Yu Daohan briefly recounted the events of the recent battle.
Upon hearing this, Shi Bingzhi nodded, his brow furrowed. "Although Chen Shanhe lost an arm, he's still a Black List expert. His strength shouldn't be underestimated. I'll report this matter to the Supernatural Affairs Bureau first."
Yu Daohan nodded.
Although Shi Bingzhi was a赊刀人 (She Dao Ren - Knife Seller), he worked for the Supernatural Affairs Bureau.
He could now be considered one of them.
Wang Ming, Liang Jing, and Wang Fubao were in a similar situation. While still affiliated with their respective sects, they, like Shi Bingzhi, worked for the Supernatural Affairs Bureau.
Shi Bingzhi then asked, "Master Yu, should we stay or leave?"
Yu Daohan glanced towards the back of the mountain and said, "Since we've obtained what we came for, it's time for us to pack up and head back."
Shi Bingzhi nodded, and the two went to the second floor to pack their belongings.
After packing, they intended to leave without collecting the remaining deposit.
They placed their keys in their respective rooms, shouldered their bags, and prepared to head downstairs.
As they reached the main entrance, they saw Chen Qiaorou standing at the entrance of the main hall, looking at them with a hint of confusion. "Guests, are you planning to leave?"
Yu Daohan turned to look at Chen Qiaorou, who was wearing pajamas, and nodded. "Yes, we have some urgent matters at home that require our attention."
Chen Qiaorou lowered her head slightly, her voice growing softer. "Will you come back for a holiday next time?"
Shi Bingzhi did not answer, instead looking at Yu Daohan beside him.
Yu Daohan looked at Chen Qiaorou, who had her head slightly bowed, and smiled. "This place has beautiful scenery. I'd love to visit again if I have the chance."
Hearing this, Chen Qiaorou's head shot up, her face filled with excitement. "Really?"
Seeing Chen Qiaorou's excited reaction, Yu Daohan paused before saying what he intended to. After a moment of silence, he nodded and smiled. "Yes, really."
Chen Qiaorou's face lit up with a smile, though it seemed a little forced. "Alright, be sure to visit my home when you come for your next holiday."
"Okay."
Yu Daohan agreed.
Chen Qiaorou's smile faded as she spoke. "I'll return the remaining deposit you paid."
Yu Daohan shook his head and smiled. "No need, consider it a deposit for next time."
Chen Qiaorou nodded. "Alright."
"Then we'll be leaving now."
Yu Daohan finished speaking and turned to leave with Shi Bingzhi.
Watching their retreating figures, Chen Qiaorou leaned against the doorframe, her face filled with disappointment. "No, you won't come back."
Behind her, Aunt Chen walked forward, embraced her daughter from behind, and comforted her. "Silly girl, don't be sad."
Chen Qiaorou turned to look at her mother, her eyes welling up with tears. "Mother, why didn't the love蛊 (gu - curse/charm) work? Why?"
Aunt Chen looked at her daughter's sorrowful expression, her heart aching. She comforted her. "Silly girl, the love蛊 isn't omnipotent. If it didn't work, it means you two aren't destined to be together."
Chen Qiaorou lowered her head and fell silent.
Aunt Chen looked at her daughter, feeling a pang of guilt.
In reality, the love蛊 had worked, but she had retrieved the蛊 she had placed on Chen Qiaorou.
The moment she saw Yu Daohan, Aunt Chen knew they were no ordinary people.
The martial world is a dangerous place, and placing a蛊 on them would be akin to seeking death.
Stepping outside, the two walked towards the outskirts of the village.
As they emerged from the village, the sky had completely brightened, and the first rays of the morning sun shone on their faces.
Outside the village, more than ten white sedans were already parked, each with the characters 【行差】 (Xing Chai - Walker/Agent) written on the doors.
A middle-aged man in a suit strode towards them, a smile on his face, and greeted them respectfully. "Master Yu, Master Shi."
Yu Daohan gave a polite nod, while Shi Bingzhi beside him inquired, "What's the situation now?"
The middle-aged man replied truthfully, "I've already dispatched people to pursue the fleeing apostles of the Divine Religion."
Shi Bingzhi nodded and cautioned, "Good. Tell the brothers to be careful. Those fanatics from the Divine Religion are not easy to deal with."
"Understood," the middle-aged man nodded.
Shi Bingzhi grunted and continued, "We have other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."
The middle-aged man nodded, and only then did Yu Daohan and Shi Bingzhi begin to walk away.
Seeing them about to leave, the middle-aged man suddenly called out, "Master Shi!"
Shi Bingzhi stopped and turned back to look at the middle-aged man, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Is there something else?"
The middle-aged man asked tentatively, "Master Shi, is the Divine Religion's attack this time because of the compass?"
Upon hearing this, the coldness on Shi Bingzhi's face flashed for a moment before he shook his head. "I don't know. Master Yu and I came to save someone using a蛊, and we happened to encounter the Divine Religion's attack."
"So that's how it is," the middle-aged man nodded, a smile appearing on his face.
Shi Bingzhi nodded, not wanting to linger. "We're leaving now."
The middle-aged man, with a smile, echoed, "Farewell, Master Yu, Master Shi."
Yu Daohan nodded in acknowledgment as always, while Shi Bingzhi simply nodded.
After walking a considerable distance, Yu Daohan finally spoke, "That fellow is quite suspicious."
Shi Bingzhi nodded, his brow furrowed. "The Supernatural Affairs Bureau has many hidden operatives from the Divine Religion. We must be vigilant."
Yu Daohan remained silent, letting out a long sigh.
Now, not only did they have to deal with the Divine Religion, but they also had to guard against these ubiquitous hidden agents.
Even a top-tier family like the Chen family, a first-rate power, was almost wiped out by a single traitor. Not to mention the sects of second-rate powers.
Shi Bingzhi looked at Yu Daohan and asked the crucial question, "Master Yu, how do you plan to handle this compass?"
Yu Daohan shook his head. "I don't know."
He genuinely hadn't figured out how to handle it. Handing it over to the Supernatural Affairs Bureau was definitely not an option.
As for other sects, only the Three Great Sects were trustworthy.
Seeing Yu Daohan's response, Shi Bingzhi slowly began to speak, "Master Yu, I'd like to ask you..."
Before he could finish, Yu Daohan interrupted him. "No, I don't have your courage. Besides, I have something I must do. I can't take this compass for now."
Seeing Yu Daohan's refusal, Shi Bingzhi's face showed a hint of disappointment, but he quickly followed up, "Alright, then leave the compass with me for now. I'll discuss how to handle it with Wang Ming and the others."
Yu Daohan nodded and handed the compass to Shi Bingzhi.
He was still waiting for his own calling to save the world, but that could wait.
At least not now.
The two returned to Feng Ru's residence, and Shi Bingzhi began to alter Feng Ru's fate.
After three days, Feng Ru's fate was successfully altered.
Shi Bingzhi, with the compass in hand, bid farewell and left.
Yu Daohan watched Shi Bingzhi depart, his mind made up.
Before the final battle, he had to suppress those who dared to show their faces.
He needed to let them know that there were still people in this martial world who could maintain order.