Why a Heavy Sword?

In the quiet room, Ye Zi's voice rang out, soft and slow.

When Ye Zi finished speaking, Xu Bai's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Soul Controller?"

This was the first time he had ever heard of this profession. To be precise, there were many professions he was hearing about for the first time, as his knowledge base was still somewhat limited.

Being good at fighting is one thing, but it doesn't mean he knows a lot.

Xu Bai stroked his chin and said, "There are actually such cautious professions in this world?"

cautious?

No, this was just so Ye Zi could understand. To be precise, this line of work is extremely shady.

The so-called Soul Controller is a profession belonging to the category of energy.

They can extract a person's soul, leaving only a part inside that person's body.

The extracted soul is their method of controlling that person.

The extracted soul will become exactly the same as the extracted person. They use a special method to condense their energy into threads, thereby controlling the extracted person by condensing their soul into the same shape as the extracted person.

Anyone who is controlled can unleash their full potential through that control.

The reason this profession is considered particularly shady is that they never appear in front of the public; they always present themselves to the public through people they control.

More importantly, this industry has special methods that can avoid detection and tracking by many means.

Soul Controller are a disgusting profession.

Most people who are controlled by them will never be able to break free.

It is precisely because of this that many people have felt a sense of crisis and have kept their distance from this industry.

If the difference in strength is huge, the soul can be extracted directly; if the difference in strength is not significant, another condition is required.

The premise is that before extracting the soul, they must put the person being extracted into a state of chaos.

To put it more bluntly, the person being extracted must be unconscious and unable to resist.

Even if you fall asleep, it won't work; you have to be completely unconscious.

"Young master, the world is full of wonders, and this profession is also despicable because a long time ago, they used this method to control completely unrelated people." Ye Zi explained, "They attempted to become local overlords through this method, but it was precisely because of this that they aroused the vigilance of many other professions and were attacked by them."

"This is really self-inflicted," Xu Bai said.

Indeed, the ability to control others and make them unleash their full potential is like a sword hanging over the heads of other professions.

Most importantly, even if there is a significant difference in strength, their line of work only requires rendering the other party unconscious. Once this prerequisite is met, they can extract the soul.

There are many ways to make a person unconscious, and that's the most crucial point.

If these guys behave themselves, no one can find a reason to complain, but once they take a wrong step, that reason will come out, and once that reason comes out, they will definitely not have a good ending.

"According to you, it will be very difficult to find their whereabouts. It seems that they have set a trap for me this time," Xu Bai pondered.

Letting him go over to talk about something, regardless of what it is, just the scene itself looks like a trap.

"Does the young master wish to go over there?" Ye Zi frowned slightly.

Having studied these things, she naturally knew the disgusting aspects of this profession and understood that there were multiple ways to implement such preconditions.

Ye Zi's concern was quite evident when she said this.

Xu Bai nodded and said, "Of course I want to go and take a look, but I won't be foolish enough to go alone, since the other party is obviously prepared."

"Does Young Master have a plan? Perhaps I can go in your place?" Ye Zi said, biting her lip.

Xu Bai touched Ye Zi's face and smiled, "It's not my turn to do these things for you yet. Don't worry, I have my own way."

When Ye Zi heard Xu Bai say he had a solution, she naturally believed him unconditionally, and was relieved to hear this.

Xu Bai took out a second-grade divination book, ignoring these things, and continued working on the progress bar.

Since the other party wanted him to attend the banquet, he naturally had to go. However, having already devised a plan, he didn't dwell on it any longer and continued to seize the time to acquire another skill and tactic.

Ye Zi quietly stood guard to one side, waiting patiently.

Before you knew it, the night had passed.

The next morning, Xu Bai got up very early as usual.

As usual, he went out for a meal with Ye Zi, and didn't linger on the streets. He returned to his room and continued working on the progress bar in his hand.

Ye Zi was also curious, wondering what Xu Bai was thinking, but seeing Xu Bai's confident demeanor, she stopped asking and stayed by his side.

Spring Rain Pavilion only opens at night, after all, it is a place of pleasure, and there is no one there during the day.

Although the mysterious person yesterday did not specify a time, only saying that he would go today, Spring Rain Pavilion will not be open during the day, so it certainly won't be during the day.

