I am dying of old age, and I have awakened to the character of longevity.

The snow fell harder and harder after nightfall, adding a touch of ghastly white to the pitch-black twilight.

Only the lanterns hanging above the courtyard gate emitted a dim yellow light, illuminating the surrounding small area, and reflecting on Fang Baiyu's face, flushed red with anger, and his eyes, dancing with flames.

Clang!

Hong Lie, who had not drawn his saber earlier, could not help but draw it now, pointing it at Xie An, "You're being insolent!"

Everyone present could sense it: if Lin Yun's words earlier were defying Fang Baiyu's orders, then Xie An's words at this moment… had a hint of threatening Fang Baiyu.

No wonder Hong Lie was so angry that he drew his saber. He simply felt that Xie An's attitude was extremely "bad", but Xie An invoked the name of the entire Tiger Wolf Gate, causing Hong Lie and Fang Baiyu to dare not refute him.

If they couldn't win with words, they would threaten Xie An with their sabers.

However, Xie An did not show any sign of backing down. Instead, he stood upright in the snow, facing the approaching horse team, feeling everyone's anger and killing intent towards him.

If it were seven days ago, Xie An would not have dared to do this.

But now, Xie An had broken through to the Refined Flesh Realm, his strength reaching an astonishing 1,600 pounds. The Five Animal Frolics also possessed the power to kill. Moreover, he had the Chongshan Saber to enhance his strength.

Only Xie An himself knew best how terrifying it would be when he unleashed the Chongshan Saber with all his might.

Even Fang Baiyu might not be able to withstand ten slashes from him.

Admittedly, Xie An had reached this age, and he didn't like to be in the limelight. But tonight, Xie An was very clear: he had to stand up for everyone.

Whether it was Wang Xiang, Liang Zhi, or Zhang Lin, they could not be taken away by Fang Baiyu.

Otherwise, they would definitely not be able to withstand Fang Baiyu's interrogation. In the end, revealing the cause of Zhu Hu's death was a minor matter, but it would also cause the morale of the Blood Ridge faction to collapse.

Moreover, Xie An's reason for standing up was also justifiable: Zhu Hu died while suppressing bandits. You, Fang Baiyu, have no concrete evidence to show that he was related to the people of the Blood Ridge Black Market. If you dare to arbitrarily arrest people for interrogation, then you are ruining the reputation of the Tiger Wolf Gate…

Xie An had experienced the era of information explosion in his previous life, and he knew one thing very well: the winning strategy for arguing with a leader is to bring out a bigger leader. If that leader is the biggest, then bring out the entire organization…

Of course, don't make baseless accusations. It's best to seize a certain weakness of the leader and tear it apart relentlessly.

Fang Baiyu remained silent, but let Hong Lie threaten with his saber, which obviously meant that Xie An's words had worked.

Thinking of this, Xie An glanced at Hong Lie and said coldly, "I just spoke a great truth, you don't have to resort to sabers and spears like this. If Fang Baiyu can arbitrarily arrest us for interrogation today, Fang Baiyu may also sacrifice you, Hong Lie, for greater利益 in the future."

Hiss!

As soon as these words came out, Hong Lie felt a chill run down his spine.

Hong Lie wasn't stupid.

He had followed Fang Baiyu for more than ten years, and he knew Fang Baiyu's character very well: would a hall master who doesn't treat other subordinates as human beings sincerely treat himself specially? Would he be the exception?

Thinking of this, Hong Lie's hand holding the saber hilt softened a little.

All of this was seen by Fang Baiyu, who glared fiercely at Xie An, thinking that this old fellow was really bad. It was one thing to bring out the righteousness of the Tiger Wolf Gate, but he even wanted to sow discord between himself and Hong Lie. This was to attack his heart!

Fang Baiyu actually felt a sense: the old man in front of him was very difficult to deal with. He had been in charge of Baiyu Hall for so many years, and no one had ever dared to treat him like this.

Fang Baiyu had already developed a killing intent.

If the two of them made any move, Xie An was calculating from what angle he should attack to kill the opponent as quickly as possible.

Every word needs strength to support it. Otherwise, it would be foolish.

Moreover, as long as Fang Baiyu really takes the first action tonight, Xie An feels that it doesn't matter if he really kills them. The Tiger Wolf Gate will not feel that he has done anything wrong.

Fang Baiyu stared at Xie An for a long time, and finally said:

"Hahaha, you all think too much. I was just putting pressure on you to test whether you were lying. I didn't intend to really arrest you for interrogation. Now it seems that you have withstood the test. It can be seen that Zhu Hu really went to Dayin Mountain to pursue and suppress bandits."

