Shangguan Liuyun's Decision

Below Feng Hui Mountain, Huang Lingyan stared at the dark, hulking mountain, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

He had rushed over immediately after learning about Feng Hui Mountain from that person.

Upon seeing the dark, imposing mountain, he knew he had been tricked.

He thought it would be an easy way to control the Shangguan Family, but the Shangguan Family's hostage was taken right under his nose while he happily escorted them!

"Damn it! Who is it!?"

A chilling aura erupted from him, sweeping across the surroundings. Wherever it passed, the ground and trees became covered in a layer of frost.

Suddenly, he remembered what the man in black had said: kill everyone and then set the mountain ablaze... these methods were identical to what the man in black had described about Li Huo.

Furthermore, whether it was Black Cloud Stronghold or Feng Hui Mountain, the number of bandits and brigands on the mountain was astonishing.

This person had, without hesitation, slaughtered everyone on the mountain. This bloodthirsty method reminded him of someone else.

Wan Sanhuo!

That madman who dared to kill all pursuers to protect Shangguan Xiyun.

Li Huo... Wan Sanhuo...

Could these two be the same person?

No, that couldn't be right. Wan Sanhuo was only at the First Level of Qi Condensation, how could he kill Wang Dingtian?

Then perhaps they were part of the same organization?

Conflicting thoughts intertwined in Huang Lingyan's mind, leaving him utterly bewildered.

But one thing Huang Lingyan was certain of: this matter was inextricably linked to the Shangguan Family.

But what should he do now?

Shangguan Xiyun had been rescued. If the Shangguan Family found out about this, they would undoubtedly stop their merchant caravans from coming to Dongjiang City without hesitation. And he hadn't even secured his own merchants yet.

If the supplies from the other side ran out and he couldn't secure a new supply line, the anger of the city's populace would be unbearable.

For a moment, Huang Lingyan found himself in a difficult position, unable to think of a good solution.

After much deliberation, Huang Lingyan summoned Liu He. After a discussion, they decided to wait and see if the Shangguan Family made any moves before making a decision.

In Shangguan Feiyun's room, Shangguan Liuyun was using his cultivation to help detoxify him.

The martial arts the two brothers practiced were from the same lineage, so their movements flowed naturally. At this moment, Shangguan Liuyun was fully focused on extracting the poison, and the effect was extraordinary.

"Pfft!"

Spitting out a mouthful of poisoned blood, Shangguan Feiyun immediately woke up groggily.

"Huh? Why am I awake? Did the plan succeed?"

Turning to see Shangguan Liuyun, Shangguan Feiyun's brow furrowed. "Big brother, are you injured? Was it that old geezer Huang Lingyan?"

Shangguan Liuyun waved his hand. "It's nothing, the plan isn't over yet."

"The plan isn't over? Then why am I awake?"

Because his own people had tipped him off, Shangguan Feiyun naturally knew about the plot to poison him. After some discussion, the two had decided to turn the tables on their enemies.

Due to the shared lineage of the Flower Cultivation and Leaf Nurturing Art, Shangguan Feiyun could have his poison removed at any time. However, to lull Huang Lingyan into a false sense of security, it was better not to remove it.

But now, the situation had changed!

"Huang Lingyan's realm has broken through. I can't suppress him anymore."

"What?!"

Hearing this, Shangguan Feiyun's expression changed drastically.

Throughout history, the common folk did not contend with officials. The reason the Shangguan Family dared to oppose Huang Lingyan was primarily because, in their previous encounters, Shangguan Liuyun had always managed to subtly suppress him.

But now that Shangguan Liuyun was being suppressed, the problem was immense.

"Big brother, what are you going to do?"

"The main reason Huang Lingyan hasn't made a move against us yet is that they haven't found merchants to support Dongjiang City."

"As soon as he finds suitable merchants, the Shangguan Family will be in grave danger."

"Fortunately, little sister has already been taken away by Wan Sanhuo, so her safety is not a concern. Now it's your turn..."

"Me? Big brother, don't worry, I definitely..."

Bang!

