Night fell, and the evening breeze sighed.
The clamor of White Jade Square had completely faded. Figures dotted the streets as prodigies from every faction bid one another farewell and departed.
Shi Qingyue, He Wu, and the Li siblings waved goodbye, each setting off on their way home.
Liu Yunche stood by the roadside, about to turn and leave, when his gaze casually swept over the area and suddenly caught sight of a familiar slender figure.
It was Zhou Qing.
The girl walked alone along the Bluestone road, hugging a bucket brimming with snacks. She sampled them as she walked, her eyes curved with delight and her interest piqued, the very picture of carefree ease.
Yet she was wholly unaware that several burly shadows were trailing her from afar, their gazes sinister and their intentions ill.
Liu Yunche gave them an indifferent glance and understood at once.
With Zhou Qing's true cultivation, dealing with a few hoodlums and thugs at the Skin Tempering level would be as easy as turning over his hand, requiring no effort at all.
After a brief thought, he withdrew his gaze, turned around, and slowly headed east through the city.
Yet after taking only a few steps, Liu Yunche's stride paused slightly. In that instant, his eyes swept discreetly over the area behind him.
His expression remained unchanged and his pace stayed steady, but he deliberately took an increasingly secluded route before turning directly into a deep, narrow alley.
Before long, three figures dressed entirely in black quietly followed him to the mouth of the alley.
The two black-clad men looked in unison toward the leader, silently asking for instructions.
The black-clad leader fell silent for a breath. A cold glint flashed through his eyes as he lifted a foot and stepped into the alley.