Chapter 27: Smoke and Mirrors

The next day, Jiang Heng set out to find Han Jie with her lingering questions.

Transmission talismans were a bit too expensive for her current means, and since the questions she needed to ask would likely require several exchanges, a single talisman would certainly not suffice. It was better not to waste resources; she would simply visit him in person.

In her previous life, she had spent all her time chasing after those wretched scoundrels and failed to achieve a Golden Core before her death. Naturally, she had never qualified for high-level sect missions and was ignorant of their nuances. Eradicating demonic cultivators was no trivial matter; she had to be fully prepared.

Her peers at the Medicine Hall were quite friendly. Upon hearing that she was looking for Han Jie, one of them immediately offered to show her the way.

"Follow me, Senior Sister Jiang. Senior Brother Han’s cave abode is in a rather remote location, and he has placed many concealment spells around it. Most people who go there for the first time end up wandering in circles, unable to find it."

Jiang Heng thanked the junior sister.

As it turned out, the junior sister was right. Han Jie’s cave was hidden in an unassuming valley, overgrown with vines and shrubs. Without using spells to clear away the misty illusions, one would never guess that a dwelling existed there.

After the junior sister bid her farewell and left, Jiang Heng stood near the entrance for a moment before tentatively calling out for Senior Brother Han.

After a long while, Han Jie finally emerged, looking somewhat surprised. "What brings you to my side?"

"I have some questions about the mission I'd like to ask you, Senior Brother," Jiang Heng said. "Is this a convenient time? If so, I can ask here; if not, I shall return another day."

"Of course it is convenient," Han Jie replied. "Why are you standing at the entrance? My cave is not a den of dragons or a pit of tigers. Come in and sit."

Jiang Heng had originally assumed that Han Jie disliked being disturbed, given how well he had hidden his cave, and she hadn't intended to enter. But seeing his sincere, non-perfunctory invitation, she agreed.

As she stepped into the cave, Jiang Heng was so shocked that her eyes widened. The inside and outside of the cave were two entirely different worlds! From the outside, it looked like a simple, dilapidated dwelling, as sparse and barren as her own. But once inside, she discovered that Han Jie had used spatial laws and powerful illusions. The interior was not only surprisingly spacious but also incredibly luxurious—calling it a fairyland would not be an exaggeration.

There were azure skies and white clouds conjured by illusions, white cranes and immortal deer wandering on the grass, exquisite pavilions, and waterfalls and rock formations that seemed carved by divine hands.

Han Jie led Jiang Heng to a pavilion in the garden to sit. The area was lush with flowers and trees, overflowing with vibrant colors and intoxicating fragrances. Jiang Heng felt quite dazed.

It wasn't until a cup of steaming, fragrant tea was placed before her that she managed to collect her thoughts, accepting the tea with a restless heart.

"Senior Brother Han, your cave is truly... breathtaking."

Han Jie smiled. "They are merely crude parlor tricks. Come to think of it, you are the first person to ever step inside my cave."

Jiang Heng was surprised. "No one else has ever been here besides me?"

"That is correct," Han Jie said.

Although he appeared easygoing, he actually maintained a subtle distance from everyone, only making a slight exception for Jiang Heng. The others at the Medicine Hall were people who understood boundaries; since he never invited them, no one would proactively ask to come in and sit. Even Uncle-Master Ji, his nominal teacher, did not know much about him, with most of his knowledge remaining superficial.

After discussing the cave for a while, Jiang Heng finally brought up the main topic.

"Senior Brother, regarding these sect-mandated bounty missions, to whom do the spoils from eradicating demonic cultivators belong?"

Han Jie explained, "It depends on whether the mission details specifically mention certain items. If they don't, you are free to keep them yourself. This mission only asks us to kill the demonic cultivators, so the spoils belong to whoever collects them."

He added with a smile, "Of course, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Even if something is mentioned, if you like it and have the capability to keep it quiet, you can keep it for yourself."

Jiang Heng looked at Han Jie in astonishment.

In all her time at the Wanling Sect, this was the first time someone had taught her how to feign compliance while acting against orders. Whether it was her master or her senior brothers, they had always taught her the established conventions of the cultivation world and the rules of the sect; they had never taught her to be so "flexible."

Senior Brother Han always seemed like an ordinary person blending into the crowd, yet he possessed such a magnificent cave and could speak so casually about violating sect laws. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.

Watching her startled expression, Han Jie laughed. "I heard that the people in your sect used to dote on you as well, protecting you so thoroughly that not a drop of water could pass through."

Jiang Heng’s expression darkened slightly. "That was in the past. It is all behind me now; we are like strangers."

"It has only been a few years since you fell out," Han Jie said. "No wonder you are still so naive. The cultivation world is a place where the strong prey on the weak, and the human heart is dark and unfathomable. Even the so-called righteous sects are full of unspeakable secrets. If you are too honest, you will be the one who suffers."

Jiang Heng gave a self-deprecating smile. "I have already learned that lesson."

She had once been too honest, believing that the bonds of her sect would never change, and that as long as she offered her sincerity, she would receive it in return. But who would have thought that those she held dearest—the pride of the heavens—could not escape the baser instincts of humanity? She had laid her heart bare for them, only for them to discard it like refuse; when she finally resolved to leave, they became tangled in her life, refusing to let go.

After clarifying the questions she had, Jiang Heng rose to take her leave.

Han Jie asked her to wait, saying he had something for her. He vanished for a moment, and when he reappeared, he was holding a slender, precious sword.

"This mission to eradicate the demonic cultivators is fraught with danger. Since I was the one who asked for your help, I must take responsibility for my junior."

"I noticed earlier that you seem to lack a decent offensive magical tool. I have no use for this spirit sword anymore; consider it yours."

Jiang Heng did not reach for it, but looked straight at Han Jie. "Senior Brother Han, do you... possess some kind of technique or artifact that allows you to hear people's thoughts?"

Why was it that every time she needed something, he would proactively offer it before she even had to ask?

Han Jie chuckled. "It is not that I can hear your thoughts, but simply that I am observant. Take it; there is no need to be formal with me. This really means nothing to me."

Jiang Heng bit her lip, took the sword, and thanked him earnestly.

Uncle-Master Ji had mentioned before that Han Jie had many fine things. Thinking of his usual generosity and the fairyland-like cave before her, it was clear that Uncle-Master Ji had not been exaggerating. Senior Brother Han was truly a modest man; if it were any other flamboyant or frivolous cultivator, they would have shown off such wealth and prestige everywhere.

Never mind, she already owed him so many favors that one more hardly mattered. Eradicating the demonic cultivators was no child's play; increasing her own chances of success would also be beneficial to Senior Brother Han.

She was currently short on funds, but once her strength improved, her supply of spirit stones would naturally become more abundant. She would repay him properly then.