The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 418 It turns out the real employer was you! (6k)

The area where the second branch of the Shen family lived was truly a place where pavilions and towers were scattered in a well-organized manner, exuding an atmosphere of exquisite luxury.

Surrounded by artificial hills and flowing water, with lush flowers and trees, and a faint fragrance in the air, it is clear that it is carefully maintained by someone every day.

The maids here moved about lightly, occasionally whispering to each other, but daring not to make a sound.

Because the second wife, Su Yurou, never liked noise, the entire courtyard, though prosperous, was not noisy.

At this moment, in a pavilion by the water, Su Yurou leaned against a soft couch.

A deep purple dress accentuated her graceful figure, its hem cascading down like water, making her skin appear as white as snow.

She lightly twirled a white jade wine cup between her fingertips, her red lips slightly pursed, and her eyes and brows exuded a languid and alluring charm.

Suddenly, a silver streak of light streaked across the sky and arrived in an instant, landing outside the pavilion.

Shen Hanyi, with her silver hair like frost and a cold expression, walked slowly towards them.

Su Yurou raised her eyes, her red lips slightly upturned, and her voice soft and charming: "Oh, isn't this Han Yi? What brings you to my second aunt's place today?"

Shen Hanyi gently raised her hand, and an invisible soundproof barrier instantly enveloped the entire pavilion.

Her expression was indifferent: "Why ask a question you already know the answer to, Second Aunt?"

Su Yurou lazily straightened up, her crimson skirt swaying like waves.

She gently touched her temple, her eyes filled with confusion: "Oh? I don't know. What should I know?"

Shen Hanyi's gaze was calm as she took out the image stone and placed it on the stone table: "This thing, was it given to me by my second aunt?"

"I gave it to you?" Su Yurou's red lips parted slightly, revealing just the right amount of surprise.

She bent down and looked closely at the image stone.

The slender, pale fingertips abruptly withdrew just before touching the stone.

She then covered her lips and said, "Han Yi, could you be mistaken? Why would I give you an image stone? Is it perhaps recording something shameful?"

Shen Hanyi's eyes grew colder: "What's being photographed? Second Aunt might as well take a look for herself."

Su Yurou waved her hands repeatedly, "No, thank you. Han Yi is now a fourth-level array master at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Severing Realm. How could a woman like me get involved in such matters? What if something happens to her?"

She suddenly lowered her voice, "What deadly secret is hidden there? Second Aunt is probably going to have sleepless nights."

Shen Hanyi's eyes suddenly narrowed, and a chill ran through her: "I don't like beating around the bush. Since Second Aunt has chosen to play dumb, don't blame Hanyi for searching her soul."

Before he finished speaking, the temperature inside the pavilion plummeted.

A thick layer of frost instantly formed on the ground, and people quickly climbed up the stone pillar.

Tiny ice crystals floated in the air, and even Su Yurou's breath froze into frost in an instant.

Shen Hanyi's silver hair moved without wind, each strand gleaming with a chilling light, and the space within three zhang around her seemed to be frozen.

"Han Yi, have you gone mad!" Su Yurou's expression changed drastically. She suddenly sprang up from the soft couch and retreated hastily.

With a flick of her wrist, a poisoned dagger slid into her palm, and her spiritual energy surged wildly, forming a pale purple protective barrier around her body.

Shen Hanyi remained expressionless, her right hand making a grasping motion, and a long, transparent ice sword materialized out of thin air.

The sword was crystal clear, yet it exuded a suffocating chill; where the blade pointed, even the air seemed to freeze slightly.

She walked slowly forward, and with each step she took, an ice lotus bloomed on the ground.

"This is the Shen family home!" Su Yurou leaned against a pavilion pillar, her voice tense. "Are you going to attack your elders in your own residence?"

Shen Hanyi continued walking, raising her ice sword slightly: "Second Aunt should believe that I should be able to end all this before the others arrive."

Su Yurou's fingertips trembled slightly as she forced herself to remain calm and said, "Hanyi, calm down. Someone must be deliberately framing me and trying to sow discord between us."

Shen Hanyi's ice sword remained motionless, the ice crystals condensed at its tip falling away: "Second Aunt, do you perhaps think I've come here today to test you?"

She took a half step forward, the sword's edge growing even colder. "Now that I'm here, I'm absolutely confident."

Before the words were even finished, four ice swords simultaneously materialized at the four corners of the pavilion, completely sealing off any escape routes.

Su Yurou's pupils contracted sharply as she stared intently at Shen Hanyi.

