The sun climbed higher, and the morning mist gradually dispersed.

Xiangzi, dressed in a black shirt, strolled leisurely toward Four Seas Courtyard.

Along the way, there were naturally many greetings.

The great fire from a few days ago had made the entire Baolin Martial Hall aware that this batch of apprentices had produced an extraordinary figure.

Not only had he comprehended Bright Force upon first entering the ninth rank, but he had also devised a clever plan to capture the rebel leader hiding within the martial hall.

It was said that even the seat institute master of Wind Justice Courtyard, cold as an iceberg, spoke highly of this person without end.

These past few days staying in the outer sect, quite a few senior and junior brothers had taken the initiative to visit him at his door. Xiangzi truly found it a bit overwhelming.

Fortunately, he would soon be heading out for training.

—

Perhaps due to the bonus from his rickshaw puller profession, after arriving in this world, Xiangzi discovered he was exceptionally sensitive to terrain.

The vast outer sect of the martial hall—Zhao Mu had only taken him around once a few days ago, yet now it was as if a map had been drawn in his mind.

When he reached the entrance of that magnificent grand courtyard, Xiangzi paused for a moment.

Zhao Mu was standing there with a beaming smile.

“No matters at the first-class apprentice compound today, Senior Brother Zhao?”

Zhao Mu smiled warmly and said, “With you as an example, those lads have been training diligently these days. Skipping half a day won’t hurt.”

Though he said this, Zhao Mu was genuinely grateful to Xiangzi in his heart—if Xiangzi hadn’t used that fingerprint method a few days ago to beat the grass and startle the snake, rooting out Chen Jiashang, his future days would have been difficult.

After all, he was the apprentice instructor personally appointed by the old hall master. Having a rebel hiding right under his nose was no small matter.

What was even more deadly was that this rebel had nearly been selected by him to participate in the ninth-rank trial.

One must know, the annual quota for “Bone-Strengthening Broth” was fixed.

If this matter blew up, it would likely alarm the big shots in the embassy district—and if that happened, Baolin Martial Hall’s annual quota would surely be reduced.

That would strike at the very foundation of Baolin Martial Hall.

From this perspective, Xiangzi had pulled him out of a catastrophic disaster.

However, his accompanying Xiangzi today was not entirely for this reason.

As they spoke, a burly figure like a bear emerged from behind Zhao Mu.

Wan Yuxuan still wore that lazy smile on his face: “Xiangzi, for this assignment trial of yours, you’ve got to think it through carefully.”

Xiangzi was slightly taken aback—how had his assignment training alarmed so many people?

—

Since the errand was done, Zhao Mu smiled and took his leave.

Instead, it was Wan Yuxuan, who usually minded nothing, who personally led Xiangzi into Four Seas Courtyard.

As the name suggested, Four Seas Courtyard, one of Baolin’s five courtyards, handled external liaisons.

From contacting major martial halls and military-political dignitaries down to escorting goods and transporting cargo for others, Four Seas Courtyard did it all, earning the martial hall quite a bit of silver.

Four Seas Courtyard’s status couldn’t compare to Wind Justice Courtyard, yet it was Baolin Martial Hall’s genuine “moneybag.”

With silver, one’s backbone naturally straightened.

Unlike the Martial Transmission Courtyard, the disciples of Four Seas Courtyard were all sleek and well-fed. Many weren’t even wearing black shirts but long robes and jackets instead, looking like wealthy gentlemen.

Yet the moment these people spotted Wan Yuxuan approaching, they shrank like mice spotting a cat, instantly falling silent.

This fiend from Wind Justice Courtyard… what whim brought him to the outer sect’s Four Seas Courtyard?

When they saw Wan Yuxuan actually chatting amiably with an outer sect disciple, their hearts jolted even more, secretly memorizing this unfamiliar tall fellow.

—

“Senior Brother Wan, to what do we owe this grand visit?” a pot-bellied black-shirted disciple hurried forward.

“Nothing much, just bored. Casually bringing a junior brother over to take a look… This junior brother just entered the ninth rank and isn’t clear on the rules for those training assignments.”

Wan Yuxuan waved a large hand and yawned as he spoke.

The black-shirted disciple smiled awkwardly, his gaze shifting to the tall figure behind him, only to startle: “Hey, isn’t this Junior Brother Li?”

Xiangzi smiled and cupped his hands: “Senior Brother Zhang!”

This black-shirted disciple was the one Zhao Mu had introduced when he first brought Xiangzi here to visit.

“Since we’re acquaintances, that makes it easy. Junior Brother Zhang, lead us to take a look. It’s been years since I last came to Four Seas Courtyard; I’ve even forgotten how things work,” Wan Yuxuan squeezed out with a grin.

The disciple paused, naturally not daring to voice anything on his face, though he muttered inwardly: When has this lord ever been so attentive to anyone?

One must know, Wan Yuxuan was famous in the martial hall for “minding nothing.” Even challengers who came knocking at the door couldn’t spark a shred of interest in this lord.

Even the senior brothers in the inner sect said it was rare to see Wan Yuxuan training or tempering his body.

Today was truly peculiar—for an outer sect disciple’s training, it had actually moved this lord?

—

The few entered a hall.

In the center of the hall stood a massive sand table map.

The sand table was exquisitely crafted, with even mountains and streams marked out.

Various forces were circled with small flags of different colors.

As for the places available for assignment training, a ring of lime had been sprinkled, making them clear at a glance.

This Senior Brother Zhang from Four Seas Courtyard was well-versed in his duties; in just a few words, he explained the pros and cons of the assignment locations crystal clear.

It was more or less what Xiangzi had pondered before.

“Then, Senior Brother Wan, I’ll take my leave first.”

