The blade descended.

Li Zhuiyuan could see his reflection in the glint of the armor.

He watched as a perfectly straight black line appeared on his body, starting from his left eye, slanting downwards, extending over his neck, spreading across his chest, and finally reaching his right leg.

Immediately after, the black line gradually thickened, and red seeped out from within. His body began to separate, his vision shifting as if two stacked blocks smoothly came apart.

“Thud!”

The sound of falling, and the sticky gush of blood.

The surrounding song and dance feast continued, the music and laughter clearly audible.

The young man blinked.

After cleaving with the blade, the armored figure turned and walked back to the head seat.

The blood-stained blade was returned to its sheath hanging on a pillar.

The armored figure sat down again, and the previously extended joints of the armor retracted, returning to their initial, posed appearance.

Only two faint lights glowed beneath the dark helmet.

And that voice, once again, resounded:

“You have no chance, and no more time.
Heaven’s will,
no longer permits you to live on.”

The surrounding scene began to distort, like a large stone dropped into a calm lake.

In an instant, Li Zhuiyuan’s perception returned to reality.

He stood at the doorway. In the corner inside, Elder Zhai and Engineer Luo were facing each other, eating boxed lunches.

The young man raised his right hand, covering his mouth with the back of it, and yawned.

This was his only reaction to the recent illusion.

No fear, no panic, no bewilderment.

Li Zhuiyuan walked back through the door, smiling as he spoke:

“Hello, teachers!”

Elder Zhai offered a kind smile: “Haha, my good student is here.”

Engineer Luo turned around, pointing his disposable chopsticks at the approaching young man, and said:

“Elder Zhai, I respect you, but Xiao Yuan is my student.”

Elder Zhai: “I am also a teacher at this university now.”

Engineer Luo: “Xiao Yuan getting into this university was thanks to me talking to his high school principal.”

Elder Zhai: “Petty.”

Engineer Luo: “It depends on the person.”

Elder Zhai: “Xiao Yuan, have you eaten?”

Engineer Luo: “You probably just arrived. Here, there’s another boxed lunch. If you didn’t come soon, I would have eaten it.”

Li Zhuiyuan sat down at the table. Elder Zhai helped him unwrap and separate the chopsticks, then rubbed them several times to ensure there were no splinters before handing them over.

Engineer Luo helped open the boxed lunch, and incidentally, picked several pieces of braised pork from his own portion and placed them into Li Zhuiyuan’s.

Disposable chopsticks, a white plastic lunchbox, fried gluten with braised pork, stir-fried green beans with shredded pork, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, accompanied by a solid portion of rice. No need to taste it, just looking at it made it seem delicious.

Li Zhuiyuan began to eat.

Elder Zhai and Engineer Luo had already finished. They each lit a cigarette and, in unspoken agreement, said no more.

Normally at home, Li Zhuiyuan ate slowly, chewing carefully, because A-Li always ate very methodically.

Now, with two elders waiting for him, he naturally had to “be possessed” by “Chen Xiyuan.”

Elder Zhai and Engineer Luo would occasionally turn to glance at the young man, then turn back, exhale smoke, and smile knowingly.

Older people generally enjoy watching young people eat.

As if seeing their own once hearty appetites, recalling their lost youth.

Li Zhuiyuan finished eating and put down his chopsticks.

Engineer Luo: “Enough? Want more?”

Elder Zhai interrupted: “There’s none left. You ate two portions yourself.”

Engineer Luo: “You ordered too little.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I’m full, I can’t eat any more.”

Engineer Luo gesticulated: “You, kid, you can’t eat as much as I could when I was young. When I was your age, I could finish three big bowls of rice, piled high, in one meal.”

Elder Zhai: “Back then, food was scarce, so people ate a lot of staple foods. Everyone was a big eater.”

Engineer Luo: “Xiao Yuan, do you remember what I told you about that air-raid shelter project?”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I remember, the Gaogouli tomb.”

Engineer Luo: “This project has officially restarted, and I’ve invited Elder Zhai to participate in it. Liangliang is in charge of organizing and coordinating, and you, Xiao Yuan, were personally selected by Elder Zhai to assist him with the theoretical research.”

