The Secret of the Transcendent

Previously.

If Xue Wu's incident had happened first, and Hu Long had only been discharged from the hospital after Xue Wu died, he might have suspected that Xue Wu was behind it in the shadows.

But in the current situation, the chronological order did not seem to make sense.

As for Hu Long having gone over to kill the other party, he had not even considered it.

Hearing what Hu Chengwen said, a trace of confusion flashed across Hu Long's face.

"Strange Specter, cast a curse—what does that mean?"

As he spoke, his heart stirred slightly.

In fact, Hu Long had already had doubts about this earlier.

Given the original owner's family situation, even if they were unaware of the existence of the extraordinary, they did not necessarily have to send the original owner to Morning Light Psychiatric Hospital.

They could have easily hired a private medical team to take care of him.

It seemed now that Hu Chengwen was not in disbelief.

It was highly likely that he had already reached this conclusion through that mysterious main family.

He had only chosen this method because he was worried that the thing on Hu Long would affect Hu Zhao and He Yanling.

Regarding this act, which was tantamount to abandonment, he was not the original owner and would not pass too much judgment.

After all, he was the beneficiary; if the original owner had not died, it was debatable whether he would have been able to occupy this body and escape that vegetative state.

These were only secondary.

What made him curious was something else.

Listening to the other party, it was highly likely that this main family was involved with extraordinary power.

If even such beings could not solve the problem on his body, then this main family was far too weak.

After all, Xue Wu's family was almost no different from ordinary people.

With his strength, he could have easily dealt with them in a surprise attack.

"You are already an adult and have grown quite a bit; there are some things you should know."

Hu Chengwen leaned back in his chair, his hands folded.

This was also the reason he had called Hu Long over today.

His observations over this period, combined with today's performance, had significantly changed his perception of this son.

Some things were time to be spoken of. After all, this secret could not be kept from him forever.

"This world is not as simple as it appears on the surface. There exist some things... that cannot be explained by common sense... such as Strange Specters."

Hu Chengwen paused, seemingly weighing his words.

"As I understand it, they are similar to ghosts. However, the people from the main family are more accustomed to calling them 'Strange Specters'; I am not entirely clear on the specific reason."

"Besides that, there are some people who possess power beyond what ordinary people can imagine..."

"Are these superpowers? Magic?" Hu Long asked.

"You can roughly understand it that way, but there are differences. I have only heard a few fragments mentioned by the main family by chance. I only know that ordinary people are like ants before them, with almost no power to resist, unless thermal weapons are used to surround and kill them."

Hu Chengwen shook his head.

"Some among them can even withstand bullets. This type of person has another name—Secret Martial Artist."

"Secret Martial Artist..." Hu Long repeated in a low voice.

A trace of excitement rose in his heart.

At this moment, he had finally touched upon a corner of the extraordinary that lay hidden beneath the mundane appearance of this world.

"That's right, our Hu Family's main branch is composed of Secret Martial Artists. You can understand them as people who possess greater strength, faster speed, and higher recovery capabilities, with various physical attributes far exceeding those of ordinary people by several times."

"Although such beings are powerful, they are ultimately still within the realm of what can be understood."

Hu Chengwen's tone deepened.

"And the problem you had before, according to the judgment of the main family, if it truly was a Strange Specter or a curse... then that already belongs to the realm of metaphysics. Even Secret Martial Artists are helpless against it."

"Is there really no way for even the main family to do anything?"

Hu Long's gaze flickered.

"As far as I know, that is indeed the case. Perhaps more powerful Secret Martial Artists might have a way, but that is a level beyond my reach."

Hu Chengwen shook his head.

Although he was considered wealthy, Secret Martial Artists were never short on money.

The stronger they were, the more this held true; power and wealth were merely the easiest things for such people to obtain, mere byproducts.

What they cared about were things far more scarce—things that could enhance their strength.

Having said that.

Thinking Hu Long was worried about himself, he added in a gentle tone.

"However, you needn't worry too much. As it stands, the problem you are facing doesn't seem to fall into that category. If it were truly an evil spirit or a curse, you wouldn't have been able to recover and be discharged from the hospital."

Hearing this, Hu Long remained noncommittal.

His gaze shifted toward the window to the side.

In the reflection, a verdant, dark shadow that only he could see stood silently behind him. With long, disheveled hair, it radiated a sense of deathly stillness and cold, standing there without the slightest movement.

Compared to before, the entity still had its back to him, but—perhaps it was just an illusion—as time passed, it had drawn closer.

The moment their gazes met.

His body tensed, and the temperature in the entire room seemed to drop significantly in his perception.

To avoid drawing attention, he took only a fleeting glance before pulling his gaze away.

Then, thinking of something, he continued to ask.

"...Then, if one becomes a Secret Martial Artist, are they immune to this kind of situation?"

Hu Chengwen shook his head.

"...I am not entirely sure about that. Although those people share the surname Hu with us, in essence, they are already a different kind of existence."

"They do not care about the life or death of us branch members, and besides... you do not have the aptitude for cultivation."

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

"If it weren't for the fact that I hold some status among the branch families and spent a great deal of money, I wouldn't even have been able to get the main family to intervene."

"That is how things are. I hope you do not blame me."

Hu Long was silent for a moment.

Then, he spoke calmly, following the personality of the original owner.

"Even if I had known beforehand, I would have chosen to do the same."

"You have truly grown up!"

Hu Chengwen's expression relaxed slightly, appearing somewhat gratified.

"As for that girl Sun Yi, I originally thought she was a good fit, but it seems I was mistaken."

"The things I said to you before were indeed a bit harsh; don't take them to heart. Since it isn't a good match, there is no need to force it."

"With our family's circumstances, you can choose anyone you like, as long as they are over eighteen."

Hu Long was speechless.

"Let's forget about that for now. I'm not in a rush, and my body hasn't fully recovered yet. Looking for a partner is taxing."

In the other man's eyes, the purpose of setting him up with Sun Yi was to ensure he left behind descendants.

But there was no need to point that out.

"Fine, I won't force you. If you meet someone you like, just go after them. After all, this family business will eventually be yours."

Hu Chengwen did not press the issue further.

Because he discovered that his son was more independent than before and had his own ideas.

Afterward.

The two chatted for a while longer.

The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Hu Long also took the opportunity to ask about information regarding Secret Martial Artists and the Ancestral Rite.

Although the information the other party had was not very detailed, it still benefited Hu Long greatly.

Regarding Hu Long's questions, Hu Chengwen simply assumed he was curious.

But this was normal; no one did not yearn for the extraordinary.

It was just a pity that this path was not one everyone was qualified to walk.