【Today's Intelligence has been refreshed!】
【Intelligence 1: Xiao Wu, Child of Destiny. Favored by the heavens, cloaked in fortune, evades calamity and attracts luck, boundless cultivation. Cultivation: mid stage of the Anjin Rank (four of the nine acupoints opened). Possesses one of the four main lineage inheritances of Diaohai Pavilion, the 『Divine Ape Combat Treading Emptiness Mystic Chapter』. Also cultivated 『Spirit Ape Force』 to Great Perfection, 『Mystic Eagle Stance』 to Great Perfection, 『Vajra Ape Bone』 to Great Perfection, 『Giant Ape Heaven-Shaking Technique』 to Great Accomplishment, 『Nine Transformations of the Spirit Ape』 to Great Accomplishment...】
A Child of Destiny!
A mid-stage Anjin expert!
Looking at the pale gold characters scrolling down like a waterfall in his vision, Shen Xiuhan's heart skipped a beat.
He never expected that the young man before him, dressed in coarse, short-sleeved martial robes, was actually an Anjin martial artist who had opened four of his major acupoints!
What shocked him even more was that this man actually possessed the inheritance technique of the Ape God Peak—one of the four lineages of Diaohai Pavilion—the 『Divine Ape Combat Treading Emptiness Mystic Chapter』.
This name was clearly distinguished from the 『Divine General Muxu Upper Radiance Scripture』 and 『Mystic Dark Ice Fiend Sea-Overturning Scripture』 he had seen before.
One was a “Mystic Chapter.”
The other was a “Scripture.”
Ancient sects of this caliber were always incredibly strict when it came to naming their techniques. The difference in their suffixes had to carry some profound meaning.
But Shen Xiuhan had no time to delve into these secrets right now.
Simply because...
Of those two words at the very beginning of the intelligence—
Xiao Wu.
He had once heard Xiao Wen mention back in the outer courtyard of the Mei Courtyard that his eldest brother bore this exact name.
Given the striking resemblance between their faces...
It was almost certain that this man was indeed Xiao Wen's eldest brother.
But the question was...
Xiao Wen had once said:
“My big brother works as a miner at the Bai family's mining estate in the Outer City. He goes down into the mines every single day, scraping by and saving every copper just to scrape together my tuition fee, trying to win me a chance to make something of myself.”
Yet, this supposed Bai family miner had suddenly transformed into an Anjin expert.
Could it be...
Because of that “Child of Destiny” status?
These thoughts flashed through his mind in a matter of seconds.
Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said in a low voice, “May I ask, sir... do you happen to know Xiao Wen from the inner city's Mei Courtyard?”
“...Oh?”
Xiao Wu looked surprised, but a deep vigilance flashed in his eyes. The force within his four acupoints surged subtly, though he maintained a calm smile on his face.
“Does this brother know my younger brother?”
“It seems we share a bit of fate.”
Meeting his gaze, Shen Xiuhan spoke candidly:
“I also practice martial arts at the Mei Courtyard, so Xiao Wen and I are fellow disciples. I thought you looked familiar the moment I saw you, which is why I asked. By the way, my surname is Shen. I wonder if Xiao Wen has ever mentioned...”
“Shen Xiuhan?!”
Before he could finish, Xiao Wu raised an eyebrow and blurted out the name.
“...That's correct.”
“So that's how it is...”
Xiao Wu stared at Shen Xiuhan for a moment, his mind quickly connecting the dots.
My little brother once mentioned that his Senior Brother Shen was sent to the Ji family's Yunyi Island for a temporary placement. And this reed marsh happens to be within the waters patrolled by Yunyi Island. It all lines up...
The surprise in Xiao Wu's eyes faded. The more he thought about it, the clearer it became, and his vigilance vanished.
He stood up and laughed heartily:
“Hahaha! Talk about a misunderstanding! We're practically family and we didn't even recognize each other!”
Xiao Wu strode out of the cabin, cupping his hands, his tone becoming much more respectful.
“Brother Shen, please forgive my rudeness earlier!”
“This spirit pet of mine is naturally greedy and incredibly mischievous. It couldn't control itself when it sensed the blood qi of a Precious Fish underwater... Gold-Tail! Get over here right now and apologize to Brother Shen!”
