The moment Xiao Zuiji fired his gun and killed one of the assassins, the Fine Rain Hall members had already detected it and successfully followed the remaining five assassins.

We’re professional killers, damn it!

If we let a few rookies slip away right under our noses, how could we face the Sect Master and Hall Master!

The next day.

Jun Changxiao’s spiritual energy and physical strength had recovered well. He rose early, stood outside the mountain cave breathing in the fresh air, and did some stretching exercises.

“No pollution, plenty of spiritual energy.”

He sighed with emotion: “Even ordinary people living here have lifespans of around two to three hundred years.”

In the high martial world, once humans opened their meridians and condensed spiritual energy, their lifespans would increase accordingly.

Sect Master Jun was committed to completing the main quest—he didn’t want to die young after all, since a hundred years old here was barely equivalent to thirty on Earth.

“Swish swish!”

Li Qingyang emerged from the mountain forest, pulling out the marker left by the Fine Rain Hall members before they departed for tracking. “Sect Master, they’ve already got eyes on them.”

Jun Changxiao said lightly: “This seat wants to see just how you’ll continue playing hide and seek.”

“Return to the sect.”

“Yes!”

After a night’s rest, everyone continued their journey.

When they reached a certain intersection in the Qingyang City territory, City Lord Xie and Family Head Li bid farewell and departed.

They had come to provide support, and Jun Changxiao was very grateful. Before they left, he generously gave each of them a Body Molding Pill.

“It can enhance physical body strength?”

“Could it be the Body Molding Pill that Family Head Ai is selling?”

“Heavens, how close must Sect Master Jun’s relationship with the Ai Family be to get pills that haven’t even been auctioned yet?”

The family heads walking back to the city were utterly shocked.

“Everyone.”

Xie Guangkun stopped, saying in a grave voice: “The matter of Sect Master Jun giving us pills—please keep it buried in your stomachs.”

All the family heads were seasoned veterans of the martial world. How could they not understand the meaning? They hurriedly expressed their position earnestly: “City Lord, rest assured, this matter—you know, I know, heaven knows, earth knows!”

…

“Sect Master, senior brothers have returned!”

The quiet Iron Bones Sect was instantly disrupted by Sima Zhongda’s loud shout.

When Jun Changxiao led the eight people through the sect protection formation and entered the sect, disciples stopped their cultivation and surrounded them to inquire about the battle results.

“Beat them seven to zero?”

“Holy crap, that’s way too awesome!”

“Sect Master is mighty, senior brothers are mighty!”

On the martial arts field, excited cheers erupted from the Iron Bones Sect disciples!

“Dudu!” Jun Changxiao said in high spirits: “Tonight, prepare dozens of tables of dishes and ready some fine wine—let’s celebrate properly!”

Prestige, money, and contribution points.

This trip to the Vast Righteousness Sect had reaped a tremendous harvest. How could they not drink heartily with the disciples!

“Yes!”

Liu Wanshi didn’t even bother continuing her cultivation. She took Ma Yongning and One Black and Two Black to start preparing ingredients in the dining hall for tonight’s feast!

…

Inside the study.

Jun Changxiao had just sat down and hadn’t yet taken a sip of tea when Li Luoqiu, dressed in a sexy school uniform, walked in and smiled: “Sect Master, you’re truly amazing.”

She had received the intelligence early in the morning, learning that the disciples had won all seven matches and that the Sect Master had chopped down Qin Haoran with a single blade.

At the time, Li Luoqiu’s first reaction was bewilderment.

Although she didn’t hope that Jun Changxiao would end in defeat when going to crash the event, sixth-tier sects were not to be trifled with. Even if they went, they should at least lose two or three matches, right?

The result!

They scored seven to zero!

If she didn’t have absolute trust in her subordinates, Hall Master Li would have even suspected the intelligence was incorrect!

Jun Changxiao took a sip of tea, set down his cup, crossed his legs, and said: “My Iron Bones Sect will eventually become the strongest sect. This is merely standard operating procedure.”

The boasting was completely natural, flawless.

Li Luoqiu sat down and smiled: “It seems my decision to pledge allegiance to the Sect Master was an extremely wise choice.”

From Sect Master Jun’s angle, this woman happened to be viewed in profile—peaks rising prominently. He hurriedly shifted his gaze away and said: “Has the Xiao Family made any moves?”

“They have.”

When it came to serious business, the charm on Li Luoqiu’s face was replaced by solemnity. “The day the Sect Master went to the Vast Righteousness Sect, the Xiao Family Grand Elder disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Jun Changxiao was startled.

Li Luoqiu said: “The Xiao Family Grand Elder has a habit—every morning he goes to the Elegant Serenity Residence to drink tea, but that day after he went in, he never came out again.”

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin: “Did you investigate the Elegant Serenity Residence?”

“We did.” Li Luoqiu said: “It’s a Xiao Family property. Martial artists without status find it difficult to enter.”

Jun Changxiao asked: “What’s your take?”

“I’ve been constantly sending people to investigate the Xiao Family’s base for training assassins, but there’s been no news whatsoever.”

Li Luoqiu paused briefly: “This Elegant Serenity Residence—perhaps it’s secretly the base.”

Jun Changxiao agreed: “Quite possible.”

Li Luoqiu said: “I’ve been keeping people watching it. What does the Sect Master plan to do?”

“Wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“Wait for news from Little Bee and the others.”

