The moonlight was like water, pouring over the earth.
But the woman, dressed in a green skirt, was radiant and charming, yet her expression carried a proud air.
At her waist hung a long knife, the sheath a vibrant orange inlaid with jade and other materials.
Her demeanor was impeccable, and the white horse beneath her was exceptionally magnificent.
"Someone from the manor."
Li Xian stepped forward confidently, directly responding.
The womanâs eyebrows lightly arched, scanning him up and down, thinking, "This guy is rather handsome."
She said calmly, "I have something to discuss with your manorâs master, inform them immediately."
Her words carried a tone of command.
Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Might the hero first report their name?"
The woman said coldly, "If I donât give my name, will you not report?"
"Even without a name, I will report." Li Xian replied steadily, "But if you have a name, the mistress will come faster."
"You, little servant, at least you donât look down on people. Otherwise, my whip would have kissed your face." The woman snorted haughtily and said, "My name is Li Haitang, quickly go and inform."
"Alright!"
Li Xian hurried back to the manor, continually pondering:
"This woman is likely from the Jianghu, she seems to have quite a temper, late at night, what could she want with the mistress."
After meeting Pang Long, he briefly conveyed the matter. Pang Long dared not delay, instantly seeking the mistressâs instruction.
The mistress merely responded with a "Hmm," which Pang Long understood as a sign, taking Li Xian with him out of the manor to meet Li Haitang again.
"Miss Haitang, the mistress is resting, please come in and wait for a bit." Pang Long said politely.
Li Haitang frowned but said nothing, following inside the manor. It was already late at night, aside from the patrolling nursing home guards, no other figures were seen.
"Li Xian, you are of similar age, accompany her." Pang Long patted Li Xianâs shoulder.
The intention was clear, Li Xianâs handsome appearance might appease the girl in case of any outburst before the mistress arrived.
"Okay."
Li Xian nodded.
The "Reception Hall" was luxuriously decorated, with two ancient welcoming pine trees standing majestic, incense burning within.
"I heard the mistress has many friends in Jianghu. Each guest is received here in this hall."
"Itâs my first visit, and the grandeur is intimidating."
The floor was paved with jade, while outside it was freezing and snowing, inside it felt like a warm spring day.
The scenery was splendid, need not mention, even outside the hall there was a goldfish pond, the goldfish frolicking in the water.
From afar, it seemed like streams of golden light flowing.
Long-time resident Li Xian was greatly amazed, while newcomer Li Haitang seemed used to it all.
"When will your mistress come to see me?" Li Haitang asked, "Am I to wait all night?"
"I dare not speculate on the mistressâs matters." Li Xian thought inwardly, most likely she will wait all night. Though Li Haitang was well-dressed, she seemed quite young and perhaps not well-known in Jianghu.
No way would the mistress rush to meet her at night.
Li Xianâs routine disrupted, staying sleepless, only to keep the guest company through the night.
Pang Long also dared not sleep, frequently coming to check.
After an hour passed.
Li Haitangâs temper flared, she couldnât care anymore and angrily said, "Your mistress sure has a high opinion of herself! Meet if you want, donât if you donât, why keep me here with only a servant!"
She grabbed a teacup, ready to smash it, but a thought occurred to her at the last second, her intentions for help required restraint and composure.
So, she sat back down and drank tea.
Li Xian muttered to himself, "This woman has quite a temper, her background must be extraordinary, otherwise sheâd have been beaten to death long ago."
By dawn, Madam Wen and Pang Long came strolling in.
Li Haitang murmured, "Finally here, now let me see what kind of person you are." She stood up and faced Madam Wen directly.
"Please, sit."
Madam Wen sat in the main seat, her tone gentle, demeanor elegant, with flawless appearance, rich experience, immediately suppressing Li Haitang.
Li Haitang found Madam Wen not as arrogant and domineering as imagined, and recalling her purpose, most of her anger subsided, "Madam, hello!"
