Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 74 The Purple Robe Tower Appears

Zhang Qing's pupils contracted sharply. He dared not take the attack head-on and quickly turned his body, narrowly avoiding the grab.

But the stone wall behind him, struck by the palm strike, began to hiss and smoke.

"What a vicious technique!" Zhang Qing exclaimed inwardly.

Without further hesitation, he took out a jade talisman from his pocket and crushed it.

This is an emergency communication talisman that can instantly transmit messages back. It is difficult to craft and should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

Upon seeing this, the man in purple's eyes flashed with anger: "You're courting death!"

The purple aura surged, transforming into countless palm shadows that descended from the sky.

Each palm strike carried a corrosive aura, eroding even the rocks in its path.

Zhang Qing moved swiftly, weaving through the palm shadows.

He was a late-stage Grandmaster, and his cultivation was even higher than that of the man in purple.

However, the opponent's techniques were strange and his palm strikes were insidious, making it difficult for him to escape for the time being.

"Who are you?" Zhang Qing asked in a deep voice.

"Why ask so many questions of a dying man?" The man in purple intensified his attack.

The two fought fiercely in the cave, their palm strikes and fist shadows crisscrossing, and stone chips flying everywhere.

The men in black who remained had already retreated to a distance and dared not approach.

Li Hun and Sun Meng also rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and were both startled to see the man in purple.

"The Purple-Clad Envoy!" Li Hun exclaimed in surprise.

Purple-robed Envoy?

Zhang Qing's heart skipped a beat—the people from the Purple Robe Tower!

No wonder the canal gang dared to be so arrogant; it turns out that the Purple Robe Tower was supporting them from behind!

"Li Hun, Sun Meng, stop him!" the purple-robed envoy shouted.

Li Hun and Sun Meng exchanged a glance and attacked simultaneously.

Li Hun's palm strikes were soft and gentle, while Sun Meng's fist strikes were fierce and powerful. The two cooperated perfectly, blocking Zhang Qing's escape route.

Although Zhang Qing was in the late stage of Grandmaster, he still felt pressured when facing the siege of three Grandmasters (one of whom was a Grandmaster).

He fought and retreated, looking for an opportunity to escape.

"Trying to leave?" The purple-clad envoy sneered, pulling a small purple flag from his robes.

The small flag fluttered in the wind, emitting an eerie purple light.

Under the purple light, Zhang Qing felt his internal energy flow become sluggish, and his movements slowed down.

"The Forbidden God Banner!" Zhang Qing's expression changed drastically.

This is a secret treasure of the Purple Robe Pavilion, capable of suppressing a martial artist's divine sense and true energy.

I never expected that the purple-clad envoy would bring this!

Taking advantage of Zhang Qing being suppressed by the Divine Banner, Li Hun and Sun Meng attacked simultaneously.

Zhang Qing tried his best to defend himself, but was still hit in the shoulder by Sun Meng's punch. He groaned and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"Take him down!" the purple-clad envoy shouted.

Surrounded by the three, Zhang Qing was in dire straits.

At that very moment, another unexpected event occurred!

A burst of energy, like a celestial being descending from the heavens, pierced through the top of the cave and slashed straight down!

With unparalleled sharpness, it cut through even the purple light of the Forbidden God Banner wherever it went!

"Who are you?!" The purple-clad envoy exclaimed in shock and anger.

As the dust settled, Yuan Tiangang stood with his hands behind his back, blocking Zhang Qing's path.

"The Lord has ordered that Zhang Qing must not die," Yuan Tiangang said calmly.

The purple-clad envoy's pupils constricted sharply: "Yuan Tiangang?"

"Retreat," Yuan Tiangang said, uttering only one word.

The purple-clad envoy's expression shifted, but he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Retreat!"

He put away the Forbidden God Banner and quickly retreated with Li Hun and Sun Meng.

The men in black hurriedly moved the wooden crates and followed suit.

Yuan Tiangang did not pursue, but turned to Zhang Qing and asked, "How badly are you injured?"

Zhang Qing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth:

"It's just a superficial injury, nothing serious. Thank you for your help, Mr. Yuan."

"Our lord foresaw that there were powerful figures behind the Grand Canal Gang, and ordered me to secretly follow them," Yuan Tiangang said.

"I have received your message. Go back and heal your wounds first."

"Yes."

The two left the cave and disappeared into the night.

……

The next morning, at an inn in Suzhou.

When Lin Chen woke up, sunlight was already streaming into the room through the window.

He stretched and realized that Xiao Yulou was no longer beside him.

"Fourth Sister-in-law?" he called out.