Little Bee was the leader of the ten gold-medal assassins from last night—one of the four trump card assassins of the former Fine Rain Tower, second only to Poison Scorpion and Mountain Cat.

After Jun Changxiao learned of this nickname, he had even called out to him: “Two little bees, flying among the flowers!”

Li Luoqiu said: “It seems the Sect Master has been targeted by assassins on this trip.”

Jun Changxiao took a sip of tea and said resentfully: “Don’t let this seat find out who it is, or I’ll absolutely kill them!”

Being constantly targeted by assassins—even someone with the best temper couldn’t take it.

As long as Little Bee and the others could follow the vine to find the melon, he would definitely chop it off directly and taste whether it was sweet.

…

Night fell.

The dining hall was brightly lit.

Every table was laden with food and wine.

Jun Changxiao raised his bowl: “To this triumphant return—cheers!”

“Sect Master is mighty!”

All the disciples raised their wine bowls in unison and drank heartily.

Elder Wei had come too.

He sat alone in a corner, gently sipping his wine, watching these young people, his turbid eyes glimmering with memories.

“Wei Zi, I’m going to establish a sect—are you coming with me or not!”

“Hahaha, we’ve finally found a mountain—let’s establish our sect here!”

“Wei Zi, from today on I’m the Sect Master, you’re the Vice Sect Master. Together we’ll accomplish great things!”

Long-sealed memories surfaced in his consciousness, as if Elder Wei had returned to when he was about the same age as these children.

The years are like flying blades, each one hastening old age…

“Grandpa Wei.”

Liu Wanshi had appeared sitting across from him at some point, hands supporting her cheeks, blinking as she said: “Why are you crying?”

Elder Wei smiled: “It’s a bit spicy.”

Liu Wanshi pouted: “Grandpa Wei, the dishes you’re eating were specially made by Dudu—there isn’t a single chili pepper in them.”

“Uh.”

Elder Wei raised his bowl: “It’s the wine that’s spicy, the wine!”

Liu Wanshi’s willow-leaf brows furrowed as she advised: “Grandpa Wei, you’re old now so you should drink less. If you kick the bucket and die…”

“Pfft!”

Elder Wei spat out his wine and nearly did kick the bucket and die right then.

Children speak without restraint, children speak without restraint.

…

The Iron Bones Sect disciples trained extremely hard on normal days. Today was a rare chance to let loose, so in the dining hall they heartily competed in drinking with their fellow disciples.

Jun Changxiao held a bowl of wine, foot propped on a bench, watching them play with great enjoyment.

“Sect Master.”

Li Luoqiu approached and whispered in his ear: “Little Bee has sent news.”

“So fast?” Jun Changxiao used his spiritual energy to dispel his drunkenness, then went to the study.

Li Luoqiu reported the message: “Little Bee and the others tracked the five assassins they were watching in the wilderness into Liyang City, where they disguised themselves as servants and entered the Elegant Serenity Residence.”

Jun Changxiao interlaced his ten fingers, resting his chin on them, and sneered coldly: “So it seems the Elegant Serenity Residence is the Xiao Family’s assassin base, and they were also the ones who ambushed us outside Liyang City?”

Damn it.

Really playing psychological warfare with me!

If he hadn’t subjugated the Fine Rain Tower, constantly being backstabbed by a group of lowlifes, he probably would never know their location even until death.

“Hall Master Li, receive your orders.”

“Swish!”

Li Luoqiu stepped back two paces, awaiting her command.

Jun Changxiao’s eyes turned cold: “Tomorrow night, eliminate the Elegant Serenity Residence. Leave no survivors!”

“Understood.”

“Have Zuiji go along.”

“This…” Li Luoqiu said: “They are Xiao Family people after all. Having him go seems somewhat inappropriate.”

Jun Changxiao asked: “Do you think the Xiao Family assassins are trying to assassinate this seat?”

Li Luoqiu paused briefly, then said: “I understand now. The Xiao Family is targeting Xiao Zuiji. What kind of deep hatred and resentment must there be—to not let him go even after expelling him from the clan?”

“Crack!”

Jun Changxiao clenched his fist and the teacup shattered: “Dare to make a move against my Iron Bones Sect disciple—forget the Elegant Serenity Residence, I’d dare to destroy the Xiao Family itself!”

The chill was oppressive, killing intent leaked out!

…

Liyang City, night descended.

The workers inside the Elegant Serenity Residence were busily closing up shop, but just as they were about to close the door, a graceful woman’s jade hand blocked the door panel as she smiled: “Young man, is this the Elegant Serenity Residence?”

This woman was stunningly beautiful with a voluptuous figure. Any man who saw her couldn’t help but take a second look.

But the worker only paused briefly, his tone cold: “Apologies, we’re closed.”

“You won’t do business when it’s offered?” the woman smiled.

The worker said: “Our establishment closes at this hour. If the lady wants tea, please come tomorrow.”

The woman didn’t leave at that. She blinked and smiled: “Young man, the business I’m talking about isn’t drinking tea—it’s taking lives.”

Taking lives?

The worker’s eyes turned cold.

“Slash—” A cold light flashed, mercilessly slicing across his throat.

Gripping a willow-leaf throwing knife, Li Luoqiu strode heroically into the establishment. From the shadows, dozens of subordinates followed, disposed of the corpse, then closed the doors of the Elegant Serenity Residence.

Dark night, high wind.

Perfect for murder and arson!