"If it’s really necessary to invite others, sending an invitation is enough. Why forcibly grab people? This approach of coercive methods followed by courtesy is a show of Taicang Sect’s power, giving all us sects a display of their might."

The more they talked, the angrier they got. The hall was soon buzzing with debates about the true nature of Taicang Sect.

Qin Yuesheng was deep in thought; this wasn’t the first time he heard of Taicang Sect. Last time in Antong County, when he saved those from Hongyan Manor, it was Taicang Sect disciples who chased them. Clearly, this sect was a villainous force in the martial world.

The externally hosted Blissful Conference seemed particularly mysterious and unfathomable.

Just as everyone was chattering, Qin Yuesheng’s expression suddenly changed, and he looked towards the doorway.

Amidst the dense rain like a beaded curtain, a figure was slowly approaching.

He held an oiled paper umbrella, adorned with a half-crying, half-smiling mask, and his whole body was covered in bamboo tubes, making his appearance exceptionally peculiar.

But these were not what Qin Yuesheng focused on; he was fixated on the newcomer’s feet.

He noticed when rainwater splashed up, it didn’t seem to touch the person; an invisible force was keeping it away.

Qin Yuesheng slightly sat upright, squinting and thinking to himself: "Inner Strength expert."

"Someone’s coming," said a knight seated near the entrance.

Everyone turned to see the masked person walking in from outside.

Without a word, he glanced at everyone and said, "On rainy days I prefer quiet, and to be alone. Everyone please leave."

His words left everyone stunned.

What does he mean? He came to avoid the rain later than us, yet wants us gone?

"Esteemed friend, firstly this mansion is large, you can find another empty place if you want quiet; secondly, this isn’t your mansion, what gives you the right to chase us away," Five Winds Sect disciple Wang Ken immediately responded.

Though Qin Yuesheng had encountered many Inner Strength experts, Inner Strength experts are few, and rare in the martial world, where external martial artists are more common.

If an Inner Strength expert doesn’t act, ordinary people can’t discern them. That’s why Wang Ken dared to retort; had he known he faced an Inner Strength expert, he’d be scared witless.

"Oh, then from now on, this mansion is mine," the masked man said indifferently.

"Uh!" Suddenly, Wang Ken clutched his neck and painfully fell to the ground, his body writhing like an eel.

His face turned purplish, and two eel-like black lines spread from his lower eyelid to his throat; and with a ’glug’ sound, he lay motionless.

"Brother!" Liu Cong shouted, shocked.

No one expected this sudden incident, their faces all showing surprise.

Liu Cong angrily looked at the masked man, "What did you do to my brother?"

The masked man said: "Want to know? Then try it yourself."

The masked man moved his fingers, doing something unseen, and Liu Cong immediately drew his weapon, watching the masked man warily, ready for any attack.

Just then, Qin Yuesheng suddenly flicked his right hand, sending a sharp glint swiftly flying, straight toward Liu Cong’s back.

Beside him, Jia Zhuangxian was greatly shocked; he wondered why Qin Yuesheng would suddenly attack Liu Cong, could he be collaborating with the masked man?

Swoosh!

It all happened in an instant; Liu Cong felt a chill on his back, quickly turning to look behind, and saw, below his heel, a violet centipede writhing, split in two.

Seeing this, everyone suddenly understood, realizing Wang Ken’s mysterious death was due to the centipede’s sneak attack; if not for Qin Yuesheng’s timely intervention, Liu Cong might end like his brother.

Liu Cong was drenched with cold sweat, speechless for a moment.

The masked man snorted coldly; everyone noticed one bamboo tube on him had silently opened, presumably holding the violet centipede.

Realizing the man could control deadly insects to kill silently, everyone nervously checked around their seats, fearing to end up dead like Wang Ken.

"This is my mansion, I let everyone in to shelter from the rain out of goodwill, your actions are overbearing," Qin Yuesheng said.

Seeing this man sever his poisonous centipede with a flying knife, the masked man, proud as an Inner Strength expert, didn’t pay much mind to Qin Yuesheng, assuming him merely adept at throwing knives.

"Anything I fancy is mine," the masked man leaped out, surrounded by purple, green, and red Inner Strength, grabbing toward Liu Cong’s crown.

"No one survives whom I intend to kill."

His ten fingers were encased in iron spiked gloves; if he truly grabbed on, Liu Cong would meet a grisly end.

Qin Yuesheng sneered disdainfully, opened his mouth and spit a ’qi’, darting out like a flying sword, directly stabbing toward the masked man.