After receiving a letter from Abbot , the Alliance leader decided to send Namgung Soho to investigate the matter along with the monks — ensuring there would be no conflict between the Wudang Sect and the Shaolin Temple. Upon arriving at the village, Soho began searching for any clues regarding the recent disappearances while waiting for the monks to arrive.
After some time, the monks of Shaolin finally reached the village. Leading them was a young
The young monk stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"I am Tian Hao. Are you the one sent by the Alliance?"
Namgung Soho clasped his fist respectfully. "Yes, I am. The Alliance Leader entrusted me with this investigation."
Tian Hao's sharp gaze swept over the surroundings. "And where are the members of the Wudang Sect? I heard that one of the Ten Heavenly Disciples was also participating in this investigation."
Soho smiled faintly. "Ah, they searched the entire village two days ago. Right now, they're investigating another area."
"What a shame," Tian Hao replied with a hint of disappointment. "I wanted to test the strength of one of the Ten Heavenly Disciples myself."
Soho chuckled. "Hahaha…"
But deep down, he was thinking, Is he seriously planning to challenge someone in their own territory? What a madman…
In the world of Jianghu, challenging someone in their own territory was no small matter — it meant you considered them beneath you. And that… was the greatest insult one could give to a martial artist.
"So, did you find anything here?" Tian Hao asked, his eyes scanning the quiet village.
Soho shook his head. "No, there isn't much to see. I was thinking we should head to the nearby villages and ask around — we might find some clues there. If not, we should make our way to the Beggar Sect branch. They might have heard something."
Tian Hao nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, good idea. The Beggar Sect usually knows everything that happens in the shadows."
Soho adjusted his sword and looked toward the mountain path. "Then let's not waste time. The sooner we move, the sooner we'll uncover what's behind these disappearances."
Soho, Tian Hao, and the four Shaolin monks began moving from village to village, searching for any information about the disappearances.
Whenever they entered a new village, Tian Hao immediately drew attention. Despite his shaved head and monk's robes, he was undeniably handsome — so much that the local women couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Wow, he's so handsome!"
"Why did he have to become a monk?"
"Even with a bald head, he looks better than most men!"
Some of the bolder women even teased him directly.
"Hey, Monk! Can monks get married?"
"What if I become a monk too — can I marry you then?"
Hearing all this, Soho couldn't resist smirking.
"You're quite popular with the ladies, Brother Tian," he teased.
Instantly, Tian Hao's face turned bright red. "I-I have no interest in such worldly matters!" he stammered.
From that day onward, whenever they entered a village, Tian Hao would wait outside — embarrassed and trying to avoid the attention he always seemed to attract.
After two days of searching, they still hadn't found a single clue.
However, during that time, Monk Tian Hao had received no less than ten marriage proposals — and some of them were even from older women!
Soho sighed dramatically. "We found nothing… except marriage proposals."
At that, Tian Hao's face turned crimson with anger. "What are you talking about?! Stop making up nonsense!"
The other monks burst out laughing. "Senior Brother, did you perhaps find the love of your life?" one of them teased.
Tian Hao smacked all of their heads lightly with his palm. "Enough! Let's be serious — we're trying to find innocent villagers who've gone missing. We don't have time for these jokes!"
The group fell silent for a moment before nodding. "You're right, Senior Brother," they said in unison.
Soho crossed his arms. "Then shall we head to the Beggar Sect branch?"
"I know one nearby," he added.
"Good," Tian Hao said firmly. "Let's go."
Tian Hao folded his arms thoughtfully. "Instead of heading to the Beggar Sect branch, we should go to Xinyang City. It's the largest fortress city in the region — if there's any information to be found, it'll be there."
Soho nodded. "You're right. A city that big must've heard about these disappearances. Besides, the largest branch of the Beggar Sect is located there as well. Let's head to Xinyang."
With that decision made, the group set off on foot toward Xinyang City. The journey would take two or three days, depending on the weather and the terrain. Along the way, they passed through quiet forests, narrow mountain paths, and small villages where fear still lingered in the air.
Though they joked and laughed at times, each of them knew — once they reached Xinyang, things would no longer be simple.
While everything was unfolding elsewhere, inside the Red Line, Ming was lifting a massive boulder. Over the past month, his body had changed dramatically — his muscles had grown firm and defined, and his once-short hair now reached past his shoulders.
Lyssar watched him quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. What a prodigy… he thought. To reach the peak of the Body Tempering Realm in just one month — calling him a genius isn't enough. He's closer to a demon.
"Ming," Lyssar finally said. "That's enough for today. Come here."
Ming wiped the sweat from his brow and walked over. "What is it, Master?"
"Today," Lyssar said calmly, "I'll teach you about the Seven Sins — and how each one lives within the human heart. It might not help you much in martial arts, but it will help you understand people — their desires, their lies, and what they hide deep inside."