Hidden Moth-Chapter 491 - 279: Unwilling to Settle for the Mundane in Daily Life

Chapter 491: Chapter 279: Unwilling to Settle for the Mundane in Daily Life

There is more than one smart person in the world, for instance, Lan Jiwan had guessed that Huo Qing was the Hidden Moth.

"Huo Qing" behaved very mysteriously in Sawa Country, coming and going without a trace. Several of Zhong Jinghui’s accomplices had hidden, yet he found them in a short time, figured out the surroundings, and did not alarm anyone.

After Lunar New Year, Chang’an Residence went to Phoenix Tail Town, met many people, learned many situations, and naturally heard stories and legends of the Hidden Moth.

Huo Qing claimed that passing through Sawa Country was to carry out a secret mission for the Ancestral Hall. Elder Li was vague about this and did not clarify his identity, but instead, gave such instructions to Chang’an Residence, who then had his suspicions.

He Kao, however, didn’t care whether Chang’an Residence guessed right or not and directly revealed the truth.

Though he had long suspected it was possible, confirming it still left Chang’an Residence in awe: "You are indeed the Hidden Moth! I actually have the fate to connect with a legendary figure like you..."

Though his tone was surprised, wasn’t it even more — delighted?

He Kao gave a bitter smile: "Knowing me may not be a good thing; quite a few people are looking for me, and even more with ulterior motives want to take advantage of me."

Chang’an Residence: "Please rest assured, I won’t reveal your identity to anyone, nor disclose anything you’ve entrusted to me."

He Kao: "Actually, as long as you keep it a secret, you can pretend I never came today. Now that you’ve returned to the Magic Sect and inherited the Dharma successor, and have such a vast household, there’s nothing wrong with being a peaceful Dean Chang."

Chang’an Residence looked down at the teacup in his hand: "If that were the case, I would have handed the collected information to the public security authorities to find peace of mind, why go overseas, leaving home and career, to hunt down criminals?"

He Kao: "Some things are purely voluntary, I neither encourage nor can force you."

Chang’an Residence raised his head: "Actually, I’ve been hoping you would come. When Master Li asked me, I had already made my decision."

He Kao: "Then let me formally ask you—are you willing to join the Hidden Moth Sect?"

Chang’an Residence stood up and saluted: "Greetings, Sect Leader!"

He Kao smiled and helped him up: "I joined the sect earlier; in the future, you can just call me Sect Leader Senior Brother..."

Their conversation earlier seemed to have a bit of secret language, outsiders might not understand, much less how Chang’an Residence ended up joining the Hidden Moth Sect?

In fact, Chang’an Residence’s entry into the Hidden Moth Sect was through Elder Li’s recommendation, who deliberately left this person for He Kao, just like how Gu Chun, after discovering Lan Jiwan, also left the person to He Kao to deal with.

Compared to Lan Jiwan, Chang’an Residence’s situation was much simpler; Elder Li apparently considered him more suitable to become a Hidden Moth Sect disciple. But these matters require mutual consent, requiring both Chang’an Residence’s willingness and He Kao’s affirmation.

Elder Li even personally assessed him to understand his thoughts.

When a person has been exposed to a mysterious world unknown to the average person from an early age, how could they be content with being just an osteopathic doctor day after day? Moreover, as an ordinary person, he has almost reached the pinnacle in this line of work.

A mundane life might be good, but he was not content with a mediocre life; although he was a respected Dean Chang daily, in his soul, he yearned for a world of freedom and excitement filled with cultivation, and he was not afraid of adventure...

He Kao asked Chang’an Residence why he was willing to make such a choice, and Chang’an Residence’s answer was heartfelt. Meeting He Kao and being fortunate enough to receive his acceptance and guidance, the two were a perfect match.

Perhaps since childhood, his dream had been waiting for such a master to give him the opportunity to make such a choice.

Actually, Chang’an Residence was already an official Magic Sect disciple, a Tier Three Performer in the Xingshen Sect. In some sense, his "performance" was very successful—Dean of Chang’s Orthopedic Hospital and an Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

But at his core, he was still a classically styled assassin ranger, a hermit with exceptional skills.

