268 Points, Part Two

At this very moment, on an island hundreds of nautical miles from Ci Tong Port.

In a stronghold belonging to the Jade Shop Association.

Zhou Xueming, the leader of the Jade Shop Association, sat in the main seat with a grim expression.

He was over fifty years old and only had Zhou Dongjun as his only son on the surface. But now, he is dead.

Click.

Zhou Xueming crushed the dragon head on the chair with his palm, scattering wooden fragments all over the floor.

Although he had other illegitimate children, Zhou Dongjun was undoubtedly the most outstanding and successful of all his offspring.

Whether in terms of behavior or talent and cultivation, he is considered above average among the younger generation at the same level.

Not to mention, Zhou Dongjun, at such a young age, was already fluent in three languages and could easily manage trade between the ports of three small countries.

"Can anyone tell me what exactly happened?! How did Dongjun die?!"

The news of his beloved son's death came from the Citong Yamen.

This is undoubtedly the biggest irony for the entire Jade Shop Association.

Because, in essence, Jade Shop Association's family started as pirates and never got along well with the Government Office.

Inside the hall, the members of the Jade Shop Association remained silent, none of them willing to step forward and risk trouble at this moment.

Within the entire association, apart from the Society Master, these collectors were the highest-ranking members.

Each Tibetan leader led their own fleet of ships and islands, forming a special force similar to a warlord.

Then they managed the lower-ranking pirates and civilians.

This is the fundamental structure of the Jade Shop Association.

The reason why the Society Master Zhou Xueming is the strongest is because he controls the most powerful fleet in the entire guild and also oversees a maritime trading market— Jade Shop Island.

Many things that are prohibited in other countries, such as smuggling and robbery, can be taught on Jade Shop Island.

This is the most important foundation of the entire Jade Shop Association.

Zhou Xueming was originally discussing the sale of stolen goods with the governor of a distant small country, but unexpectedly, a piece of heavy news immediately pulled him back from the distant Jade Shop Island.

A moment of silence fell over the hall.

"Society Master." A Tibetan leader finally spoke up. This man was fat, bald, and had a pair of rat-like eyes that shone brightly, giving him an air of shrewdness and ferocity.

This man, Zhao Sunyi, was the most loyal to Zhou Xueming among all the treasurers in the Jade Shop Association.

"At that time, Young Master Zhou Dongjun should have had a personal bodyguard by his side. We should ask that person about this matter immediately," Zhao Sunyi said.

"That person has already escaped," Zhou Xueming said coldly. That's how it is among pirates; it's a complete alliance of interests, so it's normal for them to escape.

"In that case, the Tibetan owner who was in charge of the ship at the time should explain the situation." Zhao Sunyi turned his gaze to another Tibetan owner, Kersha, who was standing to the side with his eyes closed and seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

Kersha had long, dark red hair and a beautiful face, but a black eyepatch over one eye and a diagonal scar on her nose completely ruined her appearance.

She was from the Xi Yi, the daughter of a fallen noble Noble. She secretly learned knightly martial arts and, after her Lineage was falsely accused, went to sea to join the pirates.

With her ruthlessness and formidable strength, she rose to the position of the head of the Tibetan monastery in just ten years.

Upon hearing Zhao Sunyi call her name, Kersha's purple eyes swept over and then fixed coldly on the other person's fat, smiling face.

"This matter involves the Great Ling Sect. I suggest we investigate the young master's death before making any further plans."

"Kersha, it was your ship that got into trouble. I demand an explanation!" Society Master Zhou Xueming leaned forward, his eyes like those of a sea eagle, exuding a strong sense of pressure.

"I have an explanation." Kersha said without changing her expression, glancing at the other collectors.

"After my deputy reported the incident to me that very night, I immediately investigated the entire situation."

The specific clues have been basically sorted out.

She cleared her throat.

"According to the investigation, half a month ago, a batch of precious medicinal materials ordered by the Aloeswood Palace disappeared en route. The ship, along with the medicine and the people, all vanished. There are rumors that we were responsible."

"Afterwards, a master from the Aloeswood Palace, a man who called himself Chen Han, went to meet with the young master."

