Chapter Two: Extraordinary Measures

“Where is the streamer going?” someone asked in the live chat as Sun Meng was already on the road. Sun Meng flashed a mysterious smile.

“It’s a secret for now, but I promise I’ll complete my task quickly!”

With a plan in mind, he felt more at ease. He also thought it would be good to help the people back on Earth relax a little; if they stayed tense all the time, any real accident could have dire consequences.

“Wow, this is the first time the streamer’s been so confident!”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t mess up this time.” Messages like these filled the screen.

Sun Meng didn’t continue chatting with the viewers. After all, he wasn’t a regular streamer who needed their support.

Soon, Sun Meng arrived in Fuzhou, where Lin Pingzhi’s family lived. Entering the city gates, he glanced around. People seemed to have already forgotten about the recent destruction of the Fortune Escort Agency, and life had returned to normal.

“If a little more time passes, the Lin family will probably be nothing more than a legend told by storytellers,” Sun Meng thought as he walked down the street, deliberately avoiding the direction of the escort agency. Though only a few disciples had been left behind by Yu Canghai to guard and search the place, Sun Meng knew he couldn’t defeat them on his own.

He went straight to the old residence, leapt up, and grabbed a ceiling beam. After some searching, he found a hidden compartment. Inside was an oiled cloth bundle, which he quickly opened.

Inside was a cassock. Unfolding it, he saw that it was covered with tiny, densely written characters.

“The Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.”

He glanced at the all-too-familiar opening lines, put the cassock away, and jumped down. After examining the surroundings, he took the sword from the statue’s hand. Though it was unclear how long it had been there, it still gleamed coldly—more than enough for self-defense.

He looked around carefully. There was nothing else of value here.

Leaving the old residence, Sun Meng smiled at the bundle in his hand. “Now’s the time to make good use of this.”

He had no intention of practicing this disastrous martial art himself.

“Streamer! What did you just take?” the live chat buzzed again.

“Looks like a cassock.”

“Is the streamer going to become a monk?”

“Maybe he’s seeking refuge at Shaolin Temple?”

“I heard Shaolin is really powerful!”

Seeing the comments veer off track, Sun Meng coughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not becoming a monk.”

With that, he ignored the barrage of questions. Now that he had the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, he considered his options. If he were ruthless enough to injure himself and then hide away for half a year to practice before ambushing Yu Canghai, he might have a chance. But it was far too risky.

To complete his revenge within a year, unless he obtained some miraculous medicine to boost his inner strength, or had someone with profound skills impart it to him, mastering the manual alone would not be enough.

So, to complete the task within a year, he’d have to rely on outside help. And now, the perfect opportunity was approaching.

After buying new clothes and a horse, Sun Meng checked his dwindling silver—less than ten taels left—before leaving the city.

He headed toward Hengyang. In every town or city along the way, he discreetly spread rumors about the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual through beggars or storytellers, never lingering in the cities.

He was extremely cautious, making sure no one suspected he was the source of the rumors. After more than half a month of uneventful travel, he finally reached Hengyang.

Seeing the city gates, he breathed a sigh of relief. Whether his plan succeeded or not would be decided here.

“What’s the streamer doing in Hengyang? Shouldn’t he be going to Luoyang?” someone asked in the live chat after seeing the Hengyang city gate.

“Because this is where Liu Zhengfeng of Mount Heng is going to retire from the martial world!” Sun Meng replied.

“Contestant, are you planning to tell the truth here?” asked the national representative.

“I intend to complete my mission right here,” Sun Meng said.

“No way!” The live chat erupted in amazement.

“Contestant, don’t be reckless! Your life is tied to Earth’s safety. Don’t make rash decisions!” the national representative urged.

“Yes, yes!” many agreed.

Sun Meng said nothing more. He went straight to Liu Zhengfeng’s residence.

If anyone in this world still embodied the demeanor and integrity of a true orthodox master, Liu Zhengfeng was certainly one of them.

“Who are you?” a servant asked as he opened the door to the Liu residence.

“I am Lin Pingzhi, of the Fortune Escort Agency in Fuzhou, and I have brought the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual to see Senior Liu Zhengfeng!” Sun Meng announced loudly.

