Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

As dawn approached, Lund left the Brotherhood residence.

Instead of going through the main gate, he climbed over the low wall in the backyard and headed south along the shadow beside the old freight road.

Grayish-white mist clung to the ground, coal smoke and dampness mingled together, making the entire northern district resemble an iron beast that had not yet awakened, its chest emitting low and slow breaths.

Xilun stood behind the second-floor window, watching his teacher's figure disappear.

Lund's left arm still looked unnatural when he walked.

The slight unnaturalness was so subtle that an ordinary person wouldn't notice it, but Xilun could see it clearly.

The old injury had been plaguing him for too long, like a rusty nail stuck in his bone, silent most of the time, but it would bite into his vital spot at crucial moments.

Rhodes stood behind him.

"Mr. Lund won't let our people near."

"Just keep watching from a distance."

Xilun lowered the curtains.

"Don't make the decision for him."

Rhodes nodded.

Three letters were already laid out on the table.

The first letter was unsigned, written on very thin paper, the kind of cheap paper commonly used by caravans in the southern district. The handwriting was deliberately crooked, yet hidden codes were concealed in every pause.

It would pass through two black markets before being delivered to the Northwest Front by a merchant who collected old military boots.

There were no accusations in the letter.

There were only some seemingly scattered pieces of information.

Tusol's guards have been transferred back to the North District; the underground coal bunker of the manor has seen frequent nighttime comings and goings; some servants at the Hunting Grounds manor have been replaced; the Third Elder, Oin, has been having frequent banquets with members of the collateral branches recently; and Tusol's old seal has appeared in the Black Death Cult's transport ledger.

Each one is like a lamp in the fog; it may not be clear from a distance, but it is enough to make a truly vigilant person stop in their tracks.

"Will Austin believe it?" Rhodes asked.

Xilun did not answer immediately.

He took out sealing wax and sealed the letter.

"He would think this is provocation."

Rhodes remained silent.

"Aston is the kind of guy who fights his way up from the front lines, surrounded by the cheers of victory. Someone who's been winning for so long finds it hard to believe that someone would dare to change the locks on his door."

Xilun handed over the letter.

"But there are always cautious people around him."

Rhodes took the letter.

What if the letter is intercepted?

"That's fine too."

Siren said, "If Oin intercepts it, he'll know I'm not completely neutral. If Austin receives it, he'll know I warned him. If a third party gets hold of it, they'll know the Tusol family isn't clean."

Rhodes whispered, "Every path is usable."

Xilun glanced at him.

"Therefore, the messenger cannot know the true contents of the letter."

"clear."

The second letter was written to Albert.

The letter was written in a respectful and restrained tone, like a subordinate giving a routine report.

In his letter, Siron mentioned some of the Black Death cult ledgers seized from Old Gallows Street, the Pharmacist's Guild plaque, the outpost of the Third Charity Hospital, cerebrospinal fluid samples from the Sleepers, and the suspected involvement of a Tussor branch in the transportation.

He didn't mention that all six vials of cerebrospinal fluid had fallen into his hands.

Theoin didn't provide any clues either.

He only offered to hand over partial copies of the ledgers to the Armed Insurgents for verification, and hoped to receive further purification potions, cold-elemental water, mental stabilization materials, and confirmation of public protection for the Northern District Brotherhood.

After reading it, Rhodes paused his fingertip on the edge of the letter.

"Albert will see that you are leveraging this opportunity."

"Of course he will."

"He'll also see that this is what he wants," Siren said.

"He might take this opportunity to increase his bets."

"Let him add it."

Xiren picked up the third letter.

This letter was shorter and was sent to an old pawnshop near the home of the old Viscount Brandon.

There was nothing about moon phase sterling silver in it; it was just a list of antique clocks and watches for acquisition, listing several long-lost items from the Brandon family.

Rhodes looked at the names, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"You suspect that the moon phase chalcedony is hidden inside the watch?"

"uncertain."

