Hidden Shadow

But aside from that, what was the real reason?

Hua Rongjian lowered his head, carefully applying the mask. Noticing her expression from the corner of his eye, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

An Jiu didn’t answer.

Hua Rongjian didn’t press further, focusing instead on meticulously working on her face for a long time before finally straightening up with a sigh. "Done!"

"Let me see," An Jiu said.

"Wait a moment." Hua Rongjian stepped out briefly and returned with a basin of water. "The owner of this place has a face too ghastly to look at, so he never uses a mirror. You’ll have to make do with this."

The man’s voice suddenly rang out again, "Damn you! I curse Mei Shisi to become your sister-in-law!"

"Lu Danzhi, why don’t you choke on your wine and die!" Hua Rongjian had never been one for patience. He grabbed a wooden box, infused it with Inner Force, and hurled it at the sound-transmitting bowl hanging from the beam.

With a loud clatter, the copper bowl fell to the ground.

Ripples spread across the water’s surface in the basin. An Jiu stared at the reflection of an unfamiliar young man, lost in thought.

Wearing the Human Skin Mask made expressions slightly stiff, but An Jiu naturally had few to begin with. Combined with the coldness in her eyes, she looked perfectly suited to the role—a taciturn, indifferent young man.

"How is it?" Hua Rongjian asked.

"Good," An Jiu replied. She turned and took his hand again, feeling the warmth emanating from his palm. "Have you ever met me in a different guise before?"

Hua Rongjian paused. "No."

The warmth from him was like sunlight—comforting and oddly familiar. Yet, An Jiu couldn’t detect any deception in his expression. She changed the subject. "How do I take this off?"

"Rub oil over the adhesive areas for a while," Hua Rongjian explained. He picked out two more masks along with the adhesive and handed them to her in a brocade pouch. "Keep these. They might come in handy later."

An Jiu took the pouch but hesitated. "Where’s the latrine?"

"Go left out the door, then take the second path west," Hua Rongjian said with a faint smile. "I’ll prepare some wine and food. We can dine at the mountaintop and enjoy the view."

"Mm," An Jiu replied absentmindedly.

Listening to her footsteps fade away, Hua Rongjian tidied the items on the table before heading to the kitchen to slice some pre-cooked dishes. He personally carried them to the pavilion at the summit.

The mountain was no more than fifty feet high, but it offered a sweeping view. Nearby, dilapidated houses crowded together, while in the distance, bustling prosperity was drowned in a sea of pale pink apricot blossoms—a stark contrast laid bare before the eyes.

Hua Rongjian poured wine into a flask and set it on the stove to warm.

"She slipped away," Lu Danzhi said as he entered, his face covered in a thick beard.

"I know," Hua Rongjian replied, sitting by the window and idly twirling an engraved silver cup. "The fact that she endured staying for half a month was already beyond my expectations."

"You’re genuinely serious about marrying her," Lu Danzhi remarked, sitting opposite him with curiosity. "What do you see in her?"

"She’s beautiful," Hua Rongjian answered earnestly.

"Pfft, don’t give me that," Lu Danzhi scoffed, picking up a piece of spiced beef and popping it into his mouth. He chewed noisily before continuing, "It’s just a face. If you want a celestial beauty, I can craft one for you. Watching you go through all this trouble—why not just visit a brothel and find someone with a good figure and a seductive air? I’ll make you a face identical to Mei Shisi’s."

Hua Rongjian raised an eyebrow noncommittally, reaching for the wine flask to pour himself a drink.

"If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as agreement," Lu Danzhi said."Danzhi, I came to see you for a reason," Hua Rongjian changed the subject.

Lu Danzhi snatched the wine flask from his hand and rolled his eyes. "When have you ever come without a reason?"

"Is your elder brother Cui Huling truly deceased?" Hua Rongjian asked.

Lu Danzhi's hand trembled, spilling wine all over the table. It dripped from the edge onto his clothes, but he didn't even notice. His voice was calm but suppressed excitement, "What... do you mean?"

Originally named Cui Huyai, he was born into the Cui family of the Crane Controlling Families. After fleeing the Cui family, he changed his name to Lu Danzhi and lived incognito for thirteen years.

"I just have suspicions, so I came to ask for details," Hua Rongjian took the wine flask and personally filled his cup.

Lu Danzhi shakily picked up the cup and downed it in one gulp. The strong liquor warmed his insides, slowly calming him. "As much as I'd like him to be alive... it's impossible."

Three years ago, when news spread of Cui Huling's fatal injuries, he thought his elder brother might be faking death to lure him back as the Cui family's protector. So he lingered near the family compound for over a month, until the funeral. The Cui family were outsiders; their dead were not buried but cremated to ascend in flames. Torn between suspicion and grief, he risked disguising himself to join the funeral procession and saw his brother's body with his own eyes.

"The body in the flames was his. I couldn't have mistaken it," Lu Danzhi stated firmly.

Hua Rongjian's serious demeanor was a stark contrast to his usual self. "We've learned that Elder Zhi of the Mei family has been secretly imprisoned. The reason is that during the Crane Control Army's novice trials, among the attackers was a water-element Transformation Realm Master skilled in Archery, very much like your brother."

"Before his passing, my brother had only practiced Archery for two years—just a hobby. He was far from skilled," Lu Danzhi said. "Why not suspect Wei Yunshan?"

At the mention of Wei Yunshan, Hua Rongjian's expression shifted slightly. Slowly, he said, "Wei Yunshan had his Inner Force seized and is imprisoned in Misty Villa."

