Little Demon Reversion to Youth

Chapter 49

The down-and-out scholar, Quan Bai, stayed in Zhaojia County to avoid Senior Oh.

A tavern across from the Hongmeng Brothel.

As Quan Bai was drinking in broad daylight, Nangong Zhao came to find him.

"You're here now?"

"Were you waiting?"

"You're not a woman, so why would I wait?"

Quan Bai took a sip of alcohol and wiped his mouth.

"I thought it was about time you came. What are you curious about?"

When Quan Bai poured him a drink, Nangong Zhao gulped it down.

"Curious? I have no such thing. Rather, senior, why did you come to the White Mountain Sect?"

"All sorts of brats have flocked to Zhaojia County, and it's teeming with them. Even the beggars are swarming. With such a commotion, I couldn't just stay out of it."

Nangong Zhao chuckled.

"I didn't know that the 'Divine Pen of the World' went around looking for places where people gathered."

"What can I do? If they tell me to do it, I have to do it."

Few in the alliance knew that Quan Bai was a master of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion.

The identity of a master of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion was top secret.

Nangong Zhao had only found out Quan Bai's identity by chance.

"I will go to Xi'an."

"You boring brat."

Quan Bai grumbled.

"If you want to find something out from the other party, you have to show your own cards first. Your method is wrong."

"When has the Wind and Cloud Pavilion ever shown its cards to the military affairs department?"

Since the Wind and Cloud Pavilion was composed of experienced people, it was easier for them to access the secret information of the martial world than the investigators of the military affairs department.

Since they reported the information they gathered directly to the Martial Alliance Leader, the military affairs department sometimes got a slap in the face in front of the Martial Alliance Leader.

When they reported on a case, if the Martial Alliance Leader knew more accurately and in more detail, the military affairs department could not help but be embarrassed.

The reason the Martial Alliance Leader operated the Wind and Cloud Pavilion was probably because he did not trust the information that came through the alliance organizations, such as the military affairs department.

"I must meet Bai Renguang."

"..."

"It seems there has been an internal strife at the White Mountain Sect."

Nangong Zhao had received a report from the members he had sent to Xi'an that Bai Renguang was showing signs of attacking the White Mountain Sect.

"Internal strife at the White Mountain Sect... Bai Renguang is trying to retake the sect master's position, is he?"

"It seems the Meixian Fang and the Five Dragons Fang will join forces."

"Does the current White Mountain Sect Master know that?"

"That's..."

It was peaceful.

Nangong Zhao couldn't understand.

He couldn't find even a speck of vigilance.

He was also indifferent to Nangong Zhao, who had come from the Martial Alliance.

Although the chief investigator of the Martial Alliance was staying, no one came to see him.

After the first day, not only Yang Soryeong but also even Senior Oh was not seen.

He did not restrict his actions. Nangong Zhao was able to enter the White Hall Great Light and investigate the residence that Bai Renguang had used.

The only place he could not access was the Songhua Hall, but he could not carelessly enter the sect master's residence.

Nangong Zhao had nothing more to do at the White Mountain Sect.

He had decided to go and find Bai Renguang and had come to Quan Bai to say goodbye.

Of course, he also had the ulterior motive of getting some kind of hint.

"It might be faster to stay at the White Mountain Sect."

"..."

"You came because of the Blood Hand Grand Seal treatment method, right? And to find the tail of the Blood Sect while you're at it?"

"..."

He could not confirm his mission to anyone.

Quan Bai, who knew that, did not wait for an answer.

"Perhaps the White Mountain Sect is more important than the Blood Hand Grand Seal."

"Are you talking about the Honored One of the White Mountain Sect?"

Nangong Zhao had also made some inquiries about the process of the White Mountain Sect Master's transfer. He had heard that a person called the Honored One had played an absolute role.

"Who is Bai Renguang? He was one of the top one hundred masters, even if it was at the bottom. No one knows the identity of the Honored One who defeated him. From what I've heard..."

Quan Bai spoke based on what he had investigated and what he had heard from Senior Oh.

"That person is a master of the True Realm."

"..."

Nangong Zhao did not agree.

Although he had not met Baekji, he had heard that he was young.

But a master of the True Realm.

The level of martial arts could not be accurately divided. In the past, it was divided into stages of internal energy, such as 'Five Ki Gathering' and 'Three Flowers Gathering', but as martial arts developed with a focus on practical combat, it was classified into first-rate, peak, true realm, Transformation, and Profound.

