Below, Jian Yao raised his head to look at this scene, immediately his eyes turned to Gu Xiu'Er, with a hint of astonishment in his eyes.
"This girl is quite smart!"
He had already noticed that Gu Xiu'Er's gaze towards his family's Young Master was a bit unusual and was already on guard.
Not only him, even Zhang Yi probably was prepared; if this girl was overly clever and attempted to seize Zhang Jian, these two today would have no place to be buried.
Yet yielding directly, though possibly falling into the hands of the Zhang Family, was not without a slim chance of survival.
Especially the Shangyuan Sect's West Wind Swordsman Wang Yuanlang, whom she mentioned, had considerable influence in Fengxi County, being a renowned figure.
Perhaps, considering Wang Yuanlang's presence, Zhang Yi might change his mind.
"Boom!"
With a loud noise, Zhang Yi's profound jade-colored giant palm struck Duanmu Yan solidly, slamming him into the building below.
Zhang Yi's form drifted like a ghost, appearing beside Gu Xiu'Er, his cold eyes fixed on her.
"Who does Wang Yuanlang think he is? If I want to kill someone, do you think he can protect them?"
He slowly raised his hand, when a voice came.
"Brother Yi, since these two young ones already know their mistakes, give them a chance. Though they were wrong first, our Zhang Family has always been benevolent, willing to be forgiving in all matters!"
Emerging from the shadows, Zhang Yi walked out under Zhang Hu's escort.
He had a solemn demeanor, imposing without anger.
Zhang Jian beside him remained expressionless, glancing at the solemn Zhang Yi, realizing that Gu Xiu'Er's last words might not have moved Zhang Yi, but surely reached his old man's heart.
It seemed that the swordsman she mentioned held some weight, causing Zhang Yi to ponder.
"Since the Clan Leader has spoken, then let these two thieves be dealt with by the Clan Leader!"
At this moment, Zhang Yi's form flickered, landing beside Zhang Jian from the rooftop, seeing Zhang Jian nod slightly.
Feeling the continuously circulating pure inner breath in Zhang Yi, which seemed to constantly resonate with the air, twisting the surrounding atmosphere.
Zhang Jian felt a stir within.
He knew this was an emblem of the Inner Cultivation Martial Artist reaching the Innate Stage.
The Nourishing Yuan Stage requires continuously strengthening one's essence and vitality with rich inner breath to communicate the Bridge of Heaven and Earth, using innate nurture to bolster the physique, which is the profound meaning of the Innate Stage.
Though Zhang Jian did not yet perceive much of the Innate Profound, it did not prevent him from realizing its mighty power profoundly.
"No wonder Jian Yao fears Uncle Yi so much; Uncle Yi is indeed the family's foundation, a hidden card!"
Zhang Jian sighed inwardly.
Though having just begun martial training, he knew that Inner Cultivation Martial Artists at the Innate Stage in Jianghu were almost those rare 'top-notch experts'.
Such innate martial artists are remarkably few and can only be attracted by a few major forces possessing wealth and influence.
"Seems I must train well; things outside are indeed dangerous!"
This thought flashed through his mind.
"Junior Gu Xiu'Er thanks Patriarch Zhang for his generosity on behalf of Senior Brother Duanmu!"
At this moment, Gu Xiu'Er slightly bowed, then darted into the pile of rubble, her jade-like face under the white veil somewhat pale, deeply worried for Duanmu Yan, whose life was unknown after Zhang Yi's final strike.
Zhang Yi glanced at Zhang Yi, who slightly shook his head, saying.
"Whether he lives, depends on his own fate!"
He did not deliberately hold back with that last strike.
Zhang Yi silently shook his head, merely contemplating, "Let's hope he didn't die!"
His gaze fell on the graceful figure of Gu Xiu'Er, eyes glinting.
"Surname Gu!"
Now outside Fanglin Residence, other manor guests and patrolling servants gradually gathered, dispersing under Zhang Yi's wave of hand.
He concurrently summoned a few to help Gu Xiu'Er carry Duanmu Yan out.
At this moment, Duanmu Yan's face was pale as gold paper, covered in frost.
His breath was extremely weak.
"Senior Brother!" Gu Xiu'Er quickly took out her sect's secret treasure medicine from her bosom and fed it to Duanmu Yan, striving to save his life.
The crowd dispersed, leaving Zhang Yi with Zhang Yi and Zhang Jian, deciding after discussion to temporarily detain this brother and sister pair while awaiting news.
Surely those behind them would soon act.
...
The next day
The morning light was faint
The paper mache shop was located in the west of the city, Zhang Jian accompanied by Zhang Lu and a group of servants headed to the paper mache shop to buy cinnabar spirit money.
Nearby was Liu Family Alley, surrounded by many rice and cloth shops.
The place Zhang Jian wanted to visit was beside a big willow tree.
Zhang's Paper Mache Shop.
In front of the shop, lifelike paper figures were displayed, with peach-colored cheeks, looking cute and charming.
Though strangely, these paper figures lacked eyes, which nevertheless imparted a sense of chill.
The owner of the shop was Paperman Zhang, with a hunched back and gray hair.
Zhang Jian approached directly, greeting.
"Uncle Zhang, any new products lately?"
Paperman Zhang, also surnamed Zhang, related to Zhang Jian although not a local, arrived two decades ago during a displacement, gradually establishing himself with his paper mache skills in Liu Family Alley.
"So the Advanced Scholar has arrived, please enter the shop, we have kept it ready for you!"
Paperman Zhang's voice was hoarse but carried a hint of kindliness, almost eternally smiling.
"Then I must take a look!"
Zhang Jian became spirited, following Paperman Zhang to the back hall.
From a distance, a small red shrine was visible, uncertainly housing some divine statue, covered by red cloth, the aroma of smoking sandalwood wafting in.
This added a touch of warmth to the eerie paper mache shop.
Zhang Jian had spotted this time's new product, a series of Lotus Palace Lamps, red and white intermingled, each strikingly seductive.
Approaching for a closer look, they appeared plump!
Paperman Zhang chuckled as he introduced.
"This is my latest creation, the Ningshen Lotus, look at these ceremony scripts, very astute, they were personally composed by a high master from Phoenix Perch Temple for pacifying and calming purposes, they have been consecrated by the master!"
"What use does it have?!"
"It not only pacifies ancestors but also allows them to protect the family, bestowing fortune and longevity. If Young Master burns these for Zhang Mansion's ancestral spirits, surely the Advanced Scholar will succeed in becoming an Advanced Scholar!"
Zhang Jian laughed, Paperman Zhang was good with words, he nodded straightforwardly, letting Zhang Lu proceed with packing them, followed by servants handing over taels of silver.
Seeing Zhang Jian willing to purchase these lamps smoothly, Paperman Zhang's smile deepened.
The group, carrying baskets on their backs, quickly left Zhang's Paper Mache Shop.
Paperman Zhang watched their departure, his gaze continually lingered on Zhang Jian, flickering with uncertainty before settling quietly, continuing to clean up the paper figures outside.
Before leaving, Zhang Jian glanced towards the paper mache shop, his expression carrying a hint of peculiarity.
For some reason, this time entering the paper mache shop, he distinctly sensed a peculiarity unlike his previous experiences.
Although it remained as cool as ever, this time he felt a chill, piercing like needles into his flesh.