“Mm, thanks for the trouble. Here are a few Blood-Nourishing Pills; you should find them useful.” Wan Yuxuan waved a hand, and a small jade bottle landed in the Four Seas Courtyard disciple’s hand.

The disciple’s face lit up with joy, cupping his hands repeatedly in thanks.

Xiangzi secretly clicked his tongue in amazement: They say in Baolin Martial Hall that this direct son of the Wan family is the most generous and lavish, and now I see the rumors are true.

This wasn’t mere “generosity”—it was practically throwing gold around!

Xiangzi had seen Blood-Nourishing Pills before—on the day he secretly slipped into the martial hall’s rear courtyard behind Liu Tang’s back, Lin Junqing had given him one.

As a direct disciple, even Lin Junqing seemed to regard this pill as precious.

Yet now, that senior brother had merely spoken a few words and received a small bottle?

—

After the Four Seas Courtyard disciple left, Wan Yuxuan spoke leisurely: “Xiangzi, have you chosen?”

Xiangzi smiled, then solemnly cupped his fists: “I must trouble Senior Brother Wan to advise me. I’ll follow whatever Senior Brother decides!”

Hearing this, the corners of Wan Yuxuan’s mouth curved into a faint smile—have to admit, this big fellow is sharp.

A mere ninth-rank disciple’s training—what need was there for him to come personally?

His presence today naturally had a reason.

“Xiangzi, you’re a clever one, so I won’t waste words. For this outing of yours, Wind Justice Courtyard has a matter we’d like you to handle.”

At this point, Wan Yuxuan leisurely pointed to a spot on the sand table: “Something’s off here. Train in this place for half a year and thoroughly investigate for our Wind Justice Courtyard.”

Xiangzi followed his gaze.

Where Wan Yuxuan’s finger pointed stood a small flag bearing the character “Clear.”

What a coincidence.

Wasn’t this exactly the place he had decided on yesterday?

Clear Gang territory—Feng Family Village.

Feng Family Village lay in the western suburbs of Forty-Nine City, bordering Little Blue Garment Ridge to the north and the perilous Three Strongholds and Nine Lands to the west.

And not far to its south…

Was precisely the Li family mining district.

Xiangzi’s gaze sharpened as he nodded heavily: “I’ll follow Senior Brother Wan’s lead.”

—

The big fellow’s prompt agreement actually stunned Wan Yuxuan for a moment.

“Xiangzi, you’re not even asking what exactly you’re being sent to do? Just agreeing so easily—aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you out?”

“Serving the martial hall is a disciple’s duty. Moreover, if not for the bear heart Senior Brother Wan gifted me in the mining district a few days ago… I’m afraid I wouldn’t be standing here.”

Xiangzi’s words were sincere. Had he not chanced upon Wan Yuxuan and received that bear heart, he couldn’t have carved a bloody path out of the Li family mines with just two pillars of qi and blood cultivation.

Let alone later entering Baolin Martial Hall.

As the saying goes, every drink and peck is predestined?

Who could have thought that a bear heart, now seeming unremarkable, had altered the course of Xiangzi’s original life?

Hearing this, even Wan Yuxuan was taken aback.

The bear heart?

If Xiangzi hadn’t mentioned it himself, how could this lavish Wan Yuxuan, who spent gold like water, remember such a thing?

But this kid was one who knew gratitude.

Wan Yuxuan smiled and pulled a jade token from his robes: “Got a bargain, kid. Courtyard Master originally said he’d test you before giving it.”

“I figure there’s no need for all that trouble—it’s too much hassle.”

The jade token felt warm and smooth in hand, but seeing the characters “Wind Justice” on its azure body, Xiangzi’s heart still jolted.

“Take this jade token, and you’re a disciple of our Wind Justice Courtyard. Cherish it, kid. Entering Wind Justice Courtyard requires at least ninth-rank perfection realm.”

“That old miser, Courtyard Master Xi, is stingy as hell. Giving you this token out of turn is truly a rarity.”

Xiangzi tucked the jade token into his robes, hesitated a moment, then asked a question Wan Yuxuan absolutely hadn’t expected:

“Uh, Senior Brother Wan, with this jade token, does that mean my treatment will be the same as a Wind Justice Courtyard disciple?”

Wan Yuxuan paused, then burst into hearty laughter.

“Naturally. Nourishing and tempering broths and the like will all follow Wind Justice Courtyard disciple standards.”

“Moreover, per the rules for our Wind Justice Courtyard’s field disciples, there’s additional operational funding—100 silver dollars per month.”

“How’s that? Not shortchanging you, right?”

Hearing this, Xiangzi’s eyes immediately curved into slits of joy.

Wan Yuxuan pulled a dossier from his robes, his expression rare and solemn: “Read this today and burn it after. Don’t blame me for not warning you—if even a hint leaks, I’ll personally deal with you per courtyard rules and cripple your cultivation.”

Xiangzi’s expression straightened as he took it and carefully tucked it away.

To make this direct son of the Wan family so grave, to have the cold-faced institute master of Wind Justice Courtyard personally instruct…

The weight of this matter spoke for itself.

Wan Yuxuan, however, smiled carefree: “Don’t panic, kid. With your ninth-rank entry realm cultivation, we wouldn’t send you on suicide missions.”

“We chose you simply because you’re a trustworthy fresh face.”

“Go to Feng Family Village and do what needs doing. With your brains, you should spot some clues. Report back to the courtyard when the time comes.”

Hearing this, Xiangzi relaxed inwardly.

Yet…

The phrase “trustworthy fresh face” still made him ponder its deeper meaning.

It seemed the courtyard master no longer trusted those within Wind Justice Courtyard.