Xilun said, "But Oin mentioned the old wax seal of the old Brandon family. The Brandon family started out with moon phase clocks and silversmithing. If they really had moon phase silver marrow, they wouldn't just put it in the medicine storehouse. It's more likely that it was disguised as an ancestral artifact."

"Should I send someone to keep an eye on the pawnshop?"

"Don't just focus on pawnshops."

"Watch watchmakers, silversmiths, auctioneers of aristocratic relics, and trucks that move bankrupt nobles," said Xilun.

Rhodes wrote it down.

The sky gradually brightened.

The gunmen in the mansion began their changing of the guard, their boots making a dull thud as they stepped on the wet, cold stone slabs.

The aroma of rye bread and stewed beans wafted from the kitchen, and someone was moving a water tank from the direction of the training shed; the iron rings struck the wooden planks like heavy bells.

Xilun did not go to rest.

He entered the underground meditation room.

Twelve large water vats stood against the wall, their surfaces calm, reflecting the dim yellow light overhead.

A temporary cultivation array was carved on the ground, and in the center were several sealed ceramic jars, which contained Yin Spirit Source Water, Cold Mist Crystal Powder, gray-white crystals obtained from Tusor, and Marrow Purification Potion purchased at a high price on the black market.

These resources would have been enough to raise three or four decent Tier 1 Extraordinary individuals.

When it fell into Xilun's hands, it was only enough for him to push the Xuan Yin Breathing Technique forward a little.

The distance between the second and third orders is far colder and heavier than ordinary people imagine.

Xilun took off his coat, leaving only a thin shirt, and stepped barefoot into the cultivation array.

Standing at the door, Rhodes couldn't help but say, "Young Master, you just went through a battle last night."

"The injury has been contained."

Xilun picked up a bottle of Yin Spirit Source Water.

The bottle was opened, and a chill immediately spread out, even causing a layer of frost to condense on the brass doorknob.

"The Profound Yin Breathing Technique is still a long way from reaching the extraordinary level."

He tilted his head back and drank half the bottle.

The icy liquid slid down my throat into my stomach, like a thin icicle, piercing from my chest all the way into my abdomen.

Xilun's breath hitched for a moment, veins bulged on his forehead, and faint cold lines spread beneath his skin.

Rhodes took a half step back.

It's not that I'm afraid of the cold.

The atmosphere was so heavy that it felt as if the air in the entire basement was being drawn away bit by bit, leaving only a silent, descending chill.

"If one's cultivation is not perfected, even if one obtains the Transformation Elixir, one will not be able to advance in rank."

Xilun closed his eyes.

"Starting today, exchange all money that can be converted into cultivation resources."

Rhodes' expression changed slightly.

"Is the expansion in the North District also halted?"

"Never stop."

Xilun said, "Cut all the expenses on appearances, reduce unnecessary manpower, and transfer all the profits from the old freight line to materials. The compensation from Tusol, apart from maintaining security, will all be used to exchange for cold-related and mental stability resources."

"The brothers might have some complaints."

"Let Kusso speak."

Xilun's breathing gradually slowed down.

"If that doesn't make sense, give them severance pay."

All external forces serve as resources for my extraordinary path.

If I succeed, others will debate the scriptures for me.

Rhodes sensed the determination in his voice.

This is not a short-term adjustment.

The goal is to turn the entire Brotherhood into a furnace to supply the Westerlands.

He didn't try to persuade him.

Because he knew that once the autumn hunt began, the weak would not even have time to utter a word of complaint.

After Rod left, only the sound of water remained in the basement.

Xilun sat cross-legged, slowly circulating the Xuan Yin breathing technique.

The chill first spreads from the stomach, then gradually seeps into the flesh, fascia, and bones.

The Great Thunder Breathing Technique vibrated deep within the chest cavity, attempting to shatter, flatten, and knead this chill deeper into the body.

His talent for dividing water was simultaneously activated, causing the water surfaces of the twelve water tanks to slightly dip, as if being pressed down by an invisible hand.

