To see me? This reply caught Zhang Yuanqing off guard. He had assumed that the Master of the Stilling Palace would reach out to him via a phone call. And even a phone call had been daunting to him—let alone a face-to-face meeting. The Stilling Palace staff were all passionate and intense—the Master was truly eccentric. At the peak of the Saint Realm. As his thoughts raced, Zhang Yuanqing blurted out: "No, that doesn't conform to protocol. I don't wish to meet the Master personally. Maintaining a distance benefits everyone." What's eccentric? Someone who, just a moment ago, said they loved their brother most, and then the very next moment cuts off their brother's head with a chopping knife, sending them off to sea. Zhang Yuanqing considered himself socially adept, yet he struggled with obsessive and eccentric personalities—his instinct was simply to avoid such people. The Ecstatic Saint hesitated and said: "The Master has specified that if you wish to learn the secrets of the Xiaohou family, you must meet her in person. She won't reveal them over the phone, nor through messages. Moreover, it must be you going alone." "There's a secret tied to the Xiahou family that requires a face-to-face meeting—something of substantial importance!" Zhang Yuanqing pondered silently. Seeing Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn grow silent, Qingdian Great Saint added, "Our palace master has heard of your accomplishments and greatly admires you." To be admired by someone so eccentric isn't exactly a blessing... Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself. After a moment's consideration, he said, "Very well. When and where?" Relieved, Qingdian Great Saint promptly replied, "The palace master has suggested the location be the café directly across from the Kāngyáng District Public Security Bureau." That's clearly a gesture of goodwill! Zhang Yuanqing said, "No problem." At this moment, he urgently needed leverage against the Xiahou family—missing this opportunity would have been a real loss. Though he quietly criticized the palace master for being eccentric, Zhang Yuanqing believed, at present, that the Zhishā Palace was a friend, not an adversary. He still owed them a favor from the Wang Qian incident. ... At 4:30 a.m., the streets were quiet and cool, the golden duck-down street Near the Kangyang District Public Security Office, Zhang Yuanqing pulled out his phone, using the screen as a mirror to examine his appearance under the streetlight. His features were ordinary, slightly stiff. He had transformed himself into Wang Tai. Still, Wang Tai's look gave him a sense of security—my face is too handsome, too striking... Zhang Yuanqing put away his phone and walked toward the Public Security Office. The sound of his steady footsteps echoed along the empty street. Three minutes later, he spotted the café across from the office, its doors open and soft light spilling out. Zhang Yuanqing hesitated at the entrance before finally stepping inside. The café was empty, no one in sight. Where were they? Hadn't they arrived yet? Zhang Yuanqing glanced around, chose a seat at random, and settled in. As soon as he sat down, a light, bell-like laughter drifted from a few seats away: "Wang Qian said you looked good, but I thought you were ordinary—he deceived me. When I get back, I'm going to give him a good scolding." Zhang Yuanqing's back instantly tightened, then slowly relaxed, and he turned to look. Seated at a table two places away, a vibrant figure had appeared without any notice. She wore a magnificent gown from the Han dynasty, with a deep red base, adorned with golden embroidery featuring cloud patterns and dragon motifs on her chest, hem, and broad sleeves. The red hem gently trailed on the ground, opening at the lower part of her calves. She leaned lazily against the back of her chair, one leg crossed over the other, barefoot with snow-white, delicate ankles encircled by golden anklets. A silver mask covered her face, and her lively eyes beneath it observed Zhang Yuanqing with quiet attentiveness. Majestic, spirited, noble, and dignified—just one glance, and Zhang Yuanqing sensed many qualities in her. Her legs are quite lovely! Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her a few times, hesitating not to look longer, and cautiously asked, "Your Highness?" The eyes beneath the mask gently curved, offering a response. "I've heard of your deeds. Thank you for your support to Zhishi Palace. Should you wish, within the bounds of justice and your capacity, I would be honored to grant you a request," she said, resting her chin and smiling softly. Three, three, three—will that do? Zhang Yuanqing nodded steadily, "Thank you! As Master Qingdian the Mad Saint mentioned, the Palace Master has been descending into the dungeons lately, so she hasn't yet dealt with the Xiahou family?" The red-dress Palace Master gave a slight nod. "I've already advanced to the Sovereign Realm." Huh, Sovereign? Zhang Yuanqing quickly offered his goodwill, saying, "Shall I say: 'May the Palace Master live forever, unify the martial world'?" The red-dress woman giggled softly, "I'd rather peel off your face and see what you look like underneath." Did she notice I've changed my appearance? Peeling off the face—she truly is a madwoman. Back in the ordinary days, he would have said: "It's my great honor." But now he hesitates, afraid she might actually act. Zhang Yuanqing said seriously, "Xiahou Tianyuan is gone, but Xiahou Xin and Xiahou Chi still remain. What can I do for the Palace Master?" Speech is an art. The Palace Master of Stopping the Killing paused for a few seconds, then said slowly, The Master of the Halt-Death Palace raised a corner of her mouth with a smile: "Hmph, I see she truly told outsiders about my background. I'll strip her bare and hang her to beat her