Teng Qingshan could also guess that anyone rushing to see him at this hour of the evening must have something significant to discuss. “Haha, good news regarding the thirty-six stone carvings,” the Sixth Elder announced, approaching with a smile.

“The thirty-six stone carvings?” Teng Qingshan’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go, Sixth Elder, we’ll talk inside my rooms!” ...

Inside, the fire in the stove burned warmly. Teng Qingshan and the Sixth Elder sat facing each other.

“Sixth Elder, are you saying… that the ‘Assassin’s Hall’ under your Sunrise Merchant Guild has accepted a mission for me—a mission to kill someone?” Teng Qingshan frowned. The Sixth Elder quickly clarified, “It’s a mission accepted by the Assassin’s Hall, but it’s not to kill, but to capture alive!

Simply capture the person alive and bring them to our Assassin’s Hall.” “Capturing alive or killing—it doesn't make much of a difference,” Teng Qingshan pondered. In his previous life, Teng Qingshan had been an assassin in the RED organization, and when the organization commanded, he dared not disobey in the slightest.

However, in this life, amidst the familial warmth of the Teng Family Estate, his mindset had subtly shifted! Against those who sought to kill him or impede him— like the frenzied armies on the plains or those hunting him from Azure Lake Island—Teng Qingshan would show no mercy.

But against someone he had never met… “Who am I to capture?” Teng Qingshan asked again. “Dong Zizhi!” the Sixth Elder stated.

“Who is Dong Zizhi?” Teng Qingshan knew absolutely nothing about this person. The Sixth Elder chuckled.

“Mr. Teng, you truly live up to your reputation—ears closed to the outside world, focused solely on cultivation.

This Dong Zizhi… she is quite a major figure in the East Flower Domain. A woman, yet she manages to be the current head of the Dong Family in Twin Mountain City!

Moreover, a female family head is rare in this world.” Teng Qingshan’s heart stirred: “A female family head?” He admired any woman who could assume the role of a family head; such individuals generally had to overcome far greater obstacles! “Indeed.

And what’s more, she is a Xiantian Martial Saint,” the Sixth Elder said, shaking his head. “Of course, compared to you, Mr.

Teng, she is merely a toddler learning to walk.” “Why must I capture her?” Teng Qingshan inquired. “Do you know who issued the mi.ssion?” The Sixth Elder explained, “It was the Jiang Family!

That family is also a su.per-major power in the East Flower Domain. However, during the recent great war with the Dong Family, they fell into a trap, and many direct descendants of the Jiang Family were captured, including the Jiang Family Head!

Later, the Jiang Family managed to dispatch experts to barely rescue the Third Young Master of the Jiang Family. Everyone else perished.” “And in that battle, the Jiang Family also suffered a devastating blow to its foundation!” “The Jiang Family now harbors a hatred that burns deep into their bones for the Dong Family.

Especially that Third Young Master Jiang; rumors say he suffered endless torment while imprisoned,” the Sixth Elder laughed. “That is why they are desperately seeking to hire you to capture Dong Zizhi alive, so they can deal with her themselves.” Teng Qingshan suddenly understood and nodded.

When two powers vie for dominance, schemes and tricks are expected; Teng Qingshan didn't assign right or wrong to either side. “What kind of person is Dong Zizhi?” Teng Qingshan asked.

“Ah, I don't know much about that,” the Sixth Elder replied, shaking his head. “Oh, wait, there is one interesting tidbit about Dong Zizhi: she married nine men.” “She married?” Teng Qingshan frowned in astonishment.

“Haha,” the Sixth Elder laughed. “Yes, she married them!

In this world, it is common for men to have several wives and concubines, but Dong Zizhi, as the family head, is quite domineering—she actually took nine men as her male concubines!” Teng Qingshan was stunned. This reminded Teng Qingshan of the very first Empress from the history of his former world.

“Tsk tsk, fascinating,” Teng Qingshan nodded. “Mr.

Teng, are you accepting this mission or not?” the Sixth Elder asked. A faint smile touched Teng Qingshan’s lips.

“I confess a sliver of curiosity about this Dong Zizhi. However, whether to accept the mission… I cannot decide right now.

How about this: tell me where this Dong Zizhi resides, and I will pay a visit. I will make my decision once I get there.” “Very well,” the Sixth Elder beamed.

“Everything is up to you, Mr. Teng.

If you manage to capture Dong Zizhi, it would be best to deliver her to either the ‘Sunrise Restaurant’ or the ‘Five Flavors Pharmacy’ in East Flower Domain’s Martial Peace City.” “Deal.” Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile. “In that case, I shall take my leave now,” the Sixth Elder said, rising with a smile.

Seeing Teng Qingshan start to rise, the Elder quickly added, “Mr. Teng need not see me out.

I fear I have interrupted your dinner. Miss Jun is already looking this way.” Li Jun, who had finished preparing dinner, couldn't help but smile.

After the Sixth Elder departed. Teng Qingshan and the others gathered around a table and began their evening meal.

“Big Brother Teng, I overheard your conversation with the Sixth Elder. Are you planning to take this mission?” Li Jun looked towards Teng Qingshan.

For Teng Qingshan, the thirty-six carvings were indeed paramount. Each carving contained an imprint left by Emperor Yu, which could save him vast amounts of time and allow him to return to the Nine Provinces Continent sooner.

“Jun’er, what do you think I should do?” Teng Qingshan asked Li Jun. Li Jun hesitated for a moment before replying, “Hearing you two talk, I feel that this Dong Zizhi… must be quite a capable woman.

