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

"Another siege on the Plum Blossom Fiend?"

Xie An was taken aback.

It had been a full three months since the last siege on the Plum Blossom Fiend. During that time, the Plum Blossom Fiend had not visited the Black Market again, and Xie An, immersed in practicing his skills, had almost forgotten about the Plum Blossom Fiend.

Zhang Lin's words reminded Xie An: This box came from the ancestral grave of the Corpse Refining Hall. Going to the Chen residence to besiege the Plum Blossom Fiend... could he possibly get the key?

With this in mind, Xie An's eyes gleamed. While putting on his clothes, he shouted outside, "Brother Zhang, wait a moment, I'll be right there after I change."

Xie An put on his uniform robe, hung the four-stone heavy bow, put on the quiver, and then threw the standard-issue saber aside, hanging the forty-pound heavy saber on his back.

To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Xie An also hid a delicate dagger in his sleeve before going out.

"Old brother. The horses are ready, let's get moving. Being late will inevitably lead to reprimands from the incense master." Zhang Lin had been waiting outside the door with two horses, handing the reins of a black-maned horse to Xie An.

The black-maned horse was well-fed, strong and tall, with muscles bulging out, full of explosive power.

"Good horse."

Xie An patted the horse's back, then jumped on the horse, "Giddy up!"

"Hyah!" Zhang Lin immediately followed on horseback.

The Chen family's master then offered a large sum of money to ask White Feather Hall for help.

Fang Baiyu decided to personally take action tonight, calling on the incense masters and deacons of the hall, lurking around the Chen residence, waiting for the Plum Blossom Fiend to come and kill him in one fell swoop.

After hearing this information, Xie An was greatly shocked.

Fang Baiyu was actually taking action personally.

But Xie An felt that Fang Baiyu was probably not doing it for the large sum of money, but for the Immortal Treasure.

When the two arrived at the Chen residence in Shuideng Town, it was already the beginning of Xu time (7-9 PM).

The gate of the Chen residence was tightly closed, and even the four red lanterns hanging on the gate tower were not lit, presenting a scene of deathly silence.

The two dismounted, Zhang Lin stepped forward to knock on the door, and after a while, a young gatekeeper poked out half of his head, looking around vigilantly, "Are you from White Feather Hall?"

Zhang Lin showed his token, and the gatekeeper breathed a sigh of relief after seeing it, finally putting on a smile, "Come in with me quickly."

This gatekeeper was sensible, taking the initiative to lead the two horses inside, and then closed the door stealthily, as if afraid of being known by others.

Xie An entered the gate and saw that the huge courtyard was dark, and no maids or servants were seen. The surrounding trees were shadowy, and crows were croaking, giving people a gloomy feeling.

"Why are the lights off so late at night? Where are the people from the Chen residence?"

The gatekeeper explained in a low voice, "The master gave the servants a holiday tonight. I don't know the specific reason, the master and the others are all in the ancestral hall, I'll take you there."

Xie An saw that the gatekeeper's attitude was sincere when he spoke, not like he was faking it, so he didn't ask any more questions and followed him all the way to the ancestral hall in the backyard.

When approaching the gate of the ancestral hall, the gatekeeper took the initiative to stop and stretched out his hand to point inside, signaling Xie An and the others to enter.

The courtyard of the ancestral hall was very large, with two bodhi trees planted on the left and right sides, and an incense burner about one meter high in the center of the courtyard. Candles and incense sticks were burning inside, emitting a pungent burnt smell.

There were a dozen people standing in the courtyard, all carrying armor, majestic and extraordinary. And in the ancestral hall in front, rows of candles were lit, and people could be vaguely seen inside, and there was a slight discussion.

Xie An was curious and wondered what the Chen family was going to do.

"You're here."

While thinking, a familiar voice came.

It was Wei Dian and Lin Yun who came over.

"Incense Master Wei, Deacon Lin." Xie An hurriedly cupped his fists in salute, but his eyes glanced at Incense Master Wei. He saw that Incense Master Wei was still wearing a bamboo hat today, covering his face.

Xie An, whose five senses were extraordinary due to practicing the health-preserving technique, vaguely felt that although Incense Master Wei's aura was very strong on the surface, it was a little weak inside.

After some greetings, Zhang Lin asked why the Chen residence was like this tonight. Wei Dian explained: "The Plum Blossom Fiend has been lurking near the Chen residence for a long time, killing people repeatedly. The hall master discussed with the Chen family's master and decided to set up a trap tonight to lure the Plum Blossom Fiend and capture him in one fell swoop."

Zhang Lin suddenly understood, "Has the hall master already arrived?"

Wei Dian glanced at the ancestral hall and said, "Yes, Hall Master Fang is currently in there discussing the trap with the Chen family's master and second master. The other incense masters have also arrived. You should go outside and guard. If you find the Plum Blossom Fiend fleeing, immediately send a message with a signal arrow. Remember not to fight head-on, and prioritize your own safety."

Xie An nodded in agreement, and thanked Wei Dian for his concern for himself, then took Zhang Lin and left.

Hall Master Fang and the Chen family's master and second master were going to set up a trap here to lure the Plum Blossom Fiend, staying here was really dangerous!

He was old, fighting and killing was not suitable for himself. Stable development and steady victory were the right solutions.

What's more, Xie An keenly noticed a key piece of information from Wei Dian's words: This was obviously a trap for the Plum Blossom Fiend, what would Fang Baiyu use as bait? How could he be sure that the Plum Blossom Fiend would take the bait?

Xie An already had the answer in his mind: the Immortal Treasure.

Just that no one knew that this Immortal Treasure had already fallen into Xie An's hands.

Then, was the Chen residence planning to use a fake Immortal Treasure to fool the Plum Blossom Fiend?

It seemed that a bloody storm was coming.

With this in mind, Xie An couldn't help but quicken his pace.

Just as he was about to go out, a sturdy man came over and blocked Xie An's way. Xie An didn't recognize this person, but felt that this person was mighty and majestic, and the broadsword hanging on his waist added a bit of murderous aura.

Moreover, Xie An felt that the man was staring at him with unkind eyes, releasing a hateful aura.

Xie An asked himself that he had never seen this man before, and had never made enemies with him. Why did he hate himself so much?

Just as he was curious, he suddenly saw Zhang Lin cupping his hands to the man and saying, "Greetings, Incense Master Zhang."

Hearing this, Xie An was stunned.

Among the four incense masters under White Feather Hall, there was only one surnamed Zhang.

Zhang Biao's uncle... Zhang Hengshui!

No wonder...

Out of courtesy, Xie An also bowed slightly, "Greetings, Incense Master Zhang."

Zhang Hengshui didn't even look at Zhang Lin who was saluting him, but stared straight at Xie An, and said coldly, "You are the new second deacon who replaced my nephew?"

The frosty voice exuded a strong murderous aura, which made the surrounding air freeze.

If it was Xie An a few months ago, facing such pressure, he would have really felt a bit nervous. But at this moment, he felt... nothing more than that.

However, Xie An still said calmly: "Thanks to Elder Tang and Incense Master Wei's importance, they arranged a deacon position for me."

Humph.

Zhang Hengshui snorted coldly, "Don't you use Tang Qingyun to suppress me. My nephew just died, and you, a stranger I've never met, suddenly popped up without warning, and replaced my nephew's position. What a coincidence."

Then, Zhang Hengshui slammed his sleeves away.

After Zhang Hengshui walked away, Xie An put down his clasped hands, stared at the majestic figure, and a thought came to his mind:

Zhang Hengshui, he can't be kept.