An Innocent Man Is Guilty of Possessing a Treasure

Wu Tan City, Xiao Family. Late at night, a figure shrouded entirely in black robes moved like a phantom between the many buildings. Not a single one of the Xiao Family guards patrolling everywhere noticed that someone had already infiltrated the grounds!

The man seemed thoroughly familiar with the Xiao Family's internal layout. He moved with ease, heading steadily in one direction.

"Hmm, someone's coming!" The Black-Robed Man seemed to sense something. With a stomp of his foot, he leaped up and hid in the darkness at the corner of a small building.

"Hmph, if Xun Er hadn't protected him, I definitely would've crippled that trash Xiao Yan today! A piece of trash with only Three-Stage Dou Qi—his very existence disgraces our Xiao Family!" Before long, two youths approached from the path ahead. The young master in green at the front wore an angry expression, clearly in a foul mood.

"Exactly! I really don't know why Cousin Xun Er cares so much about that trash. If you ask me, that trash isn't even qualified to empty Cousin Xiao Ning's chamber pot. Cousin Xiao Ning is the most talented member of our Xiao Family. Only you are a worthy match for Cousin Xun Er!" The youth walking a step behind flattered the man in front of him, his face full of fawning servility. He truly looked somewhat like a lackey.

"Hmph, of course. One day, I'll make Xun Er understand that only I, Xiao Ning, am the husband fate has destined for her." The youth in green patted his chest proudly, greatly pleased by the man's flattery.

"Yes, yes, Cousin Xun Er will sooner or later become Cousin Xiao Ning's wife. But Cousin, judging by what happened today, Cousin Xun Er still cares deeply about Xiao Yan. It seems we'll have to take good care of Cousin Xiao Yan in the future, so Cousin Xun Er can clearly see just how talented Cousin Xiao Yan truly is!" The lackey placed heavy emphasis on the words "take care" and "talented."

"Mm, you're right. You trash Xiao Yan actually dare to covet Xun Er? Xun Er protected you today, but tomorrow I'll properly give you some guidance. Hmph, Xiao Ke, let's go!"

"Hehe, yes, Cousin Xiao Ning!"

Several minutes later, after confirming that the two had gone far away, the Black-Robed Man slowly emerged from the darkness at the corner of the building.

"Hehe, is this a toad lusting after swan meat? A piece of trash with such poor talent and character actually has his sights set on the Gu Clan's beloved daughter of heaven. It really proves that old saying: the ignorant know no fear!" A faint laugh came from beneath the black robe.

"Alright, I need to hurry. It won't be good if that Dou Emperor discovers me."

The Black-Robed Man once again leaped deeper into the Xiao Family Grounds. He encountered several more groups along the way, but avoided them all.

At last, the Black-Robed Man leaped into and stopped within a rather luxurious courtyard. "Hehe, the Marquis's first assigned task is about to be completed!" The Black-Robed Man gently pushed open the door of a building within the courtyard.

"Hmm? Who's there?" A burly man was lying in bed resting when he suddenly sensed someone entering. He looked up and immediately shouted.

No one answered the man's question. After a long while, the room remained silent. He could not help wondering whether he had misheard. After thinking it over, he got out of bed and walked toward the main room to investigate.

He had every right to be proud. The Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, a Five-Star Great Dou Shi—within Wu Tan City, no one could stand against him in a one-on-one fight.

"Looks like I really did hear wrong. Sigh, because of Yan'er's affairs lately, I've been so unsettled." After looking around carefully and finding nothing unusual, the burly man shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

Just then, the burly man turned around, intending to return to sleep, when a black shadow charged straight at him. "Ah!" He had no time to defend himself and took the Black-Robed Man's palm strike head-on, immediately flying backward and spraying a mouthful of blood.

"A... a Dou Spirit expert!" The burly man lay on the ground, saying in terror. Someone who could send him flying with one palm, with such immense force behind it—there was no mistake. This was definitely an expert at the Dou Spirit level or above.

"May I ask who you are, sir? What offense has Xiao Zhan committed that has led you to come here in the dead of night to take Xiao Zhan's life?" Xiao Zhan asked, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Hehe, an innocent man is guilty only because he possesses a treasure. Don't worry, I won't take your life, but I'll have to trouble you a little." The Black-Robed Man stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Zhan by the throat, forcing their eyes to meet. Xiao Zhan's originally dark eyes instantly turned red, and his gaze gradually became unfocused.

"You..." As he felt his consciousness slowly growing hazy, Xiao Zhan's terror intensified.

Bang! Releasing his grip on Xiao Zhan's neck, Xiao Zhan fell straight to the ground. He had fainted, his breathing somewhat rapid.

"My apologies. I'm merely following orders! And besides... I'm not some Dou Spirit." An apologetic voice came from beneath the black robe as he looked at Xiao Zhan's miserable state.

Summoning Technique! The Black-Robed Man took a small bottle from inside his robe, poured the red blood within onto his palm, then formed hand seals and pressed both hands against the ground.

Whoosh! A puff of white smoke rose, and a noble, imposing white horse with wings appeared before the Black-Robed Man.

"Pegasus, please deliver this to the Marquis." The Black-Robed Man handed a wooden box to the white horse.

"Mm!" Pegasus clamped the wooden box in its mouth and nodded at the Black-Robed Man before it. "Once I deliver this to Master, should I summon myself again to help you?" Pegasus asked the Black-Robed Man.

"Mm, no need. I'm enough on my own. Don't worry—if I can't win, escaping won't be a problem. Alright, I still need to clean things up. Go quickly."

"Mm! Alright, I'll be off, then." With another bang, a puff of white smoke passed, and Pegasus vanished into thin air.

"Hehe, it's done. Now it's time for me to meet that Gu Clan Dou Emperor!" The Black-Robed Man laughed boldly, pushed open the door, and strode outside.