Chapter 117: The Strange Old Man

"Stop feeding me this flattery. You know the old man doesn't buy that. I took on this task at the request of Master Shen to oversee these armaments; it is all for the sake of the Bright Moon Manor. As long as you lad truly have the skills and do not delay Master Shen's business, you won't need me to say a word—your rewards will naturally follow. Otherwise..." As he spoke, a violent fit of coughing erupted from the darkness, cutting him off. The words remained unspoken, but Han Tanyi understood the implication perfectly. It was for this very reason that he felt this eccentric old man was not easy to deal with. Shen Wansan was the second eldest, yet the world called him Manor Master. Calling him "Shen the Second" was no light matter; judging by his tone, he likely had some connection to the previous master of the Shen family. This alone was enough to make the young man exercise extra caution.

Stung by this question, Qi Laosan, who had previously been somewhat confident, suddenly grew hesitant. Clearly, this was a matter he felt uncertain about. Though he did not know what punishment had been threatened before, the fear in his heart was impossible to conceal. His gaze shifted involuntarily toward Han Tanyi and Shui Linglong, as if hoping to draw some confidence from them, though that was clearly no easy task.

"Whether I have the ability or not is no concern of yours, old man," Han Tanyi interjected before Qi Laosan could speak, his tone brimming with arrogance. He made no move to stay, turning as if to walk away. At that exact moment, a powerful gust of wind whipped past him, causing his robes to flutter. The door nearby, which had been standing open, slammed shut with a loud creak. The already dim surroundings grew even more oppressive, matching the heavy atmosphere.

The silence that descended was absolute, like a desolate wilderness devoid of human life. The only difference was that while a wilderness has wind, this place had people. The air grew thick and stifling, pressing down on everyone present. Although Han Tanyi did not turn back, he was inwardly shocked. Only now did he truly understand why the Bright Moon Manor was the premier sect of the Central Plains martial arts world. It was not just because of the figurehead, Shen Wansan; it was these unknown, dark presences deep within the magnificent, towering estate that were the true pillars supporting the entire edifice.

"Old man, your cultivation is formidable. For an ordinary person, shaking a doorframe from a distance of ten feet would be no easy feat, yet you managed to slam it shut. For that alone, I, the Madman, truly admire you. But there is one thing you might not have grasped." Despite his words, his posture remained unchanged, as did his tone. To say he was not shaken would be a lie, but Han Tanyi was a stubborn man who would not easily bow to anyone. Besides, having already walked the path between life and death, there was little left for him to fear. The old man continued to cough; he appeared frail, and his advanced age was evident. Even if it came to a fight, Han Tanyi did not believe he would lose—especially with Shui Linglong by his side. The young man had no gauge for her true level of martial arts, but he was certain she was inferior to none, and even if Shen Wansan himself were here, he might not be able to hold her.

"Oh? Then do tell me, what have I failed to grasp?" Han Tanyi remained calm, and the old man appeared even calmer. Having spent so many years rolling in the dirt of the jianghu, they were all experts at masking their true selves. In this environment, even if they were mortal enemies, they could likely chat and drink like old friends right up until the moment they struck. The more composed the old man was, the more Han Tanyi realized he was not to be trifled with. He instinctively channeled his internal energy, ready to strike at any moment, yet a faint smile touched his lips: "The Bright Moon Manor is the top sect of the Central Plains; surely you wouldn't resort to forced sales? That would be beneath your dignity and beneath your reputation."

"Is that truly what you believe, which is why you are so fearless?" The old man suddenly emerged from the darkness. His face was not particularly terrifying; perhaps due to his age, his wrinkles masked any sign of anger, or perhaps he truly felt none. Yet, one thing was certain: when a person’s inner state shifts, the body inevitably betrays it. His hands were trembling uncontrollably—not from the tremors of age, but from the gathering of internal energy, a sign he was preparing to strike.

"Every lush, towering tree, no matter how magnificent its surface, likely has roots buried in the dark and ugly earth. Old man, am I wrong?" Shui Linglong, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. If the old man was unconcerned by Han Tanyi's posturing, this quiet, composed girl was his greatest source of wariness. She was no ordinary person, for no one else could remain so unruffled in such an environment. What was more terrifying was that he had tentatively probed her with his energy, and she had shown no reaction at all. This left only two possibilities: either she possessed no martial arts or energy, or her cultivation was so unfathomable that she felt no need to respond. The old man preferred the latter, though he found it hard to believe given her youth—unless, of course, she was that one person, but she had died twenty years ago.

"Good, good, good!" The old man repeated the word three times, each intonation heavier than the last, rolling over them like waves. Han Tanyi felt his own energy react to these ripples; he felt like a small boat, forced to use his own strength just to stay stable. Clearly, the old man was testing them again. "I see you not only have skills, but your martial arts are truly remarkable. Yet you choose to be so low-key. I admire that. Unlike Qi Laosan here, who thinks himself quite skilled, but look at his pale face—he looks even bloodier than an old man like me. And then look at this young lady, who remains as calm as if nothing is happening. Such ability is truly worth admiring!"

Indeed, Qi Laosan was suffering. Though his martial arts were decent, they were far inferior to those present. Under the pressure of the old man's energy, his meridians were straining. He dared not refute the old man, nor did he have the breath to do so, left only to gasp for air.

"You overestimate us, old man. My brother has practiced for a few years, just enough to get by, but it’s nothing compared to his sword-casting skills. As for me, I have no martial arts or special talents; I merely accompany my brother to the Central Plains to earn some pocket money and enjoy the sights. I hope you will not laugh at us." This explanation seemed to satisfy the old man. Though a shadow of doubt remained, he relaxed slightly. It was, after all, more plausible that she had no martial arts. He retreated back into the shadows: "Then it was my mistake. Being entrusted with this task, I must be careful. I hope you two will take no offense. You mentioned you are not from the Central Plains; where do you hail from, and is your sword-casting truly as formidable as claimed?"