Inside the tavern, the bearded man struck a dramatic pose. After taking his sweet time preparing himself, he finally cleared his throat. "Xuanyuan Tibing has been placed on the assassination list of the Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren. Someone is paying a massive bounty for his head!"
"What?"
The crowd was shocked. No one expected that anyone would actually dare to place a bounty on Xuanyuan Tibing’s head, let alone hire the Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren. It almost sounded like a joke.
The Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren were certainly mysterious and highly skilled in the art of assassination. However, trying to assassinate Xuanyuan Tibing was simply absurd. Setting aside the fact that Xuanyuan Tibing was the number one expert in the East Spirit Realm, even assassinating an ordinary cultivator in the Martial Marquis Realm would be no easy feat. Furthermore, Xuanyuan Tibing had rarely stepped out of Xuanyuan City in recent years. To assassinate him, one would have to bypass countless layers of security, only to likely fail to even catch a glimpse of the man’s true face.
"But not a single assassin from the Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren has accepted the mission," the bearded man added. "Or rather, not a single one *dares* to accept it!"
"Well, that makes sense," someone nodded. "At least the Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren know their limits. Otherwise, it would be a one-way trip!"
"Xuanyuan Tibing also put out the word," the bearded man continued. "If anyone from the Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren dares to accept this mission, he will personally uproot the Thirteen Kills from the East Spirit Realm completely!"
The crowd nodded in agreement. This was indeed very much in line with Xuanyuan Tibing’s style. Over the years, anyone who had dared to provoke him had never met a good end.
Lin Huang couldn’t help but smile, though several questions arose in his mind. There were plenty of people in the East Spirit Realm who wanted Xuanyuan Tibing dead, but who would have the sheer audacity to actually buy his head? Could this be related to the Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers? Did it have anything to do with the Blood Crow’s Eye and Jia Wanjin?
Lin Huang fell into deep thought. His instincts told him that these events were inextricably linked. Ever since the news of the Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers broke, far too much had happened. The destruction of the Jia family. Xuanyuan Tibing’s appearance in the Xitang Dynasty. The emergence of the mysterious Blood Shadow. Jia Wanjin dying in battle while draped in the Blood-Colored Sun and Moon Banner. Someone placing a bounty on Xuanyuan Tibing’s head. And now, the involvement of the Thirteen Kills of the Character Ren!
"Changsheng, let’s head back first," Jia Xuanxuan suddenly said, interrupting his thoughts. "Feng Wanli said that nighttime in the Blood Triangle is the most dangerous."
"Alright."
Lin Huang nodded and led Jia Xuanxuan out of the tavern. As for the thoughts that had just been weighing on his mind, he quickly tossed them aside. To put it bluntly, none of this had anything to do with him. Even if it did, that would be a problem for the future.
After crossing a few street corners, the two returned to the Blood Robe Alliance.
The Blood Robe Alliance was located in the eastern part of the Blood Triangle. The entire Alliance Leader’s Mansion covered ten miles of land. Its architecture was magnificent and imposing, resembling a giant beast coiled within the Blood Triangle. Flags were planted all around the estate, with blood-red banners fluttering in the wind, giving the place a murderous and intimidating aura.
Two rows of guards stood at the main entrance of the Alliance Leader’s Mansion. Each rested a hand on the hilt of their blade, their expressions solemn. Their fierce, ruthless eyes were enough to inspire fear in anyone who approached. Upon entering the Alliance Leader’s Mansion, one could feel countless dormant auras surging within, blanketing the entire estate in a faint, vicious Evil Qi.
"Miss Xuanxuan, the Alliance Leader has invited Young Master Lin over. There is a matter he wishes to discuss!" An Elder of the alliance appeared before them just as they stepped inside.
Jia Xuanxuan frowned slightly but quickly put on a smile for the Blood Robe Alliance Elder. "Did Feng Wanli mention what it was about?"
Lin Huang also grew vigilant. Seeing the old man’s cold demeanor, he suspected that the man was up to no good.