Suddenly, she sighed deeply and sat back down on the soft couch: "How did you determine that?"

"It really is you!" Shen Hanyi's eyes flashed with cold light.

Although she believed Zhou Qing's words, she still had some doubts.

Unexpectedly, my second aunt admitted it herself—how exactly did that guy smell her scent from a single image stone?

Su Yurou was taken aback upon hearing this, then exclaimed, "Are you kidding me?"

"Is there any point in saying all this now?" Shen Hanyi flicked her fingertips, and the four suspended ice swords simultaneously emitted clear and melodious sword sounds.

"Heh," Su Yurou suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled, but her laughter carried a hint of self-mockery, "It seems I underestimated you."

Han Yi's ice sword remained unmoved: "Why are you showing me this?"

Su Yurou languidly lay back on the soft couch, her crimson sleeves spreading out like water, and then slowly said, "For no reason."

Her eyes sparkled. "I just wanted you to know."

"Then why didn't you bring it out back then?"

"We have no choice in the matter," Su Yurou sighed. "Do you think the Shen family is a place where anyone can say whatever they want?"

"Who left this shadow?" Shen Hanyi raised the tip of her sword slightly, its cold light flashing.

Su Yurou parted her lips slightly: "Of course it's me, your second aunt."

"Back when my grandfather led the people to wipe out the Flying Thieves Alliance," Shen Hanyi's ice sword suddenly flashed with a chilling light, "you were clearly in the manor, never leaving for a moment!"

Su Yurou suddenly chuckled and leaned closer to Shen Hanyi: "Before you answer, I'd like to ask you, do you know who the masked man in the painting is who killed someone to cover it up?"

Shen Hanyi's eyes flashed like blades, her words as cold as ice: "Third Uncle, Shen Lieyang!"

Su Yurou's pupils contracted sharply as she stared at her incredulously: "How did you know?"

Shen Hanyi remained silent.

"Knowing everything, yet still able to endure until now without harming your third uncle," Su Yurou's voice trembled slightly, "such a temperament is truly chilling."

Shen Hanyi's knuckles made a piercing cracking sound as she gripped the sword.

If it weren't for the image stone and Zhou Qing's testimony today, she wouldn't have dared to believe that her third uncle, who had cultivated to the second Nascent Soul stage, was actually involved with the Flying Thieves Alliance.

Shen Hanyi's silence made Su Yurou even more puzzled, wondering what else she knew and how many secrets she was hiding.

After a moment of contemplation, Su Yurou said softly, "Since your third uncle can be in two places at once, why can't I?"

"Why did he do this?" Shen Hanyi asked coldly.

Su Yurou sighed softly: "Is that even a question? Your father is too dazzling. Whether it's his talent for cultivation or his business acumen, if a person is perfect, he will inevitably attract jealousy and resentment."

Shen Hanyi's eyes darkened: "In the end, it's all about the position of the head of the family."

“Yes, and not entirely.” Su Yurou shook her head.

"What do you mean by this?"

“It’s driven by jealousy.” Su Yurou’s lips curled slightly as she slowly said, “Your father must have come to his senses over the years.”

She paused, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes: "As the youngest son, I have been favored by the old man since childhood, and my cultivation progress far surpasses that of my three older brothers."

“When the major families mention the Shen family, Shen Juefeng is the first name that comes to mind. Your uncles and elders are not even worthy of being mentioned.”

"Later, he married a stunning beauty like your mother, and they had both a son and a daughter." She sighed softly, "The old man even made it clear at the gathering of the eight great families that he wanted to pass the throne to him."

"Your father's life in the first half was so smooth that everyone was envious and jealous!"

Su Yurou's gaze was deep and mysterious, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Put yourself in their shoes, what do you think your uncles and elders would think?"

Shen Hanyi remained silent.

"But they are blood relatives!"

“It is precisely because of the close blood ties that such a disparity is even more intolerable.” Su Yurou sneered, “A person’s glory can bring honor to the family, or it can become the root of the family’s downfall.”

"Moreover, your father's brilliance not only shines on the Shen family, but also on other prominent families who are afraid of being surpassed and those who are worried about being suppressed."

"What happened that rainy night was actually the result of everyone stirring things up."

Shen Hanyi trembled violently, and the ice sword suddenly pressed against Su Yurou's chest.

“So,” her voice was chillingly cold, “what role do you play in this game?”

Su Yurou suddenly smiled: "I'm just a spectator."

Shen Hanyi stared at her with cold eyes.

Su Yurou said calmly, "I can swear that whether it was harming your mother or hiring the Blood Pact Pavilion to kill you, it has nothing to do with me."

