Chapter 5: Chance Encounter

Before Su Yaoyu's arrival, Alkaid used to ride his bicycle every day to search for martial artists while using secret techniques for Perception.

Demon spirits had thick blood qi, and even when hiding in human bodies, they would still cause the bodies to visibly become burly, the ferocious and terrifying aura hitting one directly in the face.

Moreover, demons generally preferred not to waste brainpower, so they often hid among groups skilled in using violence, like martial artists and gangs.

In fact, this method had proved much more efficient in finding them than aimlessly wandering around.

However, the arrival of Su Yaoyu had some impact on Alkaid's plans.

To avoid harming the innocent, he temporarily halted the plan.

Especially since...

Su Yaoyu had clearly come to Yunmeng City to solve a problem.

After leaving Caiyun behind, she went to meet with the local Security Bureau, requesting them to increase their efforts to protect Alkaid.

This rendered Alkaid somewhat speechless.

After she left, Alkaid returned home.

"The Su family easily found my location... Though it was not particularly hidden, it could indirectly prove that my counter-surveillance techniques are still not up to par," he thought to himself as he entered his study.

In his mind, small tricks for changing one's shape and altering one's appearance surged forth.

At the same time, he turned on his computer, accessed a website, and inserted the key he had obtained from the Black Triangle Star team.

The website quickly redirected.

It displayed various "services" blocks.

Guarding, hiring hitmen, transport, aftermath management—services of all kinds were available.

He clicked on the "aftermath" page.

The range of services was vast.

Taking the blame, expunging records, cleaning the scene, arranging identities, among others, were all included.

Alkaid selected the body cleaning service, entered the address, and indicated: urgent.

After paying a hundred thousand as the handling fee, he posted a bounty.

Basic data of all martial masters in Tian Nan Territory.

Since only basic data was needed, the bounty price he set was not high, just three hundred thousand.

After posting the bounty, he looked through his "personal account" for the orders.

Each job undertaken by Black Triangle Star was priced in the millions.

The most recent one...

Fifteen million.

He took out that black bank card.

This card could not be operated online; it required a card reader to make transactions.

In other words, fifteen million were still in there.

"With this money, I can buy some special drugs to stimulate my potential, making my physique strong enough to reach the human limit, and once my physique reaches Perfection, I will naturally undergo Blood Replacement and Marrow Cleansing, embarking on the path to break through the human limit."

He put away the card.

Then he looked toward the "personal account" balance.

Gone.

It had been taken by that surviving member of Black Triangle Star.

However, if Su Xiangyang was willing to spend fifteen million to hire someone to kill him, then the assets he had must certainly exceed this amount.

When the Su Family administered family law, he demanded one hundred and fifty million in compensation for mental damage, this wasn't too much, was it?

After a moment, Alkaid shook his head.

Forget it, never mind.

This was not a small amount.

The murderer must pay with his life.

Compensation was enough.

Right then, he jumped to the largest medicinal herb website in the country—Nourishing Heart Palace—and purchased all the herbs capable of stimulating and refining the body.

The total order exceeded ten million.

Soon, Nourishing Heart Palace called to confirm.

The two parties confirmed the transaction store.

After some busyness, a knocking sound came from outside the door.

Alkaid glanced at his cellphone, stepped forward, and opened the door.

Three figures dressed as cleaners, wearing raincoats and masks, appeared at the door.

Alkaid stepped aside.

The three moved in sync into the house without a word, two of them handling the body and one wiping the bloodstains.

The entire process occurred without communication.

In less than ten minutes, the three had completed the cleanup, sprayed some cleaning agent to freshen the air, and placed the body in a cleaning trolley.

The trolley even had the watermark of a regular cleaning company.

The three pushed the cart, waiting for the freight elevator.

"Ding."

The elevator doors opened.

Inside was bustling, with five people present.

Freight and passenger elevator shared.

Aside from Su Yaoyu, there was also Lin Xiaowei from the Security Bureau, two inspectors, and a martial artist from the Martial Arts World.

As the elevator doors opened, Lin Xiaowei's voice could be heard: "The Su and Lin families have been friends for decades, and we've known each other for six years, Yaoyu. Since you've asked, I will naturally do my utmost to catch Black Triangle Star and ensure that Su Alkaid is not harmed."

"Haha, Inspector Lin is the ace of our Yunmeng City special case team. With True Martial Sect's consultant Ye Yuhe also here, General Su must be reassured, right? Our Yunmeng City will not let any criminal offender off the hook," Police Chief Zhao also said with a laugh.

"I naturally trust in Inspector Lin and Martial Master Ye's capabilities," Su Yaoyu responded, and then turned to the athletically dressed woman and said, "Thank you for your effort."

The woman nodded.

This woman was none other than Xia Wuyuan's recently accompanying junior sister.

The group exited the elevator.

The three cleaners lowered their heads and quickly pushed the cleaning cart into the elevator.

However, their attire quickly aroused the alert Lin Xiaowei's suspicion.

"Wait a moment."

She called out.

Almost simultaneously, a voice came from the end of the hallway.

"Why are you here?"

"Alkaid?"

Su Yaoyu called out in surprise, then quickly introduced, "I've brought in a real professional for you, Inspector Lin Xiaowei. Graduating at the top of her class from Central Capital Royal Police Academy, she has captured countless criminals in her six years on the job."

Having finished speaking, she went on to introduce the woman in robust attire: "This is Ye Yuhe, one of the most excellent disciples of the True Martial Sect in the Martial Arts World this generation, she's been certified as a Fourth Level martial master by the Martial Arts Association. I recall you started practicing martial arts a year ago? If you could learn even one or two moves from Master Ye, your strength would advance by leaps and bounds."

