A middle-aged man dressed in an elegant white robe emerged from the academy. At first glance, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary private tutor, but when his eyes lifted, a sharp, murderous aura instantly radiated, startling the sparrows perched on the tree by the entrance into a frantic flight.
Su Muyu's robe fluttered slightly as he tilted his head. "And you are?"
"Chen Ru, Libationer of the academy," the middle-aged man replied solemnly.
Su Muyu bowed his head. "So it's Master Chen. I've long admired your reputation."
"I presume you are the Umbrella Ghost of Dark River. As an assassin, the most crucial thing is to conceal your identity and movements. Yet it seems you are announcing to all of Heaven Revelation City that the Umbrella Ghost of Dark River has arrived," Chen Ru remarked quietly.
"Heaven Revelation City is filled with Sky Realm Experts. Would the arrival of someone as insignificant as myself cause such a stir?" Su Muyu shook his head. "You overestimate me, Master."
"Even the most formidable Sky Realm Experts fear the blade in the dark—especially the sharpest one," Chen Ru sneered. "What brings you to the academy, Young Master Su?"
"Long-held admiration. I came to see it for myself," Su Muyu said slowly. "When I was a child, my father once passed by this place with me. He pointed at the academy's plaque and told me that when I grew up, he would send me here to be taught by the finest teachers in the world. I asked him, 'Aren't you the strongest in the world?' He replied, 'The heavens of the mortal world are within my reach, but the true heavens lie within these academy walls.'"
"Your father? Who in Dark River was he?" Chen Ru inquired.
"My father was not of Dark River. His surname was Zhuo," Su Muyu turned away. "Having seen the academy and met Master Chen Ru, I am already most fortunate. I shall take my leave now."
"Won't you come inside?" Chen Ru smiled.
Su Muyu returned the smile. "If Master Chen's invitation is sincere, then naturally, I could enter."
"Young Master Su is an interesting man. I was being petty," Chen Ru said slowly.
Su Muyu bowed once more before turning to continue on his way.
"He just came from Thousand Gold Platform?" Chen Ru called out loudly, clearly addressing the furtive figure lurking in the corner—Butcher Second Master.
Realizing he'd been spotted, Butcher Second Master stepped out of hiding. "Indeed, and then he came here. What did he say to you, Master Chen?"
"Where did he go before Thousand Gold Platform?" Chen Ru ignored the question.
Butcher Second Master pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve and unfolded it, revealing the words: "Fortified Tower Lodge, Lei Mengsha." He chuckled wryly. "This Su Muyu—does he truly think he's here to sightsee? Visiting every notable place in Heaven Revelation City in a single day?"
Chen Ru laughed. "Then where do you suppose Su Muyu's next destination will be?"
"Surely not the Directorate of Astronomy?" Butcher Second Master waved at Chen Ru. "Wherever it is, I'll have to keep following him!"
Within the Directorate of Astronomy, a white-haired Daoist holding a horsetail whisk opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "A ghost of Dark River dares to cause trouble here?" With a flick of his wrist, a Yellow Talisman appeared in his hand. He traced a few strokes on it with his finger before suddenly flicking it outward. The talisman shot through the window, flying across most of the Directorate of Astronomy, heading straight for the young man carrying the paper umbrella on his back.
Su Muyu looked up, reached out, and caught the Yellow Talisman in his hand.On the yellow talisman, there was only a single word.
"Please."
The word "please" was quite intriguing.
It could mean "please leave," "please enter," "please get lost," "please come," or even "please go to your death"—it all depended on how one interpreted it. But misinterpreting it would completely invert the other party's intent.
Su Muyu held the yellow talisman, gazing at the distant Directorate of Astronomy, hoping for a second one to arrive.
After waiting a full quarter-hour with no second talisman in sight, Su Muyu sighed softly and turned away. "It seems the National Preceptor does not welcome me."
Hidden in the shadows, Butcher Second Master shuddered, muttering to himself: Who is he talking to?
"Having visited so many places today, I must be tired. May I ask which is the finest inn in Heaven Revelation City?" Su Muyu spoke with polite deference.
Butcher Second Master discreetly scanned his surroundings—aside from Su Muyu, there was no one else around. He froze. Is he really talking to me?
"My friend from Thousand Gold Platform, there’s no need to hide," Su Muyu said helplessly.
Butcher Second Master exhaled sharply, then leaped forward with a single step, appearing before Su Muyu. Without hesitation, he thrust a finger toward him.
"Frostbite Finger—well met." Su Muyu nodded slightly and extended a finger of his own. The two fingers collided with a sound like cracking ice. Butcher Second Master recoiled, stumbling back three steps before lowering his head to inspect his finger—now coated in frost. His voice trembled slightly. "You… you can also—"
"It’s hardly a remarkable skill," Su Muyu said indifferently.
Butcher Second Master raised his left hand, brushing the frost from his finger. "Three li from here, there’s an inn called Facing Dawn. It’s among the best in Heaven Revelation City. You may stay there."
"My thanks. I am Su Muyu, head of the Dark River Su Family. I’ve come to Heaven Revelation City at another’s invitation, merely to observe. This visit is not for killing—please, do not worry." Su Muyu bowed slightly.
Butcher Second Master stiffened. "Dark… Dark River? The Su Family head?"
"Indeed. Once, I was known as Puppet. You must have heard of me." Su Muyu turned and walked away.
Butcher Second Master’s legs trembled faintly. Damn that Tu Da—he nearly got me killed.
Su Muyu soon arrived at the Facing Dawn Inn as directed and took the largest and most luxurious room available. Though he was usually frugal and accustomed to sleeping on rafters during missions to maintain secrecy, now that he knew he possessed mountains of gold and silver, he spent without hesitation. He even ordered a table full of wine and dishes to his room, as if expecting guests.
Yet, even as the curfew bell tolled, no one knocked on his door. He sighed softly and was about to rise when a gold invitation burst through the window, landing in his hand.
Identical to the one delivered by the Three Officials at the Nether Springs Inn.
A black-clad figure then flipped into the room, pressing a sword against Su Muyu’s chest. "You’ve only been here a day, yet every important figure in Heaven Revelation City knows of your arrival!"
"Precisely because they all know I’m here, no one will find it strange if someone comes to see me tonight." Su Muyu gently pushed the blade aside. "To them, you’re just one of many seeking to uncover my purpose in Heaven Revelation City."The black-clad man chuckled and sheathed his longsword: "You're clever. Because for us, if you reveal yourself, we'll be the first to come looking for you. For the shadows of Heaven Revelation City are guarded by us."
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