"He's here." Yuan Shao quickly got up and instructed Ye Guichen and the others, "You all stay here and don't move without my permission."

It seemed as if Ye Guichen and his group were all Yuan Shao's subordinates.

Ye Guichen responded appropriately.

Sister Hua didn't seem to pay any attention to Ye Guichen and his group, instructing people to continue watching them. She then quickly led Yuan Shao to the edge of the village.

There was a place that resembled a dock.

Several small boats were moored.

A man faced the sunrise, standing tall with his hands behind his back.

"Young Master An, Yuan Shao is here." Sister Hua stood ten paces away and called out.

An Shengtian didn't turn his head but asked indifferently, "Yuan Shao, why are you here instead of handling your business in Yun City?"

His tone revealed no emotion.

Yuan Shao was filled with fear, his eyes darting around rapidly.

Even though he had prepared multiple times, Yuan Shao was still terrified that An Shengtian might learn about the incidents in Yun City, which would undoubtedly cost him his head.

But thinking of Ye Guichen's extraordinary martial prowess, his spirits lifted.

For now, his only option was to assist Ye Guichen to climb higher himself.

"Young Master An, the matters in Yun City are mostly settled. I feared you might need me, so despite much hardship, I finally found you." Yuan Shao bowed and scraped, completely submissive.

An Shengtian finally turned his head and looked at Yuan Shao, "Really?"

"I wouldn't dare to lie!" Yuan Shao quickly bowed his head, fearful of An Shengtian detecting any hint of deception.

An Shengtian smirked but didn't press further, "You came at the right time, haha. Since you're here, I have a task for you."

"Please instruct me, Young Master An."

An Shengtian glanced at Sister Hua and said quietly, "How many people did you bring this time?"

"Besides Shui Liao, I have two of my own men, both skilled. Young Master An, whatever your orders, just say the word." Yuan Shao had prepared his response and quickly added, "Mr. Shui and Mr. Tu are left in Yun City, waiting for your major achievement, ready for your command."

"Well done." An Shengtian nodded lightly and gestured for Yuan Shao to come closer.

Yuan Shao hurriedly stepped forward, standing with his hands down, eager to listen.

An Shengtian whispered a few words to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao looked up at An Shengtian after listening, "Young Master An, I won't fail you."

"Good. Accomplish this, and you'll be rewarded." An Shengtian waved his hand, signaling Yuan Shao to leave.

This time, Sister Hua came with Little Hua. She instructed Little Hua to take Yuan Shao back but stayed herself, looking at An Shengtian with confusion, "Shengtian, what are you planning? Is Yuan Shao really your man?"

An Shengtian's lips curled into a cold smile, "Whether he's mine or not doesn't matter, as long as he gets things done for me. Besides, if he doesn't follow my orders, I have a reason to kill him."

"What do you intend to do?" As daylight broke, Sister Hua wanted to get close to An Shengtian but feared being discovered, so she kept some distance, the longing in her eyes barely concealed.

An Shengtian's eyes were profoundly deep as he looked at Sister Hua, "Sister Hua, today, the old chief must die!"

"What? You..." Sister Hua's pupils contracted in shock and unease, "Shengtian, three of the four elders still support the old chief strongly. A natural death and an accidental death are entirely different. If they find out, you could be in trouble."

"Haha, those who achieve great things don't bother with trifles." An Shengtian smiled proudly, "Sister Hua, get your people ready. Today is my grand opportunity to seize Sakura Falling. I don't want to wait any longer. Once I seize Sakura Falling, since I won't be here often, you will be the acting chief of Sakura Falling, and the entire tribe will be under your command."

Sister Hua's eyes gleamed with greed at his words, "Shengtian, tell me what to do."

...

When Yuan Shao returned to the woodshed, the guards who had been at the door were gone.

Naturally, Ye Guichen also sensed something was amiss.

Upon entering the woodshed, Yuan Shao quickly recounted what had happened.

"Mr. Ye, An Shengtian is about to make a move. He wants us to stir up chaos in Sakura Falling, then seize the chance to kill the chief of Sakura Falling. He even disclosed the chief's residence. Judging by his demeanor, it seems he can't wait for the old chief to die naturally."

Hearing this, Ye Guichen nodded slightly.

If that's the case, it provided an opportunity.

"Alright, you all wait here and don't act rashly. I will go out and return shortly. When I come back, we will proceed as planned!" After giving his instructions, Ye Guichen headed outside.

As for whether to kill the old chief of Sakura Falling, that was another matter.

Since An Shengtian had released him, it was an excellent opportunity to meet with Ugly Fox and find out the whereabouts of the Seven-colored Lotus Jade.

The sun was rising.

Judging by the situation here, it seemed a significant portion of the people had been bought by An Shengtian.

However, as soon as Ye Guichen left the woodshed, he caught sight of a figure dodging behind a house not far away.

One look was enough for Ye Guichen to recognize Ugly Fox.

Ugly Fox must have been eager to seek Ye Guichen's help upon discovering he was here.

Ye Guichen quickly walked over.

Ugly Fox also swiftly turned and led Ye Guichen to a secluded spot.

"Mr. Ye, why are you here?" Ugly Fox immediately knelt before Ye Guichen, his eyes already red.

Without saying much, Ye Guichen quickly asked, "What happened? Our agreed time had long passed. Did you fail to steal the Lotus Jade?"

"Mr. Ye, I..." Ugly Fox's voice choked with emotion as he recounted the events of that time, intermittently.

"You mean, Long Tianci is dead?" Ye Guichen was taken aback after listening.

According to Ugly Fox, after she brought Long Tianci back, she had planned to find an opportunity to steal the Seven-colored Lotus Jade.

Unexpectedly, she was discovered.

The old chief, still lucid at the time, was furious upon finding out. Egged on by others, he ordered Long Tianci thrown into the fish cage on the spot.

The fish cage contained many piranhas. Anyone thrown in would be stripped to the bone within minutes.

Ugly Fox witnessed Long Tianci being devoured alive, her own face was scarred, and a leg broken.

Though she survived, her martial prowess was crippled, and she was reduced to the lowest status in Sakura Falling, forced to do the dirtiest and most strenuous tasks.

"Mr. Ye, after I was discovered stealing the Lotus Jade, the old chief kept it on him. But soon after, he suddenly fainted. Later, the Azure Dragon Commerce seemed to catch wind of this, and An Shengtian arrived with dozens of people, claiming to treat the old chief. But I'm sure he has his eyes on Sakura Falling."

Ugly Fox continued resentfully, "Initially, I didn't blame anyone, but I've discovered that the Second Elder was behind it. It was also his idea to kill Tianci. Besides, it seems the Second Elder is in cahoots with An Shengtian, harboring ill intentions."

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