Chapter Eighty: The Realm Beyond Martial Arts

Wu You had already changed out of his scholar’s robe, donning a deep blue long gown embroidered with the Taiji symbol. With Qiongqi’s phantom movement, his approach from a distance appeared utterly mystical.

“What kind of movement technique is that?” one of the guard warriors asked his equally astonished companion, watching the figure in the distance grow steadily closer.

“If you’re asking me, who am I supposed to ask?” the other replied.

Though this world had no formal study of movement principles, they could sense that these actions defied common logic.

One of the older warriors furrowed his brow in thought. “This seems…”

“Seems what, Uncle Jiu? Don’t keep us guessing,” another urged.

Uncle Jiu recalled, “When I was young, I loved listening to Third Master’s stories. Though I grew up and realized many tales were just fantasy, what I’m seeing now reminds me of one such story.”

“Come on, Uncle Jiu, stop dragging it out—he’s almost here!”

“Well, all right. I’ll be blunt: he might not even be using a movement technique at all... It could be the legendary ‘shrinking the earth into inches!’”

The warriors exchanged bewildered glances. Shrinking the earth into inches? Never heard of it.

Seeing their confusion, Uncle Jiu knew they didn’t understand, but he couldn’t be bothered to explain. That was, after all, a fabricated tale concocted by the three main Daoist sects to fool the masses years ago. It never caught on, and few even told it nowadays.

Besides, the figure was almost upon them.

While the guards chatted, Wu You had already closed the distance, moving from a faint silhouette at the edge of sight to standing close by. His speed rivaled that of top masters.

Not daring to neglect their duty, as the first welcoming gate of the Liu clan’s outer circle, they hurried forward to greet him. Yet immediately, their bodies froze.

…

Wu You had utilized the phantom movement from the moment he approached the Liu estate’s perimeter—a regular method of travel for Qiongqi, hardly taxing his spirit. He could have chosen to run, which wouldn’t have been any slower, but that would diminish the visual impact.

He’d already researched the Liu family’s customs: those with ability were treated with respect, while the mediocre or unimpressive were dismissed. Now, he needed to present himself as a true master—something extraordinary.

As he drew near and saw the guards coming forward, Wu You knew he’d garnered the attention he desired. He smiled naturally and casually at them.

Seemingly by accident, a strong aura of wickedness radiated from him, causing the warriors to experience an instant hallucination.

The visitor’s face appeared to elongate, revealing sharp fangs in a twisted grin; his eyes arched with a demonic, inhuman curve. But in the next moment, the vision vanished, and he was once again the elegant middle-aged wanderer, still exuding a hint of sinister air.

Wu You regarded the momentarily speechless guards and said calmly, “Gentlemen, I’d trouble you to inform the Liu family’s patriarch that the hermit wanderer known as the Wicked Daoist seeks an audience.”

Only upon hearing his voice did the guards snap out of their daze, their gazes slightly evasive. Uncle Jiu hurriedly bowed, replying, “We are the Liu family’s warrior guards. Please follow me to the guest hall to await the Patriarch; we’ll report at once.”

With a gesture, two guards immediately split off to deliver the message.

Ordinarily, not just anyone could meet the Patriarch, but this Wicked Daoist was so extraordinary that he was clearly not someone to dismiss. Reporting to the Patriarch was the safest course.

…

In the rear courtyard of the main family hall, Liu Xianyuan sat with a frown as his subordinates reported.

“He’s really as unusual as you say?”

“Patriarch, I would never exaggerate. What I saw I thought was merely an illusion, but Wang Xi witnessed the same thing.”

Liu Xianyuan turned to Wang Xi.

Wang Xi bowed and replied, “Patriarch, it’s absolutely true. Moreover…”

“Moreover what?”

“Moreover, Uncle Jiu believes the man may be using an unknown movement technique called ‘shrinking the earth into inches.’”

Liu Xianyuan was astonished. Shrinking the earth into inches? Impossible. That was a trick concocted by the Celestial Azure Sect, based on ancient legends, to lure promising talents into their sphere—its effects were negligible.

No matter, even if Uncle Jiu’s eyes deceived him, this was no ordinary master. They needed more hands now anyway; he should meet him.

Furthermore…

Liu Xianyuan narrowed his eyes. If the Celestial Azure Sect’s stories weren’t entirely fabricated, then this Wicked Daoist might be a turning point.

…

Wu You waited in the guest hall, observing the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, untouched tea and pastries on the table. He couldn’t grasp the artistic meaning, but he made sure to appear the part of a cultured gentleman.

Liu Xianyuan didn’t come alone; several family elders accompanied him, and the guest hall was discreetly surrounded by hidden family experts.

As all this unfolded, Wu You sensed from the emotional desires radiating around him that something was amiss.

He pondered silently: The Liu family certainly plays by their own rules. I didn’t force my way in—was this really necessary?

He wasn’t worried about his safety; at worst, he could simply “vanish” before their eyes. Once he’d “grown stronger,” he could return with a higher being for revenge.

But being driven to flee to Myriad Beasts Mountain the moment he arrived was irritating. He should at least figure out the situation first.

At the door, the hall guards greeted the Patriarch with a ceremonious welcome.

…

Liu Xianyuan entered the guest hall and immediately spotted Wu You, dressed in near-Daoist attire yet distinctly different. Standing before the calligraphy, the Wicked Daoist radiated a bizarre aura, almost tangible in its wickedness, yet upon closer inspection, it seemed merely an illusion.

Liu Xianyuan grew even more cautious.

“Master Daoist, have you come to the Liu family for the blood flood dragon?”

Wu You slowly turned, revealing his weathered, elegant features. “Patriarch Liu, this is hardly a proper way to receive a guest.”

The word “way” had barely left his lips when Wu You moved with spectral speed, trailing wisps of black smoke. In the blink of an eye, five versions of him appeared in the hall, from the calligraphy to right in front of Liu Xianyuan.

The farthest still stood by the paintings; the nearest was within arm's reach of Liu Xianyuan.

As Wu You finished his sentence, the four extra Wicked Daoists behind him gradually faded away, dissolving into black threads.

This scene left Liu Xianyuan and the two elders behind him utterly shocked.

The greed in their hearts diminished sharply, replaced by a longing desire.

Wu You sensed this shift instantly.

Ah, so that’s how it is.

“Patriarch Liu, you’d best dismiss those waiting outside. Martial arts are useless against me.”

Wu You’s current thought was: If I’m going to impress, I must do it big. If I show weakness, I might end up embarrassed and ruin my plans!

Liu Xianyuan was both startled and excited, mixed with suspicion.

The Wicked Daoist’s words contained much information.

Martial arts useless against him? Was there truly a path beyond martial arts? What realm lay above martial arts?

Now, he dared not act tough; whether true or not, force was no longer wise.

He bowed slightly and replied, “Master Daoist, you misunderstand. Hearing my men’s strange report, I feared a villain had arrived and prepared a few defenses. Now that I’ve seen such a marvel, how could I risk making myself a laughingstock?”

Liu Xianyuan clapped twice.

Wu You sensed that all the guards outside had indeed withdrawn.