Chapter 1136: Secret Thoughts (V)
"You're not wrong to say that."

It was not known whether it was because Xunzhen's words hit Liu Xunyi's soft spot, leaving him unable to refute, or because the atmosphere between the two of them who were so close to each other gradually became subtle, making him feel a little uncomfortable. Liu Xunyi, who had just had the upper hand, now looked embarrassed, and under Xunzhen's slightly smug gaze, he retreated half a step without leaving a trace.

"I, Liu Xunyi, am not a mean person who doesn't repay a favor. I will never break my promise to you." Liu Xunyi prevaricated while hurriedly sitting back down, and added, "It's understandable to repay a favor, but... who will come first and who will come later is still unknown."

"Liu Xunyi, you..."

"Don't be impatient!" Liu Xunyi quickly interrupted Xunzhen who was trying to argue, and explained slowly, "As you said before, only if I gain a firm foothold in the Central Plains martial arts world can I help you... help Xilu Wuzong to flourish. However, gaining a firm foothold in the Central Plains martial arts world is by no means easy, and you are well aware of the twists and turns. Therefore, under the premise of not involving a conflict of interest with the Young King of Qin, I believe that you will continue to help me wholeheartedly until I have enough ability to give back to Xilu Wuzong."

"If we achieve mutual success, how can we repay each other?" Xunzhen immediately heard the flaw in Liu Xunyi's words and corrected him, "I will do my best to help you, but you don't have to wait until you are successful to help Xilu Wuzong. You are the deputy leader of Xilu Wuzong, and it is natural for you to advance and retreat with us. Therefore, you and Xilu Wuzong should grow together, regardless of who comes first."

Xunzhen's refusal to give in made Liu Xunyi secretly smack her lips, and she said helplessly: "You woman... you really won't take any loss. You and I have known each other for many years, and you know that I am not a person who quibbles over words, but you still want to haggle over every ounce of money."

"As the saying goes, 'Brothers should be clear about accounts.' No matter how long we have known each other, we must distinguish between public and private matters." Perhaps Xunzhen was seeking revenge for Liu Xunyi's troubles in the past two days. He was teasing Liu Xunyi between the lines. "Although you are not a person who pays attention to words, you are a fickle person. Today, we had a good chat and you were very kind to me. But if I offend you one day, I can't guarantee that you won't turn against me. In this case, why don't I take advantage of your conscience and try to get more benefits for Shao Qin Wang and Xilu Wuzong."

"A fickle person? You still have a conscience? Oh my God! What kind of person am I in your heart?" Liu Xunyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "If you hadn't helped me to untie the knot in my heart tonight, you would have been in trouble for what you said just now."

"You are so tolerant, could it be that... you have something else to ask me for help?"

Facing Xunzhen's suspicious face, Liu Xunyi felt even more embarrassed. He could only smile shamelessly and try to smooth things over for himself: "Since you and I have opened our hearts to each other, then I...will not hide anything anymore, right?"

"I knew you wouldn't be so attentive for no reason!" Xunzhen quickly put on a respectful look, turned around and sat back opposite Liu Xunyi, and said unhappily, "You are always dissatisfied with my scheming, but you are a man, and so are you."

"That... is just a small matter." Facing Xunzhen's ridicule, Liu Xunyi smiled awkwardly and stopped quibbling, "Actually, I want to ask... about your brother..."

"Wu Shuang?"

"That's right!" Liu Xunyi nodded repeatedly in response, "This man is elusive in the Central Plains martial arts world, and every time he appears, he can stir up a huge uproar. Although he is young, his martial arts skills are unfathomable, and his wisdom and scheming should not be underestimated..." As Liu Xunyi spoke, he carefully observed Xunzhen's reaction and took in every subtle expression of hers, "Who exactly is this person?"

"You are such a forgetful person. Wu Shuang is the son of Yelu Qin, the King of Western Liaoning, and the nephew of the King of Shao Qin." Xunzhen did not answer but asked, "Why? Do you suspect that I fabricated his background?"

