Shu State City at night possessed a unique beauty.

Especially the bustling West Market.

As the dark clouds gradually dispersed, a full moon hung in the night sky, accompanied by the sparkle of brilliant stars.

The wooden buildings with their flying eaves, built along the streets in and around the West Market, stood in tight, orderly rows like two long dragons stretching for miles.

Lanterns hanging from the eaves cast candlelight of various colors, illuminating the night and making the liveliness of the entire street clearly visible.

Passersby gathered in twos and threes.

There were scholars in long robes with a refined air, portly merchants, and a few Wandering Martial Artists in short tunics carrying weapons.

Ultimately, no one was paying attention to the finer details of their surroundings.

It was Chen Yi, looking down from his high vantage point, who observed every street and alley while sipping his tea.

Even without deactivating his Black Tortoise Concealment Technique, he could spot several suspicious individuals lurking around Hundred Herbs Hall with his keen eyesight alone.

For instance, there was an old man running a stall closest to Hundred Herbs Hall.

Although his face was weathered by time, his eyes were exceptionally bright, not at all like those of an old man struggling to get by.

Or the vendor selling candied haws on the street corner, whose gaze was too shifty and body too tense, as if he were ready to strike at any moment.

Then there were the two men hidden in the shadows, one short and stout, the other tall and thin, dressed like beggars.

Their words and actions were indeed convincing, with very few flaws.

It was just that their pairing was far too conspicuous.

Especially the short, stout man, whose complexion was ruddy and radiant.

It was hard for Chen Yi to believe they were real beggars.

But after watching for a long time, he still hadn’t seen any of the Evil Demonic Dao from the Illusory Sound Sect.

He hadn’t spotted Xie Tingyun from the Celestial Sect, or anyone from the Xiao Family Punishment Hall, either.

Seeing that the Hour of the Dog was approaching, Chen Yi focused his attention on the shops near Hundred Herbs Hall.

There was a tailor shop, a rice merchant, an inn, and a place with a sign outside that read: "Fang Family Water Escort Agency."

Upon closer inspection, he noticed something unusual.

To be precise, it was the horse-drawn carriages entering and exiting the Escort Agency.

He could faintly hear the sound of long, deep breaths coming from within the carriages.

The inn also seemed strange, but he couldn’t tell if it was just out-of-town guests or members of the Evil Demonic Dao.

As for whether there were any Martial Arts practitioners whose breathing he couldn’t even detect, that was impossible to determine for now.

Just then, he heard some hushed conversation from the street corner.

The short, stout man said, "Brother Ning, something’s not right tonight."

The tall, thin man, his head drooping, replied, "Huh?"

"Why is everyone walking around carrying packets of meat?"

"...Get lost. If you want to eat, we can talk about it when we get back."

"Oh."

The short, stout man paused, then added, "Brother Ning, the smell of that meat isn’t right."

Hearing this, the tall, thin man impatiently lifted his head. "What’s not right about it?"

"It stinks of Knockout Drug..."

At these words, Chen Yi’s expression flickered. He quickly wet a piece of his clothing with water, covered his nose and mouth, and held his breath.

He then saw plumes of white smoke rising from the oil-paper packets carried by the passersby.

It wasn’t just one person or one packet, but a hundred or more of them.

He didn’t know what method they used, but the smoke spread in an instant, blanketing the entire street like a thick fog.

The real pedestrians passing by collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Even from inside the restaurant where Chen Yi was, he could hear a series of THUDS, mingled with the crisp sound of bowls and chopsticks falling to the floor.

Clearly, many people had fallen for the trick.

Faintly, a curse came from the street corner: "Dammit, why didn’t you say so sooner?"

"Quick, blow the whistle!"

"PHEW—"

As the sharp whistle sounded, Chen Yi stuffed the cotton he had prepared earlier into his ears. He feigned unconsciousness, slumping over the windowsill with his eyes half-open to watch the show.

’I thought those from the Evil Demonic Dao were just brainless thugs who fought head-on. I didn’t expect them to have this kind of plan and preparation.’

’It shows they have some respect for the Shu State Prefecture’s Imprisonment Department and the City Guard Army, fearing them at least a little.’

Then, the sound of a bizarre zither melody, with a strange, winding tune, began to play.

At first, it sounded like the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves. Upon a second listen...

He wasn’t going to listen a second time. Chen Yi not only had cotton in his ears but had also sealed his ear-related acupoints with True Essence, blocking out most of the sound.

He had heard more than once about the strange methods of the Illusory Sound Sect. He knew those Evil Demons were experts at using melodies to control others, so he had to be on guard.

Next, he saw four figures completely shrouded in black robes rushing over, moving from far to near at high speed.

Their speed was more than double his own Meteor Butterfly Step. Clearly, their Martial Arts Cultivation was higher than his.

In the blink of an eye, the four of them arrived before the entrance of Hundred Herbs Hall.

They held four different musical instruments: a zither, a pipa, a long flute, and a gong.

It was a motley collection, but they were without a doubt deadly weapons.

The zither music was played by one of the black-robed figures. Like the Knockout Drug, it had an effect that could make one drowsy.

Chen Yi watched as they surveyed their surroundings before brazenly walking into Hundred Herbs Hall, and he couldn’t help but sweat for Wang Ji, Yan Sea, and the others.

’I’ve already done what I can. Whether they live or die now depends on the strength of Xie Tingyun and her people.’

