HPDBC Chapter 124. Silent Messenger (1)
Chapter 124. Silent Messenger (1)
Chapter 124. Silent Messenger (1)
The Xia Wu Sect was a confederation of lowlifes and peasants. However, it was older than both the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Evil Valley.
Their ability to survive was so great that they seemed almost immortal. Yes, intelligence played a significant role in their survival, but another important consideration was the fact that they were a point organization.
Even if one tried to pursue them, it was difficult to track them down because each of their branches operated independently. Moreover, no one actually knew who their rumored Sect Master was, making it impossible to continue a pursuit even if one took down a branch and acquired their intelligence.
Most importantly, even if a branch was wiped out, there were too many people who could replace them.
After all, weren't there lowlives and peasants on every street? Everyone in the Xia Wu Sect was untrustworthy and weak, so it didn't matter if they were replaced by more untrustworthy and weak people.
Even if their members were tortured, it's not like any of them really knew the big picture. So, there was nothing any outside force could do to them.
That was the secret to their immortality.
However, that didn't mean there weren't any leaders. While they were very few in number, there were branches that served as their leaders.
Zhou Xuchuan was preparing to attack one such branch.
"Since I have the time, I should start learning new martial arts. I'll begin with the Divine Phantom Art."
Previously, he had only focused on learning its cultivation method and footwork technique since the rest hadn't been necessary.
"Little Ghost. If it's okay with you, can you teach me the hidden weapon technique?"
"Understood."
The only difference between the Divine Phantom Art and the Phantom Art was the Absolute Control ability, meaning that he could receive instruction from Little Ghost.
"Let's focus on the dagger."
His training period would be a week, and there was already a suitable location.
There were several special facilities within the basement of the Jinan branch of the Gold Will Merchants. Among them was a secret training ground.
During that week, Zhou Xuchuan only focused on the basics. From how to hold the dagger properly to how to throw it.
This secret technique, which included throwing and slashing techniques, was called the Hidden Nether Flying Dagger Art (幽隱飛刀).
The first stage focused on basic attack methods, and from the second stage, throwing the daggers became possible. He had struggled his way to learning up to this point.
During Little Ghost's training, Zhou Xuchuan once again realized how unbelievable the Phantoms were.
"W-what the hell!"
When he made a mistake in the midst of his lesson, Little Ghost suddenly flew in, aiming to kick him in the stomach with full force but stopped just before making contact.
Though it made sense that she stopped, as she wasn't able to harm the Phantom Sovereign, Zhou Xuchuan still couldn't understand why she had attacked in the first place.
"Mistakes must be corrected through violence. However, I had to stop as I cannot attack the Great Hero."
"... ha..."
He had easily passed the first level because it was so basic, but it was only considered basic because he was someone who had already reached enlightenment as a sword master.
If he were starting fresh as a Phantom Recruit, he definitely would have made many mistakes, considering he would have been a blank slate. To think he would have been subjected to such outrageous violence!
No wonder Jia Wuliang had shuddered as if he had gone through hell. The Phantoms' training methods were harsh and cruel.
But their methods were undeniably effective. Sometimes, people grew even faster when they were under a sense of crisis.
That was why people gained experience and grew stronger quickly during actual combat as compared to rote cultivation.
“Not bad.’
As he pondered, to increase the efficiency, he called over two of the ten Phantoms he had brought over from the Shandong Branch.
“You three are permitted to harm me from now on. Don’t worry about my life, and give it your all.”
The moment he gave the order, the three Phantoms, including Little Ghost, rushed at him immediately, giving him a personal lesson on how strong they were.
He had never encountered a Phantom in his previous life, and in this one, as the Phantom Sovereign, he had never been attacked by one, either.
The moment they released their restriction and gave it their all, it was quite eerie.
A dagger sliced through the air without a sound, drawing a horizontal line. There wasn’t even the faintest vibration in the air.
Like their name, it really was a phantom.
Zhou Xuchuan sharpened senses and was barely able to sense the dagger.
Clang!
No matter how insignificant the attack seemed, it was impossible for metal to clash without making a sound.
‘I have to be careful.’
Zhou Xuchuan also applied a restriction on himself.
