Xue Xin had finally found a master in Teng Qingshan, naturally rendering his life as a unnecessary. Leaving behind a quiet letter, Xue Xin and Teng Qingshan slipped away from the Changsheng Escort Agency without a trace.

…… At the Jing Residence, the lavish manor Teng Qingshan had just acquired in Wu’an Commandery City, within the study of the inner courtyard. “From today onward, you will live here,” Teng Qingshan said, lighting a candle before turning to sit down, smiling at Xue Xin, who stood before him still clutching his bundle.

“Xue Xin, sit down first, and tell me every detail of your feud with Qinghu Island.” “Yes, Master.” After sitting down nearby, Xue Xin began his careful recounting. He narrated the deep familial love he shared with his parents and sister, described the ensuing catastrophe, and even detailed the entire process of poisoning his enemies.

“Scholars are utterly useless!” Xue Xin laughed loudly, though tears welled in his eyes. “What good is studying?

If I had practiced martial arts since I was young, even if I couldn’t match the genius Teng Qingshan from Guiyuan Sect who reached the Xiantian Solid Core realm at seventeen, those three bastards wouldn’t have gotten away with it!” That greatest blow in his life convinced Xue Xin that academics were worthless. Only then did he dedicate himself entirely to martial arts training.

“Xue Xin, you have some connection with the Guiyuan Sect?” Teng Qingshan inquired. Xue Xin looked at Teng Qingshan in surprise and nodded.

“Master, how did you know?” This question surprised Teng Qingshan, but Xue Xin continued, “When I was training alone in the mountains, after consuming those green fruits and achieving some success, I began venturing out. By sheer chance, I formed some acquaintance with members of the Guiyuan Sect’s Black Armored Army.” Teng Qingshan nodded.

“This Xue Xin has always desired revenge, yet he utterly lacks the ability to attain it,” Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly. “Xue Xin, do you wish for revenge?” Teng Qingshan finally asked.

“Of course, I do.” Xue Xin’s eyes lit up, then immediately dimmed. “But my strength is too meager.

Forget confronting the Wu’an Commandery Governor, Zhao Guangzuo; I don’t even stand a chance against that Zhao Xi.” Xue Xin had three main enemies: ‘Zhao Fu,’ who had forcefully demanded the Flowing Cloud Token; ‘Zhao Guangzuo,’ the Governor who framed and executed the Xue family; and ‘Zhao Xi,’ who acted as the ‘cunning strategist’ throughout the entire affair. “If you lack the means, I will give you the means for revenge.” Teng Qingshan stood up.

“Stay here for a while!” “Yes, Master.” Xue Xin felt uneasy, watching Teng Qingshan depart. In the empty study, Xue Xin was left alone.

He stared at the flickering candlelight, his gaze sharp, his jaw clenched: “I, Xue Xin, finally have a renowned master; Heaven has not treated me unfairly. I must cultivate diligently, putting in ten times, a hundred times the effort!

Father, Mother, Grandmother, Second Uncle, Sister… I will definitely slice those three scoundrels into ten thousand pieces to avenge you!” A moment later. Thump!

Thump! Thump!

Teng Qingshan’s footsteps approached. Xue Xin immediately calmed his emotions, turned, and saw Teng Qingshan walking in, holding an ornate jade box.

“Xue Xin.” Teng Qingshan opened the jade box. Xue Xin immediately leaned in to observe.

Inside the box lay a small blade of grass with only two leaves. Although the grass had been freshly picked, it still radiated potent vitality, and it seemed as if dew drops shimmered on its leaves.

Teng Qingshan smiled faintly. “This spiritual herb is called ‘Morning Dew Grass.’ It possesses a truly miraculous effect: once consumed, it can unblock every meridian in the body!” “Take it first,” Teng Qingshan instructed.

“Unblock all meridians… this…” Xue Xin shot to his feet, swallowing hard, looking at Teng Qingshan with trepidation. “Master, this is too precious.

