NOVEL WEB Chapter 117: Gaining Treasure
In the past half-month, Hong Yuan had easily acquired essential Skills and Arts for martial disguise, such as Disguise Skills, Bone Shrinking Skill, and Voice Changing Skill.
Not only that, but Hong Yuan also obtained three worm recipes, one of which was precisely the espionage-type Worm he was interested in.
Hong Yuan also acquired a Dragon Scale Horse. Everything was developing favorably.
Hong Yuan hadn't been able to find techniques like Disguise Skills, Bone Shrinking Skill, and Voice Changing Skill within the Sect. This was mainly because these skills were considered low-class, meant for amusement, and Phoenix Creek Sect did not deliberately collect them.
At this moment, Hong Yuan, having gained initial mastery over these Skills and Arts, was examining his reflection in the mirror.
Stroke by stroke, he carefully outlined his own features.
Soon, a face that was seventy percent similar to Li Jianxiang's appeared before him.
Moreover, when Hong Yuan stood up, his height began to adjust, and his physique slowly changed as well.
"There's still room for improvement,~" a sharp, defiant voice emerged from Hong Yuan's mouth, entirely unlike his usual composed tone.
Hong Yuan chose to mimic Li Jianxiang because he understood him the best.
He vividly remembered the pile of information about Li Jianxiang collected by his Senior Brother Zhu Wushang. It marked his first encounter with the formidable presence of a veteran True Disciple.
"CLANG! CLANG!" Hong Yuan wielded his longsword, imitating the moves of the Nine Heavens Sword technique, indeed capturing some of Li Jianxiang's style.
If Li Jianxiang were to see Hong Yuan at this moment, he would likely be stunned for a moment, wondering if his own father had been unfaithful.
After a round of swordplay, Hong Yuan sheathed his longsword.
"The guise of Sword Cultivator Li Jianxiang is preliminarily established. Since I have a True Body, I'll change the name of this persona slightly. Let's call him Li Jianhe."
Having established this persona, Hong Yuan felt less tense, now possessing an additional means of escape.
The Skill of Martial Vest wasn't perfect yet; there was still room for improvement. Since he could monitor its progress through the proficiency panel, there was nothing more to be said. Time to grind it out!
As Hong Yuan continued to refine this art of disguise, a robust, middle-aged man named Wei Tusu came to him, claiming to possess the original manuscript of the Thunder Sword Tribulation Cultivation Technique.
In the Dongyu District Official Hall, Hong Yuan sat in the main official seat, with Chief Lei and Officer Xu standing on his left and right respectively.
These two constables, each leading their subordinates, held intimidation batons and watched Wei Tusu intently.
If Wei Tusu made any suspicious move, this group of Dongyu District constables would pounce and execute him on the spot!
As a disciple of Phoenix Creek Sect, Hong Yuan's demeanor was more akin to that of a Government Officer within an official bureau than a common Dongyu District Official.
Flanked by his subordinates, Hong Yuan projected the imposing air of a county magistrate presiding over his court.
"Wei Tusu, where is your home?" Hong Yuan inquired.
"Replying to Your Lordship, this humble one lives on Stone Tiger Mountain. My family has been hunters for generations," Wei Tusu replied, his head bowed respectfully.
His words immediately surprised the constables present; even Hong Yuan couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
A hunter possessing peak second-rank strength? That made no sense at all.
The constables exchanged incredulous glances.
If not for their awe of Hong Yuan's authority, they would have erupted into a clamor, like boiling water.
Is this fellow planning to pull a 'Jing Ke assassinates the King of Qin,' where the scroll is unrolled to reveal the dagger? Hong Yuan wondered.
Inexplicably, Hong Yuan found himself scanning the hall for a suitable pillar—
"AHEM," Hong Yuan coughed, dispelling his stray thoughts. "You say your family has been hunters on Stone Tiger Mountain for generations. Where, then, did you acquire such impressive martial skill?"
