"When he traveled with us, his flying sword was obviously a top-grade spiritual weapon. Moreover, I observed that his storage pouches were numerous, all bulging with items, and some were even beast pouches. How could a mere wandering cultivator possess such things? Clearly, he's a disciple of some small sect who came out for training. If he were from a major sect, each one would be arrogant and wouldn't agree to travel with us. Moreover, while at Zidao Mountain, he didn't produce an invitation. Heh heh! After all, with the growing power of the demonic path, some small sect cultivators naturally don't dare to act openly, claiming to be wandering cultivators and becoming secretive. They fear offending the demonic path and having their lineages destroyed. So, although this person's cultivation and spiritual weapon are not weak, we've never heard of him," the short, plump cultivator analyzed with a smug expression.
"Listening to Brother Luo, this Han guy is like this. In that case, we can act boldly. Although this person is somewhat wary of us, he certainly doesn't suspect that we're hiding our cultivation levels. With the two of us at the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, eliminating him, a cultivator at the Initial Stage, is a piece of cake. This kid is just asking for trouble, unexpectedly bumping into us, the 'Peng Yi Twin Evils,'" the bald, muscular man's eyes gleamed with unusual greed as he rubbed his hands together.
"Naturally. However, to make things easier, let's try to lower his guard as much as possible. If we succeed in ambushing him, it's much easier than a direct confrontation. So, let's wait until two days before Patriarch Fu's birthday celebration to make our move. During these days, let's pretend to be friendly with him, then use our ultimate move to finish him off," the short, plump cultivator licked his thick lips slyly, speaking with malice.
"Alright, everything will follow Brother Luo's plan. It seems that even if we can't join any sect this time, our gains won't be small!" the bald man seemed quite convinced by the short, plump cultivator, a big grin spreading across his face.
"Heh heh, of course. With such a fat sheep at our door, how could we return empty-handed, the Peng Yi Twin Evils?" the short, plump cultivator chuckled, implying that the disguised cultivator was nothing more than a lamb to be slaughtered.
While the two men discussed their plans for treasure hunting and murder, in another room just a wall away, a long-haired cultivator sat cross-legged on the bed, his expression neutral. However, every word of the 'Peng Yi Twin Evils' conversation was heard clearly by this person, as if the soundproof barrier meant nothing to him.
"Since he's actively seeking death, he can't blame me," the long-haired cultivator's eyes widened slightly, a cold light flashing through them as he murmured softly. Then he closed his eyes again, focusing on cultivating.
This long-haired cultivator was none other than Han Li, who had changed his appearance.
In fact, Han Li had arrived in Yuanwu Country two months ago. Although he passed through several countries controlled by both righteous and demonic factions on the way, as a Yuan Ying Stage cultivator, as long as he didn't cause trouble intentionally, no one could discern his true appearance and cultivation level. Naturally, he had no trouble along the way.
After arriving in Yuanwu Country, he didn't recklessly take action based on his profound cultivation. Instead, he first gathered information about the Fu family from local scattered cultivators and markets.
The result was that the formidable power of the Fu family left Han Li quite troubled.
It wasn't because the Fu family had three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, making him wary. Instead, it was because many disciples of the Fu family had joined the Flame Demon Sect. Even with his considerable magical powers, he couldn't directly attack the Flame Demon Sect.
If he didn't eliminate these people, even if he reduced the Fu family's main stronghold to ashes, the Fu family would surely rise from the ashes one day. This wouldn't fulfill his promise to Xin Ruyin!
Just as Han Li was planning to find another way, news spread throughout Yuanwu Country that Patriarch Fu would soon celebrate his birthday.
When Han Li heard about this, he naturally rejoiced.
Since Patriarch Fu was celebrating his birthday, all the legitimate descendants of the Fu family would definitely come to offer congratulations. Even those Fu family members who joined the Flame Demon Sect would return to the Fu family stronghold. This was a perfect opportunity to eradicate the legitimate descendants of the Fu family.
However, with the Fu family's current power and influence, not just anyone could enter. Those who came to offer congratulations were either cultivators from other families or envoys from various small and large demonic sects. Although scattered cultivators were not necessarily excluded, they had to at least have the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment Stage to enter the stronghold.
After Han Li understood the detailed situation, he calmly waited for more than a month before leisurely making his way there.
As for the 'Peng Yi Twin Evils,' Han Li encountered them on the way. Seeing Han Li's extraordinary magical treasures, they immediately approached him enthusiastically. When they learned that Han Li was also going to the Fu family stronghold, they were even more delighted to propose traveling together.
Han Li saw through the sinister intentions of these two, but with his cultivation level, how could he fear their ambush? Instead, he planned to disguise himself as their accomplice, making it easier to infiltrate the Fu family.
So, he agreed without hesitation.
But what he didn't expect was that today, outside Zidao Mountain, apart from the cultivators with invitations, all the scattered cultivators who came to congratulate Patriarch Fu's birthday would only be allowed into the stronghold on the day of the celebration.
This was a bit unexpected for Han Li, but it didn't matter.
After all, only on the day of the celebration would all the legitimate descendants of the Fu family gather, and if he acted prematurely, there might be fish that escaped the net.
Now that he had settled in this inn, he hadn't yet planned how to deal with the 'Peng Yi Twin Evils,' but these two had already begun to plot against him. With a cold sneer in his heart, Han Li naturally had no intention of showing mercy.
Over the next ten days, Han Li and the 'Peng Yi Twin Evils' wandered around nearby places during the day and returned to the inn to cultivate at night. The day of the patriarch's birthday was approaching.
During these days, the two men were extremely affectionate towards Han Li, calling him "Brother Han" incessantly, as if they had been friends for many years.
Meanwhile, more scattered cultivators came to the small town to congratulate Patriarch Fu's birthday. Although most scattered cultivators were used to roughing it, there were still some cultivators who were accustomed to worldly pleasures and stayed in the two inns in the town.
As a result, Han Li encountered several other scattered cultivators staying in the same inn. However, as soon as these cultivators saw the short, plump cultivator and the bald, muscular man next to Han Li, their faces changed drastically, and they hurriedly distanced themselves from the trio. This made Han Li somewhat bemused; it seemed that the reputations of the two men among scattered cultivators were indeed notorious.
Seeing this, the short, plump cultivator and the bald, muscular man were afraid that Han Li might become suspicious. So, they made up some excuses, taking turns to keep Han Li occupied and preventing him from interacting with other cultivators.
Han Li remained indifferent to the actions of the two men, merely standing with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.
Observing this, the short, plump cultivator felt increasingly uneasy, sensing that something was amiss. But since things had come to this point, he couldn't back down. He could only silently signal the bald man, preparing for them to strike together.
However, Han Li pretended not to notice the subtle movements of the two men, continuing to stand calmly in place.