I…” “Stop dithering and swallow it,” Teng Qingshan commanded sternly. A spiritual medicine capable of unblocking all meridians existed in the Nine Provinces, considered top-tier among spiritual herbs and fruits.

However, the ‘Morning Dew Grass’ Teng Qingshan possessed was found by chance when he was searching for the ‘Cloud Dream White Fruit’ on the Duanmu Continent! In truth, Teng Qingshan possessed many spiritual fruits and herbs.

Firstly, he sought some out himself. Secondly, and accounting for the majority, when Teng Qingshan looted the treasury of the Tianfeng Clan—the premier family of the Duanmu Continent—he carried away all manner of spiritual herbs, fruits, and secret manuals.

How many spiritual treasures had the Tianfeng Clan accumulated over a thousand years? Thus, this ‘Morning Dew Grass’ was truly nothing significant to him.

Gulp, gulp~~ Xue Xin was deeply grateful to his Master, and he swallowed the Morning Dew Grass. Strangely, the grass dissolved into juice the moment it entered his mouth, flowing down his throat as easily as drinking water.

“My entire body is tingling.” Xue Xin’s expression was odd as his body involuntarily shifted. “So hot!” Grey and black impurities began seeping out from Xue Xin’s pores.

Immersed in the physical transformation wrought by the Morning Dew Grass, Xue Xin was oblivious to the passage of time. In just the time it takes to steep tea, Xue Xin let out a long breath, and a trace of joy broke through the grime on his face.

“Thank you, Master.” Xue Xin slapped his knees and knelt down. “Open your mouth!” Teng Qingshan ordered.

Xue Xin blinked and opened his mouth. A single drop of liquid flew from the jade bottle in Teng Qingshan’s hand, floating directly into Xue Xin’s mouth.

Xue Xin’s eyes widened in astonishment… but moments later, joy surfaced on his face. This drop was the precious ‘Spirit of the North Sea,’ a single drop of which could create a master at the peak of the Houtian realm and refine meridians.

“With his meridians completely unblocked, it is only beneficial for Xue Xin’s practice of internal martial arts, with no drawbacks,” Teng Qingshan nodded in satisfaction. “His body filled with internal strength will also ensure he has ample energy to expend to strengthen his physique during cultivation.” A while later.

“Master.” Xue Xin fully felt the astonishing change within himself, his heart swelling with gratitude toward Teng Qingshan. Since the destruction of his family, Teng Qingshan had been the kindest person to him.

Though he had made other friends… it was clear that the Master before him was the best of them all. Having experienced the fickleness of human nature, the kindness shown by others was etched even deeper into his memory.

“Stop standing around foolishly,” Teng Qingshan directed. “When I arrived earlier, I ordered the servants to heat water.

Hurry and bathe. Remember… servants are forbidden from entering the inner courtyard.

You must carry this hot water to your room yourself.” “Okay.” Xue Xin looked at his filthy state and chuckled. * In Wu’an Commandery City, the Warm Breeze Pavilion was the highest-class brothel.

Even the most common expenditure here cost tens of silver taels, equivalent to what an ordinary villager earned in a year. On the third floor of the Warm Breeze Pavilion, famous poems and paintings adorned the walls.

Below the performance stage were more than a dozen exquisitely carved tables, each set with the finest tea. Clearly, business was booming; the area below the stage was packed with people conversing quietly, listening to the music of the zither and flute.

Though it was the dead of winter, the third floor was filled with warmth, not at all cold, feeling like a gentle spring. On the stage, two curvaceous and beautiful young women, clad only in sheer gauze that hinted at the naked bodies beneath, played the flute and the zither in harmony, their music echoing throughout the space.

Below the stage, in the left corner, sat the Master and disciple pair: Teng Qingshan and Xue Xin. “Master, the one sitting over there is Zhao Xi,” Xue Xin signaled subtly with his eyes.