"No, no, no!" Liu Xunyi denied it fiercely. "Of course I'm not doubting his identity. I'm just curious... What is the connection between Wu Shuang and Shaolin Temple? Just imagine, on one side is a nobleman of the Western Liao royal family, and on the other side is a famous and authentic martial arts family in the Central Plains. The two seem... to have nothing in common."

"Do you suspect that Shaolin Temple has been bought by us? If Shaolin really helps us, why would we waste time on you?"

"Of course! Of course!" Liu Xunyi laughed at himself. "How dare I compare myself with Shaolin? I'm just curious, how did Wu Shuang, who is far away in the Western Regions, get connected with Shaolin Temple? In other words, how did he, at such a young age, become friends with the four eminent monks Xuanyun, Xuanfeng, Xuanshan and Xuanhai?"

Hearing this, Xunzhen's teasing expression gradually faded. His eyes flickered as he looked at Liu Xunyi, who was pretending to be casual, with deep meaning, and he asked suspiciously, "What exactly do you want to ask? There's no need to talk about other things. You just said that you and I have opened our hearts to each other and there is no need to hide anything. If that's the case, why are you beating around the bush now?"

"This..." Liu Xunyi looked at Xunzhen without looking away, and after thinking for a moment, he told him frankly, "To be honest, I have recently heard some... rumors about Wu Shuang and Shaolin Temple."

"Oh? What rumor?" Xunzhen asked calmly.

"It is said that Wu Shuang is... the last disciple of a Shaolin master of the Kong generation who was accepted in the Western Regions. In terms of seniority, he is of the same generation as several Shaolin monks of the Xuan generation. In other words, he and Xuanyun, Xuanfeng, Xuanshan, Xuanhai... and the current Shaolin abbot Xuanming are fellow disciples."

With just these words, Xunzhen's mind suddenly changed. Although she tried her best to hide her inner fluctuations, her slightly trembling pupils had already betrayed her.

"As for the name of that master of the Kong generation, I think you should know it better than me. After all, your shocking disguise technique... was also created by this senior." Liu Xunyi ignored Xunzhen's confused thoughts and continued in a complicated tone, "As I expected, you knew everything from the moment I mentioned Wu Shuang. In fact, the one who has been hiding and talking about other things is not me, but you."

"This……"

"You pretend to be ignorant even though you know the truth. I guess... you want to test how much I know about Wu Shuang?" Liu Xunyi stared at Xunzhen, whose face was uncertain, and reminded him with a hint of meaning, "From now on, I hope you either don't say anything or tell the truth. Don't make up any reasons or excuses to evade me."

"Yes... Senior Kong Sheng." Xun Zhen knew that Liu Xun Yi could say "Shaolin monk of the Kong generation" and "disguise technique", so he must know the relationship between Wu Shuang and Kong Sheng very well. It would be meaningless to continue hiding it, and it might even cause the rift between them to deepen. So he stopped hiding it, "I had no intention of lying about the relationship between Wu Shuang and Senior Kong Sheng. It's just that Senior Kong Sheng once asked me not to leak his information at will. Besides, this matter is a private matter between master and disciple after all, so I..."

"I understand, and I don't mean to blame you." Liu Xunyi said, "Wu Shuang's personal affairs are indeed nothing to do with me, but I have to ask about Senior Kong Sheng's news. You should know that Master Xiao, Granny Taohua, Miss Pan, and even Hexi Qin are all inextricably linked to Senior Kong Sheng."

"So...what do you want to know?" Seeing that Liu Xunyi understood his difficulties, Xunzhen's heart gradually settled down, and his expression and tone were no longer as awkward as before.

"I want to help Granny Taohua and Valley Master Xiao to resolve a matter." Liu Xunyi suppressed his inner excitement, and his tone became more earnest, "Can you tell me, is Senior Kongsheng... still alive? If he is still alive, where is he now?" "I don't know!" Xunzhen's answer was simple and direct, "I haven't seen him for many years, and I don't know whether he is still alive or not."

"How is that possible? Aren't you his disciple?" Liu Xunyi asked unwillingly, "Your disguise technique..."

