At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

The capital city, East Street, Wanbao Pawnshop.

The sky was overcast, the wind was biting cold, and there were very few pedestrians on the street.

Wanbao Pawnshop has a small storefront, sandwiched between two silk shops. Its dusty signboard is covered with a thick layer of dust, and if you don't look closely, you won't know that it's still open.

In reality, this is not a pawnshop, but a secret hideout of the Blood-Clad Pavilion in the capital.

Blood-Clad Tower is one of the most mysterious assassin organizations in the martial arts world of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Xu Zhaowen and Xu Zhaowu stood at the entrance of the pawnshop, both dressed in ordinary gray cotton robes and wearing straw hats, with their heads down, covering most of their faces.

They've been standing there for quite a while, looking around...

"Brother, this is the place the Prime Minister mentioned."

"This is such a run-down place? It doesn't even have a decent storefront?"

Xu Zhaowen glared at him and said in a low voice, "What do you know? The more inconspicuous the place, the more intriguing it is."

"Come on, let's go inside quickly, don't stand outside and attract attention."

Xu Zhaowu pursed his lips and followed behind Xu Zhaowen, the two of them stepping into the pawnshop one after the other.

The pawnshop was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a musty, stale smell.

Behind the tall counter sat a thin old man, his hands moving the abacus, making a clattering sound.

He didn't lift his head, his voice hoarse, as if his throat was stuffed with cotton.

"What would you two like to order?"

Xu Zhaowen looked around to make sure there was no one else in the shop before taking out a dark blue copper plaque from his sleeve and handing it over.

He pushed the bronze plaque across the counter and whispered, "Blood debts must be repaid in blood."

The old man stopped using his abacus.

He slowly raised his head, took the bronze plaque, examined it over and over, and then carefully looked at Xu Zhaowen and the other man.

"Please wait a moment, I'll go ask the manager."

The old man stood up, pushed open the door behind him, and disappeared into the dimly lit corridor.

Xu Zhaowu leaned close to Xu Zhaowen's ear and whispered, "Brother, do you think this guy is reliable? He looks like a half-dead old coffin to me."

Xu Zhaowen glared at him: "Shut up, it was arranged by the Prime Minister, there's no mistake."

Not long after, the old man returned and gestured "please" to the two of them with a blank expression.

"Gentlemen, please come with me."

He led the two through the corridor behind the counter, through door after door, and through courtyard after courtyard.

After passing through the last moon gate, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before me.

This is a secluded courtyard, much larger than the one in front, with blue brick paving, artificial hills and flowing water, exuding elegance.

There was a pavilion in the courtyard, and a man was sitting inside.

The man was dressed in a black outfit with a dark red cloak over it, and wore a bronze mask that only revealed his eyes and mouth.

The old man led Xu Zhaowen and the other man to the pavilion, bowed, and withdrew.

The masked man did not get up; his gaze was calm, yet sharp as a knife, sending chills down one's spine.

"Gentlemen, what do you want the Blood-Clad Tower for?"

His voice was deep and hoarse.

Xu Zhaowen stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I would like to ask your esteemed establishment to do me a favor: to enter the residence of the Third Prince, Xiao Jingyu, and abduct a twelve-year-old girl."

The masked man's fingers paused slightly, and his brows furrowed behind the mask.

"The Third Prince's residence?"

"The Prince's mansion is heavily guarded and teeming with experts. Your mission will be quite challenging."

Xu Zhaowen was prepared; he took out a silver note from his sleeve and placed it on the stone table.

"We understand the rules. You name your price. As long as we can get it done, money is no problem."

The masked man ignored the silver notes and continued, "What's that girl's name? What's her identity? What's her relationship with the Third Prince?"

Xu Zhaowu grew impatient, took a step forward, and raised his voice several decibels.

"Isn't your Blood-Clad Pavilion just doing things for money? Why are you asking so many questions? Hurry up and name your price, we're in a hurry."

The masked man slowly raised his head, his eyes behind the bronze mask coldly staring at Xu Zhaowu.

That gaze was like a cold winter wind, sending a chill down Xu Zhaowu's spine, and he involuntarily took a step back.

"Since you two know the rules of the Blood-Clad Tower, you should know that we must ask about the other party's identity before we do anything."

