52: Chapter 52 Undercurrents

Early the next morning, when I crawled out of bed, my whole body felt like it had fallen apart.

My arms weren't shaking as much, and the healing medicine was effective, but there was still a dull ache in my meridians. I stretched a bit, felt about seventy or eighty percent recovered, and headed out with my sword on my back.

I had to go to the Sword Pavilion to cultivate today. Although the fight with Long Aotian yesterday had beaten me half to death, my experience points had increased quite a bit, bringing me one step closer to level twenty-two.

As soon as I entered the martial arts training ground, I felt that the atmosphere was off.

Yesterday, this place had been like a frying pan, but today it was much quieter. However, it wasn't the normal kind of quiet; it was the kind where—as soon as you walked in, everyone stopped talking and stared straight at you.

That kind of quiet.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a handsome guy before?" I muttered, biting the bullet and walking inside.

A few lower-grade disciples hurriedly cleared a path, their expressions quite spectacular—they wanted to come over and watch, but were afraid to get too close.

I found a wooden stake in the corner and started practicing my sword skills. I had only swung it twice when I heard some whispering nearby.

"Is that him? The one who fought Long Aotian to a draw?"

"Yes, yes, that's him! Chen Ergou! Level twenty, and he actually managed to draw with the level twenty-six Long Aotian. That's too fierce..."

"Fierce, my foot. Didn't they both end up heavily injured? I heard he almost died."

"That's still impressive! Long Aotian is the president of the Dragon God Temple and one of the top twenty experts in all of Tianqi City!"

"That may be true, but since he offended the Dragon God Temple, I'm afraid it won't be easy for him to get by in the Sword Pavilion from now on..."

My ears were sharp, so I heard these words clearly. My heart was a mix of emotions—there were those who admired me, those who were just watching the show, and those waiting to see me make a fool of myself.

This is human nature, my friends. When you're powerful, a bunch of people will crowd around to flatter you; when you're down on your luck, they run faster than anyone else.

I couldn't be bothered to pay attention to these people and focused on practicing my sword skills.

Just as I was practicing, a voice came from behind me.

"Junior Brother Chen Ergou, are your injuries feeling better?"

This voice, polite yet tinged with a sense of condescension—I knew who it was without even turning around.

Senior Brother Liu Qing.

I turned around, wearing a smile on my face: "Senior Brother Liu! Much better, much better, thank you for your concern."

Senior Brother Liu Qing walked over with a smile and patted my shoulder. He was wearing the brocade robe of the Sword Pavilion's outer sect head disciple, and his level twenty-five aura was steady and restrained, making him look like a true gentleman.

If I hadn't already learned his true colors last night, I might have really been deceived by this facade of his.

"I heard about what happened yesterday." Senior Brother Liu Qing sighed, looking full of regret. "You were really too impulsive to clash with Long Aotian. The Dragon God Temple is not a force to be trifled with."

"Senior Brother Liu Qing is right." I nodded, looking like I was humbly accepting his instruction. "There was no other way at the time; he came looking for me."

"I understand." Senior Brother Liu Qing said earnestly. "Young people are hot-blooded, so it's normal to not be able to hold back when provoked. But Chen Ergou, you need to know that in this game, having strength alone is not enough."

He paused and looked at me with a meaningful gaze.

"Sometimes, taking a step back opens up a vast sky. Those who understand the times are the wise ones, after all."

I sneered inwardly.

Those who understand the times are the wise ones? That sounds nice, but isn't it just asking me to surrender?

"Does Senior Brother Liu mean..."

"What I mean is," Senior Brother Liu Qing lowered his voice and leaned in closer to me, "Long Aotian, although his methods are a bit ruthless, is a reasonable person. If you are willing to apologize to him and resolve yesterday's matter, perhaps he won't make things difficult for you, and might even offer you some benefits."

He looked at me, his smile unchanging: "You should be aware of the Dragon God Temple's influence. With their protection, your days in the Sword Pavilion will be much easier."

Good grief.

Saying it like that, it sounds like he's doing it for my own good, but in reality, he's asking me to defect to the Dragon God Temple. This bastard Senior Brother Liu Qing really knows how to package things. He makes "being a traitor" sound like "making friends."

I sneered in my heart, but put on a troubled expression on my face.

"Senior Brother Liu, what you say makes sense. But... I'm not very bright, and I can't make decisions on such big matters. Let me think about it some more, think about it."

