Leaving Canghai Mountain and coming to Nanli, entering the Star Lake Cottage, was solely for the purpose of killing Lin Ping.

Few forces in the Nanli martial world could truly contend with the Three Smiles Hall; there was Haitain Palace, the North River Sword Sect, and Star Lake Cottage. Otherwise, even if he succeeded in killing Lin Ping, he would inevitably be hunted down by the Three Smiles Hall.

With his own capabilities, and even with the backing of Canghai Mountain, he was insufficient to deal with the Three Smiles Hall. His only sliver of survival lay in being accepted under the protection of Star Lake Cottage.

Now that his martial arts had advanced, he possessed the capability to kill Lin Ping; he could delay no longer. If he waited, perhaps Lin Ping would grow even stronger, and he would be no match for him.

"Junior Brother, what are you spacing out for? Let's go in!" Xu Xiaorou called out sweetly.

The four of them sat astride their horses, halted side-by-side, appraising the distant White Cloud City. The surroundings were already beginning to bustle with people coming and going, all heading into the city.

"Senior Sister Xu, Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, I won't go in just yet," Li Muzhan said.

Xu Xiaorou blinked her eyes wide with curiosity: "Hmm—?"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly: "You go ahead. I’ll wait a while before entering."

"Junior Brother, what trick are you playing?" Xu Xiaorou asked.

Li Muzhan laughed: "Nothing much."

After saying this, he closed his mouth, giving an expression that suggested he would say no more.

Xu Xiaorou was about to press further, but Zhang Qiaoyi raised a hand to stop her. She looked at Li Muzhan: "Junior Brother Li, very well, you can enter later."

He Ruoshui gave him a deep, thoughtful look.

Xu Xiaorou glared at Li Muzhan reluctantly, but being forced by Zhang Qiaoyi, the three women quickly spurred their horses into White Cloud City, their slender figures vanishing from sight.

Li Muzhan pulled on the reins, turned his horse’s head, and slipped into a nearby pine grove.

A short while later, a person and a horse emerged from the other side of the woods. The red and white horse had become a black one, and the rider had transformed into a middle-aged man whose temples were frosted with white.

He urged his horse forward, quickly approaching the North Gate of White Cloud City. Blending with the flow of people, he slowly entered the city, eventually arriving at a grand establishment called Haoxing Inn.

His expression was grim, and he spoke little. After requesting a room, he strictly instructed them not to disturb him, stating he would call if he needed anything, and then retreated directly into his guest chamber.

Once inside, he immediately mounted the couch, settled into a cross-legged position, and began regulating his breath and vital energy.

He meditated for the entire day, from morning until evening. Only when the lanterns were lit did he leave his room to eat something at a nearby tavern. After wandering aimlessly for a while, he slowly strolled back to the inn, checked out the next morning, and departed from Haoxing Inn.

At this hour, most people had not yet awakened; the entire White Cloud City remained tranquil. He led his horse and slowly arrived at another inn, Chunfeng Inn, where people were already entering and exiting.

Within the grounds of Star Lake Cottage, the three women were clad in white combat gear, practicing their forms on a training ground surrounded by plum blossoms. Sword flashes crisscrossed the air, full of vibrant energy.

After practicing for a good while, the trio stopped to rest. With their blood and qi stirred, their delicate cheeks were flushed, making them as beautiful as flowers.

Xu Xiaorou wiped her smooth forehead with her sleeve and craned her neck to ask: "Senior Sister Zhang, what do you think Junior Brother was up to? Why didn't he come in with us!"

Zhang Qiaoyi lowered her sword, sat beside a stone table, sipped from a teacup, and smiled faintly.

"Senior Sister Zhang, don't keep secrets! Hurry up and tell me!" Xu Xiaorou plopped down onto a seat and reached out to tug at her sleeve, urging her sweetly.

Zhang Qiaoyi glanced and smiled at He Ruoshui, who smiled faintly and also reached for a teacup.