So Xu Bai continued working on the progress bar during the day, and it wasn't until evening that he put down the book in his hand.

"Is the young master going?" Ye Zi sat to the side, her hands on her chin, elbows on her knees, looking up at Xu Bai.

"No, it will go," Xu Bai said.

As he spoke, Xu Bai took out a stack of papers from the cabinet in the house, then took out a pen and wrote a long passage on them before handing them to the Fourth-Rank Puppet.

"This... So, young master wanted to send the puppet over." Ye Zi's eyes were filled with surprise.

This really surprised her. She thought Xu Bai was going to go in person because he had a plan and was confident. But she never expected that a puppet would go instead.

"I'm not stupid, why would I go there myself? If it were a head-on confrontation, I might have some ideas, but his abilities are just too strange. It's better to play it safe," Xu Bai said with a smile.

Ye Zi snapped out of her daze and said, "But young master, what if they don't tell us if you don't go?"

Xu Bai shook his head and said, "He called me over either to discuss something with me, or to assassinate me directly. There are only two possibilities."

"If they want to talk to me, my puppets can satisfy them. If they don't want to talk, then assassination is the only option. In that case, it doesn't matter whether they control the puppets or not."

This situation is simply a matter of assassination or conversation. The puppet can communicate on his behalf. What he wants to say or ask is written on that piece of paper, and what the other party wants to say can also be written on the paper.

This seems to be the safest method at the moment, as it is both secure and effective.

The other party uses methods of control to see him, so he controls a puppet to see him too. Isn't it the same thing? "Young master is brilliant," Ye Zi said sweetly with a smile.

Xu Bai stuffed a few more silver notes into the Fourth-Rank Puppet's arms, then had the puppet conceal its form before heading out the door.

After the Fourth-Rank Puppet stepped out of the door, it headed straight for the Spring Rain Pavilion.

Because its body was covered, the Fourth-Rank Puppet looked more like a human at this moment. Even its face was completely covered, with only its eyes showing, which were hidden by the hood on its head.

If you don't look closely, you won't even notice that what's walking down the street is a puppet.

Spring Rain Pavilion is not far from the inn.

By this time, it was already dark, and there were few people on the streets. Most of the people who were busy during the day were at home doing entertainment activities, but Spring Rain Pavilion, as the entertainment venue in the entire Wind Flower Prefecture, was bustling with noise.

At the main gate, one could see either wealthy merchants dressed in finery, or well-dressed young people, or scholars waving folding umbrellas.

On the second and third floors, brightly dressed young women leaned against the railings, their every glance captivating enough to steal one's soul.

This place is filled with an atmosphere of extravagance and unbridled nature. Although it is controlled by the Ninth Princess, it is one of the important sources of income for the Great Chu Kingdom and an important channel for the Emperor to establish funds through the Ninth Princess.

The Fourth-Rank Puppet emerged from the darkness, taking a nimble step as it entered the area.

Many guests and girls around looked over. They noticed that the Fourth-Rank Puppet was dressed in a strange way, but it had a chilling aura about it. They all turned their heads away and refused to look in their direction.

This person looks like someone you don't want to mess with, so those who know what's good for them stay far away, but that doesn't stop Spring Rain Pavilion from making money.

The madam, exuding an air of worldliness, swayed her figure, still retaining her charm, as she approached and asked, "Sir, do you have any girls you like?"

She's a perceptive person, after all, she frequents this kind of place.

When you meet a weak scholar or a wealthy young master, you call him a young master. When you meet someone who looks like someone from the martial arts world, you call him a master.

Different forms of address can have different effects, after all, everyone has different preferences for how they are addressed, and that's what matters in the details.

In this respect, Jiang Tong, who directly called himself the Blood Slaughtering Saber Wielder, was not even as good as a madam.

The Fourth-Rank Puppet cannot speak, but that does not hinder Xu Bai's previous arrangements.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few silver notes, stuffed them into the madam's arms, and waved his hand impatiently.

Under Xu Bai's control, a particularly familiar movement was formed.

It's like being a regular customer; you don't need anyone to guide you.

The madam was also slightly taken aback. She had been in this business for so long and had never seen such a strange person before.

