could reply. The dagger embedded itself into Han Rui’s skull, and the young man fell backward with a thud. The smell of fresh blood soon filled the manor, as a pool of blood gathered under the fresh corpse.

Meixue remained in her position, her quivering gaze shifting between the two bodies. What’s going on? How can there be two of him?

She inched closer to the second corpse, kicking it gently as if to confirm if it was real. The corpse’s leg swayed to her kick, confirming its tangibility. Then, she turned toward the one sitting on the chair. This time, she retrieved a silver flying sword, poking it with the tip.

They’re both real, but how is this possible? Su Meixue mused.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Han Rui’s voice once again echoed behind Meixue’s ears.

The cultivator’s eyes bulged as a crippling sensation crawled down her spine. She instinctively swung the flying sword to the left, and the sound of steel cutting through flesh filled the manor, and then another thud followed. The breathless and confused cultivator stared at the third corpse, whose blood had sullied the polished floors even further.

“How can this be?” she muttered.

“I’d tell you if you didn’t go around killing all of us,” another Han Rui answered.

Su Meixue screamed as the voice filled her ears, and she swung her sword again. This time, she decapitated another Han Rui. Then, she unleashed a frightening burst of speed toward the exit. However, the further she ran, the more distant the exit seemed. She paused in her tracks, and her visage soured.

I have been running with all my might, but I haven’t taken more than three steps away from the fourth corpse. This can only be the work of a formation, but how did I get trapped in an illusion formation? she pondered while observing her surroundings. She believed that another Han Rui would soon reveal himself.

Footsteps soon echoed, and Su Meixue turned to the right.

“W-W-What?” she blurted out, staring at the figure approaching in delicate steps.

A fifth Han Rui didn’t reveal himself; rather, she stared at another version of herself well equipped with a similar flying sword.

“Who are you, and why do you look like me?” Meixue asked with a frown.

“What do you mean who am I and why do I look like you? You’re the one stealing my looks,” the other Meixue scoffed, loss of words.

“No, I should be the one asking you that,” she said.

Both ladies simultaneously raised their swords as they prepared to attack, with each believing themselves to be the original.

Meanwhile, outside the illusionary space, Han Rui reclined in his seat while fiddling with the crystal he took out from his inner robe earlier.

These cultivators are proper dumbasses. They all seem to lose their sense of reasoning when dealing with mortals. I always thought those novels were trolling, but these people really think mortals have brains the size of a cockroach. She didn’t even bother questioning why I would bring out an illumination crystal suddenly, Han Rui sighed while shaking his head.

[It’s almost as if you’re complaining! I thought you wanted to be underestimated!]

Han Rui stared at the system’s messages and could not help but chuckle, “Forget I said anything. I’m more interested in using the scan feature.”

[Who or what do you intend to scan?]

Han Rui pointed at Su Meixue, who sat motionlessly with her hat still covering her face, “Her, of course, who else would I be talking about? Tell me her cultivating talent.”

[Calculating fame points required for scan…]

[Calculation completed!]

[Ten fame points required for scan!]

“Use it,” Han Rui said without hesitation.

[Commencing scan…]

[Scan completed!]

[Do you wish to see the results?]

“No, delete it,” Han Rui said sarcastically, as he rolled his eyes. “Why else would I ask you to scan her if I didn’t want to see the results—”

[The host has requested the results be deleted!]

“Wait, what?” Han Rui sat upright. “I was being sarcastic, damn it.”

[You will have to pay another ten fame points to retrieve the scan!]

Han Rui bit his lower lip, his bloodshot eyes staring at the flashing system panel, “All right, I’ll pay it.”

[Error! The new retrieval price is now fifteen fame points!]

“Damn you, you shitty system! How did the price change just like that?” Han Rui roared.

[The new price is now seventy fame points!]

Han Rui dropped to his knees while bowing repeatedly to the floating panel, “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I forgot my place and acted out. O wise system, please don’t be upset by this foolish boy—”

[Wise and Handsome!]

“Yes, yes. O wise and Handsome system—”

[Wise, Handsome, Dependable, and Remarkable!]

The corners of Han Rui’s eyes twitched, but he didn’t dare to complain as he kowtowed, “O wise, handsome, dependable—”

[Start from the beginning!]

“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. I forgot my place and acted out. O wise, handsome, dependable, and remarkable system, please don’t be upset by this foolish boy.”

[I forgive you since it’s coming from your heart! The results are in; do you want to see it?]

“Yes, sir,” Han Rui said.

[Su Meixue Cultivation Talent]

Super Trash!

Not recommended.