"Special physique? Oh! That is a surprise! Do tell me about it, child!" The other party exclaimed.
"You see, my meridians are naturally fragile to the point where every time I cultivate, it damages them-"
"I know."
Han Xuhan lost his voice.
What?
He knew? How?!
"I have been occupying your body for a while now without interfering in anything. All I have done is observe this world I've found myself in through your eyes. I was an audience of most of your conversations and exchanges, as well as your cultivation sessions. So I know very well of this 'specialty' of yours, child."
The horror in Han Xuhan's heart was too immense to put into words. He could only open and close his mouth, feeling a sense of crushing suffocation.
"For your information, I've even helped you in overcoming this crisis. When your minions return, listen to them carefully and make a decision."
The voice began to fade away, and Han Xuhan regained some degree of control over his muscles. As he attempted to stand up, the other party left one last message using his voice.
"You're a clever little child. Surely, you won't make the mistake of telling anybody about this little exchange of ours, would you?"
There was no malice in his tone, but Han Xuhan felt his bravado shrink instantly for some reason.
"Sure, senior. Consider this one's mouth shut." He gave his assurance and waited till his body had recovered fully.
Once able to move smoothly, Han Xuhan returned back inside his room, feeling absolutely defeated.
What the hell was happening?
Whoever this entity inside his dao tower was, Han Xuhan did not feel any goodwill towards him. This person could literally take over his body and do ANYTHING!
More importantly, this entity had likely hidden some crucial information...for example, he had written in English inside his dao tower. The only way this could be possible is if the entity had gone through his memories of the earth!
It could both be a good thing or a bad thing for him if this entity was a fellow transmigrator or just a sneaky malevolent creature.
But which possibility was Han Xuhan going to entertain here?
Dangerous! Far too dangerous!
If possible, he wanted to expel him from his dao tower as fast as possible.
This entire world seemed to be working against him. No matter how careful he was, no matter how low a profile he maintained, no matter how harmless he was...trouble came knocking on his door, his window, his basement, and even his roof. Every direction, every avenue was blocked by some powerful figure's random whims.
Han Xuhan did not feel resentful, neither was there any hatred in his heart. The time to swim in those feelings was not affordable to the current him. He only had the time to...plan.
He sat down and mapped out his plans for tomorrow.
While everyone else was about to tackle sect master Zi's tasks and attempt to rob the treasure marked by the authorities of the tournament, he would have to ditch them and search for his own prey, more accurately, Fang Xie's prey.
Plans after plans were made. But they fell apart swiftly. Han Xuhan did not give up and continued to forge new tactics. He did not himself know what he wanted to achieve through his plans, specifically. The vague notion in his mind was to not do anything that jeopardized his own safety, all the while not going against his conscience either.
Right then, the sound of Xiao Wu's footsteps came from outside.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"While attacking, each team shall not have more than ten members. To keep things fair, the team of defenders guarding the targetted treasure will also consist of ten members only."
Hearing Xiao Wu state that rule, Han Xuhan asked in confusion, "Doesn't Master Zi want us to invade other sects? So who is going to defend anything here?"
"You seemed to have forgotten that three groups of disciples were penalized for the lack of contribution in today's class. They are to stay here and defend the treasure while they do the chores delegated to them by the Heaven Grazing Snow Peak. The rest of us will have to split up into groups and invade other sects."
"Is forming groups necessary? Can't we try going alone?"
Xiao Wu cast a narrow gaze at him. "Since when did you become so reckless?"
Han Xuhan let out a hollow laugh. "Just asking, just asking. We need to be aware of every nook and cranny of the rules if we want an optimum result."
Xiao Wu nodded. "Yes. I think all four of us should stick together and go invade a relatively weak sect which our sect has a relationship with. That way, even if we lose, we can avoid any severe consequences by using that relationship."
Han Xuhan clapped, impressed. "That is an excellent plan, Brother Wu."
Xiao Wu beamed pridefully.
"In fact, the plan is so excellent that nearly every group of disciples from every sect may attempt to put that plan into action tomorrow," Han Xuhan added to his praise and watched Xiao Wu's smile wither. His wide face scrunched up, falling deep in thought as he seemed to visualize that scene in his mind.
"Fuuuuck...all the weak sects affiliated with strong ones are in for the ride of a lifetime tomorrow." Xiao Wu shuddered.
Han Xuhan nodded in agreement. He was wondering if the strong sects which fostered weaker sects would provide their disciples with protection of some sort....
"Hey, Brother Wu. What if two invading teams meet each other in a foreign sect's territory while searching for the treasure? They can't both fight the defense team, right?"
Xiao Wu shook his head.
"No, but they can fight each other. The other option is to just wait it out. Give the other invasion team an opportunity to look for the treasure first and if they fail, give it a go yourselves."
Han Xuhan suddenly sat straighter, a plan forming in his mind. Indeed, there might be some merit to that passing thought...