“He’s the slender young man right at the front.” “Oh.” Teng Qingshan glanced over briefly. At the foremost table, the best seating arrangement on the entire third floor, sat three people: a handsome-looking youth, attended by a pair of beautiful twin sisters.

These twins were peeling grapes and feeding them to the handsome youth, who appeared completely relaxed and at ease. Behind this young man stood two burly guards.

“This Zhao Xi was bought by the Zhao family in his youth, originally a household servant who trained martial arts and studied alongside the Zhao family’s direct heir, Zhao Fu,” Xue Xin whispered. “But this Zhao Xi is highly astute.

He not only managed to charm Zhao Fu completely but also possesses respectable strength himself. He maintains connections with all sorts of unsavory characters in Wu’an Commandery City.” “He is even sworn brothers with General Li, the commander of the Wu’an City military!

He also secretly manages significant businesses. Even the Zhao Family Head has adopted Zhao Xi as an honorary son.” “Now, in Wu’an Commandery City, Zhao Xi can drink and converse freely with General Li and the Governor.

He is truly an influential figure.” Xue Xin stated soberly, “I must admit, this Zhao Xi is a formidable individual. In my opinion, he is even more capable than the young master, Zhao Fu.” Teng Qingshan nodded slightly.

For a mere servant to rise to this level, one could only imagine the cunning ambition in his heart. “When Zhao Xi followed Zhao Fu, whatever Zhao Fu desired, Zhao Xi could procure it, ensuring everything was resolved perfectly!

It was Zhao Xi who revealed the news of the ‘Flowing Cloud Token’ to Zhao Fu. Moreover, the framing and the confiscation of property were also his arrangements,” Xue Xin’s gaze turned icy.

“I must kill this Zhao Xi without hesitation!” Though Xue Xin spoke in a low voice and Teng Qingshan obstructed any eavesdropping, yet— Zhao Xi, being served grapes by the twin sisters across the room, seemed to sense the killing intent in Xue Xin’s stare. He abruptly turned his head and glanced toward Xue Xin, who instantly returned to his composed demeanor.

“A-Bao.” Zhao Xi suddenly stood up, gesturing toward the two beauties beside him. “Brother Xi?” The twins rose in confusion.

“Let’s go.” Zhao Xi took the hand of one woman and placed his other hand near his waist. He immediately led the two women and his two guards toward the exit.

“Young Master Zhao,” the brothel Madam, a beautiful woman around thirty years old, greeted with a smile. “Leaving so early?” “Yes, I have other matters today.” Zhao Xi smiled, pressing a bank note into the Madam’s chest, casually groping her breast as he did so.

But at that very moment, Zhao Xi’s expression shifted subtly. Because… Teng Qingshan and Xue Xin were also walking toward the stairwell.

“Hmm?” Zhao Xi subtly stepped back without showing alarm, retreating behind the Madam and his guards. Thump, thump, thump… Xue Xin reached the guards’ vicinity, seemingly about to brush past them toward the stairs.

“Zhao Xi.” Xue Xin suddenly turned, fixing his gaze on Zhao Xi. “Oh?

Who might you be?” Zhao Xi asked with a smile, pulling the beauty closer to shield himself slightly. “Forgive my poor memory, but which esteemed brother are you?” “The one who has come to take your life!” Xue Xin roared.

Swish! A streak of blade light, like a bolt of lightning, flashed forth!

Immediately, the guards, the women, and the brothel girls standing behind the Madam let out piercing screams. Clang!

The blade light severed the arm of the beauty in Zhao Xi’s embrace, followed by a metallic clang. Blood sprayed as Zhao Xi was hurled against the nearby wall with a tremendous crash, blasting a large hole through it, his entire body propelled outward.

Boom! Like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, Xue Xin, his eyes burning red, leaped through the breach, wielding his dripping horse-cleaving saber!