Xiao Zuiji had come for this operation, but he didn’t enter the Elegant Serenity Residence. His mood heavy, he perched on a tree branch with his Type 88 sniper rifle.

The establishment across from him was a family property. Back when he was still in his glory days, when he had spare time from cultivation, he often came here to drink tea, surrounded by a group of fawning younger cousins.

However.

Who could have imagined it would be an assassin base?

And who could have imagined that among the several waves of assassins that had appeared, one would be from the Xiao Family!

Xiao Zuiji, who had just established his confidence in the Iron Bones Sect and was full of hope for the future, suffered another severe blow to his heart.

They expelled me.

Why do they still want me dead!

Why!

Why is this!

Xiao Zuiji’s left hand gripped the cold Type 88 sniper rifle tightly, feelings of grief and rage spreading through his heart.

Jun Changxiao had also come.

He sat on a nearby tree branch. Seeing his disciple’s arm trembling, he said: “Zuiji, from the day you were expelled, in the Xiao Family’s eyes you were destined to be trash for life.”

“Sect Master, why…”

Xiao Zuiji’s voice was hoarse, clearly struggling to control his emotions.

Jun Changxiao said: “Because they cannot accept that trash they expelled could rise again one day. That would make them feel their past actions were utterly foolish.”

“To avoid admitting their own stupidity, they can only eliminate you so they can continue being stupid in their dreams.”

Jun Changxiao’s analysis was spot on.

After Xiao Zuiji won the championship of the sect competition, the Xiao Family couldn’t accept it, couldn’t allow the waste they had expelled to become powerful again.

Since he had already been labeled as ‘trash,’ either remain trash like an ant, or die!

“Zuiji.”

Jun Changxiao said: “You must learn to accept reality and constantly grow stronger through setbacks.”

“Hah!”

Xiao Zuiji took a deep breath, his state of mind gradually calming.

“Also remember this.”

Jun Changxiao said in a grave voice: “True family isn’t so-called bloodlines, but those who treat you well and care about you. Those who want to harm you can only be enemies.”

He wouldn’t let his disciples become cold-blooded, emotionless killers, nor would he instill the saintly mindset that when others want to kill you, you should still try to redeem them with love.

Moreover, since the Xiao Family didn’t care about blood connections and harbored murderous intent toward Xiao Zuiji, trying to redeem them with love would be absolutely brain-dead.

Of course.

Redemption wasn’t impossible—just couldn’t use love. Had to use fists.

Beat them into comfortable submission, beat them until they cried for their parents—that wouldn’t be a problem at all.

Xiao Zuiji’s eyes turned cold and fierce: “Sect Master, I understand now!”

They expelled me and still want to take my life. Even if we share the same blood, they’re only enemies, not family!

…

The Elegant Serenity Residence.

After Li Luoqiu led people inside.

An assassin disguised as a servant walked in from the inner courtyard: “Ninth Brother, the door is closed…”

“Swish!”

Poison Snake appeared behind him, one hand covering his mouth, the dagger cleanly and efficiently slicing across his throat.

Li Luoqiu waved her hand. Mountain Cat and the other members infiltrated the inner courtyard, then sealed off every possible escape route.

The Fine Rain Tower Master personally leading the team—absolutely super professional!

“Hall Master.”

Poison Snake said in a low voice: “Nothing special in the inner courtyard.”

Li Luoqiu sat on a table and took a sip of tea: “There should be a secret chamber. Search carefully and thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

Poison Snake led his subordinates in silent exploration through the dark night.

…

Underground beneath the Elegant Serenity Residence was a secret chamber, extremely spacious.

Inside were a great hall, training rooms, and many weapons and hidden weapons hanging on the walls—quite professional indeed.

“Big Brother, the Iron Bones Sect’s Divine Might Firearms are too formidable. If we’re discovered, it’ll be very difficult to escape.” A bearded man sat in the council hall.

He was one of the five assassins who had been tracked by Little Bee in the wilderness earlier, and also one of the leaders of the Elegant Serenity Residence base.

The one called Big Brother was a gaunt middle-aged man with triangular eyes and a figure-eight mustache, wearing a steward’s outfit. His eyes flashed with cold malice—clearly not a good person at first glance!

