Return to Black Stone County (Seeking Follow-ups)

"Third Master Shen, to mobilize so many people so late at night, isn't this making a bit too much of a fuss?"

Seeing the dozens of Sky Sea Escort Agency guards, Zhou Yun felt his heart sink by more than half.

He had not expected Third Master Shen to move so quickly; it had been only a short while since he killed that old woman, yet he had already gathered dozens of guards.

No, perhaps he had been monitoring the situation from the very beginning, ensuring the entire process was foolproof.

"Young Friend Zhou, leaving without saying goodbye—could it be that our Sky Sea Escort Agency has been lacking in hospitality?"

Third Master Shen narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly unwilling to tear off the mask of civility just yet.

He was observing how this boy, who had only broken through to the Bright Force realm a few days ago, had managed to escape from the hands of a Dark Force expert.

"There were too many bugs in your guest room, so I swatted one to death and came out for a stroll."

Zhou Yun remained expressionless, his tone indifferent.

"Bugs?"

Third Master Shen paused, his expression darkening immediately; it was clear he understood what Zhou Yun was implying.

As expected, it was impossible for that Dark Force expert to have let this boy go.

The only possibility was that... he was dead.

A martial arts hall disciple who had just reached the Bright Force realm had killed a battle-hardened Dark Force expert all by himself.

And looking at him now, he didn't even have a single wound on him—he had achieved a flawless kill!

"Good, Young Friend Zhou certainly has a refined taste for leisure."

Third Master Shen offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his internal assessment of the threat Zhou Yun posed rising by several levels.

A person like this could not possibly be just the son of a lowly fisherman.

He might be a disciple of some reclusive master or a major power from the Twelve Main Cities, sent down to Black Stone County for training.

If such a person died here, unless he silenced all the dozens of guards present, word would inevitably leak out...

Furthermore, there wasn't a single Dark Force expert on the scene; the vast majority of their Dark Force strength was at the Black Stone County headquarters, and all the Dark Force experts currently in Clear Water County were out on escort missions.

Trying to keep Zhou Yun here would be extremely difficult.

"Since Young Friend Zhou finds the guest room uncomfortable, I shall have another one prepared for you. I wouldn't want to spoil your mood and have word spread that the Sky Sea Escort Agency failed to provide proper care."

Third Master Shen waved his hand, and the dozens of guards parted, clearing a path.

"If you are done with your stroll, go back and rest early. Tomorrow, I will have you sent back to Black Stone County."

Hearing this, Zhou Yun was stunned.

He had expected a fierce battle and was already prepared to strike.

Why was Third Master Shen suddenly letting them off the hook?

Could it be that he is wary of my strength in killing a Dark Force expert?

Zhou Yun was suspicious for a moment before a reasonable explanation occurred to him.

Even if I can kill a Dark Force expert, I am still just a martial artist without a background. But because I am so young, he likely assumes I am a scion of some major power.

Thinking this, Zhou Yun finally felt a sense of security, though he remained appropriately vigilant.

"Thank you for your kindness, Third Master Shen, but perhaps I am just not accustomed to sleeping on fine beds. I would prefer to stay at an inn outside with Miss Shen. I trust you won't refuse this request?"

Third Master Shen's expression shifted, but he chuckled, "Since Young Friend Zhou is not used to the guest rooms of my Shen family, then do as you please."

"As for my niece, that depends on her wishes."

Having said this, he cast his gaze toward Shen Qingxue.

"Junior Brother Zhou and I are from the same sect; staying together will also make it more convenient for our return to Black Stone County tomorrow."

Shen Qingxue said coldly.

"Third Master Shen, then we shall not disturb you further."

Zhou Yun cupped his hands in a salute, and without a moment's hesitation, he and Shen Qingxue walked out of the escort agency.

Third Master Shen watched the two leave, his face as gloomy as water.

"Immediately send men to the Sky Sea Martial Arts Hall and report today's events exactly as they happened."

As his voice fell, several guards vanished into the darkness.

On the main street.

The moment Zhou Yun stepped over the threshold of the escort agency, he hurried toward the nearest inn.

There were few inns still doing business at this hour, and it took him and Shen Qingxue two streets to find one.

