The masked man, not carrying a suitable weapon, seized a longsword from an enemy and slew several people. He then removed several arrows embedded in a tree trunk, only to discover that the enemy had been extremely cunning, having even smeared poison on the arrowheads.

He casually tossed the arrows out, and several painful screams and the sound of heavy objects falling from a height echoed from the depths of the forest.

"This place is not safe to stay any longer, my lord, you shall leave first!" Yan Sandao stood in front of the masked man with his sword drawn, his eyes searching aimlessly through the deep forest, unable to estimate how many enemies there were.

Just as the masked man was about to use his lightness skill to leave, a sudden whistling sound startled the crows returning to their nests, and countless arrows were shot towards them as their wings flapped!

Despite the masked man's exceptional lightness skills and Yan Sandao's willingness to sacrifice himself to protect him, they were still outnumbered and only managed to escape the forest after being shot in the chest by an arrow.

...

The crescent moon hung like a hook, and insects wept in the dew. Li Qingchen walked swaying slightly through the streets and alleys, resembling a jade mountain crumbling.

Upon returning to the city, he removed the ghost head mask, intending to quickly return to his residence to heal his injuries. However, as he approached the palace, he sensed a dangerous aura.

The night watchman kept striking the gong, circling in front of the Prince's mansion; the beggar still set up his bowl at the street corner late at night, his eyes gleaming as he looked around...

It seems that the Imperial City Guard... no, it should be said that the Emperor has long had his sights set on him, guessing that he has been controlling the many bandits of the Eighteen Linked Strongholds behind the scenes.

Yes, you guessed right. But he'll try to change that perception.

Li Qingchen turned and moved swiftly, disappearing into the darkness. He couldn't return to the Prince's mansion for the time being; he needed to find a place to stay where no one would suspect him tonight.

He looked up and gazed at Gongchen Street in the distance, thinking that the large mansion at the north end of the street might be a place to go...