Opening

As the hours slowly ticked by.

A trickle of blood began to seep from the gap between that bastard's neck and severed head.

Even an outsider could tell that something terrible was about to happen.

Some onlookers could not bear to watch any longer and turned to leave, while others craned their necks, eager to see how things would end.

Old Man Qian merely kept kowtowing. He did not even dare to fight for his life, knowing full well that it would be no different from an ant trying to shake a tree.

Just as he was about to despair, a crisp sound suddenly rang out from the middle of the street.

The young master wore a smiling, entertained expression and showed no sign of backing down, though there seemed to be guards lurking among the surrounding crowd.

Zhong Shenxiu's eyes flashed, and he slipped a hand into his sleeve.

Ding!

Just then, another strange turn of events occurred.

Zhong Shenxiu raised an eyebrow as he saw a wooden hairpin fly in from outside the street and land squarely on that Red Emperor Coin.

Amid a dull, heavy sound, the Red Emperor Coin lying on the ground was instantly cleaved in two, and the qi upon it was shattered.

Old Man Qian's expression relaxed. He hurriedly chanted a spell and reattached his grandson's head.

This time, the head did not fall off. It rapidly fused back together with the neck.

"Hundred Paces Flying Sword? A cultivator?!"

The young master's expression changed. "Who was that? Who dared disturb this young master's fun?"

Smack!

The wooden hairpin leaped straight up as though wielded by an invisible hand, then viciously lashed across his cheek.

This was the Yang Gang Method—it could not be countered!

The rich young master's cheek instantly turned bright red. He spat out several bloodstained teeth, and a bold voice rang in his ears: "If you continue doing evil, I'll sever your dog's head!"

His expression changed. He warily glanced around, but ultimately did not lose his temper. Surrounded by a crowd of lackeys, he hurried away.

By then, Old Man Qian saw that his grandson had awakened. He did not even dare retrieve the reward money from the ground, and hurriedly led his grandson out through the city gate to avoid trouble. He had already decided never to return to Fufeng City for the rest of his life.

Seeing that there was no more spectacle to watch, the crowd dispersed.

Zhong Shenxiu walked toward the roadside with great interest, found a tavern, and went up to the second floor.

Sitting by the window, he had a clear view of the street below. The cool breeze drifted past, and the scenery was quite pleasant.

"Waiter, bring me a plate of braised meat, a plate of roast chicken, a few random stir-fried vegetable dishes, ten steamed buns, and a pot of wine."

Zhong Shenxiu sat down and tipped the waiter with several Black Emperor Coins. He then noticed that there were not many customers on the second floor, and only one person truly drew the eye.

The man looked like a down-and-out wanderer of the martial world. No one knew how long it had been since he had trimmed his beard; it was a tangled mess. His clothes were worn and shabby, carrying a strong reek of urine. The long sword in his hand was in much the same condition, and even its hilt seemed rusty.

The only striking thing about him was his exceptionally bright eyes, like two gems in the dead of night.

This feeling... He also knows magic, and he's at the Gang Sha Realm...

Zhong Shenxiu pondered for a moment before quickly matching him to someone in his mind. "The Lu Clan Swordsman from the Black Mountain Gathering?"

At that thought, his gaze turned playful. He called the waiter over again. "I'll pay for this warrior's meal as well."

Hearing this, the Lu Clan Swordsman merely glanced at Su Daozhi, raised a bowl of wine in salute, and said no more.

Once all the dishes had been served, Zhong Shenxiu smiled and said:

"My friend, drinking alone is rather dull. Why don't we join tables?"

"Oh? Aside from this sword, I've already exchanged everything on me for wine money. To have someone treating me to a meal as well—that's quite nice." The Lu Clan Swordsman sat down opposite Zhong Shenxiu, tearing into the meat and gulping down the wine with the swagger of a true martial hero.

He devoured the dishes on the table as though sweeping away fallen leaves, and even seemed ready to lick the wine jar clean. Only then did he wipe his lips and ask, "You invited me to this meal. What do you want?"

"My name is Su Daozhi. I've always enjoyed befriending righteous heroes. I saw you intervene when you encountered injustice just now, and I couldn't help admiring you greatly!"

Zhong Shenxiu answered sincerely.

He knew perfectly well that this fellow had not connected him with the Young Master Shenxiu at all.

That Western Flesh Magic does have its merits.

"Since you know that, you shouldn't have come over!"

The Lu Clan Swordsman laughed. "That man was able to produce a Red Emperor Coin, so his background is no small matter. I'm not afraid because I wander the world with nothing to my name, making every place beneath heaven my home. But you have a household to support..."

"That's true..."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded. "Still, I only invited you to a meal. Surely that nobleman won't take his anger out on me?"

"Hahaha, that's hard to say. That brat looked arrogant and overbearing, and he must be narrow-minded!" The Lu Clan Swordsman rose. "The meal's finished, so I should leave too. If I don't go now, that brat may well seal the four gates and send soldiers to arrest me."

Although he was a cultivator of the Gang Sha Realm, unless he had cultivated an escape art such as Wind Control or possessed a flying artifact, he still had to leave through the city gate!

"Leaving now is already a little late."

Zhong Shenxiu glanced around and discreetly slipped a jade token into the Lu Clan Swordsman's palm. "Take this. It may let you pass unhindered all the way."

"What is this...?" The Lu Clan Swordsman looked surprised.

"This isn't my official token. I took it from that young master. After you leave, you can even exchange it for some wine money..." Zhong Shenxiu lowered his voice. "Let me make this clear: once you leave this tavern, I won't acknowledge anything. That jade token will be something you stole."

"Hahaha, you're interesting... I, Lu Huolong, will remember you."

Lu Huolong threw back his head and laughed before departing with great gusto.

Zhong Shenxiu watched him leave, gave a slight nod, then slowly shook his head.

When he had first entered the martial world, he had been just like this man, harboring a dream of becoming a hero and eagerly awaiting the chance to draw his blade when he encountered injustice.

Only later did he learn that to live that way, one needed martial might capable of suppressing an entire age.

Only after the Young Master Shenxiu had truly made a name for himself could he act so freely.

This time, I acted discreetly, and Lu Huolong is taking the thunder for me. At most, I merely treated a stranger to a meal. The ignorant are not guilty; there's no reason for me to be implicated.

Besides, I'm an official! The degree of tolerance I receive is different from that of commoners. There's also Feng Xi'er—both public duty and private ties require her to protect me. Most likely, nothing will come of this... Still, I never expected myself to act this way. Perhaps I saw my own reflection in him?

Forget it. It was only a spare move.

Zhong Shenxiu also rose, left the tavern, and returned to his residence.

That night, the city remained peaceful. Several days passed without any news of some notorious bandit being brought to justice, and he knew the matter had passed.

Whenever Zhong Shenxiu lived as Su Daozhi, his life was always peaceful, with a touch of ease.

In his spare time, he went outside the city to inspect the newly built estates, then guided those close to him in their cultivation. At night, he explored the Netherworld and refined Profound Yin Fiend Qi.

Occasionally, he tried using the contact method left behind by the White Bone Scholar to communicate with him from afar, but he only exchanged empty pleasantries and would rather die than agree to meet him again.

As for his work as Deputy Envoy of Exorcism, he had long since thrown it to the back of his mind.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

On this day, Zhong Shenxiu gazed at the Heavenly Show System with a solemn expression:

[Gate of Ten Thousand Doors: Unlocked (100%)]