Shadow (Third Update)

"It seemed to be more than that, but I'm only a Bronze Envoy. With my level of authorization, I had no way of finding out everything." Zhou Dayuan shook his head.

"In any case, although the Azure Dragon Gang had tangled roots behind it, its backer, the Mountain-Holding Vulture, was now under siege. Its own pillar fighters were only a few martial artists at the third or fourth stage, while its gang leader and deputy leader had both been wounded and fled. Its fate was running out."

"Brother Li Mu, no matter what, you got dragged into this mess and helped us solve a major problem. Silver, or a martial art—within my authority, I can give you either as thanks."

Zhou Dayuan suddenly spoke, clearly intending to befriend him.

He had practiced martial arts for many years and could tell at a glance from the wounds on the corpse that Li Mu had killed Ji Hong with absolute ease. It was clear that his practical combat skills were exceptionally refined.

The reason he had successfully shifted through three identities was because he had friends and brothers to support him everywhere he went.

When he encountered a hidden dragon like Li Mu, he would not hesitate in the slightest!

Hearing this, Li Mu was indeed tempted.

"Do you have any sword manuals?"

He did not need silver. What he needed were more sword manuals that he could quickly cultivate right now, accelerating the accumulation of his strength.

After what had happened today, he had realized that danger sometimes arrived abruptly, leaving no time to prepare.

An eighth-stage expert like Faceless Blade Wu Chen had infiltrated silently. If he had harbored ill intent, they would already be dead. Those thugs from the Azure Dragon Gang were wicked by nature and had even dared to block his way and kill him. Then there were the sudden killing moves that could emerge without warning from alleyways. If Li Mu had not been strong enough, he would have long since been separated from his head...

In the face of all this, the only thing Li Mu could do was rely on the great tree that was Hidden Sword Manor and rapidly grow stronger.

Only overwhelming strength could handle countless changes. That was the proper path.

"Yes! Wait here." Zhou Dayuan was very straightforward.

Before long, Zhou Dayuan returned from the underground passage and took out three sword manuals.

"Pick one!"

Yet Li Mu discovered that only one of them shone with brilliant white light.

[Thirteen Bone-Setting Swords, entry talent requirement: 20.0 (White)]

[Talent requirement met. Reading it will reveal the essentials of entry.]

The other two also had white light, but it was extremely faint. They were probably incomplete copies, and Li Mu could not see their information.

If a sword manual was incomplete, Clear Sword Eyes could not be used to gain entry into it either.

Li Mu chose Thirteen Bone-Setting Swords.

"Why did you choose that one?" Zhou Dayuan was surprised and hurriedly advised him. This sword technique was of average power. Aside from tempering the bones and invigorating the blood and qi, it would be useless even if cultivated to great mastery.

The other two were indeed incomplete copies, but at least they counted as killing moves. They could also benefit the tempering of other parts of the body, helping Li Mu break through to the second stage.

Zhou Dayuan was truly considering Li Mu's interests, afraid that he would make the wrong choice.

Li Mu smiled. "I feel that my bones are unstable, so I'll take this one."

Zhou Dayuan respected Li Mu's choice and said with a sigh:

"The best sword manuals around Azure River have all been collected by Hidden Sword Manor. That is why I only have some low-grade sword techniques that have drifted outside. For ordinary people like us with average talent, sabers are the most suitable."

Li Mu agreed. Saber techniques were broad and forceful, easy to pick up. If he had not awakened the Great Expansion Sword Register, he would have learned the saber as well.

As for sword manuals, Li Mu understood that with Hidden Sword Manor's enormous foundation, it certainly spared no effort in collecting sword arts. Thus, he had only intended to try his luck at the black market.

Who would have thought that after being accidentally drawn into the conflict between the Azure Dragon Gang and the White-Robed Society, he would meet Zhou Dayuan and gain something extra here?

"Do you want to join the White-Robed Society? It won't affect your identity as a member of Hidden Sword Manor." Zhou Dayuan suddenly asked.

"The White-Robed Society has no real threshold. Anyone with ambition can join. Unlike the Azure Dragon Gang, we only rob the rich to aid the poor, and we have other channels of support as well."

Li Mu politely declined. Given his current strength, he did not want to get involved in conflicts between factions. Keeping a low profile, developing steadily, and protecting himself were the true priorities.

What he had done earlier was merely to protect the kind mother and son who had generously treated him to spirit fish. After that, he had no choice but to kill the Azure Dragon Gang incense master who pursued him. Everything had come about by accident.

"What a pity. A hidden dragon like you would surely earn the society leader's appreciation." Zhou Dayuan regretted it, but did not press further. He had already formed a friendship with Li Mu this time, and there would be plenty of chances to interact later.