However, looking at the silver notes in her arms, she thought that perhaps this person knew someone, or perhaps he had just come to take a look.

In any case, she had enough silver notes in her arms, and the man was clearly impatient with her.

"Sir, please feel free to browse. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be walking around this floor." The madam was a shrewd woman. Most importantly, she had received a considerable sum of money. This banknote alone proved that the man in front of her was definitely not poor and did not have the kind of behavior of trying to dine and dash.

A short while later, the madam left, leaving very decisively.

The Fourth-Rank Puppet was even more decisive, going directly to the stairs, slowly lifting its foot, and walking step by step towards the third floor.

Upon arriving at the agreed-upon location on the third floor, the Fourth-Rank Puppet found a room in the corner and gently knocked on the door.

With a creak, the door opened from the inside, and a heavily made-up girl, dressed in very silky clothes, looked up at the Fourth-Rank Puppet.

"Who are you..."

Before the question could be asked, only two words were uttered, and the Fourth-Rank Puppet -Fourth-Rank Puppet raised its hand to interrupt. It had a stack of papers in its hand, and it flipped one of them out and showed it to the girl.

There is only one simple line of text above.

"I am coming."

The girl was stunned. After a long while, she quietly stepped aside to let the Fourth-Rank Puppet into the room.

The Fourth-Rank Puppet didn't hesitate and stepped inside, even sitting down on a chair in the room.

"Smack!"

A crisp sound came, and the woman, barely clothed, closed the door.

Immediately afterwards, her shape became extremely bizarre, with dense threads appearing in the air at her joints, and she was suspended in mid-air, looking very eerie.

"Lord Xu, rumors in the martial arts world say you are a reckless man, but I didn't expect you to be so cautious. Even your visit to me wasn't entirely sincere. It seems Lord Xu 're worried that I'll secretly deal with you."

A voice that was neither male nor female, yet seemed both, echoed in the room, its timbre and gender impossible to discern.

When it comes to caution, Soul Controller have their own set of methods.

The Fourth-Rank Puppet did not answer, but instead pulled out another piece of paper, the contents of which appeared on it.

"I can't speak, I can't see, and I can't hear. You should write down everything you know, including what you want to talk to me about today. You can write it down on paper."

woman. "..."

What's with this familiar feeling of déjà vu?

Isn't this a move I often use? The other party has already learned it and is using it so quickly? Looking at the Fourth-Rank Puppet in front of me, I placed the paper in my hand on the table, clearly indicating that I should write it down.

The woman gritted her teeth, clearly knowing that saying anything more at this point would be useless.

Pulled by the semi-transparent silk thread, she took a pen from the table and began to write on the paper.

She wrote very quickly, filling two pages in just a moment, and then stuffed them into the hands of the Fourth-Rank Puppet.

After finishing writing, the woman sat down in the chair, the semi-transparent threads on her body disappeared, and she didn't even glance in this direction.

In her mind, since the puppet couldn't see or hear anything, there was no point in saying anything. She could just write down what she wanted on a piece of paper and have the puppet take it back.

Unexpectedly, the Fourth-Rank Puppet didn't leave; it just stayed in the same spot.

The woman hesitated, glancing at the Fourth-Rank Puppet from time to time.

This woman is only Soul Controller.

The content I just wrote was also manipulated by the Soul Controller through the threads, so I don't know what to do now.

Unable to speak, the Fourth-Rank Puppet just stood there.

The woman didn't say anything.

Time passed second by second, but showed no sign of passing.

But the woman couldn't say much, and the person controlling her stopped controlling her, so the situation remained at a stalemate.

Time passed by, and before you knew it, the whole night was over.

As daytime approached, fewer and fewer people were at the Spring Rain Pavilion. After all, brothels only open at night and are mostly closed during the day, and the girls need to rest too.

Just then, the Fourth-Rank Puppet suddenly lifted its foot and, to the woman's astonishment, left Spring Rain Pavilion...

After leaving Spring Rain Pavilion, the Fourth-Rank Puppet did not linger but returned directly to the inn, handing the paper in his hand to Xu Bai.

After doing all this, the Fourth-Rank Puppet quietly stood guard beside him, without moving an inch.

This is the drawback of Mechanism Puppet Technique.