Even within the same stage, the level difference was large, so first-rate was also subdivided into super first-rate, and peak into super peak.

If one could form strong energy, they were called super peak, and if they could use it freely, they were classified as the true realm.

Nangong Zhao himself was now at the level of forming strong energy.

But a fifteen-year-old boy was at the true realm, where he could handle strong energy freely?

He had also heard about Baekji's martial prowess during his investigation, but since the rumors of the martial world were so exaggerated, he could not believe what he had heard.

"I heard that he threw strong energy at the White Hall Great Light, but it must have been an exaggeration. Even if you explode an energy wave, a similar effect occurs."

"Even so, isn't that at the super peak level? Such an achievement at that age is unprecedented."

"That's true, but."

"What I'm saying is, where did such a master come from?"

"?"

"Don't you have any place in mind?"

"It might not be a power. If he is a successor raised directly by a master, he could achieve faster growth than his age."

Nangong Zhao knew what answer Quan Bai wanted. So, he deliberately changed the subject.

"You're changing the subject."

"..."

"The method of aiming for the leadership and taking over a sect!"

"..."

"Isn't that what the Blood Sect used to do?"

Nangong Zhao did not answer.

If what Quan Bai said was true, the martial world would be turned upside down.

Even without that, people were flocking to Zhaojia County because of the rumor that the Blood Hand Grand Seal had appeared.

The Blood Sect!

It had suddenly appeared in the martial world thirty years ago.

At first, they didn't even know that they were operating in the dark.

They couldn't even know how large the Blood Sect's power or the number of its followers was.

They had expanded their power by killing or replacing the leaders of sects with cunning methods.

The martial world, which had belittled demonic arts such as the 'Soul Exchange Grand Technique', 'Soul Absorption Art', and 'Soul Exchange Grand Technique', had paid a heavy price.

The Blood Sect did not distinguish between the dark path, the heretical path, or the righteous path. Their targets were factions and sects with power.

The leaders or key figures were hit by demonic arts and became puppets of the Blood Sect.

Yesterday's friend suddenly became an enemy and attacked.

The martial world fell into great chaos. Since they couldn't know who was an enemy and who was an ally, they were wary of and at odds with each other.

After numerous people had died, the fact that the Blood Sect was behind it was revealed.

"They have appeared again."

Quan Bai said in a convinced tone.

"It is not yet certain. Although Bai Renguang was hit by the Blood Hand Grand Seal, he survived. In that case, it is highly likely that it was not the Blood Hand Grand Seal."

"Zhang Ming is not a foolish person. It must have been the Blood Hand Grand Seal."

"..."

"If I were you, I would first confirm the identity of the Honored One of the White Mountain Sect."

Quan Bai was a master of the Martial Alliance Leader's Wind and Cloud Pavilion, and his mission was to grasp the trends of the martial world.

When the Yang Merchant Guild and the White Mountain Sect were said to be having a marriage, he had predicted that in the end, the Meixian Fang and the White Mountain Sect would have a big fight and had reported such content to the Wind and Cloud Pavilion.

But a report had flown in that Bai Renguang had been hit by the Blood Hand Grand Seal, and the Twin Swords of Meixian had died at the White Mountain Sect. Then, the sect master had been replaced, and Mei Zhongjun had attacked and then had returned obediently, so since things were turning out so differently from his prediction, he had hurriedly visited the White Mountain Sect.

Although he had left the White Mountain Sect because he was being harassed by Senior Oh, based on the information he had gathered while wandering around, he suspected that the Blood Sect had appeared again.

"Before True Man Changshan treated him, Bai Renguang had recovered from the Blood Hand Grand Seal. Who treated him? At that time, the only master in the estate was the Honored One."

"..."

"Think about it simply. The only one who can treat the Blood Hand Grand Seal is the Blood Sect. And it has to be the leadership."

"..."

Quan Bai filled the empty glass with alcohol.

Nangong Zhao chuckled, took the glass, and gulped it down.

He said as he put down the glass, "Senior, I am disappointed."

"What?"

"I am not the naive investigator I used to be."

"That's right. You are the chief investigator of the military affairs department of the Martial Alliance. There is probably no one else who has become a chief investigator at that age."

"At that time... I was almost fired from being an investigator because I had my information looted by you, senior. Fortunately, it ended with a disciplinary action, so I was able to become a chief investigator."

"Ahem. I don't know what you're talking about."

