Hidden moth

Chapter 81: Juxuanpin Flowers Bloom and See Me
That night, He Kao still sat by the bed and watched Gao Xue'e fall asleep, as if Gao Xue'e could only feel at ease under his gaze.

For a while, Gao Xue'e was obviously pretending to be asleep. Although she closed her eyes and breathed evenly, He Kao knew very well that she was not asleep... Only after he was sure that she was asleep did he gently put the hand she had been holding back into the quilt.

He couldn't keep doing this. If it became a habit over time, how would he sleep normally in the future? But right now... given his current state, he should practice the Moth Concealment Technique.

He Kao felt that Gao Xue'e needed one thing now, which was the animal claw pendant he had worn since childhood. Apart from detecting malicious intent, it at least had the effect of calming the mind.

The pendant has been borrowed by Senior Lin Qingshuang. Let’s wait until she returns it.

The next day, Gao Xue'e left for work early, wanting to avoid the morning rush hour. He Kao also left early, heading to the riverside port area of Pugang Town.

Here is the largest automobile trading market in Qiyuan City, and there are also many brands of car dealerships, because the transportation here is convenient and the place is much more open than in the city.

After listening to people's advice and having a full meal, He Kao came to look at cars. He really needed one, so he might as well buy one.

When men buy things, they usually have a general goal in mind. If they come across something that almost meets the requirements, they usually won’t spend too much time on it. Moreover, they have already done some research before buying it.

In the end, he chose a hybrid SUV, which coincided with Gao Xue'e's previous suggestion. The only difference from his original idea was that the budget was exceeded.

He originally planned to keep it around 200,000, but in the end all the expenses added up to just over 300,000.

This car has good battery life and off-road performance, but it is relatively old-fashioned in the application of new technologies, mainly the hybrid function.

Many new cars use a lot of new technology and appear very advanced, but they also collect too much information about the driver and passengers. As a stealth moth, He Kao instinctively dislikes this.

He bought the car immediately and wanted to drive it away on the same day, but unfortunately he was told that even after paying the fees and completing various procedures, the earliest he could pick up the car would be the day after tomorrow, so he had to wait a little longer.

He chose a lump sum payment, but the saleswoman kept urging him to apply for a loan to pay in installments. He Kao was a little puzzled. Isn't a lump sum payment a more popular purchase method than paying in installments?
I remember that a neighbor of mine bought a house in the city and got a discount if he paid the full amount at once!
Later, he realized that not only were the products different, but his thinking was also outdated. Nowadays, every industry is more or less connected to finance, and financial services offer greater profits and generate revenue faster.

He Kao chose the most convenient package agency service and paid a fee, so that he didn't have to go through many procedures himself. After completing these procedures and just leaving the car dealership, he received a message from Gao Xue'e.

Gao Xue'e was truly dedicated. As soon as she got to work today, she inquired about Jinxing Media's situation. Their boss, Peng Xian, had indeed disappeared. He hadn't been seen in the past two days since the holiday, and he couldn't be contacted.

The project team and Jinxing Media have a cooperative relationship, so it doesn't seem strange for Gao Xue'e to ask about something.

He Kao thought about it and replied to Gao Xue'e, telling her not to ask anything further. He would find an excuse to go to Jinxing Media in person to check out the situation on the spot.

After a few seconds, Gao Xue'e replied, "Then go back to the company first. I'll ask you to deliver some materials to Jinxing Media so that you can have a normal excuse."

Ten full days later, He Kao finally returned to the office. It was still the same, with the same people, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

His colleagues greeted him with smiles, but when they turned around, there were mixed reactions: some looked at him with sympathy, while others secretly gloated.

In their opinion, President E was really ruthless in hiring people this time. She would assign tasks to anyone who was obedient. He Kao hadn't returned to the company for two days. It seemed that he was eating and living at the testing site.

