Chapter 7: Midnight Conversation

"Crack!"

Accompanied by a sudden explosion of lamp oil, the person removed the black mask, revealing a somewhat aged face.

"Daoist Guanzhi, it's really you. Long time no see, hope you've been well."

Bai Yichen, who had been meditating on the couch, quickly stood up with composure.

"Chong'er, you've grown up."

Guanzhi seemed momentarily distracted by Bai Yichen's grown-up appearance.

Indeed, the visitor was the same Daoist who had brought him back to the Guanzhong region years ago. He was also the former undercover agent of the Heishi Organization in Xuanzhen Temple.

"The Daoist must have submitted his resignation request already and received approval to leave the temple and return home. I wonder why you appeared today and informed me of your visit tonight," Bai Yichen said directly, disregarding pleasantries.

During the day, Daoist Guanzhi had appeared in the crowd and signaled him with a specific gesture from the Heishi Organization.

"Chong'er, you must quickly escape from Xuanzhen Temple, or go back to Mingchun County. The Li family will surely… accommodate you no matter what."

Upon hearing this, an inexplicable feeling flashed through Bai Yichen's heart, and he appeared slightly stunned.

"Are you joking, Daoist?"

"I grew up in the temple. I've now been certified as a Daoist. Why would I want to leave?"

"Moreover, although the Li family in Mingchun County is my birthplace, I left there when I was young and have long forgotten the people and events there."

"I hope the Daoist will speak frankly with me!" he said, bowing.

But he already had a vague suspicion in his heart, fearing that…

"It's the Heishi; they seem to be coveting something in the temple and plan to activate your undercover identity."

Daoist Guanzhi continued to explain that three months ago, shortly after Bai Yichen's master was attacked, the Heishi Organization suddenly contacted Daoist Guanzhi.

The incident involving Daoist Guanyun transporting goods to a foreign state was, in fact, a scheme by the Heishi Organization to collude with local bandits to ambush the transport convoy and secretly arrange for their experts to disguise themselves for assassination.

Sure enough, there was something suspicious!

The long-buried doubts in Bai Yichen's heart were finally unraveled. He was not just a simple little Daoist boy raised in the temple.

With the experiences from his previous lives, he understood that with a martial arts power as large as Xuanzhen Temple, when transporting important goods to foreign states, they would undoubtedly arrange for a strong defensive force.

Even in this chaotic era, it was impossible for a mere group of ordinary bandits to defeat so many skilled members of Xuanzhen Temple.

Moreover, the defeat was so devastating that not even one person managed to escape and send a message; this was indeed strange.

After all, one of the three masters in charge personally went to investigate afterward but found no clues. Such a swift and decisive method could not have been achieved by mere bandits.

"What were they after in this operation?" Bai Yichen immediately posed his confusion.

Daoist Guanzhi also seemed puzzled, replying, "I'm not quite sure either. I only know that they severely tortured a few people they captured, but it seems they didn't gain much."

Daoist Guanzhi seemed to recall something and added, "However, your master wasn't among them. I heard that he used the Shattered Jade Tactic at the last moment and severely injured a golden-tier assassin."

Bai Yichen sighed upon hearing this, realizing that perhaps not ending up in that torturous black prison was a good thing.

"Perhaps that's why they found me and plan to use our undercover identities to launch a surprise attack on Xuanzhen Temple all at once," Daoist Guanzhi said with a bitter smile.

He then took out a green jade bottle and said, "Inside this is the poison prepared by the Heishi. They want you to take the opportunity to slip into the kitchen and, under the cover of night, launch an attack for assassination."

"Sounds like a good plan."

Bai Yichen took the bottle, seemingly unafraid as he opened the cap. Before Daoist Guanzhi could stop him, he used the fan to waft the contents and then sealed it again, his eyes flashing with understanding.

Then, Bai Yichen looked straight at Daoist Guanzhi and said, "There's a question that has long buried in my heart, and I hope you can answer it tonight."

"Why, as an undercover agent of the Heishi, did you not place any controlling measures on me? Even as a child, there was hardly any brainwashing. Why come specifically to inform me of this tonight instead of cooperating with the Heishi's actions?"

As he spoke, he shook the poison in his hand, seemingly indicating something.

Bai Yichen had actually had some suspicions for a while.

After all, in his previous two lives, he had been a golden-tier assassin and leader of the Heishi, fully aware that undercover agents were typically subjected to poison or worms as controlling measures; how could he be completely unrestrained like this?

Daoist Guanzhi's face flashed with a hint of struggle. After contemplating for a moment, he finally spoke, "Well, Chong'er, you've grown up. Given the circumstances, I will tell you everything."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yichen took a few steps to the table and sat down, pouring a cup of tea for Daoist Guanzhi, indicating that the Daoist should take a sip and speak slowly.

He then poured himself a cup to moisten his throat, sensing that the upcoming content would be lengthy. He hoped it wouldn't turn into a cliché melodrama.

"In fact, I am your uncle. Back then, your mother insisted on marrying into the Li family as a concubine despite objections, but she passed away shortly after giving birth to you. I later learned of your existence and sought you out. Seeing that you were young, I feared for your safety in the inner courtyard, so I brought you back to the temple to raise you."

"Oh, if that's the case, then why did you want to train me as an undercover agent?" Bai Yichen asked directly, his gaze fixed intently on Daoist Guanzhi.

Upon hearing this, Daoist Guanzhi seemed to hesitate, struggling to find the right words, but ultimately, with a hint of shame, he said, "The organization required me to cultivate a successor from a young age before they would provide me with the antidote, so I…"

This sounded quite like the style of the Heishi Organization.

Bai Yichen's expression grew complex. The human heart is intricate and unpredictable, perhaps it was indeed like this.

"This was certainly an act of desperation on my part. However, I did not follow the Heishi's orders to brainwash or poison you, and since the Heishi has been inactive for many years, I thought you could grow up safely."

At this point, Daoist Guanzhi appeared somewhat agitated.

Bai Yichen believed him to some extent; after awakening, he had carefully examined his body and found no signs of being poisoned or controlled by any worms.

"In life, one inevitably faces unavoidable circumstances, Daoist... there's no need to feel too guilty," Bai Yichen said, offering some words of comfort.

Bai Yichen did not blame this uncle of his; after all, his actions represented a greater kindness than anything else towards Bai Yichen.

Having grown up in the temple, it was indeed Daoist Guanzhi who had introduced him, allowing him to successfully become a disciple of Daoist Guanyun.

Perhaps he felt a sense of indebtedness and wanted Bai Yichen to have something to rely on in the temple in the future.

Moreover, those who demand perfection from others often have their own moral shortcomings…

"Chong'er, you've really grown up!" Daoist Guanzhi expressed his delight at Bai Yichen's comforting words.

However, he then added, "So seize this opportunity to escape. If they discover that you are not the true undercover agent, the first to suffer will likely be us."

"I'm fine, but you've just grown up; your life path is just beginning…"

Bai Yichen said resolutely, "Daoist, there's no need to say more. My mind is made up; I will not run away!"