I'm already invincible, and you're telling me I just logged in?

"Young master, this jade pendant should be yours, shouldn't it?"

Xu Yan looked down at the jade pendant in her hand, neither taking it nor denying it: "It is indeed mine, but your cousin forcibly bought it."

Upon receiving confirmation, a hint of helplessness flashed across Ye Yuntang's eyes.

She chose to change the subject and get straight to business, asking, "Does the young master know about his own background?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Xu Yan said coldly.

He wasn't really an orphan; he was just an illegitimate child of the Xu family.

Startled by Xu Yan's harsh words, Ye Yuntang lowered her eyes and whispered, "Does Young Master have any plans to avenge my mother?"

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and asked, "What grudge?"

Ye Yuntang took out her broken jade pendant.

Xu Yan was somewhat surprised when he saw it.

The jade pendant has been reassembled. Although the cracks are still clearly visible, its style is exactly the same as his.

Noticing the surprise in Xu Yan's eyes, who seemed unaware of what happened back then, Ye Yuntang slowly began to explain.

Twenty years ago, her mother and Xu Yan's biological mother were fellow disciples and had a very close relationship.

However, Xu Yan's mother was not talented enough to enter the inner sect and had to leave the sect early and return home.

Later, her family was massacred by their enemies. Xu Yan's mother was humiliated and stripped of all her cultivation before being sold into a brothel.

When Ye Yuntang's mother learned of this, she had already married according to the family's wishes and given birth to her.

Upon learning of this, she went to seek revenge and demand justice for her junior sister.

Unfortunately, due to insufficient cultivation and some information gaps, I was unable to win the battle and then the defeat CG was unlocked.

He eventually died in despair.

As for why there are two identical jade pendants, it's because the two mothers made a promise.

However, Ye Yuntang has not yet found out the details of this matter.

After hearing Ye Yuntang accurately state her mother's name and birth date, Xu Yan finally believed everything she said.

"I never imagined I had such a background?"

Xu Yan pondered for a moment before asking, "What's your enemy's name?"

Since he was the culprit who caused so much harm to the original owner's mother, and he had taken over this body, he should rightfully settle this score for the original owner.

"Zhang Zhengze..." Ye Yuntang gritted her teeth as she uttered the name, her pretty face covered in frost.

This man had insulted her mother so badly that she became depressed, and Ye Yuntang vowed to kill him with her own hands.

"Zhang Zhengze...?"

Xu Yan felt that the name seemed somewhat familiar.

Zhang Zhengze!?

Isn't this the governor of Dingzhou Prefecture?

Xu Yan suddenly fell into deep thought.

He remembered his secret letter.

Giving it to Zhang Zhengze would probably advance the main storyline of this world.

However, it seems that Zhang Zhengze is not a good person.

Xu Yan was conflicted for a moment.

Never mind, let's leave here first.

My internal energy is running low; if a few more waves of bandits come, I might not survive.

After everyone had rested enough, they used the light from the distant fire line to determine their direction and slowly headed out of the mountain.

After a long while, the sky finally began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

The group looked exhausted, but thankfully they managed to make it out.

At the assembly point outside the mountain, because it was inconvenient for the horses to enter the mountain, the main force left the horses by a stream at the foot of the mountain before entering.

More than ten officers from the police station remained by the stream.

They had all escaped last night, and they were all carrying various injuries.

Some people were worried that the bandits would chase them out of the mountains, so they set off back to Blackwater City overnight.

They stayed here because some of their acquaintances were still in the mountains and wanted to wait a little longer.

But after a whole night, they still couldn't wait for anyone.

Those who didn't make it out are probably in grave danger.

The faces of the crowd were etched with weariness and sorrow.

No one cared about Qin Feng's life or death.

The moment he abandoned everyone and broke through the encirclement alone, he had already lost prestige in everyone's eyes.

They were also living, breathing human beings. Although they came from humble backgrounds, their lives, like those of the innocent soldiers who died in battle, should not be treated lightly.