Elder Zhai: “To put it more plainly, it’s just sorting and compiling data.”

Engineer Luo: “Looking back now, we truly suffered because of our shortcomings in this area.”

Elder Zhai nodded.

At this moment, Engineer Luo’s pager vibrated. He glanced down, shook his head, and looked regretful.

“I wanted to chat with you more, Xiao Yuan, and have your teacher’s wife cook dinner at my place tonight. But, it’s all gone. Xiao Yuan, if you need anything, tell Liangliang. If you don’t understand something, ask your Teacher Zhai.”

Engineer Luo stood up and left in a hurry. This was always Engineer Luo’s image; he was always busy.

Li Zhuiyuan stood up and watched Engineer Luo leave.

Elder Zhai: “He’s not easy either. Throughout the year, the number of times he gets to eat a peaceful meal is few and far between.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Were you like that when you were young?”

Elder Zhai smiled: “Yes, that’s how we all were, but he’s better at guiding students than I am.”

If one possessed exceptional hard skills and was willing to compete, being Engineer Luo’s student would be very fortunate. He was willing to invest resources and pave the way to a higher stage for you.

Elder Zhai, on the other hand, was like a kind elder.

A thick document folder was taken from a drawer by Elder Zhai and placed in front of Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan: “Can I take it back to read?”

Elder Zhai: “You can. The real secrets are not in there.”

Li Zhuiyuan put away the document folder.

Elder Zhai stood up and walked to the window. Outside was a flower garden, and the sun was just right, casting a long, long shadow of Elder Zhai.

Li Zhuiyuan followed, standing behind Elder Zhai.

Elder Zhai: “Your teacher wants to cultivate you specifically, which is why he brought you into this project.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I understand my teacher’s guidance.”

Elder Zhai: “No need to rush. Although the project has restarted, its actual implementation and progress will take some time, probably about a month.
Learning from the last lesson, this time will likely involve step-by-step external surveying and exploration. Xiao Yuan, you must be careful.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Aren’t you going?”

Elder Zhai: “Of course, I will go.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I’ll be safe with you.”

Elder Zhai: “That’s not necessarily true.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Teacher, what do you need me to do?”

Elder Zhai: “The initial documentation still requires some time for screening and organization. Once the specific departure date is set, come a week in advance to help me with the final report.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “You’re making it too easy for me.”

Elder Zhai reached out and patted the young man’s shoulder: “You have to give your senior brothers and sisters room to contribute. Even the smartest person has limited energy and can’t handle everything.
Also, I now have a conjecture: the Gaogouli tomb involved in that air-raid shelter project is not merely a tomb. It likely involves a certain sacrificial culture.
At that time, scholars from various related fields will be brought together for theoretical discussions and syntheses from all aspects. I am old, so you will need to be by my side, helping me remember, think, and understand. Who else has a brain as sharp as yours? Good steel should be used on the blade.”

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Elder Zhai: “The three of you all performed very well in the last final exam; you are all promising talents. Your teacher specifically praised this point during dinner just now.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “That’s as it should be.”

Elder Zhai: “It’s good to get involved and participate in work early. Combining theory with practice makes for more efficient learning and progress. All right, you’ve just arrived at school, and you must have many things to deal with. Go get busy.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Goodbye, Teacher.”

Elder Zhai smiled and nodded, then turned back to look at the scenery outside the window.

Li Zhuiyuan walked towards the door. As he moved, Elder Zhai’s shadow beside him also grew longer and longer.

When Li Zhuiyuan stepped out the door, the shadow stopped just inside the crack of the door, no longer spilling out.

The young man paused, looking back inside.

The previously spacious and bright room instantly transformed into oppressive darkness. Occasional gushes of magma erupted, bringing with them the scorching scent unique to souls.

In the flickering light and dark, a majestic figure could be seen, standing with its back to Li Zhuiyuan, just like Elder Zhai.

However, the real Elder Zhai faced the beautiful scenery outside the window, while It faced a cliff.

If one listened closely, endless roars and wails could be heard from below.

It seemed that after the Bodhisattva’s entry into Diyu, the previously cleared Fengdu Diyu had rebooted and become lifeless once more.

