The bad news is there’s not much time left for the action, and the risk level has also increased significantly.

The good news is… there’s still an opportunity.

“The Jing country has been established for four thousand years. Every path has been walked, and every position is occupied. The room for upward movement is very narrow. Now, some young people with promising futures all choose to develop in Tianjing City. If they had a choice, who would be willing to stay in Taiping City?”

“This place is said to be a famous prefecture and a strong city, but its glory is already covered in dust, and it’s not a border stronghold. To say it’s indulging in ease and comfort and has lax military readiness is being polite. I came here a day earlier and visited the city lord’s residence several times, but I didn’t hear any activity.”

“You Que’s initial departure from Tianjing City was already a loss of competitive opportunity, a forced return to his old home.”

“Now he lives alone in a small courtyard in the northeast corner. Look, just this section.”

Qin Guang Wang gestured with his finger: “Not many servants of the You family even come here. Not throwing him in the woodshed or kicking him out to die was just the minimal face given to a descendant of the You clan. The You family now simply pretends he doesn’t exist.”

You Que’s Dao heart collapsed during the Battle of Fá Wèi in the Dao calendar year 3898. It has been over twenty years since then.

That’s a considerable amount of time.

The You family definitely tried every method they could, and couldn’t use, but nothing helped.

He gave up on himself, and eventually the You family gave up on him too.

Wu Guan Wang said stiffly but in an orderly fashion: “Then this task is very simple. Give Tai Shan Wang an opportunity to redeem himself. Let him, without causing any disturbance, kill You Que and bring his head back. You all go first, I’ll hand him over here.”

Speaking of which, the current Tai Shan Wang is indeed tall and strong, full of vigor, and in excellent physical condition… but this fellow Wu Guan Wang’s covetousness is too obvious.

Qin Guang Wang looked at him somewhat dangerously: “Do you think I’m recruiting people to provide you with stock goods?”

Wu Guan Wang shrank back: “I was just offering suggestions for the organization… you can disagree, right?”

It’s impossible for there to be truly foolish people among those who have survived in Hell’s Gate. Wu Guan Wang coveted Tai Shan Wang’s corpse, and Tai Shan Wang wasn’t stupid; he wouldn’t do anything that would lead to certain death. He always caused trouble, but sometimes he would lose control.

Bian Cheng Wang ignored the undercurrents between them, maintaining his cold and ruthless posture: “If killing You Que were really that simple, the client could have done it themselves. Why spend a fortune to find us?”

He looked at Qin Guang Wang: “As you said, Hell’s Gate doesn’t need to deeply investigate the client’s intentions. But before the action, I must know what dangers I will face.”

Even after over twenty years, proving You Que is a waste.

Even with many reasons to argue that You Que is harmless.

But the mere fact that someone is offering a high reward to assassinate You Que is enough to indicate You Que’s danger.

Either You Que isn’t simple, or the things he’s involved with aren’t simple.

A person whose future is destroyed, who has been removed from the family succession, and who isn’t involved in power struggles. He has lived in seclusion for years, and has no interests to compete for… then why would someone still spend a fortune to hire killers to kill him?

Inviting Hell’s Gate to act is not cheap.

He would rather You Que had already reshaped his Dao heart, returned to Shen Lin, or was still valued by his family and well protected. That way, the dangers would still be in the known categories, and whether to fight or not could be properly weighed.

Now, without knowing what dangers lie in the fog, without knowing if it’s a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, to rashly risk one’s life to investigate… how many lives can be so foolishly wasted?

“You’re right.” Qin Guang Wang thought for a moment and said: “But time is already very tight, and in the Jing country, our actions are very restricted. It will probably be very difficult to investigate too clearly.”

“Why don’t we have Tai Shan Wang go probe the depth first?” Wu Guan Wang suddenly offered another idea.

Qin Guang Wang couldn’t bear it anymore and slapped him to the ground.

He was like a smashed mud doll, not even a scream of pain. His bones and muscles separated, and he lay limply under his black robe, like a pile of rotten mud.