senseless." Ah—wait—did I perhaps unintentionally let Shé Lingxi down? Zhang Yuancheng was momentarily stunned, completely unprepared for the conversation to take this turn. He found himself struggling to keep up with the Master's thought process. "I began quietly investigating the truth behind the fall of the Chu family. After years of persistent effort, I've uncovered several key facts. What I discovered is that there was a powerful force operating behind the scenes, actively shaping the entire event." "What kind of force?" Zhang Yuanqing asked with curiosity. "Have you ever heard of the Night Rose?" The Night Rose? Zhang Yuanqing was taken aback: "Yes, I have." The elegant eyes beneath the silver mask flashed a touch of surprise, then smiled: "You know so much—far beyond what one would expect from a newcomer." True talents are always special! Zhang Yuanqing silently admired himself, yet hesitated to respond, fearing she might say: "I admire brilliance, so I'll peel your face off!" The Master of the Stop-Death Palace smoothed her expression, her gaze shifting to the counter, her voice calm: "The Night Rose is a secretive organization, known to only a few. However, through my investigations, I've found that it has deep, extensive influence within the major spiritual realm families and official institutions." Many high-ranking officials in official circles are, in fact, "Night Rose" figures. "Among them is the Xiu Hou lineage. The records I have trace only as far as Xiu Hou Chi. Beyond that, I don't know whether the Xiu Hou clan elders have any connection to the Night Roses." Hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing had a sudden epiphany, finally piecing together the full context and connecting the events in sequence. "You nearly killed Xiu Hou Tianwen specifically to investigate the Night Roses, and Xiu Hou Chi traveled all the way to Songhai, ostensibly to avenge his grandson—yet in reality, to eliminate you and silence you?" That explained why the Xiu Hou family had been so assertive and domineering in the incident at the Palace of Elimination. The Palace Master nodded, "Quite astute." "Then why didn't you report this matter to the Five Elements Alliance?" "I don't trust the official establishment." She shook her head. "How do you know your trusted allies aren't themselves Night Roses? Unless I can personally meet the five senior elders of Songhai, I simply can't reach them." Xiaohou Chi is not a concern; what I must guard against is the Night Rose making a move, possibly eliminating key figures. Zhang Yuanqing paused for a few seconds: "Now that you've told me about this, are you hoping I will report it upward?" The Master of Zhi Sha smiled: "You're a newcomer with a clean record, so I'm sharing this information with you. As for what you do with it afterward—that's entirely up to you. I don't need you to eliminate the Xiaohou family. Right now, Xiaohou Chi is within reach of my fingertip." Zhang Yuanqing asked tentatively: "Do you know Fu Qingyang?" "Not very well," said the woman, her gaze shifting beneath the silver mask. "Would you like to inform him of this?" After a moment's thought, she replied: "Half of Fu's staff is abroad, and Fu Qingyang was raised overseas." She has a good sense of trust in Fu Qingyang. Zhang Yuanqing nodded. Then he thought further: The Master of Zhi Sha is also investigating the Night Rose, and the Night Rose is currently preparing to meet with Hei Wuxiang. If we can develop this Princess of Zhishi into an informant, my plan to locate Hei Wuchang and obtain the roster will proceed more smoothly. After a pause of several seconds, he said: "I have some information about the Night Rose—would you be interested?" At this, Princess Zhishi suddenly straightened up, sitting upright, her eyes wide with surprise at Zhang Yuanqing: "What information?" "Recently, I was involved in a case targeting Hei Wuchang's subordinates—do you know the Hei Wuchang incident?" Seeing the Princess nod, he continued: "From the memory of that Wugui master, I discovered that Hei Wuchang has been stationed in Songhai specifically to await the leader of the Night Rose." As he finished speaking, he faintly sensed that Princess Zhishi's breathing had quickened. "Is the leader of the Night Rose coming to Songhai?" Her voice remained neutral, showing neither excitement nor concern. "Yes," Zhang Yuanqing seized the moment: "We can collaborate." Master Zhi Sha took a deep breath and calmed her tone: "Very well. I will investigate the geomancers of the Spirit Energy Association. I'll keep you informed. If you find any leads regarding the Night Rose, please contact Wang Qian." "Understood," Zhang Yuanqing smiled. It turns out that the Xiahou lineage has been secretly collaborating with the Night Rose. Now, with this alliance, the Xiahou father and son are truly in danger. Moreover, they must surely possess certain intelligence about the Night Rose—including details on its members and organizational structure. Black Immortal, who has been retreating in Songhai like a turtle, is hard to locate. However, if one can trace the Night Rose line, a breakthrough might be possible. I need to report this to Fu Qingyang. Zhang Yuanqing still trusts him. First, during the Unchecked Dominance incident, he already became aware of the Night Rose's existence. If Fu Qingyang were one of their people, he would not have supported him during the Xiahou Tianyuan incident. In fact, it seems Fu Qingyang has been actively pushing things along—perhaps even orchestrating the elimination of his subordinate who knows about the Night Rose. On the other hand, among the highest-level leaders he can access, Fu Qingyang, as the Centurion, is his only choice. With this in mind, Zhang Yuanqing glanced around and found no one nearby. He quietly pulled out his phone and dialed Fu Qingyang's number.