"Waiter, I want a good horse from your stables."

Zhou Yun didn't say much; he knew well that staying here a moment longer meant an extra layer of danger.

He could not bet on Third Master Shen having a sudden change of heart. If he suddenly regretted his decision and sent men to drag them back, there would be no way to voice his grievances.

"My good guest, this humble shop only provides lodging and meals; we have never sold horses..."

The waiter looked troubled.

"One gold bar."

Shen Qingxue pulled a gold bar from her robe pocket and slapped it onto the table.

"Ah! We shall pick a fine horse for you immediately!"

The waiter's eyes lit up. He snatched the gold bar into his pocket, even taking the opportunity to bite it to check its authenticity.

Before long, he led a sturdy brown horse to the front of the shop.

While this horse could not compare to a Ferghana horse, it was considered top-tier among those available for purchase.

"Senior Sister Shen, you've gone to great expense."

Zhou Yun stroked the horse's flank, used the stirrup to mount, and reached out to pull Shen Qingxue up behind him.

"No need for such talk; money cannot be saved at a time like this."

Sitting behind Zhou Yun, Shen Qingxue felt an inexplicable sense of security rise in her heart.

The steed galloped through the deserted streets in the dead of night, quickly leaving Clear Water County behind.

Only after they had put some distance between themselves and Clear Water County did Shen Qingxue ask, "Junior Brother, did you truly kill that Dark Force expert?"

"It was just good luck. That old woman had killed over a dozen guards during the day, and her internal energy had not yet recovered to its peak state."

Zhou Yun fabricated a lie; since the old woman was already dead, his version of events was the only one that mattered.

"I see."

Shen Qingxue tacitly understood and said no more. She knew the principle that a tall tree catches the wind, yet she could not help but say:

"Junior Brother Zhou, if you are willing, I would like to hire you as a guest deacon for the Sky Sea Escort Agency."

"The salary is ten taels of silver per month, plus two Blood Coagulation Pills as support, and you would have the authority to mobilize the resources of our Sky Sea Escort Agency and even the Sky Sea Martial Arts Hall within a certain scope."

Zhou Yun's heart stirred; the chips Senior Sister Shen was using to recruit him were truly generous.

Ten taels of silver were enough for a family of three to live on for an entire year if they were frugal.

Not to mention the two Blood Coagulation Pills, which were worth no less than the silver; this was likely the best offer Shen Qingxue could put forward.

Furthermore, becoming a guest deacon for the Shen family meant he could, to a certain extent, mobilize the influence of the Sky Sea Escort Agency and the Martial Arts Hall.

This meant that Zhou Yun would officially gain a foothold in Black Stone County.

However, once he accepted this condition, Zhou Yun would be truly bound to Shen Qingxue.

"Senior Sister thinks too highly of me. I am merely a Bright Force martial artist, and I have no intention of getting involved in factional disputes."

Zhou Yun refused once again. It was not that he was unmoved by the conditions, but the timing was far too sensitive.

He did not want to participate in even a shred of the conspiracies between these powers; he only wanted to focus on his martial arts and break through, ensuring a bright and smooth path for his future.

A routine escort mission had already resulted in an ambush by a Dark Force expert. If a Transformation Force master came next, even if Zhou Yun had three heads and six arms, he would struggle to escape death.

Ultimately, it came down to his strength being too weak.

"Junior Brother..."

Shen Qingxue wanted to say more, but she never opened her mouth.

In truth, she had another consideration in mind: the possibility of a power backing Zhou Yun, though the likelihood was not very high.

But Zhou Yun's performance was simply too genius, making it hard to avoid such thoughts.

The two rode through the night, and just as dawn was breaking, they finally arrived at Black Stone County.

Zhou Yun did not delay for a moment; he immediately went to the Inner Court Martial Hall and found the Transformation Force grandmaster who had just risen to practice his martial arts.

"Master Liang."

Seeing Zhou Yun's exhausted appearance, Liang Wanshan took a sip of tea and sat in his chair.

"What is it? I heard you went to Clear Water County with Qingxue to escort a shipment. Did you encounter any difficulties on the road?"