Hidden Moth-Chapter 568 - 325: A Sliver of Dawn, No Way Back (2)

Chapter 568: Chapter 325: A Sliver of Dawn, No Way Back (2)

As a Tier Four Scholar, especially when in the Yin Spirit state, he’s extraordinarily sensitive to various peeking. When He Kao "looks" at him, he also senses it, turning his head towards the direction of the Shadow Mirror’s observed angle.

That was merely the perspective locked in by the mirror reflection, and the Shadow Mirror was not in that position at the moment, so Erji didn’t notice anything, but he vanished alertly—his consciousness instantly returned to his body.

The place where he hid was on the slope of Bai Ma Mountain outside the amusement park, within the crown of a large tree. This location is approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the target, precisely within the range his Divine Sense could reach.

Erji had just opened his eyes and found himself locked on, a pervasive feeling from all directions; it should be some kind of array. He looked up suddenly, and not far away, on a tree branch, stood a person!

...

He Kao was very familiar with the divine techniques of the Hidden Moth Sect, and upon seeing that phantom, he put away the mirror and took out the chessboard to activate the Array of Ten Thousand Woods Rejuvenation.

The current Array of Ten Thousand Woods Rejuvenation had no attack capability, but this array laid down by Gu Chun could cover an area with the Jade Phoenix Tree as its center within a radius of tens of miles.

He Kao could use the grand array to probe various life energy within this range, including the residents of the Pugang Town area, birds, beasts, plants... so complex it was difficult to distinguish.

But He Kao didn’t need to discern all of them; he only needed to pay attention to specific energies, such as human energy.

There were virtually no people around the abandoned amusement park, yet outside of it, in Bai Ma Mountain, a person hid in a large tree, as conspicuous as a bright light in the dark.

Erji’s use of Hidden Moth Sect’s methods in front of He Kao somewhat had the meaning of showing off one’s skills before an expert, not to mention that He Kao had plenty of magical treasures at hand, and this was his home ground.

He Kao randomly activated the Invisibility Ability and appeared on the branch diagonally above the person...

Erji’s consciousness returned to his body, and upon opening his eyes, the mysterious person he saw was not He Kao’s form, but Feng Zilong’s appearance. This was He Kao’s habitual disguise as Hidden Moth.

Erji asked, "Who are you?" His voice was slightly hoarse, and as he spoke, he vaguely knew the identity of the other party and realized he couldn’t escape.

He Kao’s answer was direct enough to surprise Erji: "I am the Hidden Moth, the one you are looking for, also the current Sect Leader of the Hidden Moth Sect.

I detected someone had cultivated the Hidden E Technique to breakthrough to High-tier, capable of sensing the Grotto Heaven Summon, so I specially displayed the Grotto Heaven Gate to lead you here. You may choose to return to the sect and receive Secondary Inheritance.

But before that, you need to truthfully explain the origin and procedures of your technique practice. If your past actions involve prohibited deeds, it will be handled according to sect rules... Did you understand, Zhang Yanfei?"

Erji had listened completely dumb-struck, and upon hearing the name "Zhang Yanfei" uttered by the other person, without being mentally prepared, his body and mind were both shocked.

No need to say anything else, when He Kao saw his reaction, he knew this person was Zhang Yanfei, and couldn’t help but sigh. Uncle Jiang certainly has divine foresight!

It was already slightly light in the sky, He Kao’s eyesight far surpassed that of ordinary people, and he could clearly see the appearance of the person in front of him, a man in his fifties or sixties, with a shaved head but not wearing monk’s robes, carrying a faint incense smell.

He Kao had looked over Zhang Yanfei’s detailed information—a very scholarly image—and the person’s appearance now, even former friends and family would not recognize him; only upon careful observation would one discern a vague similarity between the brows.

Erji, at this moment, also realized that with the sharp sensitivity of a High-tier Sorcerer, his reaction just a moment ago had already exposed him, and since the other party had already called him out, denying it any further would be meaningless.

He could only sigh: "My dharma name is Erji. The name Zhang Yanfei has not been used for a long time."

"Erji, your dharma name is quite interesting. Does it form the word ’hidden’ when combined?" He Kao actually heard a pun.

Erji explained: "Erji as in the near and distant, Ji as in rapid... May I ask how you know my former identity?"

He Kao didn’t answer but shook his head saying: "The sect’s rules, I’ve said all that should be said, now isn’t the time for you to ask me, but for you to explain your background..."

After speaking, and thinking over it again, he ultimately couldn’t resist and asked, "Zhang Yanfei, you’ve responded to the Grotto Heaven Summon’s call, why the concealed actions and what’s the meaning behind them?"

Erji bowed his head: "The human heart is difficult to perceive, I only knew you might be the Hidden Moth, but didn’t know your details, nor knew that there was still a sect like Hidden Moth Sect, only wanting to secretly gauge the situation first.

If I were to rashly appear to meet, you might think I have exposed your identity, then what might happen..."

He Kao was somewhat surprised, saying: "You are worried I would kill to silence you?"

Erji lowered his head and remained silent, clearly acquiescing, and He Kao couldn’t help but be speechless.

Indeed, it’s not unreasonable for Erji to have such concerns, as the Hidden Moth identity is so mysterious, naturally leading some people to wonder—whether all who know are eliminated by Hidden Moth? And the Invisibility Ability is indeed perfect for assassination.

There was a question He Kao had considered a long time ago: if his Hidden Moth identity was unwittingly exposed, what should he do?

Suppose he was caught due to his own carelessness, he couldn’t blame others. He certainly wouldn’t kill to silence them, because it’s not others’ fault, the best he could do is earnestly request confidentiality.

If the person could keep the secret, he would provide rewards. Even if they accidentally disclosed it, as long as it wasn’t deliberately trying to harm him, he wouldn’t take drastic actions.

The so-called exposure of identity, from another perspective, isn’t actually the Hidden Moth identity but He Kao’s identity. It’s troublesome, but not unsolvable; at worst, he can switch identities.

Just like Zhang Yanfei before him, after getting into trouble, he gave up his previous identity and became the monk Erji.

He Kao hadn’t committed any wrongdoing, so why change identity? This is the price to pay for being Hidden Moth; otherwise, various people with various motives will come knocking openly and secretly...

Another situation arises when he is investigated, rather than accidentally leaking identity. But the person might not have any ill intentions; people have a damned curiosity, wanting to know who Hidden Moth is.

Just like Erji before him, also wanting to investigate secretly who Hidden Moth truly is?

Such things cannot be avoided and are the tests he has to face. Encountering such situations, he would follow the previous approach, and wouldn’t resort to killing to silence them.

Not only would he not do such a thing, but he wouldn’t even harbor such thoughts.

Only in cases where the person holds malicious intent, attempting to extort or harm him, like the previous Zhao Huai Zhen group and those sorcerers from the Huiming Shi Family...

He Kao recalled so much in a moment, while saying: "If people aren’t attempting to harm me, why would I kill to silence them? But the Hidden Moth identity is a sect secret, disciples cannot privately explore, and those who know cannot disclose.

Now I only ask you, do you intend to return to the sect?"

Erji nodded: "Of course!" By this point, he could no longer make any other choice.

**