“I can make an exception and intervene once to eliminate the leaders of one of those two gangs, but only one of them. If both major powers were to fall at the same time, it would easily attract the attention of those with ulterior motives, and the risk would multiply. It’s not worth taking such a great gamble for me. Besides these two options, I will not make the slightest concession!” After saying this, Han Li put on a stern face and fell silent, coldly awaiting the women’s response.
When Madam Yan and the others heard Han Li’s second option, they couldn’t hide their surprise and delight. However, after exchanging glances, they still didn’t make an immediate decision.
“Could you allow us sisters to discuss this matter before giving you our answer? After all, this is no trivial affair, and we must consider it carefully,” Madam Yan said cautiously.
“Of course. I am not an unreasonable person. But I will need your answer by tomorrow morning at the latest. A full day should be enough for you to discuss it thoroughly.” Having said this, Han Li paid no further attention to the women and gracefully took his leave.
After descending from the small building, Han Li did not return to his room. Instead, under the puzzled gaze of the gatekeeper, he swaggered out of the Mo Mansion. Once he was certain no one was following him, he finally returned to the inn where he was staying.
As soon as he stepped through the inn’s door, Sun Ergou hurriedly came forward to greet him.
“Whatever you have to say, wait until we’re in my room,” Han Li said indifferently before Sun Ergou could even speak.
“Yes, Young Master!” Sun Ergou replied respectfully, following behind Han Li.
Once inside the room, Han Li sat on the edge of the bed, stretched lazily, and then asked nonchalantly, “You seem quite anxious. Do you have something important to tell me?”
“Young Master, there is indeed some extraordinary news I must report to you,” Sun Ergou said, taking half a step closer and speaking mysteriously.
“Just speak plainly. There’s no need for all this secrecy,” Han Li said, glancing sideways at Sun Ergou.
“Hehe! It’s not that I’m trying to be mysterious, but something truly incredible has happened! I’ve received reliable news that a large group of immortals will soon gather near Jiayuan City for some kind of ‘Immortal Assembly.’ Rumor has it that even ordinary mortals can attain immortality and become celestial beings just by attending this event,” Sun Ergou exclaimed, his words flying fast and furious.
“Immortals?” Han Li was slightly taken aback.
“Yes! The kind that people have seen with their own eyes—those who can ride clouds, control lightning, and breathe fire! Young Master, you tell me, if it weren’t for someone with great fortune, how could they possibly encounter immortals so easily?” Sun Ergou said with a hint of envy, as if wishing he himself had been the one to witness such a sight.
Han Li now understood that the “immortals” Sun Ergou referred to were actually cultivators. But how could members of a gang know about a gathering of cultivators? Han Li was surprised.
“How did you learn about this? Is this information widely known?” Han Li asked with growing interest.
“The news is absolutely reliable. It was overheard by a brother from our gang. But because the gang leader fears the immortals’ wrath, he’s imposed a gag order. Only the higher-ups of our ‘Siping Gang’ know about this. I learned it from a drunken high-ranking member. I thought someone of your stature would be interested, so I rushed here and waited for your return,” Sun Ergou said, eagerly seeking credit.
“Oh? I won’t forget your efforts. But first, tell me in detail how that gang member managed to evade the immortals’ notice and overhear this information,” Han Li said seriously, his expression turning stern. The credibility of this news was crucial, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.
“I heard it from that drunken higher-up. Here’s what happened…” Sun Ergou didn’t dare exaggerate and honestly relayed the story he had heard.
The gang member who obtained the information was a minor leader in the Siping Gang. A few days ago, he had gone to the western suburbs for a big deal, but due to faulty intelligence, the target turned out to be too formidable. Instead, his group was decimated, and he barely escaped with his life.
While fleeing from his pursuers, he hid inside a hollow tree in a nearby forest. Before his enemies could find him, an enormous double-headed eagle descended from the sky. The terrifying appearance of the giant eagle scared him out of his wits.
In this critical moment, he cleverly recalled a widely known martial arts technique called “Turtle Breath Skill,” which allowed him to slow his breathing and heartbeat to an extreme, entering a state of suspended animation to avoid detection by the strange eagle.
Just as he was about to lose consciousness, he heard a conversation between a young man and woman from the eagle’s back. It turned out the giant eagle was carrying people, but its size and his panic had prevented him from noticing them earlier.
In his hazy state, he overheard talk about the so-called Immortal Assembly. It was then he realized the pair were immortals. But by then, the Turtle Breath Skill had fully taken effect, and he lost consciousness filled with regret.
When he woke again, it was already the next morning. The man, woman, and strange eagle were long gone. After venting his frustration, he dejectedly returned to the gang.
As soon as he returned, his loose lips couldn’t help but blurt out the story to his superior. His superior, afraid to withhold such information, reported it to the gang leader, “Ape Arm” Shen Zhongshan, which led to the gag order.
After listening to Sun Ergou’s account, Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he was trembling with excitement.
A gathering of a large number of cultivators! This was a once-in-a-century opportunity. If he could attend, he would finally be able to truly step into the world of cultivators, instead of fumbling in the dark on his path of cultivation like a blind man.
Suppressing his excitement, Han Li thought for a moment and then asked calmly, “Did that person happen to hear when and where this Immortal Assembly will be held?”
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