"I am merely a messenger. As for the specifics, I have no idea," the Elder replied politely, though there was a distinct lack of respect in his tone.
"Please lead the way, Elder!" Lin Huang smiled and cupped his fists.
What will be, will be. There was no hiding from fate. Since Feng Wanli had saved his life, it was unlikely that he intended to harm him now. Besides, having lived in this mansion for over ten days, it would be unreasonable not to formally greet its master.
Before they parted, Jia Xuanxuan tugged at Lin Huang’s sleeve, her eyes brimming with unmistakable worry. Although Feng Wanli was married to her sister, anyone capable of establishing such a massive faction in the Blood Triangle was no ordinary man. To people like him, interests and benefits undoubtedly mattered most.
Lin Huang looked at Jia Xuanxuan, giving her a warm smile and a reassuring look before turning to follow the Blood Robe Alliance Elder.
Shortly after, Lin Huang was led to a grand hall.
"The Alliance Leader is inside," the Elder said.
Lin Huang nodded and stepped into the hall.
The hall was not as luxurious and magnificent as Lin Huang had imagined; instead, it was rather unadorned. The faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, mingling with the distinct smell of old books and parchment.
Hanging above the main seat of the hall was a magnificent, sweeping painting of the East Spirit Realm’s mountains and rivers. The four main pillars were carved with wild cursive calligraphy, the strokes cascading down with the unrestrained momentum of a mighty, surging river.
At that moment, a man in his thirties sat at the head of the hall. He wore a dark red robe embroidered with profound patterns. He was broad and burly, with a slightly rough, square face that was as cold and hard as a jagged rock. His large eyes were piercing and full of spirit, and a faint, almost imperceptible Evil Qi seeped from his every pore.
Aside from him, a middle-aged Confucian Scholar was also seated in the hall. His attire was not lavish, but it was exceptionally meticulous. He wore a purple robe with wide sleeves and a round collar, a Golden Fish Bag hanging from his waist. While his face couldn’t be called handsome, it exuded a refined, cultured air that made him quite striking.
In front of the middle-aged Confucian Scholar lay a complete set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The ink on the calligraphy placed on his desk was still wet. Judging by the handwriting, all the scrolls and paintings in the hall were his handiwork.
At present, the middle-aged Confucian Scholar was entirely engrossed in an ancient tome, occasionally stroking the well-groomed stubble on his chin. He genuinely carried the demeanor of a great master of the Confucian Path.
"Greetings, Alliance Leader Feng!" Lin Huang smiled and cupped his fists toward the man at the head of the hall.
"So you’re Lin Changsheng?" the burly man raised his tiger-like eyes and gave Lin Huang a passing glance. His tone carried the subtle arrogance of someone in power, and his every gesture radiated an imposing presence.
"I am. I also wanted to thank you for saving my life earlier, Alliance Leader. I offer you my gratitude." Lin Huang frowned slightly. He thought, "You saved my life, yet you still have to ask if I’m Lin Changsheng?" He then continued, "May I ask why the Alliance Leader has summoned me?"
The man’s brow furrowed, his resolute face adopting a slightly disdainful look. "Do you truly not know what this is about? Or are you just playing dumb?"
Lin Huang scratched his head, finding this Alliance Leader Feng incredibly difficult to talk to. He legitimately had no idea what was going on. How was he supposed to hold a conversation when he kept asking questions like that?
Even the middle-aged Confucian Scholar beside them looked up at the burly man, sighed softly, and then lowered his head back to his book.
"I wonder if Alliance Leader Feng wants to know about the Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers, Master Jia Wanjin, or something else entirely?" Lin Huang ventured a guess. After all, the only things that connected him to the Blood Robe Alliance were the Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers and Jia Wanjin.
The burly man scoffed. "Tell me about my father-in-law. When he asked you to take Xuanxuan and leave, did he give you any specific instructions?"
