Chapter 76: Fortunes Turn Around

"The Inner Court is that way," Xu Xiaoshou said, pointing over his shoulder.

At the corner of the small grove, there were three paths. One led to his own courtyard, another to the Outer Court, and going straight led to the Cloud Ascent Platform, where the "Wind and Cloud Battle" took place. The third path, in the direction of Goose Lake, led into the Inner Court, and a small turn further led to the Spirit Library.

"What are you doing in the Inner Court? Don't tell me you're planning to steal books?" Xu Xiaoshou asked curiously. The person was completely muffled and cloaked, with only their eyes visible, looking very much like a thief or a robber. But surely they wouldn't just wander in without knowing the way!

"That's none of your business," the masked person mumbled.

"Just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"Oh, well, go ahead then!" Xu Xiaoshou said indifferently.

The masked person gritted their teeth. "So, can you get off me now?"

"Uh, my bad."

Xu Xiaoshou was actually a bit hesitant to get off, but riding on them like this wasn't a solution. He couldn't just let this person take him along to steal; he'd become an accomplice. With a push of his waist, a powerful recoil instantly flung them both several yards apart.

Xu Xiaoshou charged forward blindly for a while, then noticed no movement behind him, which surprised him. He looked back to see the masked person propping themselves up against a tree trunk, struggling to rise from the accumulated water on the forest path.

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

So weak, and you have the nerve to be a thief? Are you really from outside the Spirit Palace? I suspect you're faking it!

The masked person ignored Xu Xiaoshou, seemingly existing only to answer his very mundane questions. But after walking a good distance towards the Inner Court, he noticed the boy was still huddled under the white jade railing, furtively peeking at him, curled up as if playing hide-and-seek.

"..."

He stopped and sighed softly. "You fought well just now, but your sword path is astray. Turn back soon."

Xu Xiaoshou's eyebrow twitched. This person had indeed witnessed his entire killing process! The impulse to silence them welled up again, but could he even win against this person? This guy was too bizarre!

"My sword path is an idea from a genius friend. You're too shallow to understand it, that's all!" Xu Xiaoshou probed.

"Your path has long been worn out by others," the masked person said, not stopping, and walked straight away.

Xu Xiaoshou watched their retreating back, his mind racing. Are they bluffing me? Or has someone truly already walked this path of pure sword intent combat? Impossible! The only sword technique he had truly used was "Sword Draw." How could this person have seen through it? Their sword intent was so weak, yet they dared to lecture him? Ridiculous!

"This is a genius's idea!" Xu Xiaoshou exclaimed angrily.

The masked person did not respond.

"Mocked, Passive Points +1."

Xu Xiaoshou clenched his fist and shouted again, "Ten-Stage Sword Finger!" Neither the expected flicker nor a halt in their movement occurred. Xu Xiaoshou watched helplessly as they vanished at the end of the path.

"Was I wrong?" He mused, feeling uncertain. The sword technique that injured him moments ago really did resemble a sword intent attached to a finger. But that couldn't be. He had only just seen that unconstrained sword technique in the Spirit Library. Could someone be using it already?

"It must be confirmation bias..." Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, casting off the absurd thought, and decided to leave. What the other person stole, or how they stole it, was none of his business. All he cared about was that his killing not be exposed. Judging by that person's character, they probably wouldn't expose him. Besides, no one would believe a thief who infiltrated the Spirit Palace on a rainy night, even if they did expose his killing. Xu Xiaoshou found this person very strange and potentially a big problem. He didn't want to get involved.

"Time to go back to sleep!"

"I hope they don't appear again..."

"Bah! Shut up!"

Xu Xiaoshou slapped his own face hard, decided to turn and leave, but then stopped again. As far as his eyes could see, the masked person was running back from the end of the path, their movements appearing a bit frantic. Without thinking, Xu Xiaoshou turned and fled, putting all his might into running. Because he saw a large group of Spirit Law Pavilion enforcers following right behind the masked person.

"How could this be such a coincidence!" These enforcers couldn't have discovered the masked person so quickly. The only reason for their appearance had to be his own recent fight, which had been too loud and attracted them. Even though it was an attempted assassination first, he was the one who ended up killing someone, so Xu Xiaoshou was panicking.

*Whoosh!*

A blur shot past, directly blocking Xu Xiaoshou's path. The masked person! How in the world are they so fast? Were they really faking it? Xu Xiaoshou couldn't stop and crashed directly into them. To his surprise, the masked figure wasn't knocked back but instead scooped him up and tucked him under their arm.

"I won't kill you. You just play along, I'll exit the Spirit Palace, then I'll let you go!" The raspy, saw-like voice reappeared.

I'll believe you when pigs fly!

Xu Xiaoshou was about to struggle, but unexpectedly, the person suddenly thrust a finger into his lower back. Terrifying sword qi instantly raged through his body, tearing it apart.

"Hmm? Such vigorous life force, impressive!" The masked person instantly detected the abnormality. The sword qi became even denser and sharper, like tiny blades traversing Xu Xiaoshou's flesh, actually suppressing his "Endless Life" recovery ability.

"Attacked, Passive Points +1.""Attacked, Passive Points +1.""..."

The info panel immediately came back online and started working.

*Pffft!* Xu Xiaoshou spat out a mouthful of blood, completely losing the ability to move. His face darkened. Escaped the dragon's pool only to enter the tiger's den? This person was indeed putting on an act. Their control over sword intent was terrifying, countless times stronger than his own. He was almost in tears. Why did he always encounter such powerful figures? Old Sang was one thing; at least he was somewhat on his side. Even though he was torturous, he also brought many benefits. But this masked person, who knows where they came from, with their sword intent cultivation, definitely possessed power no less than a grandmaster!

"Let me go."

"No."

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned for a moment. Why did this feel familiar, like the tables had turned?

"You let me go, and I'll help you escape the Spirit Palace!" he said sincerely.

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I don't believe you!"

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

How infuriating! But there was nothing he could do! He held his breath. Honestly, the pain in his body was tolerable; he was used to it. It was just being restrained and unable to move, with only his mouth barely able to speak.

Xu Xiaoshou continued to bluster: "Listen, you'd better put me down. I have a lot of people behind me. Do you know Qiao Qianzhi? An elder of the Spirit Affairs Pavilion..."

"Don't know him? That's fine, what about Xiao Qixiu? He's the Grand Elder of the Spirit Law Pavilion..."

"Never heard of him either? Then Old Sang, surely you must have heard of..."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly fell silent. He felt like his tone sounded like a villain making threats after being caught, which was definitely asking for death! To his surprise, the masked person paused upon hearing the words "Old Sang" and asked, "He's back?"

"Who?" Xu Xiaoshou jolted.

"Old Sang!"

"I don't know him," Xu Xiaoshou said calmly.

The masked person: "..."

"Cursed, Passive Points +1."