Back in his room.

Two female servant disciples with somewhat delicate features had already warmed Zhou Ze’s bed.

But he wasn’t in a hurry to rest. Sitting at his desk, he tallied today’s gains.

A total of two thousand Spirit Stones.

“That just about fills the hole.”

A satisfied smile curled on Zhou Ze’s lips.

“Tomorrow, I should receive news of that kid Han Lie being killed.”

As long as Yun Fei could kill Han Lie, Zhou Ze believed his spending on those Spirit Stones was still worthwhile.

Initially, Zhou Ze hadn’t wanted to kill Han Lie. If not for Han Lie swindling an extra thousand Spirit Stones from him that day, Zhou Ze would have been willing to use eight hundred Spirit Stones to reconcile with him and eliminate this threat.

Unfortunately, human greed knows no bounds, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. One must always pay for their greed.

With Han Lie gone as a threat, he could finally rest easy now. At least, with his prestige and influence in the Servant Disciple department, he could hold onto this manager position until death without issue.

Putting away the storage ring, Zhou Ze approached his bed with a pleased mood. The female servant who had warmed his bed even considerately lifted the blanket for him.

Just as Zhou Ze lay down, intending to properly favor both female servants and reward himself—

A sudden sinister gust arose!

In that split second between a lightning flash and a flint spark, two streams of spiritual power lashed out!

Before they could react, the female servants flanking Zhou Ze on both sides lost consciousness.

Thud!

The next instant, just as Zhou Ze began sensing danger—a black longsword had already pierced through his chest!

He instinctively tried to cry for help, but a hand covered with age-worn wrinkles covered his mouth.

Looking closer—a familiar face came into view!

Han Lie!

“Mmph… mmph…!”

Zhou Ze struggled as if trying to say something. Simultaneously, he could clearly feel the longsword piercing his chest rapidly eroding his flesh and plundering his vitality!

If he lifted his clothes open, Zhou Ze would see the flesh centered around the wound necrotizing at a visible rate!

“Are you surprised that This Senior isn’t dead?”

Han Lie’s expression was terrifyingly calm.

“This Senior doesn’t know what you want to say—but This Senior guesses it’s nothing more than boring pleas for mercy.”

“Besides—you’ve lost your chance to speak for this lifetime.”

And so—as vitality was continuously plundered by the black blade—Zhou Ze’s struggling movements grew weaker and weaker…

Until the light and spirit in his eyes completely vanished, leaving behind empty dullness like dead ashes!

Though Zhou Ze had stopped breathing, Han Lie still felt it wasn’t secure enough!

One slash separated his head from his body!

Only after confirming Zhou Ze was thoroughly dead did Han Lie search all of Zhou Ze’s storage rings.

Inside the small wooden hut.

“Eight thousand five hundred Spirit Stones… this old schemer was quite rich—compensating somewhat for today’s injuries.”

After counting all of Zhou Ze’s assets, Han Lie clicked his tongue appreciatively!

Don’t think that just because the Servant Disciple department manager position was considered worse than dog shit by Inner Disciples, there weren’t plenty of illicit gains to be made from it!

Perhaps other servant disciples were poor—especially newcomers who might not even have a few Spirit Stones on them! But endure for several decades, even securing some minor position within the Servant Disciple department, and one could rake in considerable illicit gains! Let alone someone like Zhou Ze, who served as deputy manager for over ten years!

Moreover, Han Lie knew clearly: eight thousand five hundred Spirit Stones was far from Zhou Ze’s limit!

Ever since becoming deputy manager, he visited Drunken Immortal Pavilion at least once yearly without fail! More frequently—three or four times yearly sometimes! Showing just how much illicit wealth this guy had amassed!

Plus, handling dirty business usually required spending considerable Spirit Stones too—for smoothing things over!

For instance, when deaths occurred among servants… To avoid accountability from the Law Enforcement Hall, spending some Spirit Stones handling loose ends became necessary!

As for tonight—Han Lie killing Zhou Ze… During the execution, Han Lie could be one hundred percent certain nobody detected him! Even at the moment of attack, he knocked out both female servants first before acting!

Even if the Law Enforcement Hall investigated later, they wouldn’t trace it back to him personally!!

Furthermore… only some Servant Disciple department manager died anyway—the Law Enforcement Hall wouldn’t want extra work without cause!! Just replace him then!!

Next day.

Both female servants waking from unconsciousness got psychologically traumatized seeing the headless corpse belonging to the formerly alive Manager Zhou Ze.

Law Enforcement Hall personnel arrived quickly enough!!

They simply questioned both females briefly whether anyone witnessed the murderer responsible. Getting no specific suspect answer back, the Law Enforcement Hall personnel merely disposed of the corpse belonging to the formerly alive Manager Zhou Ze.

Then hastily closed the case file!!!

With Zhou Ze killed, the Servant Disciple Department Manager plus Deputy Manager positions simultaneously became vacant!!!

Another day passed.

Zhuo Hongyi came looking!!!

“Zhou Ze—did YOU kill him???”

Without beating around the bush, Zhuo Hongyi went straight to the point!!!

Han Lie didn’t answer directly, just giving a noncommittal smile instead!!!

Zhuo Hongyi stated, “Don’t get nervous—I’m NOT here investigating whether YOU were involved with Zhou Ze’s death—although I know likely YOU were involved somehow!!”

“But THAT doesn’t matter!!!”

“Every year many servant disciples die unnatural deaths!!!”

“If investigating every single case, our Law Enforcement Hall wouldn’t get anything else done!!!”

This outcome basically matched Han Lie’s expectations!!!

He said, “Since NOT here questioning This Senior? Then presumably Captain Zhuo came today regarding other matters instead!!!”

“Mhm.” Zhuo Hongyi nodded slightly, saying, “Zhou Ze is dead now. The vast Servant Disciple Department lacks management. The sect naturally needs to reassign someone to take over the Servant Disciple Department!!!”

“This task landed onto MY hands. So I ask YOU: Interested in becoming the new manager for the Servant Disciple Department???”

Han Lie remained silent momentarily before asking, “Captain Zhuo… The Servant Disciple Department totals several thousand people. Why choose This Senior specifically???”

“Your cultivation is sufficient. Seniority old enough. Among the best candidates available!!!”

“And besides… Who told YOU connected with ME??? Good opportunities naturally prioritize YOU first!!!”

“Furthermore… Once YOU become Servant Disciple Department manager, relatively speaking, wouldn’t YOU gain more freedom??? Thus making OUR cooperation more convenient too, right???”

Zhuo Hongyi gave her reasons!!!

Upon hearing the last sentence especially, Han Lie instantly broke out in a cold sweat!!!

Fortunately, Ye Qingxuan went out earlier; otherwise, if she overheard Zhuo Hongyi’s final remark, HE would suffer terribly then!!! At that time, probably Zhuo Hongyi herself couldn’t escape unscathed either!!!

Moreover, THAT final sentence was probably the real reason she sought him out!!!

“Apologies, Captain Zhuo. This Senior might disappoint YOU instead!!!”

Han Lie politely declined, saying, “Frankly speaking, This Senior is uninterested in the Servant Disciple Department manager position!!! Please find someone else instead!!!”

Once taking that position, it meant managing many affairs!!!

Although the position offered illicit gains potential, numerous miscellaneous duties would undoubtedly hinder his own cultivation progress too!!!

Previously, perhaps Han Lie might have desired becoming the Servant Disciple Department manager!!! But now??? The Servant Disciple Department manager position became a burden dragging down his own strength improvement!!!