If the distance is too far, Xu Bai's control is also limited, and he can only give some rigid commands.

He had given the order beforehand, and the Fourth-Rank Puppet returned just as he had calculated, before the Spring Rain Pavilion closed.

It's like issuing an instruction, specifying in a very rigid way what to do and when.

As for why he took out the silver notes when he encountered the madam, it was an order given in advance.

If someone stops the Fourth-Rank Puppet, the Fourth-Rank Puppet will take out the silver notes in its hand.

After all, in that kind of place, once inside, the only one who could stop the Fourth-Rank Puppet was the madam.

Xu Bai estimated that unless the Mechanism Puppet Technique skill was upgraded further, the range could not be expanded.

However, now was not the time to think about these things. Xu Bai picked up the paper in front of him and scanned its contents with interest.

A moment later, Xu Bai had finished reading the first page, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

The contents of the paper vividly came to mind...

Lord Xu, I truly didn't expect you to be this cautious, but this time you're really wrong. I have no intention of harming you.

"Those two men who tried to assassinate you, that's true, I was the one who tried to assassinate you. But this time, I'm meeting you because I want to help you."

Believe it or not, Soul Controller now nothing more than rats in this world. I only hope that by helping you, we can walk on the path of light.

I've joined an alliance formed by those who are targeting you, with the aim of working with you from within to help you overcome this crisis.

[The opponent is very strong, and I still don't know what his profession is. He said he wants to destroy you and the entire Wind Flower Prefecture.]

I know that to cooperate with you, I need a strong bargaining chip, and I have one.

The content is divided into two pages, and this is one of the pages, but Xu Bai can see through many things.

First, it can be divided into two categories: true and false.

It goes without saying that it was fake; the other party was playing a game of espionage with him.

If you believe it, it will lead to a series of problems.

If it is true, then there are many things worth examining.

The other party's real purpose was to help him, and then have the Soul Controller attach himself to the royal family so that he could wash away his past stains.

But what Xu Bai was more interested in was the bargaining chip the other party mentioned.

Xu Bai of this, Xu Bai stroked his chin and turned to the second page.

The content of the second page is immediately apparent.

My bargaining chip is actually quite simple. First, I'll tell you which forces are targeting you.

There is only one family in this area, and that is the Tong Family.

As for those outside the local area, the situation is quite complex, and these forces don't actually pose a threat to Lord Xu.

Most importantly, our leader didn't even tell us what our profession was.

But he is extremely confident that he can completely annihilate you, including the entire Wind Flower Prefecture.

[Another point is that the leader seems to be waiting for an opportunity. If there are any changes in Wind Flower Prefecture during this period, Lord Xu must pay close attention.]

At this point, it's all over.

Xu Bai handed the papers in his hand to Ye Zi: "Take a look and see if you have any ideas?"

Ye Zi curiously took the paper, scanned it from top to bottom, and then placed it on the table, her eyebrows slightly furrowed as if she were thinking.

After about half an incense stick's time, Ye Zi finally spoke.

"Young master, I don't know if what he said is true or false. We need to consider both aspects."

"If what she said is true, then she is helping us; if it is false, then she is trying to lure us into a trap."

"In any case, we need to investigate the local families in Wind Flower Prefecture mentioned in the letter, as well as their leader and the recent changes he mentioned in Wind Flower Prefecture."

"These are the points we need to consider."

Ye Zi spoke eloquently and logically.

Xu Bai praised, "That's right, you and I thought of the same thing."

Both truth and falsehood need to be considered from two perspectives, but now there is an order to be presented to them.

Let's go and see this so-called Tong Family first, and verify how much of what they said is true and how much is false.

Ye Zi asked, "Young Master, should we conduct an open or covert investigation? If it's an open investigation, the two of us should be enough. But if it's a covert investigation, we'll need to monitor each other at all times, and the two of us might not be enough. Should we ask the magistrate for help?"

Xu Bai said, "In the current situation, an open investigation is not advisable. The situation in a prefecture is different from that in a county. The situation in a prefecture is more complex and intertwined, so a covert investigation is necessary. As for how to conduct a covert investigation, I do not need the prefect's help. I only need to find the Jiang Family."

