Su Heng's time practicing martial arts hadn't been long, but during this period, he had offended quite a few people.
The Sky Demon Alliance was a possibility, as were the noble families.
There was also the mysterious demonic encounter that he hadn't detected at the time.
However, this demon's methods were bizarre rather than truly threatening. Su Heng furrowed his brows in thought for a long while, yet he couldn't pinpoint any concrete ideas.
He decided to set it aside for the time being.
The night was deep, but the moon was already about to set.
There wasn't much time left until dawn.
Su Heng didn't plan to sleep and simply sat down cross-legged, silently reciting the incantations of the Taotie Technique to accelerate the digestion of the food in his stomach.
His speed of acquiring attribute points was not slow now.
But there were also many areas needing expenditure. His cultivation technique's level needed to be raised, and he needed to find time to study the demon carcasses as well.
Special cultivation techniques like the Taotie Technique also required a large number of attribute points.
Each of these expenses was not small when considered individually.
Together, they made Su Heng feel the pressure.
Although his strength was already formidable, he never became complacent.
Time flew by.
The sun rose, and the moon set.
The golden sunlight swept over Canglong Mountain and sprinkled on the misty river surface, where one could vaguely see the massive silhouette of the Red Building.
Click!
Su Heng stretched leisurely, slowly standing up from the cushion, moving his limbs a bit.
"Let's go outside for a walk," Su Heng said, having spent two days and nights in continuous meditation and staying inside, he felt a bit stifled.
The scenery at Jiangyue Pavilion was worthwhile to see.
Besides, he could gather some news.
The annihilation of the Luo Family, one of the seven demon-sealing noble families, was sure to cause ripples.
Su Heng also wanted to hear what kind of rumors were circulating outside.
He pushed open the door and followed the cobblestone path through the courtyard. Just as he reached the outside pathway, he heard a somewhat breathless voice from behind.
"Master Su,"
Su Heng turned around to see Chen Murong jogging towards him.
"How have you been lately?" Su Heng greeted with a smile.
"Not particularly well..." Chen Murong stuck out his tongue and then started laughing, "Thanks for taking me home that day, Master Su."
The two walked together, Su Heng leading while Chen Murong slightly lagged behind. The two were initially silent, then Chen Murong took the initiative to start a conversation.
"Do you remember that young master from the Luo Family we encountered at the Red Building, Luo Tong?" Chen Murong asked softly.
"Yes, I remember," Su Heng said, "What happened?"
"You really don't know?" Chen Murong seemed a bit surprised, "This matter has spread throughout the entire Baihua County in these two days."
"I really don't know, what is it?" Su Heng stopped walking, a look of innocence on his face.
"You really are..." Chen Murong also stopped, pursing her lips and smiling, with two dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth.
"The Luo Family was annihilated, they say it was the work of a demon," Chen Murong said.
"What!?" Su Heng's eyes widened, his voice rising by three whole octaves.
Seeing Su Heng's reaction, Chen Murong did not continue but her face showed more amusement.
"Master Su,"
Seeing the shocked expression on Su Heng's face, Chen Murong could hardly keep a straight face.
"Check your sleeve," Chen Murong whispered.
"My sleeve, what about it?" Su Heng knitted his brows deeply, lifting his hand and checking the edges of his sleeves thoroughly.
His face suddenly darkened.
He noticed that at the hem of the long sleeves, there were five dragon and phoenix dancing characters embroidered with unassuming gold thread — "Elder Luo Maocang."
Seeing Su Heng's expression, Chen Murong covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"This tailor shop actually sold me second-hand goods for the price of new ones," Su Heng said, finding an excuse for himself with a serious face. "See if I don't teach them a lesson."
With a "rip" sound,
He tore off his cuff and casually stuffed it into his chest pocket.
"Thanks to Miss Chen for the reminder, or else it might have easily brought trouble upon myself," Su Heng expressed his gratitude.
"It's nothing," Chen Murong replied, lowering her hand but still wearing a slight smile, "My family is in the fabric and garment business. I've been learning about these things from a young age, so I'm naturally more sensitive than most."
"Who knows, the tailor shop Mr. Su mentioned might just belong to my family," Chen Murong teased playfully, "In that case, I must ask Mr. Su to be more patient."
"Of course," Su Heng replied earnestly.
"Miss Chen, you seem to be looking a bit pale. Did you not sleep well last night?" Su Heng asked.
He was not changing the subject on purpose, but rather, Chen Murong's dark circles and lethargic appearance were plainly visible.
That was still with makeup on.
If it were without makeup, her spirit might have seemed even worse.
"Ah," Chen Murong was slightly surprised, "Mr. Su could tell?"
"These past few days, I have not been sleeping well. At night, I even have nightmares about a figure in red. When I wake up in the morning, my body is all sweaty and it feels awful," she explained.
This issue seemed to have deeply troubled Chen Murong.
At that moment, she poured it all out.
Chen Murong's cheeks flushed slightly, feeling that these things were somewhat private.
"Have you seen a doctor?" Su Heng asked.
"I have," Chen Murong replied, "The doctor prescribed some calming and spirit-nourishing remedies, but they haven't worked. Even during the day, I feel disoriented, as if I am sleepwalking."
"Is that so..."
First, Su Heng frowned and his gaze lingered on Chen Murong.
Then he suddenly squatted down, his serious face coming into Chen Murong's view, which slightly startled her.
"I have learned some massage techniques, which might be effective," Su Heng said, "If Miss Chen doesn't mind, I can give it a try."
"Sure," Chen Murong agreed without a second thought.
"Should we go back to your room?"
"No need," Su Heng squinted his eyes, "It'll be quick right here."
Before Chen Murong could respond, she saw Su Heng suddenly make a move forward, followed by a sharp pain in her neck with a "hiss" sound.
Along with a sharp scream.
The sound was not loud, but it was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Chen Murong instinctively reached for her shoulder, feeling only smooth skin, nothing unusual.
"Do you feel better now?" Su Heng rose to his feet, smiling gently.
"Actually, I feel much better all of a sudden," Chen Murong blinked, her expression a bit shocked. It wasn't just better, it was unbelievably better.
"It feels as if a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders," Chen Murong bounced on the spot, "How did you do that?"
"Family technique," Su Heng did not elaborate.
He looked down, his fingers pinching a small clump of black hair.
The hair wriggled in Su Heng's hand like an earthworm, one end stained with a bit of dark red blood.
"Hiss!"
The Red Sun Black Curse energy gulped and instantly evaporated the hair.
"When did you start feeling uncomfortable?" Su Heng already had an idea, but still wanted further confirmation.
"About two days ago," Chen Murong said, "It must have been since returning from the Red Chamber! At first, I thought I had just drunk too much and a good sleep would fix it. But as time passed, the disoriented feeling grew more obvious."
"Exactly!" Su Heng smiled.
But Chen Murong felt there was something ominously dangerous about that smile, making her shiver involuntarily.