"Truly?!" Lu Danzhi was shocked. After all, it was the first time he'd heard of someone capable of stripping a Transformation Realm Master of their Inner Force—utterly horrifying.

But upon reflection, his shock turned to a chilling dread.

Rumors circulated in the martial world of a secret technique to steal others' cultivation—one that could seize both Inner Force and Mental strength. For martial artists, this was an immense temptation.

Yet, the method was difficult to execute. Even among Transformation Realm Masters, forcibly seizing another's Inner Force was nearly impossible, and even if successful, the slightest misstep could lead to backlash.

However, if one could first use Medicine to suppress Wei Yunshan's resistance for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, two or three people working together could seize his power much more easily. And those who could get close enough to Wei Yunshan and make him let his guard down were likely just two people—Wei Chuzhi and Wei Yuzhi.

"Wei Yunshan lived a life valuing loyalty and righteousness, only to raise two vipers in the end!" Lu Danzhi gulped down more wine, the warmth barely offsetting his indignation. "That Wei Chuzhi established a den of assassins the moment he entered the martial world—I always knew he was no good!"

"So I thought..." Hua Rongjian ventured, "Could your brother also..."

"No!" Lu Danzhi's voice was firm, but a flicker of doubt crossed his face.

"Hmm?" Hua Rongjian asked softly, noticing Lu Danzhi's thoughtful expression. He didn't press further.Lu Danzhi recalled the image of Cui Huling's corpse—emaciated yet serene amidst the roaring flames. He had always assumed his elder brother's gaunt appearance was due to prolonged illness, but Hua Rongjian's words now planted seeds of doubt. "Though my brother was thin, his expression was peaceful. It didn't seem like the agony of having Inner Force forcibly extracted."

Hua Rongjian pressed immediately, "Could he have willingly transferred his Inner Force to someone?"

"This..." Lu Danzhi sighed. "He was indeed capable of such an act."

Though the Cui clan had many descendants, most inherited water-based Inner Force through lineage, yet few possessed true talent. Thus, Lu Danzhi quickly pinpointed the likely recipient: "Cui Yichen. My elder brother's eldest grandson."

Cui Huling and Cui Huyai were half-brothers with an age gap of over twenty years, making Cui Huling's grandson roughly the same age as Cui Huyai's son.

"Even if my brother passed his Inner Force to Yichen, why would he attack the Crane Control Army?" Unaware of recent events involving the army, Lu Danzhi sensed something amiss from Hua Rongjian's questioning. "Rongjian, has something happened to the Cui clan?"

"You no longer bear the Cui name," Hua Rongjian reminded him.

Taking a sip of wine, Lu Danzhi sighed. "Tell me anyway, or I might set off for the Cui ancestral home tonight."

After a brief silence, Hua Rongjian relented. "Very well!"

...

Under bright sunshine and a gentle breeze, An Jiu emerged from the garden wearing a Human Skin Mask. Her appearance was neither striking nor plain, allowing her to move with ease.

Retracing her path for about two miles, she glanced back at the distant hill. Her effortless escape couldn't have been mere coincidence.

With time to spare, An Jiu wandered through the city streets—only to realize she'd been deceived. Everywhere, groups of finely dressed young women strolled freely, contradicting Hua Rongjian's claim that women couldn't roam at will. Reflecting further, she understood: the routes Hua Rongjian had taken her were lined with upscale establishments, frequented only by servants of wealthy households who could afford such places, hence the scarcity of women there.

In the Song Dynasty, no law forbade women from going out. Only noble families imposed strict seclusion on their daughters to emphasize their elevated status above common women.

"Damn bastard," An Jiu muttered under her breath before heading to the government office.

Standing before its gates again after half a month, she felt a clear premonition: beyond these doors might lie an abyss. Yet remembering Mei Jiu's dying words, she stepped forward.

"Official premises—no unauthorized entry," guards blocked her way.

An Jiu produced a token from her robe. The men paled at the sight, quickly bowing in apology. One stammered, "This way, Dark Envoy."

Inside, a clerk escorted her while another rushed to announce her arrival. As she neared the main hall, a middle-aged official in crimson robes emerged from a side chamber. "My apologies for not greeting you sooner, Dark Envoy."

Meeting her downward glance, he dismissed his attendants and personally led her to his study.

"This token was given by a deputy commander of the Crane Control Army," An Jiu placed it before him. "He said you could arrange my entry into the Crane Control Remote Army."The prefect's expression relaxed slightly, his attitude remaining polite but much more natural than before. "Very well, you may rest in the government office for now. I will send word to the Crane Control Army immediately—they will send someone to escort you. Did that covert envoy mention which army you would be joining?"

An Jiu held the Divine Martial Army's token, but to be absolutely certain, he confirmed once more.

Chu Dingjiang had only advised her against choosing the Imperial Guards and said nothing else, but An Jiu had already made up her mind. "Divine Martial."

"Understood." The prefect raised his voice. "Attendant!"

"Your Honor." A bailiff entered upon hearing the summons.

"Take her to rest for a while." The prefect instructed. (To be continued...)

PS: Surgery tomorrow—there may not be an update, so taking leave in advance. If there is one, consider it a pleasant surprise Wishing Xiutang a smooth procedure.

Leave Notice

Xiutang underwent surgery yesterday. Today is the second day post-op, and her recovery isn't going well—she's still feeling unwell. Helping her request another day's leave. Apologies to all readers—March Fruit submits this leave note on her behalf. (To be continued...)