Chun Ying glanced at the figure by the window, then looked outside Hundred Herbs Hall.

Xiao Xuanshuo was fighting three against one, tying down the three strongest Swordmen.

The remaining Personal Guard Armored Warriors, working in groups of two or three, were more than enough to suppress the other Wandering Martial Artists.

"Young Master, the people from the Xiao Family Punishment Hall have yet to appear."

Chen Yunfan poured another cup of tea. "The Xiao Family Punishment Hall is in the hands of the Xiao Family’s second branch. It’s a disaster waiting to happen."

"Things are still manageable while the Old Marquis is alive and well, but once he passes, won’t Xiao Wang try to walk all over the first branch?"

Chun Ying nodded, then shook her head, but did not speak.

Chen Yunfan shot her a look and pursed his lips. "If you have something to say, just say it. There’s no one else here."

Chun Ying hesitated. "I was just thinking about General Jinghong. Her mind is currently preoccupied with the provisions for the Dingyuan Army."

"If she can successfully establish the Mutual Market with the Mountain Race, she’ll be able to free herself up to deal with the people in the Xiao Family."

"Her?"

Chen Yunfan thought for a moment, a slight smile appearing on his face. "She does have some ability. Her Martial Arts and Military Strategy are both quite strong."

"And it’s no small feat for a woman to hold up the Xiao Family’s banner. But because the family is holding her back, her progress in Martial Arts has slowed considerably."

Chun Ying deeply agreed. "Yes, Xiao Fengchun died too soon."

"Not necessarily. Rumor has it that Xiao Fengchun was a blindly loyal fool. He might not have been as good as Xiao Jinghong."

"Of course, if he were alive, he probably could have protected the Xiao Family, and they wouldn’t have ended up being bullied at their own doorstep by the Sixth Young Master of the Jing State Liu Family."

As he spoke, Chen Yunfan’s gaze fell upon the battle outside the window, and he sneered. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Right now, that bastard Liu Jing is probably still daydreaming. He has no idea his days are numbered."

"He’s being used as a pawn and doesn’t even realize it. What an idiot."

Chun Ying chuckled. "Young Master, you shouldn’t say such things in the Governor’s Office. Be careful it doesn’t reach Left Envoy Liu’s ears."

Chen Yunfan shot her an impatient glare. "We’re just making idle chat in private. Must you keep nagging me about this and that?"

"If you really push me, believe it or not, I’ll send a message to the White Clothes Manor tomorrow and have them send someone new."

Chun Ying quickly put on an apologetic smile. "This servant was wrong."

"Hmph. So now you know you were wrong?"

"Young Master..."

Chen Yi overheard their entire flirtatious banter, which they carried on as if no one else was around.

But his mind was no longer on such things.

’Looks like this brother of mine is hiding his abilities quite deeply.’

’He not only knew that people from the Jing State Liu Family were coming, but he even knew which young master it was—that Liu Jing whose days are numbered.’

’Moreover, Chen Yunfan was clearly aware of the Xiao Family’s situation and knew about the members of the first and second branches.’

’Adding that to his earlier warning outside Luoyi Lane, everything pointed to the fact that Chen Yunfan was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.’

’But...’

Chen Yi still couldn’t guess Chen Yunfan’s intentions.

Even his previous deductions—that Chen Yunfan wanted to deal with the Xiao Family, or that he wanted to replace Yang Ye as the Right Minister of the Shu State Governor’s Office—now had to be questioned.

At that moment, Chen Yunfan and Chun Ying’s conversation stopped, and they both came to the window to look outside.

"So Elder Demon Jia really did come to Shu State. Heh."

"Young Master, Fairy Tingyun was lured away. The remaining people are surely no match for him. Are you going to intervene?"

"No rush. Let’s just watch."

During their conversation, Chen Yi also saw the so-called Elder Demon Jia.

He was dressed in a black robe, his figure and face hidden, with only the long xiao flute in his hand being particularly conspicuous.

He appeared from nowhere. Upon seeing Xiao Xuanshuo and the others, he brought the long xiao to his lips.

The sound of a xiao flute drifted out.

The tune was bizarre, identical to that of the four Evil Demons from the Illusory Sound Sect from before.

Then, the few people who had been fighting, including Xiao Xuanshuo, suddenly froze in place.

Their bodies and minds alike turned rigid, as if their very souls had been seized.

Seeing such a strange scene, even though Chen Yi was prepared, he couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat for the Xiao Family members.

’Have to admit, these Evil Demons from the Illusory Sound Sect really have some skill.’

A moment later, the xiao’s music ceased.

Just as the black-robed man was about to enter Hundred Herbs Hall, he suddenly whipped his head toward the clothing store on the other side.

A cold glint of light shot through the air.

Elder Demon Jia sidestepped to dodge it.

