Demon Sword Sect's Undercover

PS: Seeking recommendation, seeking bookmarking.

.........

Hou Niao slowly strolled back to his residence in the southern part of the city through the light rain. It was no longer the grand mansion his father had left him, but a rather ordinary small courtyard. The wealth of former days had been poured into the bottomless pit of cultivation, with scant returns.

For someone who had grown up in a family environment like his, childhood memories were actually quite unremarkable. Boring and numerous regulations were his only companion as he grew up, not playgrounds and leisure that other children had. Even studying was strictly the arts of music, chess, painting, and calligraphy, and the philosophies of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Therefore, his personality was somewhat obsessive, which was an inevitable result of being raised in an environment dominated by strict laws.

He had no friends. Even the connections his father had nurtured throughout his life had all been offended by him—making him known as a thankless wretch.

They say that obsessive people are more likely to succeed, yet he sank deeper and deeper into the mire of failure.

Aside from him, the house had only one old servant, Uncle Sun; not because he couldn't afford more servants, but because no one wanted to serve a master like him. Even going out to buy vegetables could prompt disdain from others, keeping people at bay, or sometimes even earning cold shoulders so harsh that ordinary people could not endure it.

Uncle Sun was an old man who had followed his father, silent and reserved. But even a steadfast man like him had heard about everything that had happened at the government office today. There was no need for inquiry; the unspent fireworks at the door said it all.

"Young master..."

Hou Niao waved his hand, "The Hou Family is finished, no doubt about it. Uncle Sun, how much silver do we have left in the account?"

Uncle Sun's voice trembled, "Young master, just lower your head this once. The old master had many friends before; there might still be a sliver of a chance..."

Hou Niao gave a bitter laugh, "They are the very ones who have trampled me the hardest! Why humiliate myself further? The Hou Family cannot afford such disgrace!"

Uncle Sun grasped his sleeve, pleading earnestly, "Otherwise, young master, run away! Go to other cities, other countries. With your skills, can't you find a future elsewhere? Most importantly, you need to spread your seed, to leave behind offspring for the Hou Family."

Hou Niao was resolute, gripping Uncle Sun's hand, "Uncle Sun, there's no escape. Have you ever heard of anyone in this world evading the Daoist Sect's pursuit? Let alone other countries, I can't even leave Fufeng City without being caught and ridiculed.

There's not much time left, Uncle Sun. Stop fussing and focus on handling what's important."

Uncle Sun's tears fell in torrents. He had served the old master his entire life, and now, in just a few years with the young master, everything had fallen to this state. It was unimaginable how the young master had managed to bring himself to this dire situation.

But in one aspect, both the old master and the young master were the same—stubborn to a fault. Once a decision was made, it was final. What could he, a simple old servant with little insight, do?

"... We still have over six hundred taels of silver left in the household account, and some possessions too..."

Hou Niao nodded, knowing he no longer needed them, "Take two hundred taels to Big Sister Hua on the narrow streets, as thanks for her support over the years. As for the rest, Uncle Sun, keep it for your retirement, including this house.

"After I'm gone, no one will bother to chase after me. If the harassment gets too unbearable, Master Sun, just sell the house and move back to the countryside," he said.

Sister Hua of the wide streets and narrow alleys, ah, a widow; what help she could actually offer was already clear to the discerning eye; for Hou Niao, marrying was out of the question as no one would want to marry off their daughter to him, and visiting the pleasure districts was against the law, so he had to make do...

Master Sun hesitated a bit, "Young Master, Sister Hua gave birth to a son two years ago..."

Hou Niao turned and walked towards the study. "That child isn't mine... Just do as I said, go and handle it."

Apart from comforting him, Sister Hua actually also consoled others. To an outsider, someone with his kind of temperament was just too dull, simply no fun at all; he was well aware of this.

His interpersonal relationships were straightforward, utterly alone, which probably was the inevitable end for all stern officials.

Entering the study, besides the full wall of Jinxiu's legal texts, the only anomalies were some books about cultivation. Of course, there wasn't anything particularly precious. With his talents, he couldn't even grasp these local materials, let alone other profound Daoist teachings.

Sitting down at the desk, reflecting on his life, his mood turned somewhat gloomy. He had already realized the original sin of his current state, assuming that stepping onto the Daoist path would lead to great achievements. In reality, the Daoist Sect and the mortal officialdom were the same; you could only accomplish what your status and strength allowed. How could you rely solely on ideals?

Neatly placed on the desk was a book—An Overview of the Great Dao; he had read it countless times over the years, fearing he might not have such opportunities again...

The path of human cultivation on the Jinxiu Continent began 1,500 years ago when the spiritual pulse began to revive; hence the current Jinxiu year is 1453. However, in various nations, people still prefer to use the current dynasty's era name, like in Anhe Country, it is now the thirteenth year of Yuanhao, which means Emperor Yuanhao's thirteenth year on the throne.

As soon as the spiritual pulse appeared, humans immediately entered the era of true cultivation, a watershed moment. The entire continent underwent fundamental changes from the previous Jinxiu, gradually forming the current continental structure, a cultivation world unique to the Jinxiu Continent.

He didn't understand, nor did he need to understand, the profound matters; his current strength might not even comprehend so much. To him, the few steps after entering the Daoist path were the most important, not lofty aspirations.

Pulse, Energy Induction, Essence Building, Fasting, Bridge Connection, Tongxuan... These were the cultivation stages within his understanding. Beyond these, there were higher levels unknown to him, and as someone who had not truly entered the Daoist Sect, but had fortuitously succeeded in Pulse, calling him a disciple of the Daoist Sect was an overestimate.

He was now at the very basic introductory stage of Pulse, while the Wind Patrol Envoy Chong Ling had reached the Bridge Connection Realm, just one step away from Tongxuan—a vital realm for cultivators because it allowed them to fly!

It was a dividing line.

For cultivators like him who were not systemically trained, if they had an opportunity to enter the Pulse Realm, they would typically seek to join an actual Daoist Sect after consolidating their cultivation. He had tried, but unfortunately, they did not accept him due to his poor talents.

For a young man just stepping onto the Daoist path, full of ambition, this was undeniably a great insult. As a result, the Hou family's originally considerable wealth was squandered away within just two years; the wealth that seemed significant in the eyes of mortals meant nothing in the cultivation world.

Hou Niao finally understood why the Daoist Sect looked down on him; there was a reason, and it was not mere prejudice. In fact, like him, most who stumbled into the Daoist path ended up with the same fate.

Thus, the world lost a hard cultivator, but gained a stern official instead.

Meet no one and ask about the Dao; disheartened, I've forgotten to speak.