Zhou Huan steeled his resolve, spending two full days researching the proper way to cleave a man with a kitchen knife, finally succeeding only in felling a small tree. He chopped for the entirety of those two days, dulling his blade until it was warped, then took time to sharpen it again.

As fate would have it, on the third day, the same ruffians who had arrived the day before returned. The moment the courtyard gate opened, they rushed in, sacks in hand, intent on ransacking the house. Once inside, they grabbed whatever they could lay eyes on, while five or six lookouts stood by the entrance, grinning widely.

It was then that Zhou Huan’s patience snapped. Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong wrestled one of the sack-bearers to the ground, while Zhou Huan, brandishing his kitchen knife, brought it down twice. The leading thief, who had been grabbing things, was instantly covered in blood. The lookouts at the door, including their boss, could no longer remain passive. Seeing Zhou Huan’s subordinate incapacitated, the leader immediately charged, kicking the knife from Zhou Huan’s hand with a swift motion. He swung a fist, knocking both Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong to the dirt. As he raised his hand again, aiming for Zhou Huan, he was struck squarely by a large rock that seemed to have appeared from nowhere.

“Ow! Who the hell dares play dirty against me!” The villain’s leader spun around, his eyes fixing on Dongzi inside the room, who stood holding a stone in each hand, staring intently at the doorway.

Dongzi grinned widely, rocking back and forth. “Come on then! I’ll smash you until you’re spitting teeth, don’t believe me? Try it! You won’t even touch me.” The stones in Dongzi’s hands flipped over and over; he was ready to hurl one the moment the brute stepped further into the room.

Strangely, the thug seemed momentarily stunned by Dongzi’s display. He turned back, glaring viciously. “Fine, you people, just you wait! I’m leaving now to gather my men. Wait at home in three days to collect your corpses!” With that, he and his remaining subordinates slunk away.

Zhou Huan had once again been saved by his disciples. But this time, both apprentices were badly injured. Zhou Huan’s heart ached, yet he was helpless. He desperately needed time. Moreover, he couldn't stay rooted here; who knew what else might happen if he did? Relying solely on Dongzi’s stones wouldn't stop a large mob, and in the end, he would be the one to suffer. After much thought, Zhou Huan decided to let it go. No matter how many years he spent fighting in this Qing Dynasty, or how long he maintained his queue, he had to survive. But he absolutely had to move. This time, he wouldn't be a hero; he would simply be a prudent man.

Now that Zhou Huan had decided to relocate, it was partly out of fear that those men would return, and partly because he wanted to flee that cursed place. Being so far from the village, once they descended the mountain, he and his two disciples could at least find some honest work, rather than constantly being labeled useless good-for-nothings who did nothing.

Zhou Huan, along with his two apprentices and a young attendant, descended the mountain. After walking for dozens of li, they finally found a place to settle. It was a small rise, atop which stood a dilapidated temple—such crumbling shrines were common in ancient times. Since they had encountered one, Zhou Huan decided the four of them would shelter there for the night and continue their journey the next day.

The four shared a meager meal and retired to sleep. It wasn't until the dead of night that Zhou Huan vaguely heard voices outside the temple, voices that sounded eerily familiar.

“I say, Senior Brother, this ‘Fa Consultation’ we’re headed to—I don't know what Master is thinking. It’s a place of no return. Tell me, who ever went and came back? We don't even know what became of them!”

“Stop overthinking. We should listen to Master’s orders and find a place to settle first. Whether we return depends on fate.”

“I, for one, refuse to go. Who wants to participate in something with no return ticket?”

“We can’t just refuse, though! What will we do if Master won’t agree?”

“Hmph. I don't believe anyone can stop me if I choose to leave. There’s a ruined temple up ahead; you wait in there. I’ll bring that old man over shortly. You two rest well. I’m heading back. All this talk of ‘Fa Consultation’ is pure nonsense.”