Heh, I actually admire people like that. But whether you capture her or not, I think if she is a good person and treats her people well, then perhaps you shouldn’t.” Teng Qingshan thought it over without speaking.

“I’m just offering my thoughts; the final decision rests with you, Big Brother Teng,” Li Jun quickly added, clearly concerned about influencing him. Teng Qingshan looked up, noticing the slight anxiety in Li Jun’s expression, and couldn't help but smile.

The coachman, Old Wang, and Xiao Ping dared not interject at the dinner table. As for Teng Beast… he was simple-minded; he only knew to spare those kind to him and slay those who were not!

... Late that night, deep within the cavern beneath Divine Axe Mountain.

Iron Leaf Fruits, emitting a soft green aura, were scattered throughout the vast cave chamber. Teng Qingshan sat cross-legged in meditation, with the thirty-six stone carvings laid out before him.

It was already the dead of night; Li Jun, Xiao Ping, and the others had long since fallen asleep. “You big brute, why are you sticking your head over here!” Teng Qingshan looked toward the adjacent passage.

The Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect’s head was extended toward their area; part of its body remained in the passage, and the rest rested in its own lair. “Roar~~” The Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect stared at Teng Qingshan, its two protuberant golden eyes focusing on the pair of round, black pupils within.

Teng Qingshan shook his head and chuckled inwardly. Since his arrival, the ambient Heaven and Earth spiritual energy had ceased its frenzy and become tranquil.

The Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect was no fool; it naturally sought to draw closer to the epicenter of spiritual energy, all while trying not to offend Teng Qingshan. “This Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect doesn’t hold me in very high regard,” Teng Qingshan sensed the meaning behind the creature’s gaze.

“That’s understandable. In a head-on fight… I couldn't defeat it!

Here in the narrow confines of the cave, I might manage a struggle. But outside, I would definitely be at a disadvantage.” Teng Qingshan truly wished he could subdue the Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect!

He could easily imagine that upon returning to the Nine Provinces, future battles and skirmishes would be plentiful, and having the Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect as an ally would be highly beneficial. It was a pity… This was an ancient beast over a thousand years old, whose strength was not inferior to his own.

Subduing it seemed like a mere dream. Demonic beasts were inherently proud creatures.

... The next morning, Teng Qingshan and all his companions had left the underground cavern and arrived at the shore of Crescent Lake.

Since Teng Qingshan was preparing to depart for the East Flower Domain, Li Jun and the others had come to see him off. “Qingluan will remain here to watch out in case that Six-Legged Saber-Toothed Insect gets any ideas,” Teng Qingshan said with a smile to Li Jun, Xiao Ping, Teng Beast, and Old Wang.

“It’s only a few thousand li from here to Twin Mountain City in the East Flower Domain. And the Gale Eagle is a Xiantian demonic beast; it can cover ten thousand li in a day.

Even if I take it slow, I should be back by tomorrow.” “Big Brother Teng, travel safely,” Li Jun whispered softly. Li Jun’s parting words caused a flicker of memory in Teng Qingshan, recalling a moment from his past life.

Back in the assassin organization, whenever Teng Qingshan left on a mission, Little Cat would approach to kiss him and bid him farewell. When Little Cat went out, Teng Qingshan did the same for her.

Wife seeing off husband… husband seeing off wife. That scene was deeply etched into his memory.

“Big Brother Teng?” Li Jun called out. “Mhm, wait for my return.” Teng Qingshan looked at the Gale Eagle beside him and gently patted its back.

The Gale Eagle immediately flared its wings excitedly several times, kicking up a patch of snow, before soaring into the air. Only when the Eagle had climbed a full twenty zhang high—taller than the crowns of many trees—did Teng Qingshan, gripping the Samsara Spear, leap up and land squarely on its back.

Teng Qingshan pointed his finger toward the northeast. “Yoo~~~” With a joyful cry that echoed across the heavens and earth, the Gale Eagle immediately shot eastward at top speed, vanishing into the distant horizon in an instant.

* Twin Mountain City in the East Flower Domain was one of the thirty-six main cities in the world. Teng Qingshan possessed a detailed map of the Duanmu Continent.

Relying on various landmarks, the Gale Eagle’s astonishing speed brought him to the city, thousands of li away, by noon. Allowing the Gale Eagle to fly freely nearby, Teng Qingshan entered Twin Mountain City alone.

... In the rear courtyard of the Sunrise Restaurant in Twin Mountain City.

It had to be said that the Sunrise Restaurant was far more famous than the Five Flavors Hall, and Teng Qingshan easily located it. “Greetings, Worshipful Guest Teng!” The head manager of the restaurant bowed respectfully.

Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile. This manager, plump and jovial, greeted him with a wide smile: “I just received word that Worshipful Guest Teng would be visiting Twin Mountain City, but I never expected the esteemed Guest to arrive so quickly.

Does the honored Guest have any requests?” “I require a detailed map of Twin Mountain City, clearly marking the location of the Dong Family residence,” Teng Qingshan instructed. “Yes, sir.” The manager immediately ordered someone to fetch it.

“When you have it, deliver it to me. I will have lunch here at your restaurant,” Teng Qingshan said as he walked toward the main hall.

The manager hurried to accompany him. “Honored Guest, the third floor is fully occupied.

Please wait a moment while I ask them to clear out.” “No need, I’ll just find a place downstairs.” Teng Qingshan’s mind was still preoccupied with… Whether or not he should capture Dong Zizhi.