CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 35: OVERSEAS DIVINE SKILL—PLAYING THE PIG TO EAT THE TIGER

Almost forgot the greatest ability of the common man, his exquisite art of disguise; unless one had a Corpse King to lock onto his aura, it would be impossible to catch him.

He truly didn’t need to follow the merchant caravan, in fact, if he were alone, Black Robe might never find him in a lifetime.

Han Yu was troubled, should he join the merchant caravan or not?

Until the common man said he was heading south, at which point there was no need for hesitation.

"Originally, if it weren’t for the matter of Hidden Moon Peak, my cousin and I had planned to head south together to find Yi Xian and the others. Now that my cousin can’t go, I’ll go by myself."

The common man sighed helplessly.

Han Yu also sighed, realizing they were heading in opposite directions; he was heading north while the common man was heading south, definitely not on the same path.

The common man smiled, "No problem, I’ll ask my cousin someday if he can create a magical artifact that allows us to communicate. That way, we can stay in touch whenever needed."

Han Yu thought for a moment and couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re giving him a huge challenge."

The common man found it more amusing the more he thought about it and immediately decided to present this challenge to him tomorrow before leaving, to save him from boredom when he gets home.

"Let me give you something!"

As for Han Yu, the common man smiled and took something out from his embrace...

The next day, a long line of caravans carrying various goods slowly left Shuzhou City. A bearded man turned back to glance at the city gates a few times, then walked away without looking back.

This was indeed the merchant caravan mentioned by Su Wanjun, a genuine merchant caravan. The bearded man seemed quite ordinary within the group, pulling an ox cart with the others, and resting quietly during breaks.

Last night, the common man had gifted Han Yu a mask as thin as a cicada’s wing, perfectly fitting Han Yu’s face, instantly transforming it into another face when applied.

Han Yu tried it on the spot, and as soon as he put it on, he felt a cool sensation on his face, then the mask began to adhere to his skin. After a moment, he looked in the mirror and was stunned.

The reflection was a completely different face, showing no trace of disguise.

"It’ll be safer if you blend into the merchant caravan with this tomorrow," the common man said with a smile.

Later, perhaps still feeling uneasy, the common man made some last-minute adjustments before Han Yu’s departure, thus creating the current bearded look.

Han Yu was so touched that he said, "I’ll give you a good pill one day."

The common man was so frightened that he fled immediately.

The caravan had been traveling for half a day now, and no one inside showed any unusual behavior. Yet, for safety’s sake, Han Yu still wore the bearded face, displaying nothing out of the ordinary.

Now at a resting point midway, Han Yu couldn’t help but pick up a thin-skinned book that the common man had given him, claiming it was a priceless manual that every overseas cultivator must have.

At first, he found it difficult to connect the notion of "priceless" with "must-have" until he opened the book for the first time, discovering that the author was named Wu Jin Buhuan, making it clear.

Indeed profound, the first page teaches not to use one’s real name in dealings.

The book title itself was rather unique, "How to Play the Fool and Eat the Tiger."

It detailed various ways to appear more like a pushover in different environments, how to look easily bullied, and how to strike back at critical moments.

Upon first reading it, Han Yu sympathized with the common man, wondering if the overseas environment had driven people to such lengths.

His mind involuntarily conjured up an image of two pigs that appeared weak colliding with each other, then kneeling to apologize humbly, before simultaneously baring their fangs...

The image was more wicked than the Hungry Ghost Image.

After reviewing it several times, he began to gradually find some sense in it...

A peculiar sound echoed in his mind, startling Han Yu.

He quickly searched his mind, finding nothing except for the Joy-to-Sorrow Pill with six days remaining on it.

"Hahaha! The Ping just burped, scared you, didn’t it?"

The Little Artifact Spirit ridiculed mercilessly.

"It’s digesting last night’s energy and has no time for you right now."

Han Yu exited his mind, forlorn, just as a whistle blew, and the caravan leader shouted, "Let’s hit the road again."

Shuzhou City.

A group of dozens of people entered the city majestically, led by a man in his fifties, with wrinkled skin and white hair. Among them was the figure of Qiu Susu, who Lu Dayou would have surely recognized as the rude Elder of the Celestial Water Sect.