Just then, a hoarse voice came from within Hundred Herbs Hall. "Who goes there?"

It was followed by a woman’s voice: "Xie Tingyun of the Celestial Sect."

Chen Yi’s heart stirred. ’So she was already inside Hundred Herbs Hall.’

’She’s reasonably attentive, I suppose.’

’Looks like Wang Ji and the others should be fine then.’

Just as he was thinking this, it seemed Xie Tingyun had already started fighting the people from the Illusory Sound Sect over there.

Amidst crisp whistling sounds, all kinds of melodies filled the air as the zither, flute, gong, and pipa clashed.

"You sons of bitches from the Illusory Sound Sect, stop playing your damn ghost tunes."

"Keep playing, and believe me, I’ll string your heads together on my sword!"

The words had barely faded when Chen Yi saw the four black-robed figures who had previously run into Hundred Herbs Hall fleeing in panic.

A Qi Blade followed close behind. With a SWISH, it sliced through one of the black-robed figures, severing his leg.

Blood splattered on the ground, and a row of bluestone pavers was sliced cleanly in two.

Chen Yi’s eyes twitched. He widened them slightly as he stared at the power of that Qi Blade, thinking, ’So this is a Martial Arts Powerhouse? Sword Qi?’

After being in Great Wei for so long, he had finally seen one of the legendary powerhouses of the Jianghu.

Before he could think any further, he saw Xie Tingyun drift out, clad in a long white dress and holding a long sword.

Her feet didn’t touch the ground. As her figure flickered, her long sword traced two "sword flowers" in the air.

Several streaks of Sword Qi flew out in succession. Even in the dark of night, the shape of the Qi Blades was clearly visible.

Amidst a series of SWISHES, wherever the Sword Qi passed, everything within ten zhang was cut down.

"It’s the head disciple of the Celestial Sect, Fairy Tingyun! Retreat!"

"Don’t you run now! I have questions for you."

"Did your Illusory Sound Sect’s Elder, Elder Demon Jia, come to Shu State or not? I have a score to settle with him!"

The Illusory Sound Sect Evil Demons didn’t respond. They fought as they retreated, luring Xie Tingyun further and further away.

Seeing this, Chen Yi was left speechless.

’How could she be so unreliable? Getting led away by such an obvious "lure the tiger from the mountain" ploy?’

The person behind all this had deployed so much stupefying smoke; they had clearly come prepared.

Aside from those four Illusory Sound Sect Evil Demons, Chen Yi was certain there were others waiting to deal with Hundred Herbs Hall.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before...

Another group of people appeared on the street. They were the Wandering Martial Artists who had emerged from the nearby inn.

Judging by their builds, none of them seemed to be weak.

At the very least, Chen Yi hadn’t heard their breathing earlier.

After gathering at the street corner, they charged into Hundred Herbs Hall once more.

But soon after, a group of people also emerged from the other Escort Agency.

"Take them all down!"

Chen Yi stared at the person who spoke, slightly stunned. It was his Second Uncle Xiao, Xiao Xuanshuo.

Among the several Armored Warriors behind him were many familiar faces, including Liu Si’er and Wang Lixing.

Hearing this, the Wandering Martial Artists who had entered Hundred Herbs Hall seemed to become alert. "Careful, it’s an ambush!"

Immediately, he saw the Xiao Family’s group begin to fight with those Wandering Martial Artists.

But it was clear that Wang Lixing and the others were no match for the Wandering Martial Artists.

Before ten breaths had passed, some were already injured and had fallen to the ground.

"Useless!"

The voice rang out, and Second Uncle Xiao was seen slapping his wheelchair. His entire body launched into the air, a long sword already in his other hand as he charged straight into the fray.

Amidst the CLANGING of colliding weapons, his Sword Qi reached a distance of three zhang.

Coordinating with Wang Lixing and the others, Second Uncle Xiao and the few Wandering Martial Artists actually fought to a standstill.

Just as Chen Yi was getting absorbed in the spectacle, his earlobes twitched, and he suddenly half-closed his eyes.

Sometime, without him noticing, two people had come up behind him.

Neither of their breaths was particularly long and drawn-out; one was even somewhat ragged.

However, the intervals between their steps were identical. They were clearly people who practiced Martial Arts.

Listening to the approaching footsteps, Chen Yi tightened his grip on the Immortal Drunk. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

’Coming here just to watch the show was a bit reckless, after all.’

’If these newcomers are as powerful as Xie Tingyun, I might be in trouble this time.’

"Young Master, I didn’t expect Xie Tingyun from the Celestial Sect to be here as well."

"It seems you won’t need to intervene. Hundred Herbs Hall will be safe."

Chen Yi’s heart stirred. ’That voice sounds familiar.’

’Chun Ying?’

’And "Young Master" would be...’

Sure enough, he then heard Chen Yunfan say in a displeased tone, "They’re all just third-rate Jianghu nobodies. I am very disappointed."

As he spoke, he glanced at the figure slumped over the windowsill and proceeded to sit down, pour himself some tea, and drink it.

"Ordering a whole pot of spring tea from Jiangnan Prefecture for one person. This guy really knows how to live."

"..."

Chen Yi made a mental note to put it on his tab. He’d make him pay it back later, with interest.

But listening to their conversation, he felt a flicker of doubt.

’Did Chen Yunfan come all this way specifically to save Hundred Herbs Hall?’

’But why?’