Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 49: A Game within a Game

Another day had passed.

Li An lay on his bed, silently contemplating.

He once again recalled the details of the scene. The fake jade talisman in Jing Ao's hand had been thoroughly cleaned, leaving no trace. There was no evidence that Li An had given Jing Ao the fake talisman. No one would discover it.

During the questioning, it was clear that Li Yuan was observing him using some kind of secret technique. However, Li An had already formed a predetermined concept in his mind, so his answers were flawless.

The only thing he worried about was the storage bag hidden in the ancient well in Qingyang Fangshi. After all, there were too many things in that bag.

The second-grade ethereal light lotus he obtained in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range over a decade ago, the second-grade purple soul grass and the Yin-Yang Demon Furnace technique he obtained when he first killed a demonic cultivator, as well as numerous magical treasures, and the two second-grade spiritual herbs he took from the storage bag of the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon.

If it was discovered, all his painstaking efforts over the past decade would be in vain.

However, now that Qingyang Fangshi was in ruins and being rebuilt, no one would think of digging things out from an ancient well. So, there shouldn't be any problems.

The first question he needed to consider next was not the Foundation Building Pill, but another one—

Why did the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon die in Qingyang Fangshi?

This question had puzzled him since the battle in Qingyang Fangshi three days ago!

Having witnessed the entire battle process, he felt that it was highly unlikely.

Who was the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon? A notorious demonic cultivator who had wiped out several cultivation clans, committed numerous evil deeds, and troubled the Xuan Yang Sect for many years, yet had never been completely eradicated.

This person was definitely not simple. He would not lack the agility to seize opportunities, nor would he fight desperately out of anger.

But on that day, his whereabouts were exposed. After learning that it was a trap set by the Xuan Yang Sect, he didn't immediately leave. Instead, he fought with Han Zhong and others on the scene!

Wasn't he digging his own grave?

Moreover, the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon was seriously injured by Yu Xiong during the battle... This seemed reasonable, but it didn't match the identity of the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon.

Someone like the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon, who lived by the sword, wouldn't fail to see through his opponent's fighting experience!

So, after much thought, there might be only one possibility...

The Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon sought death on his own initiative!

Li An's heart sank.

No one in this world willingly dies—unless it's for a better life!

Could it be that the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon... didn't really die?

He suddenly closed his eyes and began to repeatedly deduce the Yin-Yang Demon Furnace technique in his mind.

He believed that this was the key to the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon's death in Qingyang Fangshi!

"Promoting spiritual roots, the original physical body and the furnace cauldron perish together, requiring the search for a new host, the higher the spiritual root aptitude and cultivation level, the better..."

"To possess a spiritual root and seize a new body, it requires a third-grade spiritual herb as an auxiliary, plus the absence of a heart demon..."

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

"The Xuan Yang Sect thought that the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon needed a third-grade spiritual herb, but in reality... that was just a smokescreen he released. He didn't actually lack third-grade spiritual herbs!"

"But what if... he didn't have a heart demon either?!"

"From beginning to end, his grudge against me and his actions to kill me, if they were all just a pretense, meant to mislead others? Otherwise, as a Foundation Building stage demonic cultivator, would he really consider me, a mere black-hearted talisman master, as his heart demon?"

"By making the Xuan Yang Sect believe that he needed a pill and that I was his heart demon, he set up a trap... If he didn't need a pill or have a heart demon, then this was a game set up by the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon!"

"A game within a game."

"And if this deduction is true, why did the Soul Reaper Horse-Faced Demon set up this trap?"

"At the critical moment of his spiritual root promotion, he might have already arrived, but he was waiting for the Xuan Yang Sect to enter the game..."

"Could it be that he didn't actually die, but instead took possession of someone from the Xuanyang Sect during this great battle?"

Li An couldn't help but feel a bit... uneasy.

If that's really the case...

After the Soul Reaper takes possession, he will definitely hide within the Xuanyang Sect, and then collaborate with the Yin-Yang Demon Sect...

The Xuanyang Sect will be in great danger!

At that time, everyone in the Xuanyang Sect will be in grave danger.

Li An also wondered if he was overthinking things. What if the Soul Reaper is actually dead?

But he immediately shook his head. He must plan for the worst-case scenario!

If that's the case, Li An now has two choices: one is to tell the truth to the Xuanyang Sect, and the other is to conceal it.

Choosing the first option would expose the conspiracy of the Demon Sect, eliminate future disasters and dangers, but the downside is that many of Li An's secrets may not be able to be hidden.

Choosing the second option means observing the success or failure of the Xuanyang Sect, finding an opportunity to leave, and wandering the world as a lone cultivator.

Li An pondered repeatedly on the most advantageous approach for himself.

If he wants to warn the sect, he must think carefully about how to speak, as well as how to deal with the sect's investigation and suspicion...

If he conceals it, he must stay away from the core of the sect and be prepared to protect himself at all times...

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

Li An sat up and spoke, collecting his thoughts.

Outside the door, the beautiful Xu Qiuhui walked in, and this time, she was accompanied by... another old woman!

The old woman was dressed in a gray spiritual robe, holding a pure gold carved cane in her hand, with an old and dignified appearance.

"Junior Brother Li, this is Senior Elder Yu from the inner sect. She heard that you were injured and is very concerned, so she came to visit you today."

Xu Qiuhui introduced.

Li An's heart moved, he had heard of this person's identity.

Yu Hui, one of the four fake Dan Elders of the Xuanyang Sect, and also the senior sister of Xuanyang Zhenren!

Moreover, he had heard from Zhao Xianchuan that this person was Chen Cheng's grandmother.

If Chen Cheng didn't have such a background, he wouldn't have interrupted Zhao Xianchuan's hand, and he wouldn't have been able to strip Zhao Xianchuan of his status as a formal disciple, making him kneel down and apologize!

"Disciple greets Senior Elder Yu!"

Li An quickly stood up and saluted.

"No need, no need. Young man, you have injuries, just sit down."

A faint smile appeared on Yu Hui's wrinkled old face as she sat down next to the table. Xu Qiuhui poured her tea.

"Is your body alright?"

"It's fine, thank you for your concern, Senior Elder Yu."

"Hmm, I heard from this little girl Qiuhui that you're in your forties? You look young, like you're in your twenties."

"I am indeed forty-six years old, past the age of uncertainty. It's just that I once took a beauty-enhancing pill, so I look younger."

Li An was very humble.

Yu Hui nodded, "Forty-six years old, fifth level of Qi Refining... Do you have the ambition to reach the Foundation Building stage in this lifetime?"

Li An's heart stirred... The old fox's tail is finally showing.

...

I apologize for the delay yesterday due to an unexpected emergency.

In the future, if there are similar situations, I will inform everyone in advance.

(End of this chapter)