Chapter 960 - 926: Thousand Muscle Transformations

Xu Chunliang had a premonition that the situation involving Xiahou Zun would definitely stir up a tempest within the Weary Sect; Xiahou Mulan must have prepared a plan, but plans never keep pace with changes.

Cao Xinwei had impersonated Xiahou Zun’s identity for many years, and now, even if Xiahou Mulan revealed the truth, no one would believe it.

Xiahou Mulan’s original plan was to invite the four esteemed elders of the Weary Sect and announce the sudden disappearance of her father in front of them. After all, Cao Xinwei was neither seen alive nor dead, so even if they suspected, it would be hard to find clues.

In fact, the internal relations within the Weary Sect were not harmonious. Cao Xinwei had been in seclusion for many years, and many sect affairs were handled by Xiahou Mulan. Many people within the Weary Sect were obedient not because of the authority of the sect leader’s daughter, but because the Mulan Group was financially powerful.

Xu Chunliang said, "If you publicly disclose his disappearance, then the Weary Sect will elect a new sect leader. If the new leader decides to thoroughly investigate his disappearance, how will you stop it?"

Xiahou Mulan sighed and said, "There’s no better solution; I’ve already prepared to separate the Mulan Group from the Weary Sect."

Xu Chunliang said, "There should be plenty of people like Wu Yuanyi in the Weary Sect. Aren’t you afraid they’ll seize the opportunity to cause trouble?"

Xiahou Mulan furrowed her delicate brows slightly, "Let’s take it one step at a time. Rather than waiting for them to approach me for answers, I’d rather take the initiative to announce his disappearance. During this period, I’ve adjusted the assets of the Mulan Group, so the losses should be minimized."

Xu Chunliang said, "What if you become the sect leader?"

Xiahou Mulan looked at Xu Chunliang in surprise, "The Weary Sect has a rule that women cannot be sect leaders."

Xu Chunliang said, "Rules are made by people. What era are we in now? The sect leader of the Orchid Sect can be a woman, so why not the Weary Sect?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "It’s not that rules can’t be changed, but he’s already dead; even if he were alive, he wouldn’t pass the position to me."

Xu Chunliang said, "Does the Weary Sect leader require some token?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "Token?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Something akin to the Dog Beating Stick of the Beggar Sect."

Xiahou Mulan said, "The Weary Sect doesn’t have such a token, but the person who becomes sect leader must master the six techniques of the Weary Sect."

Xu Chunliang said, "What are the eight techniques of the Weary Sect?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "Tendon manipulation, realignment, acupuncture, acupuncture release, pulse interception, medicine identification, insect expulsion."

Xu Chunliang said, "Aren’t these the most basic of basic medical skills?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "They sound easy, but they must be personally tested by the four elders; only those who pass all can qualify as sect leader."

Xu Chunliang said, "Can you pass the test?"

Xiahou Mulan shook her head, saying, "I’m not good at acupuncture release and insect expulsion; he didn’t pass all his skills to me."

Xu Chunliang said, "He was an imposter to begin with; he might not even know them himself."

Xu Chunliang had dealt with Cao Xinwei before; he was arguably the most powerful martial artist Xu Chunliang had ever encountered. If it weren’t for the chance encounter with Xiahou Mulan’s Yin physique awakening his innate realm, Xu Chunliang wouldn’t dare claim he could defeat Cao Xinwei head-on. These so-called six techniques of the Weary Sect shouldn’t be a problem for Cao Xinwei.

As for Xiahou Mulan, these aren’t challenges either. Xu Chunliang said, "I can teach you. As long as you’re willing to learn, I guarantee you can pass the test within half a year."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Unless he resurrects and passes the position to me in front of the four elders, it’s impossible." She meant to stop Xu Chunliang from even considering it; it was impossible, given the Weary Sect’s rules.

Xu Chunliang said, "What if Xiahou Zun can say it himself to the four elders?"

Xiahou Mulan thought to herself whether Xu Chunliang had exhausted himself last night, his mind was muddled; how could Xiahou Zun possibly say it himself.

Xu Chunliang said, "He’s been in seclusion for many years; even the four elders haven’t seen his current appearance. You can find someone to impersonate him and publicly transfer the sect leader position to you. Once you become the legitimate sect leader, no one will dare make an issue of this anymore."

Xiahou Mulan said, "How could that be? You’re oversimplifying the four elders."

Xu Chunliang said, "Nothing is impossible in this world. Here’s the plan, you go handle your matters first, and when you return, I’ll go to your room to discuss it further."

Xiahou Mulan misunderstood his meaning and said softly, "I might not be able to physically manage these days."

Xu Chunliang chuckled; Xiahou Mulan could be endearingly naïve at times.

Xiahou Mulan blushed and kicked him lightly. Xu Chunliang looked at her cherry lips and said, "Think of a way."

Xiahou Mulan misunderstood his meaning again, saying, "No..."

Xu Chunliang sighed and said, "Being with you for so long, I’ve become a bad influence."

Xiahou Mulan spat out: "Clearly, I’m the one who’s become bad after learning from you." She thought Xu Chunliang’s proposal to have someone impersonate Xiahou Zun was a bit far-fetched. How could someone possibly be imitated so realistically? The four elders are no simple characters; deceiving them wouldn’t be that easy.