After saying that, Fang Baiyu pressed down with his big hand, and the people sitting on horseback behind him put their sabers back into their sheaths one after another, making a "clang" sound.

The tense atmosphere on the field also dissipated a lot.

Fang Baiyu stared at Lin Yun, "Lin Yun, tomorrow is the examination. At that time, Elder Tang will personally come to the hall to invite everyone to drink Laba porridge. It is said that Sect Master Meng Hu may also come. Your Blood Ridge faction has three deacons, and in principle, they can all go on stage for the examination. But after all, you are all my people, so why not give up? This will also show that Baiyu Hall is united from top to bottom. After Hong Lie passes the examination and takes the lead, and sits here, he will naturally treat you well. What do you think?"

Lin Yun looked at Hong Lie, who was full of vigor on horseback, and felt a great sense of oppression for a while, and did not express his position.

Fang Baiyu continued to lure him, "If you give up, you will be giving me, Fang Baiyu, face. I can let you take over Zhang Hengshui's branch and manage several casinos. You can be a incense master, which is also considered to be a step up."

Lin Yun slowly raised his head, met Fang Baiyu's gaze, and said word by word: "Thank you Hall Master Fang for your kindness, but I will not give up going on stage. In my heart, the Blood Ridge Black Market is not just a business."

Swish.

Fang Baiyu immediately became angry, his willow eyebrows stood on end.

As the hall master of Baiyu Hall, he had not had a smooth time here tonight. He had been repeatedly refuted by Lin Yun and Xie An, and had been repeatedly threatened. Now that he took the initiative to show kindness, he was actually rejected.

He immediately felt that he had lost a lot of face.

Humph!

"Don't know what's good for you! You're just asking for humiliation!"

Fang Baiyu directly spurred his horse away, not wanting to stay for another moment.

"Go!"

Hong Lie raised his horse's reins, patted the horse's back hard, and spurred his horse to follow.

The others also spurred their horses to follow, and as the horse team left, they stirred up a white expanse of snowflakes.

On the mountain road outside the canyon, Hong Lie spurred his horse to catch up with Fang Baiyu and roared angrily: "Brother Fang, Lin Yun and Xie An are too arrogant."

Fang Baiyu snorted coldly: "They only have tonight. After tomorrow… after you take down the Blood Ridge Black Market. I will make them wish they were dead."

Hong Lie said, "Don't worry, Brother Fang. The first thing I'll do when I become the Master of the Blood Ridge Black Market is settle the old scores with them. I'll find some excuses to make their lives a living hell."

Hearing this, Fang Baiyu finally felt relieved. "That's how it should be. Also, tomorrow at the martial arts examination, if you encounter Lin Yun on stage, don't hold back. Cripple him directly. Even killing him would be fine."

Hong Lie's heart skipped a beat, but he said fiercely, "Okay. Leave it to me."

… …

On the other side.

After watching Fang Baiyu's group leave, the others returned to Xie An's courtyard.

Wang Xiang, being the lowest in rank, was very good at understanding people. He took the initiative to squat down and boil water for tea for the others.

Lin Yun sat in the chief seat, with Xie An and Zhang Lin on either side, while Liang Zhi stood behind Xie An.

Everyone was just busy drinking tea and didn't say anything. The atmosphere seemed very heavy.

Although they had temporarily driven Fang Baiyu away with the help of Lin Yun and Xie An, and the matter of Zhu Hu had come to a temporary end, everyone dared not relax.

The martial arts examination was imminent tomorrow.

No matter how you look at it, Hong Lie will win the top spot. Once Hong Lie takes over the Blood Ridge Black Market… wouldn't Fang Baiyu take revenge desperately? How could anyone present have a good ending?

The immense pressure made everyone feel suffocated.

Gulu.

The newest novel is on 69shu.com!

At this moment, Lin Yun took a sip of tea, then looked up at Xie An and the others, and said with a smile, "You guys have done a good job. Back then, when I started the Black Market with Brother Wei, there was also a group of people who were passionate, helping each other, and overcoming difficulties together. In the end, we built the Black Market with everyone's concerted efforts."

"Now, I see that kind of feeling in you guys. It's really nostalgic."

Wang Xiang, Liang Zhi, and Zhang Lin all felt flattered and looked at Xie An in unison, feeling very heroic.

