Chapter 27: Seeing Through the Enemy’s Identity

The so-called Soul-Searching Technique was a bizarre spell that controlled the target’s mental consciousness, placing them in a state where their soul had no defenses, thereby causing them to answer whatever they were asked.

Not many people knew this type of spell.

But Xu Saifeng was a Spirit Hunter in his sixties, so it was not strange that he knew some rare and peculiar techniques.

However, the proposal immediately met opposition from the vast majority of people.

“Patrol Hunter Xu, you should also understand the drawbacks of the Soul-Searching Technique. We cannot possibly accept this proposal.”

The Soul-Searching Technique was indeed useful for interrogation.

But its side effects were equally obvious, causing damage to the target’s soul.

Soul damage could be either light or severe.

For martial artists, an injured soul would at most result in diminished intelligence, while their cultivation strength would remain intact.

But for Spirit Hunters, it was different.

Spirit Hunters not only needed vigorous qi and blood, they also had to cultivate yin energy and learn spells.

And the soul was connected to one’s talent for learning spells.

For example, Li Lin was only at the beginning stage.

He had only learned the Yin-Nourishing Heart Scripture and had not yet reached the stage of learning spells.

If his soul were damaged, learning spells in the future would become difficult.

He would only be able to “change professions” and become a martial artist.

Seeing that everyone was opposing him, Xu Saifeng said helplessly,

“But there is obviously a traitor among us. If we don’t find them, none of us will be able to sleep or eat in peace, constantly fearing that we might die at any moment when we turn our backs.”

Everyone fell silent, because Xu Saifeng’s words did make sense.

Xu Saifeng continued,

“This old man’s Soul-Searching Technique has already reached the level of great mastery. As long as I’m careful, it will not harm anyone’s soul.”

Everyone listened quietly.

At that moment, a Spirit Hunter about the same age as Xu Saifeng stepped forward.

“Old Xu, I trust you. Use it on me first.”

“Haha, Old Ji, many thanks.”

Xu Saifeng was delighted to see someone supporting him.

Old Ji walked before Xu Saifeng with a relaxed and natural expression.

“Begin.”

Xu Saifeng raised his right hand.

At the tip of his index finger was a fist-sized ball of black qi, slowly moving toward Old Ji’s forehead.

Li Lin watched curiously.

He wanted to see exactly how spells worked.

But at that moment, he suddenly noticed a line of text appear in the lower right corner of his vision.

[Nether Womb Mystic Reservoir +1]

Li Lin’s eyes widened slightly.

Wait...

Wasn’t Nether Womb Mystic Reservoir the Secret Rite of Wraith Womb Gestation?

How could Xu Saifeng know such an evil technique?

And he was about to use it on someone.

A man, at that!

In that instant, a storm of thoughts erupted in Li Lin’s mind.

In less than a breath’s time, he understood.

Gripping his spear with both hands, he swept it fiercely across the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

At the same time, Li Lin leapt backward and shouted,

“That’s not the Soul-Searching Technique. There’s something wrong with Xu Saifeng!”

Being able to shout that warning was already the utmost benevolence he could offer.

As for how many people survived, that depended on their own fate.

He did not dare remain.

The moment he shouted those words, he became the greatest suspect.

If he stayed, he would suffer the worst outcome.

Because he could not explain why he knew Xu Saifeng had a problem.

If he could not explain it, then he himself would become the problem.

The moment he landed, Li Lin turned and sprinted at full speed.

In an instant, he rushed beyond the formation.

The white jade plaque at his waist erupted with brilliant red light.

The scalp-numbing muttering voices had already appeared beside his ears.

At that moment, he saw a large tree ahead, its crown thick with foliage.

He threw his spear upward.

It pierced into the canopy.

Then, using both hands and feet, he climbed into the crown in less than two breaths, retrieved his spear, and crouched upon a sturdy branch.

At the same time, he draped the Gui-Hiding Cloak over himself.

The red glow on the white jade plaque instantly disappeared.

All these actions together had taken only four breaths.

Within the formation, Xu Saifeng and the others waved their sleeves to disperse the dust.

Only then did they discover that Li Lin had already vanished.

