If this is a story, I must be a villain.

However, Zhang San knew clearly that just relying on an underground river was still not enough for the nine experts at the Earth Realm.

Therefore, Zhang San still needed a "Heaven's Help".

Inside the secret room, Zhang San asked Wang Xiaoer, "Xiaoer, if I escaped in the end without going to kill Lin Nu and Hei Shanke, what would you think of me? What do you think the deceased Xiu Wangchou would think of me?"

Wang Xiaoer did not understand his meaning.

Zhang San explained, "The Dark Building will not let go of anyone who opposes them. If I'm not wrong, Hei Shanke must have sent a letter back to the Dark Building, and perhaps more Dark Building fighters have already started taking action, or even set off already."

Zhang San was very clear that as a proper underground force, the Dark Building would surround the entire Xiao Yun County before long.

Wang Xiaoer said seriously to Zhang San, "No matter what you would think, in my eyes, master will always be my master."

Zhang San smiled. This time, he gently patted Wang Xiaoer's little head, then made a decision in his heart.

Three more days.

This was the deadline Zhang San gave himself.

If after three days, Heaven did not help him, he must not let himself and his disciple fall into danger. He would bury Xiu Wangchou and leave with Wang Xiaoer, giving up on revenge.

If this "wicked Heaven" still had a shred of conscience and helped him, then he would stay and kill! Take revenge!

After leaving the secret room, Zhang San brought Wang Xiaoer to the backyard of the painting and calligraphy shop, quietly looking up at the sky.

Heaven?

Do you really have a conscience?

People say, Heaven and Earth are merciless, treating all living beings like straw dogs. Is this true?

...

Every late autumn in Xiao Yun County, it would often rain. Having stayed in Xiao Yun County for many years, Zhang San was already used to the different seasons.

This year, the rain came quite early.

Zhang San calculated...

On the night Xiu Wangchou was poisoned, it rained.

The few days Xiu Wangchou was injured and hiding in the pancake shop, it also rained.

On the night Xiu Wangchou died, it was pouring rain!

Logically, it should have come by now.

...

Three days later, in the early morning, heavy fog!

Every year after a few bouts of autumn rain in Xiao Yun County, after some days passed, heavy fog would rise every early morning for over ten days straight.

However, some people did not need ten days of heavy fog, one day was enough.

In the west of Xiao Yun County was the county government building. Outside the county building was a drum, originally for commoners to appeal injustice, but in recent years, this drum was rarely struck.

The reason was simple. Those who beat the drum were rich people, only the rich could appeal injustice, beating while poor was futile.

But no matter the era, those without money always outnumbered those with money in this world. Naturally, this drum was hit less often.

The saying goes, "The yamen faces south, come in if you’re right, don’t if you’re poor." This was the meaning.

On this day, the large drum suddenly rose into the air in the thick fog, rushing aggressively towards the main gate of the county building. Its momentum was so great that the main gate was directly smashed open. The drum entered, still not slowing down at all.

Was this drum about to rush through the main courtyard and charge straight into the county hall‽

At this moment, a slash of knife energy fiercely chopped out from the county hall, cutting the drum cleanly into two halves. The halves crashed thunderously onto opposite sides of the county building's walls.

Hei Shanke walked out slowly, sheathing his blade.

After days of recuperation, his inner strength was now fully restored, his vitality all peaked to an optimal state!

But who dared provoke the county building like this?

With fog all around, as the main gate opened, the surrounding mist grew even denser, now unable to even see the scene outside the gates.

As a killer of the Dark Building, the cautious Hei Shanke did not choose to stride into the fog or disperse it with knife energy. Instead, he quietly stood on the small landing between the hall and courtyard, waiting for his opponent to show themselves.

At the same time, Lin Nu, with his entire left arm wrapped in bandages, also walked out from the hall. He carefully followed behind Hei Shanke.

After Xiu Wangchou's incident, this former ferocious and infamous leader of the Happy Killing Gang with Earth Realm martial arts was becoming more and more like a timid mouse, even with his level of skill.

The drumbeater did not keep Hei Shanke and Lin Nu waiting for long. In the next moment, a sword cut through the air, landing on the tiled roof over the county building's main gate entrance.

The sword came extremely fast, carrying immense force. It directly smashed through the roof tiles and embedded deeply into the roof.

When the sword arrived, it briefly parted the thick fog. Hei Shanke saw it was a sheathed sword, with a jet black hilt and snow white scabbard.

It was a Star Sea Sect sword.

It was Xiu Wangchou's sword!

He wasn't dead!?

Momentarily shocked with anger, Hei Shanke stared at the sword, unable to speak.

At this time, a flash of white dashed out from the fog.

Graceful and agile as a white crane taking flight.

Within the white fog, the person in white seemed to be riding the fog as he arrived. Clad fully in snowy robes fluttering gently in the breeze, his graceful bearing was like that of an immortal descended into the mortal realm.

Standing atop the sword hilt, the masked figure in white spoke:

"Twenty years have passed. Heaven and Earth are vast, yet who could have imagined the events twenty years ago in North Prefecture Sifang Village would have their conclusion twenty years later in this small county city! This is probably a story that would only happen in those literati's fantasy martial arts novels."

Hei Shanke immediately recognised the visitor. He had lingered in this small county precisely for him!

Dare to rescue someone from my Dark Building? You simply court death!

Hei Shanke revealed a cruel smile. "Have you not heard life is but a play? I believe that's precisely the case."

The white-robed masked figure burst into loud laughter and arrogantly proclaimed, "If this were truly a story, then I would definitely be the villain!"

Hei Shanke waved his hand. Eight shadows immediately leapt out from the hall, two standing guard behind Hei Shanke and Lin Nu, while the other six landed in the middle of the courtyard. The last four sprang onto the surrounding rooftops. They drew pure black heavy crossbows, arrows already nocked, ready to fire on Hei Shanke's orders anytime.

Despite the heavy fog today, at such a close distance, the Dark Building's crossbowmen could likely achieve a hundred bullseyes out of a hundred shots.

Additionally, their uniquely Dark Building black heavy crossbows, matched with their exclusive inner force techniques, could maximize the power of these pure iron arrows. Xiu Wangchou had previously taken just one arrow to his calf, the arrowhead tearing through flesh while its sheer force nearly shattered his entire leg. This gave Hei Shanke the opening he desperately needed in their struggle between life and death.

As expected, a well-trained group! Zhang San couldn't help but secretly praise the efficiency and preparations of these archers upon seeing them.

But Hei Shanke remained just as cautious towards Zhang San's mastery of lightness skills and true identity, another reason he lingered in this small county.

Hei Shanke called out, "Since you dare come, then announce your name and sect. I'm rather curious just which righteous sect dares provoke my Dark Building after the Star Sea Sect."

Zhang San only laughed louder. Boldly, he declared, "Who told you I'm part of the orthodox sects?"