Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 27

“On Tongling Peak!”

“The Purple Blood Spirit Mushroom is at the summit of Tongling Peak, near the entrance of a cave. There’s a hidden mark I left there years ago.”

“Back then, the friends I traveled with died there. A mysterious beast lurks near the Purple Blood Spirit Mushroom.”

The information about the Purple Blood Spirit Mushroom had been shared with him by those very friends.

The mushroom grew beside the entrance of an unusually large cave, where traces of mutated beasts had been found.

That was why his friends had invited him—to join forces, drive away the mutated beast, and split the mushroom among themselves.

But no one expected the beast to be invulnerable to blades, immensely powerful, with razor-sharp claws capable of tearing through anything.

In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, his friends had been slaughtered.

If not for the martial movement technique he had once learned, allowing him to dodge fatal strikes, he too would have fallen victim to the beast’s claws.

The man held nothing back, knowing the man before him was his last hope.

Once finished, he searched the ruined temple until he found a spot where he dug up a weathered, decaying wooden box with his bare hands.

From it, he retrieved a yellowed book and, without hesitation, threw it toward Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan caught the book midair and examined the four large characters on its cover: Wind-Chasing Footwork!

He gently flipped it open with his right hand.

The next moment, a faint tremor passed through his mind as the system interface materialized before him.

Host: Lu Xuan
Realm: Inner Qi Realm
Techniques:

• Blazing Flame Saber Art (2/9)

• Wind-Chasing Footwork? (Incomplete)
  Points: 22

*”Wind-Chasing Footwork contains flaws. Confirm expenditure of 20 points to deduce the complete version?”*

Yes!

Instantly, the points on the system panel dropped, leaving only 2 remaining.

“Wind-Chasing Footwork has been fully deduced!”

When Lu Xuan checked the panel again, it had updated:

Host: Lu Xuan
Realm: Inner Qi Realm
Techniques:

• Blazing Flame Saber Art (2/9)

• Wind-Chasing Footwork (0/9)
  Points: 2

Hmm? Why aren’t the points enough now? Lu Xuan frowned in confusion.

Logically, the remaining 2 points should have allowed at least one deduction for Wind-Chasing Footwork—yet nothing happened.

Back when he had deduced the Blazing Flame Saber Art, a single point had sufficed.

Does the system require different point costs depending on the technique?

“Well? I’ve given you the movement technique first. Can you trust me now?”

The man—surnamed Zhang—spoke again, though his earlier defiance had faded.

After all, he had staked everything of value on this gamble.

If the other party reneged, then fate had simply condemned him.

Having confirmed the authenticity of the technique, Lu Xuan had no intention of going back on his word.

As for the Purple Blood Spirit Mushroom—whether it was real or not, he could verify that later.

Even if it turned out to be a lie, he had already obtained what he truly wanted: the movement technique.

Without further hesitation, Lu Xuan agreed.

“Accepted.”

The man’s face lit up with manic relief. He had gambled correctly.

“It’s real!”

Daughter, do you hear me?

Just wait. Soon, I’ll send that beast to hell—make him suffer as you did.

Seeing the man frozen in place, Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

“Senior Zhang, do you plan to enter the city looking like that?”

The man reeked of filth, his clothes in tatters, resembling a beggar.

In that state, the city guards would chase him away before he even reached the gates.

“Please, give me a moment. I’ll be ready soon!”

Realizing his appearance would bar him from entry, the man hurriedly dug up another wooden chest from a different spot.

He caressed its surface gently, as if it held something precious.

Inside were the last remnants of his daughter’s memory.

Retrieving a simple cloth robe, he cradled it like a treasure before darting out of the temple.

“Brother Xuan, that guy’s unhinged. Did you really strike a deal with him?”

Liang Cheng, who had been observing from a distance, approached with a puzzled look.

He had wisely refrained from eavesdropping on their conversation.

Lu Xuan nodded.

“Mn.”

Less than an hour later, the man returned at a sprint, closing the distance in a few strides.

His appearance had transformed.

Gone were the years of grime, replaced by clean, plain robes.

A crude bamboo hat concealed his face, though his disheveled hair still peeked out from beneath.

…..

Fragrant Pavilion!

The largest pleasure house in the county, its patrons were all men of wealth and status.

That such an establishment thrived in the heart of the city spoke volumes about its owner’s influence.

Once, a young nobleman had caused trouble inside—only to have his leg broken on the spot.

Rumors claimed his family had ties to the county magistrate’s office, yet they dared not protest. The incident was quietly buried.

Inside the pavilion, perfumes mingled in the air as beautiful women glided between guests, hunting for prey.

Outside a lavish private room on the second floor stood four towering, brutish guards, their menacing expressions deterring any unwanted approach.

Inside, a dissipated young man lounged with two half-dressed women clinging to him.

“Brother Huang, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you return home?”

Two other young men sat across from him, their expressions obsequious.

The young man—Huang—waved a hand dismissively.

“Fine, fine. This master shall retire.”

As he stood, he gave one woman’s softness a rough squeeze, indifferent to her pained gasp.

Her discomfort only drew a twisted smirk from him.

Outside, the night was quiet, the streets nearly empty.

As Huang and his four guards turned into a secluded alley, two figures emerged from the shadows, blocking their path.

Both wore bamboo hats, obscuring their faces.

Then, one lifted his hat, revealing a face contorted with madness.

His eyes burned with venom as he hissed through gritted teeth:

“You beast… do you remember me? I’ve thought of nothing but you—every single day.”