An Unexpected Encounter

The broken crescent moon flickered in and out of sight behind the clouds.

In a narrow alley off a bustling street in Lin'an City's eastern district, two groups stood facing each other, seemingly locked in a staring contest. For a moment, the scene was both awkward and absurd.

The smaller side consisted of only one person. He held a longsword and carried two bundles, one large and one small, on his back. At a glance, he looked somewhat like the gold thieves often seen in games.

The other side had seven people, each holding a different weapon.

The two sides shared one thing in common: they were all dressed in black nightwear, seemingly blending into the darkness beneath the scant moonlight.

Bi Changsheng had barely taken two steps after climbing over the wall when this group of seven emerged from around the corner, entered the same alley, and ran straight into him.

This unexpected encounter left both sides stunned for a moment.

Yet the instant Bi Changsheng saw how they were dressed, he knew they had come with ill intent. However, they probably were not here for him. Other than Uncle Fu and the others, no one knew of his actions. Judging by the direction they had been heading, they had likely come for Renxin Hall just like he had.

When the group opposite saw Bi Changsheng carrying his large and small bundles, along with the flames already beginning to spread through Renxin Hall beside them, they seemed to understand something as well.

Now that they had met on a narrow road, neither side spoke, yet killing intent began to fill the air.

"Kill!"

There was no need for further words. The leading Man in Black gave the order and charged at Bi Changsheng first. In the space of a breath, a roar of rapid circulation erupted from his five viscera and six bowels. He slashed out with a chilling blade, as though he intended to sever a man's soul along with his body.

The instant his opponent attacked, Bi Changsheng discerned his true ability: Inner Strength Realm cultivation, a considerable Martial Skill level, and a cultivation technique that did not seem simple either.

But that alone was still entirely within Bi Changsheng's ability to handle. He swung the Qingfeng Sword in his hand, and Sword Shadow Storm bloomed.

With Zhu Shi's example fresh in his mind, Bi Changsheng struck with the Perfection Realm Thirteen Swords of Qingfeng from the very start. As Sword Shadow Storm bloomed, it swiftly converged again. The sharp sword tip directly shattered the Soul-Slaying Strike and pierced through the chest of the man leading them.

So strong!

That was the leading Man in Black's final thought. He did not even have time to feel fear before Bi Changsheng's sword pierced his heart.

When the remaining six Men in Black saw their leader killed in a single strike, fear rose in their hearts. Yet soon, some even greater conviction seemed to support them, driving them to continue charging at Bi Changsheng without fear of death.

Just as I wished!

Seeing that the other Men in Black had not fled in fright, Bi Changsheng was delighted. As someone who cultivated the Thirteen Swords of Qingfeng, what he feared least was fighting one against many. It was even more convenient for him to unleash his techniques this way.

The familiar scene unfolded once more. Bi Changsheng drifted through the crowd like a graceful clear wind, with sword shadows and blossoms of blood following him like a shadow.

Although two of the remaining Men in Black were Bone Forging Realm martial artists, to Bi Changsheng they were no different from the martial artist guard squad at Renxin Hall. They followed the same path as Renxin Hall's guards.

"Why are they all such poor bastards?"

After the battle ended, Bi Changsheng went through his usual joyful corpse-looting process. To his surprise, aside from the weapons in their hands, these Men in Black carried nothing else.

Though it was somewhat regrettable, his gains today were already rich enough. Moreover, the fire at Renxin Hall had now spread, and it would soon draw the attention of others.

Thus, Bi Changsheng did not delay any longer. Leaving corpses strewn across the ground, he turned away without hesitation and vanished into the night.

Behind him, Renxin Hall was swiftly swallowed by the ever-raging flames.

After rushing along for the time it took half an incense stick to burn, Bi Changsheng finally returned to his own courtyard. The gate was already closed. Rather than go forward and knock, he took a detour, came to the courtyard wall, and leapt over it.

"It's me."

The instant he entered the courtyard, Bi Changsheng saw Uncle Fu and the father-and-son pair, Liu Zhengqing, waiting anxiously inside. Seeing that his sudden appearance had made them tense and uneasy, Bi Changsheng quickly spoke to identify himself.

"Young Master, you're finally back."

"Young Master, you're finally back."

Uncle Fu and Liu Zhengqing spoke in turn.

Bi Changsheng's strength had improved too quickly recently, and he had never explained his true strength in detail to Uncle Fu and the others.

Only the experienced Uncle Fu had roughly judged from Bi Changsheng's usual performance that his strength was now no weaker than Bi Tiancheng's had been. He knew that, with Bi Changsheng's strength, this trip would basically pose no problem.

But old people were always prone to worrying. Before Bi Changsheng returned, Uncle Fu could not help feeling somewhat unsettled.

Liu Zhengqing was different. Through Bi Changsheng's recent deeds and his performance while teaching Liu Zhengqing fist techniques, Liu Zhengqing had now developed something close to blind worship for Bi Changsheng.

In his eyes, Bi Changsheng's trip would surely succeed as swiftly as a horse reaching its destination, and he would soon return in triumph. The result was indeed just as he had expected.

"Everything went smoothly."

Someone had waited for his return in the dead of night, and a trace of warmth rose in Bi Changsheng's heart. He could also see the unease in Uncle Fu's heart, so he took the initiative to reassure him.

"As long as it went smoothly. As long as it went smoothly."

Only upon seeing Bi Changsheng safe and sound did Uncle Fu finally release the breath he had been holding.

"I told you Young Master would definitely complete his objective smoothly. Father, you just love worrying over nothing."

Liu Zhengqing looked at Bi Changsheng with admiration as he spoke to Uncle Fu.

"Do you have to talk so much?"

With his worries put to rest, Uncle Fu returned to his usual steady and composed manner, smiling as he scolded Liu Zhengqing.

Liu Zhengqing gave a foolish chuckle and said nothing.

"Let's talk inside."

Bi Changsheng spoke at the right moment.

"Let's talk inside, let's talk inside."

"Alright."

Uncle Fu and Liu Zhengqing naturally followed Bi Changsheng's lead and echoed him.

The three of them entered Bi Changsheng's room. Bi Changsheng removed the two bundles from his back, first spreading the smaller one over the table, then spreading the larger one over the floor.

Even Uncle Fu, who prided himself on having seen great storms and waves, could not help but stare blankly at the pile of banknotes and gleaming silver exposed in the small bundle.

As for Liu Zhengqing, who was even younger than Bi Changsheng, there was no need to mention him. His eyes immediately shone as he stared at them.

"The two of you will be responsible for counting these banknotes and silver."

"I'll count these medicinal herbs and sort them into storage. No problem?"

Seeing their reactions, Bi Changsheng smiled and pointed at the banknotes and silver on the table, then at the medicinal herbs on the floor as he spoke to them.

"Yes."

"No problem."

The three then began their own work. The time it took an incense stick to burn flashed by, and they finished their tasks almost one after another.

"Young Master, after counting, there are ten thousand two hundred taels in banknotes and one thousand three hundred thirty-seven taels in silver. Together, that makes eleven thousand five hundred thirty-seven taels."

After finishing his work, Uncle Fu began reporting to Bi Changsheng.

The banknotes and silver on the table had now been sorted into separate piles. Bi Changsheng walked over, took the banknotes, then said to Uncle Fu:

"Uncle Fu, keep this silver for now to cover the household expenses. Come ask me for more when it runs out."

"Yes, Young Master."

Uncle Fu naturally did not refuse and carefully put away the remaining silver on the table.

"Alright, it's getting late. You two should hurry back to your rooms and rest."