Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Shadow Under the Eaves (4)
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Murong Bi stepped out of Murong Sujing's quarters, his face filled with nothing but refreshment.
"Feels like everything's clicking into place."
The textbook approach would be to keep supervising her until she mastered it properly, but with her sharp instincts and exceptional talent, she ought to be fine practicing on her own.
"Her true qi has already started shifting, so who knows how far it'll go. Teaching her really brings out the best in me."
Admiration brought a smile to Murong Bi's face, but it gradually hardened.
'This means...'
The matter of compiling martial arts manuals sprang to mind.
'Still feels off somehow.'
If he wasn't going to leave manuals behind in case enemies invaded, why not just drill Sujing and Suhyang until they memorized everything by heart?
Of course, he'd considered it. But there was always that slim chance.
'Human affairs are unpredictable.'
Murong Bi was a veteran of war—over twenty years of it.
He'd make damn sure it never happened, but what if, against all odds, he ended up fighting enemies and Sujing or Suhyang got captured?
He knew full well how ruthless people could get when torturing enemy prisoners.
A man might face death without flinching for himself alone, but throw allies or family into the mix, and resolve crumbled fast. That kind of psychological pressure was far more terrifying than any physical torment.
Whatever the case, the time wasn't right yet.
'Still, I need to start passing things on soon.'
Truth be told, this solo approach had one glaring flaw.
"...It's me."
What if the one person who knew all the Murong clan's core martial arts kicked the bucket?
In other words, what happened if he died?
'They'd lose all hope.'
Not because it was him personally. Because he was the one who knew the Murong clan's martial arts.
At least he'd passed the Mixed Origin One Qi Technique to Sujing, which eased his mind a bit, but if something happened to him, the rest would vanish for good.
'Well, I'm confident I can at least save my own skin.'
It wasn't mere bravado.
The root of that confidence lay in the Brain Gate Heart Technique.
'It's definitely progressing. Starting to sync with the Mixed Origin true qi.'
If he hadn't learned it, other options might have crossed his mind.
But discarding a secret art he'd already mastered wasn't feasible, so actively leveraging it was the way to go.
'Subtle growth, sure, but my five senses and qi sense have sharpened noticeably compared to before.'
Murong Bi closed his eyes and focused on his surroundings.
Chirp chirp.
A bird's trill echoed from afar.
It came from the wild hills linked to the back gate, not the front. Sounds no ordinary person could catch—he could.
And that was just the start.
Whoosh.
The subtle flow of nature's qi on the breeze.
Chill rising with the earthy scent. Heat radiating from the sunlight.
And far off, the fierce fighting spirit of Flower Sword Squad members sweating through their training.
'All energies are coming into focus.'
Even eyes closed, he knew what was happening around him, sensed the environment.
'Plenty of room for improvement, but this is enough to detect incoming threats.'
Murong Bi opened his eyes, unease flickering across his face.
"Damn it, the real biggest threat is the Brain Gate Heart Technique itself."
Lately, it had been eerily quiet—unnaturally so.
Back when he was young, the surging madness and wild emotional swings had nearly driven him insane.
'Enlightenment played a part, but it's because the Brain Gate Heart Technique was still at a baby's level...'
The damn thing always sparked the fuse behind his back.
Once his cultivation deepened, he'd managed some control, but the foul temperament it ingrained? That was irreversible.
"Hmm."
Worry creased his face as he stroked his chin.
"No, maybe I've been overconfident."
Handing down a few key arts might actually be safer for the long haul.
"Pass them on, then squash any fights before they start. That's the optimal play."
At minimum, until Sujing and Suhyang grew strong enough to rest easy, he had to keep disturbances at bay.
"It all circles back to me, huh."
In short, he needed to get stronger.
'Right now, stuffing my face, staying active, and getting solid rest—that's the ticket.'
The Mixed Origin Heart Method let him cut rest time, but even that felt insufficient.
'...If only I had the Brain Gate Heart Technique's Yin-Yang Dual Methods.'
Its core was divided mind.
True to the name—splitting the mind—it allowed active qi cultivation during sleep, even fatigue recovery.
That was how he could practice two potent supreme arts at once. Mastering the Yin-Yang Dual Methods meant running both legendary techniques simultaneously for rapid growth.
His talent shone, sure, but that's how he'd rocketed past his "genius" brother to claim a spot among the world's elite.
"Come to think of it, that Demon Immortal was a monster. Damn, the hell I went through..."
That was when it hit.
"What suffering?"
He nearly jumped!
Whipping around, there was Murong Suhyang strolling up, her signature sullen expression now familiar.
Murong Bi flashed a wry smile.
'Can't count on it after all.'
The Brain Gate Heart Technique boosted senses and qi perception, but intensified focus too—sometimes blinding him to nearby action.
Cases like this made quick succession seem wise.
"Just mumbling."
"Who'd you scrap with? Who was strong?"
"Sharp ears, huh?"
"Deaf if I can't hear from here."
"..."
"Anyway, how's sis?"
"Good. Only getting better."
"Yeah?"
Relief softened Murong Suhyang's face.