With such an introduction, Lin Xiaowei couldn't help but shift her attention to Su Alkaid.

Seizing this opportunity, the three cleaners quickly pushed their cart into the elevator.

"Fourth Level martial master?"

After nodding at Lin Xiaowei, Alkaid turned to Ye Yuhe.

Using the secret technique of "Perception," he deduced that this person had indeed reached the Muscle-Tendon Strengthening level.

Looking at her age, she appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six.

Such strength was indeed notable within the circles of the Martial Arts World.

"Hello."

He simply greeted her.

And Ye Yuhe, looking at Alkaid,

seemed somewhat surprised.

Just then, for a moment, she had the illusion of being in a forest, targeted by a terrifying presence.

It seemed that this man, who appeared to be in his early twenties...

No, wrong, the records showed his real age was only nineteen.

It seemed this mere nineteen-year-old, likely just a freshman in college, could give her the sense of extreme danger usually only posed by top predators.

However...

That was impossible!

She was a Fourth Level martial master certified by the Martial Arts Association, even as a woman, she could defeat ten or eight grown men.

A nineteen-year-old youth...

"A Su family member?"

Ye Yuhe guessed internally.

According to the information she had received, Su Huaifeng, a perennial figure in flirtatious circles, had contracted a serious illness and wouldn't live long.

His only son on record had committed a multitude of shocking misdeeds and killed countless people by his cruelty.

The reason he hired the Black Triangle Star against the current Su Alkaid was because they were the only males in Su Huaifeng's lineage. If Su Alkaid died, he would be the only remaining heir, and the Su Family would surely protect him.

As a result...

The plan was exposed.

She was willing to accept Su Yaoyu's invitation to help her brother out of trouble because she saw potential in Su Alkaid and wanted to invest early to pave the way for the True Martial Sect to connect with the influential.

Having needs, she was controlled by others.

Seeing him as representing the entire Su family, she naturally held a certain reverence.

"Hello."

Caught in her thoughts, Ye Yuhe's response wasn't slow, as she smiled and greeted.

Then continued, "If you are indeed interested in Martial Arts, I think I can be of some help to you."

"I am interested in the people of the Martial Arts World."

Alkaid curiously asked, "Yunmeng, and even the entirety of Tian Nan, who are the martial masters and Grandmasters?"

"Martial masters, Grandmasters..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yuhe was slightly taken aback.

Talking about martial masters and Grandmasters...

But this also aligned with the understanding of a novice.

What they see are those who stand at the pinnacle of the Martial Arts World.

Instantly, she smiled and said, "The practice of Martial Arts is always training through the bitter cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer. The hardships involved mean few persevere to the end. It is an achievement to even become a Martial Artist and compete in provincial and city-level competitions. Martial masters can establish their own schools, and as for Grandmasters..."

She paused, "That is not a realm one can reach simply with perseverance. Talent, insight, perseverance, resources—none can be lacking."

"I am interested,"

Alkaid said, "Please tell me in detail about the martial masters and Grandmasters within Tian Nan Territory."

Su Yaoyu, seeing her brother and Ye Yuhe chatting so keenly, also smiled.

It had been worth it to specially invite this well-born Martial Arts consultant.

Especially since...

This Consultant Ye was also quite good-looking.

Though she was slightly older, that wasn't an issue.

Seeing the two heading towards a lively conversation, she smilingly said, "Brother, won't you invite Consultant Ye to sit inside?"

"I apologize."

Alkaid said.

Despite his history of killing people and slaying demons, he was fundamentally a person who adhered strictly to etiquette.

He then gestured invitingly and led Ye Yuhe and the others towards the inside of the apartment.

The accompanying Su Yaoyu, seeing that Alkaid had tacitly accepted her calling him "little brother," felt secretly pleased.

"I'm also very interested in the secrets of the Martial Arts World, thanks to the company of Young Master Su, I'll get to listen well,"

Lin Xiaowei and the others laughed and followed them in.

"Hmm?"

As soon as she entered the apartment, Lin Xiaowei smelled a fresh scent that had not yet dissipated in the air.

This scent...

was somewhat familiar.

"Please, have a seat,"

Alkaid said, interrupting Lin Xiaowei's train of thought.

"Young Master Su's living is quite simple indeed."

Ye Yuhe was somewhat surprised.

Though the apartment was about sixty square meters and nicely decorated, relative to Su Alkaid's status, it could really only be described as "simple and modest."

"Just call me by my name."

Alkaid said.

However, Ye Yuhe naturally wouldn't take such liberties.

Unlike Su Yaoyu, as a future potential heir to Su Huaifeng's assets, she didn't dare to underestimate Su Alkaid, being her martial master.

"Since Young Master Su is interested in the Martial Arts World, I'll speak to you well about it,"

This true disciple of the True Martial Sect gathered her thoughts briefly and organized her words: "To talk about martial masters and Grandmasters, one cannot avoid mentioning the 'Tian Nan Ten Tigers' and the 'North-South Three Excellences.'"

To express her interest in Alkaid's hobbies, Su Yaoyu immediately said, "I've also heard of the Tian Nan Ten Tigers and the North-South Three Excellences. Their renown has grown beyond just their own circles, right? Especially Long Daoqi, the leader of the Ten Tigers, who was the champion of the last Overlord Cup martial competition. The final match of that grand event, it is said he earned a billion."

"A billion!?"

Alkaid looked up.

"To be exact, he earned one billion two hundred million in that match,"

Ye Yuhe nodded and then expressed some regret, "Unfortunately, the leader of the Ten Tigers fell victim to a ruthless killer, much to our dismay. Otherwise, with his attempts at Internal Cultivation of the internal organs, it wouldn't have taken him long perhaps to achieve the Grandmaster status."