Heading to the Four Directions Merchant Association

The Shadow Assassin froze, instantly understanding—the other party wasn't talking to him at all, but was directly "rehearsing" for the viewer of that recording, a high-ranking member of the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group!

Before the words even fell, an invisible force instantly enveloped the Shadow Assassin, binding him tightly. He didn't even have time to let out a cry, only feeling the scenery before his eyes blur rapidly, as if he'd blinked.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already in a desolate wilderness.

Teleportation!

The thought exploded in the assassin's mind like thunder, making him more terrified than witnessing Xuanwu's defeat moments ago!

However, as an assassin, he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

This recording must be delivered to the higher-ups immediately!

No matter what, the royal family was double-crossing them.

The Blood Wolf Mercenary Group issued the mission, and then intercepted the person who completed it.

In the end, no one would claim the mission reward.

At the same time, they could frame the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group.

After all, the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group was also one of the five top powers, and they themselves rarely accepted missions to assassinate members of top powers.

It was just that this time, the reward was too great.

Meanwhile, Chen Lin watched the disappearing Shadow Assassin, a faint, almost imperceptible cold smile curving his lips.

While teleporting the other party, he had subtly left a few "little things" on him.

When the other party returned and handed over the recording to their superiors, they would find themselves increasingly admiring this black-robed individual...

"Hahaha!" A low, gleeful chuckle quietly dissipated in the empty alley.

Chen Lin's figure completely vanished from the alley.

The next moment, he appeared on the bustling streets of Tianyan City.

The Shadow Assassin and Xuanwu were just minor detours. He had originally intended to eliminate the Shadow Assassin.

He hadn't expected Xuanwu to be there, so he'd dealt with them both.

As for the purpose of his trip, he had already made it clear—he wanted to personally visit the Four Directions Merchant Association to see how profound their collected cultivation techniques were.

With the Earth-tier cultivation techniques he possessed, especially the refined annotations for those cultivated to the Great Perfection realm, as bargaining chips, it wasn't impossible to exchange for a Heaven Tier cultivation technique.

As for the rumored, even rarer King Tier cultivation techniques, although he had some guesses, he also understood that their price would likely be astronomical, and difficult to obtain through ordinary means.

He absolutely could not return empty-handed this time.

After all, even if he was a "salted fish," his strength couldn't stagnate!

In an instant, Chen Lin's figure flickered, and he stood steadily before the magnificent Four Directions Merchant Association.

At this moment, guards lined the entrance of the merchant association, and maidservants bustled in and out, maintaining order.

Any regular customers or distinguished guests entering were greeted with respectful bows and welcomes.

Chen Lin, clad in a black robe with his hood pulled low, used a cultivation technique to shroud his face in darkness, leaving only his tall figure as he slowly walked towards the entrance of the Four Directions Merchant Association.

A maidservant at the entrance's gaze swept over him, hesitating slightly as if assessing the guest in such attire.

However, the Four Directions Merchant Association was accustomed to all sorts of people, and she quickly regained her professional demeanor, bowing and saying, "Esteemed guest, please follow this servant to the side hall to wait for a moment."

Just as Chen Lin was about to comply, another maidservant stepped forward quickly, a knowing smile on her face, and said, "Esteemed guest, this way please, I will take you to see the appraisal elder."

Her tone was smoother than her companion's, carrying a familiarity born from seeing much of the world.

This kind of black-robed guest was highly likely to be carrying confidential goods and unwilling to reveal their identity for the transaction.

The maidservants had seen this many times and could mostly guess the situation, even knowing how to handle it without the guest needing to speak.

Chen Lin wasn't surprised, merely following the maidservant with calm eyes.

Chen Lin followed the maidservant through carved corridors, the air filled with a faint scent of tea and spices, lending an elegant atmosphere.

Just then, a scoff filled with obvious mockery rang out from behind him: "Tsk, since when did the Four Directions Merchant Association deign to receive such scurrying rats who hide their faces?"

A young master in brocade robes emerged from beside a pillar, a gilded fish pouch hanging from his waist. It was Liu Mingxuan, the son of the current Minister of Works.

He flicked open his folding fan with a 'swish,' tapping the ribs against his palm, and deliberately blocked Chen Lin's path. He looked Chen Lin up and down with undisguised contempt. "With your attire, have you done something unspeakable, afraid of being recognized?"

The maidservant, seemingly unfazed, explained, "Young Master Liu, this esteemed guest is..."

"Do I need your permission to speak when I'm asking a question?" Liu Mingxuan's face darkened. His cold gaze swept over the maidservant, frightening her into silence. She secretly called for an elder.

Liu Mingxuan had just participated in an auction inside the merchant association, but someone had outbid him, snatching away a treasure he desperately wanted at a higher price.

Even though he increased his bid significantly on the spot, it was in vain.

This displeasure was like a fishbone stuck in his throat, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Coincidentally, as he came out, he ran into this black-robed individual, and he decided to take his frustrations out on the other person to vent his anger.

Because the bidder, after much inquiry, was also a black-robed person who couldn't show their face!!!

This one is also black-robed, how unlucky.

Chen Lin looked at the scene before him and thought to himself, This scenario feels so familiar... Isn't this just like the scenes in novels from my past life where some arrogant rich kid provokes someone they shouldn't have?

This time, however, I'm the big shot...

Of course, this kind of plot is a bit far-fetched.

Chen Lin's gaze fell upon Liu Mingxuan. Although his face was hidden in the darkness beneath his hood, an invisible pressure seemed to emanate from his deep-set eyes.

Liu Mingxuan inexplicably felt a chill run up his spine, prickling his scalp.

However, Liu Mingxuan was, after all, the son of the Minister of Works, and this discomfort did not make him flinch.

"Heh, I bet you're staring at me menacingly right now, feeling quite uncomfortable? Your discomfort makes me happy."

He spoke with a hint of provocation, attempting to overpower the other with his words.

Chen Lin scoffed inwardly. As expected, he couldn't escape this kind of situation.

He had already guessed this when he was in the Scripture Repository earlier.

Liu Mingxuan immediately signaled to a burly man with bulging muscles behind him, "Go, Da Ming, teach him a good lesson!"

Upon hearing this, Da Ming's face contorted into a sinister grin. His muscles bulged as he approached Chen Lin step by step.

At this moment, Chen Lin seemed to pay no mind to the brute, instead calmly addressing the maid, "He's causing trouble here, and no one from your Four Directions Merchant Association will do anything?"

The maid who had been attending to Chen Lin was already pale with fright by the sudden turn of events. She quickly pleaded with Liu Mingxuan, "Young Master Liu, I've already gone to notify the elder."

Liu Mingxuan let out a cold snort, "Notify the elder? So what? At most, they'll just compensate with some money!"

After speaking, he glanced at Da Ming, who understood. With a sinister grin, he swung his fist, whistling through the air. His muscles bulged, exuding a heavy sense of power. He was a guard with a cultivation of the third level of the Divine Treasury Realm!

However, facing this fierce punch, Chen Lin casually raised his index finger and flicked it almost imperceptibly.

"Crack!"