Obtaining Top Art on Family's Extermination Night

Shui Qianrou nodded with certainty.

"This is my brother’s handwriting. It’s very distinctive. I wouldn’t mistake it."

Fang Shuwen chuckled softly.

"How mysterious. He even set the meeting for midnight.

"Could your brother be in some kind of major trouble?"

"Well..."

Shui Qianrou’s brow was tightly furrowed.

"My brother is an expert in Martial Arts. He should... he shouldn’t be in any trouble..."

But despite her words, a hint of worry clouded her face.

"Either way, he sent a note. We’ll find out what’s going on when we get there."

Fang Shuwen gently patted Shui Qianrou on the head.

Watching this, Ironman wanted to speak up but knew it would be useless. Instead, he took the chance when Shui Qianrou wasn’t looking to shoot Fang Shuwen a vicious glare.

Fang Shuwen regarded it as impotent rage.

Time flew by, and soon it was late in the evening. Shui Qianrou had been getting up and sitting back down restlessly, until Fang Shuwen finally spoke.

"It’s time. Let’s go."

Ironman spoke up hesitantly.

"Young Hero... what if we leave the Young Palace Master here? I can go with you."

Shui Qianrou shot Ironman an angry glare, but he pretended not to see it, looking at Fang Shuwen with pleading eyes.

"Are you worried she’ll be in danger?"

Fang Shuwen asked.

Ironman nodded.

"No matter how I look at it, this whole situation feels odd... The Young Master is a supreme martial artist, yet he’s being so secretive this time. Something feels very wrong."

Fang Shuwen just smiled.

"Don’t worry. She’ll only be safer by my side."

"..."

Ironman’s lips twitched, but seeing Shui Qianrou nod in agreement—and sensing that if he said another word, he’d be punished—he had no choice but to concede.

However, they didn’t take many people with them on this trip.

Of all the people from the Celestial Water Palace, only Ironman went. He argued that since the Young Master was acting in secret, it would be best not to draw too much attention.

Rather than arriving with a large group, it would be better for a smaller party to travel light. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Fang Shuwen agreed.

In the end, only the four of them went: Fang Shuwen, Fang Lingxin, Shui Qianrou, and Ironman.

Chen Yan saw something exciting was happening and wanted to tag along, but Fang Shuwen told him not to.

Leaving the small courtyard, the group headed north. The city gates were long closed by this time, so they used their Lightweight Technique to vault over the city walls.

After continuing north for less than five li, they came upon a sparse grove of withered trees flanking the side of the road.

Snow covered the bare branches, making the withered trees look strange and fantastical.

Fang Shuwen glanced at the sky. It was nearly midnight.

Unsure of Shui Qianliu’s exact location, they decided to head deeper into the withered woods to wait for him.

Shui Qianrou was growing anxious. She paced back and forth, occasionally blowing on her hands and rubbing them together. She was clearly freezing.

Fang Lingxin sniffled from the cold as well.

So, Fang Shuwen had Ironman gather some branches. They arranged some stones in a circle and lit a fire.

After all, when Shui Qianliu arrived, the light from the fire would make them easier to spot.

Huddled near the flames, the two young women finally began to feel some warmth.

Ironman’s expression grew anxious as well.

"Why isn’t he here yet?"

It was now officially midnight, but Shui Qianliu, who was supposed to have arrived, had not appeared.

Another hour passed. Shui Qianrou could no longer sit still. Though she was freezing, she couldn’t stop herself from getting up to pace back and forth in the snow.

She kept glancing at Fang Shuwen.

"Do you think something happened to my brother?"

Before Fang Shuwen could answer, she shook her head, as if to herself.

"No, that can’t be it. It just can’t."

Fang Shuwen wanted to tell her to be patient, but he figured it would be useless and held his tongue.

As midnight came and went with still no sign of movement, all the strength seemed to drain from Shui Qianrou, her face turning deathly pale.

But just then, the faint sound of clashing weapons drifted toward them.

Shui Qianrou’s head snapped up, her eyes flashing with delighted surprise.

"It’s my brother!

"Is he fighting someone?"

With that, she looked around, ran to the nearest withered tree, and was about to uproot it.

Fang Shuwen shook his head.

"Calm down. Ironman, protect her. I’ll be right back."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he turned and his figure vanished into the distance.

Shui Qianrou felt relieved seeing Fang Shuwen go to help.

She turned back, about to speak, when she heard a soft THUD. Looking over, she saw that Fang Lingxin had collapsed to the ground.

Ironman retracted the hand that had just chopped Fang Lingxin’s neck and turned to look at Shui Qianrou.

The color drained from Shui Qianrou’s face.

"You..."

Before she could get the word out, Ironman lunged forward, his movement stirring the air with a WHOSH, as he thrust a palm straight at her face.

It was too late to uproot the tree. Shui Qianrou thrust her small fist forward with all her might.

But Ironman dodged it with ease.

Although Shui Qianrou had a solid foundation, immense strength, and physical attributes far beyond those of a normal person, she didn’t actually know any Martial Arts. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so easily captured by those villains before.

As her punch missed its mark, she felt a sharp blow to her neck. Her vision went black, and in an instant, she lost consciousness.

Ironman caught Shui Qianrou in his arms. He glanced back at Fang Lingxin, his eyes cold, then hoisted her onto his other shoulder. With one girl on each shoulder, he tapped his feet on the ground and his figure instantly soared into the air.

As he flew through the woods, he didn’t forget to stop periodically and erase his tracks.

He moved in fits and starts, occasionally glancing back in the direction Fang Shuwen had gone, a cold sneer playing on his lips.

’Demon Evil God?

’He’s not all that.’

After traveling like this for nearly an hour, he arrived at a hidden mountain ravine. He suddenly stopped and shouted,

"Come out."

A RUSTLING sound arose, as if someone were straightening their clothes.