"Although I learned some skills of changing appearance from Senior Kong Sheng, I was never accepted as his disciple, so I can't be considered his disciple." Xunzhen smiled bitterly, "I also hope to become his disciple, but unfortunately... my talent is mediocre, and my martial arts comprehension is far less than one thousandth of Wu Shuang's. In addition, Senior Kong Sheng is very strict in accepting disciples, so I don't have this blessing. He was willing to teach me the art of disguise, firstly because I was resentful at the time and pestered him all day long. Although Senior Kong Sheng is a hermit, he can't do anything about this unreasonable little girl, so he can only teach me the art of disguise in exchange for peace of mind. Secondly, relying on Wu Shuang's favor, Senior Kong Sheng can not give me a chance, but he can't but give his beloved disciple some face."

"In that case, Senior Kong Sheng should live with you..."

"Who is Senior Kong Sheng? How can he be controlled by us like an ordinary guest?"

"This……"

"Senior Kong Sheng has always been elusive. Those he wants to see can see him, but those he doesn't want to see, even if he searches everywhere, he may not be able to find any trace of them. Shao Qin Wang is the ruler of Western Liao, but he and Senior Kong Sheng have only met a few times. If it weren't for Wu Shuang, I'm afraid I wouldn't have the opportunity to ask Senior Kong Sheng for advice in person."

Xunzhen's words were like a basin of cold water, instantly cooling Liu Xunyi's burning heart. His disappointment was evident in his words: "So, the only person in the world who can find Senior Kong Sheng... is Wu Shuang?"

"At least, this is the only one I know."

"Where is Wu Shuang?" Liu Xunyi still did not give up, "I can ask him to introduce Senior Kong Sheng."

"This..." Xunzhen looked embarrassed, "I don't know either."

"What?" Liu Xunyi was shocked. "Isn't he your brother? How come you don't even know his whereabouts..."

"Although I don't know where he is, I am sure that he has not left Luoyang City and will appear again soon."

Liu Xunyi was startled when he heard this, and looked at Xunzhen, who was confident, with doubt, and asked hesitantly, "Why do you think so?"

"He told me that he came here not only to save you from danger, but also for another very important matter, and this matter is also related to you."

"Is it related to me?" Liu Xunyi was even more confused, curious, and anxious. "What is it?"

"do not know."

Xunzhen knew nothing about anything, which made Liu Xunyi feel very upset. He felt aggrieved but didn't know what to do.

Looking at the dim red light that appeared and disappeared in Liu Xunyi's eyes, Xunzhen's expression changed quietly. He subconsciously leaned back a little and waved gently at Liu Xunyi, as if signaling him to control his emotions.

"You...what are you doing?"

Xunzhen's actions successfully diverted Liu Xunyi's attention. When he looked at Xunzhen, who was facing a formidable enemy, in confusion, the red light in the depths of his eyes disappeared completely.

"Have you noticed that since you recovered from your injury... your temperament has become increasingly strange?" Although Xunzhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, there was still a hint of caution in his words, "Impulsive and irritable, even a little... restless."

"This……"

"I suspect that the evil power you were exposed to in the Dragon Burial Pond has become more rampant and has even gradually seeped into your heart, causing you to suddenly become ferocious and unbearable when you are slightly displeased."

"Really?" Liu Xunyi muttered to himself, thoughtfully, "Hearing what you said, I also realized that something is wrong with me recently. I feel like a ball of gloomy energy is gathering in my chest from time to time, which makes me feel very uncomfortable. I can't feel relieved unless I vent it..."

"Your 'can't hold it in', I'm afraid you can only relieve it by unbridled attack and indulgent venting. In fact, it's not just like this to me just now. As early as when you fought Qingfeng, this situation had already appeared. It's just that in the past few days... it has become more frequent." Xunzhen frowned, and his tone became heavier. "It seems that Granny Taohua still underestimated the impact of the Burial Dragon Pond on you. She thought that you could completely suppress it with your strong internal strength, but she didn't know that although this sinister force did not directly harm your life, it was indirectly eroding your mind. If this problem is not eliminated, your character will eventually change drastically and you will lose yourself. By then, although you will not become a puppet at the mercy of others, you will become a walking corpse controlled by this sinister force... There will be no good thoughts, and the murderous intention will be forever cast."

……

(End of this chapter)