Huo Xiao Di pressed further. “Who exactly is this person who learned the Great Compassion Palm?”
Zhan Ri Fei’s gaze sharpened as he enunciated slowly, “The person who wields the Great Compassion Palm has a deep connection to the Xiang Yang Prince. Huo, you’ve likely met him before at the prince’s household.”
Fixing his eyes on Huo Xiao Di, he spoke each word deliberately: “This person is none other than the Thousand-Faced Black Demon Fox.”
Huo Xiao Di could hardly believe his ears. “Are you saying it’s Zhi Hua?”
Zhan Ri Fei nodded. “Who else could it be?”
Huo Xiao Di exclaimed, “That fox has never become a monk! Even if he had, why would he join Shang Qing Temple? If he has no connection to the temple, how could he have secretly learned the Great Compassion Palm?”
Zhan Ri Fei said, “Though he never became a monk, he does have a connection to Shang Qing Temple. His learning of the Great Compassion Palm cannot really be called stealing. It’s just that very few in the martial world know of this. Even though I knew the Great Compassion Palm had spread outside the temple, I wouldn’t have guessed he was the one who mastered it—until he struck me with it under my left rib.”
Huo Xiao Di asked curiously, “If the monks of Shang Qing Temple knew this was such a serious matter, given their pride and strict rules, and their usual refusal to deal with the authorities, how could they let Zhi Hua learn this technique without taking action? Since when have they feared the government?”
Zhan Ri Fei replied, “Because they had no choice. The person who passed on the technique, though misled, had legitimate cause to teach Zhi Hua. No one could argue against it.”
Huo Xiao Di’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “So, six years ago, when the abbot of Shang Qing Temple suddenly fell ill and passed away the next day, it must have been somewhat related to the Great Compassion Palm being leaked.”
Zhan Ri Fei said, “The truth behind that incident is likely something no one will ever uncover.” Despite his words, a trace of admiration flickered in his gaze.
Huo Xiao Di pressed, “Are you saying this to protect Shang Qing Temple’s reputation? Or do you already have a theory about what happened?”
Instead of answering, Zhan Ri Fei changed the topic. “Huo, we met by chance, and since you already doubt me, there’s no need for me to elaborate further. You’ve achieved your goal. Let’s part ways here.”
Huo Xiao Di rolled his eyes and said, “You think you can just leave without explaining yourself? Not so fast!”
Zhan Ri Fei realized that dealing with someone from Ling Long Manor, especially when they were being unreasonable, was more troublesome than arguing with a woman.
Knowing full well that Huo Xiao Di was about to object, he decided to explain: “If you don’t take Chang Hong Bi and leave quickly, you might not be able to leave at all.”
To his surprise, Huo Xiao Di didn’t react as expected. Instead, he leaned back casually and said, “As long as Shao Ji Zu isn’t here, I don’t need to rush.”
Zhan Ri Fei countered, “Don’t forget, if our location is discovered, Commander Shao will soon follow.”
His expression suddenly shifted, and he gave a bitter smile. “They’re fast. It might already be too late to leave.”
Huo Xiao Di, skilled in the Whisper of Flowers Heard Overnight in the Tower, could faintly hear the sounds from beyond the temple: faint, rustling noises as cloaked figures brushed against branches and the soft squelch of boots sinking into the muddy ground after days of rain.
But soon, these subtle noises were drowned out by a louder commotion.
The moonlight abruptly vanished.
No, it wasn’t gone—it was obscured by the sky suddenly bursting with the frantic flight of night birds, their wings densely crowding the heavens.
Black feathers beat against the rain-filled air.
Under the darkened sky created by those wings came the approaching sound of hooves pounding the mud, sending it flying in every direction.
— The pursuers had arrived.
Zhan Ri Fei smiled faintly and said, “Now, even if you wanted to leave, you can’t.”
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