Chapter 26: Lao Hei’s Skills

After a while, Su Che whispered in Lei Xiao’s ear, “Senior Lei, I think someone is following us. Along the way, this person has been hiding and acting very suspiciously.”

“I know,” Lei Xiao replied with a faint smile, not taking it too seriously. He didn’t even turn around to check, and Lei Qingxue on the other side did the same.

Before Su Che could ask further, Lei Xiao explained on his own, “It’s common in the Yinfeng Gorge for someone to follow Tianxuan Sect disciples. As I’ve said before, some lone cultivators treat Tianxuan Sect disciples as mere prey, just like monsters.”

“Why dare they do such a thing? After all, the Yinfeng Gorge is our Tianxuan Sect’s territory. Any senior at the Foundation Establishment stage could wipe them out easily,” Su Che was puzzled.

“There’s a reason why the Yinfeng Gorge allows outsiders to enter,” Lei Xiao explained. “Since it’s a place for training, one must rely on their own strength to overcome all dangers and hardships. Only if high-level cultivators start killing our sect’s disciples without reason will our elders intervene. Besides, this place is only for lower-level disciples. Cultivators at the fourth level or above are not allowed in, so our opponents won’t be too strong. Even if a fight breaks out, it will be a fair battle between those at the same early-stage level.”

“I see,” Su Che nodded, though he still had doubts: What if there are many opponents? For example, what if several cultivators at the third level team up to attack the three of us?

He thought of the third level because Lao Hei had said the pursuer was at that level. So, no one could guarantee he was alone.

His past experience as apolice officer had made Su Che suspicious by nature. He had long learned to think from the perspective of criminals, so he reminded himself, “Lao Hei, keep an eye on the pursuer at all times. No matter what communication method he uses, let me know immediately.”

“Don’t worry, master. I already know all about that guy’s schemes. He can’t fool me! After all, I, Lao Hei, am a combination of the best traits from humans, demons, and monsters.”

“Good! But I still need to remind you once again—tie your rat tail properly. Don’t keep swishing it around while talking to me; it’s disgusting.”

“Oh! When did it loosen on its own?”

On the first floor of the Black Tower, Lao Hei let out a shout and hurriedly tied his long tail back around his waist.

Su Che also regretted it secretly. He really shouldn’t have rushed to buy a Wind Rat just to save money yesterday. If he had known, he would have spent a few more Spirit Stones to get a Red-Tailed Fox… The fiery red fox tail was the most beautiful and exquisite specialty of the Wind Valley.

As they continued on, traveling about two hundred li deep into the valley, Lao He reported, “Master, that guy just activated a message token. Judging from its flight direction, there must be accomplices lurking deep in the valley!”

“As expected,” Su Che frowned. During his four years as a patrol officer, his instinct for reconnaissance had always been sharp, earning him frequent praise from his master. Once again, it proved effective.

After quickly weighing his options and preparing various explanations, Su Che reminded them again, “Senior Lei, I just noticed that the pursuer behind us sent a message token. There must be accomplices setting an ambush deep in the valley. Moreover, he’s at the third level of Qi Cultivation.”

Oh?

Lei Xiao’s expression changed slightly—now he truly took it seriously. If the pursuers were all at the third level of Qi Cultivation, the ambushers would likely be no weaker. If there were three or more of them, the situation could get tricky.

“I’m not afraid if there’s only one person. But if there are more accomplices, that’s…” Lei Xiao also frowned.

Lei Qingxue’s expression didn’t change much. As a young girl, she already possessed an air of grace and elegance. Yet she looked at Su Che curiously and asked gently, “Junior Su, I was also watching behind us just now. I did see that pursuer, but from too far away, I couldn’t determine his cultivation level or detect such a subtle action as sending a message token… I’m sorry, it’s not that I doubt you, but I just want to confirm—did you really see it clearly?”

Her tone was polite, her attitude gentle, but Su Che could tell she was quite competitive, with an innate pride that was soft on the outside but strong on the inside. She was both curious about his performance and somewhat unconvinced.

“That’s right, Senior Qingxue…” Su Che took advantage of his younger age and youthful appearance to use a more familiar tone in addressing her, aiming to bridge the psychological distance between them. It wasn’t because of her beauty, but rather out of the principle that treating people with a smile never hurts.