Indeed, this world would never lack ghosts. The ones in Yinjian alone were countless, not to mention the large number of ghosts in Yangjian wearing human skins.

Li Zhuiyuan’s gaze scanned around. Within this limited view, he tried to see if he could find any trace of Yin Meng.

He found nothing. Mengmeng was not here.

The armored illusion he had seen upon entering was clearly the shadow of the Great Emperor, using Elder Zhai’s body to give him some kind of warning.

But whether this warning was truly accurate, and for what purpose it was given, Li Zhuiyuan couldn’t be sure.

The young man and the Great Emperor, though nominally master and disciple.

The master always wanted to use the disciple, fearing the disciple’s complacency; the disciple also frequently latched onto the master, just fearing the master’s innocence.

It could be said that most master-disciple relationships in this world were not as deeply bound as theirs.

“Boom.”

In front, a pillar of magma erupted from the ground, dyeing everything in sight crimson.

“Xiao Yuan, is there anything else?”

Vision returned once more. In the bright, clean original library, Elder Zhai had turned around, looking at the young man still standing at the doorway.

Li Zhuiyuan: “Teacher, do you live in the university’s faculty housing?”

Elder Zhai: “Yes, Building 18, Unit 2, Zone B.”

Li Zhuiyuan was very familiar with this location. Grandma Liu and A-Li used to live there.

However, after they moved back to Grandpa Tai’s house in Nantong, that faculty housing unit was vacated.

“Teacher, can I come see you tonight?”

“You can, any time, don’t be afraid to disturb my rest. I’m old, I don’t sleep much.”

Li Zhuiyuan smiled, waved, and turned to leave.

The Great Emperor’s warning could be put aside for now, because whether Heaven’s Dao was ready to prematurely cut him off, or no longer wanted him as its blade, it didn’t affect the young man continuing with his current tasks.

First, do one’s best, then let Heaven decide.

Stepping out of the old library, the midday sun felt a little harsh on his body.

Li Zhuiyuan headed towards the residential area.

Along the way, he passed the sports field and saw the first-year freshmen undergoing military training.

Returning to his dormitory, it hadn’t been occupied for an entire summer vacation, so a thin layer of dust had settled. Tan Wenbin and the others had gone out for a meal with Xue Liangliang and hadn’t returned yet, so Li Zhuiyuan began to clean by himself.

Just as he finished wiping the table, the dorm door opened, and Lu Yi stood at the entrance.

“Brother Xiao Yuan, you’re back?”

“Yes.”

“Let me help you.”

Li Zhuiyuan didn’t refuse.

With Lu Yi’s help, the dorm cleaning was quickly completed, and the bedding was taken outside to sunbathe.

Lu Yi also brought some snacks and water from the store.

“Brother Lu Yi, thank you for your hard work.”

“No hard work, no hard work at all.”

“Did you not go home this summer vacation again?”

“I did go back, stayed at home for half a month, but it felt boring, so I returned to school early.”

“How’s your parents’ meat processing plant doing?”

“Business is incredibly good. They wish they could live and eat at the factory. When I, their son, went back, I felt like a burden, which is why I returned to school early to plan the opening activities for the semester.”

Lu Yi now managed not just one store, but four, all large stores encompassing stationery, printing, and books. Two of these stores also had newly renovated and equipped university activity rooms upstairs.

Xue Liangliang provided the funds and the name, entrusting the actual operations to Lu Yi, who had demonstrated sufficient talent in this area.

It should be known that during the summer vacation a year ago, he had to stay at school and tutor to earn living expenses due to family difficulties. Now, both he and his family were thriving.

“Brother Xiao Yuan, how long are you planning to stay at school this time?”

“Only for a few days.”

“I really envy you guys.”

“Aren’t you doing well now?”

“Very well. I’ve decided to go into business full-time after I graduate. It’s just that deep down, there’s still a tiny bit of regret, after all, I had aspirations and expectations when I first chose this major.”

“Just do what you like.”

“Yes, I like doing business. In the future, I want to open branches, many, many more branches! I want to open a store in my hometown, and I also want to open one in Nantong.”