This was the life he yearned for, not doing orderly work at the hospital daily, finding time to continue practicing Spirit Awakening Skills methodically.

Chang’an Residence, who looked like an Observing Body Sect disciple, was now a sorcerer of the Xingshen Sect, joining the Hidden Moth Sect. The identity as a Xingshen Sect disciple became a form of cover, just like Lan Jiwan and Ye Liangcheng also had Heart Plate Sect disciple identities.

Based on Jiang Daozhen’s "archaeological" conclusion, many of the Hidden Moth Sect disciples a thousand years ago also had other disguises.

He Kao gave Chang’an Residence two tubes of Awakening Incense and instructed him on how to use them during cultivation. Whether it be the Hidden E Technique or the Spirit Awakening Skill, both required very high cultivation of the Primordial Spirit, and Awakening Incense was an excellent auxiliary resource.

In terms of making the most use of resources, He Kao was always generous. Elder Li gave him ten tubes of Awakening Incense this time, and he quickly distributed six tubes.

Chang’an Residence had just made a breakthrough to Tier Three cultivation, but He Kao didn’t wait for him to break to the High Tier before teaching the fundamental technique of the Hidden Moth Skill and various applied techniques of the Hidden Moth Sect, especially the Stealth Skill.

He Kao did not have the Divine Thought Heart Seal, and needed careful demonstration and explanation; an evening was obviously not enough. Fortunately, President E went to the group headquarters to study, and He Kao had no other business at night except for cultivation, so he came multiple times.

He Kao left a contact method with Chang’an Residence, so if there were any issues needing discussion, he could reach out. Chang’an Residence then asked if there were any sect missions recently?

He Kao thought for a moment and assigned him a task, which Chang’an Residence happily accepted, appearing quite enthusiastic.

He Kao gave Chang’an Residence the task of investigating a person. This person’s name is Shao Yongjie, a Tier Two Acupuncturist from the Observing Body Sect. Coincidentally, in the secular world, this person is also in the same profession as Chang’an Residence, as an Osteopathic Massage Therapist.

Shao Yongjie’s reputation is certainly not as big as "Kung Fu Chang," but his skills might not be worse, and he doesn’t rely on this small business for a living. He has other ways to earn a living.

He Kao wanted to investigate whether this person was related to Lin Qingshuang.

For many years, Lin Qingshuang has not liked to deal with various matters of the Magic Sect, but she is not a marginal figure.

The Qihuang Spirit Garden she operates has many collaborations with the Ancestral Hall, especially with the Observing Body Sect, in aspects such as cultivating various spirit medicines, setting up arrays, and transforming the earth qi environment.

Every year, experts from the Magic Sect bring their disciples to form a group "internship," learning about identifying and cultivating various spirit medicines and how to set up arrays like Gathering Spirit and create different environments.

On the other hand, they also help manage the medicine gardens on the mountain. As a reward, Lin Qingshuang allows the Ancestral Hall to periodically harvest the spirit medicines they need.

In secular terms, Lin Qingshuang is a wealthy single woman without children under her care.

Over the years, it’s not that no one has had ideas about her; some wanted to become her disciple to inherit her so-called mantle, and some who were thick-skinned even tried to pursue her.

Although Lin Qingshuang is in her sixties, her cultivation is successful, and she has techniques to maintain her youth, looking about forty years old and not unattractive. After breaking through Tier Four, she seems even younger.

However, her personality is cold and hard to approach, and she has Elder Ye backing her, so no one dares to use any other means. Therefore, those with ideas about her have never succeeded over the years.

Last year, Lin Qingshuang suddenly changed her disposition and openly accepted two disciples, even inviting peers to witness, so some people’s hearts began to stir, seeking various opportunities to get close to her.

Last weekend, He Kao went with Huang Xiaopang to Qihuang Spirit Garden. While wandering in the herb fields of the mountainside, he chose to sit in meditation for a while by a pond where he had previously spoken with Gu Chun, inadvertently overhearing a conversation.

At that time, a group of disciples from the Observing Body Sect happened to be "interning" at Qihuang Spirit Garden. Lin Qingshuang was showing them around, and one of the disciples was Shao Yongjie.

