"He didn't give a name," Dishan admitted, his brow furrowed. "He ordered Uncle Lu to host a sparring match and use the soul-binding scroll as a prize for the victor, and he even threatened the old man that he would kill his family if he didn't obey him!" Dishan's voice tightened. "That guy! If I ever saw him, I'd beat the crap out of him!"

If he had the guts to threaten an elder, then he is a force to be reckoned with, Shu Yue thought deeply.

"Does he wear a gold belt?" asked Xiao Ran.

Dishan's dark-eyed gaze snapped toward him. "You know him?"

So it was really him, Shu Yue thought.

The color of one's belt denotes one's rank, with gold indicating the highest rank, which an Ophiuchus Clan disciple could never achieve due to a lack of advanced techniques required to achieve higher cultivation levels.

Since the mysterious bettor was wearing a gold belt and he didn't have the clan's emblem, then he wasn't definitely from this clan. And based on Xiao Ran's description of him, he was no soldier either.

An outsider dared to enter the Ophiuchus Clan? What an insolent, troublesome disciple!

Shu Yue clutched her sword tightly, trying to fight down her frustration, and said in that casually neutral tone, "No, we don't, but my companion noticed such an odd guy among the spectators. One we've never seen before."

"I suppose he was, but I was too engrossed in our sparring to notice if he was there. But Uncle Lu and I are very confused as to why he would want to give away such an expensive item. Whoever he is, I sense nothing but trouble from him. According to Uncle Lu, he is very sly." He sighed in frustration. "Anyway, why are you asking about this?"

"Nothing important; I'm just... genuinely curious," Shu Yue replied in that soothing voice of hers.

Dishan frowned, trying to figure out if she was lying, but it was all for naught because he couldn't see the face behind her mask. He shrugged, then a wide grin split his face. "So, what is the name of the sword art you're using, and when will you give me a copy of the instructional manual you possess? And just to let you know, we're leaving this city tomorrow to return to our village."

"It's yin and yang," Shu Yue said.

Dishan's frown deepened. "What?"

"You must be calm and attentive during combat," Shu Yue explained. "Have nerves of steel on the inside but be completely calm on the outside; that was my method in sword fighting."

"I'm not sure what you're on about, woman, but I didn't ask for advice or philosophy; what I need is for you to teach me martial arts. Like actual movements!"

Shu Yue pondered for a moment. Making an enemy out of them wouldn't be a good idea. The Springbear was not only one of the strongest warriors but also one of the largest tribes in the Ophiuchus Clan. This declining clan needed their strength and support, and they could also be very useful for her plans for the future. It was better to help them in order to foster a good relationship with the tribe.

Dishan was the son of the Springbear tribe's chief, and he was adored by many for his skill and outgoing personality. If he had the ability to hold influence over his tribe, then it wouldn't be hard for Shu Yue to gain the trust of the largest tribe in Hou Xing Mountain...if she had complete control over him.

Shu Yue's lips curved into a faint smile.

There is a value in keeping him around, so I need to get on his good side.

"Alright," Shu Yue said. "Expect my presence in Beargrove Village."

Dishan broke into a grin. "I hope you keep your word, lady; after all, we're from the same clan. We need to get stronger and show those arrogant nobles that the Ophiuchus Clan is no less inferior than them."

Interesting, Shu Yue thought as she frowned. She then bowed before turning around and walking the other way. Xiao Ran immediately followed suit. Their footsteps were as soft and quiet as a gentle breeze, almost imperceptible. They kept walking until they vanished from their sight.

As soon as Shu Yue no longer felt the presence of the Springbear warriors from behind them, she felt some slight relief. She never lied to Dishan about anything she told him. Her martial art was completely based on that philosophy. However, she was unwilling to teach him any techniques. Not now, when the Ophiuchus Clan was at its weakest. Anyone could betray them.

Who knows, there could already be traitors and spies in the clan. Actually, there was one threat already. So Shu Yue had to be extremely cautious and meticulous. Even the Hou Xing Mountain region, the Ophiuchus Clan's territory, was no longer safe.

Rasalhague Sutra was a high-level sword technique as well as a breathing technique. This martial art resembled the movements of a snake, in which the practitioner moves stealthily while delivering lethal strikes. It looked gentle and simple, but it was imbued with firmness. The secret of this sword art was the use of yin and yang energy, just as Shu Yue told Dishan. During a battle, one should strengthen the spirit while staying calm.

Calm and gentle in appearance like a demure woman, but fight like a vicious tiger.

She and her father were the sole practitioners of this hidden martial art. For that reason, she wasn't willing to share this knowledge with anyone else. Furthermore, this sword art should only be possessed by the descendants of Shu Jing Xing, the founding clan leader of the Ophiuchus Clan.

Shu Yue also didn't like the idea of someone else in the clan possessing such powerful martial arts and surpassing her. She had another plan in mind to gain the favor of the Springbear tribes without revealing her martial arts techniques.

"Xiao Ran," Shu Yue said in a firm voice when the mysterious bettor crossed her mind again. "We're being played by that guy. He intended me to win the sparring and have this soul-binding scroll."

Xiao Ran's brows knitted into a frown. "I don't think he's a warrior or a magus since I didn't sense any chi or mana from him."

Shu Yue fell silent for a few moments as she contemplated. "We can't be sure, though; he could be a high-level warrior or magus who uses high-level martial art or spell to conceal his aura."

"Hmm. So what do we do, Young Mistress?"

A short period of silence stretched between them before Shu Yue responded to his question.

"We will proceed as planned and play along until we learn of his intention."