With a crash, a teacup shattered on the ground as Tang Lingkui glared at Tang Lingro before him: “You let him escape right here in Jin City.”

“Dark River has someone highly skilled in disguise. The person who appeared suddenly matched Su Muyu perfectly in appearance and manner, and their martial arts were also formidable…” Tang Lingro explained.

“Hmph.” Tang Lingkui snorted coldly.

Tang Lingro lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

Among the Tang Clan’s Five Luminaries—Tang Linghuang, Tang Lingzun, Tang Lingkui, Tang Lingqi, and Tang Lingro—Tang Linghuang held the greatest reputation in the martial world as the clan’s deputy leader, rivaling the current Wen family head Wen Hujiu. Tang Lingzun managed the inner chamber and excelled in poison arts, Tang Lingkui led the Execution Chamber handling internal purges and hunting traitors, Tang Lingqi ran the outer chamber with supreme skill in hidden weapons and their development, while Tang Lingro was merely the inner chamber’s deputy, always a step below the other four, especially cautious around the cruel and vicious Tang Lingkui.

“Dark River’s appearance has changed this settled game,” Tang Lingkui stood up. “This was Tang Linghuang’s move.”

“Him?” Tang Lingro looked up.

“Dark River keeps mentioning him—likely Tang Linghuang invited them. But with his personality, why would he choose to work with Dark River? The only possibility is that Dark River was his backup plan. He never truly intended to cooperate with them, but when he found himself in danger, he summoned them here.” Tang Lingkui sneered, “The world’s premier assassination organization—what perfect chaos-makers.”

In the Tang clan’s Execution Chamber.

The Iron Prison is on the third underground level.

Entering required passing thirteen iron gates and defeating twenty-six top-tier Tang clan experts. Only the clan’s most important prisoners were held here.

A black-robed figure passed through the gates to reach the Execution Chamber’s entrance. Two tall Tang clan disciples stood guard, silently opening the iron door and stepping aside upon seeing the visitor. The black-robed figure nodded slightly before entering.

The chamber was vast but dimly lit by candles. At the far end, someone was bound in heavy chains, their face concealed by an iron mask. It was impossible to see their expression or tell if they were awake or asleep.

“Brother,” the black-robed figure said solemnly.

The masked person stirred slightly, chains clinking, before speaking in an almost emotionless voice: “You dare show your face here?”

“As expected of my elder brother. I thought I’d achieved total victory in this confrontation, never imagining you’d have another move prepared.” The black-robed figure sneered, “Dark River. Brother, how did you plan to draw this river into Jin City? Their arrival seems to have thrown everything into chaos.”

The masked person snorted: “You should have just killed me. Then whatever happens would have nothing to do with me.”

“Kill you? Certainly. Tell me that secret.” The black-robed figure smiled. “It’s a fair trade, as I’ve told you long ago.”

“And I’ve long since told you,” the masked person replied, “even at the cost of the Tang clan’s downfall, I won’t reveal that secret.”

“Hahaha, very well.” The black-robed figure remained calm. “But don’t think this move has trapped me. Since you chose to bring in Dark River, you should understand that as assassins, they follow profit. With the right incentive, Dark River can always switch their support to someone else.”

At the Tranquil Thoughts Teahouse.

Master Mu held a letter, gently waving it: “Force first, then courtesy—these Tang clan people are quite interesting. Yesterday they were desperately trying to kill us, today they sent a letter seeking peace.”

Su Muyu frowned: “They’ve found this place?”

“No. The Tang clan knows Dark River is in Jin City, but they don’t know about the Tranquil Thoughts Teahouse. Finding Dark River isn’t easy, but getting a message to us is simple enough,” Master Mu said.

“What does the letter say?” Su Changhe asked, playing with a dagger as he sat nearby.

“Execution Chamber Master Tang Lingkui requests to meet Dark River Patriarch Su Changhe and Dark River Su Family Head Su Muyu at the Golden Tower in Jin City to discuss important matters.” Master Mu placed the letter over a nearby candle. The flame instantly ignited it, and with a gentle flick, it turned to ash scattering through the hall.

Su Changhe asked Su Muyu: “What do you think?”

“The Tang clan had no previous connection to Dark River, and Tang Lingkui’s group never had any contact with us. With no grudge between us, why would they seek a fight to the death? Initially, only two members of Dark River’s Mu family came, but now that the Patriarch himself has arrived in Jin City, they naturally feel such conflict is unnecessary,” Su Muyu answered.

Su Changhe shook his head: “That’s not due to my presence—I suspect they don’t even know I’m here. This letter is just a probe since we two often appear together. What’s temporarily making them choose not to be our enemy is your display of the Eighteen Sword Formation’s power outside Jin City.”

Su Muyu frowned slightly, looking outside: “So will you attend this banquet?”

Su Changhe stroked his goatee: “Of course, but not as the Patriarch. I’ll just be a minor guard for the Su Family Head.”

Su Muyu smiled helplessly: “What scheme are you plotting now?”

“We must meet them eventually, at least to ensure Xuewei’s safety.” Su Changhe said lazily. “Muyu, do you think they see Dark River as purely profit-driven? They chose to meet us, perhaps thinking that since we could ally with Tang Linghuang, we could now ally with them. Because by my guess, Tang Linghuang is either dead or their prisoner.”

Su Muyu’s fingers tapped his leg lightly: “Then tell me, is Dark River purely profit-driven?”

“Indeed we are.” Su Changhe nodded sincerely with a smile.

“How shameless.” Su Muyu shook his head helplessly.

“But what is profit, and how to pursue it? Everyone’s standards are different.” Su Changhe looked at Master Mu. “Wouldn’t you agree, Master Mu?”

Master Mu started: “Why suddenly ask me, Patriarch?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not suspicious of you. I’ve just been watching you play mahjong lately—sometimes you could win early but don’t. Why?” Su Changhe stood up, making a gentle grasping motion in the air. “Because there’s greater profit to be had. What is profit? Who knows? I’ve never been afraid of waiting.”