Jubao Trading Company

The system's prompt sounded at just the right moment, and Li Chen Zhou's taut nerves finally eased a little. A trace of relief at having survived a calamity welled up in his heart.

"Ding... Drawing a random skill..."

"Ding... Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Heaven-Rank Skill Thousand Faces. Would you like to merge it?"

A flicker of delight crossed Li Chen Zhou's eyes. He hurriedly said, "Merge."

In an instant, a mysterious beam of light entered his brow. With the system's aid, the cultivation text within the manual transformed into nimble runes, swiftly breaking apart, recombining, and merging into every one of his meridians and his very soul.

In the blink of an eye, Li Chen Zhou had cultivated it to great mastery, and he was overjoyed. This was actually a top-tier disguise skill. Once cultivated, it allowed one to change one's appearance at will. It was truly the perfect aid in his present desperate situation—Heaven never sealed off every path for a man!

Li Chen Zhou sat cross-legged with his eyes shut, circulating his inner force according to the manual's mental cultivation method, his heart filled with anticipation for this skill.

His bones crackled like spring silkworms chewing mulberry leaves. Li Chen Zhou's shoulder blades suddenly sank three inches, while the bones around his waist rose in an eerie swell. When the assassin's sinister triangular eyes appeared in the bronze mirror, a sense of unfamiliarity toward his new appearance rippled through him.

Whether it was the black mole at the corner of his eye or the faintly raised scar on his chin, everything was identical to the assassin in his memories. Once he had confirmed there was not the slightest flaw, Li Chen Zhou let out a long breath, put away the bronze mirror, and, under the heavy cover of night, forced himself onward as he stealthily made for the Capital City with cautious steps.

On the way, a sea eagle streaked through the night sky like a bolt of black lightning and dove straight at Li Chen Zhou.

A secret letter was tied to its leg, with the assassin's waist token serving as identification.

Li Chen Zhou removed the letter and unfolded it. It instructed him to head to the Jubao Trading Company, where a mission awaited.

"Ding... Mission triggered... Investigate the Net's conspiracy in depth. Mission reward: one random Heaven-Rank movement technique."

Li Chen Zhou put away the letter, determination flashing in his eyes. He raced onward without pausing for even a moment, his heart filled with a sense of duty toward the mission.

Meanwhile, within the Capital City, Liu Xian, who had obtained the Dark Yin Sword Manual, was hiding in a secret chamber, impatiently attempting to cultivate the sword manual.

A moment later, Liu Xian stopped cultivating. Holding the Jade Scroll, he said excitedly, "As expected of the divine skill that even Sword Demon Dugu Ye had to cultivate before wielding his sword. Merely the first half healed every hidden injury caused by the incomplete skill I cultivated before in just one night, and it even allowed my cultivation to rise another level."

Having tasted its benefits, Liu Xian became even more interested in the latter half of the Dark Yin Sword Canon, his eyes brimming with greed.

Time waited for no one. Liu Xian immediately set out for Emerald Cloud Tower.

At last, upon reaching the city gate, an eye-catching wanted notice on the wall entered his sight. It bore his original appearance, the portrait lifelike and the written description detailed. The enormous reward amount was even more staggering.

Passersby stopped from time to time to look and point. Li Chen Zhou's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. After giving it only a swift glance, he lowered his head, withdrew his gaze, and hurried nervously toward the Jubao Trading Company.

The moment he stepped into the Jubao Trading Company, the faint scent of sandalwood filled the air. The shopkeeper was bent over the counter doing accounts. Hearing the door open, he glanced up at the newcomer. When his gaze touched the assassin's waist token at Li Chen Zhou's belt, he promptly lowered his head and continued with his ledger.

"Was the mission completed?" The shopkeeper's voice was icy, devoid of warmth.

"Mm." Li Chen Zhou deliberately made himself sound casual, speaking as sparingly as gold. He tried to say as little as possible, fearing he might expose even the slightest flaw, while remaining secretly vigilant.

"Why didn't you act according to the established plan?" The shopkeeper stopped writing, his brows faintly furrowed, dissatisfaction evident in his tone.

Li Chen Zhou answered vaguely, "There was a minor accident during the mission." Unease stirred in his heart as he worried that the shopkeeper would press further.

The shopkeeper did not ask any more questions, but the dissatisfaction on his face grew more obvious. "Follow me."

Li Chen Zhou followed behind the shopkeeper at an unhurried pace, maintaining just the right distance. His eyes swept warily over his surroundings, and every step he took was careful.

The shopkeeper arrived at a certain spot, his expression steady, and gently turned a vase with both hands as smoothly as drifting clouds and flowing water.

In an instant, a dull creak sounded from beneath their feet. The stone slabs slowly split apart, revealing a deep passage of mechanisms as an ancient smell rushed toward them.

Li Chen Zhou followed the shopkeeper underground. Dim light filled the passage, and curiosity mixed with tension rose within him.

Before long, figures gradually appeared ahead.

Every one of them wore the same waist token as Li Chen Zhou. Some stood while others sat, all emanating a chilling killing intent—the coldness accumulated through years spent wandering along the edge of life and death. Like invisible frost, it seemed to freeze the surrounding air. The entire space was shrouded in this oppressive atmosphere, as though stepping inside meant entering the shadow of death.

Facing the crowd, the shopkeeper wore a grave expression. "All of you have been painstakingly cultivated by the Net over these years. Soldiers are trained for a thousand days to be used in a single moment. Today is the day for you to prove your worth."

"Now go prepare whatever you need for battle. Gather here at noon, and the missions will be assigned."

The instant he crossed the threshold of the Jubao Trading Company, he slipped into a dark alley. As he walked, his face changed continuously. With a sweep of his hand, as though staging a grand costume-changing performance, he transformed into an ordinary merchant.

Calm-faced yet quick-stepping, he headed straight for Emerald Cloud Tower. Upon entering, he found the establishment bustling with activity. Li Chen Zhou's gaze was sharp as a torch, and he quickly locked onto Liu Xian amid the crowd. Liu Xian was seated in a private room, leisurely sipping tea, surrounded by several Eastern Depot agents.

Li Chen Zhou took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and steadily walked toward the private room. He was both nervous and filled with the resolve to smash the cauldrons and sink the boats.

"Eunuch, I trust you have been well." Li Chen Zhou gave a slight bow, his tone respectful yet composed.

Liu Xian lifted his eyelids. His gaze was like a spring breeze drifting past, carrying a touch of laziness and surprise. Clearly, he had not expected Li Chen Zhou to possess the audacity to come to him of his own accord.

He lightly flicked his sleeve with his orchid fingers and snorted. The sound seemed squeezed out from the deepest part of his nostrils, carrying a hint of effeminacy. "Hmph, boy, you've got quite the nerve." Then, with a gentle wave of his hand, as delicate as a willow bending in the wind, he dismissed the agents beside him.

Once everyone had withdrawn, Li Chen Zhou poured himself a cup of wine and drank it. Glancing at Liu Xian, he smiled faintly. "Eunuch, I presume you have already cultivated the first half of the Dark Yin Sword Canon? How was the effect?" He calculated the course of their coming conversation in his heart.

The silver needle Liu Xian had been idly playing with between his fingers suddenly stilled, its tip glinting a ghostly blue beneath the candlelight.

"The Young Duke's disguise technique is indeed exquisite."

"You flatter me, Eunuch. As for the remaining half..." Li Chen Zhou's gaze was firm as he looked directly into Liu Xian's eyes. "I want Eunuch to help me rescue the members of my Li Family."