A ancient book fell into Ning Beichen's hands. Ning Beichen flipped through it and confirmed it was the Jiugong Ce. It seemed Zhang Xin wasn't playing any tricks.
"Thank you, Miss Zhang Xin."
Ning Beichen put away the Jiugong Ce with satisfaction. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Zhang Xin say from behind him.
"Ning Beichen, I know where another Jiugong Ce is. Do you want it?"
Ning Beichen immediately stopped and turned to look at Zhang Xin.
"If you promise to help me with a favor, I can take you to find the other Jiugong Ce."
Zhang Xin said to Ning Beichen.
This time, she wasn't playing any tricks, nor did she dare to. Before she had truly witnessed Ning Beichen's abilities, not only had she underestimated the strength of the King of Darkness, but so had everyone else.
"You explain first, then I'll decide whether to help."
Ning Beichen said to her.
While the Jiugong Ce was important, some favors could be granted, and some shouldn't be blindly accepted. If this woman wanted him to go around killing people, would he do it?
"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to kill anyone. My Red Gate doesn't lack assassins."
Zhang Xin saw Ning Beichen's concern and explained.
"No matter what favor it is, you need to tell me first before I can decide. Miss Zhang Xin, you're not the only smart person in this world. A smart person with ability is truly smart. A smart person without ability is just a fool."
Ning Beichen said.
Zhang Xin: "You're right. I want you to accompany me to a place to retrieve something that belongs to me."
"Is that place very dangerous?"
Ning Beichen asked.
"Very dangerous. It might cost me my life."
Zhang Xin said.
"Your Red Gate has considerable influence, and you have a master. If even you can't handle it, then it must be truly dangerous."
Ning Beichen mused.
"Yes, you can agree or disagree. Regardless of your choice, my Red Gate will not seek revenge on you."
Zhang Xin knew her limits. Even her master was no match for him. Seeking revenge would only bring disaster to the Red Gate.
"Then let's go. Let's hurry. I'm quite busy lately."
Ning Beichen didn't hesitate much. The most important thing was that he already possessed seven Jiugong Ce books, and he was determined to obtain the remaining two.
"Alright. I need to inform my master."
"You can. I'll wait for you outside."
Ning Beichen turned and left.
"Xin'er, are you really going to that place with him?"
The old woman asked with concern.
"Master, I have no choice. This is my opportunity, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If I relied solely on myself, I would never be able to retrieve the item from their hands in this lifetime. I want to take a gamble."
Zhang Xin said to the old woman.
"Xin'er, I can't see through Ning Beichen. This person is very capable and cunning. I'm worried about you being with him."
The old woman held Zhang Xin's hand.
"It's alright. I don't know him well, but I am somewhat familiar with his previous faction. He is an overbearing person, but not an unreasonable scoundrel. No matter what, I don't want to miss this chance."
Zhang Xin stated firmly.
"Then so be it. I hope your choice is not wrong. Ning Beichen is no simple person. When I fought him before, he didn't use his full strength, so I don't know how strong he truly is. You must be careful with this man."
The old woman sighed and no longer tried to dissuade Zhang Xin.
"I will be. Now, I actually hope his strength is even greater."
Zhang Xin nodded.
"Indeed. The stronger he is, the higher your chances of success. Go, I will help you look after the Red Gate."
The old woman also nodded.
"Master, I'm leaving. If I don't return, please take care of the Red Gate."
Zhang Xin stood up.
The old woman watched Zhang Xin's departing back with a worried expression. After a long while, she closed her eyes to recuperate.
...
"Miss Zhang Xin, can you tell me what you need to do now?"
Ning Beichen asked her.
Although he had agreed to help her, he wouldn't do so blindly. If the matter was beyond his capabilities, he wouldn't accompany her to her death.
The Red Gate was composed entirely of women, but they were not weak. They were all assassins who recognized no kin. If even the sect leader, Zhang Xin, couldn't resolve something, it was likely not an easy task.
"Have you heard of Zhang Tiandao?"
Zhang Xin asked.
Hearing the name Zhang Tiandao, information about him surfaced in Ning Beichen's mind.
However, this information wasn't gathered from external sources but from his master's words.
"Zhang Tiandao's real name was Zhang Jiyuan. He was a Taoist and founded the 'Daoyuan Heart Method,' which could directly lead to the Grandmaster realm. He was a rare genius in recent times."
"However, something happened later, and Zhang Tiandao suddenly disappeared without a trace. It's unknown if he's alive or dead."
Ning Beichen still remembered his master telling him that if he ever met Zhang Tiandao's descendants and they were in trouble, he should help them if he could.
Ning Beichen had almost forgotten about this matter. If Zhang Xin hadn't mentioned Zhang Tiandao's name, he wouldn't have recalled it at all.
This Zhang Xin's surname was Zhang, and Zhang Tiandao was also surnamed Zhang. Could they be related?
"I've heard some things. Miss Zhang Xin, what is your relationship with Zhang Tiandao?"
Ning Beichen asked her.
If Zhang Xin truly had a connection with Zhang Tiandao, then he would indeed have to help her with her affairs.
"Zhang Tiandao is my father."
Zhang Xin said.
"Miss Zhang Xin, are you joking? As far as I know, Zhang Tiandao is quite old. He's more than old enough to be your grandfather."
Ning Beichen exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm not joking. Zhang Tiandao had a child late in life, and I am his only daughter."
Zhang Xin told Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen scratched his head and said, "Zhang Tiandao seems to have been missing for over twenty years. Miss Zhang Xin, I'm not disbelieving you, but is he truly your father?"
"Yes, but my father didn't go missing. He was murdered."
Zhang Xin's face became somewhat sad.
"Who killed him?"
Ning Beichen hadn't considered this possibility, and it furrowed his brow.
Because he had heard from his master that Zhang Tiandao's cultivation had reached the Grandmaster level, and not a "half-step Grandmaster" with diluted power, but a true Grandmaster, even a Great Grandmaster.
In this world, who could be so powerful as to kill a Great Grandmaster?
Of course, Ning Beichen believed his master had the ability to defeat a Great Grandmaster. However, it was clear that his master had not killed Zhang Tiandao.
"This person is called Chen Qiao. He is my father's only disciple. In terms of seniority, he is my junior brother."
"This person is hypocritical and utterly despicable. My father trusted him so much, treating him like his own son. Yet, he repaid kindness with enmity, slowly poisoning my father's food with a chronic poison, gradually destroying my father's life force. By the time it was discovered, it was too late..."
At this point, Zhang Xin's expression was one of gritted teeth, as if she wanted to devour him.