Gao Xue'e's office wasn't big, just a frosted glass cubicle. He Kao knocked on the door and went in to report on his work. With a blank expression, Gao Xue'e handed him another document and told him to take it to General Manager Peng of Jinxing Media. It was just another random errand.

Ten days ago, this would have been a perfectly normal work scene, but now it felt like acting. Gao Xue'e was clearly trying too hard to be serious, and she nearly collapsed several times.

She wanted to laugh, but at the same time she was a little worried about He Kao. It was just a work document, but she felt like he was going to go deep into the enemy camp to steal mines.

After leaving President E's office, He Kao was pulled back to his workstation by Fatty. Fatty lowered his voice and whispered, "Where have you been these past two days? You don't even need to come to the office, and you're not even going back to your apartment?"

Huang Xiaopang, the "godfather", is quite competent. In this large office, he is the only one who knows the truth and knows that He Kao had already finished the work for the week after the festival.

But Xiaopang didn't tell anyone, not even General E, and continued to control the work progress according to the original plan, consciously covering for He Kao.

He Kao explained, "Since I don't have to clock in at the company, I've been at home these past two days. Yesterday I went to the hospital to see Lao Qian, and today I went to the car dealership to have a look. I'm also planning to buy a car..."

Xiaopang said worriedly, "I heard a rumor that if Lao Qian doesn't wake up in a month, or if there's no guarantee he can return to work, the group will appoint another vice president for the branch.

After all, that position can't always be left vacant waiting for him, someone has to do the leadership work. Many people here are not convinced by the sudden promotion of Lao Qian, and recently several people have been active, just wanting to fill Lao Qian's position.

They probably hope that Lao Qian can't be discharged from the hospital. How can Lao Qian be so unlucky? Can he come back in time?"

He Kao comforted him, "Good things will happen to you. Don't worry, Lao Qian will be fine."

Huang Xiaopang truly had forgotten that he was once a hidden moth. He'd supposedly changed a lot, but he didn't look much different...

After leaving the company, He Kao walked to Jinxing Media. According to the navigation, it was less than five kilometers away, so he could practice stealth skills while walking.

The requirements for practicing various techniques are different. The fundamental technique of the Yin'e Sect, the Yin'e Technique, requires one to sit and practice at night every day, which can barely be considered a kind of "internal skill".

The so-called diligent training mainly refers to persistence and dedication, but for a first-level warlock, there is only a certain amount of time he can maintain this condition each day, and the effect varies from person to person.

At other times, one can practice applied techniques other than the fundamental techniques. He Kao is currently practicing the techniques of telepathy and stealth, both of which can be advanced as one's cultivation level increases.

Synesthesia is a comprehensive technique that requires a high starting point. It includes both internal training during sitting and walking exercises and external training during daily activities. External training is usually combined with stealth techniques.

Stealth skills mainly rely on external training. He Kao walked on the sidewalk in a convergent state. His presence seemed to be very low, but his perceptions were intertwined and became more and more acute.

People walking past him wouldn't be able to see him, but they would hardly notice him, and afterward they wouldn't have any very distinct impression of him. Stealth didn't make him completely invisible, but it did reduce the chances of him being noticed.

He Kao passed several bus stops and a large shopping mall. Even the people handing out flyers seemed to subconsciously ignore him. In the past, when he walked past such places, he would always be stuffed with a pile of various flyers.

When practicing stealth, it is best to find a place with many people, but when using it, it is best to cooperate with an environment where you will not be noticed. These are two different considerations.

Entering the office building where Jinxing Media is located, there is a security gate in the lobby. He Kao did not register or swipe his card, but followed the person in front of him in.

The security guard subconsciously thought that he worked here and entered normally with his colleagues; the people in front did not notice him and did not even look back at him.

The door to Jinxing Media's office was open, and He Kao walked right in as if he was shopping. He had been here twice before and was familiar with the route, but he had never been to Peng Xian's office before.

The girl at the company's front desk was sitting there browsing on her phone and didn't notice anyone passing by.

