Facing the imminent arrival of the cultivators, William Harper felt no fear or panic; instead, a surge of hot-blooded passion was brewing within him.

Having practiced martial arts for four years, he had never killed an enemy. Even in sparring matches, he would challenge masters while masked, always stopping short of causing real harm.

His mastery of martial arts and the perfected swordsmanship were his reliance, giving him the confidence to challenge even the lowest ranks of the cultivation world. What’s more, the The Harper Estate had Grace Bennett, a reincarnator. In his eyes, the reincarnated Immortal Lord Grace Bennett must possess extraordinary means—after all, Grace Bennett understood the gap between cultivators and mortals.

As night deepened, the croaking of frogs echoed frequently from the surrounding courtyards. Teams of servants patrolled everywhere, and even the streets around the The Harper Estate were guarded, with government soldiers alerted and coming to stand watch.

Grace Bennett sat at a stone table in the courtyard, wiping silver darts in her hands. Her expression was icy cold, colder even than the moonlight. Reflected in the blade, her eyes faintly surged with a black murderous aura.

On the other side.

On the east city wall of Nanqiu City, several figures leapt up like eagles, gliding over the city like wild geese skimming blue waves, slipping into the city.

The last figure landed on the wall, overlooking the vast expanse of Nanqiu City. His green robe fluttered, his waist was slender but his shoulders broad, and his long hair was casually tied with a cloth strip. He looked to be in his early forties. The horsetail whisk in his hand made him look like a Daoist, but his eyes glinted with a venomous, snake-like coldness.

“No wonder this is one of the most prosperous cities in southern Great Qi. It will surely allow the Soul-Burning Banner to revive.”

The green-robed Daoist muttered to himself, the corners of his mouth lifting in a cruel smile. With a hint of ruthlessness in his tone, he leapt and disappeared into the boundless night.

……

In the main hall of the The Harper Estate, the lights blazed brightly. All the young masters and ladies of the household were present, with the head of the house, Samuel Harper, seated at the head.

Nearly seventy years old, Samuel Harper was white-haired, like a lion in his twilight years. Sitting in his chair, both hands resting on his cane, his gaze was sharp as he calmly looked out at the night sky beyond the door.

“Midnight has come, and still no bandits have attacked. It really was just a false alarm.”

“I told you, how could we trust the words of two children so easily?”

“Isn’t that boy William Harper usually quite clever? How could he believe such a rumor? This is the Duke’s residence—who would dare trespass? That’s a death sentence.”

“Quiet! What do you women know? The night isn’t over yet; we can’t let our guard down!”

“Father, the unease in my heart is only growing stronger.”

The young masters were all William Harper’s uncles. Their faces were grave, while some of the ladies pretended to be relaxed, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

The words of the fourth young master, Thomas Harper, moved his brothers, for Thomas Harper had served in the army and crawled out from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. His sense for danger far surpassed the others.

Samuel Harper snorted, “I’ve spent my life on the battlefield. Now I’ve retired and handed over my command, but that doesn’t mean anyone can provoke us as they please. Whoever dares come, must die—and this matter will not end there!”

He was furious. Looking across the land of Great Qi, who would dare so recklessly target a Duke’s residence?

And who had the power to do so?

Samuel Harper had his suspicions, but did not voice them.

Suddenly!

“Ah—”

A scream came from the east—a maid’s voice, filled with terror.

William Harper’s eldest uncle, John Harper, immediately rushed out, disappearing from sight in just a few steps.

The remaining four young masters of the The Harper Estate, Andrew Harper, David Harper, Thomas Harper, and Edward Harper, quickly went outside the main gate, looking around. Their wives, though frightened, did not panic, but huddled together, trembling.

Samuel Harper coughed a few times and, supported by his old wife, slowly stood up.

Soon, screams, shouts of battle, and the clash of blades echoed from all over the The Harper Estate.

Perched on the eaves, William Harper saw mysterious black-clad figures breaking into the The Harper Estate from all directions. There were more enemies than he had expected. He charged toward the black-clad man with the fastest movement technique.

At the same time, Charles Harper also sprang into action, while Grace Bennett still sat at the stone table, patiently waiting.

Tap!

A black-clad man vaulted over the courtyard wall and landed. He held a knife in his right hand, his face covered with black cloth, revealing only his eyes. His gaze fell on the three maids in the courtyard. The maids screamed in fright and rushed toward the house.

Without a word, the black-clad man charged at them.

Whoosh—

A piercing sound split the night air. The black-clad man stopped abruptly. In the corner behind him, a stone struck the wall, leaving a thumb-sized dent before falling to the ground. Under the moonlight, the bloodstain on the stone appeared black.

The black-clad man fell backward, his head slamming heavily onto the ground, eyes wide open in death, a bloody hole pierced through his forehead—a chilling sight.

In his pupils, the figure of William Harper flashed by.

Moving swiftly along the courtyard wall, William Harper occasionally hurled a stone—each one prepared in advance, each capable of easily killing a black-clad intruder.

William Harper changed direction from time to time, attacking wherever there were black-clad men. No enemy could withstand a single blow from him.

The The Harper Estate covered a vast area, like a city within a city. The black-clad men scattered everywhere, and William Harper could not eliminate them all in a short time. As he moved through the compound, William Harper also kept watch on the distance.