Chapter Sixteen: The Invisible Hand

“This is the Lingbo Art’s mental cultivation method!” Hu Mo’s eyes gleamed with excitement. If nothing else, the girl’s reverence for it was proof enough—this Lingbo Art must be an exceptionally powerful battle technique.

Hu Mo’s gaze swept over the Lingbo Art’s instructions, and suddenly his expression turned odd.

“Heaven and earth are divided into yin and yang, yin and yang unite within the heart. All laws arise from the Way, the Way is born of the heart, the heart gives rise to myriad laws, and all laws are free. Free amidst heaven and earth, galloping across the sky.”

“How can this be? How could the first section be the mental method of the Clear Heart Carefree Technique!” Hu Mo exclaimed, as if he could see an invisible thread weaving everything together, yet the source remained elusive.

It was clear now that the Clear Heart Carefree Technique was merely the first section of the Lingbo Art. The Lingbo Art had nine sections in total, but only the first and second were visible now; the remaining seven were shrouded in mist, utterly unreadable.

Hu Mo set aside his bewilderment and continued to recite: “The five elements begin with change; metal is firm, water and fire are formless, earth and wood are the source of life. Firmness transforms to softness, the formless changes, the extremes of life and death, the extremes of all things.”

His heart stirred violently. He had always believed the Clear Heart Carefree Technique to be a mere method for channeling energy, but today he completely overturned that thought. The Clear Heart Carefree Technique was clearly the foundation of the Lingbo Art; only when it was cultivated to perfection could one proceed to practice the remaining eight parts of the Lingbo Art.

Hu Mo finally understood something. In the past, among the Star Lodge Sect, only he had cultivated the Clear Heart Carefree Technique to flawless completion. Because of this, the Three Treasures had emitted their protective force in his hands; otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived the Star Lodge Sect.

Clear Heart Carefree Technique, Three Treasures, the Profound Battle World, Lingbo Art—all seemed intertwined. He even linked the reason for his first crossing to this connection, and suddenly reached a conclusion: he truly was Heaven’s chosen hero, sent to save this world. Fate was truly… amusing!

He smiled lightly, his mind returning to the sea of his consciousness, his body slowly opening its eyes.

He was still in his room, the sliver of sunlight had not moved from his face.

He was surprised to find that from the moment he had drifted off to now, less than fifteen minutes had passed—a most peculiar thing indeed.

Shifting his body, a sudden stab of pain shot from his alluring hips, causing him to leap up instinctively. Glancing over, he saw that odd stone was still there.

“Well, that was clever—using this trick to mislead people is not bad at all.” Hu Mo muttered, as if praising the air. That black jade was probably just a stone now; since the Lingbo Art had already been given, how could that fierce girl still reside inside?

Hu Mo twisted his body, bones crackling. Though it seemed less than a quarter hour had passed, he felt as if several years had gone by. His newly grown bones felt stiff, and the twisting brought real comfort. If he could get a few girls to walk on his back, that would be the height of pleasure.

Hu Mo thought to himself, a lewd smile spreading across his face. He calculated silently, muttering, “I’ve been cooped up at home so long, it’s time to go out and see the world. This world should be far more interesting.”

His smile was thoroughly roguish; stepping out, he crashed straight through the door and barreled into a pillar.

A sharp crack sounded. Hu Mo staggered back, fell to the ground, and his forehead swelled visibly.

“Damn! What’s going on? How did I suddenly crash out?” Hu Mo was bewildered, nearly driven mad, but after a moment’s thought, he calmed quickly.

Within him, a wide network of meridians flowed with crimson energy—though slow, its power far exceeded what he had before, tenfold at least. He had lost control of this new power, sending his body careening.

Only then did Hu Mo realize he had become a true warrior. According to the battle power assessment method he learned from “The Source of Battle,” he could confirm his current level.

“Haha, I really am a genius. I actually jumped a whole grade. Second-level warrior—finally, I’ve made a breakthrough!” Hu Mo cheered inwardly, but did not make a sound. His eyes swept cautiously around, a subtle smile at the corner of his mouth.

He suddenly shouted, “Dammit, who installed this door? It fell with a push! I’ll kill their whole family! Damn it, are they trying to get me killed?”

Rubbing his head, Hu Mo glanced at the corners where noise had come from, cursing all the way to the main door.

Hu Mo knew well how perilous his situation was now. In the past two weeks, he had analyzed everything related to himself in detail, and realized the old Hu Mo was, in fact, a real genius.

This started with the current state of the Hu Manor. The Hu Manor was supported by Hu Yihu and his missing son, Hu Meng. The reason the Fire Empire ranked among the top five was largely because of the Hu family.