"Then why did you suddenly give me this image stone?" Shen Hanyi asked coldly.

"The Shen family is too peaceful; it's really boring," Su Yurou chuckled.

"I just wanted to create some excitement, especially since you now have the ability to stir up this stagnant pool. That's all. I just didn't expect you to target me so quickly."

Shen Hanyi remained silent for a moment, but ultimately did not make a move. Instead, she asked, "Who hired the Blood Pact Pavilion to kill me?"

"I really don't know, believe it or not." Su Yurou shrugged.

"Then why does my second aunt think they wanted to kill me?"

Su Yurou's smile deepened: "It's simple, because you and your father are too alike. Back then, your father made his three older brothers look like supporting characters, and now, you've made your cousins ​​pale in comparison."

Shen Hanyi sheathed her sword, turned around, and tilted her head slightly: "I have thought of this reason, but I always felt it was too far-fetched."

"Hearing it from your mouth now, it still sounds absurd." Her voice grew colder. "I will avenge my mother myself. If you were involved, I will never let you go."

Upon hearing this, Su Yurou smiled even more languidly: "Alright, it's a pity that I only know so much, otherwise I would have told you everything. But you can't sell me out, okay?"

Shen Hanyi said nothing more and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the horizon.

Su Yurou shifted to a more comfortable position, leaning back and gazing in the direction she had left. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions as she whispered, "The greatest evil in the human heart is to hate those who have what they don't and to laugh at those who don't."

Sometimes, the most absurd reasons are precisely the most truthful answers.

……

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold moon hung high in the sky.

In a desolate mountain village, weeds grew rampant, and the air was thick with the smell of decay amidst the broken walls and ruins.

At this moment, a burly middle-aged man with a rugged face and sinister eyes was sitting alone at a stone table in the center of the courtyard.

The stone table was covered in dust, and mottled cracks covered its surface.

The big man silently tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of liquor. His Adam's apple bobbed as the strong liquor went down his throat, and a burning sensation spread from his chest.

A night breeze swept by, carrying a hint of coolness.

He squinted, tilted his head back, and took another sip, this time even faster, swirling the liquor in his mouth before swallowing.

The night wind howled, swirling a few withered leaves around his feet.

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared silently at the courtyard gate.

The newcomer was dressed in a black robe and wore a ferocious bronze mask, revealing only a pair of deep, dark eyes that gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

Without even looking up, the second uncle took another swig of wine and said in a hoarse voice, "You've arrived?"

The man in black robes did not answer, but slowly approached. With a flick of his sleeve, a paper as thin as a cicada's wing fluttered onto the stone table. The second uncle squinted at it, and the words "Shen Hanyi, the eldest daughter of the fourth branch of the Shen family" were particularly glaring in the moonlight.

His pupils contracted slightly, and he thought to himself, "That kid actually guessed right."

“The deposit has been paid,” the man in black robes said in a hoarse, indistinct voice, like sandpaper scraping. “I want to see results within a month.”

The rule of the Blood Pact Pavilion is that the employer pays first, and the pavilion will only send an assassin after assessing the target's strength.

The money will be split 20/80 upon returning to the pavilion after the mission is completed. Since this is Second Uncle's first mission, he hasn't received a single penny yet.

At this moment, the second uncle grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth: "Don't worry, the reputation of [Blood Pact Pavilion] will never disappoint its employers."

The man in black robes nodded slightly and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute!" the second uncle suddenly called out.

The man in black robes paused, turning to cast a cold glance at them.

Uncle Er rubbed his hands, looking troubled: "To be honest, I broke into the forbidden area a few days ago and suffered some internal injuries. I'm afraid it will take three to five years to recover."

Seeing that the other party remained silent, he continued, "According to the rules of our organization, assassins cannot contact their employers directly. I can only wait for your message before explaining in person."

"Please apply to the cabinet to have someone else take over."

The man in black robes snorted coldly, his gaze beneath the bronze mask growing even colder, revealing his extreme displeasure.

"I'm really sorry," the second uncle said with a forced smile, "My predecessor got caught up in this very deal. If I, in my weakened state, were to alert them again, I'm afraid no one would dare to take on this hot potato."

The night wind suddenly picked up, and the man in black robes remained silent for a moment before suddenly raising his hand. The piece of paper flew back into his sleeve as if drawn by a force.

Without uttering a word, he vanished into the night like a ghost.

After the other person's breath completely disappeared, the second uncle finally breathed a sigh of relief, tilted his head back and drank the remaining wine in the jar in one gulp, casually wiping his mouth with the back of his rough hand.