At this moment, everyone stood even farther apart from one another.

Xu Saifeng’s expression was solemn.

“Absurd. This old man absolutely has no intention of harming anyone.”

But no one completely believed him now.

Even Old Ji, who had just volunteered, retreated several more steps.

The atmosphere became exceptionally oppressive.

After a long silence, Xu Saifeng sighed softly.

“I don’t understand. I’ve lived in Yulin County the longest. I’ve worked alongside all of you for many years without any grievances. Why are you willing to believe a youngster who has been in this profession for less than half a year, yet unwilling to believe me?”

The scene was silent.

Bai Bufan looked left and right, then instinctively retreated behind his uncle.

Hearing these words only deepened everyone’s suspicions toward Xu Saifeng.

Bai Liwei said,

“If Patrol Hunter Li were standing here accusing you, we’d all treat his words as nonsense. But when he saw you use that spell, his expression changed drastically, and he immediately fled. Yet he still remembered to warn us. That makes it different.”

Xu Saifeng frowned.

“There’s such a distinction?”

“Besides, Patrol Hunter Li has only been in the profession for half a year.”

Bai Liwei snorted.

“He has no backing and no influence. His conduct is clean. He had never even visited Bobai Town before. There’s no way he could have slaughtered the soldiers of an entire military town. As for you... Patrol Hunter Xu, you know too many things and too many different techniques. You were also the one who chose this location. If you wanted to make arrangements, it would have been far too easy.”

As he spoke, ten Spirit Hunters had already surrounded Xu Saifeng.

“I never expected my plans to be ruined repeatedly by a young brat.”

At this point, Xu Saifeng stopped pretending.

Smiling, he said,

“Otherwise, all of you should already be in the military town by now, reduced to skeletons, rather than standing here barking at me.”

Bai Liwei frowned.

“Why?”

“Don’t worry. I will tell you the reason.”

“But only after I have subdued all of you.”

Bai Liwei was deeply puzzled.

“Patrol Hunter Xu, you’re only one person. We have twelve. How do you expect to win?”

“If I were still an eighth-rank Spirit Hunter, then of course I couldn’t defeat you.”

Xu Saifeng smiled.

“But now I am seventh-rank.”

As he spoke, his clothing fluttered despite the absence of wind.

It seemed as though a current of air was spreading outward from within his body.

Yet Bai Liwei and the others showed no signs of fear.

“Concealing your true rank is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Who doesn’t keep a trump card in reserve these days?”

As he spoke, Bai Liwei and the others continued shrinking the encirclement.

Xu Saifeng smiled smugly.

“Besides, who told you I was alone?”

The expressions of Bai Liwei and the others changed drastically.

At this moment, on the crown of a tree not far from the cave, Li Lin was crouching there, watching a group of black-clothed figures pass below.

At the front was a fat man leisurely fanning himself with a paper fan.

Every one of them had a white jade plaque hanging at their waist, emitting red light.

And walking at the very rear was Old Hou.

Things had become even more troublesome.

Li Lin raised a hand and covered his nose.

He did not allow himself to make the slightest sound.

Not even the sound of breathing.

After a while, the sounds of fighting erupted.

At the same time, several familiar figures rushed out from the formation.

The white jade plaques on their bodies blazed with red light.

Several more people chased after them.

Li Lin waited.

After everyone had gone far away, he jumped down from the tree canopy and began moving forward in a crouch.

Not long afterward, he reached the outskirts of the cave and heard people talking.

“When Patrol Hunter Li returns to the county seat, he’ll certainly report this to the County Magistrate. Once the imperial court sends experts down here, none of you will escape.”

“That brat Li Lin won’t get away.”

Xu Saifeng’s voice carried a smug laugh.

“I still have a Six-Ren Pathfinding Banner. As long as he’s within a hundred li, about 50 km (~31 mi), finding him will be effortless. And once this spell enters the body, it produces yin energy erosion. He’s only a Spirit Hunter who’s been in the profession for half a year. Naturally, he won’t be able to withstand it. In less than the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, the yin energy will invade his heart, his blood will turn cold throughout his body, and he’ll die. Hahaha!”