The pain came quickly.

It's not a knife cut.

It is like countless fine needles growing out from the bone marrow.

Xilun's knuckles slowly tightened, his nails digging into his palms, and the blood that had just surfaced was frozen into dark red dots by the cold air.

He didn't open his eyes.

In the spiritual world, Bai Yi floated like a glimmer of light, and the soothing spell unfolded layer by layer, pulling the thoughts that were about to collapse back to the center.

Susie's notes still played an amazing role at this moment. The steps she had broken down to an almost clumsy degree were like thin threads, tethering Xiren's sinking consciousness.

Time slows down during cultivation.

On the first day, Rod delivered Albert's reply.

Albert did not immediately agree to public protection, but only asked Siron to hand over more copies of the ledgers and send Colleen to verify the cerebrospinal fluid samples of the sleepers.

The wording remained strong, but it carried less of the condescending arrogance of the past.

Xilun only replied with four words.

We can meet in person.

On the third day, the letter destined for the northwest front left the outskirts of Victoria.

On the seventh day, a fire broke out in an old warehouse owned by Viscount Brandon, burning down half of the accounting room.

The men sent by Rhodes did not find the Moon Phase Silver Marrow, but they discovered that an antique Moon Phase Bell had been secretly moved away before the fire, and its whereabouts were unknown.

On the twelfth day, another batch of polluters arrived at Tusol Estate.

Xilun continued to provide treatment as usual.

Oin did not appear in person, but had Oro convey his thanks on his behalf.

Oro stood outside the ward door, smiling politely, but his eyes held an uncontrollable coldness.

"Mr. Sir Lunn doesn't look too well lately."

"Cultivation Consumption".

Xilun wiped his fingers clean.

"The patients in the Tusol family are not doing well either."

Oro's smile faded slightly.

"With the autumn hunt approaching, family affairs are plentiful, and some losses are inevitable."

Xilun looked at him.

"Then let's minimize the losses."

That's too mild, and too harsh.

Oro stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"I hope that after the autumn hunt, we can sit down and talk like this again."

"As long as you still need treatment."

Xilun picked up the medicine box.

"Yes."

Auro watched his retreating figure, his hand slowly clenching into a fist.

At that moment, he almost wanted to order the people to stay on the estate.

But he didn't in the end.

My father once said that one should wait until the time is right to kill.

He swallowed those words, like swallowing a piece of angular ice.

On the twentieth day, Colleen secretly arrived at the Brotherhood's mansion.

She brought with her two pharmacists from the armed insurgents and examined the two-page copy of the ledger and a sample of the sleeper's cerebrospinal fluid that Siron had handed over.

When the pharmacist saw the sample, his eyes changed noticeably, and even his breathing became much lighter.

Colleen did not ask further about the source of the sample.

She only looked at Xilun.

"The CEO said that what you want can be discussed. But he doesn't like people who offer protection while hiding a knife inside."

Xiren sat behind the table.

"I also don't like it when people are discussing cooperation while measuring my neck."

Colleen was silent for a moment, then chuckled.

"You two should argue face to face."

"He's not in a hurry."

Xilun said, "I'm not in a hurry either."

Colleen put the sample away.

"Before the autumn hunt in Tusol, the Albert General Council will give the Northern Brotherhood a temporary protection document. It is not unconditional protection, but only for assassinations by the Black Death Cult and the Whispering Choir."

"enough."

"Also, I can provide you with a batch of the purification potion and mental stabilization materials you requested. Cold-type resources are relatively scarce, at most 30%."

"I want 50%."

Colleen frowned.

"You're trying to raise the price on the spot."

Xilun looked at her.

"I just put the Black Death Cult, the Tusol Clique, and the Apothecaries' Guild into your hands."

Colleen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"This is just a line."

"Who the thread will lead depends on whether Albert dares to pull it."

The room quieted down.

Finally, Colleen pulled her hat brim down.

"I will convey your exact words."

