Under One Person: Please Call Me Golden Flash

Chapter 161 We're All on the Same Path

Sunlight filters through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the slightly damp mountain path.

Lu Huizhong walked ahead, her steps as light as a nimble lynx, but each step landed on the most stable point of support, and her feet never made a sound.

This is the result of the rigorous training that the members of the Tang Clan undergo from childhood; everything they do is for the sake of their missions.

Just as Zhao Zhen was pondering to himself, Lu Huizhong suddenly turned around and smiled at Zhao Zhen, her bright smile dazzling, which made Zhao Zhen's nerves tighten even more.

This smile, like meticulously refined rouge, is all the more vibrant and dangerous the more alluring it is.

"Little brother Zhao Zhen, you seem a bit nervous. What's wrong? Are you that afraid of me?"

Lu Huizhong's voice carried a hint of mockery.

"How could that be? Sister Lu is naturally beautiful. How could such a beauty inspire fear in anyone?"

"Hehe, although our Tang Clan doesn't have the grand pavilions and towers of those famous sects, it still has its own unique charm. Right, Little Xu?"

Lu Huizhong smiled noncommittally, while winking at Xu Xin, who was standing next to her with a stern face and his eyes darting around warily.

Xu Xin's lips twitched slightly, and he mumbled a reply, "Um... Sister Lu is right."

He reluctantly changed how he addressed Lu Huizhong after being "reminded" by her, but it still sounded somewhat unwilling.

"This way."

Lu Huizhong pointed to a path that went deeper into the dense forest and was almost covered by vines.

"Let me take you to see our Tang Clan's 'Hundred Herbs Garden' first. Most of the materials that our disciples use for practicing martial arts, healing injuries, and dealing with minor troubles come from here."

After passing through the tangled vines, a bright and open view suddenly appeared before me.

A sunny, gentle slope has been cleared and neatly planted with flowers and plants of various shapes and sizes.

A strange, mixed aroma filled the air, a blend of sweet, spicy, and bitter notes that was invigorating just to smell, yet also sent a chill down one's spine.

Zhao Zhen recognized a few of the rare herbs, but most of them were completely unfamiliar exotic flowers and plants. Some were strangely brightly colored, while others were plain and unremarkable like weeds.

However, being specially cultivated by the Tang Clan, it is by no means an ordinary product.

Lu Huizhong casually picked a trumpet-shaped purple flower with fine fuzz around its edges and played with it between her fingers: "Look, this is called the Drunken Dream Flower. When dried and ground into powder, even a little bit can make people delirious and speak the truth. A large amount will..."

Her smile was meaningful, and the unfinished words made Zhao Zhen understand that it meant she would never wake up again.

She then pointed to several unassuming black grass stems: "These 'black thorns' bristles, if processed and added to flying needles, will cause a sensation like a thousand ants gnawing at the heart. The wounds heal extremely slowly, and there's no unique antidote, tsk tsk..."

It's less of an introduction and more of a silent deterrent.

Zhao Zhen watched silently, a chill running through her heart.

This is the essence of the Tang Clan: a perfect fusion of poison theory and assassination skills.

He nodded: "This is truly eye-opening. The Tang Clan has indeed reached the pinnacle in the art of using poisons from plants and trees."

"You flatter me, little brother."

Lu Huizhong threw away the Drunken Dream Flower, and its petals fell to the ground, quickly withered, and turned black.

"This is nothing. Look, that open space over there is where we usually train and practice."

The so-called "open space" is actually a forest area surrounded by huge ancient trees. The ground is rammed earth, and there are some badly worn wooden stakes and targets scattered around the edges.

Instead of the usual red bullseye, the target was covered with holes of varying sizes, and in one corner of the field was a deep, square pit.

“There’s nothing much to see here,” Xu Xin said, a hint of barely perceptible pride in his voice.

“We usually practice basic techniques, such as instant strikes, quick steps... and also body movements.”

After saying that, Xu Xin pointed to the pit.

"Oh?" Zhao Zhen raised an eyebrow, feigning interest.

Lu Huizhong chuckled: "This is called a log pit. Sharpened wooden spikes are buried at the bottom, a thin layer of soil is laid on top, and then a few irregular logs are placed on top."

Beginners must navigate this pit blindfolded or within a time limit without triggering a trap or falling in.

You might not die from a fall, but it's common to get punctured a few times.

Little Xu suffered a lot here when he was a child, right?

Xu Xin's face darkened, but he didn't refute it, clearly having been hit the nail on the head.

This simple, direct, and brutal training method is the foundation for cultivating top assassins.

Looking at the unremarkable pit, Zhao Zhen could almost see the sweat and blood shed by countless Tang Clan disciples there.

"Practice makes perfect, a good method," he commented briefly, his tone sincere.

Lu Huizhong seemed satisfied with his reaction. She stopped looking at the pit and instead pointed to the depths of the forest, where the fog seemed to be even thicker, and there was even a faint, unnatural green tinge.

"That's Snake Shadow Ravine. The bottom of the ravine is filled with miasma, so it's usually a forbidden area. We only go there when the sect leader gives permission or when special training is needed."

The miasma is unique; it can interfere with perception and is very helpful for practicing the highest level of the Illusionary Body Barrier. However, getting tainted by it will cause a lot of trouble.

Her introduction was brief, but Zhao Zhen keenly sensed that as she spoke, several cold gazes seemed to flash across the shadows in the misty forest.

Although it was extremely fast, his internal senses had already issued a silent warning to him—Tang Clan's sentries were everywhere, monitoring him, an outsider, and the entire area.

"It truly is a scene of breathtaking beauty at every turn," Zhao Zhen said, half with emotion and half with a tentative inquiry.

"My little brother is really good at talking."

Lu Huizhong turned around, her bright, watery eyes fixed on Zhao Zhen with interest and a hint of inquiry.

"We, the Tang Clan, are used to hiding in the shadows and living with danger."

"Anyone who can survive and thrive for so long despite being hunted down by those little devils of Mount Hiei, and even outmaneuver them... must be one of us."

Her words were gentle, but the word "fellow traveler" made Zhao Zhen's heart skip a beat.

Zhao Zhen maintained a slightly shy smile, but her vigilance had reached its peak. This beautiful snake's thoughts were probably even more unpredictable than the venomous sting she displayed.

"Sister Lu, you flatter me," Zhao Zhen replied with a smile.

"It was just good luck, I ran fast."

Lu Huizhong chuckled, her eyes sparkling with seductive charm: "Being lucky and fast is a skill in itself... Alright, let's stop here for today. Staying too long would disturb the peace."

On their way back, the three passed by that forest area again, which was the Tang Clan's training ground.

At that moment, a burly man completely covered in black clothes appeared on the training field and began swinging his fists at the wooden stakes.

"Brother Ding? Still training? Working so hard?"

(End of this chapter)