As moonlight dimmed, Shuro felt a scattering frost descend from the heavens, quickly enveloping him. Allowing his pores to expand, Shuro absorbed the lunar essence into his body. The refreshing sensation traversed his skin, muscles, bones, and blood, refining Shuro's physicality. It felt so pleasant that Shuro wanted to howl in satisfaction.

"If Nine-Dragon Sovereign learns that someone has mastered the 'Nine Deaths to Reborn Technique,' I wonder how he'll react," silently contemplated Shuro.

Shuro originated from the martial world, yet he now possessed the memories of a nearly two-thousand-year-old demonic sovereign. Upon comparing these memories with his practiced technique, Shuro swiftly concluded that his 'Nine Deaths to Reborn Technique' could genuinely be described as unparalleled.

While all foundation methods and alchemical martial arts typically involved ingesting elixirs to aid in cultivation, Shuro's 'Nine Deaths to Reborn Technique' required no such assistance. From the outset, it allowed Shuro to transition directly from acquired to innate, reaching the pinnacle of foundational perfection. The technique utilized the essence of heaven and earth as external medicine, and true fire and true water as internal medicine, assisting Shuro in unlocking his body's latent potential. As the mantra said, "The human body holds great medicine, capable of forging a great path." What elixir in the world could compare to the boundless potential within the human body?

Taking a step forward, Shuro leaped off the wall.

The prenatal water and fire rotated rapidly above his dantian, setting off a rush of qi and blood through his meridians. Astonishingly, with a single step, Shuro covered a distance of ten steps, swiftly gliding over the neighboring mansion's roof as though on horseback.

Shuro relished this unfamiliar sensation. Playing around, he traversed from one mansion to another, covering a considerable distance in no time.

The York family had two mansions, with the secondary mansion situated in the western district of Caelius Capital, while the main mansion resided in the eastern district. The eastern district, also known as the district of culture and martial prowess, housed mansions owned by officials of the third rank or higher.

Arriving in the eastern district, where lanterns had long been extinguished, Shuro observed that only the third mansion on the left remained brightly lit. The birthday banquet for the old lady was approaching, and the entire mansion was tirelessly preparing, even past midnight.

Gazing at the majestic character "York" on the plaque above the mansion's entrance, Shuro reminisced about the events that had transpired that day, feeling as if it were a distant lifetime ago.

Lightly jumping, Shuro floated over the mansion wall. Though his cultivation level was only slightly higher than that of the small Void Spirit realm, the extraordinary nature of the 'Nine Deaths to Reborn Technique' made Shuro enter a state of prenatal breath at will, silent and invisible. Despite the presence of formidable experts within the mansion, none could detect Shuro's movements.

In a short time, Shuro arrived in front of a secluded cottage in the backyard.

He had been here ten days ago.

On that day, he was supposed to accompany the steward of the secondary mansion to deliver goods, but under the influence of the chief steward of the main mansion's enthusiasm, he ended up drinking in the kitchen at noon. The members of the main mansion took advantage of the occasion of the old lady's birthday banquet to enthusiastically offer toasts, and as Shuro was not as highly ranked as the steward of the secondary mansion, he started representing him in drinking after three rounds.

Unexpectedly, things took a turn for the worse after a few drinks. Originally intending to sneak out for some fresh air.

//////

Putting aside reminiscences, Shuro entered the small abode with a stern countenance, casually closing the door behind him. The interior of the dwelling was as unassuming as its exterior—dimly lit with a solitary lamp, bare walls, and only a bed, a wardrobe, and a woman.

The woman had her back turned to Shuro, gazing absently at the snowy landscape outside the window. Strands of dark hair cascaded down, resembling a piece of delicate silk that invited one's touch. Despite the freezing weather, she wore only a thin layer of cotton gauze, revealing a glimpse of skin akin to Caelius Capital Shuro could deduce that she must have cultivated some peculiar technique to withstand the severe cold.

Sensing a disturbance, the woman turned around.

Her demeanor was aloof, like frost in the moonlight, repelling others from a considerable distance. Yet, the gracefully full contours of her figure, her eyes captivating as the stars in the night, and the effortlessly elegant beauty that no painter could imitate fully bestowed upon her an irresistible charm.

Objectively speaking, her beauty was not extraordinary, but rather like an orchid in a secluded valley—endowed with a timeless allure. Such a woman appeared to emerge from the vortex of ice and fire, embodying contradictions, distant yet near, captivating every man in the world.

Seeing Shuro, she revealed a slight surprise.

"I'm sure you must be quite astonished to see me," Shuro took two steps forward, speaking.

The woman's surname was Blanche, and she was the wife of the York family's eldest son, the main mansion's master. It was she who had implicated Shuro with the crime of disrespecting his sister-in-law, a charge that Shuro now detested her for.

Blanche hesitated for a moment, a peculiar expression flashing in her beautiful eyes before she nodded slightly.

