Su Muyu turned to face the Mu family members: “Not a hero, just an assassin, but even assassins have principles.”

Su Zhe’s mouth twitched slightly: “Brat, stop imitating how I talk.”

“Since the Devil Sect’s Eastern Campaign, I haven’t fought alongside Uncle Zhe.” Su Muyu pointed his sword at Mu Qingyang.

Mu Qingyang played with his peach blossom coin, his smile growing stiff.

Would their numbers be enough against Su Muyu and Su Zhe fighting together?

Su Zhe remained silent, gripping his Buddhist staff as he gazed thoughtfully at Su Muyu’s back.

“Young Master…” one of the Mu family members couldn’t hold back, calling out softly.

“Su Zhe hasn’t spoken yet. Don’t be hasty,” Mu Bai said quietly.

Mu Qingyang pocketed his peach blossom coin and waved his hand lightly. The peach wood sword on his back unsheathed itself and fell into his hand. He took out a yellow talisman, flicked it, and brushed it along the sword’s blade. Instantly, flames erupted along the blade, transforming the peach wood sword into a fire sword. He smiled, “They all say I’m a fake Daoist, so let me show you some tricks.”

Su Muyu frowned slightly as he watched Mu Qingyang’s peach wood sword. This was no mere trick—it was the orthodox Daoist sword technique “Talisman Way Sword Fire,” a secret art from the Imperial Observatory in Tianqi City. This Mu Qingyang had some real ability. But it wasn’t the peach wood sword that worried Su Muyu; it was Su Zhe’s continued silence behind him.

That silence meant Su Zhe hadn’t made his decision yet.

“Uncle Zhe,” Su Muyu called out softly again.

“That ‘Uncle Zhe’ carries too much weight,” Su Zhe sighed lightly. “Muyu, you’re standing on a stone door, aren’t you?”

Su Muyu’s heart jumped, his grip tightening on his sword hilt.

In the secret passage, Bai Hehuai also started in surprise.

Mu Qingyang lifted his head slightly, a meaningful smile appearing on his face: “Oh? So that’s it. No wonder Su Muyu hasn’t moved from that spot since Su Zhe appeared.”

“Uncle Zhe!” Su Muyu turned and shouted.

“Sorry, but I never received orders to kill you.” Su Zhe flicked his Buddhist staff, sending its golden rings flying toward Su Muyu’s feet. “She’s the only one I’m here to kill.”

“Hah!” Su Muyu raised his sword to block, but the string of golden rings struck with such force that his sword nearly flew from his grip. One ring shot straight at his face, forcing him to retreat three steps. Su Zhe gripped his staff and swept it forcefully, clearing away the dust and revealing the stone door’s true appearance.

“So this is where you’re hiding.” Su Zhe snorted coldly.

“Uncle Zhe, you can’t!” Su Muyu knew that once Su Zhe made up his mind, he would act without hesitation. He immediately leaped forward.

At this moment, Mu Bai commanded: “Stop him.”

“Following Young Master’s orders!” Mu Qingyang’s peach blossom sword threw out a beautiful spark, forcing Su Muyu back. “Lord Puppet, let me entertain you first.”

“Get out of my way!” Su Muyu roared, instantly launching more than ten lethal sword strikes at Mu Qingyang, each aimed to kill as if he’d steeled his heart for murder.

Mu Qingyang dodged quickly, drawing in a sharp breath. He’d heard that while the Dark River’s Umbrella Ghost was known for exceptional swordplay, he was gentle and courteous, even leaving his targets’ bodies intact during missions. Why was every move now so merciless?

Meanwhile, Su Zhe walked slowly to the stone door, looking down at it and considering: should he open it, or simply throw down a dozen golden rings and crush the person inside? After a brief thought, Su Zhe shook his staff, making his decision: better to crush them directly.

“Divine Physician, come out!” Su Muyu shouted in warning.

Bai Hehuai, unaware that her father above was calculating how many golden rings it would take to crush her, heard Su Muyu’s shout and immediately reacted. She pushed open the stone door forcefully and jumped out, coming face to face with Su Zhe’s surprised expression.

“Little Forest Doctor, we meet again.” Su Zhe grinned.

Just like Mother said… He looks quite handsome, but he shouldn’t open his mouth—first that country accent in his official speech, and second, those perfectly good teeth ruined yellow by tobacco and betel nuts. Bai Hehuai frowned and cursed: “You dog!”

“Huh?” Su Zhe’s face twitched. He could understand why the Divine Physician would curse him since he’d come to kill her, but the term “dog” seemed strangely familiar, and that tone was very similar to someone he knew.

Bai Hehuai leaped out from behind the stone door, glancing at Su Muyu, then at Su Zhe: “You’ve come to kill me?”

“By the patriarch’s orders, to send Little Forest Doctor to the western paradise.” Su Zhe lazily swung his Buddhist staff, sending a golden ring flying at Bai Hehuai, though this move was more probe than attack, much slower than before.

“Quick, dodge!” Su Muyu knocked back Mu Qingyang with his sword and turned to help, but it was too late.

“Really are a dog.” Bai Hehuai cursed again, then suddenly changed her footwork, dodging the golden ring with a sidestep.

“The Su family’s Ghost-Trace Steps!” Mu Bai exclaimed. “Su Muyu, you actually taught Su family techniques to an outsider!”

Su Muyu was also stunned. The move Bai Hehuai had just used to dodge the golden ring was indeed the authentic Su family Ghost-Trace Steps. But these steps were extremely difficult to master—even gifted Su family disciples needed three to four years to become proficient. Bai Hehuai’s execution was impossible with just a few days of practice; it required years of foundation.

“Who exactly are you?” Su Zhe asked gravely, his expression more serious than ever before.

“I’m Bai Hehuai, the Divine Physician from Medicine King Valley.” Bai Hehuai answered with an ambiguous smile.

“Is your mother’s surname Wen?” Su Zhe asked.

“Yes.” Bai Hehuai raised an eyebrow. “What of it?”

Su Zhe fell silent, carefully examining Bai Hehuai’s face. After a long silence, he slowly said: “I didn’t notice at all at first…”

“Look out!” Su Muyu shouted.

Bai Hehuai started and whirled around to find seven white figures suddenly before her. While talking with Su Zhe, she’d completely forgotten about the Mu family members in the pavilion, leaving her unaware of these seven’s approach. She tried to use the Ghost-Trace Steps to escape but found herself unable to move an inch. Looking down, she saw nearly invisible threads binding her feet.

“Kill her,” Mu Bai said coldly from the pavilion.

All seven simultaneously threw white silk bands at Bai Hehuai.

At that moment, Su Zhe stepped in front of Bai Hehuai, gripping his Buddhist staff. With one powerful sweep, he shredded the seven silk bands to pieces while simultaneously sending all seven attackers flying.

“Get the hell out!” he roared.