"What sort of person is the leader of the White-Robed Society?" Li Mu asked curiously.

"I've never met him. I only know my superior, the Silver Envoy Clumsy Tiger. He only appears before others wearing the Tiger-Visaged Silver Nuo Mask. The Ji Hong you killed earlier was heavily wounded by him, and then we pursued him all the way here." Zhou Dayuan shook his head.

Having asked this much, Li Mu understood that it was not appropriate to dig any deeper.

"Brother Zhou, I have another clue to give you." Li Mu took out the wooden Buddha statue.

Zhou Dayuan clearly recognized it, and his expression immediately changed. "Where did you get that?"

"From Ji Hong." Li Mu told him honestly. "It seemed that Brother Zhou knew as well. This is something only the remnants of Sacred Buddha Temple possess. You said earlier that Ji Hong had been severely wounded, but when I encountered him, his blood and qi were vigorous, with no sign of injury. He had most likely just worshipped the Buddha..."

"The remnants of Sacred Buddha Temple have reappeared in Azure River and made contact with the Azure Dragon Gang... They may have even contacted the Mountain-Holding Vulture!" Zhou Dayuan immediately thought of many possibilities, his expression turning grave. "Brother Li Mu, you've rendered great merit! I'll report this upward, and then we'll see how to reward you."

What Zhou Dayuan said was precisely what worried Li Mu. If those mountain bandits worshipped the Buddha in large numbers and then counterattacked, perhaps even storming Hidden Sword Manor... his peaceful days would be ruined.

Especially now that he had learned the Mountain-Holding Vulture's third chief was as strong as Third Manor Lord Ye Wei, he was even more concerned.

If an expert like that worshipped the Buddha, how terrifying would his combat power become?

"As for the reward, try to get me a few more sword manuals." Li Mu was not particularly concerned about the reward. Even if he knew of this matter, he would not dare investigate it openly. Who knew how great a secret it might involve, or how many experts... This hot potato was best thrown to the White-Robed Society.

"Sword manuals. Don't worry, I'll remember. It's just that their grade may not be very high..." Zhou Dayuan hesitated, feeling that this reward was too little. He would apply for more resources for Li Mu later...

"Low-grade ones are fine too." Li Mu waved his hand. "Brother Zhou, how do I get to Azure River Academy?"

He was unfamiliar with the area, so this was a good chance to ask for directions.

"Abundant Harvest Ward. Once you enter it, you'll find it. It's still three wards away from here." Zhou Dayuan said, "A few days ago, I happened to save an academy attendant. Unfortunately, he hasn't recovered yet, or he could have helped you."

Li Mu was slightly startled and hurriedly asked for the person's name and background...

His brows immediately furrowed slightly. "Meng Qi is probably the person I'm looking for."

Well, that made everything conveniently along the way.

Li Mu put away the sword manual, and Zhou Dayuan immediately took him to see Meng Qi.

Zhou Dayuan casually mentioned, "That young man had his arms and legs broken by a group of spoiled young masters, then was thrown into the lake in front of the academy in the middle of the night. If I hadn't happened to pass by, he would already be dead."

Zhou Dayuan explained that he had reset the man's bones and placed him somewhere safe. Later, however, he became tied up with affairs and had not had time to ask many questions.

After passing through two wards, Li Mu occasionally saw groups of constables, as well as laborers carrying corpses that had not yet been covered with cloth, hurrying toward the yamen.

Among those corpses were people in blue, white, and gray clothing, even some dressed in luxurious garments.

Zhou Dayuan said in a deep voice, "The Azure Dragon Gang lent at usurious rates, collected protection money, and even abducted and sold people. They had committed countless evil deeds. Yet the authorities simply turned a blind eye. After several grand and forceful crackdowns, they only imprisoned a few criminals. I happened to join the White-Robed Society because I truly could no longer endure it."

Zhou Dayuan explained that the brothers who joined the White-Robed Society had long prepared themselves to die. The Azure Dragon Gang was simply too vast. Though they had now been scattered into disarray, there would still be tragedies they could not stop in time.

Among the gray-clothed corpses, Li Mu saw the old, the weak, women, and children. Their wounds were simple—just one slash...

When they died, they probably had no ability to resist. They could only cling to a trace of hope for life before dying cleanly.

"Behind the Azure Dragon Gang, aside from the Mountain-Holding Vulture, there are also aristocratic clans and the like..."

Li Mu recalled Zhou Dayuan's words.

With gangs like this, with forces like these... how were ordinary people supposed to live?

No matter what, they could never live well.

The shadows were too vast... Li Mu only wanted to become strong as soon as possible. Otherwise, when facing forces like these, he still had no hope at all.