94: Subduing Zhuang Xian

The cold moon was like a hook, its chilly radiance spilling over the messy battlefield.

Zhuang Lei put the Bronze Hammer Technique into his Storage Pouch, his gaze sweeping over the broken Spiritual Artifacts and blood-stained ground. His Aura suddenly condensed, and his Divine Sense spread out like a spider web to search for the figure he was quite interested in.

Spiritual power fluctuations surged in the air, but Zhuang Lei's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

After searching to no avail, he subconsciously touched the shallow sword scar on his chest. The slight stinging pain from the scar seemed to be challenging his majesty.

Killing intent surged in those deep eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled into a dangerous arc:

"A Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivator who can withstand ten of my moves... interesting."

Just as he finished speaking, Zhuang Lei's spiritual power surged, and mysterious runes appeared beneath his feet. He took flight like an arrow from a bow, racing toward Bei Batian's base as the night swallowed his departing figure.

Meanwhile, in another alleyway, Situ Jun clutched his bleeding wound, his figure vanishing into the lanes like a ghost as he secretly returned to Juxian Pavilion.

Returning to his room, Situ Jun immediately took a Medicinal Pill to heal his wounds.

The powerful Physique and Meridians of a Golden Core Cultivator played their part at this moment; after circulating his Cultivation Technique for a while, his injuries had mostly recovered.

He opened his eyes and let out a long breath, a flash of ruthlessness appearing in his eyes.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, a sharp glint flashed in Situ Jun's eyes as he muttered to himself:

"This Zhuang Lei must have gone out for something urgent. As for Zhuang Xian..."

Before he could finish, he had already risen and leapt onto the eaves, flying toward the North City Manor.

The night was as dark as ink, and the North City Manor was shrouded in silence.

Situ Jun sneaked into the manor with practiced ease, skillfully avoiding the patrolling Guards. Based on the information provided by Cao Guang and the others, he quickly arrived at the courtyard where Zhuang Xian lived.

However, when he searched with his Divine Sense, he didn't find any trace of Zhuang Xian, but instead sensed Zhu Changpo's presence.

The resentment in Situ Jun's heart was instantly ignited; the thought of dealing with this old fellow had been on his mind for a long time, and it was even stronger now.

Now that he had reached the Golden Core Stage, dealing with him would be as easy as turning over his hand.

Thinking this, he crept toward Zhu Changpo's room.

When Zhu Changpo saw the suddenly appearing Situ Jun, his face was full of surprise as he said:

"Isn't Steward Situ managing the shops in the city? Why have you returned to the manor so late at night?"

Situ Jun smiled relaxed and said:

"I just felt like I hadn't seen Commander Zhu in many days and missed you a bit. So, I took advantage of the free time tonight to come back and see you."

As he spoke, his spiritual power surged, forcing Zhu Changpo to retreat repeatedly, his face filled with terror.

"You... your Cultivation?"

Situ Jun smiled indifferently and said:

"That's right, it's just as you think—the Golden Core Stage."

Zhu Changpo looked dejected and gave up resisting, saying:

"Your cultivation has actually progressed so rapidly; I am no match for you."

Powerless to resist, a complex expression flashed across his face—unwillingness, loneliness, inner conflict, confusion, and bewilderment.

Situ Jun easily restrained him and fed him a servitude pill.

After learning from Zhu Changpo that Zhuang Xian might be at Chunxiang Tower, Situ Jun rushed there without stopping.

Inside Chunxiang Tower, the lights were red and the wine green, with singing and dancing in full swing.

Situ Jun swept his Divine Sense and discovered Zhuang Xian's figure, and the Late Golden Core Stage elder was not by his side.

He sneered, his spiritual power quietly gathering, and effortlessly knocked the songstress beside Zhuang Xian unconscious.

Then, he yanked Zhuang Xian out of bed with such force that Zhuang Xian fell to the floor, seeing stars.