Right then, Mu Ran burst into the house with a foot-long catfish held in his arms.
"Guys, see what I caught!"
His triumphant look made Han Xuhan recall that Mu Ran had left saying he'd bring back a shark. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Whoa! I had no idea that sharks were so small! Those picturebooks all lied to us!"
Mu Ran harrumphed. "What are you saying, underling Xuhan? It's almost as big as my di-ahem."
The cough was unnecessary, very much unnecessary. Han Xuhan, who had been gearing up to roast that fish felt his appetite die. A look at Xiao Wu's expression relayed to him a similar, silent, tragic twist.
The dinner that night did not include fisheries for the two of them. Mu Ran ate their shares, unbothered. In fact, he appeared to be pondering something as he ate. The rare sight forced Xiao Wu to ask, "Brother Ran, something's on your mind...?"
Mu Ran looked at him from the corners of his eyes, silently judging something. Feeling self-conscious, Xiao Wu took a look down at his body to check if everything was alright.
"Brother Wu, I have come up with an excellent idea for tomorrow's mission!" Mu Ran announced with a calculating look in his gaze.
Both Han Xuhan and Xiao Wu fixed their sight on him, their minds synchronized, pondering on what implications to derive from the word 'excellent'.
Seeing their attentive faces, Mu Ran put down his saliva-covered fishhead and wiped his mouth, donning a serious appearance.
"If we think about it, everyone tomorrow will take a cautious approach to the tasks to be accomplished. Everyone-no, most of them are a bunch of pathetic losers. So their caution is justified...for them.
But I am not a loser.
As my underling, Han Xuhan is not a loser.
And as his good friend, you, Xiao Wu are not a loser either!"
Han Xuhan began to sense an ominous premonition in his heart.
Leaning towards them, Mu Ran raised his voice high.
"So why don't we take the opportunity to create a storm? Why don't we take a road which only real men would take?!"
"Sister Zhou is a woman, though," Han Xuhan reminded.
"Well, she isn't my woman, and that's no different from being a man to me. Now, where was I?"
"Deep in the streets...of real men," Xiao Wu helped him recall.
"Right! So why don't we all act like real men and invade the strongest, the most influential sect on this planet tomorrow?"
Xiao Wu's jaw fell open. Several times he attempted to move them, but no words formed in his mouth.
Han Xuhan's eyes, meanwhile, reflected the same calculating countenance as his boss.
"Special physique? Oh! That is a surprise! Do tell me about it, child!" The other party exclaimed.
"You see, my meridians are naturally fragile to the point where every time I cultivate, it damages them-"
"I know."
Han Xuhan lost his voice.
What?
He knew? How?!
"I have been occupying your body for a while now without interfering in anything. All I have done is observe this world I've found myself in through your eyes. I was an audience of most of your conversations and exchanges, as well as your cultivation sessions. So I know very well of this 'specialty' of yours, child."
The horror in Han Xuhan's heart was too immense to put into words. He could only open and close his mouth, feeling a sense of crushing suffocation.
"For your information, I've even helped you in overcoming this crisis. When your minions return, listen to them carefully and make a decision."
The voice began to fade away, and Han Xuhan regained some degree of control over his muscles. As he attempted to stand up, the other party left one last message using his voice.
"You're a clever little child. Surely, you won't make the mistake of telling anybody about this little exchange of ours, would you?"
There was no malice in his tone, but Han Xuhan felt his bravado shrink instantly for some reason.
"Sure, senior. Consider this one's mouth shut." He gave his assurance and waited till his body had recovered fully.
Once able to move smoothly, Han Xuhan returned back inside his room, feeling absolutely defeated.
What the hell was happening?
Whoever this entity inside his dao tower was, Han Xuhan did not feel any goodwill towards him. This person could literally take over his body and do ANYTHING!
More importantly, this entity had likely hidden some crucial information...for example, he had written in English inside his dao tower. The only way this could be possible is if the entity had gone through his memories of the earth!
It could both be a good thing or a bad thing for him if this entity was a fellow transmigrator or just a sneaky malevolent creature.
But which possibility was Han Xuhan going to entertain here?
Dangerous! Far too dangerous!
If possible, he wanted to expel him from his dao tower as fast as possible.
This entire world seemed to be working against him. No matter how careful he was, no matter how low a profile he maintained, no matter how harmless he was...trouble came knocking on his door, his window, his basement, and even his roof. Every direction, every avenue was blocked by some powerful figure's random whims.
Han Xuhan did not feel resentful, neither was there any hatred in his heart. The time to swim in those feelings was not affordable to the current him. He only had the time to...plan.
He sat down and mapped out his plans for tomorrow.
While everyone else was about to tackle sect master Zi's tasks and attempt to rob the treasure marked by the authorities of the tournament, he would have to ditch them and search for his own prey, more accurately, Fang Xie's prey.
