Assassination

"Please speak your mind freely, Young Layman. My Zhou Family will comply with any request!"

Hearing Fang Yuan's assurance, Zhou Wenwu immediately agreed, like a drowning man grasping at the last straw.

"My method of healing is rather peculiar. When I perform it, no outsiders can observe, and it takes a very long time. If it's interrupted, all previous efforts will be in vain, and Old Master Zhou will be in mortal danger immediately!"

Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.

"Is that so... Not even you can observe?"

Zhou Wenwu frowned.

"No! However, I plan to treat Old Master Zhou in the secluded chamber. You can all wait outside!"

Fang Yuan replied with a half-smile.

Zhou Wenwu's face immediately flushed, realizing his thoughts had been seen through.

They were naturally afraid that Fang Yuan was speaking carelessly, making up an excuse to deceive them and then flee.

"Of course, you can only wait outside the quiet room. If you damage even a single blade of grass or tree in my Secluded Valley..."

Fang Yuan's tone carried a veiled threat towards the end.

"We would never dare disturb your grass and trees, Layman! If anyone damages them, I'll be the first to deal with him!"

Zhou Wenwu immediately patted his chest and guaranteed.

"Very well, come in!"

Fang Yuan led everyone to a Stone Room within the valley.

This Stone Room was built with Giant Stones, lacking any windows, and sealed by a Millstone-sized Stone.

At the time, Fang Yuan had been somewhat confused when he saw his Master building this structure. Now, he guessed about seventy to eighty percent of the reason: it was likely used by the Heart-Questioning Hermit when practicing profound internal energy.

Practicing internal energy was not like external energy. As the saying goes, every step is fraught with danger. During the critical moments of energy circulation, one absolutely cannot be disturbed by any external interference.

This Stone Room was designed by the Heart-Questioning Hermit. Once sealed, unless the person inside opened it voluntarily, outsiders would have to go to great lengths to chisel open a Passage to get in.

"At the shortest, one day; at the latest, three days, your father will have a result!"

Before the Stone Door slowly closed, Fang Yuan made his promise to the Zhou siblings, then looked at Steward Lin.

"Please rest assured, nephew. I will have my Servants withdraw from the Secluded Valley immediately. Only the three of us will guard here!"

Steward Lin understood his meaning instantly. Although he grumbled inwardly, he patted his chest and said.

"Very good!"

Fang Yuan pressed the Mechanism, and with a loud rumbling sound, the Stone Door closed completely.

"I truly don't know if you are lucky or unlucky!"

In the dark silence, Fang Yuan lit an oil lamp and looked at Old Master Zhou, who had been carried in and looked half-dead. His expression was one of a half-smile.

Lover's Intoxication was extremely potent and almost incurable, yet it had a counteragent.

He had once heard the Heart-Questioning Hermit lament that if he had had a dose of 'King of Hell's Post' back then, the person who was poisoned by Lover's Intoxication could surely have been saved.

Unfortunately, Poison Dragon Grass was too rare, a thing that could only be encountered by chance.

However, at this moment, Fang Yuan had no shortage of this Spirit Medicine antidote.

Clearly, his luck was, at least, much better than his Master, the Heart-Questioning Hermit.

"It's just that I don't know who on earth inflicted this poison on him. I can't worry about that now..."

Fang Yuan took out a Pill as black as ink and directly poured it into Old Master Zhou's mouth.

"Hoo hoo..."

It was strange, really.

Old Master Zhou, who had been barely breathing and seemed on the verge of death, stabilized his pulse and breathing after taking the medicine, falling into a deep slumber.

His poisoning was too severe; removing it would naturally not be accomplished in a single day.

"Next, it's just a matter of waiting slowly... With the medicinal power of King of Hell's Post, it's enough to make him sleep for three days and three nights!"

Fang Yuan murmured as he watched this scene. He suddenly went to a corner of the room, dug open the soil, found a pull ring, and yanked it hard.

Clack!

A stone slab was lifted, revealing a dark opening.

"Master... Your arrangements are now benefiting me!"

Fang Yuan muttered, and walked directly into the Passage. Not long after, he emerged from behind the Secluded Valley.

The Heart-Questioning Hermit had built several secret passages back then specifically for escape, one of which was located in the training chamber!

Of course, he had good luck and eventually managed to live out his natural lifespan. Now, one man's labor benefited another, and Fang Yuan was using it to make his escape.

"Whew whew!"

Fang Yuan whistled as he looked at the Secluded Valley.

Whoosh!

In an instant, a white shadow appeared before him, which was none other than the Flower Fox Ferret.

"Flower Fox Ferret, listen carefully. Go guard the Spirit Tea immediately. If anyone discovers it, kill them without mercy..."

The Crimson Jade Rice Grain had long been properly stored. Now, Fang Yuan's only concern was his Heart-Questioning Tea Tree.

"Remember!"

He stroked the Flower Fox Ferret's soft fur, a hint of ruthlessness on his face. "If you're outnumbered in the end, destroy the Spiritual Plants and escape on your own!"

Of course, this was only the worst-case scenario.

The Plantation was already very hidden, and the Zhou siblings, bound by their father's life, were unlikely to feign compliance.

