Hidden Moth

When He Kao was young, his aunt would make him a bowl of noodles on his birthday, with just one very long noodle and two eggs. It was the traditional longevity noodles of the local area... His aunt's cooking was quite good.

Mrs. Chen would also buy him a cake, with the flavor decided by Xiaopang, who mainly ate it himself under the guise of celebrating He Kao's birthday.

This year, He Kao didn't return to Pugang Town, but President Qian gathered a large table of people under the guise of celebrating his birthday, including several department heads from the company. To outsiders, this gathering was clearly — forming an alliance within the company's Money Element camp!

However, nobody talked about this topic; it seemed like a pure celebration of He Kao's birthday. It was said that Old Qian was treating everyone, Xiaopang took the menu and added several substantial dishes, but unlike last time, he didn't overdrink.

President E also broke her rule and had a small glass of wine, her face immediately turning red, and she seemed somewhat drunk; evidently, she couldn't handle alcohol.

He Kao drank quite a lot, because after everyone toasted him, they would toast President Qian. He couldn't refuse the drink, and considering his recent worries, a couple of glasses could relax his muscles and invigorate his circulation, as well as ease his mood.

The restaurant was quite upscale, with good decor and environment, but even in the best environments, flies and mosquitoes occasionally appeared, probably sneaking in when the door was open, before they had the chance to crash into the mosquito lamp.

A mosquito buzzed by; it was an old mosquito in the autumn, probably emerging from somewhere. He Kao, somewhat intoxicated, casually swung his hand and pinched the mosquito with the tip of his chopstick, right in front of Gao Xue'e's nose.

Huang Xiaopang happened to witness this scene and immediately exclaimed, "Wow, Xiao Kao, what's this magical skill? I've only seen martial artists in movies pinching flies; you managed to pinch such a tiny mosquito!"

His shout drew everyone's attention, and they all exclaimed in surprise.

Slightly drunk, He Kao suddenly realized that this scene might reveal his cultivation level, quickly shook his head and laughed, "It was just a coincidence; I pinched randomly and happened to catch it. It seems I might be a martial arts prodigy!"

The table burst into laughter, but the smiles of Qian Guran and Yao Shaolan carried a hint of suspicion.

Pinching a flying mosquito with the tip of chopsticks isn't difficult, as long as the reaction speed is fast enough, and the movements are steady and precise, with the body keeping up with the mind...

Being able to do this after drinking so much, it has to be Tier Two cultivation, right?

Qian Guran was a bit stunned; he had originally thought it unlikely that He Kao was Jiang Daozhen's secret disciple. He had casually mentioned it as a way to deter Yu Shangzhen and Wan Zhongle using a Celestial Ladder.

Could it be... the random claim he made turned out to be true? If it were true, He Kao certainly wouldn't admit it, nor would he wish to discuss such a topic.

A secret disciple, after all, cannot reveal their identity without the master's permission.

However, Qian Guran felt the possibility of this being true was low, because he was quite familiar with He Kao's recent experiences. If this were the case, certain things couldn't be explained.

Is it just like He Kao said, simply an accidental coincidence? Forget it, stop pondering over it! Elder Jiang, a person rumored to be a Tier Seven Grand Calculator, was beyond his comprehension!

The next day was the weekend, and Qian Guran, with the pair of golden paperweights, along with Yao Shaolan, specially visited Hengzhou again to pay respects to Elder Lin Qingshuang and deliver some gifts, to nurture connections.

Some things he could refrain from telling others, but he felt it necessary to notify Lin Qingshuang, particularly about yesterday's meeting with Wan and Yu, and the Celestial Ladder he lent to He Kao... He might as well probe this elder's stance.

The main reason Qian Guran sought out Lin Qingshuang was to ask for an introduction to a Micro Realm Sect expert who could help him craft the paperweights into initial magical artifacts.

Regarding his breakthrough in cultivation, he didn't hide it from Elder Lin, choosing to "report" it face-to-face.

It's said that Qi Observation Sect sorcerers excel at establishing networks, yet ironically, Qian Guran had previously been a wandering Carefree Wanderer, his weak point lying in the lack of such considerations.

Now that he had joined the ranks of high-tier sorcerers and was embroiled in various matters, it was time to remedy his deficiencies. That table of drinks yesterday essentially formed an "Money Element" within the company, so he should also create another "Money Element" in the Magic Sect.

His request from Lin Qingshuang for help was essentially seeking assistance from the Elder Ye behind Lin Qingshuang. With Elder Ye's involvement, surely someone suitable in the Micro Realm Sect could be found.

In a while, he should attend the ceremony at the Qi Observation Sect's Ancestral Hall and communicate well with the Second Elder, and foster relations with the people around the Second Elder...

Upon learning of Qian Guran's breakthrough to Tier Four, Lin Qingshuang expressed congratulations, her words full of emotion.

Qian Guran modestly claimed his success was due to misfortune turning into fortune, purely lucky. He could clearly sense Lin Qingshuang's complex feelings and dared not show any hint of boasting.

Lin Qingshuang had achieved Tier Three "Medical Expert" of the Observing Body Sect for nearly thirty years, deeply accumulated cultivation, equivalent to Perfection in realm, yet unable to advance to Tier Four "Physician."

Tier Four sorcerers, called "Government Officials" in the Qi Observation Sect, are termed Physicians in the Observing Body Sect, Artisans in the Micro Realm Sect, Beggars in the Xingshen Sect, Merchants in the Heart Plate Sect, Gardeners in the Alchemy Sect, and Divine Sticks in the Lingxi Sect, all ordinary identities in the world.

