As evening approached, the city gate closed.

In the afternoon, Mei Nianzhi and his party packed their luggage and set off again, returning to Changze County.

The Lu family, led by Lu Shizong, shamelessly followed behind the convoy.

Inside Liu'an Inn.

Seeing that it was already late outside, Chen Tang informed Qingmu and Zhiwei that he was going out for a while and told them not to worry.

He then took off his Cyan Dragon Sword Armor, changed into a black outfit, hung a new knife bought in the afternoon at his waist, strapped on a bow and arrow, greeted the old man, and silently climbed out the window.

"Ninth Grade Extreme Realm, this kid really mastered it."

The old man murmured as he watched Chen Tang leave.

Judging by this kid's stance, he's probably going to train with that person again.

However, the old man didn't care much.

He guessed that the person behind Chen Tang was likely from the previous dynasty's army, someone who couldn't see the light of day.

He didn't bother to be concerned or investigate further.

He knew the masters from the previous dynasty; most of them had died back then. Even if some had survived by luck, after so many years, they were probably on the verge of death.

They certainly weren't as formidable as he was.

Clad in black, Chen Tang stealthily moved in the night. It wasn't long before he reached the foot of the city wall and used the Gecko Wall-Climbing Technique to climb over.

He was already familiar with this practice, doing it smoothly.

The old man guessed right; Chen Tang went out of the city tonight to prepare for another climb up the Snow Mountain to find the Mountain Guest for training.

Of course, before going up the Snow Mountain, there was one more matter to handle.

...

At night.

The returning convoy stopped to rest, some people started campfires by the official road, and cooked meals.

The Lu family, led by Lu Shizong, shamelessly returned with the convoy.

However, they were assigned to the end of the convoy and had lost the demeanor they had before.

Lu Shizong, with his family, approached Mei Nianzhi and said, "Hall Master Mei, luckily today was just a misunderstanding, or I would be guilty beyond forgiveness. Who would've thought that just by glancing more, those officials would attempt to arrest me on the spot."

"Hmph."

Mei Nianzhi sneered.

Such words might fool naive children.

He had seen many scheming villains like Lu Shizong.

They seem harmless normally but are always the first to kick someone when they're down.

Mei Nianzhi said indifferently, "No need to say more, whether it's a misunderstanding or not, you and I both know."

Lu Shizong, given a cold shoulder, smiled awkwardly, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then returned with his family to the end of the convoy.

"Why apologize to him? You're just asking for trouble."

Lu's wife reproached, "Besides, what's the hurry to leave? Stay in Wu'an County for a few more days. Later, we can hire some people to escort us back."

Lu Ziqi said, "Father is worried about encountering Snow Thieves."

Lu's wife replied, "After such a big incident in Changze County, there's officials and Cyan Dragon Guards frequenting between the counties, and Wu'an County is sending soldiers to hunt down the remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang. What Snow Thieves would dare to make a move during this time? Wouldn't that be courting death?"

"Mother is right." Lu Ziqi nodded.

Lu's wife said, "Even though your father runs things at home, I'm the quieter one, but I understand many things more clearly than he does."

The three of them sat around a small fire, its light bright. Lu Shizong's expression, however, was somewhat gloomy.

He shook his head and said, "What do you know, woman? I'm not worried about Snow Thieves, but about Chen Tang!"

"Why worry about him?"

Lu's wife asked, "About the past incidents, Ziqi has already been punished, his wrist broken by him, does he want to exterminate us completely? Even if he's entered the Cyan Dragon Bureau, he can't be this domineering, can he?"

"Did you forget?"

Lu Shizong whispered, "When we were at the Profound Celestial Temple, we mentioned Chen Tang to Xu Tong."

"I remember, what about it."

"I intended to divert disaster eastward, to use a knife to kill someone, but just this morning I found out from the Profound Celestial Temple that this Immortal Master Xu Tong is already dead!"

"What?"

Lu's wife's face changed, asking, "Did he...did he dare to kill someone from the Profound Celestial Temple?"

Lu Shizong said, "Apparently, Xu Tong offended the Observatory Master, which led to his death. But even so, this incident seems too coincidental. The more I think about it, the more afraid I get. It's better to leave Wu'an County as soon as possible."

"Moreover, today at noon, while speaking to the governmental officials, when Chen Tang mentioned that one always pays the price for a mistake, he seemed to glance at me!"

"No way, don't scare yourself."

Lu's wife consoled.

Suddenly, there was a sharp sound!

A feathered arrow pierced through the back of Lu Shizong's head, the bloody arrowhead protruding from his forehead.

"..."

Lu's wife's eyes widened, her pupils contracted violently.

Just a moment ago, everything was fine.

The next moment, her husband had been shot through the head by an arrow, his body tilted and fell into the fire!

"Ah!"

Lu's wife was terrified, her mouth opened wide, letting out a sharp, chilling scream.

Another arrow!

It entered through the mouth and went through Lu's wife's head.

The scream stopped abruptly.

Lu Ziqi had just raised his head to witness the death of his parents, completely paralyzed with fear, unable to move.

A whistle!

In the darkness, an arrow flew through the night sky, a dark light flashed, and it sank into Lu Ziqi's forehead.

He was killed with a single arrow!

The commotion here immediately threw the convoy into chaos.

"Oh no!"

"Someone's dead!"

The crowd shouted, panicking.

