My disciples are all villains.

He poured a cup of water for himself, straightened his back, and said, "The Penglai Sect seldom dealt with the outside world. They managed to gain a foothold in the cultivation world thanks to their Five Islands Formation. Somehow, recently, there was a glitch in their Formation. The floating island is the core island of Penglai. Its 10,000 feet in length, and its weight is immeasurable. It only stayed afloat due to the powerful Formation… If the island sinks into the ocean, the other four islands will surely sink as well." He stopped for a moment when he realized the others in the surroundings were talking about it as well. Then, he continued to say with a smile on his face, "Alas, the Penglai Sect had no allies. The island master, Huang Shijie, an Eight-leaf expert, invited various sects to lend them a helping hand. Unfortunately, they were all ravenous wolves with ambitions of their own. They wanted to take advantage of the situation, naturally, they wished for the floating island to sink. In the end, somehow, Old Senior Ji went to Penglai. When the floating island sank, the four islands descended into chaos. Coincidentally and also, unfortunately, Huang Shijie wasn't around..."

The cultivator continued to say animatedly, "One thing led to another, the Evil Sky Pavilion's Patriarch, a Nine-leaf elite, killed the Taixu Academy's Jiang Lizhi with a single strike. With the strength of Atlas, he held up the floating island with a single hand. He brought it out of the ocean, 100 meters up in the air. Everyone was, naturally, frightened. In the end, he obtained the Golden Taixu Mirror and the Penglai Heavenly Scroll."

There was a hubbub of discussion in the teahouse.

Many of them had heard this story multiple times, but they could not get enough of it.

The green-robed swordsman smiled and asked, "How do you know so much about this, comrade?"

"I've always admired the Evil Sky Pavilion. I always keep an ear out for anything that has to do with the Evil Sky Pavilion," the man replied with a faint smile on his face.

The green-robed swordsman nodded.

The man's gaze fell on the scabbard in the green-robed swordsman's hand. He said with a smile, "Dear sir, that sword you got there bears some semblance to the sword of the Evil Sky Pavilion's Yu Shangrong."

"Is that so?" The green-robed swordsman looked at his sword with a straight face.

"Why, of course… I heard that the Sword Devil is back with a new hit list and that he's in this Yu Province City now…" the man said.

"Do you know him as well, my friend?" The green-robed swordsman was as gentle as ever.

The man placed his teacup on the table. He chuckled and said, "I've heard about him, that's all."

"In that case, do you know… that you're on his hit list as well?" The green-robed swordsman smiled faintly.

"Hm?"

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

The sword in the green-robed swordsman's hand vibrated slightly.

The man was shocked. He looked at the green-robed swordsman, horrified.

The green-robed swordsman said, "Mouse King, Li Cang… I'm sorry, but your time is up."

The Mouse King, Li Cang's eyes widened. Realization finally dawned on him. He looked at the polite and gentle green-clad gentleman sitting opposite him as he said tremblingly in a hoarse voice, "Sword Devil!"

Zing!

The Longevity Sword left its scabbard!

With lightning speed, the energy sword shot toward Li Cang.

The runes flickered with energy, gleaming coldly.

Zing!

The Longevity Sword returned to its scabbard.

It was as though nothing had happened. All of these happened in just a blink of an eye, leaving everyone unaware.

After the Longevity Sword returned to its scabbard, a weak energy surged into the scabbard.

The surroundings were as lively as ever. The customers continued chatting away merrily. Everything went on as normal.

Yu Shangrong raised his teacup and took a sip. He placed it back down and looked at Li Cang, the Mouse King, who was seated opposite himself. He smiled faintly. "Goodbye."

After Yu Shangrong went down the stairs and vanished from sight, Li Cang remained motionless like before. His eyes were half-open as though he did not have time to fully open them. A hint of fear and shock could still be seen on his face. His lips were slightly parted, but no sound came from it.

The Mouse King, Li Cang, was the best scout of Yu Province's garrison general. He was skilled in gathering intel from various sources, infiltrating enemy bases, and creating opportunities for the army. He was a competent subordinate of Ji Qingqing, one of the eight great commanders! He usually kept a low-profile in the teahouse. He would listen to the others brag about their glorious experiences. This was the first time he had spoken about what he knew. However, he clearly did not expect to run into the Evil Sky Pavilion's Yu Shangrong. Alas, it was too late.