But one must be prepared for anything.

After giving these instructions, Fang Yuan took a deep breath and began to sprint.

He had gone to great lengths to make these arrangements, of course, to create an alibi for himself!

And what was the purpose of creating evidence? Naturally, it was to kill someone!

"Song Zhigao!"

In the deep mountains and old forests, Fang Yuan moved swiftly, almost becoming a shadow, appearing and disappearing like the wind, his eyes filled with intense killing intent.

As the saying goes, the dog that bites doesn't bark.

Although he had never met this person before, they had repeatedly targeted him, and moreover, they had gone after the very foundation of his livelihood!

When his fundamental interests were threatened, Fang Yuan naturally felt he could no longer tolerate it!

However, this person was still a buyer for the Gui Ling Sect. To kill him, he had to distance himself completely, otherwise, there would truly be no place for him to stand in Qinghe Commandery.

Therefore, this time, Fang Yuan, knowing it was a trap, decided to play along. He rescued Old Master Zhou precisely to create his perfect alibi, and then strike directly at the heart of the enemy, eliminating the source!

Qingye City.

Fang Yuan wore a Bamboo Hat, the brim pulled low, level with his eyebrows, thus obscuring his face in shadow.

He was here to kill someone, so he naturally wouldn't act openly or reveal his face, leaving any evidence behind.

"Regarding this matter, Old Man Tian was truly detestable. Even if he was forced, he acted as a lackey..."

Thinking this, Fang Yuan arrived in front of a Medicine Hall.

However, the backyard of the Medicine Hall clearly felt wrong. Faint crying could be heard, sending a chill down his spine.

"What happened here?"

He casually pulled over a passerby and asked.

The person struggled but found the other's arm as strong as cast iron, and immediately changed his expression. "Your Excellency, you may not know, but the Shopkeeper of this Medicine Hall, Old Man Tian, passed away yesterday..."

'He acted so quickly!'

Fang Yuan heard this and fell silent for a moment. He loosened his grip, and the passerby hurried away.

He asked himself, if he had arrived and found Old Man Tian still alive, regardless of whether he was forced or not, he would have definitely taught him a lesson.

But Song Zhigao's hand was clearly faster and more ruthless.

After using him, he had directly sent Old Man Tian to his death, cutting off all clues.

After all, Old Master Zhou was a deacon of the Gui Ling Sect. If he harmed a fellow disciple, once discovered, even Elder Song wouldn't be able to protect him.

Therefore, Old Man Tian had to die! The sooner, the better.

Fang Yuan looked at the scene and couldn't help but fall silent. In his mind, the image of Old Man Tian's honest yet shrewd face naturally reappeared.

'Cleverness can be one's undoing. I wonder if he regretted not leaving when he was first pressured before he died...'

Fang Yuan sighed silently, did not enter the Medicine Hall, and left directly, his figure disappearing into the alley.

Song Mansion.

"Judging by the time, the Zhou family should have arrived at the Secluded Valley by now, right?"

Song Zhigao held a Zisha Teapot, a look of joyful satisfaction on his face. He occasionally took a sip of the clear and sweet tea, thinking leisurely.

"Old Man Tian has also been executed, so no one else knows about my dealings with him!"

"This time, even if that brat doesn't die, he'll lose a layer of skin!"

Song Zhigao looked towards the inner room, his smile widening involuntarily.

This plan was truly killing two birds with one stone, a double kill. He was extremely pleased with himself and was even more certain that he would gain the admiration of that distinguished guest!

Once he caught his eye, wouldn't a bright future be within reach?

"Pass down the order. The person inside must be served well. If there is any neglect, you'll be sorry!"

With this thought, Song Zhigao's expression changed, and he said to his steward.

"Rest assured, Master!"

The Steward, an old man who had been with him for many years, chuckled and replied, "We will certainly handle everything perfectly!"

"That's good! That's good!"

For some reason, just now, Song Zhigao suddenly felt a great palpitation, as if some huge crisis was approaching, making him restless.

Strange... why am I suddenly so uneasy?

He couldn't sit still and went to the garden, pondering silently. "Could it be that Old Man Tian's matter wasn't handled discreetly enough? But I've already silenced all related personnel. As for the Zhou Family, given their arrogant nature, if Old Master Zhou were to have an accident, would they still let that 'quack doctor' off the hook?"

"But why do I still feel a little uneasy?"

Just as Song Zhigao was muttering to himself, suddenly, a Black Shadow lunged out from the garden with incredible speed, like a leopard, heading straight for him.

"Who is it?"

Song Zhigao shrieked and retreated repeatedly, while his Gui Ling Sect's Five Elements Palm was unleashed, forming an impenetrable defense around him.

Strictly speaking, he was at the third stage of Martial Dao, and could be considered a decent Martial Dao expert.

An Assassin?

At this moment, Song Zhigao's mind raced: As long as I hold on for a moment, I'll be safe!

However, the Hat Person opposite him didn't give him any time to react. Suddenly, both his palms shot out, instantly turning as dark as iron and carrying immense force, striking Song Zhigao's arms fiercely!