Before Shangguan Feiyun could finish speaking, a heavy palm strike landed on his abdomen.

His dantian was struck, and Shangguan Feiyun looked at Shangguan Liuyun with disbelief, not understanding why his elder brother had done this.

Quickly catching the injured Shangguan Feiyun, Shangguan Liuyun called for a servant and handed him a letter.

Not long after, carrier pigeons began flying into the sky from around the Shangguan mansion.

The next morning, some unusual activity occurred in Dongjiang City.

Many shops were loading their goods early in the morning, and numerous carts carrying merchandise were leaving Dongjiang City.

This matter was quickly reported to the City Lord's Mansion. Upon hearing the news, Huang Lingyan's eyes immediately widened in fury.

The Shangguan Family has made their move!

"Quick! Send people to search the Shangguan Family's shops! The rest of you, follow me, and bring back the merchant caravan that left!"

Soon, the city's officers surrounded all the Shangguan Family's shops. However, after searching, they found that only a small portion of the goods remained in the stores.

The goods that should have been stored in the warehouses had already been moved away.

On the other side, Huang Lingyan led his team in pursuit of the departing merchant caravan, only to discover that these individuals were not only moving at a considerable speed but had also split up.

Huang Lingyan's team also split up, and they quickly caught up to one of the merchant caravans.

However, as they approached, the driver, certain that escape was impossible, resolutely pulled out a fire starter and threw it into the cargo hold.

Then, fire erupted, engulfing the carriage in an instant!

These people would rather burn their goods than hand them over!

By the time they arrived, the entire cart of goods was already consumed by flames, beyond saving. The driver had already taken a potent poison, and was on his last breath.

"Damn it!"

A roar erupted, and the swirling Frost True Qi instantly froze the flames, covering the ground in layers of frost.

"Let's go! We're going to the Shangguan Family!"

Without any hesitation, Huang Lingyan led his team back to the city, heading straight for the Shangguan Family.

Since the caravan here was in this state, the other caravans were likely in a similar situation.

Even if some were afraid of death, they wouldn't be able to bring back much.

What he could do now was to directly apprehend the Shangguan Family, pin all the blame on them, and force them to reveal how to contact their associated merchants.

Upon arriving outside the Shangguan Family's residence, Huang Lingyan unleashed his Half-step Energy Gathering Realm aura without reservation: "Shangguan Liuyun, you disregard the lives of the people in this city, your crime is heinous! Surrender quickly, or don't blame this City Lord for showing no mercy!"

However, there was not the slightest response from the vast Shangguan Family compound.

Sensing that something was wrong, Huang Lingyan took the lead and charged into the Shangguan Family's residence.

Yet, in the entire Shangguan Family compound, not a single person, not even a living creature, could be seen!

"Damn it, where did they go?"

Huang Lingyan's expression changed drastically. He had intended to capture the Shangguan Family, take advantage of Shangguan Xiyun's beauty, seize their family fortune, and most importantly, their trade routes.

But now, Shangguan Xiyun was nowhere to be found, the trade routes remained undiscovered, and even Shangguan Liuyun and his brother were gone...

"Damn it! Find them!"

"Even if you have to turn all of Dongjiang City upside down, you will find the people of the Shangguan Family!"

Huang Lingyan was furious, and an icy chill instantly permeated the entire Shangguan Family compound.

After his subordinates left, Liu He arrived in a hurry.

"Liu He!"

Huang Lingyan grabbed Liu He by the throat and lifted him up: "I told you to swap Shangguan Xiyun, and you didn't even know when the Fierce Wind Bandits changed people!"

"Now I told you to keep an eye on the Shangguan Family, and you've caused this mess again. Tell me, what use are you to me?!"

Feeling the increasing pressure on his throat, Liu He's spine chilled, and he quickly said, "My Lord City Lord, we have people all around the Shangguan Family, it's impossible for anyone to have left... There must be a secret tunnel within the Shangguan Family!"

"Then hurry up and find it!"

"I'm telling you, if you can't find it, I'll freeze you into an ice sculpture!"