As he spoke of his ideal future blueprint, Lu Yi’s face glowed.

After Lu Yi left, Li Zhuiyuan sat down at his desk, took out the document folder Elder Zhai had given him, and began to read.

As he was reading, the dorm door was pushed open. Tan Wenbin walked in, eating a red sausage.

Li Zhuiyuan: “Brother Binbin, not full yet?”

Tan Wenbin: “I’m full, but coming back to school without eating a red sausage just feels like it’s missing that sense of ritual.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Is Lu Yi in the dorm?”

Tan Wenbin: “No, A-You forgot his dorm key, so he climbed through the window to open the door.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Where’s Brother Liangliang?”

Tan Wenbin: “Engineer Luo called him away in the middle of dinner. Haha, they’re really busy. But we’ll be busy too for the next two days, with many meetings. This is the meeting schedule Brother Liang gave me.”

Li Zhuiyuan took it, scanned it, and committed it to memory.

“Brother Xiao Yuan, I rented a house from Brother Liang for Yunyun to stay in. I’m going over now to help her move. Tonight, I’m taking Yunyun to my parents’ place for dinner.
Oh, I’m taking A-You out too. He has a blind date.”

In the evening, Li Zhuiyuan ate at the store.

Run Sheng slept in the original basement room, and Chen Xiyuan stayed in the room where Yin Meng once lived.

After dinner, Run Sheng returned to his room to prepare to burn joss paper.

Chen Xiyuan stood at the store entrance. Seeing that Li Zhuiyuan wasn’t heading towards the dormitory, she immediately followed him.

“Little brother, where are you going?”

“To see my teacher.”

“Can I come along?”

“You can.”

The layout of the old faculty housing, with its fence and flower beds, hadn’t changed. Pushing open the small wooden gate, a tall, well-rounded figure stood before the French window.

Chen Xiyuan: “Little brother, your teacher has a great figure.”

The next moment, a fire flared up, and a laugh echoed from inside the room.

Chen Xiyuan’s expression froze. Instinctively, she stood in front of the young man.

This courtyard had a problem.

“It’s fine, no need to be nervous.”

Li Zhuiyuan walked past Chen Xiyuan, not through the main door, but to the steps in front of the French window. This was A-Li’s room back then.

Every morning, when he used to come here to pick up A-Li for a walk in the sports field, A-Li would always be waiting for him on these very steps.

The French window wasn’t locked. It opened easily, and he pulled back the curtains, letting the moonlight stream in.

Inside, there was only a bed and a wardrobe, giving it a somewhat desolate feel.

Chen Xiyuan sniffed: “It smells like burnt joss paper. Who burned it?”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Run Sheng.”

Chen Xiyuan: “Then that figure just now, was it that Mengmeng?”

Chen Xiyuan: “Then your teacher…”

Li Zhuiyuan: “He is my teacher.”

No one was on the first floor, so Li Zhuiyuan went up the stairs.

Chen Xiyuan, one hand on her dizi, followed closely.

There was a windowsill on the second floor. Grandma Liu used to love lying there in a rattan chair.

Now, the rattan chair was gone, replaced by a black chair, on which sat an old man with a head full of silver hair.

Elder Zhai was asleep.

Chen Xiyuan frowned slightly, reaching up to her forehead. Horrible static sounds were drilling into her eardrums.

Li Zhuiyuan turned around, seeing her distress, and gently pushed her shoulder. Chen Xiyuan went down two steps, and the sound disappeared.

When she looked at the back of the figure sitting on the chair again, Miss Chen’s eyes filled with solemnity, and the knuckles of her hand gripping the dizi turned white.

Li Zhuiyuan smiled at her, as if to reassure her.

Then, the young man walked over by himself, came to Elder Zhai’s side, and stood still, side by side.

In an instant, the night outside the windowsill turned into towering cliffs.

Below, a wide river of magma flowed, immersing countless figures whose wails gathered above into a black mist.

Li Zhuiyuan did not turn his head to look at the person on the chair, but in the corner of his eye, he saw steps and the edge of a throne beside him, and a black-gold embroidered robe edge covering the steps, hiding the feet below.