Soon, spirituality descended again. Bones reassembled, flesh continued to climb, the black robe was propped up again, and Wu Guan Wang swayed before sitting steady, muttering: “I shouldn’t have spoken.”

Bian Cheng Wang naturally didn’t miss the performance of the two Yan Luo powers, but his eyes didn’t waver, and his voice was cold: “If I remember correctly, Lou Jun Lan should be from Ying Tian Fu. Why would she come to Taiping City?”

Qin Guang Wang had obviously already investigated and explained clearly: “She is now serving in the Jing Ji Lou, her duty is ‘Bing Cao Shi’, and she has the authority to inspect soldiers. The Jing Ji Lou selects different times each year to inspect the military administration of each fu to prevent military matters from being wasted. Lou Jun Lan is just responsible for Ying Tian Fu, and she is currently inspecting Taiping City.”

Bian Cheng Wang said without expression: “That is to say, her arrival in Taiping City at this time is just a coincidence?”

“Currently, that’s all we can say.” Qin Guang Wang said: “It’s impossible for us to investigate more detailed intelligence.”

“I don’t believe in coincidences.” Bian Cheng Wang said coldly.

Wu Guan Wang lowered his head, not knowing whether to nod or shake his head.

Qin Guang Wang said thoughtfully: “What other feelings do you have?”

Bian Cheng Wang said directly: “You Que gives me a very dangerous feeling.”

His future is destroyed, he lives in seclusion, and he has been abandoned by his family. It reminds him too easily of a friend.

“But you haven’t even seen him.”

“That’s why I said it’s a feeling.”

“I trust your intuition.” Qin Guang Wang nodded: “But the task has already been accepted, so we must complete it. Hell’s Gate has come this far, reputation is very important.”

“Pardon me for interrupting,” Bian Cheng Wang said not very politely: “Reputation?”

Qin Guang Wang sat casually, his eyes playful, but his tone was very serious: “As long as the price is right, there is no one under heaven who cannot be killed.”

The old residence of the You family can also be said to be accustomed to trials and tribulations.

In the era of You Yu Heng, not to mention the cities in Ying Tian Fu, even Tianjing City often had high officials and nobles coming specifically to pay their respects.

How much true feelings and incense ash had accumulated in the ancestral hall of the You family.

Later, when You Qin Xu’s sword crossed the central region, even in the deep mountains, there were often distant relatives visiting.

When You Que won the champion at the Huang He assembly, there were also many uncles and elders who took care of old friends.

It is said that You Que was able to participate in the must-win Battle of Fá Wèi, and shoulder one side under Yin Xiao Heng, leading an army alone, which was also the result of his uncles’ care.

Otherwise, how could such a great opportunity in the grand four thousand years of Great Jing be given to you so easily?

It’s a pity that You Que didn’t grasp it and instead fell and never rose again.

Today, the You family’s large residence in Tianjing City is desolate, with few carriages. Not to mention the old residence located in Taiping City. Not a single visitor is seen for ten days to half a month, and the incense in the ancestral hall is all maintained by the You family themselves.

On this day, a rare guest arrived.

The arrival was Lou Jun Lan, the proud daughter of the prosperous nation.

She had competed with Chen Suan for spots in the outer pagoda field at the initial Huang He assembly, and later regretted her defeat under Tian Ji…

Of course, in that session of the Huang He assembly, the Jing country even abandoned the inner mansion and outer pagoda events. Their competition was all in vain.

Lou Jun Lan was born into the Lou clan, known as the ‘first family of Ying Tian’.

The most famous and powerful figure in this sect now is the current first true person of the central region — Lou Yue.

Given the vastness of the central region and the multitude of powerful figures, being able to claim the title of the first and suppress powerful existences such as the head of the Jing Shi Tai and the Ba Jia commanders with personal military force demonstrates the terrifying extent of his strength.

Lou Jun Lan herself is also at the Shen Lin stage, her golden body is indestructible, and she has been tested on the demon realm battlefield. Her future is greatly promising.

Within the You family’s old residence in Taiping City, they genuinely couldn’t find anyone qualified to receive her for a time.

