Urgent drumbeats echoed from the East Market Drum Tower, eight hundred evening beats signaling the arrival of night.

Outside Yingxian Tower, the setting sun dipped behind the city walls. The crane sculpture, catching the last light, cast a shadow that gradually lengthened before disappearing.

Chen Ji stood outside, welcoming guests. Today, Yingxian Tower had only one table of diners: his. A dozen banquets had originally been booked, but upon hearing that the newly appointed Sea Eagle of the Secret Service was holding a celebratory banquet here, people canceled their reservations one after another.

Because of this, the entire Baiyi Lane became deserted. Just outside, a carriage slowly pulled up.

Golden Pig lifted the carriage curtain and, leading West Wind, stepped down. He circled Chen Ji, scrutinizing him with a strange expression. Just moments ago, his cultivation had surged dramatically, leaving him only a step away from the Xundao realm.

Golden Pig had never witnessed such a rapid advancement in cultivation.

Chen Ji asked with a smile, “Lord Golden Pig, why are you looking at me like that?”

Golden Pig hesitated, ultimately deciding not to ask about the cultivation. “Oh, nothing, nothing. You’ve changed into new clothes today; you look much more spirited than usual. The tailor did a good job. Where did you get them made? I’d like to have two sets myself.”

Chen Ji laughed, “Li Ji’s, in front of the South Gate…”

Before he could finish, Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit arrived, walking side-by-side in black martial attire, followed by dozens of secret agents.

Golden Pig’s expression immediately darkened.

Chen Ji, perplexed, asked, “Lord Cloud Sheep, Lord Bright Rabbit, why have you brought so many people? This humble subordinate is short on funds; I’ve only booked one table, which can’t accommodate so many.”

Cloud Sheep said with a smile, “Don’t worry, these people aren’t here to eat.”

With that, he waved his hand to the secret agents behind him. The agents, hands on their waist-swords, swarmed into Yingxian Tower like locusts.

Once all the agents had entered, Cloud Sheep casually explained, “There are still remnants of the Liu family causing trouble in Luocheng, which is quite a headache. As the saying goes, ‘a centipede dies but never stiffens’ – a powerful force, though defeated, can still cause trouble. Tonight, three of our Secret Service Zodiacs are gathered here. Naturally, we must take precautions to prevent any Liu family remnants from hiding in Yingxian Tower. If the three of us were to fall victim, it would be a great loss to the Secret Service.”

Chen Ji calmly asked, “Three? Are Lord White Dragon and Lord Dream Rooster not coming?”

Bright Rabbit said with a smile, “Lord White Dragon never attends banquets; after all, it’s hard to drink and eat with a mask on. Dream Rooster was originally coming with us but suddenly had an urgent matter and returned to Kaifeng Prefecture. Don’t worry, you don’t need anyone else; if you want to drink, I’ll keep you company.”

Cloud Sheep’s expression darkened. “I’ll drink with him, that’s enough.” Bright Rabbit rolled her eyes.

At this moment, the secret agents who had searched Yingxian Tower filed out. One of them silently shook his head at Cloud Sheep.

Cloud Sheep pondered for a moment, still feeling uneasy. He looked at Chen Ji. “The dishes here at Yingxian Tower are all for show; they don’t actually taste good. How about we switch to Green Bamboo Garden in Baiyi Lane? I’ve tasted their pickled goose webs and duck gizzards; they are truly exceptional.”

Chen Ji frowned slightly. “Lord Cloud Sheep, I’ve already booked this banquet at Yingxian Tower. It wouldn’t be proper to change it so casually, would it?”

Cloud Sheep countered, “Are you implying you’ve set something up in Yingxian Tower, which is why you’re unwilling to change locations?”

Chen Ji looked at Golden Pig, who, uncharacteristically, remained silent, not refuting Cloud Sheep but simply lowering his head.

Chen Ji took a deep breath. “What could I possibly set up in Yingxian Tower? Lord Cloud Sheep is overthinking this. If Lord Cloud Sheep insists on changing locations, this humble subordinate will naturally comply.”

Cloud Sheep let out a hearty laugh. “Then let’s go, Green Bamboo Garden isn’t far.”

With that, he led the way for dozens of paces, stopping outside a courtyard. Pipa music drifted from within Green Bamboo Garden. Cloud Sheep waved his hand dismissively, “Tell everyone inside to get out.”

