Haobai City Branch

In front of the Juying Tower's entrance, a young man around twenty years old was calling out to passing customers.

Seeing a boy of about fifteen or sixteen leading a tall horse approach, he knew it might be the son of a wealthy family and quickly went forward, a smile on his face, respectfully saying:

"Young master, would you like to stay at the inn or have a meal? Our Juying Tower is one of the best inns in Haobai City, with everything from food and drink."

After more than a month of training, Qin Fengming's mind had become incredibly mature. Seeing how quick-witted the attendant was, Qin Fengming chuckled, "I've come to Haobai City for sightseeing and would like to stay for a few nights. Do you have any rooms available?"

"You've come to the right place, young master. We have over twenty superior rooms at Juying Tower, and there are still some available. Please follow me." As the attendant spoke, he took the reins and led Qin Fengming into the inn.

After handing the horse over to someone else to care for and registering at the front desk, the attendant led Qin Fengming towards the guest rooms behind the main hall, stopping in front of a door on the second floor.

The room was spacious and bright. Qin Fengming was not picky, so he nodded, "Alright, I'll stay here."

Hearing that Qin Fengming had no complaints, the attendant was pleased. He quickly brought water and served Qin Fengming as he washed his face.

After finishing his ablutions, Qin Fengming turned to the attendant and said, "Elder Brother, what are Juying Tower's specialty dishes? Please prepare four, and I'll have lunch here."

The attendant, being very clever, agreed and immediately went out to prepare.

In just the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, four exquisite dishes were placed before Qin Fengming. He casually handed a piece of silver, weighing at least two ounces, to the attendant. Qin Fengming then spoke again:

"I have a question for you. Does Luoxia Valley have a branch here in Haobai City?"

"Ah, you're asking about the Luoxia Valley branch, young master? Of course, we do. A relative of mine lives next to the Luoxia Valley branch. It's located in the west of the city. Go out from here, head west for about five li, turn right at a tall archway, and you'll see a large manor. That's where the branch is located."

Happily taking the silver, the attendant's face lit up with a smile. Hearing the young master ask about the Luoxia Valley branch, he explained in detail.

While eating, Qin Fengming couldn't help but ponder. The Hall Master had said that this mission would be led by Fifth Senior Brother, and he was only there for auxiliary training. However, for his first mission, his youthful spirit was eager to try.

As for how to find Fifth Senior Brother, Qin Fengming wasn't worried. Since there was a sect branch here, even if Senior Brother came, he would definitely go to the branch.

Late at night, Qin Fengming changed into night-traveling clothes in his room, then gently opened the window, sprang up, and leaped onto the rooftop. With a movement, he flew towards the place the attendant had described.

The western part of Haobai City was where the city's lower-class workers and merchants gathered, and the Luoxia Valley branch was very easy to find.

Standing beside a magnificent manor covering more than ten mu, hidden in the darkness, Qin Fengming gazed intently.

On the grand gate, a plaque hung with the words "Luoxia Valley Branch." Although it was late at night, two burly men stood guard in front of the gate.

Hidden in the darkness, Qin Fengming circled the branch, found a secluded and hidden spot, covered his face with a black veil, and slung his sword across his back. With a flash, he was already atop the high wall.

Focusing his gaze, the scene within the courtyard was clearly displayed before Qin Fengming.

Although the courtyard was silent, Qin Fengming easily spotted several overt and covert sentry posts. Looking at the strict security within the courtyard, Qin Fengming couldn't help but admire the local branch master.

With a flicker of his body, the Azure Cloud Maze was unleashed. Qin Fengming moved like a ghost, entering the manor grounds.

Qin Fengming was unfamiliar with the layout of the manor, but this didn't pose too much of a problem. With another movement, Qin Fengming headed towards a building within a courtyard that was still brightly lit.

Under the cover of his Azure Cloud Maze movement technique, neither the overt nor the covert sentries noticed him.

Silently arriving at the building, he saw it was seven or eight zhang tall, with three floors. The first floor was very tall, about four or five zhang high. The first floor was brightly lit, while the upper two floors were completely dark.

Stopping in a dark spot outside the second floor, Qin Fengming carefully observed and found that there was no one on the second floor. Reassured, he flipped through a wooden window and entered the building.

Moving to stand at the top of the stairs, Qin Fengming held his breath and listened. The voices from the first-floor hall entered his ears clearly.

"Elder Brother, there's no point in us discussing this further. With the current manpower of our Haobai City branch, attempting to attack the Wang Clan Twin Eagles would be too difficult. Moreover, if we launch a large-scale attack on their mountain gate, we will inevitably fall out with them, which will be detrimental to our branch's future operations."

Qin Fengming hadn't known what the people below were discussing earlier, but he heard these words clearly now.

As the man's voice fell, another voice immediately responded, "Fifth Brother's words are very reasonable. Openly clashing with those two Wangs will indeed be very detrimental to our future operations in Haobai City. How to retrieve what belongs to our Luoxia Valley from those two villains requires careful consideration."

Following this person's words, a wave of discussion arose in the hall.

From their voices, Qin Fengming knew that there were seven or eight people in the first-floor hall, but the Luoxia Valley branch master, referred to as Elder Brother, had not spoken a word from beginning to end.

After another cup of tea's worth of discussion, a stern voice suddenly rang out, "Brothers, please calm yourselves. I already have a plan for that Wang scoundrel. As for how to proceed, someone will make arrangements. We can just wait here."

The voice of the person speaking was not loud, but it was forceful and resonant, indicating a certain level of internal cultivation.

Without needing to think, Qin Fengming knew this person must be Zhang Qingshan, the branch master of Haobai City. This person wielded a pair of Five Elements Wheels, which were extremely powerful.

"Ah, so Elder Brother already has arrangements. Have our Luoxia Valley dispatched several Elders down the mountain?"

The middle-aged voice, referred to as Fifth Brother, spoke again following the branch master's words. With just a single sentence, he seemed to have predicted everything.

"Heh heh, Fifth Brother is worthy of the title Divine Calculator. As soon as our main headquarters received my letter, they made a decision. I kept it secret to avoid letting those old Wang scoundrels know too early. Now that all brothers are gathered, I will inform you all together. I hope you brothers do not blame me."

Upon hearing this, the others did not express excessive words, seeming to understand the branch master's intentions very well.

After another round of discussion, they all got up to leave. Five of them walked towards a secluded courtyard behind the manor, while two headed directly out of the branch and into the depths of the main street.