Only the family elders guarding the ancestral hall came out and lined up to wait outside the door.

Lou Jun Lan, who was twenty-seven years old this year, had exquisite features and a lovable appearance, but her eyebrows clearly showed pride.

Today, she also wore soft armor, making her even more cold and solemn and difficult to approach.

“No need to stand on ceremony.” As soon as she got off the carriage, she waved her hand to stop the pleasantries: “This official is inspecting the military affairs of Ying Tian Fu and is here for official business. Remembering the ancestors of the You clan and the heroic spirits in my heart, I have come here to offer a stick of incense, that’s all.”

The most senior family elder present was You Qin Wei, the youngest brother of You Qin Xu in those years.

Compared to the bravery of his elder brother, who was once famous throughout the central region, he was a doddering old man who achieved Shen Lin. He often spoke of the difficulty of the Dao path and the hopelessness of Dong Zhen. He just guarded the ancestral hall and continued the genealogy, barely maintaining the family’s reputation.

Hearing Lou Jun Lan’s words, You Qin Wei nodded: “Thank you, Miss Lou, for your consideration. Please come this way.”

Before stepping forward to follow, Lou Jun Lan faintly glanced at the others: “It’s fine for Elder You to lead the way alone. The others don’t need to follow.”

You Qin Wei also waved his hand, so the crowd dispersed.

After they couldn’t see You Qin Wei and Lou Jun Lan’s figures anymore, You Shi Rang, the youngest of the direct descendants of the You family of this generation, couldn’t help but complain: “What are you so proud of? Who begged her to come to the door?”

“You’re just secretly happy, aren’t you? She didn’t slap you. Your eyes were almost hanging on her, and you still want to save face?”

A family elder beside him said: “Before participating in the Star Moon Plain war, she was even more proud than she is now.”

You Shi Rang then sneered.

The Star Moon Plain war saw the geniuses of Qi defeat the geniuses of Jing. For every Jing country genius who participated, it was a stain on their life.

After all, the people of Jing country were always accustomed to victory.

In the ancestral hall of the You clan, Lou Jun Lan seriously offered a stick of incense before the memorial tablets of the strong individuals of the You clan throughout the generations, and then said casually: “Why don’t I see You Jing Long?”

You Qin Wei, who was standing to one side, blinked his eyes and thought for a while before remembering who Lou Jun Lan was asking about.

In the past, You Que overturned the sky with a single palm on the Guan Jiang Tai, causing the Long River Dragon Lord to exclaim ‘absolute world’.

Hence, he earned the beautiful name ‘You Jing Long’.

He hadn’t been heard from for several decades!

“Each generation of rivers and mountains produces talented people, and hidden treasures eventually lose their brilliance.” You Qin Wei sighed: “In the past, You Jing Long is now just an ordinary person among the crowds! I don’t even care much, does Miss Lou still remember him?”

Lou Jun Lan said: “Since You Jing Long, the title of inner mansion champion has not returned to Great Jing. Perhaps it’s because each generation is not as good as the last. I can’t help but feel ashamed.”

You Qin Wei lightly stroked his white beard and implied: “Not to mention the future, if Wan Si Jing Hu were still alive, he wouldn’t be a match for that Jiang Wang.”

Wan Si Jing Hu was the original candidate for the inner mansion competition in the Dao calendar year 3919 at the Huang He assembly. He defeated Xu San, a genius born in Da Luo Mountain, and Pei Hong Jiu, the nephew of Pei Xing He of Zheng Tian Fu Pei clan, and won the spot without dispute. However, he was ultimately lost in the demon realm and died a violent death.

This triggered a thorough internal investigation and rectification in the Jing country, and also led to the Jing country successively abandoning the inner mansion and outer pagoda events. Tai Yu Zhen Ren Li Yi was urgently recalled, leaving all Shen Lin geniuses, including Chun Yu Gui and Zhao Xuan Yang of their own country, unable to shine and losing their luster.

