Fine Rain Tower's business, everyone crouch down with your hands on your head

Murong Xiao was captured by a rebel general from the southern border?

Little Li fell into deep thought.

Wait, why would Brother Murong come to Yunzhou? And of all times, he just happened to run into the rebel general.

In a way, that’s some impressive luck.

"Why would Chang Bolong, while fleeing, bother to capture Murong Xiao? Isn’t that just adding dead weight?"

Qian Bufan felt thoroughly exhausted.

The group had been about to return to Purple Sun Prefecture when this mess happened.

"We’ve been searching with the external affairs deacon from Sword City for a long time, but we haven’t found any trace of them."

"Who knows if Murong Xiao is even still alive..."

Xue Jing frowned.

"Different professions excel in different fields. Tracking isn’t a swordsman’s forte."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Mo analyzed:

"Chang Bolong is being hunted by the authorities, yet he insists on taking Brother Murong with him. That suggests he has ulterior motives—perhaps..."

Shang Wu’s almond eyes widened as she interjected:

"Perhaps he has a thing for handsome young men? In that case, my dear disciple, you’d better be careful."

Li Mo: "..."

Setting aside how absurd his master’s guess was...

He still appreciated the compliment.

Seeing his beautiful master grow serious, Li Mo handed her a bottle of aged wine:

"Can’t rule that out."

Shang Wu snorted, signaling that as long as she was around, she’d absolutely protect her precious disciple.

Only then did Li Mo continue:

"But putting that aside..."

"We don’t need to worry too much about Brother Murong’s safety for now. Our priority is finding them."

Everyone nodded. Junior Brother Li’s analysis made sense.

When Little Li got serious, he was actually reliable. Suddenly, the group felt like they had a leader to rely on.

Ying Bing lowered her delicate head slightly, her eyes reflecting the young man’s confident demeanor as he spoke.

She quietly poured a cup of tea and placed it by his hand without drawing attention.

Qian Bufan said, "If we ask Sword City’s comrades to act, they’d definitely step up. But right now, we can’t even find Chang Bolong’s trail."

Swordsmen were strong, loved flamboyant displays, and thrived on showing off.

But when it came to gathering intel or tracking? They considered such tasks beneath them.

They’d rather pick a moonlit rooftop for a duel than skulk in the shadows like bounty hunters, disguised as beggars to gather information.

Sword City was willing to lend their full support.

But only for fighting.

"Yunzhou isn’t like Purple Sun Prefecture. We can’t make too big a scene here."

Xue Jing nodded in agreement.

"The solution is right in front of us."

Li Mo suddenly smiled.

The group was taken aback.

Then they watched as he strode out into the street and announced loudly:

"Boys, we’ve got a new job!"

In an instant, the bustling street fell silent.

Every peddler, street performer, even the old men playing chess and the crippled beggar—all stood up and gathered at the tavern entrance.

"Master Li, your orders?"

"Just say the word—who do we kill?"

"How do you want it done? Chopped into mincemeat?"

The tavern entrance erupted with enthusiasm. The assassins were brimming with motivation, eager to prove their worth.

Truly, a group of hardworking, self-made go-getters.

Ahem, let me just say a few words."

"My bounty was recently revoked, but the reward hasn’t been withdrawn yet, so..."

As Li Mo stood before the crowd of assassins, giving instructions...

The group inside the tavern fell into deep thought again.

To an outsider, it’d look like Li Mo was the Yunzhou branch leader of the Fine Rain Tower. Hell, even they were starting to doubt themselves.

Weren’t they supposed to be the righteous Qingyuan Sect?!

Before long...

Little Li had dispatched the assassins.

Just as he was about to return to the tavern to discuss further—

"Brother Li."

A voice called from behind—a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion.

"It’s Huang Donglai."

Huang Donglai, worried Li Mo wouldn’t recognize him, switched back to his real voice.

"Ah, Brother Huang. Here to stay? I’m a bit tied up at the moment..."

"No, I came to offer my help."

Huang Donglai clasped his hands earnestly.

"Tracking subtle clues is one of my specialties."

"You’ve studied this too?"

"A bit. Particularly in covering tracks and hiding one’s presence."

"..."

Li Mo studied Huang Donglai’s disguise.

Even without using his Heavenly Eye, he couldn’t spot any flaws.

Clearly, the man had real expertise.

A rare talent indeed.

......

While the city simmered with undercurrents...

A certain temple remained eerily quiet.

Located in the outskirts of Yunzhou City, this temple wasn’t particularly famous, but its serene surroundings—lush greenery and picturesque scenery—made it an ideal retreat.

Except...

Every monk inside, from the abbot down to the novices, had been replaced.

Creak—

After seeing off the last group of worshippers, a "monk" shut the heavy temple gates, kicked aside a wooden fish blocking his path, and approached the "abbot."

"General—"

"Hmm?"

The thick-browed "abbot" cracked an eye open, his gaze sharp with menace.

The "monk" quickly corrected himself: "Abbot, how much longer must we play monks? Eating nothing but tofu and cabbage—I’m about to lose my mind. When can we leave?"

The original monks of "Golden Light Temple" had met unfortunate ends.

Now, the place was occupied by rebel soldiers.

"Stop whining."

Chang Bolong snorted.

"Yunzhou’s crawling with eyes right now. We’re stuck here until the heat dies down. Those Sword City idiots are too busy preening to imagine we’d hide as monks."

"Besides, the ‘Divine One’ has spoken."

He glanced at the Buddha statue behind him and grinned.

"We’ve found the Divine Son for Him. The cult will reward us handsomely."

"Once we ride this out, the sky’s the limit. No more rotting in that godforsaken southern border."

The "monks" brightened at his words.

"With your achievements, General, you’ll surely be promoted to a guardian of the sect!"

"Joining the Divine Cult was the right call. My stagnant cultivation broke through just yesterday!"

"Hah! Those Yunzhou swordsmen are fools. They’ll never find us!"

"Wait... does anyone else think the incense smells... too strong?"

"Yeah... it’s making me dizzy..."

Just then—

Chang Bolong’s eyes snapped open. He held his breath.

"The incense is poisoned!" he roared.

BANG—

The temple doors were kicked open.

"Fine Rain Tower business! Everyone, hands on your heads!"

The "monks": "?"

What the—Fine Rain Tower?!

Hold on.

This scene felt weirdly familiar.

They might be fugitives now, but they were once proper soldiers—used to being the ones kicking down doors.

Now, a bunch of assassins were storming in like it was nothing?

Talk about a sudden turn of events.