In the world of martial arts, I can invest in countless realms.

Chapter 67 You're talking nonsense

"That should be about right!"

For several days in a row, Shen Che ran hundreds of miles, passing through several cities but not entering them.

He didn't know if it was because he felt guilty, but he always felt like someone was watching him from behind.

To this end, he even changed his clothes and horse, and then used disguise techniques to give himself a minor makeover before continuing his journey.

It was really hard to get that manual; I haven't had a proper rest for days.

It's a pity that I haven't had a chance to properly experience the local customs and culture of Fengzhou, or the kind and understanding girls there, before I have to leave this wonderful place.

The Illusionary Heart Sect is, after all, a top-tier sect. Although I am not afraid, it would be very troublesome if someone came knocking on my door.

Fengzhou is, after all, their territory. If they call on their friends and allies to attack, our small size will be worn down and killed.

Although the chances of him being exposed are slim, just in case, hopefully that junior sister can hold out for a few more days and not be caught so soon.

Once he's traveled thousands of miles to another state, even if the Illusionary Heart Sect wanted to find him, they wouldn't be able to. Even if they did find him, he wouldn't be afraid.

There are so many people who look alike these days. What makes you think it's me? Show me your evidence and you win.

If you try to cause trouble, I know a little bit of martial arts and I can make sure you get a piece of my hands!

"Selling oneself into servitude to bury one's father? This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing!"

At noon, Shen Che was passing through a small county town, intending to rest and replenish his supplies. However, he saw a woman dressed in mourning clothes kneeling on the street in the bustling city.

To be honest, this woman was quite attractive, definitely a girl from a modest family. Passersby couldn't help but take a second look.

Several people were surrounding her, pointing and whispering about her.

Although it's unclear how long the other person had been kneeling, judging from their pale face and trembling body, it must have been quite some time.

One or two scholars were clearly tempted, but in the end they just shook their heads and left.

The woman just knelt there, head down, neither speaking nor trying to act pitiful.

They just waited quietly for themselves to be bought, like a stone or wooden sculpture, their eyes completely devoid of any spirit.

However, the plot of selling oneself to bury one's father is not easy to pull off. Although the other party is slender and beautiful, it still makes people hesitate.

It would be absolutely impossible for someone with the money to marry such a woman as his principal wife.

However, if a contract of servitude is signed, and the person is directly taken as a concubine or bought to be a maid, it is easy for people to perceive it as coercion. The person who bestows the favor will be criticized, and may even have their reputation tarnished.

If only money is given without any follow-up, the woman will be left destitute after burying her father. Being deceived is a minor issue; being targeted and ultimately forced into prostitution is a major problem. Acts of kindness are more likely to attract disaster.

At that point, good intentions might backfire, and if an enemy or sworn foe were to throw dirty water on you, things would be even more troublesome.

Therefore, helping others is not an easy task. Some people are attracted to good looks, but if they spend money and end up pleasing neither side, many will think twice.

As for those with ulterior motives, the best option for them is to not pay and take the person away; that would be the optimal choice.

Moreover, the woman's asking price was probably not low; otherwise, she would have gone directly to a brokerage firm to sell herself instead of kneeling here to sell herself to bury her father.

Going to a brokerage firm for a transaction—cash on delivery, person exchange—is so much more straightforward!

In the eyes of some people with many opinions, this woman might be thinking that she was just looking to get something for nothing.

After leading his horse and looking around in the crowd for a while, Shen Che found a local charity, explained the situation, and gave the charity the money he had.

Then, after quietly watching the local charity bury the woman's father and properly take care of the woman, he turned and left.

Money doesn't pass through your hands, and trouble doesn't get to you.

"Brother, your kindness is truly admirable!"

Just as Shen Che bought some food and was about to leave, a voice suddenly came from the side.

Turning his head, he saw a tall, upright figure in his thirties sitting in the lobby of the restaurant, looking at him with admiration.

"It's him?" Shen Che recognized the man; he was the expert he had met at the tea stall a few days ago.

When Shen Che looked over again, the other party still maintained a restrained aura, as if he were an ordinary person who did not know martial arts.

"To not take advantage of someone's misfortune to tarnish their reputation, and to do good without expecting anything in return—this is what makes a true gentleman!"

"If you don't mind, would you like to share a drink with me?"

"No need!" Shaking his head, Shen Che politely declined the invitation and then left.

Associating with such an expert at this time often means trouble, and avoiding trouble is his top priority right now.

Once out of the city, we continued our journey, hoping to find a small town to settle down in.

In the sweltering summer heat, the sun beats down relentlessly, and the stuffy air is incredibly irritating.

Riding a horse along the pipeline, Shen Che suddenly pulled on the reins and stopped when they passed a corner.

"A tripwire!" Looking up at the distance, Shen Che scanned his surroundings and sensed only one figure hiding there.

The slender, petite figure seemed to perfectly overlap with the figure who had secretly slipped the secret manual under his bed in the inn.

"Illusory Heart Sect's junior sister, is she all alone?" Looking towards where the woman was hiding, Shen Che dismounted and slowly walked up.

Seemingly realizing she had been discovered, the girl simply emerged from the bushes, her movements as light and graceful as a fledgling swallow.

Her small, delicate face was exquisite, with fair skin and bright eyes. A few strands of hair clung to her sweaty forehead, and her body was covered in mud, making her look somewhat disheveled.

At this moment, the other person was looking at Shen Che with longing eyes, a hint of stubbornness on her lips. This did not make her seem threatening at all, but rather made her appear somewhat charming.

Rumors say this girl is sixteen or seventeen years old, but she looks at most twelve or thirteen, maybe even younger; she's practically a little girl.

This made him too embarrassed to use force; if he applied even a little pressure, the girl would burst into tears.

Upon seeing him, the girl immediately assumed an attack stance, and several hidden weapons glowing with blue light appeared in her hand.

Shen Che sensed that the other party was dangerous in several places, not just in the hand.

Clearly, the moment he moves, not only will the hidden weapons in his hand be aimed at him, but the hidden weapons on his body will also be triggered.

"Give me back my secret manual!"

"What secret technique? Little girl, are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else?"

When confronted with questions, Shen Che remained calm and composed, determined to deny everything to the death.

As for the hidden weapons on the other party, he pretended not to see them. They were just children's toys; what was there to be afraid of?

"I'm talking about the secret manual of my Illusionary Heart Sect. I clearly hid it under your bed in the inn room, but it was gone when I went back the next day. Where did you hide it?"

"Your Illusionary Heart Sect's secret manual? You're Luo Xichan, the junior sister of the Illusionary Heart Sect?"

When the name was called out, the other person visibly flinched, but still tried to remain calm, glaring at him fiercely.

"How dare you slander me, little girl? Just because you hid it under my bed doesn't mean I took it! What about the innkeeper, the servants, and the others? Couldn't they have taken it too?"

"Besides, who knows if you're just making baseless accusations."

"What? You stole the secret manual of your Illusion Heart Sect, and now you're being chased to the point of desperation by their disciples, and you're trying to shift the blame onto me, an innocent bystander, to divert the sect's attention?"

"A young girl shouldn't have such malicious thoughts!"

"You, I didn't, I'm not!"

"You didn't? You ran off with a man, made Master sick with anger, and if you're capable of that, what else wouldn't you do?"

Seeing that the little girl's eyes were almost filled with tears, Shen Che did not stop at all. Instead, he scanned the surroundings, as if looking for someone.

"Just you alone? Didn't you elope with a man? Where is he?"

"You, you're talking nonsense! Who eloped with a man!"