Then, Shen Huatang drifted out from the clothing store and asked in a cold voice, "Elder Demon Jia, was it you who attacked outside the posthouse earlier?"

Elder Demon Jia didn’t answer. The eyes hidden beneath his black robe stared at her coldly.

"The Sword Madman spared you once. You should know to cherish your life."

Shen Huatang’s expression grew even colder. With her Long Sword pointed diagonally, she instantly drifted forward, her figure crossing several dozen feet like the wind.

Sword Qi rained down on Elder Demon Jia like snowflakes.

"If Fairy Tingyun were here, I might be a little wary. But just you? Heh heh..."

With a cold laugh, Elder Demon Jia stopped playing his xiao. Instead, he used it as a weapon, spinning it twice to block the Sword Intent.

The next moment, his figure shot out like a phantom, thrusting the long xiao forward.

The sound of the xiao flute unexpectedly rang out.

Shen Huatang faltered mid-charge, as if her mind had been captured by the sound, and she was slow to raise her Long Sword.

Just then, something came whistling through the air and, with a CLANG, knocked Elder Demon Jia’s long xiao aside, forcing him to dodge back.

Immediately, he looked toward the tavern where Chen Yi was, his voice hoarse and cold. "Who’s there?"

Then came Chen Yunfan’s laughing voice: "Just an insignificant passerby who can’t bear to see a beautiful woman perish."

"For any offense caused, I hope Elder Demon Jia can be magnanimous."

Chen Yi: "..."

’Damn, his Martial Arts are that good?’

Apparently, Elder Demon Jia outside didn’t think so. His eyes darkened as he said, "Come out and die!"

Chen Yunfan just chuckled again. "You should worry about yourself first. Fairy Tingyun is here."

Before his words had faded, a figure could be seen flying in from the distance, and a sharp cry rang out:

"Jia Gui’er, you dare bully a little sister from my Celestial Sect?"

"Today, my Celestial Firefly Sword is thirsty, and I’m sending you son of a bitch to meet your maker!"

Elder Demon Jia looked back, fell silent for a moment, then turned and fled in another direction without a word.

Clearly, he knew today’s endeavor was a lost cause and wanted to escape.

"Running? Jia Gui’er, you get your ass back here!"

Then, Xie Tingyun drifted down, took one look around, and shot off in pursuit of Elder Demon Jia once more.

Shen Huatang came to her senses. Watching the two fly off into the distance, she cupped her fist in a salute to the surroundings. "This junior, Shen Huatang of the Celestial Sect, thanks Senior for their life-saving intervention."

"Not at all, not at all! HAHA..."

The voice boomed, making it impossible for her to tell which direction it came from.

Chen Yi noticed this and inwardly pursed his lips. ’This brother of mine is a real expert at playing the mysterious hero.’

But he also breathed a sigh of relief.

If Chen Yunfan hadn’t acted just now, Shen Huatang would likely be dead at Elder Demon Jia’s hands.

Before long, the Shu State City Guard Army and people from the Imprisonment Department rushed over.

Seeing the state of the area, several orders were shouted:

"Arrest these Wandering Martial Artists who dare to cause trouble in Shu State!"

"Go check for casualties!"

"..."

Chun Ying scanned the area and said, "Someone must have notified the Imprisonment Department and the City Guard Army in advance."

Chen Yunfan grunted in agreement. "The Shu State Liu Family doesn’t dare to have a complete falling out with the first branch in Jing State yet. They have to show the proper attitude."

"Young Master, now that the show is over, shall we go?"

"Indeed, it’s time to go."

Chen Yunfan stretched as if bored. "If I’d known Xie Tingyun was here, why would I have bothered wading into these muddy waters?"

With that, he turned and left.

Chun Ying followed behind, covering her mouth with her hand as she laughed. "But Young Master, didn’t you say..."

Before she could finish, Chen Yunfan cut her off. "Don’t say irrelevant things. Be careful or I’ll have you severely punished."

"This servant will obey the Young Master’s command and shut her mouth."

"Good girl..."

[Witnessed the ordeal at Hundred Herbs Hall, the appearance of various parties, the Xiao Family learning of the Shu State Liu Family’s existence, the Illusory Sound Sect’s movements being exposed, and their pursuit by a top disciple of the Celestial Sect. Reward: Four Symbols Skill grade increased to Earth Tier, Opportunity +50.]

[Evaluation: You arrived at the scene, heard the key sounds, and witnessed the events. Your actions were limited, but your advance planning was effective. Performance: Satisfactory.]

Seeing the words float before his eyes, Chen Yi finally stood up, stretched his limbs, and prepared to leave.

’The outcome wasn’t bad. At least Hundred Herbs Hall was saved.’

’As for what happens next, we’ll have to see how the Xiao Family deals with the Liu Family.’

Just as he was thinking this, a voice came from behind him. "My friend, did you have a nice nap?"