The three of them knew very well in their hearts: the reason why everyone was united was mainly because Xie An led the way well. It was all Xie An's credit.

Lin Yun naturally saw everyone's thoughts and smiled at Xie An, "Of course, all of this… Xie An, your contribution is indispensable. If Brother Wei hadn't been tricked by Fang Baiyu and poisoned by the Corpse Poison Pill, with you around, I really feel that the Black Market would have successors. Unfortunately, time waits for no one, and fate is unpredictable."

After speaking, Lin Yun stood up, stepped forward, and hugged everyone one by one, patting their backs.

Just like an older brother encouraging his younger brothers.

After finally hugging Xie An, Lin Yun let go, took out a contract from his arms, and stuffed it into Xie An's hands, "This is the official status that Brother Wei bought in the county town. Xie An, take these three with you, leave the Blood Ridge Black Market tonight, and go to the Demon Suppression Division in the county town tomorrow to register and confirm your official status. That way, Fang Baiyu won't dare to do anything to you."

The contract was folded very well and still stuffed in a yellowed envelope, sealed with red wax, very neat.

Xie An felt it was very heavy.

Lin Yun said, "This official status was originally Brother Wei's preparation for his own escape route, and later he gave it to me. He hoped that I would give up the Blood Ridge Black Market and not participate in the martial arts examination. But I am a very stubborn and contradictory person. If I give up the Blood Ridge Black Market like this, I will not be able to forgive myself. Even if I know that going on stage for the martial arts examination won't change anything. But if I don't do it, I will never be at peace for the rest of my life… So, I'm giving you this contract."

Pa.

Lin Yun patted Xie An's shoulder heavily, "Xie An, I actually admire you very much. I am now slowly feeling why Brother Wei valued you so much. He even gave you the precious Essence Strength Pill. When I first found out, I was actually a little unbalanced… But I understand now, Brother Wei is right."

"I hope you are well, take these three with you and live a good life, and continue this friendship of overcoming difficulties together. That way, even if the Blood Ridge Black Market is gone, it will be considered a continuation of the spirit, and I will consider the Blood Ridge still there."

"Also, if I die in the martial arts examination tomorrow, then it is my fate. You don't have to come and collect my body either. Just consider that I have gone down to accompany A'Bao."

"Alright, you guys hurry up and pack your things and leave. Fang Baiyu is a very ruthless person. Once he takes over the Blood Ridge Black Market tomorrow, your lives will be worse than death. Leave quickly."

Lin Yun didn't want the atmosphere to be too heavy, so he laughed loudly, trying to make everyone happy, but everyone clearly saw the redness in Lin Yun's eyes, so how could they be happy?

None of the four left.

In fact, Wang Xiang, Zhang Lin, and Liang Zhi had the idea of leaving, after all, this was indeed the best way.

Who doesn't want to live?

But they saw that Xie An was still sitting still, so they didn't leave.

Lin Yun glared at them and scolded with a smile, "Leave. What are you doing?"

Xie An got up, went to the side of the stove, wrapped a wet towel around the kettle, picked it up, and poured tea for Lin Yun.

Lin Yun thought that Xie An was making a gesture before saying goodbye, and nodded in acceptance, "Leave after pouring the tea."

Hua la.

As the boiling water slid from the spout into the teacup, splashing fine, scalding water droplets.

Xie An's heart also seemed to become scalding hot.

After pouring the tea, Xie An said, "Brother Lin, I'm not leaving."

Shua.

Lin Yun was shocked, and then noticed the firmness in Xie An's eyes, and immediately cursed, "Are you crazy? Hurry up and pack your things and get out."

Xie An knew that Lin Yun was pretending to be fierce to make him leave.

Speaking of which, Lin Yun was a few years younger than him, and Xie An could see through his little thoughts at a glance.

"Brother Lin, I want to ask you to agree to one thing."

So that's how it is.

Lin Yun's expression softened, "As long as I, Lin Yun, can do it, I will definitely agree."

Xie An stood up and cupped his hands at Lin Yun, "Your subordinate Xie An, begs Brother Lin to give up going on stage…"

Before Xie An could finish speaking, Lin Yun excitedly refused, "Impossible. I didn't agree even when Brother Wei asked me to give up. How many times do you want me to tell you, I can't possibly give up the Blood Ridge Black Market…"

Halfway through his words, Lin Yun suddenly stopped. Because he heard the second half of Xie An's sentence.

"Let me take your place, Brother Lin, and wield the knife on stage!"

— — — —

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