In the entire Fire Empire, the troops controlled by the Hu family made up about forty percent of the nation’s forces—a direct threat to imperial rule. Hu Mo knew that if he were the emperor, he would do everything to suppress the Hu family. This was beyond the usual fear of meritorious subjects. Had Hu Meng not vanished sixteen years ago, and Hu Mo not led a debauched life for so many years, the emperor would have acted against the Hu Manor long ago.

Now, the emperor saw clearly that the Hu family’s luck would not extend beyond this generation, so he allowed them to grow unchecked. Everyone knew the Hu family had no future; once Hu Yihu died, all crisis would end. As long as they didn’t provoke the Hu family excessively or give them any justification, even if they rebelled, they’d be branded traitors and doomed to defeat.

Thus, Hu Mo admired the old wastrel; had he not lived so recklessly, the Hu family would have been destroyed long ago. Truly, if that Hu Mo hadn’t reincarnated, he’d be thrilled to live again. As for himself, he was a playboy in a world of pleasure, not interested in acting out this drama.

The Hu Manor was riddled with spies from all sides—enemies of the Hu family and the royal court alike watched closely.

Hu Mo was worried now, for his actions over the past two weeks had been unusual. The notorious Hu young master, who hated books, had been reading at home for over half a month—a marvel in itself.

Hu Mo did not want more such marvels. If others learned he had transformed from a third or fourth stage battle energy wastrel into a second-level warrior, many would be unable to sit still.

Playing the fool, hiding one’s strength—these were the keys to survival in politics and intrigue. Dancing on the knife’s edge made Hu Mo stay hyper-alert; until danger passed or he became truly powerful, his trump cards must never be revealed!

Cursing all the way, Hu Mo strode out of his courtyard, scowling. The servants all kept their distance, especially those who had spoken ill of him before—none dared show their faces now.

Before he reached the gate, Hu Mo saw a familiar face. Old Fu stood there, smiling amiably, watching Hu Mo approach, looking for all the world like a brothel keeper welcoming guests.

“Young master, you wish to go out?” Old Fu still wore his eternal smile, eyes scanning Hu Mo up and down.

Hu Mo noticed a hint of disappointment on Old Fu’s face, as if he had guessed wrong, but it quickly faded, replaced by that ancient smile.

“As expected, Old Fu still can’t see through my cultivation. Three Treasures, I really do appreciate your effect—well done…” Hu Mo secretly rejoiced, keeping a neutral expression as he smiled, “Yes, Old Fu, I’ve been cooped up in the manor too long. If I don’t get out for a walk, I’ll go moldy. Old Fu, I’ve been confined for over half a month, it’s time to loosen up.”

Hu Mo wore a friendly smile, resembling a ravenous wolf about to descend the mountain, which made Old Fu frown slightly. He said in a mild tone, “Young master, you may go out, the Marshal instructed us not to hinder you. But please, avoid places like Fragrant Courtyard; find women if you must, but consider your safety. If anything happens to you, the Marshal will go mad.”

Old Fu’s face grew stern, a murderous aura radiating from him. Hu Mo was startled—a Battle King on the verge of violence was unpredictable.

“Ha ha, Old Fu, rest assured, I’m not that foolish. I’m just going for a stroll to clear my mind. Besides, with so many people protecting me, aren’t you at ease?” Hu Mo smiled, easing the tension a bit.

Old Fu’s killing intent faded, and he smiled lightly, “That’s good, that’s good. By the way, young master, did you see anything in the Lingbo Art?”

He couldn’t help but ask. He had thought Hu Mo was “fated” for the Lingbo Art and would grasp its mysteries. But Hu Mo’s cultivation still hadn’t changed, remaining at the feeble fourth stage of battle energy. How could Old Fu keep calm?

“Oh, that Lingbo Art? Ha ha, Old Fu, honestly, that thing is more cryptic than the scriptures—I have no idea how to read it. Besides, it stabbed my hand and hurt; it’s infuriating. No matter how I hit it, it won’t open. Really… Hmm? Old Fu, what’s wrong? You’re looking at me like that—I’m scared. You… you don’t actually have that hobby…”

“Hobby my ass! Where is the Lingbo Art now!” Old Fu roared, frightening the nearby servants and maids into vanishing.

Hu Mo feigned innocence, shaking his head, “Old Fu, of course it’s in my room. I was going to have Uncle Huo use it to press down the pickle jar. Black jade for the jar—pickles would taste unique… Hey, hey, Old Fu, where are you going? Hey—”

Old Fu was so furious at Hu Mo’s words, he could explode. If not for Hu Mo’s special status, he’d slap him to death. Something so precious, smashed and used to weigh down pickles—Old Fu was about to lose his mind.

Hu Mo watched Old Fu’s disappearing figure, whistled, and murmured, “Trying to match wits with me? You’re still too green.”

He glanced around, then sang out, “I laugh with delight, laugh with delight, girls of Fragrant Courtyard, your lord has come to console you—”

I attended a friend’s wedding, just got back. Next chapter will be posted in a few minutes!