He put down the Tai'e he usually wielded and picked up an ordinary dagger instead.
Of course, using the Twenty-four Sword Forms of the Plum Blossom was out of the question, so he only used the Hidden Nether Flying Dagger Art that he had learned from Little Ghost.
Clearly sensing that his life was in danger, his movements became desperate. Every move was filled with caution.
While he could have used sword aura or sword qi, he refrained from doing so, knowing it wouldn’t help his training.
Drunken men, swaying unsteadily, grabbed at their crotches, glanced up at the women, and, after making up their minds, stumbled into the brothels.
Zhengzhou's redlight district was one of the most popular entertainment districts across the Central Plains.
Another name for Zhengzhou's redlight district?
The Xia Wu Sect.
The Xia Wu Sect's main branch.
The courtesans leaning on the railings were part of the Xia Wu Sect, and the brothel employees who solicited the men on the street were also part of the sect.
In fact, everyone who worked in this district was a part of the Xia Wu Sect.
Now, Zhou Xuchuan had to find the Dark Heavens Association's spies.
‘I should gather some information before tearing through things.’
Before destroying the branch he already knew about, Zhou Xuchuan decided to infiltrate the district and gather useful information.
The Xia Wu Sect, known for running and hiding at the slightest hint of trouble, wasn’t the usual kind of threat to deal with.
Because they were so easily spooked, he had to be careful.
He bought an expensive second-skin mask and covered his face, disguising himself.
Since it was such an unscrupulous neighborhood, it was easy to get something like that as long as you had the money. Of course, he was careful and made sure to have a male Phantom handle it.
Zhou Xuchuan also instructed Little Ghost not to come out for the time being.
A young girl in a place like this was too conspicuous.
In a neighborhood where kidnapping and rape were common, having her get targeted would be quite a nuisance.
Of course, Little Ghost would slaughter any would-be attacker before they could even make a move, but Zhou Xuchuan wanted to avoid attracting any unnecessary attention.
It was only after wearing the expensive second-skin mask that he could enjoy the streets of Zhengzhou in peace.
To be thorough, he had the Phantoms roam the city to gather information. As a result, no one was by his side anymore.
“I want to become a Xia Wu Sect member," Zhou Xuchuan said to the owner after entering a shabby inn.
The owner, who had a fierce expression, glanced at Zhou Xuchuan and held out his hand.
“One tael. In silver."
“Here it is.”
“Name.”
“Dagger Phantom (匕靈).”
It wasn’t that difficult to become a Xia Wu Sect member.
The courtesans handled courtesan membership, while pickpockets, wanderers, and the rest could have their names listed by paying an appropriate amount of silver.
Nearly anyone could become a Xia Wu Sect member. Of course, this was only after some verification or recommendation was received.
"While you don't seem that normal, judging by your aura, we can't accept a child who can't do anything."
The moment the owner finished speaking, a dagger appeared embedded in the decoration behind him like a ghost.
Most importantly, Zhou Xuchuan hadn't even turned his head around when he threw the dagger.
A whistle of admiration could be heard from the surrounding inn residents.
“Welcome.”
The owner said, waving his hand dismissively.
“I need work.”
"So you're impatient as well. Tell me what you're good at."
"I'm good with daggers and generally good in a fight."
"Then there's a suitable job for you. But it's not a job you can complete with just one or two lives. Would you still like to accept?"
Zhou Xuchuan nodded instead of answering.
"A few months ago, the brothels fought among themselves over a promising newcomer. What started as a small scuffle gradually escalated into a life-or-death struggle, and even the big figures behind them got involved."
"Understood. Are you asking me to join that battle?"
“Yes. And don't get hurt by poking around in strange places looking for it, either. Zhengzhou stinks of rotting corpses because of that battle."
"Then where should I poke around?"
"Anywhere."[3]
As expected of the Xia Wu Sect.
1. In other words, they don't care if they get recognized because you can't even see them anyway. ☜
2. Roughly 9 pm to 11 pm. ☜
3. Yes, the man literally goes, "don't stick your nose in places you don't belong because they'll kill you, while saying, go find the fight yourself. ☜