He didn't want to go to the prefectural magistrate because he wasn't sure if the magistrate was one of those pedantic scholars. Going to him under such circumstances would be counterproductive. So it would be better to go to the Jiang Family Jiang Family, since they had already expressed their desire to join.

Actually, there was something else he didn't say: whether it's done openly or covertly, it's all acceptable. Since the other party dared to spread this information, it must be very easy for Xu Bai to discover it, so whether it's done openly or covertly, it's effective.

The reason he wanted to do it secretly was to give the Jiang Family a chance; to be precise, he wanted the emperor to bestow more rewards upon other people.

It was for no other reason than to make the emperor spend some money.

Along the way, Xu Bai initially felt he had gained something, given the abundance of Nameless Saber Scripture he possessed.

However, Xu Bai felt he had lost out again, especially after inexplicably entering the Demon-Strange Entity Market last time. He felt he had been ripped off, so he was a little unhappy and needed the emperor to spend some money on him.

Besides, it wasn't him who bestowed the reward; anyone who wouldn't take it would be a fool.

"If it is discovered that this family is colluding with those people..." Xu Bai reached out and smeared his neck, the meaning of which was quite simple.

"Let's go, let's go to the Jiang Family now."

Having devised a plan, Xu Bai naturally took action.

Soon, he took Ye Zi to the Jiang Family. After entering the house, the Jiang Family Head gave him a very warm welcome.

"Lord Xu, you've come all this way to see me. Is there something you need? Don't worry, I'll go through fire and water for you if it's within my power," the Jiang Family Head patted his chest and loudly promised.

Such a robust man making such a gesture appears extremely sincere and down-to-earth.

But in Xu Bai's opinion, these guys were as clever as monkeys, so he could only watch them for amusement.

Before Xu Bai could speak, the Jiang Family Head grabbed Jiang Tong, who was standing next to him, and brought him in front of Xu Bai: "Sir, my son offended you last time. Now let him apologize to you."

Jiang Tong was both amused and exasperated. Looking at the young man in front of him who was about the same age as him, he still listened to his father's words and respectfully said, "Lord Xu, I shouldn't have addressed you by your title so rashly. I was wrong last time. Please forgive me, Lord Xu."

Xu Bai waved his hand. He had long since put this matter out of his mind. The most important thing now was to solve the problem at hand. "Jiang Family Head, how much do you know about the Tong Family?"

The Jiang Family Head was slightly taken aback, then shook his head. "We have no business dealings with them. We only know that the Tong Family is a large family here, and their business is 'underground escort,' specializing in special escort services. Does Lord Xu have business with them?"

Xu Bai laughed and said, "It's nothing serious. I just happened to get some information that they are related to the people who assassinated me. If Jiang Family Head has time, you might as well keep an eye on them for me."

Upon hearing this, the Jiang Family Head was slightly taken aback, then a solemn expression appeared on his face. "Lord Xu, rest assured, if they show any abnormalities, I will definitely inform you immediately."

Xu Bai nodded.

It has to be said that the Jiang Family is indeed quite shrewd; they readily agree to anything you say.

"In that case, I will take my leave. I will leave this matter to Jiang Family Head."

Xu Bai has other things to do now, the most important thing is to work on the progress bar. He's made things clear this time, and he won't linger any longer, not wanting to waste any more time.

He thought he could leave smoothly, but before he could even stand up, the Jiang Family Head reached out and stopped him.

"Lord Xu, please wait a moment. I have another request, and I hope Lord Xu will grant it," said the Jiang Family Head.

Xu Bai stopped and turned to look at the Jiang Family Head with interest, indicating that he could speak at any time.

"It's like this, Lord Xu. I am a martial artist, and I can sense that Lord Xu aura is different. Lord Xu, have you comprehended a special Saber Intent?" The Jiang Family Head hesitated when he said this, after all, it was not a good idea to inquire about such matters, but his heart was burning with excitement.

Xu Bai narrowed his eyes and said, "Indeed, Jiang Family Head has excellent eyesight. I wonder what Jiang Family Head means by this?"

The Jiang Family Head gritted his teeth and said, "I am currently at the third rank, but I have yet to comprehend sword intent. If I could see Lord Xu's Saber Intent, perhaps I could gain a similar understanding. Therefore, I would like to ask Lord Xu for his help."