In just the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the guests in the garden fled in disarray.

Cloud Sheep waved his hand, and dozens of secret agents immediately dispersed, surrounding Green Bamboo Garden. Any carriages passing by the entrance were also stopped and turned away.

Cloud Sheep looked into Chen Ji’s eyes. “Now it’s settled. No one in Luocheng will be able to ambush us. Chen Ji, don’t overthink it; this is also for your protection.”

“Oh?” Chen Ji asked curiously, “How so?”

Cloud Sheep said playfully, “Our Secret Service has always had a bad reputation. Few outside know that you are our Secret Service’s Sea Eagle, so it’s good to keep it confidential. Besides, now that you’ve betrayed Prince Jing by stabbing him in the back and selling out his son and daughter… given Prince Jing’s prestige in the martial world, if those martial artists knew your appearance, you probably wouldn’t even be able to eat a bowl of noodles in peace outside. Someone might poison you today, or shoot a hidden arrow tomorrow. How could you live like that?”

Chen Ji calmly replied, “Lord Cloud Sheep is absolutely right. Thank you for your protection; please come in and be seated.”

Cloud Sheep let out a hearty laugh and led the way into Green Bamboo Garden.

Just as Chen Ji was about to walk in, Golden Pig grabbed his wrist. “Brother, you cannot defy the prevailing situation!”

Chen Ji feigned confusion. “What are you talking about, Lord? What ‘prevailing situation’ would one defy on such a joyous day?”

In the dim light where night and twilight intertwined, Golden Pig meticulously studied the young man before him. Only he knew that Chen Ji’s cultivation had suddenly surged that evening.

Although he didn’t know how Chen Ji had achieved it or what price he had paid, he knew that this day must be extremely important for Chen Ji.

Chen Ji clasped Golden Pig’s wrist in return and said softly, “Lord Golden Pig, in this martial world, who can truly discern genuine intentions from false ones? You and I are now on the same boat, so don’t be afraid.”

Golden Pig watched Chen Ji’s back disappear into Green Bamboo Garden, then gritted his teeth and followed. Simultaneously, Dark Cloud led over a dozen robust tabby cats silently into the back alley of Green Bamboo Garden. Each cat held a bamboo tube in its mouth. The dozen or so cats huddled in the shadows, their eyes closed, waiting quietly.

The next moment, a calico cat emerged from a dog hole at the wall’s base and let out a meow. Dark Cloud’s eyes snapped open, and holding the bamboo tube, he slipped in like flowing water.

On the second floor of Green Bamboo Garden’s screened pavilion, dishes were brought out in a steady stream: steamed duck with fermented rice, shrimp ball and chicken skin soup, rouge goose breast, and cream pine nut crisp rolls—all delicacies rarely seen on ordinary days.

A courtesan, veiled and holding a pipa, approached but was blocked by a secret agent. “The lords are dining and conversing; no idlers are allowed near.”

During the banquet, Cloud Sheep sat opposite Chen Ji, picked up a piece of duck meat with his chopsticks, and asked curiously, “Chen Ji, I hear you had a deep friendship with Prince Jing’s heir and the Princess. At Luhun Villa, you even argued on the Princess’s behalf, defending her honor. And when you left, you led her horse for her, just like a divine couple in a storybook… Storytellers across the land should thank you; your tale is enough to keep them entertained for a month without getting tiresome.”

Chen Ji took a sip of wine. “What does Lord Cloud Sheep wish to ask?”

Cloud Sheep asked with a smile, “I’m curious: did you intend to betray them from the start, or did you only do so later for self-preservation? And how do you think the martial world will tell your story from now on?”

Chen Ji smiled. “Lord Cloud Sheep, you jest. You and I both serve the Grand Minister; how could there be any romantic entanglements? Since Prince Jing committed treason, it is our duty to act. There are no personal feelings when it comes to the nation.”

Cloud Sheep praised, “Well said!”

Golden Pig said coldly, “That’s enough. Haven’t you betrayed others all these years? A year ago, when you were still Sea Eagle, Night Sheep trusted your intelligence, which led him into an ambush by Jing Dynasty bandits. If not for that, how would the Sheep position have become vacant for you?”

Cloud Sheep replied nonchalantly, “How was I to know if the intelligence was true or false when I first received it? Besides, those Jing Dynasty bandits ultimately died in our Secret Service’s encirclement. Lord Night Sheep also died honorably. I know Night Sheep helped you in Wunian Mountain, but his death really has nothing to do with me.”

