txolops Chapter 4 Guess if I Believe It
Chapter 4 Guess if I Believe It
"This is great! It's much more satisfying than watching a 'feel-good' drama!"
Sitting upright in the Hidden Sword Pavilion, Shen Che's mind was completely absorbed in Lu Sheng's thoughts.
From the perspective of a hundred times the speed, Lu Sheng fought a battle almost every few quarters of an hour, and each time he won completely.
Those renowned masters and so-called famous constables were almost no match for them.
Over such a long period of time, Lu Sheng's background has long been thoroughly exposed.
Four or five years ago, my whole family was murdered and had no way to seek justice. I was also beaten and had one leg broken, and later I lost one hand.
Later, I don't know what kind of martial arts he practiced or what he got involved with, but he aged rapidly in just a few years.
His neighbors even thought he had contracted some terrible disease and avoided him like the plague.
However, his martial arts skills were also terrifyingly high, so high that all those who came to hunt him down never returned.
All of this information is traceable, and it can be found out quickly if you are willing to do so.
Once those things are investigated, his purpose—the capital—will become clear.
This is why so many experts tried to stop him. The one who cut off his hand has already had his whole family wiped out. What will be the fate of the one who harmed his whole family?
The so-called powerful and influential people in the capital were getting restless and wanted to nip him in the bud.
Of course, a considerable number of people also wanted to obtain Lu Sheng's secrets.
They also wanted the kind of skill that could turn an ordinary, even crippled, peasant into such a master in just a few years.
As for the aftereffects of rapid aging, what doesn't have some side effects these days? Is that even a big deal?
There are plenty of people vying for cultivation techniques that require self-castration; so what if it shortens one's lifespan?
Therefore, the further along the journey, the more frequent the battles Lu Sheng experienced became.
His sword remained steady throughout, and he showed no arrogance whatsoever.
With this mindset, if one survives, their potential is limitless.
Unfortunately, he cultivated the Burning Wood Technique, which came at the cost of burning his life force, and Lu Sheng, like a piece of firewood, had already burned to the very end.
Moreover, Shen Che also discovered that the upper limit of the world Lu Sheng was in was lower than he had imagined, and the Burning Wood Technique was definitely top-notch in this world.
The immense power accumulated over nearly fifty years by the Burning Wood Skill, combined with the sword techniques he had carefully selected for him from the Hidden Sword Pavilion, created a swordsmanship master who was almost invincible.
At first, Shen Che wanted Lu Sheng to keep a low profile, sneak into the village, and not fire a shot.
But later on, they found that the experts here were not all that great, so they naturally stopped caring.
Of course, the key is that Lu Sheng is talented and has an unwavering will, never wavering even for several years.
They practiced swordsmanship during the day and martial arts at night, squeezing every minute to its fullest potential.
This is also why he looks much older. He practices his martial arts relentlessly, burning himself out without even taking a breath. He doesn't care about his own life at all, so of course he ages quickly.
Such talent would be highly sought-after by investors anywhere.
Internal strength, experience, swordsmanship, talent—everything will belong to him, the investor.
Every swing of the sword, every drop of sweat shed, and every battle fought is considered working for him.
At this moment, Lu Sheng was unmatched in every battle, and he had already proven his ability with his achievements.
In other words, Shen Che can secure his gains at any time.
Every improvement you make each day after that is pure profit!
"Che'er, Che'er!"
Outside the Hidden Sword Pavilion, a familiar voice suddenly appeared, causing Shen Che, who was constantly observing Lu Sheng, to look outside.
Outside the door stood his second uncle, who was born out of wedlock. Of all those who had their eyes on his position, this was the one who was most eager to take it.
However, in Shen Che's view, even if he were to be brought down, his second uncle would not have much of a chance.
His heir was physically weak and lacked talent, but his second uncle wasn't much better.
He never does anything productive all day but seeks out women, flirts with them, and his maids never leave unscathed.
She's only in her thirties, but she already has eight or nine children.
This life is so infuriating!
I don't know what he was thinking. If he, as the heir, could be brought down because of his lack of talent, how could his second uncle, who also lacked talent, possibly have a chance?
Throughout history, the struggle for the crown prince position has rarely ended well, especially if the contestants fail to win.
It's also the fault of that old father I've never met. You went to the banquet, fine, but you took most of your close confidants with you.
Well, that's bad. They wiped us out on the way back.