Zhuang Xian finally regained his senses and was instantly fuming with rage:

"What nerve! Do you know who I am? Have you heard of the Xihua Sect? You're dead, you..."

"Slap!"

Situ Jun impatiently slapped him, and Zhuang Xian's face swelled up instantly.

Zhuang Xian wanted to say more, but the moment Situ Jun raised his palm, he forced himself to swallow his words, his eyes full of resentment and fear.

"A piece of trash like you dares to lust after my woman? If I weren't afraid that killing you would cause big trouble, I'd send you to your next life right now."

As Situ Jun spoke, he delivered another slap, causing Zhuang Xian's hair bun to fall apart.

Though Zhuang Xian was extremely angry, he also understood he couldn't resist right now. A great man knows when to yield; as soon as Zhuang Lei returned, he would definitely make this bastard pay.

He forced a smile that looked worse than crying:

"B-big brother, I was wrong. But I really didn't know she was your woman, nor when I started lusting after her. I'm willing to compensate you—Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, anything."

Situ Jun glanced at him with disdain and took out a servitude pill:

"Eat this pill."

Zhuang Xian's expression changed drastically:

"I was wrong, I don't want to eat this poison pill. I'm willing to trade treasures for my life, I..."

Situ Jun didn't bother with more nonsense. He used spiritual power to wrap the pill and sent it directly into Zhuang Xian's mouth, then gave him a light pat, and the pill slid into his stomach.

Zhuang Xian desperately clawed at his throat trying to vomit it up, but it was useless. He could only kneel on the ground and plead:

"If you like women, I can compensate you with some..."

Before he could finish, Zhuang Xian suddenly shuddered, his expression instantly becoming respectful:

"Forgive me, Master. My mind was in a muddle just now, and I was talking nonsense."

Situ Jun looked at him with interest:

"How many women are you planning to give me? I want beautiful ones."

Zhuang Xian hurriedly said:

"As long as Master likes them, any number is fine."

Only then did Situ Jun sit leisurely in a chair and take a sip of tea:

"Don't touch the women in Northern Border City. Return to your Xihua Sect and Cultivate well to make this Quasi-Saint Son title official. That way, you can look after me when I go to the Xihua Sect's territory."

Zhuang Xian's expression turned solemn as he said seriously:

"Rest assured, Master. I will not fail your expectations."

Situ Jun nodded, then asked, "What did Zhuang Lei go to do?"

"He went to give Bei Batian some benefits to win him over and have him find some cultivation Cauldrons for me. Since Master has spoken, I won't look for them in Northern Border anymore."

Zhuang Xian paused, then added:

"Wei Zhong, the owner of Brocade Pavilion, has already agreed to give Embroiderer to me. Does Master find her to your liking?"

As he spoke, he took out the Divorce Letter and "Deed of sale" Wei Zhong had written for Embroiderer and handed them to Situ Jun.

Situ Jun had an unreadable expression as he took the contract, inspected it, and put it into his Storage Pouch:

"Leave Northern Border soon; I'm still waiting for you to do things for me."

After saying that, he opened the door and left.

Looking at Situ Jun's departing back, a flash of excitement appeared in Zhuang Xian's eyes as he muttered to himself:

"It seems Master likes beauties. Then when I go back..."

...After Situ Jun returned to Juxian Pavilion under the cover of night, he sat in a chair and reviewed today's events. Especially after taking both Zhuang Xian and Zhu Changpo as servants, the heart that had been hanging in suspense finally settled down.

Now, besides Bei Batian who was settled outside the border, there were temporarily no other threats.

A moment later, he took out Embroiderer's "Deed of sale."

Wei Zhong's fingerprint on the contract was a striking bright red. Situ Jun looked at it for a moment before putting it back into his Storage Pouch, murmuring to himself:

"It seems their relationship isn't very good. Rather than taking over Brocade Pavilion, it's better to help her escape this misery."

As he spoke, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He couldn't help but think of Embroiderer's exquisite face and graceful figure, her large watery eyes filled with what seemed like endless sorrow.