After what seemed like hours, the teahouse's waiter came to clear the table.

"Sir… sir?"

When the waiter saw Li Cang, the Mouse King, keeping quiet, he waved his hand in front of Li Cang's face.

Still no reaction.

Hence, he poked Li Cang.

Thud!

In just a split second, Li Cang, the Mouse King, fell backward.

At this moment, a bloody slit appeared on his neck, and blood began to gush out.

"Murder!"

"There has been a murder!"

…

Inside the General's Mansion in Jing Province.

Yu Zhenghai was discussing his next course of action with Si Wuya.

Hua Chongyang hurried into the room with the Darknet's information in his hand. He bowed and said, "Sect master, Mister Seventh, Yu Zhou's Mouse King, Li Cang, has been assassinated. It was a sword slash from the front…" Then, he drew a finger over his neck.

"How many times does this make?" Yu Zhenghai asked with his hands on his back.

"This is the fifth time this month… The garrison general of Yu Province is one of the eight great generals from the Divine Capital, Ji Qingqing. The five deceased are her subordinates," Hua Chongyang replied.

Yu Zhenghai said, "Jing Province's General Wen Shu included, that makes six. Who's this person? Do we have anything on him?"

Hua Chongyang shook his head and said, "This man made a hit list, just like Mister Second did. He would add names to the list every few days. Unlike Mister Second's hit list, it seems like this hit list is intended to scare the others. Those who leave Yu Province may live while those who are stubborn will be killed without exception."

"Interesting, interesting… If I'm able to meet this interesting person in the future, I must form a friendship with him!" Yu Zhenghai bluntly said.

Si Wuya asked, "Is it possible that the person is Second Senior Brother?"

Yu Zhenghai's expression darkened. "Him?"

"Under the heavens, I'm afraid Second Senior Brother is the only one who can kill his opponent in such a direct manner." After saying this, Si Wuya quickly added, "Of course, this includes you, Eldest Senior Brother. In fact, you're probably better."

"Wise brother, do you really think that it's him?" Yu Zhenghai turned around and looked at Si Wuya.

Si Wuya was taken aback. He said, "Perhaps, I'm just overthinking."

"That's what I think as well."

Hua Chongyang understood the situation so he did not comment on it. He bowed and said, "I have another matter to report."

"Let's hear it."

Hua Chongyang produced a stack of papers and said, "The incident of Senior Ji holding up the floating island with a single hand is currently spreading. From what I know now, it seems like the news isn't fabricated."

Yu Zhenghai took the papers and looked through them. They were mainly ditties and limericks sung by the general public.

After going through them, Yu Zhenghai tossed the papers on the table and said with a laugh, "Regardless of its authenticity, this is good news for us. With the Evil Sky Pavilion's fearsome reputation, the cultivators of Great Yan will think twice before meddling in the affairs between the Nether Sect and the Imperial family."

Si Wuya said, "But, Eldest Senior Brother, master doesn't like you using the name of the Evil Sky Pavilion…"

Yu Zhenghai shook his head and said, "Wise brother… You're intelligent, but even you can have a lapse in judgment."

Si Wuya was puzzled.

Yu Zhenghai said shamelessly, "Master has made it clear that he's not going to go easy on me… In that case, I might as well do as I please."

"…"

He was going to be punished anyway. He would still suffer the same consequences if he did not do this. He might as well do as he pleased.

Hua Chongyang said, "When Island Master Huang heard that Senior Ji propped the island up with a single hand, he hurried back to Penglai Island without stopping to rest."

Yu Zhenghai nodded.

Huang Shijie had been helping the Nether Sect lately. When Penglai Island was in danger, he was helping the Nether Sect here. In terms of morality, it had been more than enough.

"Very well." This meant that he would have one less helper in his quest to conquer Yu Province. However, with a mysterious elite helping him in the shadows, he felt less pressured.

…

Inside the abyss of the Moonlight Woodland.

There was no sun to help Ye Tianxin keep count of the days. All she could do was estimate the time.

After what seemed like days, Ye Tianxin felt that her dantian's sea of Qi was completely filled. She opened her eyes slowly.