"Fortunately, all that effort was worthwhile." He stared in the direction where the man in black had disappeared, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "The tracking mark has finally been planted. I was worried he wouldn't take back the list."

His divine sense swept across the surroundings like a tide, and after confirming that no one was watching, the second uncle took out an ancient bronze compass from his bosom.

On the board, a scarlet dot is moving rapidly along an eerie trajectory.

"Heh, she's quite cautious." The second uncle sneered. "Shen girl is my Zhou Qing's wife, and she's carrying my grandchild. How dare you be so presumptuous?"

Uncle Erda smashed the wine jar, and the remaining wine gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

He slowly rose to his feet, a cold glint in his eyes.

"But the Blood Pact Pavilion's influence extends across several states, and the main pavilion has already received your money, so we still need to consider this carefully."

He muttered to himself, "Right now, let's find out who you really are first!"

Before he finished speaking, his figure had already quickly disappeared into the night, and he had quietly given way to the pursuer...

……

Two days later, at the main gate of the Shen family residence.

A boy wearing a tiger-head hat stood in front of the door, his expression indifferent.

Because he was a disciple of the master, the guard simply gave him a brief announcement and let him in.

"How is it? Did you find anything?" Zhou Qing immediately went to greet his second uncle when he saw him return, his eyes filled with undisguised anxiety.

Uncle Er strode into the hall, and without saying a word, grabbed the teapot and took a few gulps.

Under Zhou Qing's eager gaze, he slowly wiped his mouth and then nodded.

A murderous intent flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes.

“They’ve tried to kill Han Yi again and again…” he said in a low voice. “This employer is really persistent.”

"Have you found out who it is?"

Uncle Er shook his head: "It's not completely locked on yet, but it's very close!"

As he spoke, he took out an array plate with red dots flashing on it, and the position was extremely close to them.

"This person is in the Shen family's house!" the second uncle said in a deep voice. "You have to take me around these next two days to pinpoint the target as soon as possible. The tracking mark I left on him will soon disappear."

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes: "There's no time to lose, let's do it today!"

He couldn't wait to find that person and kill him himself.

Second Uncle nodded and was about to put away the array plate when suddenly—

"Ok?"

The red dots on the array plate suddenly flashed and were approaching them at an extremely fast speed!
The two exchanged a glance, a cold glint flashing in their eyes simultaneously.

"Boom boom boom——"

A short while later, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Young Master, the three family heads have arrived!" The voices of the twins, Chaolu and Xishuang, rang out simultaneously.

Zhou Qing's double pupils flickered slightly, and his gaze pierced through the palace gate, directly seeing the three family heads standing outside—as well as Yan Luo, Zhao Muye, and others.

A slight smirk played on his lips, but the chill in his eyes intensified.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir," he said in a low voice.

The second uncle grinned, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes: "Don't worry."

Zhou Qing took a deep breath, pushed open the door and went out. His second uncle instantly switched to an innocent and bewildered look, following closely behind him.

"Grandmaster!"

Upon seeing Zhou Qing appear, everyone immediately beamed with smiles and bowed respectfully.

Zhou Qing smiled and returned the greeting, saying gently, "Recently, I have been studying the art of formations with Miss Shen and have gained quite a bit of insight. I was so engrossed in it that I neglected you all. Please forgive me."

Everyone said it was alright.

At this moment, Yama stepped forward and said, "Master, I have other important matters to attend to and have come to take my leave."

Zhou Qing's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Senior Yan, are you leaving already?"

“Not bad,” Yama laughed. “I’ve heard that the Three-Flower Dried Corpse in the Desolate Forbidden Zone can help people overcome the Supreme Tribulation. I’d like to try my luck.”

"Then I wish Senior Yan all the best." Zhou Qing cupped his hands in greeting.

The second uncle's eyes darted around, and he quickly took out an exquisite token from his storage bag.

He then eagerly handed it over, saying, "Senior Yan, this is a token specially prepared for you by my master. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely pay you a visit!"

Yan Luo's eyes lit up, and he quickly accepted the gift: "I, Yan, will certainly welcome you with open arms!"

Upon seeing this, the Shen family members' faces immediately darkened.

Before they could react, the second uncle pulled out another identical token and turned to Zhao Muye: "Senior Zhao, this is a token given to you by my master. I will definitely pay you a visit if I have the opportunity!"

Everyone: "."

Goodness, there's one for everyone!

The three homeowners of the Shen family breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the master was showing favor to everyone and was not deliberately targeting the Shen family.