Shao Yongjie found an opportunity to privately consult her under the pretense of having questions, informing Lin Qingshuang of a rumor he had heard: Recently, a "big shot" from the Magic Sect had quietly left seclusion and secretly went to Qi Yuan, mingling in the marketplace for unknown reasons.

Lin Qingshuang’s disciple, Huang Si, works in Qi Yuan. Shao Yongjie spoke in a friendly and caring tone, asking if Elder Lin knew any inside information.

Listening to him, it seemed he didn’t know the whole story, didn’t even mention Mei Guyu’s name, nor did he bring up the Ancestral Hall’s gag order, but instead hinted if this was related to the Hidden Moth Sect?

Perhaps the rumors Shao Yongjie heard were only like this, or perhaps these were just his words. But from his perspective, Lin Qingshuang has channels in the Ancestral Hall; all she needs to do is ask Wild Phoenix.

Unexpectedly, Lin Qingshuang didn’t respond to his "goodwill" at all; instead, she sternly reprimanded him: If indeed a respected elder traveled in disguise, as a junior disciple, you shouldn’t spread rumors, let alone discuss privately.

If you discover such a person committing any forbidden acts, report it to the Ancestral Hall, but don’t spread baseless gossip. For instance, if the Earth Master monitors the actions of sorcerers worldwide and comes to Qihuang Spirit Garden, can you peep and leak their whereabouts at will?

Lin Qingshuang is a traditional old-school sorcerer, discerning clearly what should and shouldn’t be asked or said. Shao Yongjie tried to cozy up and ended up being embarrassed, only able to sheepishly agree that Elder Lin’s reproach was right.

When Shao Yongjie spoke, he didn’t use the Spiritual Sense Gathering Sound, and given his cultivation, he wouldn’t; when nearby no one, his voice wasn’t loud, thinking no one else could hear, but apparently, he underestimated He Kao’s cultivation.

He Kao wasn’t very close, and was separated by a hill, but still heard it.

The so-called secret, unless every informed person keeps it hidden, or the thing itself is unbelievable or uninteresting, otherwise, once someone leaks it, and someone intentionally spreads it, various true and false stories will start to circulate.

Even someone like Shao Yongjie heard such nonsensical rumors. Considering the extra thousand people in Sesame Apartment, which the Ancestral Hall can’t fully investigate in a short time, only sampling to trace the source is possible.

Now, it seems that they’ve traced a leak source to Xing Rui, a Steward of the Alchemy Sect. This was discovered by He Kao assisting Elder Li using the Dream-Entering Divine Techniques, but the most crucial witness, Liu Haixiu, is missing.

After hearing this conversation, the more He Kao thought about it, the more he felt something was off. Shao Yongjie might be scheming or could be used by others; his goal might be to frame Lin Qingshuang.

If Lin Qingshuang really fell for it and went to inquire about this matter, in outsiders’ eyes, she would become both a stealer and leaker of secrets, possibly causing Elder Ye to be suspect, thoroughly muddying the waters.

Although Lin Qingshuang didn’t fall into the trap, He Kao still didn’t want to let go of this lead regarding Shao Yongjie. Whether he was overthinking, he had to investigate to clarify.

Since manpower was tight on Elder Li’s side, He Kao planned to use his own people, thus minimizing any risk of leaks. Lin Qingshuang had helped him a lot, so he wanted to do something for Elder Lin of his own initiative.

Chang’an Residence’s abilities have been proven through practice and should only be stronger than before.

He Kao repeatedly instructed Chang’an Residence, only to monitor in the shadows, probing any suspicious activities around Shao Yongjie, focusing on whom he associates with and collects related data, without alerting him, prioritizing self-preservation.

This also marks the first collective action of the still-budding Hidden Moth Sect. Ye Liangcheng would watch the house, while Lan Jiwan and Chang’an Residence carried out the mission, with He Kao continuing to stay at the center of the vortex’s eye to oversee the entire situation.

After briefing Chang’an Residence, He Kao placed the Hidden Moth Gauze in an abandoned garden area and used his Primordial Spirit to travel high in the air, watching Lan Jiwan collect it after receiving a notice.

**