Lockdown

Whoosh!

Xuanbei Pass, a secluded corner of West Alley.

A burly black shadow flashed past, someone slung over his shoulder. He moved with astonishing speed, like lightning, slipping through the gap between patrol shifts in an instant!

The burly shadow was the strongman who had killed Geng Jiu earlier.

The person over his shoulder was naturally Xie Xuanyi.

Just half a quarter-hour ago, this big fellow had cleanly and efficiently completed the kill. Without another word, he had scooped Xie Xuanyi up and fled the scene, racing all the way west... Their destination was an inn at the end of West Alley. The strongman merely tapped the ground lightly, then soared up the stone walls of the alley, slipping effortlessly through a bamboo window on the inn's third floor in two or three bounds.

"We're safe."

The big fellow let out a breath of relief.

Turning back, he asked with concern, "Are you all right?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi's expression was rather complicated. This was his first time experiencing what it felt like to be carried over someone's shoulder.

"East Alley has been sealed off. Killing a Hook and Pincers Master is no small matter. Lord Buddhist Son said Nalan Qiutong is a very difficult person to provoke. These next few days, I fear all of Xuanbei Pass will undergo a thorough search. You should hide here for a while and absolutely do not leave on your own..."

The strongman continued speaking to himself, offering what amounted to a warning.

It was rather strange.

Although he had rescued Xie Xuanyi, he had never once spoken to ask about Xie Xuanyi's identity.

Sizzle!

The lamp was lit.

Xie Xuanyi glanced over the arrangement of the guest room.

The room was plastered with talismans—some to conceal one's aura, some to burn incense and