He still wanted to speak, but when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back down.

He had wanted to say, if you didn’t have this level of ability, would Ji Shuhua even have taken you as a friend?

But judging from his own impression of the Store Manager... Ji Shuhua really would have.

Be it a peddler or porter, or a master roaming the world unhindered.

Ji Shuhua treated them all the same, never making distinctions.

Among these friends, of course the vast majority were just casual acquaintances; on the surface all benevolence and righteousness, but behind the scenes far too many who would kick a man when he was down.

However, even if there were only one or two times he truly appreciated someone.

He’d be willing to avenge that person after his death.

That would still be a very troublesome matter.

If not for that, how would I have ended up in such a state today?

Thinking of this, the Store Manager let out a long sigh:

"I have nothing more to say."

"Good."

As Hidden Sword Hermit spoke, he raised his hand, and a steel thorn suddenly shot out.

In an instant, it pierced through the Store Manager’s skull.

The Store Manager didn’t even let out a groan before he was gone.

Hidden Sword Hermit exhaled deeply:

"I’ve been running around outside for almost two years now; I’ve finally settled this matter."

He turned around and gave Su Mo a deep bow:

"Su, the Chief of the Escort, if not for your appearance, I don’t know how long this affair would have dragged on.

"And even if it could have been done.

"I fear I would have had to perish together with him.

"For such great kindness, I truly don’t know what words are adequate.

"The next life is too distant to speak of; in the remaining years of this life, I am willing to look to you, Su, the Chief of the Escort, as my leader in all things, and do what little I can to repay this great favor."

On hearing this, Su Mo was delighted:

"You overstate it, Hermit. Whether you repay me or not doesn’t matter.

"It’s just that with a talent like you, Hermit, I couldn’t ask for more.

"After this trip to Nanhai is over, I will have people escort you back to Donghuang and have you take up residence at the Ziyang Escort Agency."

"Many thanks."

Hidden Sword Hermit smiled. "Speaking of which, matters here are now concluded; I wonder what the Chief plans to do next?"

"Naturally, the Martial God Temple!"

Su Mo smiled. "This play should also be coming to an end."

"The Martial God Temple."

Hidden Sword Hermit’s eyes also lit up:

"The Martial God Temple is good. I’ve heard it’s one of the most hidden places in all of Nanhai.

"But I don’t know if there are mechanisms or secret passages inside?

"To tell the truth, compared to forging, I prefer the art of mechanisms."

Su Mo couldn’t help but smile:

"In that case, let me introduce someone to you, Hermit."

He clapped his hands lightly, and someone immediately came in.

First they dragged the corpse out and made sure he was truly dead, then sent someone to invite Shi Shengtian over.

When Shi Shengtian learned that the man before him was actually the one who had used the Mechanical Bird to send him a warning, he hurriedly offered his thanks.

When Hidden Sword Hermit then asked about the details inside the Martial God Temple, Shi Shengtian felt a bit embarrassed and tongue-tied.

He glanced several times at Su Mo before finally saying:

"Back then, when I broke into the Martial God Temple, it was really... a complete accident.

"I was sailing out to sea, intending to stay temporarily at my future father-in-law’s home.

"But that day there was an evil, uncanny wind. I was clearly heading due east, yet in the end I don’t know how, I somehow veered off my original course.

"By the time I came to my senses, I was already at the gate of the Martial God Temple.

"That great hall was enormous beyond compare, towering into the clouds. Just tilting my head back to look at it made my scalp tingle and my heart pound.

"I steeled myself and went to the door, thinking I surely wouldn’t be able to enter.

"But then I saw there was actually a small hole in the door...

"That small hole just happened to be the exact thickness of the token of love my wife gave me back then.

"After hesitating for a moment, I took the flute I carried and poked it inside... and the door opened.

"A gust of yin wind dragged me in, as if I’d fallen into a five-mile fog.

"Each step was unsteady, and I had no idea what I was stepping on.

"It felt like there were maws of beasts everywhere; one misstep and I’d be smashed to pieces.

"I muddled my way along, not knowing where I was going, and finally arrived in a wide chamber where I saw a mural.

"It seemed to depict a secret from ancient times, someone enraged and warring against the heavens.

"I was struck by that battle intent, and from it came all sorts of marvelous moves of the Heavenly Termination Nine Forms.

"Once I had comprehended them, I left again, but it was strange... I was clearly heading deeper inside, yet somehow I ended up walking out through the main gate.

"When I came back to myself, I was already sitting in a small boat, drifting away from the island where the Martial God Temple stood."

After saying all this in one breath, Shi Shengtian lightly shook his head:

"Even now, when I think back on what happened then, it all feels like a dream.

"If not for the Heavenly Termination Nine Forms being right here before my eyes.

"I really would have thought those experiences never existed at all."

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun both frowned repeatedly as they listened.

To go where you intend and end up returning; to head east and arrive west?

What kind of mechanism is that?

They couldn’t help looking at Hidden Sword Hermit, only to see him also frowning in deep thought:

"In my view, that muddled state, like falling into a five-mile fog, means there must be some Poison in the air of the Martial God Temple.

"Back then Senior Shi’s Heavenly Termination Nine Forms were not yet complete; he didn’t have the level of ability and Inner Strength he possesses now.

"If there was Poison in the air, it would have been hard to guard against.

"But if that’s the case, then those so-called maws of beasts everywhere, mechanisms at every step, were likely just Senior Shi’s hallucinations."

"That..."

Shi Shengtian furrowed his brow:

"It doesn’t feel that simple.

"Even now, the experiences of those years still make my heart race with lingering fear. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"In any case, it’s fine if you want to go to the Martial God Temple, but I’m not going in."

Su Mo merely smiled:

"You shroud the Martial God Temple in mystery, but in truth it granted you an immense benefit.

"You went in once, came out unscathed, and even gained a Supreme Divine Skill.

"Now you’re talking like this—aren’t you acting a bit like someone who takes advantage and then plays the victim?"

"Who says I didn’t lose anything?"

Shi Shengtian flew into a rage:

"My token of love is gone!

"Open the door fine, but why did it have to swallow my keepsake too?

"Because of that, my marriage nearly fell through; Shi Cheng almost had to change mothers.

"Only after all kinds of persuasion and pleading did I finally get to enter the wedding night chamber.

"Do you know how many major matters that delayed?

"And later, somehow, that thing ended up in your hands for no reason at all."