Hope of Survival, Chessboard? Chess Piece?

The oil lamp's wick burst with one last blossom of flame, popping softly in the predawn silence before going out.

Lu Fan straightened his clothes and rose to his feet. Behind him, the depths of the shop were silent.

Without looking back, he pushed open the door and walked straight out.

The morning breeze was slightly cool, blowing away the lingering warmth on his body.

He looked up at the glow on the horizon. Beneath his mask, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly before he headed toward his residence.

His steps were much lighter than when he had arrived, as though he had cast off a burden that had weighed on him for decades.

Behind him, the shop door remained half-open, gently swaying twice as the wind pushed it.

The tea on the counter had long since gone cold, and the bedding in the inner room lay scattered across the floor.

A somewhat haggard figure emerged from the inner room, supporting herself against the wall.

It was Shen Yuniang.

Shen Yuniang wore only a thin cloak, leaving most of her fair skin exposed. Her alluring face was full of exhaustion, and her expression carried an added trace of complexity and worry.

She had already done all she could, and she had wagered everything she had.

If that old man Chen Liu went back on his word, there was nothing she could do.

However, judging from what had happened at the Qin Household estate a few days ago, Chen Liu did not seem like that kind of person.

Thinking of it that way, it had all been worth it.

Though it was only a promise, it was at least a glimmer of hope for survival.

Thunder Martial Hall, rear courtyard.

Li Xiao stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. Before him, a row of newly enrolled disciples sweated profusely as they practiced their fists.

In just a few days, more than half of Blackstone Martial Hall's students had transferred to Thunder Martial Hall, and the courtyard was more bustling than ever.

He watched the scene without much expression, yet his mind was on something else.

That old bastard in the mask.

After the banquet, he had sent people to investigate. There were only a handful of Dark Force martial artists in Chi City with any reputation, and none wore such a Cracked Mask.

The only information they had uncovered was that the old man was called Chen Liu. A few days ago, he had helped the Qin Household escort a batch of goods. Before that, there had been no trace or information on him at all, as though he had appeared out of thin air.

A Late Dark Force martial artist had blocked one of his Transformation Force attacks head-on and had even injured him. If word got out, it would likely stir up a tremendous uproar throughout Chi City.

This old bastard's background had to be investigated thoroughly.

The injured Zhang Yao was a tiger with its teeth pulled out. He posed no threat at all.

The only variable was that old bastard.

"Keep investigating. You must find Chen Liu for me."

Li Xiao tossed those words to his personal disciple behind him, then turned and returned to the training room.

Once he killed that old thing, no one in Chi City would be his match.

Feng Household estate, study.

The steward standing before the desk was reading the contents of a letter to Feng Wanqian.

"Master, the Shen Household has sent word. Shen Yuniang has been expelled from the Shen Household and has no connection to them anymore."

Upon hearing this, Feng Wanqian lifted his teacup and took a sip, a trace of mockery appearing on his face.

"As expected of that old fox. She always chooses a side quickly. Surrendering so soon is truly boring, but if she wants to pledge allegiance, she must show some sincerity."

He set down the teacup and lightly tapped the tabletop twice with his fingertips.

"Send word to that old fox. Make her bleed heavily, or the Feng Household will not mind taking this opportunity to send the Shen Household to be buried alongside the Qin Household."

"Yes."

The steward nodded in acknowledgment.

"Also, tighten the supply channels of every pharmacy in Chi City by thirty percent within three days. Send people to speak with the Qin Household's longtime customers one by one—there is no need to force them. Let them weigh for themselves whether they value friendship with the Qin Household or business with the Feng Household."

The steward lowered his head and accepted the order.

"And that masked old man called Chen Liu, whom Jiaqi mentioned."

Feng Wanqian's gaze turned toward the window.

"A Dark Force martial artist capable of taking a Transformation Force Stage martial artist like Li Xiao head-on—there has never been anyone like that in Chi City before."

"Is he the Qin Household's trump card, or something else?"

"Send word to all our informants. Keep an eye on every masked fellow, and spare no effort in uncovering Chen Liu's background. I want to know who he is, where he came from, and whom he serves."

The steward accepted the order and withdrew.

Feng Wanqian leaned against the back of his chair and slowly closed his eyes.

Chi City's chess game had reached the endgame. It was time to wrap it up.

Whether it was the Qin Household or Blackstone Martial Hall, neither would remain on this chessboard for much longer.

The only thing that made him slightly uneasy was that chess piece of unknown origin that had fallen onto the board.

As long as he figured out Chen Liu's limits, it would be easy to target him accordingly.

And there was no need to let such a useful chess piece go.

Even if Li Xiao, that dog, betrayed him in the future, he would still have a means of keeping him in check.

After thinking this far, Feng Wanqian's face reddened. He coughed violently several times, even coughing up blood.

He lowered his head and looked at the bloodstain in his palm, letting out a faint sigh.

"I wonder how much longer this body of mine can hold on. Even if I cannot last, I must clear away Jiaqi's obstacles and pave the road for him before I die."

"And I must remind him not to place too much trust in those people."

As he spoke, Feng Wanqian pulled open a drawer and glanced at the small jade bottle inside.

That small jade bottle contained only one pill, yet it was something that could cause an enormous upheaval in Chi City.

It was precisely a pill that could allow a Dark Force martial artist to easily break through into Transformation Force.

However, after several attempts, only one person had succeeded.

That person was Li Xiao.

Even now, Feng Wanqian did not know the identities of those mysterious people.

But one thing was certain: what those people sought was likely far more than a tiny Chi City.

No matter what, the Feng Household had already boarded this ship. There was no turning back.

After returning to his residence, Lu Fan removed the Cracked Mask and sat cross-legged beside the bed.

He took out the bottle of Qi-Replenishing Pills from his robe, poured one out, and swallowed it.

That familiar burning sensation surged up once more. Under the hundredfold amplification, the medicinal power poured into his meridians like lava, rushing through his limbs and bones in a cleansing torrent.

The hidden injuries left behind from his battle with Li Xiao several days ago were gradually dissolved under the repeated washing of his blood and qi.

The Evergreen Formula was pushed to its limit. His blood and qi circulated without end, and every cycle through the heavens made his meridians a little more stable.

The sky outside the window gradually brightened.

Lu Fan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

His internal injuries had fully recovered, and the Force Core within his Qi Sea once again shone with a steady radiance.

Moreover, his strength had improved another step. He was only one step away from entering Transformation Force.

However, this strength was still not enough.

Lu Fan lowered his head to look at his hands, slowly clenching them into fists.

To contend with Transformation Force head-on, Peak Dark Force was still far from enough.

That missing step was a heavenly chasm.

But once he crossed that step, Li Xiao would no longer be a threat.

Lu Fan tucked away the remaining Qi-Replenishing Pills, closed his eyes once more, and sank back into cultivation.

The storm over Chi City was drawing ever nearer.

The next time he put on that mask would be Li Xiao's day of death!