After being poisoned by mushrooms, all the strange creatures became fascinated by me.

That's provocative enough.

But King Zhou of Han was not angered.

He pondered the man's words and chuckled softly.

"What is it? You ask, after saying so much, is it some incurable disease that you are destined to die today?"

Han Zhou stepped forward. He had drunk quite a bit of wine that night, so the young man's handsome face still had a charming blush, while his eyes held a nonchalant coldness.

He continued asking questions, his eyes filled with curiosity and mockery, but lacking the anger that Jun Wenzhi most desired: "Is today's performance an attempt to provoke me into action? Or is there some other motive?"

Jun asked, his expression unchanged, but he felt as if his heart had been squeezed tighter out of thin air.

When he first accepted the task of keeping Han Zhou occupied from the elders, he thought it was all ridiculously easy. Warriors were just warriors, all brutes skilled only in wielding spears and clubs. With just a few words of provocation, they could be led by the nose.

What about "Instructor Han," whom everyone fears in "Jie Bailing"? People who are capricious are the easiest to manipulate. Just wait for someone to easily provoke their anger and lead them to the bait, and the plan to lure them away from the mountain will naturally succeed.

As long as Han Zhou is kept away from the core area of ​​the sect, he will not be able to discover any clues about the young sect leader of the Iron Calculation Sect. By tomorrow, it will be too late.

But who could have imagined... that Han Zhou, clearly somewhat drunk, had become a spineless, unyielding figure? Yet, if you said he wasn't angry, when those sharp eyes swept over, even Jun Wenzhi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"What schemes could I possibly have against you?" Jun Wenzhi composed himself and sneered, "Han Zhou, don't you even take a good look at your current status? What value do you still have?"

"Once one of the four greatest assassins in the martial arts world, leaving a trail of bloodshed wherever he went. Who wouldn't tremble at the mere mention of his name? Now he's happy to call himself an 'instructor,' content to live a life of seclusion in a corner of the world. How laughable!"

"I'm stopping you now only to ask you one thing: Han Zhou, do you still remember that you were an assassin?"

Upon hearing his words, Han Zhou suddenly chuckled softly, "I see."

"—You ask me, are you trying to get me to go back to my old ways? Are you inciting me to kill people?"

"—Then," Han Zhou took another step forward as Jun Wen's expression suddenly changed.

He smiled nonchalantly and said, "Whom do you want to hire me to kill?"

the other side.

"What happened?"

"Young Master asked."

The tall, strong figure outside the door seemed to be a female manager. She was holding the hair of a four- or five-year-old servant. The servant had his head down and was sobbing. He looked really pitiful.

The guards on both sides bowed to him.

The female steward immediately put on a smile and stepped forward eagerly. She still didn't let go of the little servant's hair, but said respectfully, "Reporting to the young master, there was a disobedient girl who was slacking off and I caught her. I was so angry that I wanted to teach her a lesson, but I didn't expect to disturb the young master's peace and quiet."

Knowing that the young sect leader was gentle, kind, and unwilling to argue with his servants, she didn't try to excuse herself at all, only saying, "It was truly my fault! Please punish me, young sect leader!"

The young sect leader knew that this person was looking down on him, so he refused to grant her wish and let her off easily. He completely ignored the female steward who was half-bowed beside him, his gaze still fixed on that small figure, pausing slightly.

He remembered that figure.

He had felt like someone was watching him ever since the banquet.

The gaze was so intense and piercing that he couldn't help but pay attention. When he turned around, he only saw a small figure being pulled away by the back of her collar by a tall and strong female steward.

The young sect leader didn't take it to heart anymore. Who would have thought that he would meet the girl again that evening?

The young sect leader raised his half-lowered eyebrows slightly, as if he had suddenly perked up, and his expression inexplicably became cold and stern.

Are they really that curious that they've followed me into the side room?

Or is there some other shady business going on?

The young sect leader said, "Raise your head."

The little girl then raised her head, looking aggrieved.

She looked to be about four or five years old. It was clear she had a tough time at "Jiebailing" (a brothel); her servant's clothes were dusty and grime-covered, and her hair was disheveled, with a few strands sticking out. Only her little face was truly captivating. Her large, dark eyes were a size larger than average, clear and bright, sparkling with life. She looked…

Not a single tear.

—Then why were you crying just now?

Their eyes met, and the young sect leader suddenly paused for a moment.

The female steward was still chattering on, but the young sect leader suddenly said, "I want her."

These words caused a stir among those present.

"I'm taking her back to the Iron Calculation Sect." The young sect leader repeated, his eyes filled with an almost tangible chill as he looked at the female steward's large hand that was still tightly gripping the girl's hair.

The female manager, however, seemed to have been burned and hurriedly let go of her hand.

"He's just a lowly servant, doesn't seem to be valued much," she paused for a moment, but the young sect leader's gaze followed her indifferently again, "Steward Wang, can't you make a decision on such a small matter?"

She wasn't actually surnamed Wang; the young sect leader had just casually given her that surname.

Manager Ouyang then realized what was happening. Her piercing gaze fell on the little girl, then swept over her face, which, though somewhat dirty, still retained its beauty, and she understood something.

She is indeed a pretty girl, but she's still young, and the young sect leader has already taken a liking to her... However, the young sect leader himself is still a child, let's wait a few more years...

Everyone had their own suspicions. Those who still harbored a sliver of kindness thought he simply felt sorry for the little girl. The more meticulous and suspicious ones thought the young sect leader wanted to demonstrate his magnanimity at "Jie Bailing." But the more despicable ones thought the young sect leader had taken a liking to the girl because she was a beauty.

Regardless of what they were thinking, the young sect leader's indifferent expression remained completely unmoved.

Manager Ouyang snapped out of his daze and could only agree, "Yes, yes, it's just a lowly servant. If our esteemed guest asks, we will certainly serve him."

They still need to act tonight; they can't afford any unforeseen complications before the young sect leader dies.

As she spoke, she shoved the little girl's back with her large hand: "Tang Li, why aren't you paying your respects to the young master? From now on, he is your new master! Hurry up and kowtow to the young master!"

The audacious little girl ignored her. She simply smiled at the young sect leader and shook her head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master, but Jie Bailing saved Tang Li's life," her voice was clear and melodious. "Ever since Tang Li entered this place, she has refused to leave."

As she spoke, her clear, bright eyes met those of the young sect leader.

"Very well." The young sect leader showed no surprise whatsoever. "Since that's the case, you may leave. Don't make things difficult for her."

The little girl left.

Half an hour later, the female manager took her leave with a big smile on her face.

Fifteen minutes later, the little girl returned to the door.

The guards beside her seemed not to see her at all, and the door to the private room, which was originally tightly closed, was now only slightly ajar.

Tang Li stepped inside.

She looked up and saw the young sect leader who had been waiting for her, just pulling out an abacus that had been kept so well that it was shiny from being pampered.