Internally, he, as the heir, became a piece of meat in the eyes of others; externally, wasn't Hidden Sword Manor also a piece of meat in the eyes of outsiders?
This is such a mess, it's hard not to be frustrated.
"Second Uncle, may I ask what brings you here?"
"Che'er, your second uncle is here hoping you can give up voluntarily." Shen Cong went straight to the point from the start, showing no embarrassment about taking over someone else's business.
"Che'er, as you probably know, your second uncle has been actively recruiting experts and retainers within the manor these past few days, all in an effort to secure the position of manor lord."
"You might think I'm doing this for your position as heir, but in reality, your second uncle is doing it for you!"
"My elder brother has treated me well; I can't just stand by and watch his only bloodline be harmed!"
At this moment, Shen Cong looked at him with the love and worry of an elder, and his face was full of concern.
"Others have martial arts skills to rely on, but you've been sickly since childhood and haven't even developed internal energy. What will happen if you can't inherit the position of manor lord?"
"Too many people want this position of manor lord now, and they all want you to be in trouble all the time. Your second uncle is incompetent, fearing he can't protect you and has let down his elder brother."
"Moreover, the Hidden Sword Manor is currently in turmoil and has many miscellaneous matters to attend to. Even if you become the manor lord, how can your physical condition withstand it?"
At this point, Shen Cong sighed deeply before continuing, "There is only one solution now: to temporarily relinquish the position of manor lord to me."
"Only by becoming the head of the manor and wielding absolute power within it can your second uncle be absolutely certain of protecting you!"
"Oh, I see!" He nodded, realizing perfectly well what his illegitimate second uncle was up to.
Competing with others is never as fast or legitimate as taking it directly from him.
No wonder he came from a brothel; he has a whole repertoire of tricks to use on young girls, and now he's using them on himself.
"Does Second Uncle want me to hand over the position of heir to you, so that once you hold power within the manor, you'll have enough ability to protect me?"
"Yes, yes! Che'er, my elder brother and I are brothers after all. He has treated me well, and I will never betray him."
"Don't worry, once you grow up, or once you have a successor, your second uncle will definitely return the position of manor lord."
Staring at Shen Che with a face full of concern, Shen Cong's sincerity seemed to come from the bottom of his heart, making it hard not to feel good about him.
But we're not kids anymore. Do you really think you can fool a child with a piece of candy? Guess if I believe you.
If what you said were true, then half the number of girls in the brothels down the mountain would be gone.
"In that case, it must have been difficult for Second Uncle."
"Sigh!" Shen Cong sighed again and said resolutely, "I know this may attract a lot of criticism, saying that I have ulterior motives and that I have seized my nephew's family business."
"But for you, for the continuation of my elder brother's bloodline, I, your second uncle, am not afraid of any infamy!"
"Second Uncle, you're not afraid, but I am!" After watching Shen Cong finish his performance, Shen Che shook his head and resolutely refused.
"Second Uncle, how can I, as a junior, put you in a difficult position? How can I bear to see your reputation damaged? I want to take responsibility for this myself!"
"Che'er, you're so weak, how can you possibly carry that!"
"But I want to try, Second Uncle. Please go back; my mind is made up!"
"Che'er, why are you so stubborn, Che'er!"
Seeing Shen Che turn and leave, Shen Cong didn't care about anything else and wanted to reach out and pull him away.
But when she looked up, she saw Shen Che's eyes as he turned around, icy cold yet seemingly containing boundless rage.
It was as if he saw the shadow of his older brother, who had always been weighing on his heart and could never be shaken off, which almost made him scream out loud.
"Second Uncle, do you want to overstep the bounds?" The moment Shen Cong pulled him, Shen Che almost had the urge to harvest Lu Sheng ahead of time.
If I can't maximize my profits because of this second uncle, wouldn't I be at a huge loss?
I may smile if you compete for the position of estate owner, but if you delay my recouping of my investment, then that is a matter of life and death!
"I, I... Che'er, I didn't."
"That's good. Then please leave, Second Uncle."
"Also, only my father in the entire Hidden Sword Manor can address me by my given name. From now on, please address me as Young Master, Second Uncle!"
"Young Master? Hmph!" A cold glint flashed in Shen Cong's eyes, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared, making him look much colder.
"If you don't appreciate my kindness, then don't blame me."
"Young Master, just wait. Tomorrow, things will be different!"