Mei Nianzhi instantly drew his sword and stood up, shouting, "Everyone, don't panic, hide behind the wagons first, avoid the arrows!"

The crowd scrambled to hide, not daring to show themselves.

After a while, there was no sound around, just dead silence.

"What's going on?"

"Isn't anyone coming to rob us?"

"Could it be that they are also waiting for us to go out?"

The group hid behind the carriage, whispering to each other.

The surroundings were pitch-black, making it impossible to see anything in the darkness.

After another span of half incense stick, everyone could hardly bear it any longer. Mei Nianzhi took a few people and first came out from behind the carriage, looking around with a vigilant expression.

There were no signs of enemy attacks.

"Strange."

The group muttered.

Mei Nianzhi, not daring to be careless, took some people to patrol nearby. After confirming there were no suspicious traces, they returned to the convoy.

"Didn't see anyone."

Mei Nianzhi first told the group, reassuring everyone, then went to the end of the convoy to look at the three already dead.

Three arrows, three people.

Neat and quick.

Only targeting Lu Shizong's family of three, it seemed more like a vendetta rather than the method of bandits blocking the road.

Being able to shoot with such precision at night showed how terrifying this person's archery was.

Mei Nianzhi's heart stirred, as if thinking of something, then shook his head.

Someone asked, "Hall Master Mei, what happened?"

Mei Nianzhi said in a low voice, "It could be the remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang or the Snow Thieves, just two or three people, not a real threat. They shot a few arrows from the shadows and escaped."

"That's likely. If there were more people, they would have charged long ago."

"This Lu Shizong's family is really unlucky."

Mei Nianzhi comforted them a few more words before everyone dispersed.

...

After Chen Tang killed Lu Shizong's family of three, he did not stay, heading towards the Snow Mountain.

The main goal of going out today was to find the Mountain Guest.

And to resolve Lu Shizong's family along the way.

Being remembered by such a person from morning to night, leaving no peace, to prevent future trouble, one can only uproot them to eliminate potential hazards.

The distance from Wu'an County and Changze County to that Snow Mountain was about the same.

Close to the third watch, Chen Tang ascended the Snow Mountain again.

When he had just arrived at the foot of the mountain, the Mountain Lord already noticed, standing on the mountain top, looking down as he climbed the Snow Mountain.

Seeing Chen Tang's climbing speed was much faster than before, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his tiger eyes.

Upon reaching the Snow Mountain, the first to greet Chen Tang was Xue Tuan'Er.

Not seen for a month, Xue Tuan'Er had grown quite a bit, standing on two legs, and its forepaws could already reach Chen Tang's shoulders.

At the moment, it pounced over, rubbing its round, furry tiger head against Chen Tang's cheek, occasionally licking and rubbing again.

"Alright, alright."

Chen Tang was a bit overwhelmed by Xue Tuan'Er's enthusiasm.

"Awoo!"

Xue Tuan'Er growled lowly, as if complaining about Chen Tang not returning for so long and not letting it enjoy enough.

While comforting, Chen Tang walked into the cave.

Not seen for a month, the Mountain Guest hadn't changed.

Still unkempt and sloppy, with a pale face, leaning against the cold stone wall of the cave, even the posture was the same as when Chen Tang last saw him.

Chen Tang couldn't help but wonder if the Mountain Guest had moved from that spot in a month.

This is a real homebody.

"Not bad, mastered in a month."

The Mountain Guest just glanced up and saw that Chen Tang had already cultivated to the Ninth Grade of the Extreme Realm.

"Hmm, I came to cultivate the Bone Transformation Technique."

Chen Tang said, "I also saw a Bone Transformation Technique at the Cyan Dragon Bureau, but I feel it's definitely not as good as yours."

"You joined the Cyan Dragon Bureau?"

The Mountain Guest raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Yes."

Rarely seeing the Mountain Guest interested in something, Chen Tang narrated everything he had experienced in the month from the arson at Qingyun Tower in Changze County to joining the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

The Mountain Guest pondered silently, and after a long while, he said, "A father's murder is irreconcilable; you did well. Nothing much else, but there's a flaw."

"What?"

Chen Tang asked.

"That knife was not handled well."

The Mountain Guest said flatly, "I guess that knife is probably in Cai Yin's hands now."

"Ah?"

Chen Tang was shocked.

Doesn't this mean he has been exposed?

The Mountain Guest said, "But judging by Cai Yin's behavior, he should not be hostile to you. Just keep it in mind and prepare."

Chen Tang was half-believing and half-doubting the Mountain Guest's words.

Recalling, Cai Yin had never hinted anything to him.

The only unusual thing was recruiting him into the Cyan Dragon Bureau out of the ordinary.

Knowing he was a suspect in the major case of Changze County, yet still recruiting him under his command?

The Mountain Guest then asked, "What's the relationship between the Cyan Dragon Bureau and the Profound Celestial Sect?"

"No relationship, I think."

Chen Tang shook his head and said, "As far as I know, the Cyan Dragon Bureau directly reports to Emperor Qian, overseeing all officials. However, the Profound Celestial Sect indeed has a transcendent status in Qian Country, quite extraordinary."

"That's natural."

The Mountain Guest said, "Qian Country was able to rise in chaotic times largely thanks to the Profound Celestial Sect. If it weren't for their prophecy that Emperor Qian was the True Dragon chosen as the Emperor, not so many would have followed."

"However, this is also the greatest hidden danger for Qian Country."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.