Exposed, but since I'm already here...

At that very moment, behind Xiao Xun'er, a figure concealed in the shadows was watching her white-robed form.

"Teacher, why is Xun'er here?"

"Heh, did you think she was some harmless little thing? Not one of the people you've dealt with since coming over here is normal. Don't reveal yourself yet. With me concealing you, she won't notice. Let's see what she's planning first."

"I understand, Teacher."

Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan nodded. He had long known that Xun'er's background was anything but simple.

Meanwhile, Han Chen stood inside the warehouse. He had already packed his Ring of Holding to the brim and put everything else into System Space.

Once not even a hair remained in the entire warehouse, Han Chen crept toward Liu Xi's house. The Ring of Holding on Liu Xi's hand held plenty of good stuff too.

But just as he reached the entrance to Liu Xi's courtyard, a figure blocked his path.

Looking at Xiao Xun'er, who had suddenly appeared before him, Han Chen's eyes filled with shock and belated fear. He hadn't sensed her approach at all.

While mentally stamping Xiao Xun'er's strength with a warning of Danger!, he also wondered whether she had seen what he'd done in the warehouse.

When Xiao Xun'er saw that Han Chen had come to rob the warehouse, she hadn't intended to bother with him. After all, she also had a grudge against the Jia Lie Family, and watching them suffer was naturally satisfying.

But when she saw that Han Chen actually intended to go after Liu Xi, she immediately decided to stop him. She wanted to deal with that beast herself.

Looking at the deeply wary Han Chen before her, Xiao Xun'er showed little expression and merely said coolly,

"Liu Xi's worthless life is mine!"

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's domineering declaration, Han Chen promptly chose to respect someone else's wishes. It absolutely wasn't because he feared the golden emperor burning heaven flame in her hands or Ling Ying, who was hiding who knew where.

"If that's what you like, then you go first?"

Han Chen smiled and retreated several steps, standing in the shadows beside the wall.

At Han Chen's words, Xiao Xun'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly. What kind of thing was that to say? Why did it sound so awkward?

Still, she didn't dwell on it. Her most pressing task was to dispose of that beast Liu Xi.

Then, with a sweep of her white robe, Xiao Xun'er turned and walked toward Liu Xi's room. Standing in the shadows, Han Chen watched the quiet courtyard, his eyes flickering.

He was considering whether he should quit while he was ahead. He had already obtained an entire warehouse of materials, making him the biggest winner by far.

Besides, the rear gate guards had been dealt with. If the patrol discovered them shortly, things would become extremely dangerous. Xiao Xun'er had just entered Liu Xi's room, and he remembered that in the original story, Xiao Yan had been following her too...

"Tsk... since I'm already here..."

And so Han Chen stood outside and began spacing out, while Xiao Yan also watched the Jia Lie Family's situation from the shadows, keeping watch over Liu Xi's courtyard to ensure Xiao Xun'er's safety.

Before long, a bloodcurdling scream rang out from Liu Xi's room, startling both Xiao Yan, who was standing guard outside, and Han Chen, who was spacing out.

"Aaaah!!!"

"This is bad!"

"This is bad."

Hearing that scream, both men outside the entrance inwardly cursed and dashed off in completely opposite directions.

Afraid that something had happened to Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yan rushed into the courtyard without the slightest hesitation, saying anxiously,

"Xun'er, please be all right."

Han Chen, meanwhile, hurried toward the rear gate he'd entered through. Other people had definitely heard Liu Xi's scream. Jia Lie Bi would surely realize someone had broken in, and before half an incense stick had burned, the Jia Lie Family compound would be sealed so tightly that not even water could get through.

"Damn it, why did I have to get greedy for that little extra? Great, now I'll probably lose half my life getting out. From now on, I'm never doing anything unless I'm absolutely certain!"

Behind Han Chen, the Jia Lie Family, awakened by that howl, mobilized everyone and began searching inside and out for intruders.

Han Chen had barely run a few steps before several members of the Jia Lie Family blocked his way, forcing him to stop.

"The intruder's over here!"

Looking at the guards charging toward him, Han Chen couldn't help cursing inwardly. How much do you even earn a month? Why risk your lives?

Raising his hand toward the approaching guards, Han Chen circulated his Dou Qi. A powerful suction force instantly surged forth and dragged them straight toward him.

"What's happening?"

"Why am I flying?"

As Suction Palm pulled them within reach, Han Chen flicked his wrist and unleashed several Azure Sword Blades, sending them straight through their chests.

Watching the guards fall to the ground with several thuds and go still, Han Chen shook his head and continued fleeing.

Bang!

Rumble!!!

A violent explosion suddenly erupted from the direction of Liu Xi's courtyard, followed by a visible shock wave that sent roof tiles flying all around.

Han Chen stopped and raised a hand to shield himself from the dust blasting into his face. Looking back, he wore a thoughtful expression. He remembered that although the golden emperor burning heaven flame within Xiao Xun'er was formidable, she couldn't use it for long, or it would cause irreversible damage to her body.

An aura that powerful had obviously come from Xiao Xun'er.

What? Why couldn't it have been Jia Lie Bi? It wasn't that Han Chen looked down on him, but with his strength as a Da Dou Shi, even using him as a bang snap wouldn't have produced half this commotion, let alone letting him unleash such a powerful basic attack.

Just as Han Chen was wondering whether Ling Ying had come today, a dark figure ran up beside him.

Xiao Yan was now in tatters, covered in dust and grime, with even his hair singed. He ran frantically, carrying the unconscious Xiao Xun'er in his arms.

Upon seeing Han Chen, joy flashed across Xiao Yan's face, and he hurriedly called for help, though opening his mouth only revealed a mouthful of dust.

"Brother Han, quick! Save me!"

"What happened to you?"

This was the first time Han Chen had ever seen Xiao Yan in such a wretched state. That appearance...

Hearing Han Chen's question, Xiao Yan felt a little embarrassed. When he'd heard Liu Xi's scream earlier, he had charged straight over.

Then he had seen the unconscious Xiao Xun'er and Liu Xi, who had been reduced to a heap of ashes. Just as he'd been about to leave with Xiao Xun'er, Jia Lie Bi had hurried over and blocked his way.

Xiao Yan had already been planning to ask Yao Lao to intervene. After all, Jia Lie Bi was a genuine Da Dou Shi, someone he couldn't possibly handle.

What Xiao Yan hadn't expected, however, was for Xiao Xun'er to suddenly wake up and, for some unknown reason, unleash a tremendous burst of energy that blasted Jia Lie Bi away on the spot.

And because he had been too close, the explosion had left him looking like this.

After sensing that power, Yao Lao had also flatly refused to intervene, merely telling him to seize the chance and run.

And that had led to the scene Han Chen was now witnessing.

But Xiao Yan wasn't in the mood to explain. He simply took a scroll from his Ring of Holding and tossed it to Han Chen without even looking, then ran off without turning back.

"Brother Han, this is an earth-tier Dou Technique. Consider it your payment. Sorry for the trouble, but please hold Jia Lie Bi back for a bit! I'll thank you properly when we meet again!"

As he spoke, Xiao Yan rounded a corner and vanished.

"Holy... crap, aren't you running a little too fast?"

Holding the scroll, Han Chen hadn't even had time to react. But after a moment's thought, he rubbed his nose and tucked it into his Ring of Holding anyway.

"Forget it. Since I'm already here..."