C17 Hiding the Truth!

After Chu Yan finished speaking, he subtly watched the reactions of the two men.

Their recent behavior suggested they didn't recognize him, which made Chu Yan doubt their identities.

Considering his fame in the Southern Yuan Kingdom was well-known, it was unlikely that neighboring states hadn't heard of him.

Especially since these two were clearly accomplished warriors in the True Martial Realm, it was improbable they had no reaction to his name. Instead, they seemed particularly sensitive to the name Chu Yan.

From these clues, it was apparent that the situation was more complex than a simple erasure of identifiable evidence.

Frowning inwardly, Chu Yan silently awaited Zhao Ji and Feng Ru's response.

Zhao Ji, however, didn't directly answer Chu Yan's question. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he said, "Young man, our meeting must be destiny. I'm Zhao Ji, and this is my sworn brother, Feng Ru. We were just passing by when we rescued you. Tell us, what happened to you? When we found you, you were the sole survivor, and the others... their deaths were quite grim."

"We were ambushed by warriors," Chu Yan responded promptly.

"Only warriors?" Zhao Ji inquired.

"What are you implying, Brother Zhao?" Chu Yan asked, puzzled.

"Chu Yan, when we discovered you, we also detected a faint trace of spiritual energy at the scene," Zhao Ji said calmly, though Chu Yan could sense the underlying suspicion in his tone.

"Brother Zhao, I understand what you're referring to with 'spiritual energy fluctuation.' The warriors we encountered used a True Essence Talisman in their attempt to kill us. But how does that relate to the 'only warriors' you mentioned?" Chu Yan asked with a wry smile. "I had no intention of deceiving you; I simply didn't grasp what you were getting at."

"A martial artist used a True Essence Talisman?" Zhao Ji's gaze sharpened as he looked at Chu Yan. "Not a cultivator?"

An intangible pressure descended upon them.

"As I suspected, Zhao Ji is at least a fifth-level practitioner of the True Martial Realm!" Chu Yan thought to himself, maintaining a look of confusion. "Brother Zhao, the warrior was wounded and pressed the True Essence Talisman to his injury, using his own life force to activate it. I saw it with my own eyes, there's no mistake. But what does this have to do with the cultivator you mentioned?"

Upon hearing Chu Yan's explanation, Zhao Ji's gaze flickered. This time, he held back his response and instead turned to Feng Ru, asking, "Brother Chu, aren't you aware of the difference between warriors and cultivators?"

Chu Yan shook his head.

He wasn't feigning ignorance; he truly didn't know.

Zhao Ji and Feng Ru scrutinized Chu Yan for a long while before they were convinced he wasn't lying. Then, Feng Ru clarified the matter for him.

Only then did Chu Yan grasp the concept: warriors were simply those at the Genuine Force Stage, but upon reaching the Pulse Condensation Stage, they were no longer warriors but cultivators.

The implications of being slain by a warrior versus a cultivator were vastly different.

"I see now," Chu Yan said, as understanding dawned on him.

Simultaneously, he grew increasingly doubtful of Zhao Ji's and Feng Ru's backgrounds. Clearly, their breadth of knowledge surpassed even his own as a prince, hinting at a more complex origin.

"My apologies for the misunderstanding, Brother Chu. I hope you won't hold it against me," Zhao Ji said. "But Brother Chu, do you have any idea who harbors such intense animosity towards you? From what I understand, when a martial artist activates a True Essence Talisman, it drains not just their vital energy but also their lifespan. Without a vendetta as deep as the Blood Sea, few would resort to such a drastic measure."

"What else could it be but fratricidal strife within the family?" Chu Yan replied impassively.

Earlier, while eating, he had concocted a half-truth, half-fabrication to mask his true identity and to gauge Zhao Ji and Feng Ru's knowledge of the Southern Yuan Kingdom.

In his fabricated story, he cast himself as an emerging talent within his family, poised to challenge the direct descendants for the role of future heir. Yet, due to his side branch lineage, he would need to make a significant contribution to earn the whole family's unwavering support.

Therefore, he had undertaken an exceedingly perilous task from the family, aiming to prove his worth and potential. Little did he expect that the main branch would not only concoct charges against him but also dispatch assassins to eliminate him, leaving him with no home to return to.

"I owe Brother Zhao and Brother Feng a debt of gratitude for their righteous rescue this time. Without them, I would have been doomed to wander as a restless spirit, wrongfully slain," Chu Yan expressed, bowing with clasped fists in thanks once more.

His recounting of his identity and past was deliberately peppered with half-truths and fabrications, undetectable to anyone unaware of his true circumstances.

At that moment, Chu Yan was cautiously probing, taking a gamble on the lack of recognition in Zhao Ji and Feng Ru's eyes when he mentioned his real name.

After a thoughtful pause, Zhao Ji nodded, "I see. Well, Brother Chu, it seems you find yourself in a plight not unlike our own. Though, we might be slightly better off, clinging to a sliver of hope."

These words struck a chord in Chu Yan's heart.

He had a growing suspicion that their reason for saving him might be tied to this 'sliver of hope.'

Yet, there was one more thing he needed to verify before proceeding.

"Brothers, I must inquire—how long have I been unconscious? I fear that if the warriors those people dispatched failed to report back, they might send new assassins, potentially endangering both of you," Chu Yan voiced his concern.

"You've been out cold for a solid fifteen days," Feng Ru promptly responded. "But don't worry, with our speed and agility, we can easily elude ordinary warriors. Besides, no one would guess that you've been taken to our hideout."

Despite his earlier hunch, Chu Yan was still taken aback to learn he had been comatose for such an extended period, which explained his intense hunger.

Yet, he felt reassured that his identity would not be questioned by these two any time soon, especially since they appeared not to be from the Southern Yuan Kingdom or its neighboring regions.

"Brothers, would you mind disclosing our current location?" Chu Yan inquired after a moment's reflection.

"No need to hurry," Zhao Ji dismissed with a gesture. "Brother Chu Yan, there's no need for further tests. To be frank, our rescue was not without ulterior motives. However, you needn't worry. This situation may not only be harmless to you but could also present an extraordinary opportunity—a chance that might eventually aid you in reclaiming your place in your family and avenging past wrongs."

"Just as I thought!" Chu Yan inwardly scoffed. "Luring me to this place is likely a precaution—in case I refuse, it would be all too convenient to eliminate me."

Despite his internal monologue, Chu Yan's expression was one of innocent bewilderment. "Big Brother Zhao, you're making it sound quite grave. Is this scheme you're referring to the same glimmer of hope you mentioned before, amidst our dire straits?"