This place was where Li Zhuiyuan had come voluntarily, but this scene was what the Great Emperor wanted to show him.

Yet, after a long look, although the scene beneath the cliff was dynamic, nothing changed.

This meant that what the Great Emperor wanted to show him might not be this particular scene.

Li Zhuiyuan turned around, raised his head, intending to face this being directly.

A black and gold robe, full of majesty, a towering figure. His gaze moved further up, and the young man saw the Great Emperor’s face, obscured by a mianliu, making it impossible to see his true appearance clearly.

Just then, the beaded curtain of the mianliu parted, revealing a compassionate face.

“Amitabha.”

The surrounding scene vanished instantly. Li Zhuiyuan felt a violent surge in his consciousness and couldn’t help but squat down.

Chen Xiyuan, seeing this, wanted to approach, but saw the young man squatting on the ground extend his palm towards her, signaling her not to come over.

After a brief gasp, Li Zhuiyuan recovered. That Buddhist chant just now was like a heavy hammer, striking his spirit fiercely.

The damage was minor, primarily due to being caught off guard.

In front of the young man, under the moonlight, Elder Zhai’s shadow gradually receded until it completely disappeared.

Then, a normal shadow emerged.

This indicated that the Great Emperor’s shadow had left Elder Zhai’s body.

Elder Zhai breathed evenly, still sound asleep.

Li Zhuiyuan stood up, picked up a blanket nearby, and gently covered Elder Zhai.

Afterward, the young man went downstairs and left the house.

Chen Xiyuan followed him out. Once they were a little distance away, she kept turning her head to look at Li Zhuiyuan.

The next time she turned her head, she saw the little brother looking at her, and their eyes met.

Li Zhuiyuan: “If I said I don’t know what this is all about, would you believe me?”

Chen Xiyuan: “I believe you.”

Chen Xiyuan: “Oh.”

After parting ways with Chen Xiyuan at the dorm entrance, Li Zhuiyuan returned to his room, took out paper and pen, and quickly sketched the scenes he had seen today.

After finishing, it was past midnight. Li Zhuiyuan carried a basin to the public washroom for a cold shower. Upon returning, he lay down on his bed and went to sleep.

Over the next two days, Li Zhuiyuan attended various meetings, large and small, presided over and arranged by Xue Liangliang. The attendees were mainly students, all selected and trained by Xue Liangliang, somewhat like an exhibition of Brother Liangliang’s achievements.

On the evening of the last day, Li Zhuiyuan also attended his class’s new semester class meeting.

Tan Wenbin, as class monitor, went up to speak.

This was his first, and likely last, meeting with his classmates as class monitor for this semester.

At night, Xue Liangliang invited everyone for a late-night snack, to make up for Li Zhuiyuan’s absence at the previous gathering and his early departure from it.

Everyone drank soy milk in place of alcohol and had a great time.

The grilled fish restaurant owner, on the other hand, had expected to close and rest after this business deal with his partner.

Who knew that because of Chen Xiyuan, he had to work overtime temporarily?

During the meal, Xue Liangliang walked out to the restaurant’s terrace, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He looked at the moon, then at a photograph in his hand.

The photo was taken by Tan Wenbin, slightly dynamic, perfectly capturing the Bai family’s lady’s every expression.

Xue Liangliang first gently caressed her face with his fingertips, then slid his hand down to softly touch her slightly swollen abdomen.

Li Zhuiyuan deliberately made his footsteps heavy as he approached.

Xue Liangliang: “She has suffered.”

Li Zhuiyuan looked up at the moon in the sky.

Xue Liangliang: “Xiao Yuan, sometimes a thought truly pops into my head: should I just drop everything I’m doing now, go back to Nantong, back to the riverside, and just stay by her side?”

Li Zhuiyuan: “She doesn’t need your company.”

Xue Liangliang pursed his lips and looked at the young man beside him: “I’ve seen how you interact with that girl from your family. You clearly know how to be affectionate, but you insist on being a killjoy to me.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I believe you genuinely developed feelings later on, but in the beginning, she chose you not because of your gentleness, thoughtfulness, or companionship.
Brother Liangliang, do you remember that classmate next to you when we were digging the river? The one who lost his lower body?”

