You've Worked Hard All The Way

World-Saving Pavilion!

Inside a simple thatched cottage, Qin Jishi sat casually, two cups of fragrant tea placed before him on a table.

"Old man, I wonder how you've been these past few years. If your health isn't good, drink less alcohol and more tea."

Qin Jishi set down the fragrant tea in his hand and picked up the teapot to refill the other cup.

"You, you're good at everything else, just too nagging. When I was with you before, you were always so annoying, I couldn't wait to leave you. Now that you're gone, I actually miss you a little."

"Hehe~"

"Come!"

"Taste and see if my tea-brewing skills have improved. Didn't you always say my tea was terrible? I've been diligently studying for these three years."

"Taste it!"

Qin Jishi held the fragrant tea in his hand, silent for a long time, before finally gently clinking the cups together and drinking it all in one go.

"How is it? Has my skill improved?"

"What? It's still terrible?"

"Old man, don't be ungrateful when you have good fortune. In all of this world, I'm the only one who doesn't mind you being a beggar and can taste my skills. You should be happy."

"Don't... don't look at me like that. If you don't want to see me, I don't want to see you either."

"..."

As Qin Jishi spoke, he suddenly fell silent. The only sound in the room was his breathing.

Hoo~

After a long while, Qin Jishi let out a light sigh. "Honestly, if it weren't for you back then, I might have already died. You gave me the hope to live, you taught me the Primordial Savage Art, you let me obtain the Chaos Bead as my master, and you gave me back my confidence."

"Yes!"

"I know your intentions. The Qin family is powerful. You were afraid I would die, and the ten-year marriage contract was meant to let me settle down. How could I not understand that?"

"Sigh~"

"Old man, I feel very fortunate. Fortunate that fate brought me to you. Although you were harsh on me and often nagged me, I know it was all for my own good. I remember all of it."

Who could have imagined that the Young Pavilion Master of the World-Saving Pavilion would have red-rimmed eyes at this moment?

This was definitely news as explosive as any earth-shattering, ghost-wailing event.

Qin Jishi held the fragrant tea in his hand, quietly gazing at the other cup of tea.

One cup of tea!

One stick of incense!

Qin Jishi remained silent for a long time, finally closing his eyes tightly. The two cups of fragrant tea gently clinked together. "Old man, I miss you."

After drinking it all in one gulp, Qin Jishi adjusted his emotions. Just as he was about to get up.

"Planning to head to the Black and White Academy?" Baihe's voice echoed in his mind.

"Mhm!" Qin Jishi nodded. "Do I have any other choice?"

"Baihe!"

"You must know how I came back."

"I don't know!" Baihe's reply was crisp and decisive.

Qin Jishi might have believed it if Qingfeng claimed not to know how he returned.

But if Baihe claimed ignorance, he definitely wouldn't believe it.

Who could escape her dharma eye? Who could play tricks in front of her?

"I shouldn't have spoken." Qin Jishi expressed a hint of helplessness.

"When are you leaving?" Baihe continued to ask.

"Now!"

"Mhm!"

Baihe stopped speaking. Qin Jishi stood up and stepped out of the room.

"Young Pavilion Master!" Seeing Qin Jishi emerge from the Forbidden Ground, Qingfeng stepped forward. "You're not leaving this time, are you?"

"Leaving now!" Qin Jishi shook his head.

"Now?" Qingfeng sounded slightly astonished. "Still going to Soaring Dragon City?"

"No... the Black and White Academy."

"Black and White Academy?" Qingfeng pondered for a moment. "Do you need me to accompany you, Young Pavilion Master?"

"No need!" Qin Jishi instructed. "The World-Saving Pavilion needs you to manage it. Don't worry, no one will dare to do anything to me."

"Mhm!" Qingfeng extended his hand. "Young Pavilion Master, I'll see you off."

Looking at Qin Jishi's receding back, Qingfeng's lips curved into a meaningful smile.

A carriage sped through the darkness, arriving at Soaring Dragon City late at night.

Qin Jishi alighted from the carriage and glanced at the Zhang Family's residence from afar. "Leaving this time, I wonder when I'll return."

He had originally wanted to go in and see Zhang Jinhua, as Zhang Jinhua had always treated him well.

Ultimately, Qin Jishi gave up. He couldn't stand such sentimental goodbyes.

Turning back to the carriage, Qin Jishi signaled for them to continue.

The reason Qin Jishi specifically chose a carriage was for discretion.

He didn't want to be too flashy, as the flashy ones were always the first to die.

Swish~

The carriage disappeared into the darkness, and two figures appeared.

"Ninth Brother, Qin Jishi."

"Are you sure it's him?"

"No doubt!"

"Chase them~"

The two figures also vanished into the darkness.

Darkness gave way to light, and a hint of dawn appeared in the sky.

After a night of travel, both man and horse were weary. Qin Jishi stepped out of the carriage and signaled the driver to rest for a moment before continuing. He, however, walked towards a dense forest in the distance.

As soon as he stepped into the forest, a smile curved Qin Jishi's lips. "Come out. You two have escorted me all night. You must be tired."

As his voice fell, the depths of the forest remained silent.

"What? Are the dignified Heavenly Dipper Realm cultivators turtles hiding in their shells?"

"Do I need to invite you?"

Swish, swish~

The previously silent forest rustled, and then two figures in black robes appeared.

Although their appearances were unclear, their auras conveyed a hint of surprise.

"A mere Mortal, how did you detect us?"

"Black Eagle Guard?" Qin Jishi gave a cold laugh. "As far as I know, the Black Eagle Guard is under the command of the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord. Who sent you to follow me all this way?"

Qin Jishi didn't believe they were sent by the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord. Others might not know his identity, but the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord would? Unless he didn't want Pan Xu to live, or for the entire Black Eagle Prefecture to continue existing.

"Enough nonsense, answer our question."

They released their divine senses, confirming that Qin Jishi had no Profound Energy fluctuations. It was precisely this... that made them even more puzzled: how did the other party detect them?

Qin Jishi did not get angry at their attitude and chuckled, "There are ten members in the Black Eagle Guard, each of them a Heavenly Dipper Realm expert. May I ask which two of you you are?"

"Who exactly are you?" Black Eagle Ninth Brother's expression shifted. Someone who knew their Black Eagle Guard like the back of his hand, could he be an ordinary person?

"Heh heh~" Hearing the question, Qin Jishi laughed. "Who I am is not important. What's important is who you received orders from. Don't you know my relationship with the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord?"

"Putting on airs." Black Eagle Tenth Brother narrowed his eyes. "Ninth Brother, stop wasting words with him. I'll deal with him now..."

With that, a powerful aura enveloped Qin Jishi.

"Alas~" Qin Jishi shook his head. "I advise you to think carefully. Even the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord would have to be respectful to me."

"Hmph, daring to disrespect the Prefecture Lord when death is upon you. Unforgivable."

"Sky-Rending Claw..."

Black Eagle Tenth Brother's five fingers transformed into sharp claws, tearing through the void, carrying immense pressure as they lunged towards Qin Jishi's throat.

With this claw strike, Qin Jishi was certain to die.

Whether it was Black Eagle Ninth Brother or Black Eagle Tenth Brother, they both believed Qin Jishi had no power to resist.

Watching the sharp claws that instantly reached him, Qin Jishi wore a smile.

"Very well, let me see what the Black Eagle Guard is truly capable of."

"Great Compassion Sky-Tearing Hand!"

Dense Profound Energy gathered, and he unleashed a palm strike.

Boom!

A massive palm phantom appeared, roaring towards Black Eagle Tenth Brother's claws.