If Xiao Zuiji were here, he would definitely recognize this as Xiao Shanhai, the Xiao Family’s external affairs steward and the Grand Elder’s right-hand man.

The assassins at the base were secretly trained under his supervision. When there were assassination tasks from above, he was also the one who assigned them.

“Who would have thought an eighth-tier sect could severely damage the Vast Righteousness Sect? This is truly incomprehensible.” Xiao Shanhai stroked his figure-eight mustache.

“Indeed.”

The bearded man said: “Everyone thought the Iron Bones Sect going to the Vast Righteousness Sect would get crushed, but instead they beat the Vast Righteousness Sect seven to zero, and even injured Alliance Leader Qin.”

At this moment he was secretly glad that they had withdrawn in time the night before last. Otherwise, if discovered by the Iron Bones Sect, far more than just one assassin would have died.

“The Grand Elder has ordered.”

Xiao Shanhai said gravely: “The Iron Bones Sect is somewhat troublesome. All assassination plans are cancelled. No one is to go out.”

“Understood.” The bearded man acknowledged.

Xiao Shanhai’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop: “Actually, I think we don’t need to take action ourselves at all. We can just hire the Fine Rain Tower to assassinate that trash.”

“Big Brother, Lingquan Mountain hired Fine Rain Tower assassins, and they still couldn’t do anything to the Iron Bones Sect.” The bearded man said.

“Hmph.”

Xiao Shanhai said disdainfully: “The Wei brothers were too careless and too stupid. If we’re going to hire, we should hire the Fine Rain Tower’s trump card assassins. That would be absolutely foolproof.”

Hearing the words “trump card assassins,” the bearded man’s eyes filled with admiration.

The Fine Rain Tower’s trump card assassins were known as the elite among elites. Although he was secretly trained by the Xiao Family, he was still an assassin after all. He held reverence for strong peers in the same profession and hoped to reach their level someday.

“It’s decided then.”

Xiao Shanhai said: “I’ll go back and discuss it with the Grand Elder. If he agrees, you’ll come with me to the Fine Rain Tower headquarters tomorrow.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Suddenly, a voice came from the stairway leading upward. Li Luoqiu walked down with Poison Snake and the others, smiling: “This Tower Master has come personally.”

“Swish swish swish!”

With someone suddenly entering the underground chamber, the Xiao Family assassins positioned inside the room swiftly rushed out. Every one of them gripped hidden weapons, their eyes flashing with killing intent.

“Tch.”

Poison Snake snorted disdainfully.

That posture for throwing hidden weapons really wasn’t up to standard.

Xiao Shanhai squinted and scrutinized them, then said in surprise: “You are… the Fine Rain Tower Master?”

What?

The Fine Rain Tower Master?

The expressions of over twenty assassins froze in shock.

The Xiao Family Grand Elder had purchased a complete set of training methods from the Fine Rain Tower Master. They had become assassins because of this.

Carefully calculating it, they could almost call her master!

Learning the identity of their visitor, the twenty-plus assassins immediately relaxed.

More accurately, they didn’t dare act presumptuously before the master of assassins!

Li Luoqiu walked into the great hall, one hand resting on the table, and smiled: “If I’m not mistaken, you should be the Xiao Family’s external affairs steward, correct?”

“That’s right.”

Xiao Shanhai stood up and cupped his hands politely: “I am Xiao Shanhai. I once accompanied the Grand Elder to your tower.”

Li Luoqiu smiled: “Steward Xiao, I need to correct something you just said.”

“Correct?” Xiao Shanhai looked bewildered.

Li Luoqiu pulled out her Desert Eagle and spun it on her fingertip, smiling: “My current identity isn’t the Fine Rain Tower Master, but the Hall Master of the Iron Bones Clanging Sect.”

Xiao Shanhai’s face showed utter shock.

The bearded man reacted very quickly—the hidden weapon in his sleeve immediately dropped down.

However, before he could act, Li Luoqiu raised her hand. The Desert Eagle stopped spinning, the barrel aimed at him, and with a bang directly blew through his forehead.

The master of assassins—clean and efficient!