Yet the normally rude Elder discriminated; once in the city, under his supervision, the crowd behaved more restrained, dispersing quietly in various directions.

After searching for around half a day, they regrouped, shaking their heads.

The Elder could only meet privately with Su Wanjun, bringing Qiu Susu with him to explain their visit and inquire if a pharmacist had passed through.

He seemed rather cautious, as a Divine Gaze at twenty-five years old was already intimidating enough, let alone when Su Wanjun had the backing of the Star Moon Pavilion.

"I haven’t seen a pharmacist enter the city; what does he look like?"

Su Wanjun asked.

Qiu Susu stepped forward and softly described Han Yu’s appearance.

The cousin, who had been listless, perked up upon hearing the word "pharmacist" and recognized the description as Han Yu!

Before Su Wanjun could speak, he quickly stepped forward and said, "I’ve seen him. Two days ago, I was out enjoying the mountains and waters when I happened to meet him."

The Elder was delighted and urgently asked, "Where is he now?"

The cousin feigned a moment of recollection and intermittently said, "At the time, he was with someone named Bao, who was very ingratiating, suggesting he wanted to invite him to the Zuyou Sect in the Southern Border."

"Did he go there?"

The Elder’s expression immediately turned tense, knowing that if he went, it would be exhausting to make another trip to the Southern Border.

The cousin apologetically shook his head, "Back then, why would I pay attention to such matters if not for that Bao fellow mentioning later that he wanted to invite this person to be an Elder at the Zuyou Sect, I wouldn’t have taken special note, as bringing someone back to be an Elder is quite unusual, isn’t it?"

Not unusual at all, the Elder’s face became somewhat stern, not expecting that the Zuyou Sect had also taken notice of the young pharmacist. If such an offer was made, there’s no guarantee the young pharmacist wouldn’t be tempted over.

He then forced a smile to express his gratitude to the cousin, and after thanking Su Wanjun, he hurriedly left the residence with Qiu Susu.

The disciples outside were waiting, and as the two emerged, the Elder solemnly said, "Head to the Southern Border, to the Zuyou Sect."

"Why did you deceive them?"

After the people had left, Su Wanjun couldn’t help but cast a sidelong glance at the cousin.

The cousin sneered disdainfully and said, "A large group like that doesn’t seem like they’re looking for someone, but rather for trouble. How could I let the pharmacist suffer?"

Naturally, this comment provoked another bout of eye-rolling.

A peculiar sound resonated again.

This time, the Ping was serious.

This took place two days later, when the mighty merchant caravan slowly entered Tianning Prefecture under the inspection of the Palace Guards.

I had known the northern regions were vast, but I never realized the distance between prefectures in the north could span two days.

After the caravan settled in an inn, Han Yu stealthily slipped out, found a secluded corner to remove his beard, revealing another appearance of a young man.

It was at this moment that the Ping acted up again.

Pure Yang Qi Fragrance Pill: The user gains the Pure Yang Pulse Body, side effect: The body scent attracts same-sex individuals while repelling the opposite sex.

Hiss!

Today, the Ping’s antics have hit a new low.

"Bring it on, I have the Overseas Divine Skill to protect me."

Han Yu patted the thin-skinned book in his arms and calmly blended into the street crowd...

Bai Jingliang listlessly leaned against the railing, gazing at the bustling main street below.

Yuebin Building’s second floor was bustling and lively, yet it failed to interrupt his daydreaming.

The dining table was full of exquisite dishes, untouched, and beside him sat a young man in his twenties, fair-skinned but leaning towards a more effeminate demeanor.

The young man continued speaking incessantly, as if Bai Jingliang couldn’t hear him, remaining quietly slouched over.

Perhaps noticing this, the young man leaned closer, reaching out to pluck a wad of cotton from Bai Jingliang’s ear, sighed, and said, "Brother Liang, why have you developed this strange habit of stuffing cotton in your ears since returning from the south?"

Bai Jingliang merely smiled listlessly, "What was it you were saying just now, Shaoyang?"

Yin Shaoyang sighed again, preparing to repeat what he had just said, when Bai Jingliang suddenly straightened up, rubbing his eyes with a surprised expression.

"Shaoyang, you head back first, I suddenly have something to attend to, let’s leave it at that."

After speaking, without waiting for a response, Bai Jingliang casually vaulted over the railing...