The door was firmly shut, the room plunged into absolute darkness. Within this void, Teng Qingshan, clad entirely in black, practiced the Xingyi form of 'Three Stance' with eyes closed, moving through each posture and step. In the confined space, he shifted constantly, drilling in the narrowest available spots.

Sometimes his stance was wide; sometimes it was tight. His punches varied in speed. Yet, there was a peculiar coordination to it all, flowing like water in a stream.

'Three Stance' was Teng Qingshan’s mandatory evening practice. For an internal martial artist who had reached his level, the 'Five Elements Fist' was becoming less significant. Only this seemingly simple 'Three Stance' allowed Teng Qingshan to sense the harmony of Yin and Yang, achieving a state of utter unity.

Suddenly—

Teng Qingshan opened his eyes and moved swiftly to the window. Through a small hole in the oiled paper, he easily glimpsed a fleeting silhouette leaping into the distance.

“So, Ma Jinxiao has finally set out,” Teng Qingshan muttered. He quickly covered his face with a black cloth, threw open the window, unleashed the 'Horizon Trek,' and dissolved into an illusion, flickering twice before vanishing from the inn's vicinity. In terms of speed and stealth, he was clearly a significant leap ahead of Ma Jinxiao.

……

Ma Jinxiao and Teng Qingshan moved one after the other, scaling walls and traversing rooftops. However, Teng Qingshan’s movements made not the slightest sound; Ma Jinxiao remained completely unaware.

It was not yet the dead of night, and the streets of the county seat were still vibrant, illuminated by countless lanterns.

The two, Teng Qingshan and Ma Jinxiao, advanced rapidly toward the north, sticking close to the shadows.

Soon, they left the bustling areas and reached a district reserved for the mansions of the wealthy and influential—a sprawl of luxurious estates nestled close together.

“Where exactly is Ma Jinxiao headed?” Teng Qingshan wondered internally. Over the past few days of interaction, he had found Ma Jinxiao to be a decent man, never arrogant. He showed great care for his disciple, 'Tan He.' And the words Ma Jinxiao spoke to his disciple that evening had piqued Teng Qingshan's attention.

Clearly, Ma Jinxiao was heading to handle something major, likely involving mortal danger.

If he could assist, he would do so once.

“Oh, looks like it's that residence up ahead.” Teng Qingshan watched as Ma Jinxiao vaulted into the courtyard of a particular mansion and silently followed suit.

The estate was vast, dotted with rockeries and elaborate floral arrangements. Numerous guards carrying lanterns patrolled the grounds.

“Hm, these guards? Are they the Divine Guard Army of the Carefree Palace?” Teng Qingshan instantly identified the patrolling guards. Everyone knew the elite military attire of the Eight Great Sects of the Nine Provinces. Most sect elites favored black heavy armor, though there were subtle differentiations.

For the Divine Guard Army, the most distinctive feature on the heavy armor of their soldiers was the sword-shaped marking on the shoulder pauldrons.

“To have the Carefree Palace’s ‘Divine Guard Army’ serving as mansion security. The owner of this residence must hold significant status!” Teng Qingshan mused, his feet carrying him stealthily after Ma Jinxiao, pressing deeper into the estate’s interior…… As for the so-called 'Divine Guard Army,' even a peak Xiantian Golden Core expert wouldn't detect Teng Qingshan’s movements, let alone these so-called elite guards.

Near a rockery.

Whoosh! Teng Qingshan silently hid behind the structure.

“What is Ma Jinxiao doing? Just standing there, not moving?” Teng Qingshan glanced toward the distance where Ma Jinxiao was concealed behind another rockery, intently watching the main hall ahead.

The distant hall was brightly lit. Inside, hearty laughter constantly erupted; people were drinking and feasting, and maids frequently carried exquisite dishes into the hall.

“It seems Ma Jinxiao’s target is inside that hall,” Teng Qingshan quietly strained his hearing, focusing on the sounds within.

“Brothers, I am overjoyed that you can stay in my home, Old Qiao is delighted! My residence isn’t small, just lacking in people. Elders, Guardians, and Second Senior Brother, you must stay a while longer,” boomed a laughing voice.

Inside the hall, six men were gathered around a square table, its surface expertly cut and polished from smooth, clear flowing stone. The plates holding the dishes were exquisite, and every pair of chopsticks was meticulously carved by artisans. Pots of fine wine were also arrayed nearby. These six men were clearly enjoying their meal heartily.

“Sixth Junior Brother! You certainly live comfortably here in Tiger Leap County City,” laughed a middle-aged man with two white eyebrows. “For us, constantly dwelling on the mountain, we don't have your ease.”

“Indeed. In the Carefree Palace, we can procure fine wine, but not such exquisite food. The Palace certainly won't hire an entire staff just to cook for us Elders and Guardians,” chimed in a thin middle-aged man in white robes beside him.

“Stop joking with me.”

The stout, large-eared middle-aged man roared with laughter. “I am still only a Commander, frequently traveling. Unlike you brothers who remain within the Palace, especially Second Senior Brother…… Among the nine of us junior brothers, Second Senior Brother was the most talented, reaching the Xiantian Realm. Second Senior Brother, my grandson is eleven this year. He is currently learning basic swordsmanship and internal energy cultivation. He shows great promise—better than my son, better than I was back then! Second Senior Brother, take my grandson into your faction.”