"Glad to hear it."
She griped on the surface, but her family bonds ran deep.
Especially for her sister, Murong Sujing. To Murong Bi, it was downright endearing.
"Suhyang."
"Ugh, don't call me by name."
"Your strongest suit's blade and sword arts, right?"
Murong Suhyang blinked in surprise.
"Huh? How'd you know?"
Just as he'd thought.
'Her gait and balance scream it.'
Perfect setup for kicking arts too. Innate physique honed by effort.
'Foundation's rock-solid.'
After a moment's thought, Murong Bi spoke up.
"Meet me tonight."
"Meet? For what?"
"You'll see."
With that, he started walking.
Murong Suhyang trailed behind, yapping away.
"What kind of meet? What business you got with me? Not lecturing on manners or some crap, right?"
"You know damn well your manners need work."
"Not as bad as yours."
"Shutting me down cold."
"So what is it? Spill."
Tenacious little...
"Saving it for later fun."
"Bullshit. Fun meeting you?"
Her words said one thing, but she seemed a tad expectant.
"Where you headed anyway?"
"To check on the air-dried fish."
"What?"
"See if it's aged nice and chewy."
Murong Suhyang started to ask who, then realized his destination.
Her expression soured instantly.
"That assassin prick?"
"Yeah."
"I'm coming."
"Stay if you're just gonna butt in."
"Not asking permission."
Thus, the pair reached the warehouse.
Creak.
The door swung open, hitting them with a wave of dank air laced with cloying blood.
Shadow, bound and slumped in the corner, slowly raised his head.
"Hey there."
Murong Bi waved with a grin and squatted down in front of him.
"Meditation go well?"
"..."
"Eyes all bloodshot. Why not catch some Z's?"
Shadow stared at Murong Bi wordlessly.
His face a mess of complications, eyes brimming with confusion.
"Food aside, you held out without a sip of water. Impressive. Assassins are built different, huh?"
Shadow's eyes flickered for a split second.
Assassin—not just assassin, but former assassin.
'This bastard... knows about me?'
Murong Bi's smile deepened.
"Hide it all you want, but I felt that faint sword qi. Quit the assassin life for the sword, eh? At that level, good luck saving your neck anywhere."
"...Who the hell are you?"
"Voice all rasped out. Parched?"
Murong Bi turned to ask.
"Suhyang, got water?"
Murong Suhyang, glaring daggers, pursed her lips tight and hawked.
Drip.
A thick strand of spit trailed slowly to the ground.
Murong Bi turned back.
"That work?"
"What're you planning for me?"
"Why so curious? Assassin or ex-assassin, your fate's mine to decide for coming here to kill."
Even as he spoke, Murong Bi felt that nagging unease.
Damn, was passing on the arts really okay?
"Just one question."
"Didn't greenlight questions."
"You—what's your tie to the Death King?"
"Wanna marry the guy? Why the Death King obsession?"
"...Figured."
That killing intent rattled his mind hard?
Shadow couldn't muster any assassin edge in front of Murong Bi.
"You definitely know the Death King."
"What makes you say that?"
"Almost no one knows she's a woman."
Murong Suhyang muttered under her breath.
"Wasn't hooking you up with a man for marriage."
Murong Bi snorted a laugh and jabbed a thumb her way.
"Blood tells—quick on the uptake."
"..."
"Death King's a woman, huh."
Of course he knew. He'd tracked her down and smashed her personally—impossible not to.
She might even still be alive. For an assassin, her lifeline seemed weirdly tough.
"Act like you don't know her?"
"I'd love a peek. Slap some sense into her for churning out trash like you."
"Then how do you know the Blood Clotting Pill's usage?"
"That some true successor exclusive? You her direct disciple or what?"
"..."
"I've been generous with questions. My turn."
"..."
"Any Blood Clotting Pills left?"
Shadow's cheek twitched.
"...None."
"Bull. You have."
"..."
"Where?"
"Told you, none."
"Not with Ten Sword Sect, right?"
"..."
"Nope. Personal stash? Like an assassin's safehouse."
"..."
"Nah, eyes say otherwise."
Shadow swallowed dryly without thinking.
What the hell was this guy? How'd he nail it just from questions?
Murong Bi wasn't a mind reader, of course.
He just knew assassins inside out—from countless attempts during the war, and his own interrogations.
Pair that knowledge with Shadow's shaky micro-expressions, and answers came easy.
At least for him.
"Not stashed away, but not gone either... Hold up, don't tell me?"
"..."
"You know how to make Blood Clotting Pills?"
Shadow's eyes shook wide.
Murong Bi broke into a massive grin.
'Jackpot!'
If extras were left, he'd hoover them up to skyrocket his heart method short-term.
But this guy could produce them?
"Buddy."
"...?"
"You weren't low-rung in Ten Sword Sect, right? Leader's bodyguard or troubleshooter at least?"
Spot on—both.
Shadow reeled inwardly. Was this scrawny freak some kind of diviner?
Rubbing his hands eagerly, Murong Bi said,
"Ever thought of switching allegiances?"