Although being tricked into temporary blindness annoyed Shitang Longsi, it didn't disrupt his mastery of the moves. While using his ability to protect his ears to prevent the opponent from repeating the trick, he released internal perception to locate Pei Jin and continuously attacked with impeccable defense, preventing Pei Jin from exploiting the opportunity to expand her advantage and inflict greater harm.

Once again, figures intermingled as the two flashed past each other and jumped out of the battle circle. Shitang Longsi's left leg quivered slightly with blood flowing down his pants leg. Despite his best defense, the woman still found an opportunity to slash his thigh. Fortunately, his timely block prevented the wound from reaching the bone.

Watching Pei Jin standing afar, eyeing him like a tiger, Shitang Longsi touched his ring, and a white porcelain bottle dropped into his hand. Biting off the cork, he drank most of the liquid himself, leaving the remaining to be poured entirely over his wounds.

White smoke, carrying a mesmerizing fragrant scent, rose from the wound. The pain and itchiness made the corners of Shitang Longsi's mouth twitch uncontrollably, as the wounds healed rapidly under the dual action of the potion and his internal source.

What a headache! After the battle with Jiang Donghu, he was already scarred and his vitality depleted. Now he has to fight a strengthened version 2.0 of Pei Jin. From the earlier long knife clash, it appears this troublesome woman has already copied his abilities. She's truly a pesky woman.

Thinking of this, he shook his long knife, turned his head, and shouted loudly: "Mr. Su, as a companion and leader of this operation, are you planning to stand by the whole time? I've already paid for this mission with four lives!"

"Mr. Shitang, that's quite a biased statement, isn't it? If not for me, what level are the people you brought? Can they defeat the investigation hall personnel! I think you're more aware of this than I am. I've already taken out four of their main forces with my ability. How can you say I'm standing by?" Su Xiang, hiding behind Shanhe, retorted with a sarcastic tone.

"Su Xiang! Mr. Su! This isn't the time to argue over who contributed more between us! We've already wasted too much time, and our teacher won't delay much longer for us! I believe you wouldn't want this mission to end in failure, right?" Hearing the sarcasm, Shitang Longsi's face turned red and then pale, gripping the handle of his knife more tightly. If given a choice, he'd rather cut down this thorn in his side, but now is not the time, so he can only bow to him.

"Of course! Cooperating sincerely with Mr. Shitang has always been my wish, and I've indeed done so, you can see for yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Shitang Longsi looked up doubtfully, only to see Pei Jin, who was previously vigorous, now like a frostbitten eggplant. Although she put on a facade of calmness, her slightly wavering body, and the anxiety revealed from her eyes all indicated her guilt at this moment.

"Pei Jin!" Seeing this, Jiang Donghu immediately knew that she suffered the same black-hand trick from Su Xiang as they did. He turned his head fiercely, looking at Su Xiang and shouted angrily: "Despicable!"

Su Xiang was indifferent to such accusations, even seemed somewhat proud. He stopped Zhi Rou who wanted to step forward to deal with Jiang Donghu and softly said: "Don't harm him, otherwise Miss Pei will be angry later."

"Boss, you've already subdued that woman, why care what she thinks! Just knock her out with a punch and carry her back!" Zhi Rou looked at Su Xiang puzzled, wondering since when their boss became softhearted towards beauties. Perhaps he's taken a fancy to that woman? Though she's good-looking, wouldn't this make it more necessary to deal with this nuisance called Jiang Donghu?

"Shut up, you don't understand a thing! Just watch closely! I said not to touch him without my orders!" Su Xiang sternly reprimanded, then continued watching Pei Jin closely, secretly hoping for her to exhibit the behavior he speculated.

Shitang Longsi watched Pei Jin suspiciously, for safety's sake, he dared not approach, put away his long knife, and summoned the longbow in his hand. Just as he was setting the bowstring, Su Xiang's annoying voice sounded again behind him.

"Mr. Shitang, don't forget the organization's request. They want Miss Pei alive. She's already controlled by my internal source; one shot from you won't kill her, but might cost her half her life. How will you explain to Mr. Mu then? Are you afraid of this woman?"

Upon hearing this, Shitang Longsi snorted through his nose. Despite his displeasure, he knew Su Xiang spoke truthfully. He had to retract his longbow and draw his long knife again, cautiously approaching Pei Jin, stopping at a place a knife's distance away, softly saying: "Miss Pei, you've lost the capital to resist. Put down your knife, and I can promise that no one in Divine Will would harm you. Continuing this will only end up with you getting hurt!"

Pei Jin raised her head, looking at Shitang Longsi with a complex expression, before sighing helplessly and casually inserting the long knife into the ground, raising her hands.

Seeing the opponent resigned, Shitang Longsi also breathed a sigh of relief, his thumb flicking the ring to take out a restraining ring, moving forward two steps intending to subdue her. But just as the restraining ring was about to encircle Pei Jin's hands, Shitang Longsi felt a hidden murderous aura erupt violently from her body.

He muttered a bad word and retreated continuously, just seeing Pei Jin's left hand, restored to its true appearance, covered again with scales, ferociously reaching for his chest. Moving forward, she drew the long knife beside her, the Power of Thunder infused within.

Shitang Longsi stopped caring about her life or death, the empowered long knife sweeping to slash Pei Jin's left claw. The blow missed as she withdrew her arm, her right hand drawing the lightning-embellished long knife, piercing straight up, stabbing through Shitang Longsi's scapula.

"Ah! Damn stupid woman!" In excruciating pain, Shitang Longsi kicked Pei Jin who reached him again, the long knife with copious blood pulled out as the woman flew backward.

Kicked and sent flying, Pei Jin stood slowly using the knife as a staff, wiped the blood from her mouth, and with a random motion peeled off the small paper figure stuck to her heel, mocking the distant Su Xiang with gestures: "Though I don't know where you got that thing, I'm sure it's not your own power, and such power is useless against me!"

"Oh, really! No, rather it should be! I understand now!" Listening to Pei Jin's mockery, Su Xiang wasn't angry, instead, an excitement blush rose on his face. What she said was right; the power that could momentarily imprison one's internal source wasn't something he could wield. His paper figure merely served as a guide. Now he completely understood! The words his master said before departure, she would come, she surely will! So that's what it meant!

"Woman, you're playing with fire!"

The nearly melodramatic declaration interrupted Su Xiang's thoughts as he looked up to see Shitang Longsi dragging the long knife, standing up from the ground, his figure constantly expanding, and boundless animosity emanating from within him.