Xiao Yulou's voice came from outside:

"You're awake? I've had breakfast prepared in the kitchen."

Lin Chen got dressed, washed up, and went to the outer room.

On the table were congee and side dishes, as well as several kinds of Jiangnan snacks.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you're up really early." He sat down at the table.

Xiao Yulou served him porridge:

"I'm used to it. Even when I was in the manor, I would get up before dawn and practice for an hour."

Lin Chen took a sip of porridge and suddenly asked, "Fourth Sister-in-law, did you sleep well last night?"

Xiao Yulou blushed: "How dare you ask..."

Last night, the two returned from the lantern festival and had another passionate encounter.

Although Xiao Yulou was a grandmaster with superb physical strength, he couldn't withstand Lin Chen's ever-changing antics.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law doesn't like it?"

"Who likes it..." Xiao Yulou lowered his head and drank his porridge, his voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

As they were talking and laughing, Yuan Tiangang knocked on the door and came in.

"My lord, Zhang Qing has returned, but he was slightly injured."

Lin Chen's expression turned serious: "Let him in."

Zhang Qing walked into the room with a bandage wrapped around her shoulder and a pale face.

"What happened?" Lin Chen asked.

Zhang knelt down on one knee: "Your subordinate is incompetent. You were discovered at the Xishan mine last night."

He gave a detailed report on the events of the previous night, including the appearance of the Purple-Clad Envoy, the suppression of the Divine Banner, and Yuan Tiangang's rescue.

Lin Chen's eyes grew cold after hearing this:

"Purple Robe Tower...it really is them."

Xiao Yulou frowned: "The Purple Robe Pavilion really stretches its reach far, even daring to interfere in Jiangnan."

"Where are those goods from the Grand Canal gang now?" Lin Chen asked.

"They were taken away by the Purple-Clad Envoy," Zhang Qing said.

"However, I remember the route; they headed north, probably intending to transport it by water."

Lin Chen pondered for a moment:

"Mr. Yuan, have the Seven Great Warriors lead men to track them along the way, without alerting them, and find out their final destination."

"Yes." Yuan Tiangang accepted the order.

Zhang Qing then said:

"My lord, there is one more thing. The purple-robed envoy's cultivation level should be at the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm."

However, the Forbidden God Banner he brought could suppress the strength of martial artists, making it quite troublesome.

"The Forbidden God Banner..." Lin Chen mused.

"The Purple Robe Tower's secret treasure is indeed quite remarkable, but it's alright. With Mr. Yuan here, there's nothing to fear."

He then looked at Zhang Qing:

"You are seriously injured. Go back and heal your wounds first. You have done a great service this time. When we return to the capital, you will be richly rewarded."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Qing bowed and withdrew.

Only Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou remained in the room.

Xiao Yulou said worriedly:

"Eighth Brother, with the Purple Robe Tower involved, this matter has become complicated. Should we continue investigating?"

"Investigate? Of course we'll investigate," Lin Chen laughed. "So what if it's the Purple Robe Pavilion? In front of me, dragons have to coil up, and tigers have to lie low. Besides..."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes:

"The Purple Robe Tower has been secretly spying on the Duke's Mansion. It's a good time to settle both old and new scores together."

Xiao Yulou grasped his hand:

"Then be careful. The Purple Robe Tower is full of experts. Don't underestimate them."

"Don't worry." Lin Chen patted her hand. "The Purple Robe Tower can't cause any big trouble."

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

"Come in."

A servant boy brought in the invitation:

"Young Master Lin, my master sent me with an invitation to a banquet at Yanyu Pavilion today at noon."

Lin Chen accepted the invitation; it was in Su Mo's handwriting.

He invited him and Xiao Yulou to Yanyu Pavilion for tea, saying that he had obtained some fine tea and wanted them to enjoy it together.

"Reply to Brother Su, we will be there on time," Lin Chen said to the waiter.

After the servant left, Xiao Yulou smiled and said, "The Su siblings are quite hospitable."

"Su Mo is a smart man," Lin Chen said.

"This invitation is probably more than just a tea tasting."

"Then why are you still going?"

"Go ahead, why not?" Lin Chen stretched.

"With good tea to drink and beautiful women to keep me company, why not? As for other things... we'll just have to deal with them as they come."

Xiao Yulou couldn't help but laugh at his lazy appearance:

"You're incredibly audacious!"

"Life is short, so seize the day." Lin Chen smiled and pulled her into his arms.

"Come on, Fourth Sister-in-law, let's rest a bit more while there's still time..."

"In broad daylight... let go..."