Looking at Sisi's fiery figure, dressed provocatively, Master Mashuno's aged face suddenly lit up with renewed vigor.
"Why have you come to see me? Didn't Su Yuntao just come looking for you?" Mashuno asked with a smile.
Without hesitation, Sisi walked over and sat on Mashuno's lap, nestling against him as she traced circles on his chest with her fingers.
"I don't want to bother with that silly boy," Sisi said coquettishly.
A surge of fire ignited within Mashuno, but he kept his voice steady as he asked, "I heard you've been getting close to that kid recently?"
"Not at all! I'm just teasing him a little. You're so annoying," Sisi pouted, lightly punching Mashuno's chest.
"Ah, I already told that boy to give up on you, but he just won't listen," Mashuno sighed.
"My dear, I'm hungry!" Sisi's big eyes locked onto Mashuno's.
Mashuno's heart fluttered. "Here?"
"Mm…"
…
Ten minutes later, Mashuno was panting heavily, drenched in sweat, his face showing a hint of fear.
Just moments ago, he had nearly fainted—something that had never happened before.
Could it be that his strength was failing him?
"My dear, are you alright?" Sisi asked with a puzzled look.
Mashuno shook his head; such an embarrassing admission was impossible to voice.
"You should go now, I have some matters to attend to this afternoon."
"All right." Sisi stood, straightened her makeup, and gave him a sultry look at the door. "My dear, remember what you promised…"
Mashuno waved dismissively with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm keeping the position of the Hall Master for you."
Sisi was very pleased. Swaying her sexy curves, she headed to the door and shot Mashuno a flirtatious wink. "Love you!"
Once she left, Mashuno's smile vanished as he murmured to himself, "Such a naïve girl. I promised to help you get the Hall Master position—but never said when. I'll claim it when the time is right…"
Closing the door behind her, Sisi's coquettish expression instantly faded into cold indifference.
"Hmph. If I weren't after your position, do you think I'd bother serving a disgusting old man like you? Useless!"
"Su Yuntao's much better looking, and stronger too. Once I'm Hall Master, maybe I'll give him a chance…"
Meanwhile, Su Yuntao paced anxiously in the hall. Suddenly, he spotted Sisi descending the stairs, and his eyes lit up.
"Sisi, where did you go just now? We were supposed to have lunch together."
Sisi smiled and replied, "I went to ask Master Mashuno some questions. I'm not very hungry, so I just had a little something."
Su Yuntao glanced at Sisi's alluring figure and the faint blush lingering on her cheeks, his eyes shining brightly.
"Sisi, you look stunning today!"
Sisi rolled her eyes and teased, "Smooth talker."
"Hehe…"
"Sisi, I'm about to rise to fame. Yesterday—"
"What! You awakened a god-level Martial Soul?"
Su Yuntao nodded excitedly and recounted the awakening and his request to Mashuno to submit the report.
He looked at Sisi eagerly, hoping this would improve her attitude toward him.
"You're amazing! I'll be waiting for your good news," Sisi complimented.
Her eyes flickered, and she secretly resolved to find a chance to question Mashuno thoroughly. She didn't want Su Yuntao to become Hall Master.
With her charm, she was confident the old lecher Mashuno would not hesitate to help her.
…
After Sisi and Su Yuntao left, Mashuno quietly emerged, draped a black cloak over his shoulders, and slipped out the back door of the Martial Soul Hall.
Half an hour later, he arrived at a modest little restaurant and approached the front desk.
"Hello, I come from the mortal world and wish to take a walk in Hell," Mashuno's voice was hoarse.
The waiter's expression changed instantly, and he quickly stepped forward, "Right this way, honored guest."
Master Mashuno nodded and followed the waiter into a private room.
The waiter pressed a hidden switch on the wall, and instantly a secret door slid open. The two stepped inside.
"I want to see your Chief Commander," Mashuno's voice echoed through the dim underground corridor as he produced a token.
The waiter's expression turned respectful as he led Mashuno to a room. "Please wait here, sir. I will notify the Commander."
Mashuno sat down naturally. He had been to this place many times before, so it felt familiar—and he showed no fear.
Half an hour later, Mashuno left the restaurant, while inside that underground room sat a tall middle-aged man.
He was motionless, wearing a fierce Asura mask. A blood-red aura swirled around him, exuding an intimidating presence.
On the table before him lay a dossier.
"To kill a six-year-old child? Make it look like an accident? Holy Soul Village… Then send a Bronze-ranked Envoy."
A Bronze-ranked Envoy was more than capable of handling a hundred ordinary adults—let alone a child.
"No Life!" the middle-aged man's voice commanded.
Moments later, a young boy with black hair and dark eyes entered. His appearance was unremarkable, his frame thin, his face expressionless. His fingers were long and slender, with prominent knuckles, giving him an air of quiet strength.
His eyes were icy and empty—devoid of emotion or life.
"Foster Father," the boy said coldly, causing the man to furrow his brow.
"How many times have I told you? When on a mission, you are an assassin. At other times, you are an ordinary person. Learn to mask your emotions."
The boy said nothing, merely nodding faintly, leaving the man a bit helpless.
The man tossed the dossier across the table. "This is your mission. Complete it within three days."
Without even glancing at it, the boy caught the rapidly flying dossier, nodded lightly, and turned to leave.
The middle-aged man watched his retreating figure with a mixture of admiration, affection, and a trace of guilt…
…
In Tang Hao's smithy, the clanging of hammer strikes rang out. Two small figures were swinging hammers, while Tang Hao sat nearby, occasionally offering guidance.
Tang San wielded a small black hammer specially forged by Tang Hao, weighing twenty jin.
Jiang Chen's hammer was much larger—it was one of Tang Hao's forging hammers, weighing a hundred jin.
Tang Hao owned several forging hammers; this was the lightest. Yet, seeing Jiang Chen wield it with ease astonished both father and son.
This was no ordinary person!
Jiang Chen seemed tireless, repeatedly raising the heavy hammer high before smashing it down with great force.
Tang San's competitive spirit flared, and he tried to outlast Jiang Chen.
But after ten minutes, Tang San was drenched in sweat and nearly exhausted, while Jiang Chen barely perspired.
Seeing Tang San stop, Jiang Chen also ceased forging and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Following Tang Hao's instructions for forging truly trained every muscle in the body; the effect was no less than running while carrying a millstone.
Curious, Tang San leaned closer and pried open Jiang Chen's hand—only to find his palm still pale and unblemished, without the slightest wear.
"What a freak!" Tang San muttered.