Entering Demonic Realm

Hehe Jin is practiced with the interweaving of Yin and Yang Jin. The higher one cultivates, the greater its power. While starting with Yin Jin is stable, progress is slow. To advance quickly, one must begin with Yang Jin, but this requires guidance and assistance from a renowned master.

Yang has old Yang, and Yin has old Yin. As the saying goes, "An overextended dragon regrets its actions." Any force taken to an extreme turns from beneficial to harmful. Therefore, when cultivating Yang Jin, one must use Yin Jin as protection, and vice versa.

The first layer of Yang Jin is the first step to entering the hall of mastery. If the cultivator's body lacks Yin Jin for harmonization, they can only rely on external forces. This "external force" must possess a cultivation level of Yin Jin layer two or higher.

When Gu Shenwei cultivated the first layer of Yang Jin, his father was his guide. At that time, Gu Lun's Hehe Jin had reached the fifth layer of Yin Jin. While teaching his son the cultivation method, he was still cautious, often reminding him to prioritize stability over speed, emphasizing that a solid foundation was paramount.

For these years, Gu Shenwei has used this as an excuse to avoid diligent practice, causing him to stagnate after mastering the first layer of Yang Jin and delaying his progress to the first layer of Yin Jin.

When Gu Shenwei taught Yao Nu, he intentionally concealed this crucial reminder, instead encouraging him to redouble his efforts in pursuit of rapid advancement.

The faster Yao Nu cultivates Yang Jin, the deeper he falls into qi deviation.

Only by using this method can Yao Nu be eliminated without a trace. Yao Nu has two "masters," Xue Niang and Huan Nu. If he were to die from practicing cultivation, Xue Niang would be the first to be suspected.

This plan is nearly flawless, the only problem being the uncontrollability of qi deviation.

Gu Shenwei only heard a sliver of information about qi deviation from his father. He had no idea what level of cultivation would trigger it or when it would occur.

If Yao Nu were to experience qi deviation months later, it would be of little significance to Gu Shenwei. Once Yao Nu enters the Eastern Fortress, it is teeming with experts, and they would eventually see through the new disciple's Hehe Jin.

Furthermore, in less than half a month, Han Shiqi, who recognizes him, will return and has already "personally appointed" him for the night.

Danger abounds, with a sword hanging overhead.

Gu Shenwei has no room for leniency, but he is, after all, not a cold-blooded assassin. Watching a living, breathing youth walk step by step towards death due to his own schemes, he would occasionally fall into self-reproach without realizing it.

Does Yao Nu deserve to die? Must he die?

Since Gu Shenwei began teaching him Hehe Jin, Yao Nu seems to have regarded him as a friend. Of course, within Yao Nu's system, "friends" are also distinguished by hierarchy. He never forgets to remind Huan Nu: his status is higher, he is the strong one, providing wisdom and power, while Huan Nu needs to repay him with loyalty and gratitude.

He often imparts his philosophy of life to Huan Nu.

"Have you heard of the two precepts of the Golden Peng Fortress assassins? The first is 'concealment': hide in the shadows as much as possible. The second is 'thoroughness': be sure to cut off all roots."

"I'm telling you, being a servant is the same as being an assassin. The master is noble, the servant is lowly. If you want to climb up, you must first abandon all principles and dignity. Do whatever you're told, and do it happily. Just like I always say, 'wash your backside clean.' Is just washing it clean enough? No, you have to actively cater, add some flair, make him like you, make him unable to resist. Then one day, you'll have the chance to step on your old master and defect to a new one. Don't hesitate then."

"Friends? How can a servant be qualified to make friends? Everyone is a stepping stone to tread on each other. Today I tread on you, tomorrow you can tread on me."

To these "heart-to-heart" conversations, Gu Shenwei could only listen, then tell himself in secret: he's right, so you can kill him with a clear conscience.

Yao Nu's internal energy progress is extremely rapid, his Jin becoming stronger and stronger. From Xue Niang, he learned a set of "Tiger Subduing Fist," also a fierce martial art. With the two combined, his power becomes even more formidable.

The two often spar. Gu Shenwei only knows a set of "Eight Trigram Palm," and it's not even complete. However, he is still stronger than the novice Yao Nu, especially in the first few days, where he completely held the upper hand. But as the Yang Jin within Yao Nu grows uncontrollably, Gu Shenwei gradually finds himself unable to cope.

Yao Nu has only practiced Hehe Jin for a little over ten days, yet it is more effective than the near ten years of unfocused practice by the young man.

Gu Shenwei even begins to doubt, wondering if his father was wrong and if there is no such thing as qi deviation at all. Yao Nu is full of vigor, showing no signs of danger to his life.

On the fourteenth day of the heat sensation in Yao Nu's inner elixir, after practicing a set of Tiger Subduing Fist, he was drenched in sweat, as if he had just taken a hot bath. This had never happened before.

"You look a little tired."

"It's nothing, I sweat easily, always have since I was young. I feel like I have endless strength within me. Hehe Jin is truly infinitely effective. How did you learn it? You don't seem as good as me."

"I didn't practice diligently, that's why I was captured and sold."

"Hehe."

Yao Nu didn't ask further. This group of youths had an unwritten rule: no one inquired about each other's origins. Even Yao Nu, who was usually the most talkative, never mentioned his past.

Standing on the sixty-four trigrams of the innate position, manipulating the power of Yin and Yang with his hands, and breathing the energy of dragon and tiger, Yao Nu practiced Hehe Jin again. After finishing, he sweated even more profusely and clutched his chest, seemingly in some pain.

"Are you not feeling well?" Gu Shenwei asked, trying not to sound too concerned.

"No, I'm fine. Well, it hurts a little here, just a little. Maybe I punched too hard."

