CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 31 OF "LIANHUA TREASURE BOOK

"The host has captured Patriarch Li Pingsheng of the Li Family and secured control over the Li Family, meeting the requirement to influence Yang City. Mission: ’My Voice’ completed. Reward: one Intermediate Lottery and one Two-star Martial Arts Secret Manual."

"Random Two-star Martial Arts Secret Manual selection in progress..."

"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Two-star and a half Martial Arts Secret Manual ’Lianhua Treasure Book.’"

The System’s prompt sounds continuously rang out.

"King Lianhua was amazingly talented, considering the Lianhua Treasure Book just an Innate Realm Secret Manual seems a bit low," Qing Yu commented with some surprise upon seeing the rating of the Lianhua Treasure Book.

The System explained, "It is King Lianhua who was stunningly talented, not the Lianhua Treasure Book. The Lianhua Treasure Book encompasses a vast array of Martial Arts and secret techniques, including unorthodox and uncanny paths—everything you need. However, King Lianhua’s own development in Martial Arts was unorthodox. Just because he reached the peak on an unconventional path doesn’t mean others could too. Those who practice the Lianhua Treasure Book, if they can’t find their own unique approach, can at most become an extremely strong warrior of the Innate Realm."

"So that’s how it is. But for me, the Lianhua Treasure Book solves an urgent need."

Qing Yu found a secluded place, ready to read the Lianhua Treasure Book.

"Wait a second, System, where’s the book?" Qing Yu realized after sitting down that there was no book to read.

"All Martial Arts secret manuals are directly transferred by the System to prevent the host from having troubles with reading or understanding. Does the host confirm the transfer?"

It seems like they’re worried I’m illiterate, Qing Yu couldn’t help but smile wryly. But upon further thought, it made sense—Martial Arts secret manuals have always been of utmost importance in traditions. Even the basic Sanskrit Summary of the Nine Yin Scripture is considered simple, but generally, secret manuals have their own unique ciphers, more mysterious than the transmission of intelligence in spy warfare. Moreover, there are some that require personal enlightenment, such as contemplating murals or sword marks...

Essentially, without the mystique, one couldn’t demonstrate the prestige of Divine Skills.

"Forget it, start the transfer."

"Transfer beginning..."

Another flood of memories poured into his mind. Qing Yu was accustomed to this and directly absorbed and sorted them. Unlike the understanding of Martial Arts from the Character Card, this transfer didn’t come with the accompanying personal insights of the cultivator, only the content of the Martial Arts.

"The ’Lianhua Treasure Book’ is the lifelong work of the eccentric hero King Lianhua. Well, if not for his bond with Shen Lang and their friendship turning from foes to friends, the term ’hero’ wouldn’t even be suitable for him."

The book contained not only his mental method of Martial Arts, but also his Poison Technique, Disguise Technique, the Miao people’s bug deploying, and the Persian Mind Control Technique. King Lianhua was a prodigy. Ordinary people who dabble in many skills are often mediocre in all, yet he was a master in everything.

"Host, you still have one Intermediate Lottery chance remaining. Would you like to draw?"

The System’s voice interrupted Qing Yu’s reflections.

"Draw it."

"Drawing... Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Two-star Martial Arts Secret Manual ’Little Faceless Skill.’"

"Begin memory transfer."

Another memory transfer; fortunately, Little Faceless Skill was not as all-encompassing as Lianhua Treasure Book and was just a piece of mental method.

"Sigh," Qing Yu took a long breath. Two transfers in quick succession were a bit too much for her, "but at least it spares me the trouble of reading. And although it’s not as straightforward as inheriting a Character Card, it ensures nothing is missed and allows for understanding. There have been many who held a secret divine manual, yet ended up deviating from their path."

"I should go see what Li Xin has found out."

After asking a lackey where Li Xin was, Qing Yu went to look for him.

When she found Li Xin, he was leisurely drinking tea.

"Young Master." Seeing Qing Yu coming over, Li Xin hurriedly got up to show his respects.

Qing Yu went straight to a seat and said, "Sit down, there’s no need for formalities between us. I’ve never told you my name because I don’t want to treat you like a servant. Once my task is complete, we will have no further dealings, and we’ll be even."

Li Xin was about to sit down, but on hearing this, he straightened his body again, his expression solemn, and said, "Why would you say such a thing, Young Master? If not for you, it would have been impossible for me to avenge my great grudge; perhaps I would still be deceived by the Li Family and working for my nemesis. Ever since you killed Li Qiuyan, I have sworn to dedicate my life to you."

His voice was firm, revealing his unwavering resolve.

Hearing this, Qing Yu was somewhat moved; she asked herself if she could ever be as devoted as Li Xin in trading a life of servitude. It wasn’t that she didn’t take her mother’s vendetta seriously, it was that after everything she’d experienced, Qing Yu no longer wished to be beneath others. If it had been her, at most she would look for a chance to repay the kindness in the future, but actually trading her life away was out of the question.

Thus, the ancients were indeed more endearing.

Qing Yu said no more. In the current situation, she felt like a small fry utterly unable to contend with the hidden big shots; an escape plan had been long in the making, and the Lianhua Treasure Book was the final piece of the puzzle. Now, she’d just let things take their course.

"Sit down." This time Qing Yu’s tone was firm, and Li Xin didn’t dare to speak again, obediently taking a seat.

With a wave of her hand to stop Li Xin’s movements, Qing Yu poured herself a cup of tea and savored it, saying, "I thought you would have taken the opportunity to pay Li Pingsheng a visit. To my surprise, you seem rather at ease."

"Young Master, forgive me. Li Pingsheng’s injuries are very severe, especially the stab wound to his spine, which completely severed it; he’s currently being stabilized by a doctor. It’s not advisable to disturb him now." Li Xin’s voice hesitated, not because he didn’t hate Li Pingsheng, but because Li Pingsheng had a history with his mother, and out of respect for her, killing Li Pingsheng was possible, but to torture him further was difficult.

Of course, the severity of the injury played a big part. Qing Yu’s knife strike was ruthless and twisted, severing the spine so that Li Pingsheng fainted from the pain and the wound bled nonstop.

"Forget it. After all, Li Pingsheng is your biological father. Besides, the harm to you and your mother was done by others; he never personally acted against you."

Li Xin wanted to explain, but Qing Yu stopped him with a wave of her hand and continued, "Moreover, both of his sons are dead, his wife took her own life, and besides the second son who is always away, we can almost say we’ve killed his entire family. Li Pingsheng is a smart man; he should know that even if he reveals the information I want to know out of fear of death, I wouldn’t let a man whose family I’ve slain live. Whether he speaks or not, the outcome is death, so naturally, he will not cater to my wishes."

"Besides, who knows, perhaps he’s even hoping I’ll accompany him in death. Let it be, I’m too lazy to torment him. Li Xin, would it bother you if Li Pingsheng became an idiot?"

Li Xin smiled and said, "I dare not deceive you, Young Master. My mother in heaven would certainly not wish for me to be seen as an unfilial person in the eyes of others. Although she would have surely hated Li Pingsheng, she would not want me to suffer slander from those unaware of the truth. As for how others treat Li Pingsheng, I think my mother wouldn’t concern herself that widely."

"That’s good. Tomorrow, you prepare some medicinal herbs for me; together, we will meet Patriarch Li." Having received the response she wanted, Qing Yu stood up, "It’s getting late. Rest early. I’ll take my leave."

"No need to see me off..."