While Xu Lai was strolling through Dongli University with his wife and daughter, Gao He, who had returned to the Martial Dao Association, issued an announcement.

"Li Sanbai, the number one Feng Shui master in Southeast Asia, has sacrificed his life for the construction of the Dragon Vein of Mount Fu. The East Sea Martial Dao Association expresses its highest respects to him."

There was a very detailed explanation below the announcement. It was generally about how Li Sanbai, at the cost of his lifespan, had performed beyond his level and miraculously created a Dragon Vein.

The Martial Dao World of Hua Country was instantly abuzz, as excited and enthusiastic as if celebrating the New Year, while also observing a moment of silence for this master of formations. As Li Sanbai's only publicly known disciple, Dongfang Xun accepted the honor on behalf of his Master.

Meanwhile, Old Jiang Ba and Su Daiyi, along with Gao He and the few other surviving Martial Ancestors, all received a confidential document issued from above.

Thus, Li Sanbai became a shield for the Dragon Vein. Being deceased, he naturally couldn't utter a word. As for the deaths of more than a dozen Eighth- and Ninth-Grade Martial Ancestors, the blame for this was also pinned on Li Sanbai. However, the matter was suppressed and not widely reported.

As for Xu Lai's terrifying power and Boundary, it remained unknown to all but a select few.

***

「In the evening.」

Xu Lai drove home with his wife, daughter, and Ruan Lan.

At the foot of Mount Haitang, they saw a freckled girl supporting a blind old man. It was Zhang Henshui and Zhang Suzi.

"It's that storyteller and the cashier," Ruan Tang exclaimed in surprise.

Luo Chu used to love dragging her and Xu Yaoyao to the teahouse in the most secluded corner of Yuhua Alley to listen to stories, and gradually, Ruan Tang had grown fond of it as well. She had even taken Xu Lai there once.

But Xu Lai didn't stop the car.

Zhang Henshui didn't try to flag them down either, and so they missed each other.

Zhang Henshui 'watched' the BMW 3 Series speed toward the peak of Mount Haitang. "Let's go," he said softly.

"Hmm?" Zhang Suzi hesitated. "Aren't you going to visit Xu Lai? He just drove home, we should…"

"I made eye contact with him," Zhang Henshui said calmly.

Zhang Suzi was utterly baffled. Grandpa, aren't you blind? How could you make eye contact?

But she didn't ask any further questions. Instead, she helped Zhang Henshui walk toward the East Sea Martial Dao Association, preparing to head for Chang'an City.

***

「Back at Haitang Court.」

Ruan Tang wore a strange expression. "Xu Lai, was that storyteller from the teahouse looking for you?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you stop the car?"

"We finished our conversation."

"???"

Ruan Tang was speechless. "Do you take me for a three-year-old? You didn't even roll down the window. How did you talk?"

"He wanted to know if I was a good person or a bad person."

"And then?"

"He found out I was a good person, so he left."

"..." Ruan Tang was silent.

Ruan Lan whined, "Brother-in-law, did you bully that little girl? Did she bring her elder to make you take responsibility?"

THUMP!

Xu Lai rapped his sister-in-law on the head. "I heard you're on a diet tonight. Excellent. No dinner for you."

Ruan Lan's expression changed dramatically. She clung to Xu Lai's leg, sobbing, "No, Brother-in-law, don't! I was wrong! I'll never talk nonsense again. Let me eat, I want to eat…"

Xu Lai glanced at her. "Go clean the hot spring pool in the backyard first."

Although he could make the pool pristine with a single thought, there was no reason not to use free labor.

Ruan Lan wiped non-existent tears from her eyes and muttered, "A wicked brother-in-law bullying his beautiful sister-in-law... This isn't just a distortion of human nature, it's..."

Before she could finish, Ruan Tang spoke, her voice devoid of emotion. "Ruan Lan!"

WHOOSH—

Ruan Lan scurried away.

The night in East Sea City was especially lively. Martial artists, whether local to Jiangnan or from other regions, were all happily indulging in drink.

The fourth Dragon Vein.

This represented more cultivation resources, more Spirit Stones, and more opportunities to become a Martial Ancestor.

However, a gloomy cloud hung over the martial arts world of Jiangbei. In less than a month, the Lin Family, Jiangbei's number one martial arts family, had been annihilated, and many Eighth-Grade Martial Ancestors from the great families had died. Their martial prowess was severely reduced, plunging the Jiangbei martial arts community into chaos. Every Wealthy Family now vied to claim the title of the number one family in Jiangbei.

Meanwhile, the 'true culprit,' Xu Lai, was at home eating dinner, enjoying his daughter's attentiveness as she continuously placed food on his plate.

"Daddy, eat more," she said.

Yiyi's big eyes curved into crescents as she watched her father laugh happily.

"Did your mom tell you to poison the food?" Xu Lai joked, earning a glare from Ruan Tang.

"No, Yiyi just thought of something happy," his daughter said obediently.

"What is it?" Xu Lai asked curiously. "Can you tell Daddy?"

The little girl hesitated. She first glanced at Ruan Tang, then said, "Daddy, come here."

The little girl beckoned him over. Xu Lai leaned in to listen, and upon hearing his daughter's words, he couldn't help but laugh as well.

Ruan Lan was a complete foodie who couldn't care less what her niece was saying; she was completely absorbed in the feast before her.

Ruan Tang's mind was in a tumult. She also wanted to know what her daughter had said, but she was too embarrassed to ask. It was clear Yiyi had no intention of telling her and was busy giggling with Xu Lai.

For a moment, Ruan Tang felt that her daughter and Xu Lai shared a little secret, and she was the one left out. She even lost her appetite.

"Eat more of the stir-fried pig's trotter." Xu Lai picked out the best tendons for his wife, puzzled. "I thought you loved this dish."

"I don't have an appetite."

"What's wrong?" Xu Lai asked with concern.

"..."

Ruan Tang clenched her chopsticks, feeling an inexplicable irritation swell within her. It's all because of your little secret with our daughter!

"Oh." Xu Lai leaned close to Ruan Tang and said earnestly, "You want to know about the happy thing our daughter just told me, don't you?"

Although she was dying to know, her pride took over. "I guess," she said coyly.

"Alright then. If you're not that interested, I won't say anything," Xu Lai said, shaking his head.

Ruan Tang gritted her teeth, her eyes turning ice-cold as if she wanted to devour him. This infuriating man! Doesn't he know to just come out and say it?

"I'm full," Yiyi announced. She put down her chopsticks and skipped off to the backyard to play with Xiao Hei, casting a peculiar look at Ruan Tang as she left.

This made Ruan Tang feel even worse. She couldn't help but blurt out angrily, "Xu Lai, tell me right now!"

"Why don't you go ask our daughter?"

"...She doesn't want to tell me."

"Well, I don't want to tell you either."

"Xu Lai!!!" Ruan Tang's voice rose by an octave as she said, both aggrieved and annoyed, "If you don't tell me, you can go back to sleeping in your own room from now on."

There it was. She was playing her trump card.

Xu Lai remained unruffled. He leisurely took a sip of water and said, "Fine. I'll go get my bedding ready in a bit."

"..."

Ruan Tang was stunned. She thought for sure that Xu Lai would give in. How could this have backfired?

Damn it! What on earth did Yiyi tell him?!

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