I am dying of old age, and I have awakened to the character of longevity.

It was night.

The April night was still cold, and the wind in the forest blew on the face like a sharp knife.

Xie An trailed behind Zhang Lin, always maintaining a distance of fifty meters.

Even this distance was carefully calculated by Xie An: it could ensure his safety and guarantee the accuracy of his archery.

Next, it depends on whether the Plum Blossom Fiend will come or not.

As the night grew darker, a large number of merchants and peddlers entered the Black Market along the mountain road.

Originally, these merchants and peddlers were a little frightened.

But after seeing disciples wearing Tiger Wolf Gate uniforms patrolling along the way, they felt much more at ease.

If the Plum Blossom Fiend continued to cause trouble, leading to a continuous deterioration of business... that would be bad.

Thinking of this, Xie An did not dare to be careless, opening his five senses and vigilantly staring at the mountain road in the distance.

This ambush lasted for several hours.

It wasn't until the beginning of You time (5-7 PM), when the sky was slightly bright, that the Black Market closed.

A large number of merchants and buyers left the market, torches soared into the sky on the mountain road, and the flow of people was endless, making it very lively.

But Xie An became more and more vigilant.

"When the market closes, many of the merchants who leave are making a lot of money, which is the peak period for crises.

I can't be careless for a moment."

Xie An followed the brambles, secretly shuttling along both sides of the mountain road, and did not find anything unusual.

Before long, the sky had brightened again, and the mountain road became deserted again.

Only three or five groups of Tiger Wolf Gate disciples were left patrolling sporadically.

The Plum Blossom Fiend had only attacked merchants before, and now that the merchants had dispersed, the Plum Blossom Fiend naturally had no reason to appear again.

Xie An then walked out of the brambles and came to the mountain road to meet with Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin was in a great mood, "The Plum Blossom Fiend did not commit any crimes today.

Perhaps the Plum Blossom Fiend's previous murder and robbery was just a temporary idea and was not intentionally targeting my Blood Ridge Black Market."

Zhou Xing also patted the saber at his waist, "It should be so.

Our Blood Ridge Black Market is, after all, an industry under the Tiger Wolf Gate.

How dare the Plum Blossom Fiend keep targeting us?

He doesn't want to live."

Xie An was not so optimistic.

Because of practicing the Body Nourishing Skill, Xie An's five senses were extraordinary.

Last time, he personally saw Wei Dian's injuries in the hall.

He knew that the Plum Blossom Fiend was extremely strong and had cruel methods.

He even dared to seriously injure the Hall Master, so why would he fear a Blood Ridge Black Market?

"Everyone, don't be careless, continue to look around.

See if any merchants have suffered."

Xie An instructed Zhou Xing, and then returned to the Black Market's courtyard with Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin lit the stove, boiled water to make tea, and laughed while he said, "Old brother may be overthinking it.

The Plum Blossom Fiend didn't take action today, probably because he saw us patrolling together and didn't dare to act rashly..."

Xie An said, "Even Hall Master Wei was seriously injured by the Plum Blossom Fiend, so we still need to be cautious.

By the way, Brother Zhang, do you know what Hall Master Wei's strength is?"

Zhang Lin did not hide anything, "Hall Master Wei has rarely come to the Blood Ridge Black Market in recent years, and I have had few contacts with him.

But three years ago, Hall Master Wei showed his hand in the headquarters' examination, and at that time he was already at the Copper Skin Realm Great Accomplishment."

Three years ago, he was already at the Copper Skin Realm Great Accomplishment.

This strength is not weak.

You should know that Fang Baiyu, the Hall Master of the White Feather Hall, is only a Second Gate Refined Flesh Realm martial artist.

The four Hall Masters under him should all be brave and powerful.

Xie An estimated that with his current strength, he should be able to compete with Wei Dian from three years ago.

As for how much Wei Dian's strength has grown today, three years later, Xie An could not estimate.

However, another thing caught Xie An's attention.

"Headquarters examination?"

Zhang Lin said, "Yes.

The Tiger Wolf Gate values talents.

An examination is held every three years.

Excellent disciples from each branch hall have the opportunity to participate.

Disciples who perform well can be promoted to Deacon.

And Deacons who perform well in the examination can be promoted to Grand Deacon, Hall Master.

Hall Masters who perform excellently in the examination can be promoted to Deputy Hall Master, Hall Master... and so on."

Xie An nodded in his heart, very fond of the Tiger Wolf Gate's selection method.

It gave many older men, or martial artists from poor families without a background, a chance to stand out.

However, Xie An also realized that this examination was probably very strict.

Otherwise, even such a powerful Wei Dian would not be able to rise, and he is still a Hall Master to this day.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that there are other reasons.

"The next examination will be in three years.

Unfortunately, I am already old, and my strength has not improved much."

Zhang Lin let out a helpless sigh.

Then, he looked at Xie An again, "But old brother, you are getting stronger as you get older.

In recent months, I have felt that old brother is becoming more and more youthful and vigorous.

Maybe in the school grounds three years later, old brother will soar into the sky."

Xie An smiled modestly, "Brother Zhang, don't flatter me, I am also old.

I only seek to make a living.

I only hope that the Black Market is peaceful and nothing happens, and I will burn incense to thank the heavens."

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Zhang Lin smiled and said, "Old brother is efficient, treats people frankly, and handles things properly.

Since old brother came here, the Black Market's business has been growing at a visible rate.

Everyone can see this.

In the future, old brother's future will be much better than mine."

Although Xie An also thought so in his heart, he still said modestly, "Thanks to Brother Zhang's help, the Black Market has today's prosperity.

I hope the Plum Blossom Fiend doesn't come to cause trouble again..."

Zhang Lin said with a smile on his face, "Today is peaceful, and the Plum Blossom Fiend probably won't come in the future..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Xing rushed in from outside in a panic, panting and saying, "Deacon, boss... something happened."

Swish.

Zhang Lin was so shocked that he suddenly stood up, "What's going on?"

Zhou Xing's face was pale, "Another stall owner has been killed.

A wooden red plum blossom was left at the scene..."

...

At a mountain pass seven miles away from the Blood Ridge Black Market.

A forty-year-old man was lying on the ground, his head separated from his neck, and blood had stained the area within a few meters red.

Five or six Black Market disciples with sabers surrounded the area, preventing outsiders from approaching and protecting the scene.

"The Plum Blossom Fiend has struck again..."

Zhang Lin, who had rushed over, turned pale with fright when he saw this situation, and the hand holding the hilt of his saber also trembled.

Xie An was calmer, squatted down and examined it for a long time, and finally stood up, glanced at the surrounding disciples, and instructed, "Zhou Xing, take the body back.

The others block the news, saying that it was bandits causing trouble and has nothing to do with the Plum Blossom Fiend.

Brother Zhang, please verify the identity of this deceased."

Seeing Xie An's proper arrangements and clear logic, everyone had a backbone and was not so panicked, and they all did as they were told.

After half a day of interviews, Xie An finally obtained the identity of the deceased:

A mobile vendor, name unknown, a peddler selling medicinal herbs, whose business had been very prosperous in recent days.

"Brother Zhang, what did the vendor who died yesterday sell?"

Xie An tried to find the Plum Blossom Fiend's killing logic.

Zhang Lin was very discouraged, "The one yesterday was selling secret manuals, and his business has also been very prosperous recently.

There is no connection between the two, and there is no trace to be found."

Xie An was not in a hurry, but sat on the armchair in the living room and pondered carefully, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "There are still traces to be found..."