"No rush, no rush." Senior Brother Liu Qing smiled and patted my shoulder. "Think it over carefully. If you need any help, feel free to come to me."

After saying this, he turned and left.

I watched his retreating figure, my eyes narrowing slightly.

This bastard, his acting is pretty good. If Ye Liuli hadn't tipped me off in advance, I would have almost believed this good-person facade of his.

No, this matter cannot be delayed. Senior Brother Liu Qing has been operating in the Sword Pavilion for so long; who knows how many backup plans he has? I must hurry and tell Elder Mo Wentian about this.

I stayed in the martial arts training ground until noon, then found an excuse to slip away and headed straight for Elder Mo Wentian's residence.

Elder Mo lives in a bamboo building on the back mountain of the Sword Pavilion. The environment is quiet and secluded, and few people usually come here. When I arrived, he was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea.

"Chen Ergou is here?" Mo Wentian looked up at me. "Sit."

I sat down opposite him, took the tea he handed me, and took a sip.

"Elder, there is something I want to tell you." I weighed my words carefully. "But I'm not quite sure, and I'm afraid of saying it wrong."

"Speak freely."

"It's about Senior Brother Liu Qing." I lowered my voice. "I've recently discovered that he is a bit... not quite right."

Mo Wentian's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and his gaze became sharp.

"In what way is he not right?"

"I can't quite say." I intentionally spoke vaguely. "I just feel that he has been very close with people from the outside lately, and sometimes his words and actions seem... not like someone from our Sword Pavilion."

I didn't directly say "Senior Brother Liu Qing is colluding with Long Aotian," because currently, the only evidence I have is what Ye Liuli gave me. Without concrete proof, if I rashly reported Senior Brother Liu Qing and alerted the enemy, it would be troublesome.

Mo Wentian was silent for a moment, then put down his teacup.

"I have also slightly noticed what you are talking about." His voice was low. "Senior Brother Liu Qing has ability, but his mind is too heavy. I had previously noticed that he had dealings with certain outside forces, but I have never been able to catch him in the act."

He looked at me: "Chen Ergou, you did the right thing. Do not spread word of this; I will investigate in secret. Be careful in the Sword Pavilion during this period and do not have a direct confrontation with Senior Brother Liu Qing."

"Understood, Elder."

"Also," Mo Wentian added, "I heard about your battle with Long Aotian. To be able to fight a level twenty-six Berserker to a draw at level twenty, your strength has already exceeded the level of outer sect disciples. Cultivate well; you have a chance in next month's Inner Sect Selection."

I nodded in agreement and took my leave.

Walking on the way back, I kept calculating in my mind.

Although Elder Mo Wentian agreed to investigate, such matters cannot be cleared up in a day or two. Senior Brother Liu Qing has operated in the Sword Pavilion for so long and must have made many precautions. If I wait for the Elder to find out, it will be too late.

I have to take action myself.

Just as I was thinking, a system prompt suddenly popped up in front of me.

[Ding! System Quest Triggered!] [Quest Name: Traitor in the Shadows] [Quest Description: Within the Sword Pavilion, someone is secretly communicating with outside enemies and betraying the sect's interests. Investigate and collect evidence of the traitor, and bring them to justice.] [Quest Rewards: Unknown Skill Book ×1, Experience Points ×5000, Gold Coins ×10000] [Quest Hint: Sometimes, the best investigation tool is hidden in the place you are most familiar with.]

My eyes lit up.

A system quest! And it's related to Senior Brother Liu Qing!

An unknown skill book! This reward is too generous, right?

And that quest hint—"The best investigation tool is hidden in the place you are most familiar with."

The place I am most familiar with? Isn't that my stall?

A flash of inspiration struck my brain. That's right! My myriad worlds stall system—although the level twenty-two product development function hasn't opened yet, among my existing items, there might just be something I can use for investigation!

Perspective Eye Drops? No, that can only see through disguises, not eavesdrop.

Invisibility Powder? It allows for invisibility, but it only lasts for three minutes—not enough time.

Berserk Potion? That's for fighting; what the hell does it have to do with investigation?

I flipped through the system store and suddenly stopped my gaze.

Wait...

Although the product development function hasn't opened yet, there are some new items in the system store that I haven't noticed before. These things might just come in handy!

I quickened my pace toward my residence, my mind already starting to calculate.

Senior Brother Liu Qing, you just wait. All those dirty things you've been doing in the dark, I, Chen Ergou, will definitely dig them all up!