The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 351: Chapter 345: Entering a Dream

"Jie’Er!"

Fang Ping and Li Xiu cast aside their fear and rushed forward, throwing their arms around Fang Jie.

They never imagined Fang Jie would actually be saved. The feeling of getting him back after thinking he was lost nearly broke them.

Fang Jie stared at his parents in bewilderment, completely oblivious to his current situation.

’Where am I?’

He only remembered being at the academy, studying, when a wave of drowsiness washed over him. How had he opened his eyes to find himself at home?

Wu Ma stepped forward, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Lord Bai, what incredible methods!"

He had pronounced the young man dead, admitting he himself lacked the ability to bring him back.

"It’s just a small trick."

"May I ask what Cultivation Technique that was?"

"Hm. It’s generally called ’soul-summoning.’"

"..."

Wu Ma was speechless. He had thought it was some profound, soul-related Cultivation Technique, not the sort of fraudulent trick commonly used by rogue Daoists.

Still, saving the young man proved that Bai Yuan possessed true skill, and that there were indeed masters from Daoist Sects in the world with genuine abilities.

"Lord Bai is certainly... a man of peculiar tastes."

Wu Ma mulled it over for a long time before finally landing on that assessment.

A master of Bai Yuan’s profound level who also knew ’soul-summoning’ was likely one of a kind.

Wu Ma said, "Lord Bai, Ugly Ox and I will go investigate the vicinity. We’ll be taking our leave."

"Very well."

Wu Ma led Ugly Ox out of the courtyard.

Now that the Fox Demon was dead, the mastermind who had taught it the Shadow Killing Technique might be nearby.

Naturally, the two of them had to go search for clues.

Bai Yuan glanced at the family of four, huddled together in an embrace.

Just then, Zhou Lin arrived with a group of Officials, appearing just in time to wrap things up, much like the police at the end of a Hong Kong film.

"My Lord."

Zhou Lin glanced at the Fox Demon’s corpse on the ground, then at the four members of the Fang Family huddled together.

Bai Yuan sighed softly. "Relocate these four for now. House arrest... for one month."

All four members of the Fang Family had witnessed everything.

The most logical course of action would have been to kill them all; that was the only way to ensure the secret of the demon seed didn’t get out. But in the end, Bai Yuan couldn’t bring himself to be so ruthless.

He was cold-blooded, not one to slaughter the innocent. Besides, the four members of the Fang Family were just ordinary people. There was no need.

"Yes, my Lord!"

Zhou Lin immediately accepted the order. With a wave of his hand, several Officials led the four members of the Fang Family away.

...

「Three days later.」

Bai Yuan was in no hurry to leave Danshan Prefecture.

Since he was already here, he decided to inspect the local garrison in Danshan Prefecture while waiting for news from Wu Ma and Ugly Ox.

As for Yue Xiaobai... he had also remained in Danshan Prefecture.

As long as Bai Yuan continued to act as his sparring partner, Yue Xiaobai had no objections to staying.

Through their recent sparring sessions, Yue Xiaobai had discovered that Bai Yuan always managed to surprise him, leading to moments of sudden enlightenment. This made him all the more determined not to leave.

「That day.」

Zhou Lin sought out Bai Yuan.

"My Lord, the young daughter of the Fang Family says she has something to discuss with you."

"Fang E?"

"The very same."

Bai Yuan was surprised.

He had almost forgotten about the family. He hadn’t expected the girl with the Four Yin Life Chart to seek him out.

"Very well, bring her here."

The four members of the Fang Family were now living in a small courtyard next to the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, with Officials patrolling at regular intervals.

Since Bai Yuan had decided to save them, he wasn’t about to be stingy. He had arranged for all their meals, so they were actually living quite comfortably.

Before long, Zhou Lin escorted a spirited-looking young girl into Bai Yuan’s room.

"What business do you have with me?"

Fang E blinked her large eyes.

Unlike her father, Fang Ping, the young girl showed no fear of authority.

"My Lord, I had a dream."

Zhou Lin barked, "Do you take my lord for some dream-interpreting Jianghu Sorcerer?!"

An ordinary girl would have been reduced to tears by Zhou Lin’s imposing presence, but Fang E remained remarkably calm. "My Lord, I saw someone in my dream. They might be connected to the ’demon seed’ you spoke of."

At these words, Zhou Lin’s eyes widened.

Bai Yuan, too, finally looked interested.

"Interesting. Go on."

"I had a dream last night. I dreamed of a fox kowtowing before a person. I couldn’t see the person’s face, but I recognized the place. It seemed to be Dan Mountain, outside the city. My father took me there to play once."

"Oh?"

Bai Yuan was intrigued.

He studied Fang E intently for a long moment.

Fang E finally faltered, a hint of fear showing in her eyes.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I..." Fang E hesitated, then lifted her head stubbornly. "My brother needs to study. He can’t be trapped here forever. I overheard your conversation. If I can help you find that demon seed thing, then our family can leave. Also... could you, Lord Official, reward us with a Spirit Pill?"

"What would you do with a Spirit Pill?"

"To save my mother."

Fang E held her head high, her expression determined.

Bai Yuan smiled faintly. "I can’t promise you that right now."

A flicker of panic crossed Fang E’s face.

"Lord Official, I’ve had strange dreams since I was a child, and they always come true. It’s real."

The thought of her brother unable to attend the academy and her mother possibly dying from illness made her desperate to grasp at this last straw.

Though young, she could tell that Bai Yuan was the one truly in charge at the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.

Bai Yuan grew even more intrigued.

’Could this be a special ability granted by her Four Yin Life Chart?’

He recalled discussing the Dao with an old Daoist once. He’d heard that masters of the Daoist Family could divine fate in their dreams, but that was a supreme Divination Technique. This little girl couldn’t possibly know it.

Bai Yuan’s eyes lit up.

’Perhaps this Fang E is a rare, natural talent for divination.’

"Of course, I won’t just take your word for it. After I have verified your claim, I will release your family. As for the Spirit Pill... we can discuss it then."

Fang E sighed inwardly.

’So I won’t be getting the Spirit Pill after all.’

Still, getting her family released would fulfill her greatest wish.

"You may go."

Bai Yuan waved a dismissive hand.

An Official, hearing a signal from Zhou Lin inside the room, entered and led Fang E away.

Bai Yuan watched her small figure depart, his interest piqued even further.

"Have someone keep a close watch on that girl."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Zhou Lin always carried out Bai Yuan’s orders without question.

Bai Yuan settled back into his large, solid wood chair.

’Dan Mountain...’

’I have a theory. Fang E was likely born different from ordinary people, which is why she could see the Fox Demon’s memories. In the Daoist Sect, this is known as having an Innate Special Physique. As for what kind of constitution it is, only a Daoist Sect master could determine it through bone reading. But it’s almost certain that Fang E is a prime candidate for cultivation. As for the person the Fox Demon was kowtowing to, it was very likely the hidden master who taught it the Shadow Killing Technique and the ’Old Ape’s Five Hearts to Heaven’ technique.’

After some deliberation, Bai Yuan decided to tell Elder Pei about this matter.

The mastermind’s cultivation level was unknown, but it was certainly not low.

He had no desire to face such a master alone. The best solution was to find an ally, and the old Daoist was the perfect candidate.

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