As soon as he spoke, the golden rat, which had been proudly puffing out its chest and baring its teeth at Shen Xiuhan from Xiao Wu's shoulder, suddenly froze.
Its tiny, bead-like eyes widened as it looked up at its master in sheer disbelief.
Seeing that his expression was solemn and he wasn't joking, it slowly turned its head to look at Shen Xiuhan, who was watching it with a faint, knowing smile.
In an instant, the little rodent looked completely devastated.
“Squeak, squeak... squeak...”
Under Xiao Wu's stern gaze, the Gold-Tailed Rat, its eyes filled with reluctance and grievance, slowly stood up on its hind legs. It then crossed its front paws together and bowed, mimicking a human apology.
It was so full of spirit and intelligence that it was hard not to laugh.
“No worries, no worries. It's only natural for a spirit beast to seek out treasure. It's a minor thing,” Shen Xiuhan waved his hand, a warm smile playing on his lips.
But deep down, a sudden realization struck him!
The Gold-Tailed Rat!
He finally remembered why this little creature looked so familiar.
A few months ago, in a hidden tree hollow at the foot of the Dali Mountains in the Outer City, he had completely raided its winter nest.
He had looted many mountain delicacies, dried fruits, and had even pocketed a 『Yuan Stone』.
That was a treasure highly beneficial even to Gangjin martial artists!
Thinking of this, Shen Xiuhan recalled the Gold-Tailed Rat's hostile, teeth-baring attitude just moments ago.
Could this little guy have recognized me as the one who raided its nest? Is that why it's so unhappy?
Shen Xiuhan rubbed his nose, deciding to keep absolutely quiet about the tree hollow and the Yuan Stone.
Stepping forward, he picked up the fish creel and smiled warmly at Xiao Wu:
“Brother Xiao, the wind on the lake is chilly. Please, come inside the cabin, sit down, and have some tea!”
“Alright! Then I shall gladly accept your hospitality.”
Xiao Wu readily agreed.
The two entered the cabin and sat down.
Shen Xiuhan stoked the remaining embers in the red clay stove and placed the iron kettle on top.
Before long, the boiling water brewed the tea leaves, and a rich tea aroma filled the cabin.
Xiao Wu took a small sip of the tea and sighed, “Speaking of which, I must thank you, Brother Shen.”
“Oh? Why do you say that, Brother Xiao?”
“Do you still remember how you worried that kid A-Wen would go hungry at the martial arts hall, so you often helped him out with cornmeal meat pies?”
Xiao Wu smiled warmly, a gentle look appearing on his face as he said, “That silly kid sometimes couldn't bear to eat them himself. He would secretly tuck them into his shirt and bring them back to the mining cave for me. Honestly... your cooking skills are truly superb, Brother Shen. Those pies were incredibly delicious. I still can't forget the taste to this day.”
Shen Xiuhan also laughed upon hearing this:
“You misunderstand, Brother Xiao. Those pies were made by my mother. She has taken over a small storefront in the southern part of the city now and opened an eatery called the 'Shen-Ji Eatery'. If you ever have some free time to return to the Inner City, you should definitely drop by and have a taste.”
“Oh? Is that so? Then I'll definitely go when I have the time!”
Steam rose from the kettle, and the fragrance of tea drifted through the air.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the atmosphere between them grew much more relaxed.
As they conversed, Xiao Wu's admiration for Shen Xiuhan grew.
Brother Shen clearly suspects that my background is extraordinary, and he even knows I possess martial cultivation, yet he hasn't asked a single probing question from start to finish.
He only speaks of our connection and doesn't pry into my secrets. His sense of propriety is perfect.
Xiao Wu held his teacup, nodding inwardly in admiration:
This kind of temperament and character is truly just like Brother Han Li, Brother Ji Ning, and Brother Wang Lin. He is a noble and upright man worthy of friendship!
Once this thought took root, Xiao Wu's desire to become friends grew even stronger, and his tone became noticeably more sincere.
However, he had absolutely no idea.
Shen Xiuhan, who sat opposite him looking completely calm and relaxed, had already split his attention. Half of his mind was currently focused on the other pieces of intelligence that had refreshed in his vision!
【Intelligence 2: ...】
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