This company was not too small. There were a total of forty-two people in the various rooms of this office area. Five of them were probably clients who were here to do business, similar to He Kao.

If an ordinary employee does not come to work for two days, the department manager will definitely look for him, but if the company boss does not show up for two days, the employees will just do what they are supposed to do.

As long as the salary for last month has been paid, the salary for next month is expected to be paid as usual.

Peng Xian used to often be absent from the company for several days at a time, and he was mysterious about where he was going, but it was not the employees' business to ask about it.

This time he also specifically reminded the company employees that he had things to deal with during the holidays and after the holidays, and he might not be able to be contacted. In short, don't contact him unless necessary... So the situation in the past two days was very normal.

Originally, according to Zhao Huanzhen and his team's plan, if they successfully captured the Hidden Moth, there would still be many follow-up matters to deal with. Not only would they need to identify and obtain the Hidden Moth's artifact, but it would also be best to keep the person alive and inquire clearly about how to use the Hidden Moth's artifact.

They probably won't continue to stay in Qiyuan, a troubled place, but will quickly move to a safe and inconspicuous place. Next, they will discuss how to cooperate in using the hidden moth's things, how to distribute the benefits and keep it confidential, etc.

These things all require ample time… Who could have imagined that all this would be in vain? Jinxing Media, however, is still operating normally. Peng Xian specifically appointed a general manager to help with day-to-day affairs and also to take the blame if something were to happen.

Now that Boss Peng is not here, the general manager is the boss. He feels quite relaxed and at ease. He has gone out to do some business.

He Kao walked through a large office full of semi-partitioned workstations. No one in the room looked up or asked him anything. They all thought he was looking for another colleague to do something.

He entered another office area and was almost outside Mr. Peng's office when someone finally noticed him. A young woman stood up from behind a desk and said, "Xiao He, why are you here?"

He Kao's trick was finally broken; his stealth skills were ineffective in this situation. He was the only one walking towards Peng Xian's office, and since the other party knew him, it was impossible not to be noticed.

He Kao: "Hello, Assistant Wang! My boss asked me to come over and deliver some documents to General Manager Peng. Is General Manager Peng here?"

Assistant Wang: "Mr. Peng has been busy and hasn't come in these few days. What materials do you need us to handle immediately?"

He Kao: "Nothing needs to be done. It's just a confirmation form of the completed project. He just needs to come back and sign it."

Assistant Wang: "Then put it on Mr. Peng's desk. I'll remind him when he comes back." She took the initiative to open the office and led He Kao in, letting He Kao put the materials on Peng Xian's desk personally.

He Kao saw the office computer on the desk and found a notebook in the cabinet. Suddenly, an idea popped into his mind that maybe he could find what he wanted from Peng Xian.

If the magic formula Peng Xian taught the girl was genuine, then he had it in his hands, perhaps in written or electronic form. As for unlocking computers, it seemed like that was his specialty...

It's a pity that there is no chance to do it now.

……

That night, He Kao took another pill.

Before the festival, Lin Qingshuang asked for money to pass on three kinds of elixirs to him. Among them, the Yangjing Pill and Peiyuan Pill were both refined by the Danding Sect, and only the Yiqi Pill came from the Guanshen Sect.

The Essence-Nourishing Pill is suitable for use during the foundation-building stage before entry, and has the effect of nourishing essence and gathering strength. Take one pill each time, and wait at least one week before taking the next pill. Abstinence is required during the nourishing and training period.

He Kao took a nourishing essence pill six days ago. Now that he has mastered the art, he no longer needs to take it. Moreover, he has a clear internal perception and can feel that the effect of the nourishing essence pill has already been fully utilized.

So he took another Qi-boosting pill at this moment.

The Qi-boosting Pill is a special elixir made by the Guanshen Sect, mainly for first-level sorcerers. It can strengthen the circulation of vital energy and help the body's condition match the growth of sensory abilities as quickly as possible.

