After returning to his residence, Lu Yu changed out of the clothes stained with the blood of the Shadow Martial Alliance's elite. Then, after washing off the blood from his body, he slowly sank into a bathtub filled with hot water, a trace of comfort appearing on his face.

The recent slaughter induced no tension in his heart; after all, during the five years he was missing, he didn't know how many enemies he had slain.

Blood and death had become commonplace for him, unable to stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.

"Bernstein is coming to Lin'an City..." At this moment, Lu Yu muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of contemplation.

Recalling the intelligence relayed by the sniper earlier, Lu Yu's eyes revealed a trace of thought, with a glimmer of sharpness in his gaze.

Since Bernstein was coming to Lin'an City, it was obviously aimed at him. After several confrontations, he regarded the Shadow Martial Alliance as an enemy to be eliminated, and Bernstein equally sought his demise.

"Since you're coming, I need to make full preparations."

At this moment, Lu Yu spoke slowly to himself, his tone carrying a trace of coldness. Simultaneously, he picked up the phone beside him, found Marcus's number, and pressed the call button.

"Sir!"

The moment the call connected, Marcus's voice instantly came through the phone, sounding extremely respectful.

"Has that group of promising newcomers sent by the Alliance for training been dispatched?"

Hearing Marcus's voice, Lu Yu's words carried a hint of inquiry.

"Not yet; they still need to pass the final assessment before returning to the Alliance."

Hearing Lu Yu's words, Marcus replied respectfully.

Every promising assassin in the Assassin Alliance needs to undergo a baptism of tasks. After which, they can become full members of the Assassin Alliance.

"That's great; I happen to have a task suitable for assessing this group of newcomers."

In his words, Lu Yu's voice carried a touch of indifferent amusement, alongside a hint of steadiness.

"Willing to follow your arrangements, Sir!"

Upon hearing this, Marcus responded respectfully, appearing exceedingly deferential.

The hierarchy in the Assassin Alliance is strict, and Lu Yu, as a senior member of the Alliance, holds a position far above Marcus, having full authority to decide the content of this assessment.

"Very good!"

Upon hearing Marcus's words, Lu Yu smiled slightly and said, "In a few days, Bernstein from the Shadow Martial Alliance will personally come to Lin'an City. Have these newcomers ready; their task this time is very simple—assist me in assassinating Bernstein of the Shadow Martial Alliance in Lin'an City!"

"Yes! Following your orders, Sir!"

Hearing Lu Yu's words, Marcus replied respectfully, "In the coming days, I'll have these newcomers ready to cooperate with your arrangements at any time!"

"Very well, you'll handle the specifics!"

At this moment, Lu Yu spoke softly while hanging up the phone, his eyes narrowing slightly as he said, "Bernstein, if you dare come to Lin'an City this time, don't think about leaving!"

After saying this, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. He placed the phone to one side and then closed his eyes slightly, appearing quite at ease.

...

Meanwhile, in Europe, inside a highly modern building.

Bernstein, dressed in a suit with impeccably groomed hair, exuded a sense of calm amidst his meticulous appearance. In his hand, he held a wine glass, the crimson wine swaying and creating a hint of enchanting allure in the glass.

"Lord Bernstein, all members of the Shadow Martial Assassination Squad headed for Lin'an City have lost contact..."

At this moment, a man dressed in black clothing spoke coldly, his words full of respect.

"Lost contact..."

Hearing the man's words, Bernstein sipped his drink lightly and said, "I fear they've been completely wiped out!"

With these words, Bernstein's voice revealed a trace of coldness, and his eyes showed a sharp murderous intent: "A group of useless fools; even wearing camouflage equipment, they've been utterly killed, greatly disgracing my Shadow Martial Alliance!"

"Please, calm your anger, Sir!"

Upon hearing Bernstein's words, the man spoke with full respect.

"I am not angry."

Hearing the man's words, Bernstein drained the wine in his glass and spoke softly, "Anyway, this will be the last time Lu Yu kills my Shadow Martial Alliance members. Consider these ten elite as my gift to him!"

In his words, Bernstein's tone was morose, instilling a deep sense of malice.

"Sir!"

Hearing this, the man spoke, "Are you really going to personally go to Lin'an City to kill Lu Yu? We've already listed Lu Yu as a must-kill target. You could certainly wait..."

"I can't wait any longer!"

Hearing the man's words, Bernstein said, "As long as Lu Yu lives, I can't find peace. First was Sebastian's Blood Shadow Organization, then dozens of elites died at Lu Yu's hands. As long as Lu Yu lives, wouldn't my Shadow Martial Alliance's European branch become a laughingstock!?"

"But..."

Hearing Bernstein's words, the man continued.

"No more buts!"

Hearing the man's words, Bernstein coldly retorted, "I've made up my mind. This time, no matter what, I will personally go to Lin'an City to kill Lu Yu and avenge my past humiliation!"

With those words, Bernstein crushed the wine glass in his hand, speaking coldly.

Seeing Bernstein's resolute demeanor, the man said nothing more; after all, it was Bernstein who commanded the Shadow Martial Alliance's European branch, and he had no authority to influence Bernstein's actions.

Seeing the man fall silent, Bernstein nodded and spoke to the man in front of him, "Select fifty elites for me, have them meticulously prepared. In a week, we'll head for Lin'an City!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Upon hearing Bernstein's words, the man replied respectfully.

"Hmph, since you, Lu Yu, possess such formidable strength, I want to see if you can still be so arrogant against my fifty elites!"

Speaking, Bernstein's eyes gleamed with menace and cruelty: "This time, with fifty elite setting up an ambush together, I will ensure that you, Lu Yu, have no place to be buried!"