In the hall, Lin Huang looked at the naturally commanding man and fell silent.
"What... is it a secret?" The man stared at Lin Huang’s shifting gaze. His brow creased as a chilling smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Or is it true that you were actually entrusted by my father-in-law to bring Xuanxuan to my Blood Robe Alliance?"
By now, it was clear that he was beginning to doubt Lin Huang.
Unexpectedly, Lin Huang didn’t try to defend himself. Instead, a smile spread across his face. Ignoring the man on the throne, he turned to face the middle-aged Confucian Scholar. "Alliance Leader Feng, what is the meaning of this?"
"Insolent!" A furious roar suddenly echoed through the hall. The burly man had shot to his feet, the immense force of his movement causing the floorboards beneath him to crack and splinter outward like a spiderweb.
"That’s enough!" Just as the man was about to unleash his rage, the middle-aged Confucian Scholar spoke up. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it held a weighty authority that instantly caused the previously domineering man to pull back awkwardly, standing frozen in place with a flushed face. "Step down for now. Your part here is done."
The middle-aged Confucian Scholar put down his book and calmly stood up. "These floor tiles cost one hundred taels of gold each. Go to the accounting room and pay the silver out of your own pocket!"
The burly man’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to argue with the middle-aged Confucian Scholar, but seeing the latter’s expression that brooked no argument, he sullenly nodded. Taking a tragic final look at the shattered floorboards, he walked out of the hall with a pained expression.
Once the man was gone, the middle-aged Confucian Scholar finally smiled at Lin Huang. "His name is Tu Gang. You could call him one of my right-hand men, though his mind is a bit on the simple side. As for my identity, you’ve clearly figured it out. I am Feng Wanli!"
"Next time, you ought to find someone a bit sharper, Alliance Leader Feng." Lin Huang chuckled, cupping his fists. "I refuse to believe that someone who possesses nothing but brute strength could possibly establish a foothold in a place like the Blood Triangle."
"Was that the only clue you used to figure out that Tu Gang wasn’t me?" Feng Wanli asked.
"Rumor has it that the Blood Robe Alliance Master is extremely mysterious and is always clad in a Blood Robe whenever he appears. Therefore, I surmised that... the true Feng Wanli is probably completely different from the image of the Blood Robe!" Lin Huang replied. "Furthermore, the decor in this hall is imbued with the philosophies of the Confucian Family. It clashes entirely with the Evil Qi radiating from Tu Gang, but perfectly complements you! And during our brief conversation just now, Tu Gang looked at you a total of eleven times. That proves he defers to you!"
"To have such analytical skills is not bad at all. If that is the case, you truly were entrusted by my father-in-law to bring Xuanxuan here," Feng Wanli, the middle-aged Confucian Scholar, smiled.
Ever since Feng Wanli had rescued Lin Huang, he had been conducting investigations. He had even sent out men to retrace the path the two youths had taken. His men had stumbled upon the twenty-seven decoy arrays Lin Huang had set up in the Qinglong Mountain Range. That was not something just anyone could achieve. Thus, he had decided to set up today’s little test.
If Lin Huang couldn’t even distinguish the real Feng Wanli from a fake, then this "Lin Huang" would be highly suspicious.
Lin Huang smiled. Feng Wanli was fully justified in his actions. For anyone trying to survive in the Blood Triangle, caution was paramount. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even know how they died.
"Can you tell me why you really summoned me now, Alliance Leader Feng?"
"The Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers!" Feng Wanli said bluntly.
In the hall, Lin Huang frowned slightly. "I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Alliance Leader Feng. When Martial Marquis Jia gave me the Demon-Suppressing Blade, it was merely meant as compensation for escorting Miss Xuanxuan. He never mentioned anything about the Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers."
Hearing Lin Huang’s words, Feng Wanli shook his head. He stared fixedly at Lin Huang with absolute certainty. "Based on what I know of my father-in-law, the Ancient Scroll of Mountains and Rivers is definitely on you!"