The setting sun melted into gold, and clouds of sunset splendor unfurled across the streets and alleys.
After bidding farewell to the Shen family, Chen An strolled along the bluestone road at an unhurried pace, heading toward the prefectural academy.
The evening breeze brushed his robes, while the sounds of the marketplace flowed around him. Everything was peaceful.
Suddenly, Chen An sensed two gazes laden with deep malice settling upon him. His brow rose slightly before he looked up.
His gaze pierced straight through the streets, alleys, and buildings, colliding precisely with a pair of indifferent, icy eyes on the second floor of a restaurant.
"Branch Master, it seems he noticed us?!" From the restaurant above, the young man's heart gave a slight jolt as he watched Chen An look up.
They were more than a hundred meters away from Chen An. And Chen An was merely a worthless Qi Condensation cultivator—how could he possibly have noticed them?!
Was it a coincidence, or...
"Heh, how interesting!"
Watching Chen An merely glance over before continuing onward, as though that look had been nothing more than an inadvertent sweep, the middle-aged man addressed as Branch Master curled his lips into a sinister smile.
"As expected of a genius capable of comprehending the saber intent Lin Chenyuan left behind. He does have some sharpness!"
"But what does it matter, no matter how sharp he is, when he's merely a worthless Qi Condensation cultivator?!"
"No matter how vigilant a rabbit may be, can it escape a tiger's hunt?!"
The middle-aged man gave a scornful laugh. Bloodlight flashed in his eyes, and wisps of cold, sinister Killing Intent seeped from his body, seeming to lower the surrounding temperature by several degrees.
"Make your move!"
"Yes!"
Upon hearing the middle-aged man's order, the young man immediately