Casually stepping into an inconspicuous room within the pavilion, the burly man was already lying stiff on the floor, his body covered in blue frost. His ox-like eyes were wide open, filled with terror.
Han Li flipped his hand, and a slender silver needle appeared between his fingers. Without a word, he stepped forward, bent down, and swiftly inserted several needles into the sides of the man’s head. The man shuddered, and the light in his eyes gradually faded, turning dull and vacant.
Han Li formed hand seals with both hands, murmuring a low incantation, and sent a series of spells into the man’s body. The cold aura around the man immediately dissipated, and his lifeless eyes rolled back as he mechanically sat up, then knelt motionless on the ground like a puppet.
A green glow shrouded Han Li’s face as he flicked his sleeve, sending out several differently colored formation flags that embedded themselves around the two of them, instantly forming a barrier to conceal their presence. Han Li activated the formation with a wave, then blurred into motion, appearing behind the man.
Raising a hand slightly, Han Li pressed his spread fingers against the man’s crown, while radiant light erupted from his body, enveloping both of them.
“What is your name, and what position do you hold in the Kong family?” Han Li’s cold, emotionless voice echoed from within the glow.
“Kong Dou, Outer Hall Steward,” the man replied woodenly.
“When did the Kong family take over Falcon Cloud Town? Where are the original residents?”
“Seven years ago. The townsfolk were all mortals and were relocated to a small city called ‘Snow River’ a hundred miles away.”
“What is the purpose of the Kong family’s Ginseng King Conference this time?”
“…”
Through this eerie interrogation, Han Li extracted most of the information he sought. Finally, he abruptly withdrew his fingers, and the man collapsed limply to the ground. Han Li took out a pill and forced it into the man’s mouth, then swiftly pricked his acupoints with the silver needle.
After a while, he stood up, murmuring thoughtfully, “With this Forgetfulness Needle, his memories should be sealed for a while, preventing immediate suspicion. Unfortunately, due to my cultivation level, I couldn’t fully utilize the Dream Induction Technique. Otherwise, a simple Soul Search would have sufficed without all this trouble. It seems I’ll have to visit that small city.”
Shaking his head, Han Li retrieved the formation flags and left the room, exiting the pavilion. Ignoring the Ginseng King Conference, he strode directly toward the main gate.
Many cultivators left during the event, so when Han Li flew away on his artifact, the guards at the gate showed no suspicion.
A streak of green light shot toward the small city the man had mentioned.
The city wasn’t far from the Snow Ridge Mountains. Soon after passing Falcon Cloud Town, the faint outline of Snow River City came into view. Han Li descended at the city gate and walked in unhurriedly.
Compared to Falcon Cloud Town, Snow River City was three or four times larger, though still barely qualifying as a small city. By the time Han Li entered, night had fallen, and the streets were nearly deserted. No one noticed the uninvited guest.
Walking along the street, Han Li cautiously extended his spiritual sense, wary of any high-level cultivators—especially Nascent Soul-stage experts—who might detect him.
The city indeed housed cultivators, but most were low-level, with the strongest being a Core Formation cultivator hidden in a residence in the southwest corner. Han Li’s spiritual sense was exceptionally stealthy, and the man remained oblivious to the scan.
However, Han Li hadn’t come seeking high-level cultivators. Confirming no threats, he retracted his spiritual sense and suppressed his aura, scanning the streets as he walked, as if searching for something.
Soon, he reached a wider crossroads—likely the city center. His gaze flicked over an inn’s signboard, and his pupils contracted. He halted abruptly.
The sign, a few feet wide, bore the silver-painted words “Yue Lai Inn”—a common name in the Great Jin Empire, numbering in the hundreds if not thousands. But Han Li’s attention was fixed on a small teapot emblem in the lower right corner.
After a moment, he exhaled softly, glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then blurred into motion. A faint yellow glow flickered as he phased through the closed door like a ghost.
The inn’s lobby was pitch-black and silent, devoid of guests—or perhaps everyone was asleep. Han Li closed his eyes, extending his spiritual sense to map the entire inn.
Suddenly, he dissolved into a wisp of wind, vanishing into the darkness.
…
The owner of Yue Lai Inn was a gaunt man in his fifties, moderately wealthy by the city’s standards. After a long day’s work, he slept soundly, embracing his young concubine, married less than a year. But abruptly, a frigid breeze swept over him, jolting him awake. His eyes snapped open—and cold sweat drenched him.
A shadowy figure stood at the bedside, gleaming eyes fixed on him.
“You—” He tried to shout, but a flash of silver silenced him, his throat numbed.
“Don’t raise your voice. Though there are no cultivators here, I’d rather not attract attention. Look at this first.” The figure raised a hand, revealing a silver key.
The innkeeper’s body stiffened, then relaxed, his eyes lighting up with recognition and joy.
The figure, of course, was Han Li.
The innkeeper scrambled out of bed, gesturing frantically, but still unable to speak. Han Li smiled faintly, flicking his hand. A silver thread shot back from the man’s throat into his palm—a hair-thin needle.
“May I examine the key again?” the innkeeper croaked after coughing.
Han Li wordlessly tossed it to him.
The man inspected it meticulously before bowing deeply, returning it with both hands. “You must be the young master?”
“You’ve verified the key. Any doubts?” Han Li replied coolly.
“None. If you’ve found me and possess this key, your identity is unquestionable. But…” He glanced nervously at his concubine.
“Don’t worry. Before waking you, I ensured she’d remain unconscious. Even if you screamed in her ear, she wouldn’t hear a thing.”
“Good. The family head hasn’t contacted me in years. As a mortal, I dared not inquire, fearing to draw attention. Now that you’ve come with the key, I can rest easy. Had the family head not mentioned you might appear differently, I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
“The Feng family has indeed encountered trouble. I’m here to open the secret vault and retrieve some items. Aside from the family head, you should have a backup map of its location. Hand it over.”
“Of course! With the key, you have every right.” The innkeeper hastily dressed and led Han Li to the backyard.
At an unremarkable corner, the man dug with a hoe, carefully extracting an ordinary-looking green brick. Wiping his brow, he turned.
“The vault’s location is sealed within. It’s warded—I can’t open it, nor have I ever seen its contents. You’ll know how to proceed.”
“Naturally. Once I take this, you must leave this city immediately. Disappear, change your name.” Han Li examined the brick, nodded in satisfaction, then added sternly, “The Feng family’s affairs must not leak.”
“So it’s true… Very well. I’ll depart within days.” The innkeeper’s expression darkened, but he agreed readily.
“Good. For your loyalty, take this.” Han Li produced a small vial. “Though you’re mortal, these pills will strengthen your body and prolong your life.”
“Thank you, young master!” The man’s eyes brightened.
“I must go. Take care.” With a wave, Han Li vanished in a flash of green light.
The innkeeper stood stunned, then gazed at the vial in his hands.
After a long silence, he sighed deeply.
…
Once outside, Han Li flew from the city, landing on a desolate mountain. He summoned the green brick, studying it intently.
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