Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 316: Chapter 316: Lingering Doubts

Is Yu Ao Feng being cautious in his questioning, or has he already started to suspect something?

Shen Hao didn’t know, but he was certain that Yu Ao Feng couldn’t possibly connect him directly to Yu Shengjue’s death. Because a Gathering Spirit cultivator killed a late-stage Primordial Pill cultivator? That’s pure fantasy.

So Shen Hao felt that even if Yu Ao Feng was suspicious, at most he might question some details from that time.

Shen Hao didn’t hesitate, nor did he avoid anything. These past days, he’d already rehearsed the story he made up for the Sword Emperor’s Tomb dozens of times in his mind; he knew exactly which details had flaws.

"Very well, Elder Yu, I’ll tell you what happened back then..."

What Shen Hao said next was basically identical to the story he told in the Sword Emperor’s Tomb, only some of his phrasing was different.

Even if the same person recounts the same incident twice, it’s impossible for the words to be exactly the same; missing or adding some phrases is normal. If both accounts matched word for word, it would be suspicious instead.

At certain points, Yu Ao Feng intentionally interrupted, and Shen Hao would go along, sometimes shaking his head as if he couldn’t recall, but at other times he insisted firmly without hesitation.

"But why did Zhang Lin say that, inside the tomb, the members of the Valley of Love Flowers and Red Flame Sect accused you of sharing Yu Shengjue’s storage bag? Hmm, that you took a box of mid-grade Spirit Stones?"

"Elder Yu, those two were simply flinging baseless accusations before dying, nothing but a joke," Shen Hao sneered, not taking Yu Ao Feng’s words to heart at all.

"Oh? But if they were just rambling nonsense, how could they know your identity? After all, you were wearing the Xuanqing Guard officer’s robe in the Sword Emperor’s Tomb."

"Heh, Elder Yu, you’re joking. Yes, I was wearing the officer’s robe, but I also had this at my waist." As Shen Hao spoke, he took off the Silver Gourd from his belt—a credential of identity—and continued, "I think the people from the Valley of Love Flowers and Red Flame Sect must have recognized me because of this."

"What about your name?"

"Well... I really didn’t tell those two my name, but... oh right, maybe they heard it from Senior Brother Nie while we were in the Sword Emperor’s Tomb. After all, seeing the gourd at my waist, then entering the tomb and asking Senior Brother Nie a question is quite possible. Should I call Senior Brother Nie here to ask if that’s what happened?"

Yu Ao Feng gave a slight shake of his head. His gaze hadn’t left Shen Hao’s eyes since Shen Hao entered the pavilion, and his perception was tightly enveloped around Shen Hao. Heart rate, body temperature, even the steadiness of True Qi within—none escaped his senses.

But Yu Ao Feng was disappointed; he found no signs of panic or abnormal reaction from Shen Hao. In fact, those verbal discrepancies seemed normal to him: remembering so many details already showed Shen Hao’s memory was impressive.

Of course, Yu Ao Feng wasn’t going to stop there; he smiled and said, "That does sound plausible. No need to call Deacon Nie. By the way, your relationship with Deacon Nie is pretty good, huh? He even registered you as a Named Disciple, and brought you to Chang Baifeng this time. Without that, you wouldn’t have had a chance at enlightenment."

"Yes, Nie and I hit it off right away; he’s taken great care of me."

"But you made quite a stir at Chang Baifeng this time; Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute will definitely hear about Nie Yun giving you that cover identity. You should know your Xuanqing Guard officer rank isn’t enough to get you registered as a Named Disciple at Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute, right?"

Shen Hao nodded, "Yes, I’m aware. Nie also told me he might get scolded by Master Pingyang when he returns to the mountain."

"Hahaha, Deacon Nie is a passionate man. Befriending you, he forgot the sect’s rules. It’s understandable; I doubt Master Pingyang will be too harsh on him. But you must have seen how the sect cultivators live recently—the opportunities, the magic, the cultivation techniques, even the foundation and resources you haven’t seen yet—these aren’t things a mere Xuanqing Guard Hundred Households Officer can compare to.

In the past, your talent was average and you were older, so the sect had no interest in you. But now, after your enlightenment, it’s different. I won’t beat around the bush: if you’re willing to resign and join my Celestial Toad Sect, I can promise you a set of top-grade Magical Artifacts, and you can apprentice under my line. How about it?"

Shen Hao was slightly stunned, not expecting Yu Ao Feng to offer goodwill and recruitment. It had to be noted that Yu Ao Feng was nothing like Xu Lingyan; he was the Great Elder of a first-class sect, with high status. Lowering himself to invite Shen Hao was a show of great respect and importance.

But somehow, something felt off here.

A thought flashed across Shen Hao’s mind, then he smiled and refused, "Thank you, Elder Yu, for your kindness, but I have a restless heart; I enjoy mingling in the mundane world and the pleasures of the mortal realm. I don’t wish to enter the sect, so please forgive me."

"Heh, everyone has their own aspirations. Why would I blame you? Good, the banquet will begin soon. I won’t keep you."

"Then, I’ll take my leave."

"Mm, go on."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hao stood up, bowed again, and left the pavilion to return to the banquet. Zhang Lin, who was waiting outside, walked back to Yu Ao Feng’s side.

"Great Elder, is there something wrong with that kid?"

The smile was gone from Yu Ao Feng’s face. He shook his head, watching the gradually receding figure outside the pavilion, and said, "He’s got an explanation for every questionable point, and none of his answers seem pre-prepared."

"So that means he’s clear?"

"Not necessarily. When I mentioned Crystal Stones, his heartbeat stuttered for a moment. I don’t know if it was panic or just surprise. We still need to watch him. Also, he refused my recruitment outright."

"Huh? So... could he really be hiding something?"

"Hard to say. Originally, I thought that once he joined the sect, I could take my time investigating, but I didn’t expect he’d turn down the Celestial Toad Sect’s offer, even with my personal invitation. Either, as you say, he’s guilty inside, or he genuinely has no intention of pursuing cultivation.

The task I told you about before—make sure you see to it promptly. The moment Moon Shadow Tower sends any news, report to me right away. Understood?"

"Yes, Elder. Understood."

Yu Ao Feng stood up too; the banquet outside was about to begin, so he couldn’t stay away. Yet Shen Hao’s effortlessly relaxed demeanor lingered in his mind. Clearly, there was nothing obviously suspicious, but for some reason he just felt Shen Hao was full of "thorns"—painful to look at.

Yu Ao Feng trusted his own intuition, so even after questioning face to face, his doubts remained.

Meanwhile, Shen Hao, back at the banquet table, let out a long sigh of relief in his heart. Judging from Yu Ao Feng’s reaction, his performance hadn’t given away anything, and he’d even improved on the story he’d hastily made up before. He just wasn’t sure if Yu Ao Feng’s suspicions would have any follow-up.