The live chat instantly exploded.

“The streamer actually got the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual!”

“Doesn’t the streamer already know the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique?”

“Can we learn this sword technique?”

“Contestant, have you practiced the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual?” the national representative asked again.

Sun Meng glanced at the message but didn’t respond. He knew what they were after.

Any knowledge or skills Sun Meng acquired during the task could be materialized into his real power after completion, using reward points. However, that would cause the manual to appear somewhere on Earth.

But if Sun Meng chose to teach these martial arts openly through the live stream, the system wouldn’t interfere. As long as Earth’s people could understand and learn from the broadcast, the system wouldn’t stop it.

The servant, clearly annoyed by Sun Meng’s boldness, snapped, “Lin Pingzhi? Our Liu family doesn’t admit unknown nobodies like you!”

He was about to shut the door when a stern voice sounded from behind him, “Enough!”

The servant immediately bowed in respect. “Master.”

Liu Zhengfeng came to the door and looked at Sun Meng. “Is it really Lin Pingzhi?” he asked.

“I’ve long admired Senior Liu of Mount Heng. My family was slaughtered, and I am the only survivor. So I have brought our family’s Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, hoping to avenge my kin.” As he spoke, Sun Meng bowed deeply to Liu Zhengfeng.

Liu Zhengfeng quickly raised him up. “Nephew, there’s no need for such formality!”

With a glance around, Liu Zhengfeng said quietly, “Nephew, please come inside and tell me everything.”

Inside, Sun Meng followed Liu Zhengfeng to the main hall.

“Senior Liu, I am willing to offer our family’s Evil-Repelling Sword Manual. I beg Uncle Liu to seek justice for me!” Sun Meng fell to one knee, and within moments, tears streamed down his face.

“My dear nephew—” Liu Zhengfeng looked deeply troubled.

“Alas! Nephew, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but in a few days, I will retire from the martial world.”

He quickly helped Sun Meng to his feet. “But don’t worry. On the day I retire, all the great masters of the Five Mountain Sword Sects will be here. At that time, they will surely see justice done for you!”

Sun Meng finally stood up. “Then I must trouble you, Uncle.”

“Think nothing of it! Since you trust me, please stay at my residence for a few days,” Liu Zhengfeng insisted.

“Thank you, Uncle.” Sun Meng bowed again, then was led by a servant to a guest room.

After Sun Meng was gone, Liu Zhengfeng frowned and pondered for a moment before writing a letter. He summoned a disciple. “Quick, deliver this to the sect and give it to your Uncle Mo.”

Alone in the guest room, Sun Meng finally relaxed. “The Songshan Sect spies lurking nearby must know I’ve arrived. The Evil-Repelling Sword Manual should be enough to lure Zuo Lengchan, that ambitious schemer!”

His plan was to present the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual during Liu Zhengfeng’s retirement ceremony as a means of self-preservation and to draw out Zuo Lengchan, letting him take revenge on his behalf.

As for revealing the truth about his family’s destruction, as long as the mainstream orthodox sects confirmed his words, that would be the truth!

In this world, the so-called orthodox and demonic sects were essentially fighting over interests. There were no true heroes with the chivalrous spirit of old, nor anyone so respected as to unite the martial world. That was why Sun Meng chose this path.

Ignoring the viewers and the demands of the authorities on the live stream, Sun Meng was extremely cautious in the following days. Other than eating, he stayed in his room practicing martial arts. Though it didn’t increase his inner strength much, safety came first.

At last, the day of Liu Zhengfeng’s retirement arrived!

That day, Sun Meng and Liu Zhengfeng went out together to greet the various sect representatives.

The Mount Heng, Mount Hengshan, Mount Hua, and Mount Tai sects all arrived.

There were also leaders and key figures from several second-tier sects, but the one Sun Meng was waiting for had not yet appeared.

He looked toward the main gate, and as a voice rang out, “Leader Zuo has arrived!”

The leader of the Five Mountain Alliance—Zuo Lengchan—entered with the Songshan Sect!