Chapter 20: Disguise Technique, Wei Wu’s Legacy

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Disguise Technique, Wei Wu’s Legacy

"To answer you, Benefactor, I know the Disguise Technique, which is why I could see through your transformation," Zhu Yan replied.

Su Chen fell silent upon hearing this. He had thought his disguise was quite masterful, yet he hadn’t expected Zhu Yan to see right through it.

Glancing at Zhu Yan, Su Chen pondered for a moment. "On account of you finding this money for me, I’ll give you a chance. If you want me to exact revenge on your behalf, what price are you willing to pay?"

An uncontrollable wave of joy washed over Zhu Yan’s face at those words. He had talked at length with Su Chen precisely to hear this offer, and now he had finally gotten his wish.

However, his wild ecstasy quickly cooled. He pulled out the very last of his money and let out a dry, awkward laugh. "Um, Benefactor, I have less than ten taels left on me. Could I offer you something else as compensation?"

"Let’s hear it."

Zhu Yan quickly produced two manuals. "I have two secret manuals here. One is a compendium of medical knowledge accumulated by the Zhu Family over generations, and the other is the Disguise Technique. If you agree, Benefactor, I am willing to offer both of these to you as payment."

The Disguise Technique? Su Chen’s interest was immediately piqued. He had just been wondering how to obtain the technique from Zhu Yan, yet the man had offered it up of his own volition in the very next breath.

He pondered for a moment before asking, "How strong is this Zhao Kuo?"

"He should be a bit stronger than Liu Tong," Zhu Yan said, scratching his head. "I once saw the two of them fight. In the end, Liu Tong was defeated, though Zhao Kuo also sustained injuries. However, it’s been almost a year since that clash. While I’ve been observing Zhao Kuo since then, I haven’t actually seen him make a move."

Of the three men, Zhu Yan held a deeper hatred for Lin Hai and Liu Tong. Furthermore, compared to Zhao Kuo, those two had been far easier to observe—and far easier targets for revenge.

"I can give it a try. If he truly is as you describe, I will make my move. However, if I find that I’m no match for him, I will abandon the attempt. Furthermore..."

"Furthermore what?" Zhu Yan asked nervously.

"Furthermore, you must pay half the compensation upfront by giving me the Disguise Technique."

After stating his terms, Su Chen fell silent, waiting for Zhu Yan’s response.

Zhu Yan froze in place, his expression shifting with hesitation. Eventually, he nodded. "Alright. We’ll do exactly as you say, Benefactor."

He handed the Disguise Technique over to Su Chen and began explaining the essential points of the craft one by one, holding absolutely nothing back.

Su Chen listened quietly, committing every detail to memory. Hearing it straight from Zhu Yan, the Disguise Technique was far more complex than he had imagined. The lesson only concluded about an hour later, once Zhu Yan’s throat had grown hoarse and itchy.

During that time, Zhu Yan also shared all the intelligence he had gathered regarding Zhao Kuo. The information wasn’t extensive, but it was highly practical.

"Alright, I’ve memorized it all," Su Chen said. He scooped up the silver from the box and tucked it into his robes.

"Benefactor, how should I contact you?" Zhu Yan asked.

"Just wait at the Lin Family Castle. Once it’s finished, I will seek you out."

With that, Su Chen turned and departed.

Watching Su Chen’s retreating figure, Zhu Yan clenched his fists, a glimmer of hope coloring his features. He muttered, "I just hope Benefactor can truly kill that bastard Zhao Kuo for me!"

Three days later, at the Juxiang Building.

A somewhat burly figure sat by the window. A steel broadsword hung at his waist, and an empty sleeve draped loosely over the armrest of his chair, highlighting his distinct, one-armed appearance.

A few side dishes rested on the table alongside a pot of tea, which he leisurely alternated between. Despite having only one hand, his movements were entirely unhurried, exuding a quiet, composed elegance.

