By the quiet banks of Huaihai Lake stood a wooden structure, exuding an ancient charm—a private bookstore,

Inside, many people were reading books, enveloped in a quiet, elegant, and leisurely atmosphere. No matter who you were, once you sat at those refined rosewood tables and chairs, embracing a book, you felt a newfound sense of nobility.

The bookstore not only offered books, but also coffee drinks and food.

A middle-aged man wearing glasses sat by the window reading, able to see the bustling crowd through the bright window.

A hardcover novel lay in front of him, with a steaming cup of coffee to his right, and a bandage wrapped around his wrist.

His face was upright with well-defined features, and his bluish stubble lent him a mature and stable appearance.

He was dressed in a clean Versace suit, with hair slicked back, looking like a white-collar worker who spent years in an office.

Xu Xiangbei also picked out a book and sat across from the middle-aged man. Their eyes met for just a moment, yet it felt like two high-voltage currents entwining.

Xu Xiangbei recognized that the man reading was the Sword Palace Assassin he had driven away in the small woods that night. Naturally, the assassin recognized Xu Xiangbei as well.

Though neither moved, their gazes intertwined, emanating a powerful killing intent from both, like two storm fronts colliding.

The surrounding people felt uneasy, looking around for the source of their discomfort, yet discovering nothing.

This palpable hostility made many feel uncomfortable.

Many returned their books to the shelves and left the bookstore; within ten meters of them, no one dared linger.

Xu Xiangbei playfully said, "How about I invite you out for a cup of coffee? The atmosphere here is a bit lacking, not quite elegant enough."

Xu Xiangbei didn’t really intend to invite him for coffee, but rather wanted to lure the Sword Palace Assassin out to fight, without disturbing the bookstore’s tranquility. The issue wasn’t the lack of elegance here, but rather its excessive elegance that made it unsuitable for a fight.

The Sword Palace Assassin smirked, "In ten minutes, there’s a small courtyard by the lake. The owner is not home, perfect spot for me to invite you for tea. Let’s go."

Like a pair of old friends meeting for the first time, they both headed towards the courtyard the Sword Palace Assassin mentioned.

In the bookstore crowd, the Sword Palace Assassin also spotted Zuo Mu, and his smile grew wider as his murderous intent intensified: "Perfect, I was looking all over for you two, and here you are saving me the trouble."

"Does it matter who finds whom? Are you alone? Want to find a few companions?"

"No need. My three companions are dead, and another probably couldn’t escape either. I’m a solitary figure now."

"Is that so? How convenient, eating alone means no family goes hungry. Even if you die, no one will shed a tear. One death to end it all, very hassle-free." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The Sword Palace Assassin’s eyes gleamed with sharp murder: "Oh, really? The deer could fall into anyone’s hands. Do you think just because there are two of you, you’ll automatically win? You think I can’t take both of you on alone?"

"Did we fight that night in the small woods? Can your wrist still hold a sword? Want to wait until it heals before we go again?"

"Would you let me go back to heal? Unlikely."

"Indeed not. I must avenge my junior brother."

Zuo Mu, having circled around from behind, joined them as they reached the small courtyard. The door was slightly ajar and swung open with a gentle push.

Just as the Sword Palace Assassin entered the courtyard, he suddenly charged forward and fled into the house.

Zuo Mu was about to give chase, but Xu Xiangbei grabbed him.

"Be careful, this guy is very cunning. Chasing in might play right into his trap."

"But we can’t just watch him slip away."

"I’ll go ahead; you follow behind me. Keep some distance, don’t stick too close."

Xu Xiangbei shook both hands, grasped four Iron Balls, and charged into the house.

As Xu Xiangbei expected, the Sword Palace Assassin had already set a trap. No sooner had he entered than the room filled with the sounds of objects flying, with hidden weapons coming from all directions.

The four Iron Balls created a dense barrier, and the sound of clanging metal rang on for a long time, leaving a layer of hexagonal shurikens on the floor.

Seeing the floor covered with sharp shurikens, Zuo Mu broke out in a cold sweat. If not for Xu Xiangbei pulling him, and entering first, he might have ended up like a giant hedgehog.

Xu Xiangbei whispered, "This building is an abandoned office, and this guy’s set up traps. We’ve been fooled by Huang Mao setting this up with him. But setting a trap just means they can kill us. If they can’t, it’s just an obstacle. As long as we’re careful, we can get through safely."

Noise from music filled the room, its source unknown. It sounded like speakers were hidden in every corner.

Zuo Mu sneered, "What does he think, we came here to listen to music?"

Xu Xiangbei gave a contemptuous laugh but secretly admired the assassin’s remarkable observation skills. It was clear the assassin intended to interfere with his hearing.

After the fight in the woods last night, the assassin knew Xu Xiangbei excelled in hearing swords, bringing him some pressure.

Swish—two flashes of sword light emerged as two ninjas, dressed identically in black night suits, advanced on Xu Xiangbei with gleaming long swords.

Xu Xiangbei swirled his hands, launched a pair of Iron Balls diagonally, and heard the crisp sound of shattering glass.

Something was wrong. There weren’t two assassins; there was only one, with the other just a mirror reflection.

Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving, but here, seeing is deceiving while hearing is believing.

Two sword lights, two assassins—one was fake, a mere illusion.

Which one was real and which was fake couldn’t be discerned by sight alone, but by heart and hearing.

Xu Xiangbei heard a faint Sword Qi on the left, feeling a chill on his left neck.

He suddenly dodged right, and swung the Iron Ball to the left.

Clang—a loud metallic clash resounded.

The Sword Palace Assassin chuckled maliciously, "Impressive, indeed a master of listening to swords. No wonder you defeated Xiao Ye Fengci. Even their master Shan Jing might not be your match. Indeed, Huaxia spawns outstanding talents. It seems my journey was not in vain."

With a bang, smoke rose, shards of glass scattered on the floor, and the Sword Palace Assassin vanished without a trace.

Zuo Mu wiped cold sweat from his forehead, thinking that fleeting moment would end with Xu Xiangbei impaled by the right assassin, only to discover the right assassin was an illusion.

He arrived, filled with fury, intent on avenging his junior brother, but less than ten meters into the building, his fury dissipated, replaced by fear and concern.