"Last night the servants feared disturbing my rest, they dared not make a sound, I only rushed here after waking this morning." Madam Wen touched the tea gently, poured in cold water, then lightly slapped the teacup with her hand.
The teacup flew over, Li Haitang caught it just feeling the warmth in her palm, upon opening it, the tea fragrance wafted.
The previously cold water was now boiling hot.
"Good skill!" Li Haitang exclaimed, her frustration from last night vanished, taking a sip of tea, she cupped her hands and said, "Turns out the rumors are true, this manor houses a Martial Artist!"
"May I ask the ladyâs name?" Li Haitang asked.
This question alone was something even Pang Long wouldnât dare to ask.
Madam Wen smiled, "Surname Wen, name Caitang."
"Wen Caitang, itâs Madam Wen... so it is you!" Li Haitang said, "My father mentioned you before."
"You are the daughter of Iron Blood Divine Hunter Li Bo Hou." Madam Wen said.
"Indeed." Li Haitang showed respect.
Despite her extraordinary background and decent talent, in othersâ territory, even a strong dragon has to submit, let alone a young dragon.
Moreover, the one before her was already a renowned Martial Artist in Jianghu.
"Whatâs your purpose here, speak freely. If I can, Iâll help you, at least for your fatherâs sake." Madam Wen said.
Hearing this, Li Haitang felt a flash of displeasure but didnât show it, said, "Itâs like this, I am pursuing a vicious villain."
"So itâs catching a thief and a villain." Madam Wen nodded, "What kind of villain can even the daughter of Li Bo Hou be helpless against?"
Li Haitang said, "The villainâs name is âPot Immortal,â perhaps Madam has heard."
"This person is vicious, of small stature, carrying a stone pot. He practices Demon Technique, harms lives. Innocent people placed in the evil pot, within three days liquefied into blood, consumed by him to increase power."
"Unstopped, this villain will become a great calamity. However, heâs very strong, escaping several confrontations. We are short-handed, and hearing Madam was nearby, I hoped to seek your assistance."
Li Haitang clearly explained the situation.
"So itâs Jianghu seeking justice." Li Xian thought to himself, "Putting people in a pot, melting into blood, such strange things and occurrences, first time hearing of it."
Madam Wen asked, "What help do you need?"
She wouldnât personally catch thieves for the young ones. But eradicating this Pot Immortal earlier is beneficial, otherwise continued havoc could threaten her interests, forcing her to act later.
"Would there be swift-thinking skilled hands in Madamâs manor?"
"They need not be highly skilled, just nimble enough, intelligent. Iâll teach them an array, follow our command, and prevent Pot Immortal from escaping." Li Haitang asked.
Madam Wen remained silent.
Li Haitang gritted her teeth, "Thirty men would do."
"Then thirty it is." Madam Wen waved her hand, turning to Pang Long, "Choose the people."
...
Thus, Pang Long chose three from B-class, six from C-class, twenty-one from D-class, exactly thirty men.
Under B-class leadership, they would cooperate with Li Haitang and her team to capture Pot Immortal.
Pang Long, lacking selections, always spared no effort or selfishness under Madamâs orders.
Seeing Li Xianâs cleverness, escaping peril many times, this operation was another chance to prove himself, allowing him to lead a team to assist in capturing "Pot Immortal."
"Commander Pang, whatâs the chance of success?" Li Xian asked.
"About sixty to seventy percent chance, there will be casualties, but not significant ones." Pang Long estimated, "That Pot Immortal is of the Food Essence Realm. Madam said, though formidable, sufficient numbers can restrain him."
Li Xian pondered:
"As a nursing home guard, I rarely have freedom, whether to go or not is not within my will."
"Since the outcome is unchangeable, this opportunity to glimpse Jianghuâs vastness might not be bad. But I must be extra cautious!"
He understood danger was inevitable, but with Li Haitang having undergone Rebirth, and hearing she had other companions, the risks were manageable.