Chapter 295 - 115: Clash of Spells (3)

Chapter 295: Chapter 115: Clash of Spells (3)

The Heart Inquiry Technique was a method used by Spirit Masters, similar to hypnosis.

’So it wasn’t just me? They went after the Qing Yan Little Child, too?’

’No, that’s not right. To be more precise, the Qing Yan Little Child is Daoist Ge’s disciple, which makes him the more direct lead. Me? I was probably just collateral.’

’The terrifying thing, though, is that they almost stumbled upon the truth by accident.’

Fang Rui mused silently for a moment, then said, "Don’t hold a grudge."

The words seemed to come out of nowhere, but the Qing Yan Little Child understood.

"I know."

He acted as maturely as a little adult, nodding solemnly. "If it weren’t for your standing, Uncle Fang, they might have just arrested us and used even more terrifying methods, like Soul Searching... If I’m going to hate anyone, I’ll only hate myself for not being strong enough."

"Sigh!"

Fang Rui sighed, fully aware of the danger he had faced that day.

If nothing else, the fluctuating and rapidly climbing Tribulation Points on his panel told him everything he needed to know.

But no matter how turbulent he felt inside, his expression remained unchanged, as placid as the water in an ancient well.

WHOOSH!

Fang Rui lifted the carriage curtain and glanced back at the Zhen Mansion.

’After this, my relationship with Zhen Daoji can never go back to what it was. Even if a broken mirror is mended, the cracks remain.’

...

Fang Rui harbored ill feelings. Whether Zhen Daoji was busy or feeling guilty, the fact was the two of them barely saw each other for the next month.

In the outside world, those who sycophantically followed the powerful and traded in baseless rumors were the most sensitive to this change. Soon, ugly gossip began to spread.

"Could it be that our dear Fang Yinzheng has been spurned by Lord Si Zheng? Thrown aside?"

"That’s right. That Fang Yinzheng hasn’t been ’graced with a visit’ in nearly a month."

"Alas, it’s always ’out with the old, in with the new.’ He’s a pitiful one, too."

"I can’t stand that Fang Yinzheng. He flaunts the power he got from selling his ass. Why should he get all the breaks? How am I any worse than him?"

"Ahem, my friend, let’s talk over here for a moment!"

...

"Boss, what’s going on between you and Lord Si Zheng?" Niu Bajin asked cautiously.

"Yeah," Xun Buhe added. "The word on the street is that you had a falling out with Lord Si Zheng."

"Hm?!"

Fang Rui’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his two Chief Constables. "What, are you both so eager for me to go sell my ass?"

"No, no, no!"

A chill ran down Niu Bajin’s spine. Sensing a sudden wave of danger, he hastily grabbed Xun Buhe and bolted.

After the two had left, Fang Rui let out a sudden sigh. "I just want to live a peaceful life. Why is that so hard?"

’In this situation, even if I suddenly had a breakthrough and revealed my Fifth Grade strength or my powerful potential, it would be useless. It would just make people think I have a guilty conscience, and it would needlessly arouse Zhen Daoji’s suspicions.’

’The tree may crave stillness, but the wind will not cease,’ he sighed to himself.

...

On his day off, Fang Rui went fishing alone at Mochou Lake.

SPLASH!

In the orange light of the early morning sun, a large golden carp broke the surface, its scales glinting.

Fang Rui instinctively turned his head to the side. "Ge..."

But no one was there. The triumphant words he’d been about to say caught in his throat.

"Sigh..."

A sudden listlessness came over him. He released the golden carp and paced along the bank where the grass was turning yellow, his thoughts drifting to their dilapidated secret base in the Peach Blossom Garden, and to Ge Changgeng...

In the rustling autumn wind, the cries of partridges rang out, their mournful song seeming to repeat, "Better to leave... better to leave..."

’These recent secret clashes with Zhen Daoji... my Tribulation Points have skyrocketed, and the gains have been substantial, but every encounter has been terrifying. One mistake, one wrong move, and I’d be finished.’

This wasn’t a battle, but it was far more dangerous than one!

"This isn’t the life I wanted to live..." Fang Rui murmured. "A tree dies when it’s moved, but a person thrives. Perhaps it’s time to leave Huaiyin Prefecture and find somewhere new."

They had first moved to Huaiyin Prefecture because Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and the others couldn’t physically travel any farther. Now, perhaps it was time to begin another journey.

...