Xu Chunliang was not being whimsical. He found a book titled "Thousand Muscle Transformations" in Cao Xinwei’s training ground’s metal cabinet. The book was about disguise techniques, essentially advanced disguise methods, detailing how to simulate others by altering facial muscles.

Ordinary people, even if they got their hands on that book, wouldn’t be able to fully comprehend the methods within. But Xu Chunliang was different.

Xiahou Mulan’s business at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration went very smoothly. She returned to the hotel at noon, and Xu Chunliang suggested going to her home for a visit.

Xiahou Mulan took Xu Chunliang to her courtyard house at Nanluo Lane. It was a tranquil oasis in a bustling area. Her parents had bought it in the 1990s for not much money, but now it’s worth over 300 million.

Xiahou Mulan had it renovated two years ago. Most of her time is spent at the Mulan Base in Qiaocheng, so she doesn’t visit the Capital City often each year. The place is under management; it gets cleaned and maintained weekly.

Before coming here, Xiahou Mulan informed the management company, and a thorough cleaning was done yesterday. She requested that the management staff not disturb her for the next three days.

Xu Chunliang looked at the antique-style courtyard and couldn’t help but sigh at the blessing of having money. Upon seeing the leaping fish sculpture in the center of the fountain, he playfully remarked, "What a big fish."

Xiahou Mulan blushed slightly, "Just a sculpture."

Xu Chunliang said, "Yes, it’s still lacking vitality, no matter how big."

Xiahou Mulan looked at the koi in the pond and said, "Real life is vibrant."

Xu Chunliang stared at Xiahou Mulan in astonishment; she was turning bad indeed, uttering such bold words.

Xiahou Mulan realized she had misspoken and pointed ahead to introduce the layout of the house, swiftly changing the subject.

Xu Chunliang watched Xiahou Mulan’s shy and bashful demeanor, which indeed felt full of vitality.

Xiahou Mulan noticed something in his stride, marveling at his boundless energy. Is this guy an inexhaustible perpetual motion machine? Even for fishing, one needs time to mend the nets.

Xiahou Mulan took Xu Chunliang to sit in the living room; Xu Chunliang felt more comfortable sitting down. He was a bit embarrassed himself and explained to Xiahou Mulan with a thick skin, "You should know I’ve just entered the Innate Realm recently, so some parts of my body are a bit out of control, easily stimulated."

Xiahou Mulan said, "I didn’t stimulate you." She originally planned to make tea for Xu Chunliang but finally decided to give him a bottle of chilled Wong Lo Kat to cool him off.

Xu Chunliang looked at a calligraphy piece on the wall, which was the "Ballad of Mulan"——

"Sighing sighing, Mulan at the door weaving. No sound of the loom, only the girl’s sighs."

In the past, he didn’t think much of it, but now the poem seemed to provoke fanciful thoughts.

Following his gaze, Xiahou Mulan also felt the poem strangely mirrored her situation from the previous night. She thought she’d better put it away, as it felt embarrassing to read, especially since her name was Mulan, and it happened to be relevant.

Xiahou Mulan said to Xu Chunliang, "I’m going out for a bit, you drink your tea first."

Xu Chunliang nodded, seeing Xiahou Mulan leaving with a small bag, guessing she went to change her gear.

Seizing the moment, Xu Chunliang played around with Thousand Muscle Transformations, planning to give Xiahou Mulan a small surprise.

About ten minutes later, Xiahou Mulan returned and saw a person standing back-turned in the living room, wearing a black Tang suit. The figure looked too familiar, with a slightly stooped back, and the clothes seemed a bit too big on him.

Xiahou Mulan blinked. Where was Xu Chunliang? She had only been gone for about ten minutes. Could a person change so much in a short time? The body seemed much smaller, and the clothes were different. When did this person come? Where did Xu Chunliang go?

The other person coughed twice, and Xiahou Mulan broke into a cold sweat at the familiar sound. It was clearly Cao Xinwei’s voice. Wasn’t he dead?

"Who... who are you?" Xiahou Mulan discreetly took out a stun baton from her handbag; she had brought quite some gear just in case.

The person slowly turned around, and Xiahou Mulan saw a familiar face—exactly like Cao Xinwei. A chill ran up her spine to her head. She was frozen, staring in bewilderment at Cao Xinwei. Identical, except for the black hair. Cao Xinwei’s hair was almost all white.

"Mulan, don’t you recognize me?" The voice was flawless.

Xiahou Mulan thought something peculiar was going on. Impossible. Cao Xinwei was indeed dead. A moment ago, only Xu Chunliang was here, and the courtyard gate was tightly shut, equipped with top-notch security measures. Nobody could have snuck in without her knowing. Recalling what Xu Chunliang had said earlier, Xiahou Mulan quickly calmed down.

Cao Xinwei couldn’t come back to life; the only possibility was that Xu Chunliang had found a stand-in to play Cao Xinwei. He had suggested it earlier in the morning.

Xiahou Mulan shouted sternly, "Where is Xu Chunliang? Speak quickly, or I won’t be polite!"

"Then tell me, how are you going to be impolite to me?" The person’s voice suddenly changed to Xu Chunliang’s.

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