Martial Arts Secret Realm: Only I Can Know the Plot?

Chapter 64: Greed

"What about Qi Fang's martial arts skills?"

"I inquired with the Wan family and also saw it for myself." The man in black paused. "Qi Fang's swordsmanship... is indeed very rudimentary, full of flaws, even inferior to the Wan family's entry-level disciples. The Wan family members also privately discuss that Qi Changfa's reputation as 'Iron Chain Across the River' is undeserved."

Ling Tuisi narrowed his eyes.

"What about the fight between Di Yun and Wan Gui?"

"The records have been retrieved." The man in black pulled a file from his pocket and handed it over with both hands. "Before Di Yun was imprisoned, Wan Gui brought several Wan family disciples, ostensibly for a friendly spar, but actually to cause trouble. The two sides fought, and Di Yun won."

Ling Tuisi took the file, opened it, and read it page by page.

The record was very detailed, including what moves both sides used, how long the fight lasted, and who won in the end.

After reading it, he closed the file and placed it on the table.

"Does Wan Zhenshan know about this?"

"I know," the man in black said, "but Wan Zhenshan didn't say anything afterwards. He neither pursued Di Yun nor blamed Wan Gui. I feel... that's a bit unusual."

Ling Tuisi was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled.

"That's what's abnormal."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the old locust tree in the yard.

"I've known Wan Zhenshan for so many years, and I know his temperament best. He always pretends to be open and honest, but at crucial moments, he'll tell you things that mislead you."

"I've always known that he wanted to use me to find the treasure in Liancheng Jue."

"Sun Fan," he suddenly said, "is quite capable."

The man in black didn't dare to reply.

"The things he found, my people can find too. But the connections he came up with, my people couldn't have thought of." Ling Tuisi put down the file. "This person is useful."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But we still need to be cautious."

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

"Keep an eye on Di Yun, but don't alert him," Ling Tuisi said. "Put Qi Changfa's matter aside for now. Wait for Sun Fan's next move."

"Yes."

The man in black withdrew.

Ling Tuisi sat in the study, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

The candlelight flickered, casting his shadow on the wall, sometimes large, sometimes small.

He recalled what Sun Fan had said—"Some things are true, and Lord Ling needs to verify them himself."

Now he has verified it.

Qi Fang is Qi Changfa's daughter.

Qi Fang's martial arts skills are very poor.

Di Yun can defeat Wan Gui.

These things are all true.

But is Sun Fan really a real person?

Ling Tuisi closed his eyes, there was no answer.

When Sun Fan returned to the Shen family's villa, Dong Dahai was waiting for him in the courtyard.

"Squad leader, how did it go?"

Sun Fan sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and slowly drank it.

"Ling Tuisi has taken the bait," he said, "but he won't leave the city immediately. He needs to think it over some more."

"What should we do then?"

"Wait," Sun Fan said, "wait until he figures it out."

He paused, then added, "At the same time, have Red Wolf keep a close eye on the Blood Blade Sect members. Notify them immediately once Ling Tuisi leaves the city."

Dong Dahai nodded and turned to leave.

"The sea," Sun Fan called out to him.

Dong Dahai turned around.

"I'm going to the Land God Temple in the south of the city tonight."

Dong Dahai was taken aback: "What are you going there for?"

"I'm scouting the location," Sun Fan said. "There's going to be a good show there tomorrow night. I need to check out the venue beforehand."

Dong Dahai hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll go with you."

"No need," Sun Fan shook his head. "You stay in the city and keep an eye on the Ling family's movements. It'll be more convenient for me to go alone."

Dong Dahai opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just nodded.

Late at night.

Sun Fan changed into a black outfit, hung his long sword at his waist, went out through the back door of the courtyard, and walked south along the city wall.

The moonlight was bright, turning the ground a silvery white. His footsteps were light, almost making no sound on the sand. This was the result of twenty years of sword training—not lightness skill, but precise control over every muscle in his body.

The Land God Temple in the south of the city is located three miles outside the city. It is a small temple that has been abandoned for a long time. The temple is not large, with only a main hall and two side rooms. Most of the mud plaster on the walls has peeled off, revealing the blue bricks underneath. The open space in front of the temple is overgrown with weeds, which are half a person tall and rustle in the wind.

Sun Fan walked around the earth god temple, carefully memorizing the surrounding terrain.

To the east of the temple was a grove of trees, not dense, but enough to conceal a person. To the west was a dry ditch, about a person's height, making it difficult to be spotted. To the north was an official road, and to the south was an open field with nothing in it.

If he were Ling Tuisi, he would hide his ambush men in the woods.

If he were a member of the Blood Blade Sect, he would have crept across from the ditch.

Sun Fan sat down on the stone steps in front of the temple and looked up at the moon in the sky.

The moon was round and bright, like a silver mirror.

He suddenly remembered the moon in the previous secret realm.

For those twenty years, he would sit in the courtyard every night and watch the moon. Sometimes Yan Shisan would watch with him, and neither of them would say a word. They would just sit there for the whole night.

Yan Shisan said that looking at the moon can calm people down.

Sun Fan didn't understand at the time.

Now he understands.

He stood up, dusted off his clothes, and turned to walk back.

There will be a fierce battle here tomorrow night.

And he will be the one manipulating everything behind the scenes.

It wasn't because he enjoyed scheming, but because he had no other choice.

In this world, those who are not smart enough will not live long.

He wanted to live.

I not only want to live, but I also want to live longer and go further.

By the time we returned to the villa, it was almost dawn.

Dong Dahai was still waiting in the yard. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him return.