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That was why Ning Ning had spent all her savings on a custard bun, a small, stealthy gift to make amends.

The other party's reply arrived quickly, concise and to the point: [Received.]

But there were things Ning Ning was unaware of as well.

She never would have imagined that in a certain room tonight, someone else had sent a letter just like her.

The content was identical, as if it had been copy-pasted: [Tomorrow at dinner time, at Pei Ji's residence, make your move.]

And so, the next day, when Pei Ji returned to his dwelling after a meal, the first thing he saw were seven or eight people gathered in front of his door.

They were all at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, their gazes unkind, their faces covered by masks.

"You must be Pei Ji."

The leader gave a cold, sinister smile: "Consider yourself unlucky. Someone hired us to teach you a lesson."

His tone was brimming with certainty, but no sooner had he finished speaking, and before Pei Ji could even react, another booming male voice rang out from not far away: "Where is Pei Ji!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, another eight tall men were seen slowly walking out from a side path. They were also at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, their faces likewise covered by masks.

The two groups of people stared at each other.

Small eyes filled with massive confusion. Same masks, same posture—they looked like a set of Calabash Brothers that had been copy-pasted into existence.

"What are those guys doing here? Could it be that someone among us leaked the news, causing Pei Ji to make preparations in advance and specifically hire people to protect him?"

Someone muttered this quietly, and alarm bells immediately rang in the hearts of those standing at the door.

They had just surrounded this kid surnamed Pei, and now another group of menacing thugs had appeared nearby. Judging by their fierce, malicious expressions, they clearly meant trouble.

In an instant, they began whispering to one another, a low buzzing sound rising and falling.

"Yo, playing the hero to save the beauty? What era is this, still pulling stuff like that?"

"Asking so arrogantly—what, even if they know where Pei Ji is, do they think they can protect him!"

With that, the leader snorted coldly, his voice as loud as a bell: "He's right here! What do you want!"

He spoke with such ferocity, as if he wouldn't allow the youth beside him to be touched by anyone else; he even took a step forward, shielding Pei Ji entirely behind him.

This was a gesture of possession.

But to everyone else, it didn't look like that at all.

—Where did this mother hen come from, and why is she guarding her egg?

Standing by the path, the Outer Sect Disciples invited by Ning Ning were equally bewildered, whispering to each other in voices only they could hear.

"What's going on? Why are there so many people gathered around that kid?"

"Could it be that Pei Ji knew we were coming and specifically found people to protect him?"

"Does he really think we can't beat those people, or that having others stand in front of him will stop us? I'm going to beat them until they're covered in blood today!"

"What do you think we're trying to do?"

The leader among them also stepped forward, his tone brooks no argument: "If you know what's good for you, get away from him immediately, otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite!"

"Oh! A masked pervert! If you've got the guts, come forward and fight me one-on-one! We're taking this kid today, no matter what!"

The two groups stood in opposition, swords drawn and bows bent. It was unclear who triggered the first spark, but a palpable killing intent erupted between them.