As he spoke, the Jiang Family Head took out a book from his robes, handed it to Xu Bai, and continued.

"I know that Lord Xu is a businessman. A businessman is someone who talks business, so this is a transaction. This book is my Jiang Family's sword technique."

"Although it doesn't come with a matching cultivation method, it's still a second-grade book. As for the cultivation method, it's not that I'm unwilling to give it, but my cultivation method isn't the same as the original one. The original cultivation method was lost in the previous great battle."

"If Lord Xu is willing, this book is yours."

As he spoke, the Jiang Family Head showed a pained expression, clearly indicating that giving this away was a huge price for him.

But there's no way around it; this world is always about strength. Even if he latches onto Xu Bai's coattails, his future will still depend on his own strength.

If he can comprehend the sword intent, his strength will undoubtedly experience a qualitative leap, providing excellent protection for his family.

"What did you say, swordsmanship?" Xu Bai had been listening attentively, but when he heard the words "swordsmanship," his eyes lit up with excitement.

It's not just because of the progress bar, but because it's a sword manual.

To be honest, which man doesn't dream of being a martial arts hero or a fantasy hero? And what is the most outstanding weapon in martial arts and fantasy? It's the sword.

Xu Bai preferred swordsmanship, but unfortunately, he used saber techniques all the way, and even the Ancient Moon Flying Sword Art eventually merged into Returning Wind Flowing Snow.

Swordsmanship! That's swordsmanship! When Xu Bai was young, he was known as someone who could wipe out all the rapeseed flowers within a mile radius by wielding a wooden stick.

Xu Bai took the book, looked at the blurred words, and gently turned a couple of pages. Suddenly, he asked in confusion, "Then why is Jiang Family Head so burly?"

Shouldn't a swordsman be ethereal and otherworldly? Why has his body become so robust and muscular?

The Jiang Family Head said generously, "This is the Heavy Sword Method."

Xu Bai: "..."

Why do I suddenly not want it anymore?

Give me back my elegant longsword! I don't want a heavy sword! Using a heavy sword makes me feel like some one-armed swordsman.

The Jiang Family Head had no idea what Xu Bai was thinking, and he was still showing off his muscles. "This is the swordsmanship of a real man. With one strike, he can smash the opponent into mincemeat."

Xu Bai's lips twitched slightly as he thought to himself, "That's fucking the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique!"

A single sword strike could smash an opponent into a bloody pulp, which is completely contrary to the agile and graceful nature of swordsmanship.

However, despite his inner complaints, Xu Bai eventually agreed, after all, it was a progress bar after all.

Immediately, Xu Bai drew his Black Saber Hundred Rends.

The next moment, the Black Saber Hundred Rends into countless fragments, each fragment carrying a terrifying Saber Intent.

The moment the Saber Intent was unleashed, the entire arena fell silent.

The Jiang Family Head was intently sensing the pressure, while Jiang Tong took two steps back, his face turning deathly pale as he felt an immense pressure.

The man was about the same age as him, but he felt like a tiny ant in front of him.

"Thank goodness, I didn't offend him back then," Jiang Tong thought to himself.

After a few breaths, the Jiang Family Head nodded and told Xu Bai to put away the Black Saber Hundred Rends.

"Thank you, Lord Xu. I am close to the edge," said the Jiang Family Head, clasping his hands in thanks.

After that, the two had nothing else to talk about.

After instructing the Jiang Family Head to keep a close watch on the situation, Xu Bai and Ye Zi returned to the inn from the Jiang Family.

"Don't go out and wander around these next few days. Have the people at the inn prepare food. I'll stay here for a few days until there's news from the Jiang Family," Xu Bai instructed.

Ye Zi nodded and agreed.

Xu Bai, meanwhile, continued working on his book.

As time passed, he did not receive a reply from the Jiang Family. Instead, he saw the progress bar being completed. The progress bar for the second-grade divination book had reached its final step.

Seeing the progress bar reach completion, Xu Bai waited for the appearance of light blue smoke.

My tenosynovitis has flared up again, it hurts so much! My journey to Upper Capital is almost over, and then it'll be a new road ahead. It's going to be so tough.