Typically due to qualities, foundation, or personal choice, advancement becomes difficult, often leading to giving up hope of Breaking the Gate, like Gu Yunteng, but Lin Qingshuang clearly did not fit this situation.

She had emotional barriers; regarding her state of Tier Three Perfection, emotional barriers equate to spiritual tribulations. Qian Guran could identify the issue but had no solution.

Lin Qingshuang's marital partner passed away early, leaving her with only Lin Hua Lei as a disciple. Lin Hua Lei, just like his master, with flawed qualities and temperament...

Finding a good seedling like He Kao was rare, yet some elder snatched him away in secret, Elder Lin must be even more dejected, right?

Lin Qingshuang didn't say much more, but when she saw the paperweight brought by Qian Guran, she nodded and praised, "You really have an eye for things. Last time, when Xiao Kao took this out at the hospital, my senior, Elder Ye, immediately took a liking to it.

She also said that if Junior Yao intends to sell it at the gold price, she would be willing to pay double. Unexpectedly, this item ended up with you, which is indeed perfect for you to make into a magical artifact."

Upon hearing this, Qian Guran instinctively glanced at Yao Shaolan, who silently lowered her head. Because of this matter, Yao Shaolan forgot to tell him, and Old Qian truly didn't know beforehand.

If calculated this way, the bargain Old Qian got from He Kao was even greater.

Elder Ye is indeed wealthy and generous, almost to the point of price manipulation; perhaps that's why Yao Shaolan didn't mention it... But in this setting, Old Qian couldn't directly ask anything.

When the two were about to leave, Lin Qingshuang insisted on having them stay for a meal, and she instructed, "After eating, take the pendant Xiao Kao had back to him along the way."

Qian Guran: "Initially, you mentioned renting it for three to six months, and now it's just been three months, not yet half a year."

Lin Qingshuang sighed: "Three months is sufficient. The younger generation of my family indeed isn't suited for practicing techniques. Wearing it for another three months would be the same; better return it to Xiao Kao for his daily protection."

...

In the following days, He Kao was very busy. Apart from work tasks, he also had to find time to purchase various things, under the guise of furnishing the house, claiming he was also preparing materials for renovating the family home.

Many of the items he bought went to decorating the secret base deep within Gu Mountain.

The wild mountain is nameless, but its location is near Gu Lake, where He Kao visited last time, between Qi Yuan and Wucheng, so He Kao calls it Gu Mountain.

Given enough time, he could pave the floor of the dark cavern deep in the belly of the mountain, personally handling tasks like moisture-proofing, anti-corrosion, pest control, leveling, fireproofing, polishing, and maintenance.

No choice; this is a craftsman's occupational affliction and the source of his spiritual joy.

To outsiders who don't understand, it looks like He Kao lives very comfortably, almost extraordinarily so!

A diamond bachelor, working at a big company, owning a house in the countryside, buying a car and house in the city, having several million in savings, no parental burdens, handsome with a strong physique, capable of vigorous night battles... Perfect.

Old Qian bought the paperweight, paid a two-million down payment, making He Kao's cash flow instantly ample, allowing for the purchase of various things. In his daily work, the group leader Xiaopang, the manager President E, and the vice president Old Qian on this leadership line are all his own people!

Yet, He Kao always has a vague sense of crisis, feeling that there's unknown danger lurking somewhere, invisible yet pervasive... Perhaps due to the identity of Hidden Moth.

Old Qian once reminded him that Yu Shangzhen and Wan Zhongle wouldn't easily give up, but during the following time, He Kao didn't notice anything unusual, presumably because their actions weren't fast yet.

But the more it is like this, the more taut that string in He Kao's heart becomes.

Occasionally, he wonders if, without the matter of Hidden Moth, he could choose to lay back and comfortably enjoy life? Then he realizes the logic of this thought is flawed.

What he has now comes from the inheritance left by his father Hidden Moth. Had it not been for the former Hidden Moth, Huang Xiaopang, and later his own possession of the Invisibility Ability, he might have lost his life, let alone possessed all these things?

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Xiaopang's birthday fell on the weekend, without having Old Qian organize, Mrs. Chen called him back to Pugang Town, and He Kao followed suit.

Because He Kao had a college dorm roommate who, on the weekend, brought his girlfriend to Qi Yuan to visit He Kao, it was actually intending for him to host them.

The roommate had heard that He Kao's hometown was in the countryside on the north bank of the Great River, living alone in a three-story building with a large yard and wanted to have a visit.

What's there to visit in the countryside? Perhaps the Sanxi Bridge Scenic Area, then a walk to Bai Ma Mountain. But that abandoned amusement park at the foot of the mountain, He Kao definitely didn't want to return, despite the two guests being quite interested from a distance.

The next day, they invited Xiaopang to join them for a tour of the town's farmer's market, where many items were quite intriguing and not seen in typical supermarkets.

Passing the farmer's market entrance, He Kao keenly sensed being locked onto by a unique gaze right upon arrival, presumably someone always observing.

He turned to look, finding the chess stall set up by the old man under the big tree.

This elder used to be from the neighboring village, whom He Kao knew since childhood. He politely nodded in greeting, "Uncle Qi, hello! Beautiful day, out here setting up the stall?"

After greeting, He Kao accompanied his companions straight into the farmer's market.

Jiang Daozhen's mood and hairstyle were in turmoil like the wind... He's always been Jiang, when did he become Uncle Qi?

**

PS: Wishes for the festive season! Asking for monthly votes!