After parting ways with the two girls, Nian Xifeng went straight to find the man who’d been tailing them.

The man seemed to have expected this. Not a flicker of panic crossed his face. The moment he saw Nian Xifeng, he bowed respectfully.

“What is it?” Nian Xifeng asked. This was the Shen family servant who’d been in contact with him.

“Young Master Nian,” the servant said deferentially, “that red-robed man you killed earlier—he was from the Yan family in another major city. Their people have arrived. They’ll likely come for you. Be careful.”

“Understood. Thank you for the warning,” Nian Xifeng replied. He felt no ill will toward the man. This information was a debt he acknowledged.

“I’ll take my leave then.” The servant bowed again and departed.

Nian Xifeng let him go. After a moment’s thought, he decided to visit the Wang Clan first.

His figure flickered—and vanished from the spot.

He reappeared inside a Wang Clan courtyard villa, hidden from sight. A heavy atmosphere hung over the estate. Nian Xifeng’s brow furrowed slightly.

With a thought, he vanished again. This time, he materialized inside a room where two men stood—one seated on a sofa, the other stiffly upright beside him.

The seated man wore crimson robes. Sharp eyes, stern face, an aura of authority radiating from him. *The Yan family envoy*, Nian Xifeng realized.

The man glared furiously at Wang Clan Patriarch Wang Kun, who stood like a scolded child, barely daring to breathe.

“How could the Wang Clan fail at something so simple? You couldn’t even bring one commoner here?” the red-robed man snapped.

“We searched his home, but no one was there! What could we do?” Wang Kun’s face twisted in misery. He muttered under his breath, “Besides… even if we’d gone, we might not have brought him back. His strength crushes my men.”

“What did you say?!” The red-robed man roared. Wang Kun nearly collapsed to his knees.

“Useless! What good are you if you can’t handle this?”

“My lord, it’s not incompetence! He wiped out the entire Yu Family alone. The Wang Clan is no stronger than they were. If he destroyed them, he can destroy us too!” Wang Kun pleaded, all dignity gone. *What good was dignity against absolute power? Survival was all that mattered.*

“Couldn’t you think of a plan? You mentioned he has a sister—a normal girl! Seize her! Would he not come then? Are you truly this stupid?” The man bellowed.

Wang Kun froze. *Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?*

Seeing his expression shift, the red-robed man exploded. “What are you waiting for? Go!”

“Yes, yes! I’ll go at once!” Wang Kun scuttled out.

The red-robed man seethed. *This idiot deserves to be torn apart.* But he still needed him. *After this is over, I’ll erase him. Slowly.*

Hidden in the shadows, Nian Xifeng had heard everything. His gaze turned icy. Killing intent thickened the air, chilling the room.

The red-robed man—sharp as a Yan Clan elite—sensed the shift instantly. “Who’s there?!” His eyes locked onto Nian Xifeng’s hiding spot.

*Surprising reflexes*, Nian Xifeng thought. Since he’d been detected, hiding was pointless. He stepped calmly from the shadows.

“Who are you?” the man demanded coldly. Had Wang Kun been present, he’d have recognized his quarry immediately.

“Aren’t you searching for me? And now you ask my name?” Nian Xifeng’s voice was glacial, like winter’s bite.

“You?!” Rage surged in the man’s chest. *This was the one who killed my son.* “You murdered my son?”

“If you mean that red-robed fool from days ago—yes. I ended him in one move. No contest.” Nian Xifeng spoke as if discussing the weather.

To the man, it was a blatant taunt. “You dare?!” He struck without hesitation. *How could a commoner speak so boldly to his face? How could he admit killing his son with such calm?*

Nian Xifeng was ready. As the attack neared, inky Dark Mist erupted, swallowing the strike whole. He pressed forward relentlessly.

The red-robed man’s pupils shrank. *He broke through my attack? And counters already?* He raised his guard—but the Dark Mist seeped through every barrier, unstoppable.

In an instant, it engulfed him. Panic seized him. He unleashed his full power—but his strikes vanished into the mist.

The Dark Mist corroded his body. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he tore a hole through the darkness and fled.

Outwardly unharmed, he knew the truth: severe internal injuries. Without treatment, his cultivation would stagnate forever.

He vanished without hesitation.

Nian Xifeng didn’t pursue. This was the first opponent to escape his Dark Mist. Chasing him risked mutual destruction—the man’s speed matched his own. Their strengths were near-equal.

Nian Xifeng stared at the spot where the man disappeared. A premonition chilled him: trouble was coming. He couldn’t name it yet. *One step at a time. If danger comes, I’ll face it.*

*Meet force with force.*

He vanished. This was enemy territory—and Nian Yuchi awaited him.

First, he checked his home. Wang Kun had mentioned men searching it today. He needed to ensure nothing was damaged. He wouldn’t let his sister return to chaos.

Inside, drawers hung open, cushions were tossed—but little was broken. They’d only sought people, not destruction.

Nian Xifeng quietly restored everything to its place. Then he headed to Han Yuying’s home.

There, Han Yuying was feeding Nian Yuchi like a kitten. Both froze at his arrival—one mid-gesture, the other mid-bite.

Nian Yuchi darted over. “Brother! You’re back!”

“Mm.” Nian Xifeng ruffled her hair. She leaned into it, beaming.

Han Yuying rolled her eyes. *There goes my feeding plan.*

“Let’s go home,” Nian Xifeng said gently.

“Okay!” Nian Yuchi nodded eagerly.

Nian Xifeng turned to Han Yuying. “Thank you.”

“Whatever,” she muttered. *After all this time, he still thanks me?*