Zhan Ri Fei hesitated for a moment, then said, “If I don’t explain this to you now, I fear I’ll never have peace. Since you’ve already set yourself against Xiang Yang Prince’s forces, you’ll find out sooner or later. To tell you the truth, the ‘Great Compassion Palm’ is no longer exclusive to Xiang Yang Temple.”
Huo Xiao Di frowned. “Who else could use this palm technique? Xiang Yang Temple has stood for over a hundred years, producing countless experts. How could anyone steal their ‘Great Compassion Palm’?”
Zhan Ri Fei explained, “The ‘Great Compassion Palm’ has never been written in a manual; it is passed down orally from one generation to the next. There’s no manual to steal.”
Huo Xiao Di pressed, “Then how could someone else learn this technique? Are you suggesting Xiang Yang Temple has submitted to the Xiang Yang Prince? That doesn’t align with their monastic rules.”
Zhan Ri Fei replied, “Xiang Yang Temple hasn’t submitted to the Xiang Yang Prince, but the ‘Great Compassion Palm’ did somehow spread outside their ranks. And this matter of the palm being taught outside the temple has always been kept secret by their monks.”
With a sigh, he added, “Sometimes, saving face matters more than anything else.”
Huo Xiao Di demanded, “Who learned the ‘Great Compassion Palm’?”
Zhan Ri Fei’s gaze sharpened as he stated deliberately, “The person who knows the ‘Great Compassion Palm’ has close ties to the Xiang Yang Prince. Huo Xiao Di, you’ve likely met him at the Xiang Yang Prince’s residence.”
Fixing his eyes on Huo Xiao Di, Zhan Ri Fei said each word clearly: “The one is none other than the ‘Ever-Changing Black Demon Fox.’”
Huo Xiao Di could hardly believe his ears. “You’re saying… Zhi Hua?”
Zhan Ri Fei nodded. “Who else could it be?”
Huo Xiao Di exclaimed, “That fox has never been ordained. Even if he were, why would it be at Xiang Yang Temple? If he has no connections to the temple, how could he have stolen the ‘Great Compassion Palm’?”
Zhan Ri Fei said, “Though he has never been ordained, he does have connections with Shang Qing Temple. Learning the ‘Great Compassion Palm’ shouldn’t be considered stealing in his case. However, very few people in the martial world know about this. Even though I was aware the ‘Great Compassion Palm’ had spread beyond the temple, I wouldn’t have guessed that it was him—until he struck my left flank with it!”
Huo Xiao Di, curious, asked, “If the monks of Shang Qing Temple knew about this, wouldn’t they have taken it seriously? They’re known for their strict rules and disdain for dealing with the authorities. How could they just let Zhi Hua walk away with their technique? Since when did they fear the government?”
Zhan Ri Fei explained, “They had no choice. The person who passed on this technique did so while deceived, but it was done in a manner that left no room for objections—it was legitimate in every sense.”
Huo Xiao Di’s eyes lit up as he speculated, “So, six years ago, when the abbot of Shang Qing Temple suddenly fell ill and passed away the next day, could it have been related to the ‘Great Compassion Palm’ falling into the wrong hands?”
Zhan Ri Fei replied, “The exact circumstances are likely lost to time.” Though he said this, his eyes betrayed a glimmer of admiration for Huo Xiao Di’s deduction.
But Huo Xiao Di pressed on, “Are you saying this to protect Shang Qing Temple’s reputation? Or do you already know the truth behind it?”
Zhan Ri Fei didn’t answer directly. Instead, he changed the topic, saying, “Huo Xiao Di, we’re merely passing acquaintances. Since you already harbor suspicions about me, I had no intention of revealing more than necessary. Now that your questions have been answered, let’s part ways here.”
Huo Xiao Di rolled his eyes and retorted, “You think you can just leave? Without explaining everything? It’s not that simple!”
Zhan Ri Fei sighed inwardly, realizing that dealing with someone from Linglong Villa could be more frustrating than arguing with a stubborn woman. Still, knowing there was no escape from Huo Xiao Di’s persistence, he spoke calmly, “If you don’t take Chang Hong Bi and leave quickly, you won’t have the chance to leave at all.”
To his surprise, Huo Xiao Di didn’t react explosively as expected. Instead, he said with an air of smugness, “As long as Shao isn’t here, I can stay a while longer.”
Zhan Ri Fei warned, “Don’t forget, Huo Xiao Di, that if the pursuers catch wind of us, Commander Shao will arrive in no time.”
His expression shifted suddenly, and he offered a bitter smile. “They’re faster than I expected. I’m afraid it’s already too late to leave.”
Using his skill, “Whisper of Flowers Heard Overnight in the Tower,” Huo Xiao Di faintly heard the sounds of countless movements outside the temple—branches rustling against fabric, and faint squelches as boots sank into the rain-soaked mud.
But these subtle noises were soon drowned out by a growing commotion.
The moonlight disappeared.
No, it wasn’t gone—the sky had been obscured by a massive flock of startled night birds, their wings beating against the damp air, blotting out the heavens.
Beneath the black wings was the sound of galloping hooves, growing louder as they splattered mud in every direction.
The pursuers had finally arrived.
Zhan Ri Fei smiled faintly. “Now, even if you want to leave, you can’t.”
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