Golden Pig let out a cold laugh and drained the strong wine in his cup.

Bright Rabbit casually remarked, “Always stirring up trouble while drinking. Why bring up Wunian Mountain at such a joyous time? Do you still have feelings for that place?”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “What kind of place is Wunian Mountain, actually?”

Bright Rabbit turned to him and said cheerfully, “You just need to know that never having been to Wunian Mountain is your good fortune in this life. Don’t ask anything else. Let’s drink, let’s drink! How about we share a cup of wine?”

Chen Ji quickly stood up. “Sirs, please enjoy yourselves. I’ll go change and be right back.”

Bright Rabbit muttered, “How boring!”

However, just as he stood up, Cloud Sheep also rose. “I’ll go with you.” Chen Ji smiled. “Then let’s go together.”

Golden Pig watched the two leave the table, his expression subtly tensing. If Chen Ji intended to act, it would be now. He looked around but found nothing unusual.

A moment later, Chen Ji and Cloud Sheep returned together. Chen Ji said with a smile, “Lord Cloud Sheep didn’t need to change but still accompanied me. I suppose he was afraid I’d be ambushed. Or perhaps, he was afraid I’d harm him.”

Golden Pig stood up and said scornfully, “He’s got the mind of a petty man, always plotting to harm others, so he’s always worried others will harm him… I’ll go change too.”

He slowly left the table. As he departed, he instinctively glanced back, seeing Chen Ji drinking with his head bowed, his eyes hidden in shadow.

Golden Pig hesitantly descended the stairs of the screened pavilion. When he had gone down a few steps and looked back again, he saw Chen Ji smiling and talking with Bright Rabbit, with no further abnormalities.

He breathed a sigh of relief. They had already changed locations for drinking, and dozens of secret agents were guarding the place. Surely, Chen Ji wouldn’t do anything tonight.

Golden Pig walked out of the screened pavilion, slipped into a nearby latrine, pinched his nose, and unfastened his trousers. Only he knew that Chen Ji was the same swordsman from Hongyi Lane who had used firearms—Chen Ji *had* firearms!

When Chen Ji had gone to change earlier, Golden Pig had almost thought Chen Ji was about to make a move, but thankfully he hadn’t.

Golden Pig quietly muttered to himself, “That’s right, they’ll forget… they’ll always forget.”

However, at that very moment, with a dozen thunderous blasts, massive airwaves overturned the latrine, and brick walls collapsed on top of him.

In an instant, flames erupted!

The wooden foundations of Green Bamboo Garden’s screened pavilion on the second floor were utterly destroyed by the flames. The entire pavilion, like a dismantled frame, roared as it collapsed, turning into a massive ruin.

Golden Pig’s ears buzzed. He struggled to push aside the latrine debris, staring blankly at the ruin before him.

Why? Why?

Chen Ji was clearly still inside; why would he detonate firearms?!

Golden Pig murmured, “So, from the very beginning, you had resolved to die, to keep Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit here…”

Too much time had passed; even Cloud Sheep had almost forgotten the obsession in Chen Ji’s eyes when he first met him.

From the moment he walked out of Taiping Medical Hall, he had never expected to return alive.

At this moment, shouts of killing came from outside Green Bamboo Garden, as someone closed in.

With a crunch, a hand emerged from the rubble. The arm slowly pushed aside the broken walls and debris.

The rubble slowly rose, and finally, Chen Ji stood up from within it, the furnace fire burning fiercely within him as he let the heavy snow fall upon him.

In the firelight, Chen Ji gasped, looking at Golden Pig.

Golden Pig was silent for two breaths, then lay back down and closed his eyes.

Chen Ji looked around, shouting loudly, “Enemy attack! Quickly, save Lord Cloud Sheep and Lord Bright Rabbit! Lord Golden Pig, Lord Golden Pig, where are you?!”

He had intended to search for Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit, but now it was a complete ruin, and he had no idea where they might be buried.

As he pondered, a nimble middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat burst in, displaying mantis-like legs and a worker bee’s waist, covered in blood and ferociously aggressive.

Chen Ji emerged from the rubble. “Villain, you seek death!”

The middle-aged man did not linger to fight; he turned and left. The two, one after the other, pursued him into the pitch-black, snowy night.