“Look out!” Bai Huhuai called out in a low voice. He pulled out a pipe from his medicine box and blew sharply into it. A dense fog dispersed from the pipe, gradually spreading throughout the entire courtyard.

Countless nearly transparent insects, their bodies covered in frost, fell to the ground.

“Well, well, who would have thought someone could protect an entire courtyard from my Flower Poison Formation?” A coquettish voice rang out from beyond the courtyard. “So it’s someone from the Wen family, not only setting up the Leaving No Ground Formation but also carrying the Heaven Brocade Water Smoke.”

“Heaven Brocade Water Smoke? The legendary tobacco that can intoxicate someone for three days with just one puff.” Su Zhe licked his lips. “My dear daughter, how could you keep such a treasure from your father?”

“I’ve known quite a few people from the Wen family. In my younger days, I was even close friends with those two Wen sisters. Even Wen Hujiu, who now claims to be the world’s greatest poison master, once coveted my beauty.” A woman in black clothes with a purple veil covering her face walked into the courtyard.

“It’s you.” Su Zhe froze.

The woman looked at Su Zhe and also started. “How is it you?”

“Hahaha! Wen Hujiu coveted your beauty!” Su Zhe burst out laughing. “He merely accidentally lifted your veil, and you demanded he marry you. You even secretly drugged him with Spring Wind Intoxicant, tricking him into…”

“Silence!” The woman shot a poison dart at Su Zhe.

“You think you can defeat me in direct combat?” Su Zhe sneered, his Buddhist staff spinning lightly to release a golden ring that split the poison dart in two.

The woman glared hatefully at Su Zhe, then looked at Bai Huhuai, suddenly realizing something. “She’s your daughter with Second Miss Wen?”

Bai Huhuai smiled disdainfully. “My mother never mentioned having such a close friend as you.”

The woman threw back her head and laughed. “Of course not. Our Five Poisons Sect long lost the right to be mentioned in the same breath as your Wen family. What a pity though, that both her love and her daughter will die by my hand today.”

“You’re still as naive as ever,” Su Zhe raised an eyebrow. “Since you’ve seen me here, you should know that if you couldn’t poison me at the start, you won’t get another chance.”

“Is this the Poison Mistress, Luo Yandie?” Su Muyu asked.

“Legend has it she loves to seduce young, handsome men for a night of pleasure. After the night, her beauty grows even more radiant, while those handsome men turn to dried bones,” Su Changhe laughed. “I wonder if my friend here is worthy of Poison Mistress’s favor for one night?”

Hearing this, Luo Yandie turned to look at Su Muyu, her eyes lighting up. “Such a fine jade of a man. One night would be such a waste.”

Su Muyu’s eyes narrowed slightly. Ge Xiu beside him, his qi condensing in his hands, was already furious. Su Muyu waved him back: “You’re no match for her. I’ll avenge your sect members and brothers for you.”

“But this young master’s words are quite heartless,” Luo Yandie swayed her hips, her voice growing more seductive.

“Could you stop swaying?” Su Muyu said coldly.

“Pfft.” Bai Huhuai covered her mouth and laughed.

Luo Yandie’s movements froze. There were plenty who could resist her charms, but few who could be so coldly indifferent.

“Come after me instead! I prefer slightly older women, Auntie Luo!” Su Changhe leaped forward, dagger in hand, charging toward Luo Yandie.

Luo Yandie flew into a rage. “Who are you calling auntie!”

Su Changhe’s dagger struck at Luo Yandie’s head. Her long sleeve flew out, wrapped around the dagger, and pulled downward, bringing Su Changhe directly in front of her. A red light flashed in Luo Yandie’s eyes as they met Su Changhe’s. She had used this charming technique on many people before, including truly first-rate masters, and all had died from that single shared glance.

Su Changhe was no exception, staring intently at Luo Yandie, unwilling to look away.

Luo Yandie laughed coldly in her heart. Though this man wasn’t bad-looking, she had always despised men with beards. Better to just kill him quickly.

Then the supposedly “charm-entranced” Su Changhe suddenly winked at Luo Yandie.

“Huh?” Luo Yandie froze, then felt a chill down her spine and hastily retreated.

Su Changhe’s dagger had swept past her throat, missing by just an inch from taking her life.

Luo Yandie stopped abruptly, breathing heavily. “Who are you!”

“Now you ask my name?” Su Changhe stroked his small beard. “I’ve always thought I was quite famous. Very well, auntie, my name is Su Changhe.”

“The Undertaker!” Luo Yandie was shocked.

“Mm-hmm.” Su Changhe nodded obediently.

Luo Yandie drew in a sharp breath. She had been naive enough to try using charm techniques on Dark River’s Undertaker—she was lucky to be alive. But why would two… no, that handsome youth in the corner must also be a Dark River expert. Why would three Dark River masters appear simultaneously in Si Huai City?

“Are you also…” Luo Yandie thought of a possibility.

“Friends come from afar!” Su Changhe called out loudly.

Luo Yandie started. “Wh-what?”

“Friends come from afar!” Su Changhe frowned.

Bai Huhuai looked confusedly at Su Zhe, who leisurely smoked his pipe, smiling without speaking. Su Muyu sighed lightly and shook his head.

Luo Yandie realized something. “Is this a new code? I… I haven’t received this command yet.”

“Who gave you the last code?” Su Changhe asked.

Luo Yandie answered without hesitation: “Flying Tiger General, Dian Ye.”

Dian Ye!

Su Muyu and Su Zhe both started, exchanged glances, and nodded slightly.

Flying Tiger General Dian Ye, though not comparable to military commanders like Ye Xiaoying, was still a famous Northern Li general guarding the eastern borders, with formidable martial prowess. This Flying Tiger General had always been a powerful backing for a certain noble.

“So you communicate directly with General Dian, no wonder. His Highness trusts the Flying Tiger General so much, naturally, no code is needed.” Su Changhe let out a light breath.

Luo Yandie nodded. “Indeed. What need is there for codes between His Highness and the Flying Tiger General?”

“Interesting, interesting.” Su Changhe’s lips curved upward as he continued, “Then let me tell you the next line. Friends come from afar…”

“Yes?” Luo Yandie listened intently.

“Must be eliminated!” Su Zhe leaped forward, dagger in hand, striking at Luo Yandie once more.

“Stop!” A figure in golden armor descended from the sky, a golden axe slashing down to create a long trench in the ground, forcing Su Changhe back.