“My family has considerable expertise in tracking, reconnaissance, and capturing criminals. I also have a natural talent in these areas, which allows me to notice details that most people miss.” This was the explanation Su Che had prepared in advance.

Lei Qingxue nodded gently and did not press further. Since it was a family skill, it was naturally not appropriate to discuss it in detail with outsiders—just like the unique secret techniques of the Lei family.
“Not bad, not bad!” Lei Xiao was quite pleased and habitually patted Su Che on the shoulder. “I had guessed that you kid must have some skills.”
Su Che smiled. After spending a few days together, he had already gotten used to Lei Xiao’s way of speaking—always exaggerating a bit about everything. Honestly, for someone his age, he seemed quite pleasant.
With no more questions, Lei Qingxue said, “Junior Su, don’t worry. Since Xiao Xiao had the courage to bring you into the canyon, he will take responsibility for your safety. For over a dozen generations in our Lei family, someone has joined the Tianxuan Sect. In our generation, Su Xiao and I included the most people—nine of us successfully joined the ten main peaks.”
“Impressive!” Su Che was moved and gave Lei Xiao a thumbs up.
Lei Xiao chuckled and showed a proud expression in perfect cooperation.
Lei Qingxue’s words, though seemingly casual, subtly conveyed to Su Che that the Lei family had deep roots in the Tianxuan Sect. Even those like them, the younger generation, couldn’t be judged solely by their apparent cultivation level.
With such an answer, Su Che felt much more at ease. The three continued on their journey, seemingly ignoring the pursuers behind them.
Before long, Lao He reported again, “Master, just now, that Lei Qingxue secretly transmitted a message to Lei Xiao, saying that you are mature for your age and quite reserved, and she quite agrees with Lei Xiao’s friendship with you…”
“Can you hear others’ secret transmissions?” Su Che was surprised. This Lao He really kept surprising him time and time again.
“Well…” Lao He scratched his head and replied, “Maybe it’s because their cultivation is too low that I can hear them.”
“Even so, that’s great! But does your head itch? Why do you keep scratching it?”
“Huh? Is it not okay, master?” Lao He looked dumbfounded and instinctively raised his big paw to scratch his head again.
“It’s fine, do as you please!” Su Che felt amused. He realized he quite enjoyed teasing Lao He. Maybe over time, he would even get used to its extremely ugly rat tail…
As they went deeper, the vegetation in the canyon grew denser. Lei Qingxue warned, “Be careful. From here on, there should be monsters around.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than a dark shadow shot out from the bushes ahead, passing by a few feet to the left of the three of them.

Despite their speed, Su Che and the others managed to see clearly—it was a large rat with a body two feet long, grayish-black fur, and a long tail; it was none other than the Yin Wind Rat, a low-level demonic beast commonly found in the Yin Wind Gorge. This kind of demonic beast didn’t have much offensive power. Besides biting and tearing, it could also spit out a cold-energy gas that had a slight paralyzing effect. It was said that even the rat king of its species only had the strength equivalent to a human cultivator at the third level of Qi cultivation. Yet, due to their exceptional reproductive ability and large populations, these rat demons managed to occupy a place in the Yin Wind Gorge. The Lei siblings had no interest in such beasts, and Su Che no longer needed one either, so none of them intended to attack the Yin Wind Rat. They let it scurry into the bushes on the other side and disappear. “Lao Hei, see? Your close relative just showed up,” Su Che teased in his mind. “Sigh!” Lao Hei let out a long sigh. “This thing really isn’t likable. I even find its appearance disgusting.” Hearing this, Su Che’s heart softened, and he immediately comforted it, “It’s not that bad. Over time, whether someone is handsome or ugly, one gets used to it. Besides, I’m also responsible for this. If I had known earlier, I should have tried to find a prettier or more majestic demonic beast… Speaking of which, I’m sorry for putting you in this situation.” “It’s okay, master. As long as you don’t despise me, that’s enough,” Lao Hei replied with great openness. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll have another chance to reshape myself in the future.” “How could I despise you?” Su Che said gently. “Even though we’ve only been together for less than a day, I already find your personality quite likable, completely contrary to your appearance.” Lao Hei chuckled. “Master, I’m only this obedient in front of you. In the future, if any criminals are captured, my behavior will definitely match my appearance. Hmph, watch me slowly and gradually deal with them!” Its final sneer, paired with its demonic face, was truly terrifying!