Dominate Changqing County

Obviously, Qin Ming was fully aware of what Song Kai was thinking.

Even if this entire situation hadn't been planned between him and the County Magistrate, he still wouldn't have agreed. And now, hearing these words, Song Kai's eyes brimmed with killing intent as he stared coldly at the other man.

Suddenly, he waved his hand and said in a low voice, "Since that's the case, then go die!"

"Brothers, kill them all. From now on, Changqing County belongs to our Ten Thousand Blades Sect."

"Kill!"

"Charge!"

At Song Kai's command, the two sides clashed once more.

He had originally held some fear of Wolong Valley and wanted to resolve things another way, but since the other party was ungrateful, he couldn't be blamed. Although this might lead to more casualties, as long as he lived, the Ten Thousand Blades Sect would endure. If he killed Qin Ming and the others here, Changqing County would be completely his, allowing him to forge an even stronger Ten Thousand Blades Sect.

At that moment, Bai Ze, hiding on the rooftop, glanced down expressionlessly and prepared to slip away.

Now that the Black Tiger Gang had fallen and the brothers Black Panther and Scarred Leopard were dead, his identity could not be exposed any further. So instead of returning to his previous residence, he headed straight to a place no one else knew about. After all, a cunning rabbit has three burrows—Bai Ze had prepared for this long ago.

Just then, the County Magistrate unexpectedly led dozens or even a hundred people into the main hall.

Seeing this, Bai Ze's eyes narrowed slightly, and he muttered to himself, "Just as I thought."

"I had a feeling there was a hidden hand pulling the strings all along. I never imagined it was the County Magistrate."

"No wonder the Ten Thousand Blades Sect showed up here—he must have told them where to go."

"His goal was to make the Black Tiger Gang and the Ten Thousand Blades Sect fight each other, so he could reap the benefits. But what does the County Magistrate rely on?"

"Even if Song Kai is injured and Qin Ming has broken through to the Blood Changing Realm, they might not be his match."

Combining his thoughts with what he saw, Bai Ze had pieced together the entire scheme.

While he was pondering, Song Kai forcefully pushed Qin Ming back and spotted the County Magistrate arriving with his men.

In disbelief, he said, "County Magistrate, why are you here? Where's my son?"

"Haha, I'm alive. Can't you guess what happened to your son?"

"Ah!!!"

"I'll kill you!"

Song Kai had already figured it out, but he asked anyway because he couldn't quite believe it. He had sent his son Song Nanjun to assassinate the County Magistrate, yet the man was standing here alive—meaning the assassination had failed and his son had been killed in return.

His eyes bloodshot and veins bulging, Song Kai ignored everything else and roared as he charged recklessly forward, determined to avenge his son. After losing his second son, Song Nanjun was his only remaining heir. Now that he was dead too, how could Song Kai not fly into a rage?

Seeing this, the County Magistrate showed no fear or worry.

Instead, his smile faded, replaced by a cold, merciless expression. He drew the soft sword from his waist and stepped forward to meet the attack, with Qin Ming doing the same. After all, they had been waiting for this moment. Now that the County Magistrate had arrived, Song Kai's death was sealed.

As the three clashed, not only Song Kai but even Bai Ze, hiding not far away, was stunned.

He murmured to himself, "So that's it. No wonder the County Magistrate devised such a plan—he was absolutely confident in his own strength."

"He fooled everyone into thinking he was a powerless ordinary man. Who would have guessed he was a Blood Changing Realm martial artist?"

"Although Song Kai is powerful, facing two Blood Changing Realm experts at once, he'll likely die."

After understanding the full story, Bai Ze stopped paying attention to the battle below and slipped away.

After all, no matter who won or lost, it wouldn't affect him much. Besides, the longer he stayed hidden here, the greater the chance of being discovered. If an investigation later pointed to him having searched the Black Tiger Gang's residence, even if they weren't sure, suspicion alone would be enough for these people.

So Bai Ze planned to change his appearance and go into hiding for a while, letting everyone believe he had died in this battle. Then he would focus on cultivating as quickly as possible, break through to the Blood Changing Realm, and finally have the confidence to leave Changqing County for Pingfeng City.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Bai Ze had now disguised himself as a middle-aged man and went to the Treasure Pavilion to buy Body Tempering Pills—the only place that sold them. Just as he finished his purchase and was about to leave, a group of Yamen runners rushed past on the street.

He overheard a few people nearby whispering and paused, casually moving closer to catch some news.

"Have you heard? The Black Tiger Gang and the Ten Thousand Blades Sect have both been wiped out—and by the county government, no less."

"Who would've thought? Two major powers that ruled for decades, gone just like that."

"I heard they were looking for someone, something to do with an Innate Cultivation Method."

"Brother, you're overthinking it. That's an Innate Cultivation Method we're talking about!"

"What do you mean I'm overthinking it! My third aunt's uncle's second son's cousin told me—there really is an Innate Cultivation Method, just no one knows who took it."

At this moment, Bai Ze's heart tightened upon hearing their discussion, and he grew even more cautious.

But precisely because of this, the less he could afford to show his face.

After all, when everyone else is dead and you're still alive, doesn't that make you highly suspicious?

With that thought, Bai Ze didn't linger. He quickly returned to his current dwelling.

After carefully checking his surroundings, he walked straight in and firmly shut the door.

He scanned the courtyard for any signs of other visitors, then finally relaxed and sat down on a stone stool, his longsword never leaving his hand.

He thought to himself: "As expected, whether it was Black Panther, Old Gang Leader Black Tiger, or even the Ten Thousand Blades Sect—in the end, they all became the county government's pawns."

"They thought they were well-prepared, but never imagined the other side was hiding even deeper."

"Especially that County Magistrate, that old fox. He's been in office for seven or eight years, and no one ever discovered his true strength."

Thinking this, Bai Ze couldn't help but sigh—what a thorough schemer!

But for him, it made no difference. The life or death of Black Panther and the others had nothing to do with him.

Once he broke through to the Blood Changing Realm in a while and gained enough strength, he would leave Changqing County and head toward Pingfeng City.

After all, with the system's help, he was bound to reach the peak of martial arts—there was no way he'd stay stuck here forever.