Opening

As time slowly passed.

Blood began to seep from the neck and shoulder gap of the bastard lying on the ground.

Even a layman knew something big was about to happen.

Some of the onlookers couldn't bear to watch and turned to leave, while others craned their necks to see how it would end.

Old Man Qian repeatedly kowtowed, not daring to fight back, knowing it was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

Just as he was about to despair, a crisp sound suddenly came from the center of the scene.

The young master smiled, his face showing an expression of watching a play, not backing down at all, while a few guards subtly surrounded him.

Zhong Shenxiu's eyes flashed as he reached into his sleeve.

Ding!

Just then, something else happened.

Zhong Shenxiu raised an eyebrow and saw a wooden hairpin fly from outside the scene, landing directly on the Red Emperor Coin.

With a dull thud, the Red Emperor Coin on the ground was instantly cut in half, its 'qi' broken.

Old Man Qian's expression relaxed, and he quickly chanted a spell, reattaching his grandson's head.

This time, the head did not fall off and quickly fused with the neck.

"Hundred Pace Flying Sword? A Cultivator?!"

The young master's expression changed: "Who is it? Ruining my grandfather's good time?"

Slap!

The wooden hairpin, as if swung by someone, leaped straight up and slapped him hard across the cheek.

This was Yang Gang magic, which could not be countered!

The noble young master's cheek immediately turned bright red, and he spat out a few bloody teeth, hearing a heroic voice: "If you cause trouble again, I'll cut off your dog head!"

His expression changed, and he cast a wary glance around. In the end, he did not retaliate, but under the escort of a group of lackeys, he quickly left.

At this time, Old Man Qian saw his grandson wake up. He didn't even dare to pick up the reward money on the ground and quickly took his grandson out of the city to avoid disaster, having already decided never to come to Fufeng City again in his next life.

Seeing that there was no more excitement, the crowd dispersed.

Zhong Shenxiu walked to the side of the street with great interest, found an inn, and went up to the second floor.

He sat by the window, where he could clearly see the scene on the street. The cool breeze was blowing, and the scenery was quite pleasant.

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

Zhong Shenxiu sat down, tipped the waiter a few Black Emperor Coins, and then noticed that there were not many guests on the second floor, with only one person attracting the most attention.

The person looked like a vagabond swordsman, his beard unkempt for who knows how long, a messy tangle. His clothes were worn and carried a foul smell, as did the long sword in his hand, which seemed to have even a rusty hilt.

The only remarkable thing was that his eyes were very bright, like two gems in the dark night.

*'This feeling... knows magic, and is in the Gang Sha Realm...' *

Zhong Shenxiu pondered in his heart, quickly matching the person with someone in his mind: "The Lu Clan Swordsman from the Black Mountain Gathering?"

Thinking of this, his gaze became playful, and he called the waiter again: "This warrior's table is on me."

The Lu Clan Swordsman heard this, merely glanced at Su Daozhi, raised a bowl of wine, and said no more.

After the dishes were served, Zhong Shenxiu smiled:

"Friend, drinking alone must be boring. Why don't we share a table?"

"Oh? Besides this sword, everything else I have has been exchanged for wine money. To have someone invite me, this is quite good." The Lu Clan Swordsman came to sit opposite Zhong Shenxiu, eating meat and drinking wine heartily, truly embodying the spirit of a chivalrous hero.

He devoured the dishes on the table like a whirlwind, even licking the wine jar clean before wiping his mouth: "You, why are you treating me to this meal?"

"My name is Su Daozhi. I most enjoy befriending righteous and chivalrous individuals. Seeing you help someone in need just now, I couldn't help but admire you greatly!"

Zhong Shenxiu replied sincerely.

He knew clearly that this fellow had no idea he was the same person as Young Master Shenxiu.

'The Flesh Magic from the West still has its merits.'

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

The Lu Clan Swordsman chuckled: "That person could produce a Red Emperor Coin; his background is not small. I'm not afraid because I wander the world, making the four seas my home. You might have a family to support..."

"That is true..."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded: "But I'm just treating you to a meal. I doubt a noble person would hold a grudge, right?"

"Haha, that's hard to say. I see that brat is arrogant and petty!" The Lu Clan Swordsman stood up: "The meal is finished, and I should be going. If I don't leave soon, I'm afraid that brat will seal the city gates and send soldiers to arrest me."

Even though he is a Gang Sha Realm cultivator, as long as he hasn't cultivated wind-riding or other escape techniques, or possesses flying artifacts, he still has to leave through the city gates!

"It's a bit late to leave now."

Zhong Shenxiu glanced around and secretly slipped a jade token into the Lu Clan Swordsman's palm: "Take this, and perhaps you'll be able to pass through smoothly."

"You are..." The Lu Clan Swordsman was somewhat surprised.

"This isn't my waist token. I took it from that young master. After you leave, you can use it to get some money for drinks..." Zhong Shenxiu lowered his voice. "I'm saying this now, but once we're outside this restaurant, I won't admit to it. This jade token is yours because you stole it."

"Haha, you're quite interesting... Lu Huolong remembers you."

Lu Huolong laughed heartily and departed generously.

Zhong Shenxiu watched the man's retreating back, nodding slightly, then slowly shaking his head.

When he first entered the jianghu, he was just like this man, harboring a chivalrous dream in his heart, eager to help those in need when he saw injustice.

Only later did he realize that to do so, one needed overwhelming martial power.

Only when Young Master Shenxiu truly became famous could he act so freely.

This time, my actions were concealed, and Lu Huolong is taking the blame. At most, I just treated a stranger to a meal. Ignorance is bliss, so I shouldn't be targeted for retribution.

Besides, I'm an official! The level of tolerance for me is different from that of commoners. And Feng Xi'er, both officially and personally, has to protect me. It's highly likely nothing will happen... It's just that I didn't expect myself to act like this. Perhaps I saw a reflection of myself?

Ah well, it's just a pawn in the game.

Zhong Shenxiu also got up and left the restaurant, returning to his own courtyard.

That night, the city was calm. A few days later, he still hadn't heard any news of notorious bandits being apprehended, so he knew the matter had passed.

When Zhong Shenxiu was living as Su Daozhi, his life was always peaceful and comfortable.

In his free time, he would visit the newly built manor outside the city, then guide those close to him in their cultivation, and at night, he would explore the Underworld and refine Profound Yin Fiend Qi.

Occasionally, he would try to communicate with the White Bone Scholar remotely using the contact method left behind, but he only asked probing questions and would never agree to meet in person again.

As for his work as the Deputy Envoy of Exorcism, he had long since forgotten about it.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

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

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