Xue Liangliang: “Xiao Yuan, don’t make fun of other people’s misfortunes, hehehe.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Brother Liangliang, actually, your fate could have been the same as his.”

Xue Liangliang: “And don’t make fun of the misfortunes of those around you.”

That Bai family’s lady truly had an impeccable eye. She accurately recognized Xue Liangliang’s potential and uniqueness, and after their marriage, successfully transformed their relationship from mistress of the stronghold and live-in son-in-law into one of loving affection.

She maintained a dignified presence before the various ladies of Baijiazhen; before herself, she was submissive and obedient; and in Brother Liangliang’s photograph, she fully embodied the image of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

She was very skilled, truly very skilled.

The long-held dream of successive generations of Baijiazhen was the ethereal ascension, and she might indeed be able to achieve this long-cherished wish in a more practical way.

Xue Liangliang: “Xiao Yuan, do you understand what it feels like to only be able to fit one person in your heart? Not cramped, not narrow-minded, but simply that as long as she is there, no matter how spacious, there is no room for a second person to find a place.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I…”

Xue Liangliang: “You’re still young, you don’t understand.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Okay, I don’t understand.”

Xue Liangliang: “I will not abandon my ideals.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “I know.”

Xue Liangliang: “My ideals also include her and my unborn child.”

Xue Liangliang: “A new notice has come down; it’s not time to inform you all yet, but I can tell you in advance: the project team will be stationed in Ji’an on the first of next month.”

This was consistent with Elder Zhai’s prediction—a month later.

And it also aligned with the rhythm of his next wave beginning.

Based on past experience, the earlier you were informed, and the more explicit the notification, the higher the difficulty of that wave.

Xue Liangliang: “Xiao Yuan, it will be very dangerous.”

Xue Liangliang placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder, looking at him with a serious expression:

“Don’t be afraid. I will protect you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xue Liangliang couldn’t maintain his composure and burst out laughing, saying:

“Hehe, I know what I just said was very fitting yet also quite shameless, since you’re the one who always protected me every time before.”

“Brother Liangliang, you’ve actually always been protecting me too.”

Chen Xiyuan’s voice came from the private room behind:

“Boss, grill two more fish!”

Although they ate late last night, everyone was ready early the next morning, got into the car, and drove away from the school.

There was still a month until the next wave, and he had to report to Elder Zhai a week in advance. So he only had a little over twenty days left, which included going home to upgrade and repair the Daochang, visiting the Chen family in Hainan, and accompanying Grandpa Tai on a trip to relax.

Therefore, Li Zhuiyuan didn’t have much time to slowly wear down the Zhou and Ding families; he had to act quickly.

As for how fast that could be, it depended on Zhao Yi’s performance.

Facts once again proved that in this aspect, Zhao Yi truly never disappointed.

The Zhou family’s residence was located in a valley. Outside the valley was a town whose main industry was various handicrafts.

Upon arriving in the town, Tan Wenbin and Lin Shuyou went to gather information and quickly learned that in the past few days, tour groups had been continuously leaving from here. Strangely, this place was not known for tourism, and tourists were very rare. Moreover, they were only seen being driven out in carloads, but no one had seen when they entered.

This meant that Li Zhuiyuan’s “beating the grass to startle the snake” had worked.

The Zhou family was not an ordinary jianghu family. Upon realizing their family was cursed, they immediately reacted with a family’s most primal response: disbanding household servants, collateral relatives, women, and children, leaving only a small number of capable, strong men to guard the family and deal with the crisis.

Doing so, firstly, removed restraints and concerns, and secondly, preserved the family’s lineage as a contingency.

Chen Xiyuan: “Compared to how the Zhou family dealt with the Dragon King’s orphaned mother and son back then, little brother, you truly are benevolent.”

Li Zhuiyuan neither confirmed nor denied.

People could withdraw in time, but the contents of the treasury were not so easily removed. What he needed to do was eliminate the Zhou family’s essence, seize their treasury, and destroy their residence.

In one swift, convenient move.

As for benevolence?

Miss Chen, who grew up hearing jianghu stories from her grandparents in a normal Dragon King family, still didn’t understand the true nature of the jianghu.