Nangong Zhao had met Quan Bai during his investigator days and had had his investigation information looted.

He hadn't even known he was being looted because he had been carried away by Quan Bai's cunning eloquence.

"You're telling me to check it out now, aren't you? That the Honored One is a master of the True Realm, that he is likely to be a leader of the Blood Sect, so find out."

"I'm just saying that it's possible to suspect that. Is it wrong for me to say my thoughts?"

"I don't think so. If you were really sure, you wouldn't have even breathed a word to me. Since the possibility of it being true is low, you don't want to check it out yourself, but you think there might be something to it, so you're pushing this naive brat. Isn't that it?"

Nangong Zhao had laid bare all of Quan Bai's schemes.

"Oh dear, I told you because I thought of you as a real younger brother, but to think you would think that. I am the one who is disappointed."

"After listening to you, senior, I am curious about the Honored One. But I have a strong feeling that he has nothing to do with the Blood Sect."

"Are you saying there is a flaw in my reasoning?"

"If he was going to treat him, why would he use the Blood Hand Grand Seal in the first place?"

"That's as an example..."

"So, after making Bai Renguang kneel, he had him attack Xi'an, and then Bai Renguang turned his sword and attacked the Blood Sect? Bai Renguang is a truly amazing person."

"Ahem..."

Quan Bai took the glass that Nangong Zhao had put down, poured alcohol, and drank.

"Think as you please. I've talked my mouth sore for nothing."

Just then, Yang Soryeong and Baekji entered the tavern.

"Welcome."

The waiter shouted cheerfully and ran over.

Yang Soryeong's gaze turned to Nangong Zhao and Quan Bai, and their eyes met.

"!"

"?"

Since she had been wearing a veil when they had first met, Nangong Zhao did not recognize Yang Soryeong immediately and was unsure.

Yang Soryeong recognized him first.

"Investigator?"

Nangong Zhao thought that Yang Soryeong was younger and more beautiful than he had thought.

"Investigator Nangong?"

"Ah!"

Realizing his mistake, Nangong Zhao hurriedly stood up and cupped his fists.

"Sect Master Yang, what brings you..."

Yang Soryeong and Baekji, who were on their way to Zheng Qing's house, had decided to get some food from the tavern.

It was because Baekji had complained that the food made by Old Man Ma was not delicious.

"Baekji, will you order the food?"

Yang Soryeong said to Baekji and then went to the table where Nangong Zhao and Quan Bai were sitting.

Nangong Zhao introduced Quan Bai.

"This person is a senior in the martial world and uses the moniker 'Divine Pen'."

"I see. I am called Yang Soryeong."

Since Yang Soryeong was not interested in the martial world, she gave a light greeting and then said to Nangong Zhao, "May I see you alone for a moment?"

Yang Soryeong took Nangong Zhao to the back garden of the inn. Quan Bai watched the backs of the two intently and then his eyes met Baekji's.

Baekji ordered the food and then slumped down in front of Quan Bai and stared at him.

'This brat must be the Honored One.'

Quan Bai recognized Baekji, who had been sitting at the back of the Yang Soryeong's wedding procession carriage.

He felt uncomfortable as Baekji just stared at him without a word.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

"I don't like cunning brats."

He spoke informally right away.

Quan Bai had heard that the brat called the Honored One was a master but was not in his right mind.

He drew up his internal energy and prepared for a sudden attack.

"Haha. Me neither."

Quan Bai laughed and looked back at Baekji.

"Why do you keep peeking? Is it your job to dig into people's backs?"

"It's a misunderstanding."

"..."

Baekji did not release his gaze.

Quan Bai felt a chill run down his spine at the thought that Baekji might be a master of the True Realm.

"...Frankly, isn't she a rare beauty? That's why I looked."

A lie becomes perfect when it is covered with honesty.

It was a conversation technique that Quan Bai often used.

Quan Bai excused his peeking at Yang Soryeong by saying it was because of her beauty.

"So that's what it was. No wonder."

"?"

Just then, Yang Soryeong and Nangong Zhao returned.

"I am quite handsome. But I'm not on that side. Wake up from your dream."

Baekji said as he stood up to Nangong Zhao.

"Are you on that side too?"

Nangong Zhao, not knowing what he meant, could not answer.

Just then, the food came out.

Only after Baekji had taken the food and had left with Yang Soryeong did Quan Bai realize what he had meant.

"Ha! He said he was a crazy brat..."

(End of Chapter)