There are no special taboos in taking Qi-boosting pills. Even ordinary people who are not sorcerers can take them. They can strengthen the body, cure diseases and prolong life, but most of the spiritual effects are wasted. It depends on how much can be absorbed.

He Kao didn't really need it originally. Even if he took a nourishing essence pill, it didn't seem to have much effect. At most, it was just icing on the cake.

However, after reading the annotations on the spell, he learned that the "Seeing Me View" he was practicing had to be completed within a month and break through to the second level. Now several days had passed, so he decided to take a Qi-invigorating pill and give it a try.

Even a little help would be good. He still doesn't know what state would be considered perfect.

……

The so-called "seeing my view" is a mental method in itself, which is different from ordinary inner vision, nor is it the imagination of external scenery.

The previous "I-nothing View" involved visualizing oneself as nothingness, merging consciousness into the universe, as if one were both absent and omnipresent. In reality, the universe and all things existed, but once one entered that magical portal, there was nothingness.

"Seeing the Self" is to visualize "I" with the consciousness of heaven, earth and all things on this basis. This is pure consciousness, without any other thoughts or ideas.

It can be described this way in words, but without a foundation of cultivation it is impossible to understand, let alone achieve.

Once successful, "visualization" becomes "observation" and you can really see "me".

This feeling is very mysterious——

To the world, "I" becomes the "only other", and the world also gains "existence".

"I" and "other" are a pair of coexisting existences.

Without "others", there is no "I", because then "I" will have nowhere to stay and no way to be felt.

See me, see the world.

……

There are only two states of "seeing the self"—visualization or observation. If one remains stuck in the visualization state and fails to see the self, problems will arise. Therefore, it is crucial to achieve a complete and unbroken breakthrough and advancement.

He Kao took a Qi-boosting pill, waited for a while, and then began to sit still. After entering the state of cultivation for an unknown amount of time, he opened his eyes in the darkness, with a hint of understanding and confusion in his eyes.

He had already reached the first level and then broke through to the second level? He was already an assassin?

A second-level warlock of the Hidden Moth Sect, commonly known as the "Assassin".

Is it really that simple? What about the advancement ceremony? What about the breakthrough test? What about the so-called calamity... But on second thought, this way of advancement is actually the most difficult, because if you can't break through in the short term, you will never be able to break through.

It doesn't have any ready-made, designed rituals, yet it's far more difficult than any other advancement that requires rituals. The step from visualization to observation is the greatest test.

Sometimes the things that seem simplest are actually the hardest to do.

No wonder telepathy and stealth are both advanced techniques, because if a first-level stealth practitioner could advance, he would not have enough time to practice them to perfection, or even not have had the chance to practice them at all!

If He Kao was just an ordinary assassin, he would have initially achieved a state of coordination between consciousness and body, and could better master various applied techniques.

But don't forget, he is also a hidden moth, and at this moment he has sensed that the portal has also undergone mysterious changes.

He Kao tried to open the door and go in. If there was an observer nearby, they would think he didn't go in at all, because he was still in the same place, but his body had inexplicably turned 180 degrees.

But from He Kao's own perspective, he just entered the portal and then came out again.

There is pure "nothingness" in the portal. After "seeing me", there is "I". Theoretically, it seems that it can no longer exist in the portal, which also leads to a very strange phenomenon.

No matter how long he stayed in the portal, the time consumed in reality was zero, and the so-called time he consumed in the portal was actually his own lifespan.

For example, if he stayed in the portal for an hour, but the time did not change after he came out, to outsiders it would seem that he had never entered, but had just wasted an hour of his life.

What he traveled through was not space, but time.

In that case, wouldn't this magical portal become meaningless? It used to be able to disappear!
Of course, this wasn't the case. He Kao entered the portal again, this time traveling through space rather than time. At the same moment he disappeared from the bedroom, he appeared in Peng Xian's office at Jinxing Media.

**
PS: I wish everyone a happy Little New Year! Today is also a two-in-one chapter. It’s a new month, please guarantee your monthly pass!

(End of this chapter)