When a family’s pillar suddenly collapsed, the remaining clan members would immediately become shrimp for the jianghu fish to madly tear and devour. Even tiny scraps were worth fighting over with bloodshot eyes.

What Li Zhuiyuan needed to do was finish his task, then spread the news of the Zhou family’s predicament. The rest could be left to jianghu rules; he couldn’t be bothered.

The Zhou family made the first move by participating in the conspiracy to sever Uncle Qin’s river journey, leaving Grandma Liu struggling for so many years in the storm, so don’t blame me for making the next move.

While Lin Shuyou was observing and strolling in town, he saw a life-sized wooden carving outside a handicraft puppet shop. It was exquisitely made and lifelike.

Standing at the shop entrance, staring at the work, Lin Shuyou’s mouth twitched.

Because this piece was a carving of — Zhou Yunyun.

The boss said that a customer had brought it to be displayed and consigned a few days ago. Regardless of whether it sold, the customer had already given the boss half the price as a commission.

The boss, while speaking, praised the carving skills, adding that although the girl carved wasn’t the traditional type of breathtaking beauty, she possessed a simple and generous aura that made her more captivating and beautiful the more you looked at her.

Lin Shuyou knew that the one who left this work must be that damned three-eyed fellow.

He was about to pay for the piece, then secretly find a corner to open it, certain there would be a letter or something similar inside.

But he was out for revenge and plunder, and didn’t have that much money in his pocket. Just as Lin Shuyou was hesitating whether to activate his vertical pupil’s new ability to bewitch the shop owner, take the item now, and come back to pay later, a voice sounded behind him:

“Hey, isn’t that my Yunyun!”

“Brother Bin…”

“This method of the former team is good, conspicuous and clear, knowing that I am responsible for gathering intelligence, it’s specifically designed to attract my attention.”

Tan Wenbin paid for the piece.

Indeed, in the palm of the carving, a hidden compartment was found, containing a letter written on pink stationery, adorned with many printed red hearts.

The letter was handed to Li Zhuiyuan, who unfolded it and began to read.

Chen Xiyuan asked from the side: “Little brother, how are things progressing?”

Li Zhuiyuan: “The Zhou family is in dire straits. Zhao Yi has already entered the Zhou family, temporarily resolved the immediate crisis, gained their trust, and has been invited to stay and help the Zhou family resist this crisis from the Nantong Laoshi Li.”

Chen Xiyuan: “Nantong Laoshi Li? Little brother, you…”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Do you know him?”

Chen Xiyuan: “I…”

Li Zhuiyuan: “The Zhou family has concerns and fears attracting prying eyes, so they dare not widely publicize their family’s crisis. They’ve asked Zhao Yi, using his connections and relationships, to secretly invite some helpers from the jianghu.”

Chen Xiyuan: “Invite helpers?”

Li Zhuiyuan looked at Chen Xiyuan.

Chen Xiyuan pointed to her nose: “Little brother, do you mean for me to answer the call, enter the Zhou family, and help them deal with Nantong Laoshi Li?”

Li Zhuiyuan: “Have you forgotten? Your purpose on this trip is to rescue the Zhou family from their predicament.”

Chen Xiyuan: “I can go in, but I’m afraid I won’t know how to cooperate. What if I mess up your plan…”

Li Zhuiyuan: “You don’t have to worry about that. Just like now, simply follow my commands.”

Chen Xiyuan’s eyes immediately widened, looking at the young man in front of her with disbelief.

She grew up listening to jianghu stories told by her grandparents, all about the carefree quick revenge of the jianghu. This was her first time going with someone else for revenge, and it completely reshaped her understanding of vengeance.

“Brother Binbin, A-You, Run Sheng, pack your bags. Get ready to enter the valley.”

Li Zhuiyuan flicked his finger, and the letter in his hand ignited.

“We’re going to help the Zhou family resist Nantong Laoshi Li.”

Yesterday was too tiring, plus a new volume started, so there was a lot to ponder and organize. This chapter is missing over a thousand characters.

I’ll make it up with 20,000 characters tomorrow.

Please vote for me! (求月票 – seeking monthly votes for authors)