After Xu Yan and Ye Yuntang's group came out, no one else came out. A high-ranking police chief had no choice but to order everyone to retreat to Blackwater City and report the matter.

The mobilization order of the Superintendent of Police stipulated that if the commander was killed in battle, he would be replaced by someone of the second rank.

Upon receiving the order, everyone mounted their horses and returned to Blackwater City.

After returning to the Blackwater City government office, Xu Yan and Shen Shuangning submitted their mission report together.

Qin Feng did not return, so he was naturally considered to have died in battle.

As for the truth, only Shen Shuangning knows.

Shen Shuangning did not expose Xu Yan.

Her report was consistent with Xu Yan's.

After encountering danger, the two rushed out of the fire circle together and then met Ye Yuntang.

Ye Yuntang is a daughter of the Ye family, and with her testimony, no one will doubt anything.

The two returned to the inn to rest for the night and set off on their return journey the next day.

On the way back, the two rode their horses slowly, neither of them going very fast.

Shen Shuangning glanced at Xu Yan, her eyes filled with worry, "I'm afraid the Qin family won't let this go."

"You'd better leave Yunzhou first and lay low for a while."

Although she wouldn't betray Xu Yan, the Qin family would definitely investigate thoroughly now that their eldest son was dead.

As for what methods she would use, Shen Shuangning had no idea.

Xu Yan shook his head: "Uncle-Master, only you know about this."

"If the Qin family really wants to investigate, my departure from Yunzhou at this time will only arouse more suspicion."

"But..." Shen Shuangning hesitated.

"Uncle-Master, don't worry," Xu Yan reassured him. "My friend is no ordinary person."

With Dongfang Canghai around, even if the Qin family really knew that he killed Qin Feng, Xu Yan didn't need to worry too much.

On the contrary, it would be more troublesome if Dongfang Canghai were not by his side.

Upon returning this time, he plans to cultivate diligently for a period of time and break through to the Transcendent Realm.

Shangyuan County is located on the border between Dingzhou and Yunzhou.

If Prince Rui really rebels, Shangyuan County will soon be affected by the war.

Tianlang Mountain is located within Yunzhou and is not far from Yuzhou.

The weapons and supplies in the secret room were very likely prepared in advance by Prince Rui.

Once Prince Rui's forces break through, they will most likely resupply at Tianlang Mountain and then head straight for Yuzhou.

Chaos is approaching, and we must not drift with the tide.

After his trip to Tianlang Mountain, Xu Yan finally understood that practicing martial arts could not prevent him from being manipulated by others.

If you want to take control of your destiny, you still need to have the power to fight.

After a soft sigh, Shen Shuangning rallied her spirits and didn't try to persuade her further.

What's meant to happen will happen, and we can't avoid it. We can only hope that the Qin family will attribute Qin Feng's death to the bandits.

In the evening, after arriving in Qingshi Town, the two went straight to the familiar night market and found Bao Ting.

The whereabouts of another branch of the Jinglong Martial Arts School might be something that "know-it-alls" can find out.

Bao Ting was filled with helplessness when he learned that Xu Yan had asked him to inquire about things from decades ago.

The previous twenty years, this time several decades, what will happen next time? Will it be hundreds of years?

However, since Xu Yan offered enough money, he did not refuse. He was only asked to come back for news every two months, but he could not guarantee that he would be able to find out, since it had been too long ago.

After asking Bao Ting to check the information, the two did not leave immediately.

A few days later, Shen Shuangning looked at her brand-new [New Moon] and was somewhat surprised.

Xu Yan explained that he knew an old blacksmith in Qingshi Town who was skilled at repairing weapons.

For the first time ever, Shen Shuangning didn't ask any more questions, since this kid never told her his secrets anyway.

She looked up at Xu Yan earnestly and said, "Xu Yan, thank you."

Xu Yan scratched his head. "My uncle actually has a pretty good smile."

"Oh, I wonder who's prettier, the one from that Miss Ye?"

Xu Yan: ? ? ?