This man was none other than Su Chen.

Thanks to Zhu Yan’s instruction and three days of dedicated practice, Su Chen’s understanding of the Disguise Technique had deepened significantly. Had the technique fallen under the category of martial arts, he could have mastered it much faster using his status panel. Even so, his proficiency in disguise had drastically improved.

Before, a keen eye might have spotted the illusion of a normal person hiding beneath the guise. Now, unless they scrutinized him closely, an ordinary person would never notice his alterations. They would genuinely believe that Su Chen was just a one-armed man.

As he ate, Su Chen kept a watchful eye on the streets below. According to the intel Zhu Yan had provided, Zhao Kuo went to the teahouse opposite the Gathering Heroes Building to hunt every morning around ten o’clock. There were almost no exceptions.

"He’s here," Su Chen thought to himself.

Suddenly, Su Chen spotted a familiar figure approaching the teahouse, flanked by two members of the White Jade Gang. The White Jade Gang was one of the premier factions in White Stone City, and as a Hall Master, Zhao Kuo held immense authority. Having a two-man escort was perfectly normal. Moreover, since this district was entirely under Zhao Kuo’s jurisdiction, there was no need for him to bring a large entourage.

Zhao Kuo soon entered the teahouse and headed straight for a window seat, just as he always did. This particular table was perpetually reserved for him by the establishment. Whenever he arrived, a fresh pot of tea and assorted snacks would already be waiting for him.

Sitting by the window, Zhao Kuo savored the fragrant tea while peering down at the bustling street. His eyes darted across the passing pedestrians with a predatory, calculating gaze.

Observing from a diagonal vantage point across the street, Su Chen couldn’t help but shake his head. This Zhao Kuo was exactly the lecher Zhu Yan had described. And more specifically, a lecher who harbored a perverse preference for married women!

His sole purpose for visiting the teahouse every day was to hunt for new targets. Young, unmarried women were only of secondary interest to him; his primary prey were attractive wives.

Once Zhao Kuo spotted a suitable target, he would have his men follow her and outright abduct her. Su Chen had made discreet inquiries about the fate of these stolen women; virtually none ever escaped Zhao Kuo’s clutches. As for the families he destroyed, those who stayed quiet were left alone, but those who dared to protest invariably disappeared shortly thereafter.

Not long into his observation, Su Chen suddenly saw Zhao Kuo jolt upright, his narrow eyes fixated on a woman in a yellow dress walking on the street below. He had clearly found a target.

And judging by his reaction, she perfectly suited his tastes. Instead of sending his subordinates to trail her, he personally sprang into action.

Watching the scene unfold, Su Chen shook his head and murmured, "If that guy finds out his new target is actually a man in drag, I wonder what kind of expression he’ll make."

The moment Zhao Kuo locked eyes on the woman in yellow, Su Chen noticed something off about her. The Disguise Technique he had spent the last few days studying paid off immediately, allowing him to see right through the "woman’s" disguise with just a few glances.

"Judging by this person’s behavior, he seems to be deliberately luring Zhao Kuo," Su Chen murmured to himself. "Could he have a grudge against him?"

By now, Zhao Kuo had hurried downstairs. Following the woman in yellow, he was gradually moving out of Su Chen’s line of sight. Seeing this, Su Chen promptly stood up, tossed some coins onto the table to cover his meal, and trailed after them.

Meanwhile, Zhao Kuo—who had been tailing the woman in yellow the entire time—remained completely oblivious to the trap. Without realizing it, he had been led into a secluded, deserted alley.

It wasn’t until the woman stopped and turned to face him that Zhao Kuo finally sensed something was wrong. He stared at her and demanded in a low, dangerous voice, "Who are you?"

"The one who will kill you!" the woman in yellow scoffed coldly.

With a slight flick of her wrist, a gleaming longsword suddenly materialized in her grasp. Sword in hand, she lunged viciously at Zhao Kuo.