The white-browed man smiled. “You mean little An'an? Yes, that child has excellent comprehension. How about this: when this upheaval passes, I will transfer him to my faction when I return to the Palace. I will personally guide him often…… At the very least, little An'an must surpass you lazy lump!”

The stout man chuckled sheepishly. “I suppose I do have this lazy disposition.”

“Elder Sikong,” a silver-haired elder among the group frowned, “When do you think this upheaval will pass?”

The white-browed man fell silent upon hearing this.

“I truly don't know why that Divine Eagle insists on attacking our Carefree Palace. It’s making everyone anxious. Now, it’s forcing so many people down the mountain,” the thin white-robed man complained.

The stout man became serious. “A beast of that caliber is as intelligent as a human. It wouldn't attack the Carefree Palace without reason…… When did our Carefree Palace ever offend this Divine Beast?”

“Don't dwell on it,” the white-browed man snapped with a frown. “This Divine Beast has provoked our Carefree Palace multiple times; the Old Palace Master will undoubtedly resolve this matter.”

Hearing the words ‘Old Palace Master,’ the other five nodded in agreement.

In truth, the Carefree Palace was suffering greatly, forced by a Divine Eagle to evacuate the vast majority of its members, who were temporarily lodged in the adjacent county seat. This was because…… the Thunder Lightning Divine Eagle had unleashed lightning bolts three times previously, resulting in the deaths of many within the Carefree Palace. Even Xiantian experts could not withstand the beast's lightning.

They had to retreat first!

Thus, these Guardians, Elders, and even the Law Enforcement Elders were forced to temporarily stay in the homes of fellow disciples who maintained residences in the county seat.

……

Because the hall doors were wide open, Teng Qingshan could barely catch fragments of the conversation.

“Tsk tsk, the Carefree Palace is truly miserable,” Teng Qingshan secretly chuckled. “It seems the Thunder Lightning Divine Eagle forced many experts to take refuge in the county seat. That explains why the Divine Guard Army is dispersed to protect various residences!” Teng Qingshan glanced at Ma Jinxiao not far away.

Ma Jinxiao waited silently, like a predator ready to strike.

After a long while, with more bursts of laughter, the six assembled men began to disperse from the main hall entrance.

“Haha, Brother Dong, look how you stagger when you walk! Shall I support you back?”

The mansion owner, the stout, large-eared middle-aged man, called out with a smile, watching the other five depart for their respective quarters. He then ordered, “Clear all of this away and clean up. Instruct them…… tomorrow morning’s banquet must be prepared to the highest standard again.”

“Yes, Master,” two maids went to tidy up.

The Master, humming a pleased tune, walked toward his own chambers.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Ma Jinxiao tracked him stealthily, and Teng Qingshan tracked Ma Jinxiao just as stealthily.

Down a dimly lit corridor.

The stout, large-eared middle-aged man was in high spirits, swaying his head as he walked: “Second Senior Brother rarely visits me. Tsk tsk, he is an Enforcement Elder. This is a rare opportunity; I must serve him well. Hmm…… which room tonight? That new little temptress was too fierce; perhaps I should seek out—”

His mind still preoccupied with women, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his throat.

“Thump!”

The door to a room beside the corridor was violently kicked open. The large-eared man was yanked inside, his throat constricted, followed by a sharp creak as the door was pulled shut.

“You, who are you?” The middle-aged man managed to speak as the pressure on his throat eased momentarily.

He dared not shout!

To subdue him, a Houtian Peak master, in a single move—the strength of this newcomer was likely beyond even the top ten figures on the Earth Ranking. Perhaps…… perhaps a Xiantian master!

“See my face clearly.” The newcomer flicked his wrist, igniting a tinder stick which he then used to light a candle.

“I don’t know you,” the stout man frowned. “Did you capture the wrong person?” As a Commander of the Divine Guard Army, he understood the situation perfectly.

“Qiao Zhong!” Ma Jinxiao fixed his gaze on the stout man. “Don't tell me you aren't Qiao Zhong.”

The stout man paused.

“Yes, I am Qiao Zhong, Commander Qiao Zhong of the Divine Guard Army,” the stout man replied.

“Oh, you’ve been promoted to Commander?” Ma Jinxiao sneered.

“I have been a Commander for over a decade now,” the stout man said, looking at Ma Jinxiao in confusion. “I truly do not recognize you…… I don't know where I might have offended such a hero. Can you tell me clearly?”

……

At this moment, on the rooftop, Teng Qingshan had his ear pressed against the tiles, listening intently.

“Ah!” A low, muffled scream echoed from the room.

“Hmm? Did Ma Jinxiao kill that Qiao Zhong?” Teng Qingshan deduced that the scream had been suppressed, hence its quiet nature. Suddenly, a very low voice came again from within the room—

“Qiao Zhong, I have now crippled your martial arts. You don’t need to speak; you only need to listen. You will understand…… why I have come for you.” The voice was chillingly cold.