Indeed, she was surprised, but beyond that, she felt gratitude. Ten days ago, while practicing in the small abode, she had sensed a strange fragrance. Shortly after, she felt her head heavy, feet light, and a drowsy sensation taking over. Blanche, with her accomplished cultivation and abundant true energy, was usually unaffected by common fragrances, indicating that this must be an enchanting fragrance concocted by the celestial realm. In the midst of her daze, the Third Young Master arrived with a youth she had never seen before.

The youth emanated profound energy, with a faint aura of detachment. However, upon seeing Blanche, he instantly reverted to his true self, not saying a word and immediately making inappropriate advances.

Although she had been married to the eldest son of the York family for two years, the master of the house had been dedicated to his pursuit of immortality, never paying attention to Blanche. Despite Blanche's distress at the indiscretion, the Third Young Master, who usually treated her with utmost respect, stood by and watched with a smirk.

Just as Blanche was losing hope, a commotion came from outside the courtyard. Startled, the young man on top of her seemed unwilling to be seen. After hesitating for a moment, he quickly left. Blanche managed to preserve her chastity.

Never did she expect that, just when she was worrying about the youth, he would appear before her. Compared to his intoxicated state ten days ago, the current youth resembled a newly forged sword, exuding an exceptional temperament, sharp and imposing. Blanche couldn't help but feel curious.

At this moment, Shuro spoke.

"Thanks to you, my Qi Pill was rendered useless, and my reputation tarnished! I undeniably saved you, yet you, this malicious woman, repay kindness with enmity, colluding with John to frame me!"

Blanche was momentarily stunned.

The cold contours of the young man's brows and the undisguised disgust in his eyes turned her once fervent enthusiasm into nothingness in an instant. It was not surprising that Shuro would think this way; in his earlier prejudiced thoughts, if it weren't for the Third Young Master and Blanche simultaneously accusing him falsely, would he have been so quickly convicted?

"So, what do you propose?"

A woman's cold voice echoed in Shuro's ears as he gazed at Blanche. He felt that she was different from before, with a clear absence of something in her eyes, a hint of frost in her gaze.

Shuro didn't dwell on deep thoughts; he was considering Blanche's issue. His purpose in coming here was to start with Blanche to clear his name. However, the lady of the main mansion was different from what he had anticipated. She showed no signs of panic; instead, she remained remarkably composed, leaving Shuro somewhat at a loss on where to begin.

After all, Shuro was only fifteen years old, inheriting the memories of the Nine-Dragon Sovereign, yet not quite adept at the Nine-Dragon Sovereign's deep scheming.

Just then, from outside the small cottage, came a fleeting and uncertain laughter: "Under the command of the Third Young Master, Leonard, one of the lackeys under the Third Young Master's door, has come to visit."

Shuro and Blanche exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.

"He is one of John's three major lackeys," Blanche averted her gaze, muttering to herself.

Shuro furrowed his brows; how could he not know who Leonard was? Among John's three chief henchmen, Leonard was even more formidable than Pang Guan, possessing the cultivation of the Grand Void Spirit realm, incredible strength, and mastery of the Seven-Fold Escape Technique. Not only was he powerful, but Leonard also surpassed Pang Guan in terms of reputation.

He had a mysterious background, known as a demonic menace in the central regions before being recruited by John. Leonard was notorious for his extreme lasciviousness, taking pleasure not only in women but also in men. Unfortunately, handsome young men who fell into his hands often ended up with withered vitality, meeting a fate worse than death.

The footsteps drew nearer, and Shuro's heartstrings tightened.

He had hurriedly come to find Blanche to clear his name; if seen by Leonard, even if he managed to narrowly escape, he would still be further implicated. At that point, it would be impossible to clear his name, even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

He needed to find a place to hide!

Shuro thought to himself. He surveyed the surroundings, but the four walls were bare, and the only wardrobe was too small. Eventually, Shuro turned his gaze towards the nearby bed.

...

Knocking sounds echoed.

"The lady's room is still illuminated; it seems she hasn't slept. In that case, I, Leonard, will come in."

The door to the small cottage was pushed open, revealing a robust man dressed in black martial attire. He glanced around, seeing the high-hanging curtains and the woman lying on the bed, reading by the lamplight at the head of the bed.

Indeed, she was the former renowned beauty of Caelius Capital!

Swiftly scanning the alluring curves beneath the quilt behind the curtain, Leonard swallowed his saliva.

Suppressing his urges, Leonard respectfully said, "Leonard, on the Young Master's orders, has come to visit the lady."

Without even looking at Leonard, Blanche continued flipping through her scroll, calmly stating, "In the middle of the night, isn't your master afraid of making a scene?"

Hehe, Leonard chuckled and raised his head. "The Young Master asked me to tell the lady something. Pang Guan is dead."

After speaking, Leonard stared intently at the eyes behind the curtain. To his disappointment, the surprise in Blanche's eyes seemed genuine, not feigned.

Could it be that she didn't kill Pang Guan? Then who did?

The secondary mansion? Impossible. They would never openly confront the Third Young Master over this matter.

Leonard was perplexed.