Gu Shenwei's heart stirred. The first sign of qi deviation had appeared. The place Yao Nu indicated was the Tianchi acupoint, just as his father had warned.

The Tianchi acupoint belongs to the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. Next, the acupoints on Yao Nu's arms will begin to ache one by one, and they will tremble involuntarily. When this trembling spreads to the entire arm, his death will not be far off.

"Perhaps your internal energy is growing too fast. You should slow down a bit." Although he wished Yao Nu's progress would be even faster, Gu Shenwei felt a sliver of genuine concern when he said this.

Unexpectedly, Yao Nu frowned, showing displeasure towards Huan Nu for the first time in days.

"What do you know? Xue Niang is pushing me hard. She says I'm still far from ready and will be killed on the first day I enter the Eastern Fortress. Damn it, that's real combat. No amount of 'washing my backside clean' will help. I want to live and enjoy myself. I'll practice, no matter how much it hurts. I'll practice until I reach the first layer of Yang Jin, then the first layer of Yin Jin, and then I can practice the rapid cultivation method."

Yao Nu was never one to endure hardship. Gu Shenwei was somewhat impressed by his newfound resilience.

"When I become an assassin, I'll kill that bastard first."

Was this bastard someone from the fortress, or someone Yao Nu knew from before? Gu Shenwei didn't ask, and Yao Nu didn't mention it again.

"With my abilities, if I don't become the most trusted assassin, it would be a waste to come to Golden Peng Fortress. Huan Nu, I'm not someone who repays kindness, but I will remember the favor you've done me. Don't worry, I know you have secrets, and I won't reveal them. I want you to be my right-hand man."

Yao Nu blinked. Even in the moonlight, his thin face appeared flushed, his eyes shining as if he had just taken a large gulp of rich, aged wine.

Gu Shenwei didn't know whether to feel touched or resentful by these words, perhaps both. He was the young master of the Gu family, not someone to be a servant's right-hand man. Yet, in this cold and ruthless Golden Peng Fortress, how he wished for someone close to a "friend."

Gu Shenwei forced a smile, "I'm afraid I don't have that qualification."

Yao Nu patted his shoulder, chest puffed out, "Whether you have the qualification or not, I decide."

Lying on the kang at night, Gu Shenwei secretly prayed to an unknown deity, strengthening his resolve for revenge.

He was like a physician with ulterior motives, watching his patient succumb to a terminal illness, not only remaining silent but also offering sweet poison.

However, if not for an event that occurred later, Gu Shenwei would not have made his final decision.

Gu Shenwei had been cautiously inquiring about the location of Golden Peng Fortress's prison. He was certain such a place existed, where his sister, Cuilan, was suffering.

This was no easy task. As a new slave still in training, he rarely had the chance to leave his small courtyard. Each time he did, he was accompanied, his gaze restricted, let alone the possibility of casual conversation.

Besides Han Jinu and a few other youths, there were no permanent residents in the small courtyard. Those who came were usually the dying, and they were not talkative people.

However, a man covered in wounds still revealed crucial information. The man's original appearance was unrecognizable, his injuries unlike those of a typical assassin apprentice. A foul stench emanated from him. He died moments after being carried into the room, and the men carrying him turned and headed straight for the west gate.

Han Jinu, who was supervising the youths doing laundry at the time, covered his nose and said:

"Everyone who comes from the Ghost Courtyard smells like this. I really don't know how the guards there stand it."

A youth who had just learned to please his superiors put on an expression of feigned confusion and intense interest. "Instructor, what is the Ghost Courtyard?"

"Do you even need to ask? Outside, they're people; once inside, they're ghosts. You brats, if any of you misbehave, you'll end up in the Ghost Courtyard sooner or later. You'll rot halfway before you even die. Hmph, I think that Yao Nu isn't far from the Ghost Courtyard..."

Yao Nu was still learning boxing techniques from Xue Niang and couldn't hear this threat. However, he would find out that evening. Except for the Qi Nu and Xie Nu brothers, all the other youths would eagerly report everything to Yao Nu.

Han Jinu's rambling allowed Gu Shenwei not only to learn about the existence of the Ghost Courtyard but also that it was not far from their current location, only a few dozen paces away. Its real name was "Heart Washing Courtyard."

The Ghost Courtyard and Ghost Cry Cliff were originally meant to be neighbors.

That night, after practicing Hehe Jin with Yao Nu, Gu Shenwei couldn't sleep. While others were already snoring, he sat up, quietly got out of bed, and left the room stealthily for the second time. He kept his eyes open in the darkness, already accustomed to the dim moonlight outside.

He first went to Han Jinu's room. Jinu rarely locked his door when he slept, as if waiting for someone at any moment, but definitely not Huan Nu.

Gu Shenwei gently pushed the door open. He often cleaned this room and was intimately familiar with its layout.

Jinu was fast asleep, a red sandalwood stick placed by his hand.

Three keys hung on the back of the door. One of them could open the East Courtyard gate, which was opened early and closed late – one of Jinu's duties.

Gu Shenwei took that key, exited the room, closed the door quietly, and headed for the East Courtyard gate.

The last time he had merely pushed the main gate, it had attracted the night watchman. He thought it might have just been a coincidence, that the watchman happened to be patrolling nearby. This time, with a little luck, he should be able to leave without attracting anyone's attention.

To find his sister, he was willing to risk everything.

After listening at the door for a while, Gu Shenwei unlocked it and stepped out. He then crouched on the ground, listening intently, and confirmed no one was hiding nearby. Standing up, he hugged the wall and walked towards the depths of the narrow alley.

Every morning when he paid respects to the Eighth Young Madam, he would pass through this alley. He had walked past that simple, unadorned, tall wooden gate countless times, never imagining it housed a prison.