Dai Xuan naturally knew about the recent conflict between Dai Xiao and Feng Kang.
Not just in Yang City — the entire Jiangbei high society had heard the rumors.
Of course, no one had dared to record what actually happened that day, so it was all passed around by word of mouth — gossip confined to small circles.
Had there been a video, the story would have spread far wider.
Now, with Feng Kang working alongside martial artists, and Dai Xiao having done that to his wife, there was no way Feng Kang would swallow his rage.
And Dai Xiao — what would he know about any place with spiritual treasures? Clearly, that location must have been bait leaked by Feng Kang himself.
"Outrageous! They really think having a few martial experts makes them some hidden noble clan?"
Dai Xuan's voice was as cold as frost.
He knew full well Dai Xiao had been in the wrong this time.
But that was beside the point — Feng Kang had dared to kill him.
That was a public slap in the Dai family's face. If they didn't retaliate, how could they hold their place in Jiangbei?
Meanwhile, Xu Mu and Meng Wanyue had already returned to the villa.
Once inside, Xu Mu decided to help her advance her cultivation — after all, he still had one Qi Sea Pill from his previous lottery draw.
Though he'd once taken a bite of it himself, it was still potent enough to use.
"Wanyue, before the others get back, I'm giving you two opportunities," Xu Mu said with a smile, taking out a blue pill.
"Swallow this."
"What kind of pill is it?"
Meng Wanyue stepped closer to him, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Xu Mu grinned. It wasn't surprising she didn't recognize it — the Qi Sea Pill was a seventh-grade elixir, far beyond her experience.
"It's a Grade-One strengthening pill," he said lightly. "Good for improving the body."
"Thank you, Mr. Xu."
Relieved, Meng Wanyue accepted the explanation and swallowed the pill without hesitation.
She already owed Xu Mu too much — if he had told her it was something higher grade, she would have refused to take it.
The moment it entered her mouth, the pill dissolved instantly, turning into pure energy that surged through every meridian in her body.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Mr. Xu! This isn't a Grade-One pill!"
She could feel the power inside her surging like a roaring tide, hammering against her internal barrier.
The overwhelming medicinal force made her dizzy, drenched in sweat, and trembling all over.
Crack!
A barrier shattered within her body.
Her strength had broken through another bottleneck — she'd reached mid-stage Gang Qi.
But even then, her power kept rising.
Tears welled in her eyes. What kind of treasure had Xu Mu just given her?
At last, the energy within her calmed down.
Breathing heavily, she realized her cultivation had stabilized at late mid-stage Gang Qi.
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Wiping her tears with her sleeve, Meng Wanyue dropped to her knees before Xu Mu, resting her delicate face against his thigh.
"Mr. Xu… you're such a fool…" she choked, her voice trembling. "Why give me something so precious?"
"Because you're Meng Wanyue — my Meng Wanyue."
Xu Mu cupped her face gently. "Now get up."
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Meng Wanyue nodded lightly, sitting beside him with her head lowered. "Mr. Xu…"
"What is it?" he asked with a smile.
"If you ever… need anything… just say the word. I'll agree to anything."
Her cheeks flushed crimson.
What she meant was clear enough — if he had certain needs, she wouldn't refuse.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud. She wasn't like Dai Xingluo, so bold and teasing.
Inwardly, she grumbled — Why is he so dense? If he just asked, I'd say yes in a heartbeat!
"Wanyue," Xu Mu said instead, "I still have another opportunity for you."
He produced a black metal tablet — the Earth-rank technique, Shadow Kill.
Given Meng Wanyue's background as an assassin, it suited her perfectly.
As she ran her hand across the engraved surface, faint characters shimmered before her eyes — strange runes forming illusory movements.
"This… Mr. Xu, is this what I think it is?"
"An Earth-rank technique — Shadow Kill."
Her hands trembled, and she nearly dropped it.
She froze. Earth-rank?!
The concept alone was staggering.
In the martial world, even powerful clans or secret sects would shed blood to obtain such a treasure.
Xu Mu was giving it to her?
She almost wanted to cry — or perhaps… offer herself outright.
"Mr. Xu, I… I'm not worthy!"
"Who said you were keeping it?" Xu Mu said flatly. "You're just cultivating it — it still belongs to me."
He shot her a glare. "Not listening again?"
"I—"
Meng Wanyue was speechless.
Even giving him her life wouldn't repay him now.
She stood up, bowed deeply, and said solemnly, "Mr. Xu, please… let me do something for you. Anything."
"Anything?" he asked with a teasing smile.
"Anything…" she murmured, face burning.
"Then give me a massage. I could use some relaxation."
Xu Mu led her upstairs, and they entered the bedroom together.
Meng Wanyue puffed her cheeks slightly — then quickly straightened her expression.
She didn't even know why she made that face.
What was she disappointed about?
Xu Mu was married — keeping his distance was what a decent man should do.
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Meng Wanyue shook her head. I really am a bad woman.
Ye Tong had always treated her so kindly, yet here she was… coveting her man.
It made her hate herself a little.
Xu Mu lay down on the bed, face-down.
Meng Wanyue began to work quietly, her touch careful and precise.
After about ten minutes, she heard faint snoring.
"Already asleep?" she whispered.
It made sense — he'd told them over lunch he hadn't slept all night and had spent hours in that ruin, fully alert the entire time.
Even with a short nap in the car, it wasn't enough.
As she tiptoed toward the door, Xu Mu turned over in his sleep, now facing upward.
She paused.
Looking down at his peaceful face, she couldn't help but sigh softly. He's… so handsome.
A smile crept across her lips.
How lucky Ye Tong was, to have such a man.
Her heart thumped rapidly. She swallowed hard and leaned closer…
Then instinct kicked in — she pulled out her phone, scanning the room for cameras.
If Ye Tong ever saw her sneaking a kiss, she'd probably be thrown out on the spot.
No cameras.
Relieved, Meng Wanyue exhaled, bent forward again, and slowly — nervously — leaned closer.
Her heart pounded faster than it ever had on any assassination mission.