After the two voices faded, a sound of quick footsteps echoed, growing distant. A moment later, the temple door creaked open, pushed ajar by a man dressed like a Daoist priest. He peered around the gloom. Zhou Huan immediately sat bolt upright, his eyes locked onto the newcomer.

“Pardon me, esteemed friend, is this your lodging?” The newcomer was remarkably polite. Seeing Zhou Huan and the other three figures in the moonlight, he posed the question.

Hearing such courtesy, Zhou Huan replied just as politely, “Oh, we are also staying here temporarily, just passing through.”

“Oh, that’s good. Three of us will be joining you shortly. We’ll sleep over here; it won’t disturb you!” After speaking, the man turned, his face emerging from the shadows as the moonlight illuminated it. Zhou Huan scrutinized him closely.

“What? Jiang Tianlang?” Zhou Huan thought he must be mistaken, but he was certain of the voice and the features.

Zhou Huan did not immediately expose the man’s identity but watched silently. Yet, a decision was already forming in his mind: he had to engage this man first. If necessary, he would follow them. After all, the mission to investigate the truth had to be completed; otherwise, returning would be pointless, making the entire trip a waste. Therefore, Zhou Huan deliberately played the helpful host, pulling a large pile of straw from his own heap and spreading it out on the opposite side.

After a considerable wait, Jiang Tianlang returned from outside, carrying a bundle of belongings. He pushed the door open and headed to the opposite side. Noticing the straw spread out on the ground, he glanced back at Zhou Huan. “Did you arrange this straw?”

“Yes. Otherwise, sleeping on the ground tonight would be cold. I have more than enough straw here, so I made some available for you,” Zhou Huan explained courteously.

Tianlang immediately offered a practiced smile. “I am deeply grateful, esteemed friend. My master happens to have a bad back and cannot sleep on anything too cold. You have truly done me a great service; otherwise, finding straw in the middle of the night would have been difficult.”

“You are too kind, friend. It is nothing. You should rest now!”

Tianlang nodded his thanks and began arranging the straw beneath him. A few moments later, two more figures entered through the door: one an older Daoist priest, the other appearing to be a junior disciple, perhaps only eleven or twelve years old.

“Senior Brother, is Master’s spot ready?” the younger disciple asked as he entered, addressing Tianlang.

“It is, Master, come lie down quickly!” Tianlang stepped forward to help the incoming elder priest, guiding him to the makeshift straw bed and helping him recline.

The elder priest, lying down, kept muttering, “That wicked disciple! I truly regret taking in such a heartless wretch. Now he’s gotten bold enough to try and ambush his own master! Even as a ghost, I won’t forgive him.”

“Master, do not be angry. Junior Brother was merely thoughtless. Perhaps if he runs off for a while, he might come back,” Tianlang soothed.

“Who wishes for him to return? He has already tried to harm his master like this, and you still speak of it? Hmph!” Though young, the junior disciple possessed a keen sense of righteousness.

Zhou Huan watched from the side, fully grasping the situation. The one who had spoken of leaving earlier must have been the runaway disciple, stopped by the Master. But Zhou Huan never expected his own apprentice to resort to such despicable tactics against his teacher.

“Alas, Tianlang,” the elder Daoist sighed, “I fear I won’t live through the night.”

Tianlang was momentarily stunned. “Master, why do you say that? You seem fine.”

“It won’t get better. That bastard Tianya stabbed my vital point with the Nine-Section Steel Needle. I doubt I will survive until morning. From now on, everything concerning our Daoist temple is yours. When you return, you must deal with that wretched boy, or I will not rest peacefully in death.” The elder Daoist struggled to sit up, pulling a stack of documents and some fragmented silver from his robe pocket.

“Tianlang, remember this: this is the invitation to the Fa Consultation. If we succeed in participating, our temple will never have to worry about food or drink again. Tianya was born with superior martial arts talent; you cannot defeat him in combat, so you must challenge him with sorcery!” the elder priest instructed breathlessly.