I can extract hidden information from everything.

Chapter 21 Inquiry, The World's Pattern

"You're not dead?"

The man in black stood there, stunned, unable to react.

They had thought Xu Yan was dead, but now they saw him standing alive in front of them, and they found it hard to accept the contrast.

Xu Yan put down the woman in yellow and sheathed his sword: "You really want me dead?"

The man in black snapped out of his daze and shook his head, saying, "No, I'm just really surprised. When did Anping County produce such a young expert like you?"

Xu Yan said calmly, "I have something to ask you."

A lot has happened tonight, and Xu Yan kicked the man in black away just now, precisely for the purpose of this question.

The man in black looked puzzled: "What do you want to ask?"

In his eyes, the man in front of him was quite powerful and shrewd, and he couldn't think of anything else that he needed to ask him.

Xu Yan pondered for a moment, then asked, "What are evil spirits, and what are secret martial artists?"

Upon hearing this, the street fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"You're so strong, how come you don't know these things?" The man in black took a step back, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Xu Yan nodded: "If I knew, I wouldn't have asked you."

The man in black suddenly realized: "I understand. You probably came into contact with evil spirits by chance and used their power to become a secret martial artist."

Xu Yan did not answer, but simply looked at him quietly, waiting for him to continue.

The man in black glanced around and lowered his voice, "It's not safe here. Should we move to another place to talk?"

Someone just died at the escort agency, and the constables left not long ago. Staying here any longer would probably be dangerous.

"Okay," Xu Yan agreed.

Without another word, the two chose a direction, took the woman in yellow, and quietly left the street.

……

The man in black stopped when they reached a quiet alley.

He turned around, glanced at Xu Yan with a complicated expression, and did not speak immediately.

It's not that I'm unwilling to speak, but rather that I'm organizing my thoughts.

Xu Yan didn't urge him, and waited quietly.

About half an incense stick later, the man in black slowly spoke.

"So-called evil spirits are born from the resentment of heaven and earth, and are not limited to human form."

"From small plants to large mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, everything can be transformed into evil spirits."

"Secret warriors, on the other hand, are people who awaken special abilities and possess superhuman strength after coming into contact with evil spirits."

"This ability can be taught, which is why there are many secret martial arts practitioners in the world."

"Of course, there are many others like you who awaken on their own."

At this point, the man in black paused briefly.

Xu Yan stroked his chin and asked, "What's the situation with Chief Escort Wu?"

The man in black spoke concisely, but every word he said was useful.

Xu Yan had a general understanding of evil spirits and secret martial artists.

But he was more interested in understanding those who dealt with evil spirits.

"By harnessing the power of evil spirits, one can not only awaken enlightenment but also cultivate oneself."

The man in black smiled wryly, "Ordinary martial arts practitioners rely on their own cultivation, which is both time-consuming and arduous. However, by using evil spirits, the speed of cultivation can be accelerated."

"This applies to both righteous cultivators and heretical sects like the Ascension Sect."

"The difference is that righteous cultivators have upright thoughts, and even if they use evil spirits to cultivate, they know when to stop."

"The evil path is different. They are greedy and seize power without restraint, eventually becoming like Master Wang, neither human nor ghost."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"So evil spirits can be used for cultivation... This applies to both the righteous and the evil paths."

At this point, he finally had a general understanding of the state of the world.

According to the man in black, the Ascension Sect is a heretical sect that indulges in evil and malevolent forces, no wonder their methods are increasingly bizarre.

"Who exactly are you?" the man in black asked.

He had said what he needed to say, but now he felt a little curious about Xu Yan's identity.

Xu Yan countered, "Then who are you?"

The man in black readily removed his veil, revealing a young face.

"Fengzhou, Golden Fist Sect, He Sinan."

Xu Yan narrowed his eyes: "You're just being so frank with me about my identity?"

Xu Yan didn't know what the Golden Fist Sect was, but he guessed it was probably one of the secret martial arts forces that He Sinan had mentioned.

He did know Fengzhou; it was a prefecture-level city, a higher level than a county, with a vast territory and dozens of counties under its jurisdiction.

Places like Anping County are not even considered important in Fengzhou.

He Sinan flicked his sleeve: "You saved me in my time of need, you're definitely not a bad person, what harm is there in telling you?"

"So, what brings you to Anping County?" Xu Yan pressed. "It can't just be about upholding justice, can it?"

He Sinan hesitated, "This is a secret of the Golden Fist Sect, and it's not convenient to reveal it."

Xu Yan placed his hand on the scabbard, asked no more questions, and turned his gaze to the gloves that He Sinan had thrown in the corner.

The gold-threaded gloves were torn in many places and looked like they were ruined.

"You don't want it anymore?" Xu Yan asked.

He Sinan nodded: "It's already broken, there's no point in keeping it, we might as well throw it away."

Xu Yan stepped forward, picked up the gloves, and put them into his pocket.

"What are you doing?" He Sinan frowned, puzzled.

Xu Yan said, "I am a self-awakened martial artist, unlike you powerful forces who are wealthy. There are gold threads on this, which can be taken off and exchanged for some money."

He made up an excuse on the spot.

The real reason is that even if the glove is torn, there may still be some information hidden on it.

If it's free, why not take it?

He Sinan remained silent for a moment.

Xu Yan's words are not uncommon among martial artists who have awakened their innate abilities.

They had only recently awakened and had a limited understanding of many things, so they continued to live according to their past identities.

Some people are even from impoverished families and struggle to even have enough to eat.

It seems that Xu Yan's life is not easy either.

"With your abilities, if you go to Fengzhou, wealth and honor will be within your grasp," He Sinan said.

He knew Xu Yan's skills well; with such abilities, developing in Fengzhou would be far more promising than staying in Anping County.

Xu Yan shook his head: "I prefer Anping County."

Fengzhou is too far away, and the situation is too complicated.

Now that he knows about these miraculous things in the world, Xu Yan prefers to stay in Anping County for the time being.

Even though it's dangerous here, at least he can see the situation clearly.

If one goes to Fengzhou, it will be like a small fish entering the sea, its depths unfathomable.

"By the way, who exactly are you?" He Sinan didn't try to persuade him anymore, after all, it was Xu Yan's own choice.

But then he suddenly remembered that he didn't know Xu Yan's identity.

Xu Yan retorted, "Is my identity that important?"

He Sinan said solemnly, "There are many kinds of evil spirits in the world. Martial arts practitioners should support each other. The more people you get to know, the more strength you will have."

Actually, the reason he revealed his true identity without hesitation just now was not only because he felt that Xu Yan was not a bad person, but also because he wanted to befriend him.

Anyone would want to befriend such a powerful martial artist who is also an innately awakened master.

"Don't easily reveal your information to strangers in the future."

Xu Yan suddenly said.

He Sinan's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague sense of foreboding.

He recalled the scene at the security escort agency, and it felt strangely familiar.

"Could it be... that I lost out again?"