Lou Jun Lan didn’t elaborate, only limiting the scope of the discussion to the title of inner mansion champion: “Just for the title of inner mansion champion, Wan Si Jing Hu indeed had the strength to challenge Jiang Wang, but the hope of winning was probably not high. How deep was Qin Zhi Zhen’s foundation? His paper strength was a section higher, yet he still lost. Although I don’t want to admit it, the intensity of the inner mansion competition in the Dao calendar year 3919 was rare in ancient and modern times. And all the inner mansion realm geniuses at that time have now been left far behind by Jiang Wang… many people at that time could contend with him for a win or loss by a narrow margin, but now, who knows who can be his opponent?”

“This is what is called fate.” You Qin Wei said: “The title of Huang He champion added to one’s body is like a long rainbow piercing the sun, naturally unmatched under heaven. If Qin Zhi Zhen had won on the Guan Jiang Tai that year, who knows if he would be like that Qin Chang Sheng now, who can claim the title of Qin Invincible in the Shen Lin realm?”

Although You Qin Wei’s own cultivation was not remarkable, and Lou Jun Lan, as a later generation, was confident that she was already above him. But his elder brother was, after all, once the first true person of the central region, and his vision was not to be underestimated.

“Elder You’s words make me think deeply.” Lou Jun Lan pondered: “The title of Huang He champion is a magnificent momentum, the luck of the human path. Some ride the momentum to rise, while others are suppressed by it. Those who cannot bear the momentum are like Zuo Guang Lie, whose star fell in Qing He County, and You Jing Long, whose heart shattered in Ye Wang City?”

“Ye Wang” is the city that You Que slaughtered in those years, and also an important town of the Wei country. You Que’s Dao heart collapsed right here, and he became a waste from then on.

Seeing that Lou Jun Lan’s words always revolved around You Que, You Qin Wei knew that this meeting was unavoidable. Finally, he said: “You Que has become more and more reclusive and eccentric since that year’s incident. He lives alone in a courtyard and rarely communicates with people… I fear he has lost his manners.”

Lou Jun Lan said solemnly: “I should go visit him.”

You Qin Wei then no longer blocked her.

To be honest, no one in the You family could block Lou Jun Lan now. Being willing to be so tactful and give a greeting here was already considered Lou Jun Lan giving face.

All the way to this isolated courtyard in the deep, sea-like big residence. Wild grass could be seen on the broken stone path, showing it hadn’t been visited for a long time. When You Que died here, perhaps no one would know.

You Qin Wei didn’t hide anything. He walked to the small courtyard door, picked up the door knocker, and lightly knocked: “You Que, there’s a guest to see you! Tidy up a bit.”

After a while, only a slow voice responded: “Don’t look, I’m not in.”

Lou Jun Lan took a step forward, with the demeanor of a young lady from a famous family: “Junior Ying Tian Fu Lou Jun Lan, presumptuously visiting. Please grant me an audience, sir.”

That voice impatiently said: “Don’t see, don’t see, I said I’m not seeing anyone!”

You Qin Wei turned his head, looking troubled: “You see, this…”

Lou Jun Lan smiled politely: “Since that’s the case, then…”

She opened the door with one palm, walked in, and then said faintly: “Presumptuous.”

The scenery inside the small courtyard was very different from what she had imagined.

It was just the afternoon, and the setting sun was shining. A man wearing coarse hemp clothes, with his long hair simply tied with a wooden hairpin, was holding a hoe and hoeing the ground. At this moment, he stopped hoeing, looked back calmly, his eyes filled with a kind of calm loneliness.

His features still looked like a middle-aged person, but he had a lot of white hair. He was probably handsome in his youth, but like his white hair, he had withered.

Behind him was a patch of greenery, all kinds of vegetables.

This isolated courtyard had been turned into a vegetable garden by him.

Chickens were foraging and pacing between the ground ridges.

A dog was lying under the eaves over there. Seeing the strangers come, it had already stood up and wagged its tail.

The warm light of the afternoon shone like an ordinary farm family.

He had lived in seclusion for several decades.

It didn’t seem that lonely.