Elm Blossoms!

"Lord... Lord, can you untie us first?"

The young man in brocade robes from before spoke softly and timidly.

The impression left by the group of killing gods before him was too profound, and coupled with their Heavenly Realm Division identity, the young man dared not show the slightest disrespect.

"Zhu Huan."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Huan gave his nearby bailiffs a look.

"Thank you, my Lord."

The bound individuals were freed and all bowed towards Wei Qing and the others in thanks.

Wei Qing looked at the injured bailiffs before him and asked, "Zhu Huan, what were the casualties in this operation?"

Zhu Huan replied with a heavy tone, "My Lord, six have died in service, and eleven are injured."

Wei Qing immediately ordered, "Send people to escort the civilians back to the city."

"Also, bring the injured back with them. The yamen will pay for their full medical treatment, and each person will be rewarded with ten taels of silver."

"For the brothers who died in service, their families will receive three hundred taels as a resettlement fee. Inform their families that if they face any difficulties in the future, they can directly seek help from the yamen."

"Yes, your subordinate thanks you on behalf of my brothers, my Lord." Zhu Huan cupped his fists and responded solemnly.

"Thank you, my Lord."

The injured bailiffs were extremely excited. In the past, such operations came with no rewards at all.

Ten taels of silver was equivalent to two and a half months of their salary.

And the three hundred taels resettlement fee, it had increased the previous compensation standard by a full six times.

For a moment.

A wave of emotion surged through everyone.

They truly wished Wei Qing could stay in Qingcheng forever as the county magistrate.

Such a generous superior.

They liked him very much.

Then, Wei Qing instructed again, "Captain Zhu, you must personally handle this matter."

"The compensation and resettlement fees must be delivered to the individuals or their families without any deductions."

"If anyone dares to skim off the top..."

"No need to ask for instructions, kill them without mercy!"

As the word "kill" landed, everyone was shocked by the aura of killing intent that Wei Qing exuded.

They understood in their hearts.

If any fool dared to lay a hand on it, Wei Qing would absolutely unleash a bloodbath!

"Yes, your subordinate will not disappoint you, my Lord."

Zhu Huan nodded solemnly.

From this moment on, beyond the constraints of countless Master-Servant Contracts, he had truly acknowledged Wei Qing as his master from the bottom of his heart.

"Thank you, Lord Wei."

Upon hearing this, the bailiffs present had tears welling up in their eyes.

In the past, whenever such matters occurred, after layers of exploitation, only scattered bits of silver would reach their hands.

Some had even dared to demand an explanation, only to be immediately charged with "disrupting official business."

Even the safety of their families was not guaranteed.

Wei Qing's words were like a reassurance, freeing them from future worries.

Tantai Yue and the others also looked at Wei Qing with a subtle change in their gaze.

In the past, such matters were handled by the local government.

They had heard whispers of some shady dealings, but the Heavenly Realm Division had no authority to interfere in local administrative affairs.

Now that Wei Qing was acting county magistrate, his handling of the situation was legitimate.

No one could say anything.

"Qingzi, you're the best!"

Jun Wushang gave a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration. He found that since Wei Qing had "come back from the dead," he had become more and more to his liking.

Decisive in action, seasoned in handling affairs.

No longer indecisive like before.

He was happy to see Wei Qing's transformation.

"You talk too much. What, doesn't your arm hurt anymore?"

From an angle no one could see, Wei Qing nudged Jun Wushang, his eyes quickly glancing at Zhang Xue.

"Ouch... you crow's mouth, it actually hurts when you say it."

After the recent rescue, Jun Wushang's feelings towards the feisty Zhang Xue had also subtly changed.

Seeing Wei Qing's obvious hint, he suddenly intensified the "pain" in his arm and couldn't help but cry out.

"Xue'er, go take care of Wushang. He got injured saving you, after all," Shen Yan instructed Zhang Xue.

"Okay," a hint of joy flashed in Zhang Xue's eyes, but she quickly hid it. With a displeased look, she stepped forward. "Hmph, if Mother hadn't asked, I wouldn't bother taking care of you."

"Thank you, Xue'er," Jun Wushang said with a simple smile. Behind his back, he gave Wei Qing a big thumbs-up.

Wei Qing smiled calmly.

Zhang Zhidong glared at his precious daughter for going to take care of Jun Wushang.

As if he hadn't seen it, the latter bared his teeth and hissed in feigned pain.

The crowd burned the bodies of the Yan family members and Cheng Hao to ashes.

Then, they followed Wei Qing out of the City God Temple and began their journey back along the path they came.

Swish...

After confirming Wei Qing and the others had left, Zhou Kai's figure appeared in the City God Temple.

"This kid, he's hiding even deeper than his old man."

"His combat power just now was definitely comparable to a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist. A Seventh-Rank Martial Artist who has comprehended an profound meaning... not to mention the Heavenly Realm Division, you wouldn't find anyone in the entire Great Zhou whose talent could rival his."

When Tao Kun appeared earlier, he had been ready to help.

But he noticed that Wei Qing's face showed no panic or fear!

For a moment, his curiosity was piqued.

He wanted to see why Wei Qing was so confident, perhaps there would be an unexpected surprise!

What followed was more than a surprise; it was a shock.

No one would have imagined that a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist could comprehend a profound meaning!

Even more so, in the subsequent battle, he severed the arm of a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist with a single blow, directly causing the Fifth-Rank Martial Artist to flee in disarray.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it even if he were beaten to death.

"Wei Yuan, you've raised a good son."

"Once this kid returns to the Heavenly Realm Division, things will get lively there."

"From now on, with his strength surpassing mine, there's no need for me to supervise him anymore."

"Oh right, this kid seems to be single. If he meets that person..."

His voice still lingered in the air, but the person had already melted into the night, disappearing.

Ten miles outside Qingcheng, in the mass grave.

Tao Kun emerged from behind a large tree, cautiously looking around. Seeing no one, he let out a quiet sigh.

Clutching his still-bleeding wound, he looked in the direction of the City God Temple. "Damn brat, next time we meet, I'll get revenge for this severed arm."

Today, if he hadn't been cautious.

And carried the Teleportation Talisman with him, he might have ended up buried in the City God Temple like Cheng Hao.

Thinking of Cheng Hao, he felt another wave of headache.

As the personal disciple of Elder Chen Hai of the sect, he had been warned before leaving the sect to protect Cheng Hao at all costs.

In case of an emergency, Cheng Hao's safety was the top priority.

In the end, he was alive, and Cheng Hao was dead.

If he returned to the sect like this, he would surely face Chen Hai's immense wrath and punishment.

Just as he was racking his brain for a solution, a flash of inspiration struck him: "That's right, how could I forget about this? You little brat, now let's see if you don't die, hehe..."

With that, his figure flickered, and he vanished into the night.