Chapter 52: Man Harbors Harmful Intent Toward the Tiger, the Tiger Bears Malice Toward Man

A silent dog's bite is the deadliest.

Xiao Wanli, who usually appeared refined and gentle, revealed his thunderous methods only when he truly decided to act. Over the past few years, Zhou Qun had gradually risen in power, almost reaching the point of supplanting him. Yet in truth, Xiao Wanli had always hidden in the shadows, quietly cultivating his own strength, watching everything with cold, calculating eyes—like a venomous serpent, ready to strike at any moment.

If Zhou Qun was the snake catcher, then Xiao Wanli was the snake itself. Men may wish harm upon serpents, but serpents, too, harbor the intent to wound.

Ning Xiu was nothing more than a passerby. As he traversed these fields, he did two things: he disturbed the grass and startled the snake, and in passing, broke the legs of the snake catcher.

Throughout the night, the entire Bamboo Grove Society was shrouded in a crimson haze. Zhou Qun's family—thirty-two souls—was annihilated, save for one concubine who vanished without a trace. The power he had so carefully fostered was uprooted in a single night.

Those who wandered the world understood an unspoken rule: vengeance knows no end. So most had adopted a habit—leave no root behind.

Overnight, the Bamboo Grove Society was transformed. The entire middle and upper echelon had been replaced. A chilling, ruthless air now pervaded the hall.

Ning Xiu had not expected that, at such a moment, Xiao Wanli would choose to hold a celebration banquet. The location: the Thousand Bamboo Pavilion.

When Ning Xiu arrived, dusk was settling in. Barely six or seven hours had passed since the massacre, yet the Thousand Bamboo Pavilion was ablaze with light.

A crisp rhythm of footsteps sounded on the bamboo stairs. All eyes turned to the staircase.

When the somewhat unfamiliar young man appeared, the crowd's gazes grew complex. They were all well-informed; they knew exactly who the true protagonist of the night was, and for whom this celebration was truly held. It was not for those who had fought and bled last night, but for the lone youth before them—the one who had slain Sun Qian's three top experts single-handedly.

Ning Xiu glanced around. Over a dozen lavish tables filled the hall; nearly all the society's middle and upper ranks were present.

"Brother Ning, sit over here," called Zhang Kuo, waving him over. Ning Xiu walked over in silence.

Seated around Zhang Kuo were the brothers from the Gale Hall, Su Lie among them.

As he passed by Su Lie, the latter murmured so quietly as to be almost inaudible, "You shouldn't have come."

Su Lie was an old hand in the society. He understood Xiao Wanli's character—and his methods. Ning Xiu nodded slightly in thanks, but still took his seat.

Su Lie was about to persuade him further when the sound of heavy footsteps mounted the stairs. Even before the man appeared, disciples downstairs called out in unison, "The leader arrives!"

Everyone stood, save for three.

Xiao Wanli ascended with two trusted aides, his bearing exuding pride. In this moment, he relished the respect, intoxicated by the return of absolute power.

All the more so, the three who remained seated—Su Lie, Wei Junkun, and Ning Xiu—stood out as glaring thorns in his eyes.

Though Su Lie had long disapproved of Zhou Qun's conduct, Xiao Wanli's massacre chilled him to the bone—especially after the slaughter of Zhou Qun's entire family, followed by the systematic execution of all collateral kin.

Perhaps others in the hall shared his sentiments, but none dared express them. As for Ning Xiu and Wei Junkun, they simply had no intention of acknowledging Xiao Wanli.

Xiao Wanli's eyes narrowed, but his face remained adorned with a genial smile.

"All of you know that we were able to eliminate the traitor Zhou Qun tonight only thanks to our young Brother Ning. Therefore, I propose we raise our first cup to our great hero," Xiao Wanli declared, lifting his glass.

"To the great hero!" the crowd echoed.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, blades and shadows lurked beneath the surface.

This was, from the start, a banquet of doom.

The enforcers, armed with hatchets and swords, had already hidden at both sides, awaiting only Xiao Wanli’s signal.

Throughout the feast, Xiao Wanli was moved to kill at least three times, but ultimately held back. He could not quite divine Wei Junkun's intentions, nor had he anticipated Su Lie's response. Always cautious, he refused to take even the slightest risk.

With the final cup drained, Ning Xiu turned and left.

In the days that followed, peace seemed to return. Ning Xiu, as was only natural, was elevated to the position of elder.

It seemed as though everything had passed. Yet Ning Xiu knew that some things in this world would never truly pass.

One day, as Ning Xiu was practicing as usual, a knock came at his door. He opened it to find a face he recognized: one of Xiao Wanli's confidants.

"Elder Ning, the leader requests your presence."

So it comes, at last.

Ning Xiu’s lips curled faintly. He nodded in assent.

"Recently, several merchants have vanished without a trace while passing through Pine Wind Ridge," Xiao Wanli said, tossing over a dossier. "I suspect this may involve the Black Blight. Elder Ning, please investigate."

The dossier contained details of the missing merchants. Ning Xiu glanced at it, then asked, "Isn’t Pine Wind Ridge under the Black Wind Bandits’ control? Could this not be their doing?"

"No," Xiao Wanli replied, "to my knowledge, the three leaders of Black Wind Fort were all killed by that mysterious, masked knife-wielder. There are only a handful of remnants left; they pose no real threat."

"Isn't Pine Wind Ridge Elder Qian's domain? Why send me?" Ning Xiu pressed.

"What, does Elder Ning object? If you do—"

Ning Xiu cut him off, meeting his gaze. "Of course not. Why would I object to serving the society? I’ll set out at once."

Watching Ning Xiu’s departing back, Xiao Wanli’s expression flickered with uncertainty.

He realized he could not see through this young man at all. He had never expected Ning Xiu to accept so readily. Was Ning Xiu truly unafraid of being set up? Did he really believe that everything had ended that fateful night? Was this still the same terrifying, cold-blooded man?

Xiao Wanli could scarcely believe it.

Nor did Ning Xiu believe it. The assignment was far too suspicious; he was certain there was more to it than met the eye. Yet he accepted, because he too was waiting for Xiao Wanli to make his move.

He studied the information on the missing merchants. Rather than an act of the Black Blight, it seemed more the work of men.

Not only had the merchants disappeared, but so had their goods and money—something that did not fit the Black Blight’s usual pattern.

After all, gold and wares held no value for spirits and monsters.

In this world, only men sought after wealth.