Where did I get it? Of course, it was taught to me by the Daoist Master of Qinglu Taoist Temple, Wei Tusu thought, but his spoken words were entirely different.
"Replying to Your Lordship, an elder named Ying Shan enlightened me and taught me martial arts when I was young. Although he refused to accept me as his disciple, I still regard him as half a master."
At the mention of Ying Shan, Wei Tusu's face filled with reverence.
Ying Shan, also known as Shan Ying. Without Shan Ying, I would not be who I am today; I would have perished in that cold winter.
Therefore, when Zhang Baicun, Shan Ying's proud disciple, entrusted this task to him, he accepted it without hesitation.
"Ying Shan..." Hong Yuan murmured softly.
Hong Yuan didn't blindly trust Wei Tusu's account; he was merely somewhat surprised by the man's story.
After a moment's contemplation, Hong Yuan said, "Chief Lei, go and fetch the original manuscript of the Thunder Sword Tribulation Cultivation Technique."
"Yes, sir," Chief Lei acknowledged, descended the steps, and snatched the original manuscript of the Thunder Sword Tribulation Cultivation Technique from Wei Tusu's hands.
He didn't rush to present the cultivation technique to Hong Yuan. Instead, he inspected it himself first—using silver needles, black ants, white wild dogs...
The array of inspection methods was an eye-opener for the other junior constables and caused Wei Tusu to break out in a cold sweat.
Just yesterday, he had considered asking Zhang Baicun to lace the original manuscript with some kind of Worm poison, hoping to incapacitate Hong Yuan.
Fortunately, Zhang Baicun is cautious and refused my request. I even ridiculed him for being overly scrupulous at the time. Looking back, it was I who was being old and presumptuous, Wei Tusu thought, feeling a wave of relief.
The other junior constables were amazed at Chief Lei's meticulousness. They finally understood why, among the many constables who had pledged allegiance to Lord Hong, Chief Lei alone had risen through the ranks so quickly.
He's truly a loyal hound for Lord Hong. I'm genuinely impressed.
There's no shame in losing to someone like him.
How did I never realize before that Lei He was so astute? Could he have been biding his time?
Chief Lei's colleagues and subordinates began to see him in an entirely new light.
Hong Yuan was also very pleased with this loyal subordinate.
If you start with nothing and want to climb the ladder, you must seize every opportunity!
"Your Lordship, this is indeed the original manuscript of the Thunder Sword Tribulation Cultivation Technique," Chief Lei declared, kneeling on one knee and holding the manual aloft.
"Mm," Hong Yuan nodded slightly, then turned to Wei Tusu. "Wei Tusu, state your request."
Hong Yuan's tone was casual, yet everyone in the hall stared at Wei Tusu with envy. In some, the flames of jealousy burned visibly in their eyes.
"Replying to Your Lordship, this humble one wishes for a shop in the Class A Area of East Prosperity District," said Wei Tusu.
Hong Yuan tilted his head slightly, a hint of surprise in his gaze as he looked at the man.
He has quite an appetite.
"Mm, granted," Hong Yuan agreed.
The constables could no longer suppress their emotions. Their breathing quickened as they stared intently at Wei Tusu.
This represented immense wealth and status. Anyone capable of establishing a shop in the Class A Area of East Prosperity District hailed from the renowned gangs and prominent families of Pengcheng.
Even the Giant Whale Gang had once been on the verge of being driven out, nearly demoted to a second-rate, bottom-tier power in Pengcheng.
After the assembly concluded, Hong Yuan, seeking to ensure stability, dispatched Chief Lei to investigate Wei Tusu.
Furthermore, Hong Yuan utilized channels provided by his Senior Brother Mo Jiuyou. The investigation ultimately confirmed that Wei Tusu was indeed a descendant of a family of hunters from Stone Tiger Mountain, who had lived there for generations.
Then, after his own careful study, Hong Yuan took the newly prepared manual of the Thunder Sword Tribulation Cultivation Technique and began his practice.