Xu Zhaowen quickly pulled her younger brother aside and whispered, "Shut up."

Then he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please forgive me, sir. My younger brother is quick-tempered and has offended you."

"The girl's name is Su Qingxue, and she is the granddaughter of General Su Mu, the General Who Guards the North."

Suddenly, the pavilion fell silent.

The masked man frowned deeply.

Su Mu, General Who Guards the North.

That centenarian general who slaughtered the Northern Di people in the north.

This name is now widely known throughout the Great Qian Dynasty!

Harm his granddaughter?

The masked man's heart churned, but his face remained expressionless.

After a long silence, he spoke.

"Fifty thousand taels."

Xu Zhaowen and Xu Zhaowu both gasped at the same time, exchanged a glance, and saw shock in each other's eyes.

Fifty thousand taels.

Blood-Clad Pavilion never asks for low prices, but 50,000 taels was double what they had expected.

Xu Zhaowu couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "Fifty thousand taels? Why don't you just rob someone?"

The masked man wasn't angry. He said slowly, "You think it's too expensive? The door's over there. I won't see you out."

Xu Zhaowen gritted his teeth and took a deep breath.

"Alright, fifty thousand taels it is, deal."

The masked man put down his glass and nodded.

"You know the rules: pay a deposit of 20,000 taels first, and then pay the remaining 30,000 taels after the deal is done."

"The Blood-Clad Tower operates cleanly and efficiently, leaving no trace. Even if their scheme is exposed, they will not implicate their employer. You two can rest assured about that."

Xu Zhaowen took out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve, counted out 20,000 taels, and placed them on the stone table.

"This matter must be handled cleanly. The girl cannot be hurt or die; we still have a use for her."

The masked man put away the silver notes and nodded.

"Go back and wait for news. It will be at least three days, and at most seven days. There will definitely be a result."

Xu Zhaowen clasped his hands in a fist salute, then pulled Xu Zhaowu and turned to leave.

The two walked through the corridor, through the front hall, out of the Wanbao Pawnshop's main door, and disappeared into the gray street.

……

In the backyard, in the pavilion.

The masked man remained seated, toying with the dark blue bronze plaque in his hand, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

At this moment, a woman emerged from behind the artificial hill. She was dressed in a black outfit, tall and slender, with a cold and aloof expression. Her phoenix eyes held a hint of disdain and wariness.

She walked to the pavilion, leaned against a pillar, crossed her arms, and looked at the masked man.

"Are you sure you want to take this order?"

The masked man looked up and glanced at her.

"The Prime Minister has considerable influence."

The woman snorted coldly, her gaze sharp.

"Su Mu, the General Who Guards the North, has recovered the entire northern border."

"Now, throughout the Great Qian Dynasty, especially among the people of the northern border, that centenarian is worshipped like a god."

"You dare to harm his granddaughter? Aren't you afraid of incurring public wrath? Aren't you afraid Su Mu will return to the capital and tear down your Bloodstained Tower?"

The masked man was silent for a moment before speaking.

"But what about the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince? You won't give them face?"

"Therefore, Blood-Clad Pavilion must accept this order."

The woman shrugged and turned to walk out of the courtyard.

"I was just giving you a casual reminder. You decide for yourself. Don't blame me if something goes wrong later."

Soon, her figure disappeared behind the moon gate.

"The General Who Guards the North..."

The masked man muttered to himself.

"The capital is not the northern border; it cannot tolerate your absolute power."

He put the token into his pocket, turned around and went into the inner room.

……

Mozhou City, government office.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the morning mist was like a veil.

Su Mu stood in the side room, packing the items on the table one by one into his bundle.

He took the small cloth bag in his hand, opened it, and read the letter again.

"Qingxue, Grandpa will go to Kyoto to see you now."

Su Mu's fingers stroked the crooked handwriting again and again, his eyes full of affection.

He folded the letter, placed it close to his body, tied the cloth bag tightly, and stuffed it into the innermost layer of his bundle.

He then slung the bundle over his shoulder, walked out of the room, and strode towards the main hall of the government office.

He planned to say goodbye to Qin Hao and the others and immediately ride his horse to the capital!