Plans after plans were made. But they fell apart swiftly. Han Xuhan did not give up and continued to forge new tactics. He did not himself know what he wanted to achieve through his plans, specifically. The vague notion in his mind was to not do anything that jeopardized his own safety, all the while not going against his conscience either.
Right then, the sound of Xiao Wu's footsteps came from outside.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"While attacking, each team shall not have more than ten members. To keep things fair, the team of defenders guarding the targetted treasure will also consist of ten members only."
Hearing Xiao Wu state that rule, Han Xuhan asked in confusion, "Doesn't Master Zi want us to invade other sects? So who is going to defend anything here?"
"You seemed to have forgotten that three groups of disciples were penalized for the lack of contribution in today's class. They are to stay here and defend the treasure while they do the chores delegated to them by the Heaven Grazing Snow Peak. The rest of us will have to split up into groups and invade other sects."
"Is forming groups necessary? Can't we try going alone?"
Xiao Wu cast a narrow gaze at him. "Since when did you become so reckless?"
Han Xuhan let out a hollow laugh. "Just asking, just asking. We need to be aware of every nook and cranny of the rules if we want an optimum result."
Xiao Wu nodded. "Yes. I think all four of us should stick together and go invade a relatively weak sect which our sect has a relationship with. That way, even if we lose, we can avoid any severe consequences by using that relationship."
Han Xuhan clapped, impressed. "That is an excellent plan, Brother Wu."
Xiao Wu beamed pridefully.
"In fact, the plan is so excellent that nearly every group of disciples from every sect may attempt to put that plan into action tomorrow," Han Xuhan added to his praise and watched Xiao Wu's smile wither. His wide face scrunched up, falling deep in thought as he seemed to visualize that scene in his mind.
"Fuuuuck...all the weak sects affiliated with strong ones are in for the ride of a lifetime tomorrow." Xiao Wu shuddered.
Han Xuhan nodded in agreement. He was wondering if the strong sects which fostered weaker sects would provide their disciples with protection of some sort....
"Hey, Brother Wu. What if two invading teams meet each other in a foreign sect's territory while searching for the treasure? They can't both fight the defense team, right?"
Xiao Wu shook his head.
"No, but they can fight each other. The other option is to just wait it out. Give the other invasion team an opportunity to look for the treasure first and if they fail, give it a go yourselves."
Han Xuhan suddenly sat straighter, a plan forming in his mind. Indeed, there might be some merit to that passing thought...
Right then, Mu Ran burst into the house with a foot-long catfish held in his arms.
"Guys, see what I caught!"
His triumphant look made Han Xuhan recall that Mu Ran had left saying he'd bring back a shark. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Whoa! I had no idea that sharks were so small! Those picturebooks all lied to us!"
Mu Ran harrumphed. "What are you saying, underling Xuhan? It's almost as big as my di-ahem."
The cough was unnecessary, very much unnecessary. Han Xuhan, who had been gearing up to roast that fish felt his appetite die. A look at Xiao Wu's expression relayed to him a similar, silent, tragic twist.
The dinner that night did not include fisheries for the two of them. Mu Ran ate their shares, unbothered. In fact, he appeared to be pondering something as he ate. The rare sight forced Xiao Wu to ask, "Brother Ran, something's on your mind...?"
Mu Ran looked at him from the corners of his eyes, silently judging something. Feeling self-conscious, Xiao Wu took a look down at his body to check if everything was alright.
"Brother Wu, I have come up with an excellent idea for tomorrow's mission!" Mu Ran announced with a calculating look in his gaze.
Both Han Xuhan and Xiao Wu fixed their sight on him, their minds synchronized, pondering on what implications to derive from the word 'excellent'.
Seeing their attentive faces, Mu Ran put down his saliva-covered fishhead and wiped his mouth, donning a serious appearance.
"If we think about it, everyone tomorrow will take a cautious approach to the tasks to be accomplished. Everyone-no, most of them are a bunch of pathetic losers. So their caution is justified...for them.
But I am not a loser.
As my underling, Han Xuhan is not a loser.
And as his good friend, you, Xiao Wu are not a loser either!"
Han Xuhan began to sense an ominous premonition in his heart.
Leaning towards them, Mu Ran raised his voice high.
"So why don't we take the opportunity to create a storm? Why don't we take a road which only real men would take?!"
"Sister Zhou is a woman, though," Han Xuhan reminded.
"Well, she isn't my woman, and that's no different from being a man to me. Now, where was I?"
"Deep in the streets...of real men," Xiao Wu helped him recall.
"Right! So why don't we all act like real men and invade the strongest, the most influential sect on this planet tomorrow?"
Xiao Wu's jaw fell open. Several times he attempted to move them, but no words formed in his mouth.
Han Xuhan's eyes, meanwhile, reflected the same calculating countenance as his boss.
