Why do I have so many masters?

The previously chaotic gambling house had been cleared out to reveal a tidy area, with a table set up. Wang Anfeng sat with eyes closed nearby, while Li Hu stood behind him, shrinking away with a slight bow, akin to a frightened wild animal.

More than an hour had passed.

After listening to Wang Anfeng's requests, aside from gathering and summarizing information, the entire team under Blind Old Wu had been dispatched at once—after all, these were two massive district markets, equivalent to two towns, and the things Wang Anfeng sought spanned a considerable timeframe, so it required some time.

So he waited here.

Li Hu looked uneasily at Wang Anfeng.

The latter sat with eyes slightly closed, the Barrier Blade inverted into its sheath beside him. He seemed relaxed, his fingers lightly tapping on the copper-wrapped hilt with a clear, resonant sound.

The resonant sound clashed against the walls and echoed within the ear canals, etching into the heart, intermittently mixed with suppressed yet occasionally trembling breaths, the sound of swallowing, and the rustle of sleeves against garments.

Even the faint footsteps outside felt like they belonged to another world—

The atmosphere within the entire district had sunk to a maddening extent.

Ding—

Wang Anfeng's fingers gently tapped the hilt again, but did not lift.

The resonance dissipated.

Li Hu shivered inexplicably, sensing something was amiss, and then saw Wang Anfeng open his eyes.

He was momentarily stunned, then noticed that this time the footsteps outside did not gradually fade away but came straight inside, as if carrying in the cold wind of the autumn night, immediately lightening the oppressive atmosphere within the district.

The person was a delicate young man who, upon entering, hurriedly approached Wang Anfeng, bowed low, not daring to look at him, and said:

"Master, we've found it!"

"Someone saw that person coming and going from an old house not far from the lantern tower in the middle of Anding District two days ago. I checked the news; that house has been unoccupied for many years. It was bought by a fat man over two months ago, and in these two months, that fat man rarely showed up, even spending extra taels to have prostitutes delivered to the door."

Wang Anfeng suppressed the chaotic thoughts surging in his heart, exhaled, and asked:

"Is there anything else?"

The newcomer nodded and said:

"Besides this place, there are three other somewhat fitting locations, but this is the closest to us. The other three places are either a bit far or simply within Jinquan District, which requires quite a bit of effort to reach. The specifics are hearsay and not as solid as news from within Anding District."

Wang Anfeng nodded in acknowledgment, turned back to grip the hilt, stood abruptly, and suddenly grabbed the young man's shoulder in front of him, leaping out of the room with a single step to the outside, moving continuously like an arrow fired from a bow, shooting out, stopping suddenly after only thirty instances of a flick of a finger.

Beside him was the thirteen-story giant lantern tower, the lord of the entire Anding District, only using this one lantern tower to carry out Shangguan's orders. Each level hung with hundreds of lanterns, gathered together, seemingly setting the night sky ablaze, obscuring the moonlight above.

The young man stood dumbfounded, his heart only beginning to pound after a delayed flick of a finger. No matter how he imagined it, he couldn't fathom a martial arts master being capable of such a terrifying feat, covering twenty to thirty li in just thirty instances of a flick of a finger.

Wang Anfeng exhaled, overlooking the surrounding streets, and said:

"Lead the way."

.........

Chi Pengfei sat in the courtyard, looking up at the sky.

He felt quite relieved; after successfully capturing Dongfang Ningxin, he had only one task left. After completing it, he could relax much more.

This matter had been personally promised by that person, so there was no doubt about it; it was a certainty.

This courtyard was arranged by Yang Hu. The stout man, originating from nomadic bandits on the prairie, was cruel by nature and fond of luxury items. Sent out this time to purchase property, he seemed to feel that the silver coins burned in his hand, spending extravagantly to set up this seven-enclosure courtyard.

He, however, did not enjoy this kind of extravagant comfort. As a martial artist, staying in a place filled with gold and silver ornaments felt uncomfortable, so he simply waited outside, serving as a lookout.

This place, although concealed, was managed by Yang Hu, who was always meticulous. However, the impression left by the young man he saw today was too profound, like a thorn in his back, leaving him unable to find peace within no matter what.

At this moment, he leaned against the trunk of an osmanthus tree in the courtyard and saw that bright moon through the branches, hearing faint laughter brought by the wind.

No matter how resilient the heart is, it softens a bit at this moment.

He set the sword in his hand aside, and with his good hand, patted his thigh in rhythm. Chi Pengfei closed his eyes slightly, softly humming rural lyrics without forming a tune.

The word "hometown" holds extraordinary significance for anyone from the Central Plains. No matter what they experience later or where they go, this sentiment doesn't change much.

Just like that round moon, unchanged throughout history.

Chi Pengfei hummed quietly in his native tongue, rested his head against the tree trunk, and gazed at the round moon in the sky, his expression serene. Once he completed the final task, he could completely leave this organization, leave behind the violence he had grown weary of.