Before Ye Guichen could speak, Zhang Chongchen had already begun gesticulating wildly and talking.

Spittle flying, occasionally throwing in words of admiration, it was as if Zhang Chongchen had become Ye Guichen's little fanboy.

Zhang Changhe's injuries had nearly healed, and he too sat in the living room waiting for Ye Guichen and Zhang Chongchen. Seeing Zhang Chongchen's demeanor, he exchanged incredulous glances with Zhong Qing, both feeling like they had witnessed a spectacle.

In their eyes, Zhang Chongchen was a traditionalist, usually unsmiling, and practically friendless.

In the vast Heavenly Master Tao, it seemed that apart from his master and his six senior brothers, no one else could win his favor.

Yet, in just a few days, Zhang Chongchen seemed eager to hug Ye Guichen's leg and beg for likes.

The most surprised by this was Gongsun Fengying.

Although Zhang Chongchen's words were exaggerated due to his admiration for Ye Guichen, Ye Guichen's performance indeed caught her off guard.

"What else can't this guy do?"

Being strong in both martial and medical arts was one thing, but now his abilities in talisman arts were also extraordinary.

Originally thinking she was already exceptional, Gongsun Fengying suddenly felt a deep sense of defeat in comparison to Ye Guichen.

Ye Guichen, unfazed, listened to Zhang Chongchen's praise, occasionally nodding, as if it were only natural.

Once Zhang Chongchen had said enough, Ye Guichen finally spoke, "Actually, Taoist Zhang was too kind. I only did my bit. Although I didn't go all out, the outcome was at least satisfactory, but..."

He glanced at Feng Guoguo and said, "That fellow called Zhu He was just a pawn. I'm worried there are still many Eternal Life Hall people hidden in Jinling, so I'll need you to investigate discreetly."

Feng Guoguo, already on a mission under Lord Military God's orders to join the Taoist sect in investigating the Eternal Life Hall, nodded quickly, "Of course, it's my duty. But with the current situation, I have no leads. Mr. Ye, do you..."

Ye Guichen didn't hesitate, "Although Xie Fang might not be related to the Eternal Life Hall, with Zhu He dead, whether there's a connection or not, it might end up linked. So, Mr. Feng, it's best to keep an eye on Xie Fang. Of course, if you find anything unusual, don't rush to act. The Eternal Life Hall's methods are too bizarre to be measured by conventional martial arts."

"I understand!" Feng Guoguo agreed, bowing slightly to Ye Guichen, "Thank you this time, I'll treat you to a drink later."

Then, he strode away to secretly follow Xie Fang.

Ye Guichen yawned, "Everyone, discuss amongst yourselves if you have things to settle, I'm going to sleep first."

After Ye Guichen left, only Zhang Chongchen and his two Taoist colleagues along with Gongsun Fengying remained.

Gongsun Fengying fixed her gaze on Zhang Chongchen.

"Taoist Zhang, since that water monkey is dead, are you planning to return to Heavenly Master Tao, or will you stay here?" Gongsun Fengying asked first.

With the water monkey dead, Gongsun Fengying could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She was already closely involved with the Taoist sect, but now it also entangled with the Eternal Life Hall. Gongsun Fengying even received a call from her grandfather, indicating she's unlikely to be uninvolved with the Eternal Life Hall issue.

Even if she didn't want to meddle, the Eternal Life Hall threatens everyone's safety, whether they're of the Taoist sect or martial arts experts — it's a duty no one can shirk.

Zhang Chongchen furrowed his brow, "Since Lord Military God is aware, there shouldn't be much of a problem for the time being. The pressing matter is that I need to go back and report to my master, to unite the entire Taoist sect and start a thorough investigation into the Eternal Life Hall. Currently, we know nothing about them, how many remain, or where they're distributed. If a confrontation occurs, we'll inevitably be at a disadvantage."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhang Changhe asked, "When do we return, Uncle Master?"

Zhang Chongchen replied, "You two go back overnight and brief Master on the matter while I'll make a decision after Ye little friend wakes tomorrow."

They were puzzled, "What does this have to do with him?"

Zhang Chongchen smiled wryly, "My master insists that I bring him back."

Everyone looked on, feeling perplexed.

Stars sparkled in Zhang Chongchen's eyes once more, "Mr. Ye is a deity-like figure, probably already regarded as an equal by my master."

Zhang Changhe and Zhong Qing's jaws dropped again, "Re-really?"

Zhang Chongchen smiled wryly, "So, if we could invite Ye little friend to Heavenly Master Tao, Master would certainly be delighted."

...

In the early morning, the roads were sparse with cars and people.

Xie Fang, though unaware of how Ye Guichen defeated the water monkey or whether Zhu He was dead or alive, was feeling restless.

After leaving the Phoenix Pavilion, Xie Fang drove aimlessly through the streets.

While driving, he held his phone, hesitating whether to call the landline at Zhu He's house.

Few knew this landline number, and Xie Fang only called when he couldn't reach Zhu He otherwise.

But today, he had witnessed Zhu He enter the artificial lake, only for Ye Guichen and Zhang Chongchen to emerge.

The likelihood of Zhu He's death was high.

Ultimately, Xie Fang couldn't resist his curiosity and dialed the landline at Zhu He's house.

As the phone rang, Xie Fang felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

He hoped someone would pick up, yet also inexplicably hoped no one would.

Amidst these complex emotions, someone indeed answered the call.

A woman's voice came through the receiver, "Who is this?"

Xie Fang's heartbeat seemed to halt briefly.

The voice was both unfamiliar and familiar.

Though they had only met once, Xie Fang was certain it was Pan Qiuxiang on the other end.

That seductive woman who seemed eager to merge into his being.

Trying his best to sound sorrowful, Xie Fang said, "Brother-in-law might be in trouble, a-are you okay?" His feigned sadness couldn't hide the smile creeping at his lips.

If Zhu He was truly dead, everything he owned would be Xie Fang's.

Including that enchantingly alluring maid.

Upon hearing Xie Fang's words, Pan Qiuxiang was evidently startled, "Are you sure?"

"I'm not certain either. Stay put at brother-in-law's place, don't move recklessly. There are things I can't say over the phone, I'm heading over now. Regardless of brother-in-law's situation, we need to discuss our strategy," Xie Fang's voice conveyed care and urgency.

Pan Qiuxiang apparently hadn't given it much thought, "Okay, I'll wait for you at the master's house."

After ending the call, Xie Fang exhaled deeply, glanced at a nearby convenience store, hesitated slightly, then swiftly walked over to buy a box of condoms, humming as he headed to Zhu He's residential complex.

After parking, Xie Fang dabbed a bit of spit at the corners of his eyes and rang the doorbell.

"It's me, Xie Fang, open up," he said urgently.

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