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The Three Elders couldn't come up with a good plan.
Generally, mercenaries were mostly active in the Beast Mountain Range.
However, the Beast Mountain Range was vast, and if they had enough time, it might be feasible. But they only had seven days.
Trying to find that person by searching the entire Beast Mountain Range was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Moreover, the terrain of the Beast Mountain Range was complex. Even if they found him by chance, he could escape into the depths, hide in a secluded cave, and they would never find him.
Even if he died there, they couldn't claim credit in front of Master Han.
Not to mention, he was an Archer with Martial Master strength.
Most of the Xiao Family members were based in Wu Tan City, doing escort jobs. They were far less familiar with the Beast Mountain Range than mercenaries.
Engaging in a prolonged confrontation with a hidden Archer in unfamiliar terrain was not a wise choice.
Indeed, in the Martial Arts Continent, battles between people of lower strength often depended heavily on terrain and attack methods.
Those exaggerated showdowns rarely happened in Wu Tan City.
"We might as well kill all the one-eyed mercenaries inside and outside Wu Tan City!"
A ruthless glint flashed in the Second Elder's eyes.
"Foolish! If it were that simple, Master Han could just post a bounty in Wu Tan City. Why would it involve the Xiao Family?
If that mercenary hears the news, he'll immediately run to another city, and then what?"
The First Elder scolded the Second Elder harshly.
The Second Elder realized his mistake and gave a sheepish smile.
Xiao Zhan was also somewhat helpless. The Second Elder had a hot temper and was good at leading the charge, but coming up with ideas was beyond him.
The four of them deliberated but came up with nothing, so they decided to send someone to contact the mercenaries and try to gather some useful information.
Two days later, at night, in the Xiao Family hall.
"Zhang Kaitao, an Eighth Rank Martial Master, is suspected to have mastered a Mystic Rank Combat Technique of the archery type.
He boasts of his strength and never teams up with other mercenaries, always hunting alone in the Beast Mountain Range.
Once, he faced the attack of three Second Rank Beasts and, using his superior archery skills and the terrain of the Beast Mountain Range, killed them all.
It was during that battle that Zhang Kaitao lost an eye."
Xiao Zhan slowly read out the intelligence that had just been delivered.
"Just as expected, it's only basic information. There's no mention of his activity range or residence."
Xiao Zhan felt a headache coming on. This Fourth Rank Elixir was not easy to obtain.
The four of them deliberated all night but still couldn't come up with a solution.
Xiao Zhan left the hall, looking somewhat weary. Today, he planned to visit Xiao Yan.
Since the disappearance of his Martial Qi, the boy had not smiled.
Sigh.
Xiao Zhan sighed, this strange illness was truly harmful.
Xiao Zhan knocked on Xiao Yan's door.
"Father, why are you here?"
Xiao Yan opened the door, his expression somewhat downcast, but he perked up a bit when he saw Xiao Zhan.
"Nothing much, just came to see you."
Xiao Zhan forced a smile on his weary face and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Yan'er, don't worry too much. Your talent might return one day."
Xiao Yan smiled bitterly. He knew Xiao Zhan was trying to comfort and encourage him.
Xiao Yan felt a bit moved. During his time as a waste, only a few people like Xiao Zhan, Master Han, and Xun'er still encouraged him.
A few days ago, he had received letters from his two brothers, clearly sent by Xiao Zhan.
"Father, has something happened in the family recently?"
Xiao Yan changed the subject. He had noticed that the family's manpower had been mobilized significantly over the past two days.
Xiao Zhan was tired and sat down in a chair.
Although this matter needed to be kept secret, those involved in the family knew about it. Since Yan'er had been staying in the family, telling him wouldn't hurt.
Xiao Yan poured a cup of tea for Xiao Zhan, noticing his fatigue.
Xiao Zhan took the cup, drank it in one gulp, and put it down.
"Two days ago, Master Han entrusted the Xiao Family and the Jiali Family with a task."
Xiao Zhan said slowly.
Xiao Yan nodded.
Although he had been staying in the family, he was still aware of some major events outside.
The Oba Family had been wiped out, the Jiali Family had defected and pledged allegiance to Master Han, and so on.
"Master Han wants us to kill someone, but we have no leads after two days."
Xiao Zhan told Xiao Yan about their difficulties.
Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with thought.
This was indeed a tough task. Although Master Han had provided detailed information and they had thoroughly investigated Zhang Kaitao, they couldn't find his exact location, which was a significant challenge.
Not only that, but even if they found him, they would need to strike with overwhelming force. If they failed to kill him in one blow and he escaped to another place, it would be difficult to deal with.
Seven days was not enough time for a pursuit.
Since this was a task entrusted by Master Han, Xiao Yan naturally took it seriously. Master Han's kindness to him was significant.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Xun'er's courtyard.
"Elder Ling, have you found out?"
Xiao Xun'er sat in a chair, her delicate hand supporting her small head, a worried look on her face, as she asked Ling Ying, who stood beside her.
"Miss, I have found out. Two days ago, that Fourth Rank Alchemist entrusted the Xiao Family and the Jiali Family to kill someone."
"Oh."
Xiao Xun'er's interest was piqued.
"Tell me more."
Ling Ying nodded and continued.
"His name is Zhang Kaitao, and he seems to have offended Han Li. He offered a Fourth Rank Elixir as payment, entrusting the Xiao Family and the Jiali Family to take his life.
As for how he offended Han Li, we haven't found out."
Xiao Xun'er's brows furrowed in thought.
"Miss, should we help the Xiao Family?"
"No, we shouldn't reveal our identities. Han Li is not an ordinary person.
He can refine the Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill, which means he is not far from the Fifth Rank Alchemist realm.
We don't know if he lacks the lineage, alchemy experience, or Soul Power.
If he already possesses the Soul Power of a Fifth Rank Alchemist, even if you personally intervene, he might detect something."
Xiao Xun'er shook her head, not intending to get involved.
With Ling Ying's strength and the special nature of the Dark attribute, a Fifth Rank Alchemist would not detect anything unusual if she didn't act.
However, if she did act, Martial Qi fluctuations would be inevitable, and a Fifth Rank Alchemist's Soul Power could likely detect something amiss.
In Xiao Xun'er's view, since Han Li had entrusted the Xiao Family and the Jiali Family to find Zhang Kaitao, he might also act personally.
If Elder Ling found him and acted, and Han Li, based on his own information, was nearby, he might detect Elder Ling's Martial Qi fluctuations.
Although the possibility was small, Xiao Xun'er was not willing to take the risk.
She had come to the Xiao Family for a very important matter...
Exposing herself would not be worth it.
As for why, in the original story, when Xiao Yan went to the Yunlam Sect, Xiao Xun'er didn't consider these things, It was because Xiao Yan was more important to her than that matter.
(End of Chapter)