At the Wang of Langya’s Manor.

A man in a cyan-colored robe sat drinking tea in the courtyard. His appearance was scholarly, his robes flowing to the ground, carrying an air of leisure and ease that seemed unlike the legendary God of War. However, when he set down the military report and raised his sword-like eyebrows, the sharp glint in his eyes was still too intense to meet directly.

“Is this all?” Xiao Ruofeng asked the soldier who delivered the report.

The soldier nodded: “Yes, that’s all.”

“Second Senior Brother talks so much, yet writes reports as if words were gold…” Xiao Ruofeng shook his head repeatedly. “All these years, and he hasn’t changed.”

“Because daily chat is trivial matters, hence the idle talk. Military reports concern warfare—every word relates to many lives, so naturally they must be precise.” A gentle female voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

“Sister Xinyue has arrived.” Xiao Ruofeng smiled and stood. The messenger collected the report and withdrew immediately. Li Xinyue entered the courtyard, looking at Xiao Ruofeng: “You seem to have been quite leisurely these past few days.”

Xiao Ruofeng scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: “Sister, have you come to reprimand me? I’m sorry, I let Second Senior Brother lead the army again when I should have gone.”

“Just joking, don’t worry.” Li Xinyue sat down and poured herself tea. “I know why you didn’t want to go.”

Xiao Ruofeng nodded: “There are many court matters lately, with the Grand Court Assembly approaching. There’s much to be done.”

“The Grand Court Assembly is such a small matter—is it worth your concern? Or are you afraid of winning another military victory?” Li Xinyue sighed. “Your military achievements now, throughout history, who can compare except Emperor Xiao Yi who founded the dynasty, and Emperor Xiao Tianhe the Martial? If you win more battles…”

“Sister Xinyue, let’s stop there.” Xiao Ruofeng set his teacup down quietly.

“You always keep these things bottled up inside.” Li Xinyue shook her head. “You’re living too hard a life—keep this up and you’ll make yourself sick. Why can’t you speak directly about things? Even the throne you gave to him.”

Xiao Ruofeng frowned slightly, wanting to speak but ultimately holding back.

“I know what you want to say. Fine, I’ll drop it. I just want to remind you that speaking out is better than keeping things bottled up inside.” Li Xinyue drank her tea. “I came to see you about something else.”

“What matter brings you here personally?” Xiao Ruofeng asked.

“Someone from the Dark River has entered Tianqi City.” Li Xinyue said gravely.

Xiao Ruofeng nodded: “I know. The second Senior Brother met him before leaving Tianqi. Ghost with Umbrella Su Muyu—I’ve heard Junior Brother mention him, seems he thinks quite highly of him.”

“Yes. Originally with just him entering Tianqi, I didn’t consider it a major issue. But last night, I encountered another person. Su Zhe of the Su family was once their greatest fighter. During the Heaven’s Blood River incident, he single-handedly killed ninety-six first-class masters.” Li Xinyue’s Heart Sword at her waist began to vibrate slightly. “He’s a fearsome character.”

“The Dark River?” Xiao Ruofeng rubbed his teacup. “Wherever they go, they have only one purpose—to kill. I met Su Zhe once while escorting the Marquis of the Western Garrison to Tianqi City. Back then, the Xie family of Dark River had accepted a contract to kill the Marquis, but later Su Zhe came with Su Changhe and Su Muyu and directly terminated that mission.”

“Rumors in the jianghu say the Dark River accepts any assassination contract. Including emperors.” Li Xinyue lowered her voice. “Could they be here to kill you?”

“Kill me?” The Wang of Langya smiled and shook his head. “Why would you think it’s me? Am I that detestable?”

“Your existence threatens too many people’s interests. The Marquis of the Western Garrison commands troops, but he’s far in the western territories. You’re in the imperial city, just like General Ye was back then.” Li Xinyue replied.

“How did we get back to that again…” The Wang of Langya smiled bitterly.

In the inn, Su Zhe gently tapped the golden rings of his Buddhist staff: “So, are you going to kill the Wang of Langya?”

“Before the Soul-Taking Palace, I have three principles I won’t violate, and the Wang of Langya was never a contract I would accept.” Su Muyu shook his head slightly. “Moreover, the greatest figure of the Xiao Imperial clan in three generations—how could he be so easily killed?”

“Then what do you plan to do?” Su Zhe asked.

“First pretend to negotiate with the Shadow Sect, then find a way to crush them in one strike, destroying all records related to the Dark River, letting it truly become an organization born and raised in the jianghu.” Su Muyu sighed softly. “I thought the battle at Nine Heavens City would be the end, but who knows if there will be more obstacles after we overcome this one.”

“Where there are people, there is jianghu. Where there is jianghu, there are conflicts.” Su Zhe spoke in perfect Mandarin. “Moreover, you have a good brother who likes conflict. When is he coming?”

“I’ve already sent someone to inform him about everything in Tianqi City.” Su Muyu glanced briefly toward the window. “He has other important matters to attend to.”

Su Zhe also looked toward the window: “More visitors? Couldn’t you pick a quieter inn?” Su Zhe flicked out a golden ring toward the window. The window opened, and a youth not yet of age to tie up his hair swept out his sleeve, directly catching the golden ring, but its force far exceeded his expectations, completely shredding his sleeve. He frowned slightly: “There goes fifty taels of silver!”

The golden ring finally tapped lightly on the windowsill, bouncing back to Su Zhe’s staff. Su Zhe stroked his chin, somewhat surprised: “Kid! Not bad kung fu!”

“At such a young age, able to catch Uncle Zhe’s ring. Whose disciple are you?” Su Muyu looked at the youth before him.

“He’s my disciple.” A white-haired man wearing a demon mask flew in through the window. “Long time no see, Ghost with Umbrella!”

Su Muyu started: “White Tiger Envoy?”

Su Zhe was also surprised: “The White Tiger of Tianqi’s Four Guardians!”

The masked man laughed: “Since becoming this damned White Tiger Envoy, it feels like people who meet me don’t see me as human anymore.”

“Less than ten hours, and we’ve met two of Tianqi City’s Four Guardians.” Su Zhe smiled. “We must be quite honored.”

Su Muyu also smiled slightly: “I’ve been here for days without seeing any of them, but Uncle Zhe meets two in one night. It’s Uncle Zhe’s honor.”

“Oh?” Su Zhe raised an eyebrow.

“The Heaven’s Blood River incident—one man fighting ninety-six first-class masters, ultimately killing them all, saving the Dark River Patriarch from death’s door. You’re famous.” The youth suddenly said.

“Kid, you know quite a bit. What’s your name?” Su Zhe asked.

The youth lowered his head slightly: “My surname is Xiao.”