Mei Shuangfeng!

Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath and cupped his hands in salute. "May I ask, miss... could you introduce me to Hall Master Mei?"

The woman in fitted martial attire frowned slightly at his words and looked him over once more before shaking her head without hesitation.

"My master cultivates in seclusion and receives no visitors. If you are not here to become her disciple, please leave."

Helpless, Shen Xiuhan glanced around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he quickly lowered his voice.

"Miss, please wait. I have... news of a Treasure Fish."

The woman's pupils contracted sharply. Without hesitation, she said:

"Follow me!"

She turned and led Shen Xiuhan briskly toward the inner courtyard.

Shen Xiuhan's heart stirred.

He did not know this woman's identity and did not dare speak rashly.

Thus, he had only mentioned news of a Treasure Fish... yet her reaction had been so intense!

It seemed Mei Martial Hall's desire for a Treasure Fish was far more urgent than he had imagined.

Or rather...

Was this Silver-backed Fish even rarer than he had anticipated?

Inner courtyard.

Outside the main chamber.

The woman in fitted martial attire stopped, released his hand, and fixed her gaze on Shen Xiuhan.

"Are you truly certain you have news of a Treasure Fish? Let me make this clear first: if you dare use empty words to deceive us... once you step through this door, it will be too late for regrets."

News?

No, no, no!

I have the real thing!

Shen Xiuhan thought to himself. Outwardly, he smiled calmly and cupped his hands.

"Please rest assured, miss. Even if I had ten times the courage, I would not dare boast recklessly before Hall Master Mei."

The woman stared deeply at him, as though weighing the truth of his words.

After a moment, she tossed out a single sentence.

"Wait here."

She turned and pushed open the door.

In the cold wind, Shen Xiuhan let out a long breath, though unease still lingered in his heart.

To be honest, he truly did not want to gamble on whether the intelligence's claim that "Mei Shuangfeng also possessed the bearing of the righteous path" was true.

But someone had forced him onto the gambling table.

From the moment he had entered the inner city and realized he was being watched, Shen Xiuhan had become certain.

Ma Xianyang would never let the matter rest.

Although Feng Xiaobao had told him that Ma Xianyang had gone to Changshui County, fifty li away, and would not return for ten days to half a month.

But ten days to half a month would pass in the blink of an eye.

When he returned...

Shen Xiuhan did not dare gamble on whether Ma Xianyang "also possessed the bearing of the righteous path."

Therefore, he had to seize this gap in time and, at any cost, find someone to rely on—a thread of hope for survival!

Present the Treasure Fish to Mei Martial Hall, which was secretly purchasing fish, in exchange for the chance to gain protection and learn martial arts...

That was the strategy he had settled upon after much deliberation to break out of this predicament!

Before long.

The wooden door opened again.

The woman in fitted martial attire stepped out, moved aside, and said in a low voice:

"Master has agreed. Come in with me."

Shen Xiuhan steadied himself and stepped over the high threshold.

Passing around a carved red sandalwood screen, the scene within gradually came into view.

At the very center of the hall stood a large cauldron.

Behind it sat an ebony writing desk.

And behind that desk sat a person.

The moment Shen Xiuhan saw her, his heart jolted.

This Hall Master Mei was actually a beautiful woman in her thirties!

She wore a moon-white robe draped with a layer of black gauze. Her sleeves hung loosely, and her long hair was casually pinned up with a jade hairpin, several strands falling across her shoulders.

Her features were graceful and dignified, and her brows and eyes radiated the noble air of someone accustomed to luxury.

At first glance, she looked like the secluded mistress of some great household.

Yet—

What shone from those phoenix eyes was a fierce, murderous aura that utterly ruined the picture.

Cold and oppressive, as though an inextinguishable killing intent lay hidden within.

Most chilling of all were the hands resting atop the desk.

Her ten fingers were long, their joints distinct.

Her fingertips curved slightly, faint calluses visible upon them. They were like eagle claws forged from iron and stone; one look alone sent a chill down one's spine.

As though they could erupt through the air at any moment and seize a man by the throat!

Mei Shuangfeng sat behind the desk, her gaze drifting lightly onto him as she slowly spoke.

"You... have news of a Treasure Fish?"

Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath and did not beat around the bush.