"Senior Sister He, you know too?" Xu Xiaorou turned to ask.

He Ruoshui shook her head: "I don't know."

Xu Xiaorou pouted sweetly: "You clearly know! Tell me quickly!"

She ran over and shook He Ruoshui's arm, but the teacup in He Ruoshui's hand remained perfectly still as she shook her head and smiled: "Senior Sister Zhang should tell you."

"If Senior Sister Zhang won't say, asking is useless. Senior Sister He, you tell me then!" Xu Xiaorou sweetly insisted.

He Ruoshui let out a soft laugh: "You are just bullying me."

"Hehe, who told you to be so gentle? Any man would like you!" Xu Xiaorou chuckled.

He Ruoshui's delicate face instantly flushed red, and she shot her a sidelong glance.

Xu Xiaorou quickly urged her again. He Ruoshui sighed softly: "I’m only guessing; it might not be accurate."

"Tell me quickly!" Xu Xiaorou urged impatiently.

He Ruoshui quickly nodded and sighed: "I feel that Junior Brother has developed the intent to kill."

"Hmm—?" Xu Xiaorou paused, then her delicate face changed: "You mean the Lin surname?"

He Ruoshui nodded gently: "Exactly."

She turned to look at Zhang Qiaoyi: "Senior Sister Zhang, is that right?"

"Yes, it’s what I thought too," Zhang Qiaoyi nodded.

"That brat, he doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth!" Xu Xiaorou suddenly jumped up, her expression changing.

He Ruoshui shook her head: "It's useless to try. Junior Brother may look mild-tempered and benevolent, but he is resolute. Once he has made a decision, no one can sway him!"

"No! He's going to cause huge trouble!" Xu Xiaorou said anxiously.

Zhang Qiaoyi waved her hand: "Forget it. Let's just pretend we don't know about this matter."

Xu Xiaorou was worried: "Senior Sister Zhang, we can't just watch Junior Brother jump into a pit of fire!"

Zhang Qiaoyi smiled faintly: "Whether it’s a pit of fire is not yet certain."

"If he kills that Lin fellow, neither the Three Smiles Hall nor the Lin family will spare him!" Xu Xiaorou retorted.

Zhang Qiaoyi smiled faintly: "So what?"

He Ruoshui smiled gently: "Junior Brother can just return to the lake. What can anyone say?"

Xu Xiaorou was momentarily stunned, then considered: "I only fear he might not be able to return to the lake."

If both factions pursued the Junior Brother together, given his abilities, he would absolutely not escape. Returning to the lake would be immensely difficult.

Zhang Qiaoyi smiled: "It doesn't matter. He can stay here with us."

"What if they come knocking on our door?" Xu Xiaorou frowned.

"That would be perfect," Zhang Qiaoyi smiled. "The Lake Master has been waiting for them to dare attack us!"

The last incident had infuriated Leng Wushuang, the Lake Master, to no end, yet she couldn't vent it because the assassins were from the Heavenly Secret Tower, not the Three Smiles Hall. If the Three Smiles Hall truly dared to force their way into Star Lake Cottage this time, Leng Wushuang would have the perfect pretext to strike.

"What if they wear masks?" Xu Xiaorou pondered for a moment, then added.

Zhang Qiaoyi frowned her delicate brow: "Hmm, that is something we must guard against."

"This is just our speculation; it may not be right," He Ruoshui said with a faint smile.

Xu Xiaorou punched her right palm with her left fist: "It must be so! I saw something wrong in Junior Brother's expression—it turns out he has murderous intent toward that Lin fellow."

"Killing that Lin fellow won't be easy..." Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head.

Xu Xiaorou thought for a moment: "Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, why don't we lend Junior Brother a helping hand?"

"Absolutely not," Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head.

Xu Xiaorou pressed: "Junior Brother might not manage alone."

"It depends on his own capabilities," Zhang Qiaoyi shook her head, her expression firm.