Chapter 5
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Chapter 5: Nonsense and Enlightenment
Li Hui’s body trembled as the opponent’s powerful presence struck him like thunder, causing his mind to buzz.
Even though he possessed some decent skill in dark weapons, it was merely a worldly form of strength, and he would likely struggle to even break through the artifact wings behind his opponent.
“Where are you in such a hurry to go?”
At that moment, the triangular-eyed man blocked his path, his gaze filled with ridicule as he looked at Li Hui.
“Li, how can you, a useless fellow, be so lucky? You’ve gained the favor of the outer sect’s Chief Steward, making you responsible for the daily needs of so many disciples, not to mention the miscellaneous disciples—there must be nearly ten thousand of them! This position should have been taken by my second brother. It’s bad enough to lose to someone else, but losing to a nobody who hasn’t even awakened a Spirit Motion mark—how can my brother accept that?” The triangular-eyed man’s sneer exposed a chilling malice.
The person controlling the wings was none other than Brother Zheng, who placed a high value on his appearance. Even his cuffs were embroidered with gold thread, making him somewhat charming, yet the nest of chattering Junior Sisters and the Senior Sister he admired often spoke Li Hui’s name.
He had initially thought that Li Hui was somewhat well-connected, but after some investigation, he found that everyone had been fooled by Li. The beautiful clothes were mere samples for the silk shop, and the exquisite wine and delicacies served to fellow disciples came from Fuyuan Tavern’s sponsorship.
A nobody like Li Hui had managed to mix in with their elite outer disciples, especially not understanding how the miserly Chief Steward Jin Buduan made him the outer disciple’s accounts manager—it was simply unbearable!
This group had started to corner Li Hui since morning class, yet he only arrived after the sun had risen high, dressed in this ostentatious way, which only inflamed their anger.
Li Hui had been forced to leave home at the age of nine due to a plague. He spent months wandering and begging, facing all kinds of hardship. Just when he thought he could find food in a prosperous place, he was conscripted into the military.
His four years in the army, even just drumming and cooking and carrying bodies, exposed him to countless storms. He struggled every moment between life and death and learned to remain calm even in the direst situations.
If it weren’t for caring for the families and widows of his brothers, and taking in many war orphans, why would he have so painstakingly entered the Jade Symbol Sect? Why would his cultivation have stalled?
In truth, he worked hard. Even with mediocre talent, he would not have failed to awaken a single Spirit Motion mark if not for the heavy burden on his shoulders! He was resolute, unwilling to abandon his promises!
Though he could not die alongside his comrades, he took responsibility for their children and parents. When he was young, he had dragged down his brothers, but now, he absolutely would not give up any family member. No matter how much bitterness he faced or how much humiliation he endured, he was willing to bear it, for it was worth it!
However, having endured until today, feeling the brewing storm and the sect’s instability, there were unseen enemies even pulling him down in his dreams. An instinct within him suggested that he should move and find a new place to take care of a whole family.
This sudden realization struck him!
“Cough, cough, Brother Zheng and this triangular-eyed senior whose name I don’t know, what a grand show you have going.” Li Hui’s casual remark left everyone stunned. They could not fathom how someone as pitiful as him, with such low-level cultivation, could stand calmly in front of them, who were like wolves and tigers.
Before anyone could react, Li Hui continued, “Yes, you have at least guessed one thing correctly: I, Li Hui, have no merits deserving of such attention from the Chief Steward. Not only did he take me under his wing years ago and teach me carefully, but now I manage the outer disciples’ purchases as well. Hmph, do you think the Chief Steward is an easy person to work with? He wouldn’t casually assign just anyone unless they had a connection, so why would he support a lowly figure like me, who is even weaker than the miscellaneous disciples?”
As these words left his mouth, everyone felt a chill in their hearts, unable to suppress the question: “Indeed! If there’s nothing strange about this, who would believe it?”
“Furthermore!” Li Hui declared loudly, then slowly added, “Why do I constantly receive these fine clothes? And today, wearing this dragon robe, why didn’t Lingfeng Silk offer Brother Zheng a chance to try on their garments or ask this triangular-eyed brother to sample their dishes? Instead, they chose to give me the opportunity?”
“Hahaha!”
Laughter erupted arrogantly before one of them suddenly sobered and said, “It seems this young man has kept a low profile to the extent that you’re unaware of his background. Jin Buduan and the others are not trying to please me; they are trying to please those behind me. Speaking of which, a hundred years ago, Grand Elder Ge Yuntao traveled to the White Sea and formed a bond! I won’t elaborate further, but the details are quite convoluted—all to ensure my return in glory. The inner sect even ordered me to visit Linggui City…”
Li Hui stepped forward, pushing aside the obstacles in his way, and continued to raise his voice, “If you don’t believe me, why not head to the inner sect’s law hall to investigate the decree? What merit could a mere outer disciple like me have to warrant a direct order from the inner sect? If I speak a single untruth, then at that time…”
As his words faded, he moved with ease, showing no hint of fear even before those present with their impressive Spirit Motion stage with six marks, leaving them puzzled.
“The inner sect would issue a decree for an outer disciple?” Brother Zheng expressed disbelief.
To be honest, Li Hui himself did not believe it, but the suddenness of the order was unsettling.
Anyone else would likely not associate the order with the inner sect, but he was the Chief Steward’s prized pupil. Perhaps he even played the role of a scapegoat.
In a sect where dark dealings occurred so frequently, they would definitely not let him wander off to the distant markets to check accounts. Even if it took a year and a half, something unusual was lingering beneath the surface.
Initially, Li Hui spoke nonsense, but as he continued, he sensed he was not taking the matter seriously enough. If he had indeed offended someone in the sect, it should be nothing more than this triangular-eyed figure, and it truly had no deep connection to the inner sect. So who had pushed him so far away?
Li Hui hoped Brother Zheng and the others would rush to investigate; perhaps the movement would reveal some insights into the matter.
Small characters had their cunning, and the ability to survive in the crevices had seeped into his bones, becoming instinct. His sense of danger was heightened; even if the sect appeared prosperous on the surface, the slightest hint of strangeness would not allow for procrastination.
“Let’s go, we’ll leave the sect tonight!”
“Even after leaving, be cautious; we must erase our traces.”
Li Hui did not know that as he made his decision to travel far for refuge, the law hall had already issued commands to several outer disciples.
The task locations varied between near and far, and Mo Xinghe, Bai Yulian, Zhang Tianhua, Lian Luosha, and Gao Yuhu began to pack their things and bid farewell to their fellow disciples, almost all deciding to set off before nightfall!
