"Yes. Our Vice Sect Master said, if Dongfang Strategist is interested, we can all go watch the competition together at that time."

"Oh?"

Dongfang Sansan laughed: "Is Vice Sect Master Yan really so interested? Very well, we can discuss it further at that time."

"Yes."

"Special Envoy Jiang, since it’s a rare occasion to have you here, you can take a good walk around the city and buy some local specialties to take back. Although the things are not precious, each place has its own specialties and charms."

"No need. I will return immediately."

Jiang Wuwang had a dark expression.

This time, he truly felt his face was rubbed into the ground, so how could he have the mood to go shopping?

"In that case, I won’t insist on keeping you."

Dongfang Sansan said warmly: "Qianshan, see the Special Envoy Jiang out."

Ningxue Sword giggled and said, "Alright, I’ll see him off."

Jiang Wuwang wanted very much to say he didn’t need to be seen off, but face is an issue.

"Thank you for the trouble."

Jiang Wuwang said through gritted teeth.

Ningxue Sword escorted Jiang Wuwang to the door, smiling and said, "Brother Jiang, remember that debt, okay? We, people of the Jianghu, shouldn’t renege on debts."

Jiang Wuwang said angrily, "How will I find you when the time comes?"

"I haven’t died yet, so how could you not find me?"

"You won’t deliberately avoid me and let me miss the deadline, will you? I know that’s what you’re planning."

Jiang Wuwang directly hit the nail on the head, blocking any retreat.

"I won’t!"

Ningxue Sword vowed solemnly: "I’ll definitely make sure you can pay it back!"

Jiang Wuwang, although still uneasy, did not dare to go too far. There was nothing more to say now, as this Ningxue Sword could beat him up if he wanted to.

Moreover, he was shameless like this.

It’s best to leave first.

Jiang Wuwang took his leave and headed out of the city.

Ningxue Sword held the IOU, flicked it with his finger with a ’pop’, feeling immensely proud of himself.

Yet he saw Yang Luoyu rushing over: "Brother Jian, has Jiang Wuwang left?"

"Yes, he’s gone."

"There’s something you have to accompany me for."

"What is it?"

"Vice Sect Master Yan Nan asked me to deliver a message to Lord Xue..." Yang Luoyu’s handsome face was full of excitement: "This message is quite interesting."

Thus, Ningxue Sword also got excited, putting his arm around Yang Luoyu’s shoulder, winking: "What is it?"

"It’s this message..."

"Hahaha..." Ningxue Sword burst into laughter, extremely excited and said impatiently: "Let’s go, let’s hurry over there."

A moment later.

With a loud boom.

Ningxue Sword and Yang Luoyu, one left, one right, turned into two smokes, desperately fleeing while shouting: "Boss, I was wrong, I won’t dare again..."

Behind them, the light of blades shone brightly...

Xue Fuxiao with a wrathful look, smoke coming out of all seven orifices, chased after them.

...

In the room.

Dongfang Sansan took out Yan Nan’s letter again. He carefully read it once more and reflected upon it thoroughly.

"He agreed to everything directly, and even suggested raising the stakes..."

A hint of a smile appeared at Dongfang Sansan’s mouth, as he mused: "Looks like Yan Nan has seen through me this time? He must be very pleased with himself?"

For being able to make Yan Nan pleased with himself, Dongfang Sansan was also very pleased.

"In such a state of pride and self-satisfaction, what could one be thinking? This subtle mood can be taken advantage of."

Dongfang Sansan’s eyes fell on the map at the southeast position.

"This time, let Fang Che be selected, then openly and prominently display himself in front of Yan Nan."

His smile gradually widened: "Show some spirit, strive to climb up, obtain a position, then... during the competition, give Yan Nan a surprise. In Yan Nan’s current mindset of ’seeing through me’ and feeling complacent, he will absolutely not suspect in the short term and will feel he’s discovered a gem, hence cultivating heavily. And when he might start suspecting, let you show your capabilities again..."

"But starting the next step now would be premature."

"Wait until both sides have confirmed their lists and starts the martial competition, then act is not too late. Things should be done step by step, never rashly..."

Dongfang Sansan turned to look at the map.

On a certain spot in the southeast, he circled it with a red pen.

"The next step begins here."

...

During this period, Fang Che twisted the Guardian Hall’s deacon team into a single rope.

The thirty new disciples from Hanjian Mountain Sect he continuously trained, now each one is entirely obedient and increasingly compliant.

Endless daily drills and scoldings actually made them more and more submissive to him.

Fang Che’s biweekly martial arts battle power evaluation, monthly cultivation evaluation, pressuring the entire Steward Hall to the point of being unable to breathe.

Merit evaluation, martial arts battle power evaluation, cultivation evaluation.

In any case, since Mr. Fang took office, he has been conducting assessments constantly.

Forcing everyone to do their utmost.

Painful yet joyful—for ultimately it increases one’s cultivation battle power and strength merit.

And over at the Worldwide Escort Agency, there was nothing much going on. The two Vice Chiefs completely devoted their hearts to the agency, all the heads of escorts were of one mind, doing their utmost in every matter.

Everyday walking around with eyes like searchlights, whenever something was dirty, they’d rush over to clean it, whenever a new weed grew on the ground, looking unsightly, they’d quickly pull it out.

The gatehouse and signboard were cleaned three times a day.

Always kept bright and shiny, reflecting light.

After all, nobody knows when the headquarters’ secret inspection will come.

The last secret inspection by Yin Shen Palace sounded the warning bell for these people. Who knows, perhaps the next secret inspection by the headquarters might be in the same manner...

Notices had already gone out, everyone was aware: it’s coming soon.