Zhou Qing looked at the token that his second uncle had given out and immediately understood what was going on.

This was something we had discussed with my second uncle beforehand. As long as we could track down Yama's whereabouts, we could take him down when he was alone.

Moreover, their painstaking efforts were actually aimed at saving the Yan family.

If someone knowledgeable were to discover the existence of that counterfeit ultimate weapon, wouldn't that bring about the extermination of the Yan family?
The Yan family should be extremely grateful for such foresight.

"It seems my Zhao family is also honored." Zhao Muyi put away the token, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "As long as Master is willing to do us the honor, the Zhao family will definitely do its best to serve you!"

Zhou Qing nodded slightly: "Senior Zhao, are you also leaving the manor?"

Zhao Muyi snorted coldly and glanced at Yan Luo: "Since some people have already made their escape, I, Zhao, will naturally keep a close eye on them."

Yanluo sneered, "Brother Zhao, your petty nature has impressed me. But with your meager skills, what can you do to me outside the Shen family?"

"Just you wait!" Zhao Muye glared angrily. "It's inconvenient to do this on Shen family territory, but once we're outside, I'll make you pay!"

Yan Luo crossed his arms and said provocatively, "I'll be watching."

Seeing the two about to clash, Shen Tianhong, the eldest son of the Shen family, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Both of you are outstanding young talents in Nanhuang Prefecture. Sparring is fine, but please don't let it damage your relationship."

Zhou Qing just smiled and remained silent.

After the two men bowed and took their leave, the three landlords, Shen Tianhong, said solicitously, "Master, please continue with your business. Please allow us to see our guests off."

As he watched everyone leave, the smile on Zhou Qing's face gradually froze.

The departure of just two scions of prominent families was so significant that it required the personal escort of three Shen family owners.

This shows that even among the eight great families, the difference in their status was as vast as heaven and earth.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Leaving aside the Zhao family, just looking at the Yan family, the four young geniuses are ranked as "Myriad Phenomena". Yan Sen was previously a mid-stage Spirit Slaying Realm and a level four formation master.

This Yama King has reached the late stage of the Spirit Severing Realm and possesses a replica of an ultimate weapon. He can even arrogantly fight against the emperor of the Holy Martial Dynasty.

And what about the Shen family?

Among the younger generation, only Shen Hanyi has broken through to the Spirit Severing Realm.

It was only at his suggestion that the leftovers of the "Ice Glass Spirit Sparrow Mushroom," the transforming divine medicine that had saved Shen Yunzhou, were used to refine the "Ice Glass Spirit Ascension Pill," which enabled her to break through to the late stage of the Spirit Severing Realm.

Later, due to the opportunity of the Four Flowers Gathering at the Top of His Body, he was able to further reach the Great Perfection of the Spirit Severing Realm.

Otherwise, with Shen Hanyi's talent, she would at most be on par with Yan Luo, Zhao Muyi, and others, remaining at the late stage of the Spirit Slaying Realm.

As for Shen Yunzhou, he only managed to break through in the last two years.

This shows that while the eight great families appear to be closely connected, their actual strengths and weaknesses are vastly different.

A family with a rich heritage, producing outstanding young talents.

Those that gradually decline face a lack of successors and are unable to keep up with the times.

In fact, the three homeowners of the Shen family wished they could fight each other to the death.

"Are you sure?" The next moment, Zhou Qing turned to look at his second uncle, his voice cold.

The second uncle's gaze was like a knife as he stared intently at the departing figure of Shen Yunlan, the second head of the household, without uttering a word.

A murderous glint flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes, and he said coldly, "You're courting death!"

……

Zhou Qing, who had just returned to the main hall, explained the situation of the past few days to his second uncle when Shen Hanyi arrived.

"Greetings, senior!" Shen Hanyi bowed gracefully to the Second Uncle.

The second uncle, with the face of a young man, waved his hand with a grin: "Why call me senior? Our cultivation levels are similar. Just call me grandpa, like Zhou boy."

Shen Hanyi's eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment of silence, she said calmly, "Grandpa."

"Alright!" Second Uncle slapped his thigh and winked at Zhou Qing. "This old man will keep watch for you. If you have anything to whisper, hurry up and say it!"

After saying that, she hummed an off-key tune and skipped out of the hall, not forgetting to thoughtfully close the door behind her.

Once the footsteps faded into the distance, the hall returned to silence.

Zhou Qing looked at Shen Hanyi and said softly, "I have good news. Do you want to hear it?"

(End of this chapter)