After she left, Rod whispered, "Albert will be unhappy."

"If he only knew how to be happy, he wouldn't have gotten to that position."

Xilun closed his eyes again.

The water in the vat rose silently, forming twelve thin curtains of water around him. A chill spread along the water curtains, dimming the lamplight.

Rod watched this scene without saying anything more.

He suddenly realized that while the young master was outwardly dealing with various parties, every negotiation, every concession, and every risk was actually for the same purpose.

time.

If only we had a little more time.

Two months later, the winter chill in Victoria finally subsided.

The snow on the street melted into dirty gray water, which flowed into the sewers through the cracks in the stones.

Even during the day, the gas lamps were shrouded in a haze of fog, and the horse-drawn carriages splashed black water as they drove over the wet mud.

The newsboy's voice was hoarser than ever before as he shouted news of victories from the front, news of rising grain prices, and news of a noblewoman donating three hundred old blankets at a charity gala.

The North District, however, was unusually quiet.

The Brotherhood did not continue to expand.

Tusol's guards no longer patrol the streets as frequently as before.

The Third Charity Hospital's partner pharmacy remained open as usual, with the queue longer than before. However, several new pharmacy apprentices in gray uniforms were present at the entrance, carefully examining the whites of each person's eyes and tongue before dispensing the medicine.

Everything seemed to have been smoothed out by an invisible hand.

Only a very few people know how many fuses were lit beneath this calm surface.

Inside the training shed behind the Brotherhood mansion, the twelve large water tanks have been replaced with sixteen.

The ground cultivation array was repeatedly engraved, and a layer of white frost that could not be washed off clung to its edges.

Empty pottery jars and medicine bottles were piled up in the corner. Yin Spirit Source Water, Cold Mist Crystal Powder, Marrow Purification Medicine, Mental Stabilizing Liquid, and unknown bone powder obtained from the black market—all the resources that could help the Xuan Yin Breathing Technique advance had been gradually absorbed into Xilun's body over the past two months.

The cost is equally obvious.

He has lost some weight.

It's not weakness, but rather that the whole person has been honed to become sharper.

With a taut back and a deep gaze, when he doesn't speak, people around him will subconsciously slow their footsteps, as if afraid to disturb a seemingly calm but actually unfathomable pool of ice.

Kusso stood outside the shed, holding an iron hammer in his hand.

The hammerhead had three cracks.

"Young master, again?"

Xilun stood shirtless between the water tanks.

A fine, cold mist swirled around his skin, and water droplets hung suspended in mid-air, refusing to fall.

With each breath, the water levels in the sixteen vats simultaneously dipped and then rose again, like sixteen silent eyes opening.

"Come."

Kusso grinned, but couldn't manage a smile.

He swung the hammer, strode forward, and with a powerful thrust of his waist and back, slammed it down hard on Xilun's left shoulder.

Boom!

A dull thud echoed inside the shed.

Xilun swayed slightly, and two fine cracks appeared on the stone slab beneath his feet.

A chill ran up the iron hammer, and Kusuo's hand went numb, almost causing him to lose his grip on the handle.

He cursed under his breath, forced himself back, and shook his stiff wrist.

"Is this even allowed to live?"

Xilun exhaled a breath of white air.

The spot on his shoulder that had been hit turned purplish-blue, but it was quickly suppressed by the surging power of the blood seal within his body.

The thunderous sound reverberated deep within the bones, dispersing the stagnation; the icy breath of yin energy, like fine mercury, seeped deeper into the cracks.

not enough.

He could sense the door.

The extraordinary level is right ahead, but it's not within reach.

His mastery of the Xuan Yin Breathing Technique had already allowed his chilling breath to penetrate deep into his bones. However, if he wanted to go further, he needed to make his body not just endure the chill, but turn the chill into an instinct.

Breathing makes you feel cold.

When blood is disturbed, it becomes cold.

The sound of bones creaking is also chilling.

This step cannot be rushed.

We can't stop.