: Luring the Tiger Away from the Mountain!

"Is it a serious illness? Probably."

Xiao Se added quietly from the side, then skillfully pulled out a bag of peanuts from behind the counter, peeling them while watching the show.

"However, to have a genius from Wushuang City voluntarily serve as a security guard, you're the only place in the world that offers such treatment."

From then on, Evergreen Tavern had two special door gods.

On the left is Lei Wujie, dressed in red, carrying the Killing Fear Sword, and grinning foolishly; on the right is Wushuang, carrying a huge sword box and staring at Su Changqing with fanaticism.

With these two standing there, not only would street thugs not dare to give them a second glance, but even passing rats wouldn't dare to look at them.

The "Two Silly Gatekeepers" duo have officially debuted.

Su Changqing was too lazy to chase them away; after all, having two more free laborers was not bad.

In the following days, the tavern returned to a rare tranquility.

Su Changqing continued to take care of the child, cook, and occasionally give the two "security guards" some pointers on their martial arts training every day.

Little Nuomi became the darling of the group, sometimes riding on Lei Wujie's neck and shouting "Giddy up!" and sometimes having Wushuang peel apples for her with a flying sword. She was living a very comfortable life.

however.

This calm is ultimately just the calm before the storm.

The sun was shining brightly that afternoon.

Li Hanyi was wiping the Iron Horse Ice River on the second-floor balcony, her focused expression as if she were caressing her lover's face.

Although she now has Su Changqing and Nuonuo, her love for swords is still ingrained in her bones.

"Coo coo coo—"

Suddenly, a very faint flapping sound of wings came.

A pure white carrier pigeon deftly passed through the defensive barrier outside the tavern and landed steadily on Li Hanyi's shoulder.

"The carrier pigeons of Baixiaotang?"

Li Hanyi frowned slightly. She had long since retired from the martial world, and Bai Xiaotang generally wouldn't contact her unless... something earth-shattering happened!

She removed the bamboo tube from the carrier pigeon's leg and unfolded the thin sheet of paper.

The letter contained only a few words, written in hasty handwriting, conveying a sense of anxiety and bloodshed.

[Zhao Yuzhen of Qingcheng Mountain has suffered a qi deviation and is on the verge of death. The underground river is showing unusual activity, indicating a potential disaster. Immediate assistance is needed!]

"Clatter".

The sword-wiping cloth in his hand fell to the ground.

Li Hanyi's usually calm face instantly turned serious.

Zhao Yuzhen!

He was an old friend from her youth, someone she had met several times.

Although she only has Su Changqing in her heart now, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life if Zhao Yuzhen died because of Anhe's scheme.

Moreover, the letter reeks of conspiracy.

"underground river……"

Li Hanyi gripped her sword tightly. "Are they going to attack the Dao Sword Immortal?"

She hurried down the stairs and found Su Changqing telling a story to his daughter.

"Changqing, I have something to tell you."

Li Hanyi handed the letter to Su Changqing, her expression somewhat conflicted.

Su Changqing took the letter, glanced at it, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"The handwriting is quite good, but unfortunately, the ink smells like rats."

Su Changqing casually crumpled the letter into powder. "This is fake. Or rather, someone deliberately showed it to you."

"I know."

Li Hanyi nodded. "This is a diversionary tactic. Their target... is me, or you and Nuonuo."

Although she was overly concerned, she wasn't stupid.

How could she not see through such an obvious trap?

"So you still want to go?"

Su Changqing looked at her with a half-smile.

"I……"

Li Hanyi bit her lip.

"If I don't go, Zhao Yuzhen might really die. And if we don't lure these rats out, they'll keep hiding in the shadows watching us and Nuonuo. I really don't like that feeling."

"Since they want to lure us away from our prey, then I'll grant their wish!"

A sharp killing intent flashed in Li Hanyi's eyes. "I want to see if they dare to make a move against this sleeping dragon now that the tiger is gone!"

She's gambling.

Bet on Su Changqing's strength, bet that he can protect this family.

"clever."

Su Changqing nodded approvingly, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "It seems my Hanyi's swordsmanship is not only excellent, but her mind has also become sharper. Is she planning to turn the tables on them and trap them like turtles in a jar?"

"So you agree?"

Li Hanyi's eyes lit up.

"Agreed, why not?"

Su Changqing stood up, and his previously languid demeanor instantly transformed into something as profound as the sea.

"Since some people want to put on a show, then we'll play along and put on a big one. Besides, I also find these flies too noisy; it'll be easier to just swat them all at once."

He took out a delicate little jade pendant from his pocket and hung it on Li Hanyi's waist.

"Take this with you. Wherever you are, it will protect you in case of danger. And... just crush it, and I can instantly appear beside you."

This was his promise to her, and also his strongest trump card.

Holding the warm jade pendant, Li Hanyi felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

"it is good."

She tiptoed and gently pecked Su Changqing's lips. "Then I'm leaving. Take good care of the house and Nuonuo."

"rest assured."

Su Changqing smiled and waved his hand, "Go ahead, take a trip to Qingcheng Mountain, and while you're at it, tell that Taoist priest to stay away from you, or I'll beat him up."

"Pfft."

Li Hanyi was amused and rolled her eyes at him, "You're so petty."

Without further hesitation, she turned and walked to the door.

"choke--"

Iron horses and icy rivers are drawn from their sheaths, their cold light illuminating the entire land.

Li Hanyi rose on her sword, transforming into a streak of light, and vanished into the horizon in an instant.

That resolute departure seemed to be telling the lurking observers: I'm leaving, this place is empty, you can make your move now!

Su Changqing held Xiao Nuomi in his arms, stood at the door, and watched the sword light disappear into the distance. The smile on his face gradually faded.

"Father, where did Mother go?"

Little Nuomi asked curiously.

"Mother went to fight the bad guys."

Su Changqing patted his daughter's head. "Nuonuo, are you scared?"

"Don't be afraid! Daddy's here!"

Little Nuomi waved her little fists, "Daddy will beat all the bad guys away!"

"Good girl."

Su Changqing turned back to the tavern and said to Lei Wujie and Wushuang, who were still grinning foolishly, "Alright, stop standing there like idiots. Close the door, we're closed today."

"Huh? Why, brother-in-law?"

Lei Wujie was puzzled.

"because……"

Su Changqing narrowed his eyes, looking at the seemingly peaceful shadows across the street, a cruel smile curving his lips. "We need to do a thorough cleaning today."

……

at the same time.

It was in the shadows right across from the tavern.

Several figures dressed in black robes and wearing ghost masks slowly emerged.

They are like shadows melting into the darkness; if you don't look closely, you won't even notice them.

They kept staring in the direction of the tavern until they saw the sword light belonging to the Snow Moon Sword Immortal completely disappear into the distance.

The masked man at the head of the group had a hoarse voice, like the hiss of a venomous snake.

"The target has left its nest; the luring of the tiger from the mountain has been successful."

"Next up is that man named Su Changqing, and that little girl."

"Pass down the order to inform Patriarch Xie that we can begin."

"This time, we must eliminate him completely; we absolutely cannot let that man leave Snowmoon City alive!"

"yes!"

Several dark figures vanished like ghosts, disappearing into the seemingly prosperous but actually turbulent atmosphere of Snowmoon City.

A deadly scheme targeting Changqing Tavern and Su Changqing and his daughter has officially begun!