"Hall Master Mei, I have already caught the Treasure Fish!"

"What?!"

The woman in fitted martial attire abruptly raised her head and stared at him in disbelief.

Mei Shuangfeng also paused. Her eyes flashed like lightning as they stabbed straight into him.

"Where is it?"

"Outside the city."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Mei Shuangfeng stared at him for a while, suspicion churning in her eyes.

"What Treasure Fish is it?"

"A Silver-backed Fish!"

The woman in fitted martial attire caught her breath. Delight burst from her eyes, and even her breathing quickened.

Mei Shuangfeng shot her a subtle glance before withdrawing her gaze and looking back at Shen Xiuhan.

"Since you obtained such a fortuitous opportunity, why would you choose to sell the fish to me?"

Shen Xiuhan had already prepared his answer. He immediately cupped his hands in salute.

"Hall Master Mei, yesterday, while selling fish at the fish market, I happened to encounter a friend and his senior brother searching for Treasure Fish. From my friend, I heard that Hall Master Mei has always possessed a righteous spirit... so I came to try my luck."

Mei Shuangfeng narrowed her eyes slightly and stared straight at Shen Xiuhan's face.

Shen Xiuhan met her gaze openly.

After a moment, Mei Shuangfeng's voice gained a hint of amusement.

"Not bad. You weren't lying."

But immediately afterward, she suddenly changed the subject, smiling without really smiling.

"However... the person who told you that I possess a righteous spirit was that friend of yours?"

"...Uh, yes."

"Hahaha!"

Mei Shuangfeng actually laughed aloud and shook her head.

"Stay away from that friend of yours."

The woman in fitted martial attire lowered her head as well, pressing her lips together as her shoulders trembled faintly.

Shen Xiuhan's expression did not change, but his heart skipped a beat.

What did that mean?

Could the intelligence have been wrong?

Wait...

He remembered!

The intelligence system had stated it very clearly:

Mei Shuangfeng, Hall Master of Mei Martial Hall, bore an evil reputation, yet also possessed the bearing of the righteous path.

...Bore an evil reputation!

Shen Xiuhan dearly wished he could slap himself—that's what I get for skimming when I read!

Though his heart pounded like a drum, he forced himself to remain calm, pretending not to notice anything.

Naturally, Mei Shuangfeng did not know what he was thinking. Her smile faded as she said lightly:

"Enough, enough. Bring the Treasure Fish here first. Once I verify whether it is genuine, then—"

Halfway through, she suddenly paused, as though recalling something, and casually asked:

"By the way, you said your friend and his senior brother were purchasing Treasure Fish? Which hall are they from?"

Here it came!

Shen Xiuhan cupped his hands and answered truthfully.

"Hall Master Mei, it is Senior Brother Ma Xianyang of Through-the-Back Martial Hall's inner court."

Through-the-Back Martial Hall!

Ma Xianyang!

The instant those words left his mouth, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.

A cold gleam flashed in the woman's eyes.

Mei Shuangfeng's hand resting on the desk tightened slightly, curling into an eagle claw.

"Are you sure it was him?" the woman in fitted martial attire asked in a deep voice.

"I'm sure."

Shen Xiuhan hurriedly replied, his tone sincere.

"My friend is a disciple of Through-the-Back Martial Hall's outer court. I heard with my own ears that they were seeking to purchase Treasure Fish."

"Yesterday, I caught several Silver-striped Fish. Senior Brother Ma was very considerate. Not only did he buy them at a high price, he also told me that if I caught any Silver-striped Fish in the future, or even better fish, I could send them straight to Through-the-Back Martial Hall. He promised I would not be shortchanged on the price."

He paused, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.

"Just now, I first went to Through-the-Back Martial Hall, but Senior Brother Ma Xianyang was not there. I was told he had gone to Changshui County."

"My friend was not there either, and I did not know anyone else at Through-the-Back Martial Hall. I was also worried that if the Treasure Fish remained out of water too long, its vitality and blood would greatly diminish. That was why I dared... to come seek out Hall Master Mei and try my luck."

As his words fell, Mei Shuangfeng and the woman in fitted martial attire exchanged a glance.

A trace of relief passed through both their eyes.

Ma Xianyang...

Had gone to Changshui County?

Excellent.

Ma Xianyang, you couldn't have chosen better.