At that time, the young master obtained a precious secret scroll called the Golden Ripple Treasure Scroll, which recorded a strange and unique martial art.

"Chen Han used his identity as a member of the Aloeswood Palace 'Great Dao Sect to establish a relationship with the young master, board the ship, and then, while the young master's attendant was temporarily away retrieving the treasure scroll, he apparently got into a dispute with the young master. Then, Chen Han suddenly made his move and kidnapped the young master."

"Afterwards, the young master's body was found in the Aloeswood Palace, and the investigation revealed that Chen Han had killed him himself."

In response, Chen Han claimed to be unaware of all the previous events, stating that he merely killed any enemies who dared to attack Aloeswood Palace.

All of this has now formed a simple chain.

After listening, Zhou Xueming regained his senses.

"So you mean that a batch of medicinal herbs from the Aloeswood Palace was looted, which angered Chen Han, so he went to investigate under another pretext, resulting in a conflict with Dongjun and the kidnapping of the people on the spot."

Later, Dongjun found a way to temporarily escape control, but died near the Aloeswood Palace while being pursued.

"That should be the case," Kersha nodded. "But there are many suspicious points in this matter. We should send someone to the Aloeswood Palace to confront them in person and exchange information in order to ascertain the truth."

"That makes sense. In that case," Zhou Xueming pondered for a moment, "Tie Sha."

"Exist!"

A man wearing a dark blue bodysuit and carrying a knife, who was standing next to him, stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

"Take some men and go to the Aloeswood Palace to see what their explanation is," Zhou Xueming said in a deep voice.

"Yes!" The man nodded emphatically.

"Society Master, what if they were the ones who did the killings? What should we do?" Zhao Sunyi suddenly interjected.

"If it's confirmed to be them," Zhou Xueming's eyes flashed with a hint of brutal killing intent, "Then let the Aloeswood Palace pay the price!"

It's just a local Dao Palace, and it's only been built recently. If it were a powerful sect like the Western Sect True One Sect, he might be a little afraid, but the Great Dao Sect believes in the principle of "a life for a life," so don't blame him for retaliating in kind.

No matter how strong one's martial arts are on land, how could they possibly be stronger than the Sea God? Moreover, the Western Sect has been trying to win him over because of their collection of Western Beauties, so even if they offend the Great Dao Sect, they have nothing to fear.

*** Sky Peak Cave Cliff.

Zhang Rongfang, Ding Luo, Mu Chunxiu found several sheltered spots on the cliff to rest and wait.

At daybreak, Ding Luo went to erect a monument to mark their parents and others.

Zhang Rongfang, meanwhile, pondered his ideas about acupoint striking martial arts alone.

At this time, the sun was shining brightly, and a mountain wind swept through, blowing away most of the clouds and mist.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious flute sound came from afar.

The sound of the flute was clear and pure, with a long and drawn-out breath, lasting for more than ten seconds before slowly fading away.

"Some kind of signal?"

Zhang Rongfang gazed in that direction from afar. He could vaguely see a dark dot rapidly approaching.

From the Ghost Mask Man, he learned that this was the Medicine Garden cultivated by the Sensing Gate itself, which meant that the Ghost Mask Man was definitely not the only one who knew about this place.

Therefore, this newcomer is very likely someone who also knows about the Sensing Gate of the Sky Peak Cave.

He watched intently as the other person rapidly approached.

Before long, the black dot rapidly enlarged, revealing itself to be an elderly man with white hair dressed in black, wearing a black hat Red Crystal Forehead Ornament.

The old man was robust with clear eyes. He carried a crescent-shaped iron shovel weighing several dozen kilograms in one hand and moved with incredible speed. In his other hand, he held an iron flute, which he had just put down from his mouth.

Zhang Rongfang saw it from afar, moved his feet, and quickly descended the cliff to meet the old man.

A short while later, he paused, stopped in a Woodland, and looked up ahead.

Similarly, the old man carrying the Crescent Moon Shovel stopped right in front of him and looked up in his direction.

"Who are you?" the old man asked in a deep voice.

He didn't recognize Zhang Rongfang at all, and the Black Tiger Daoist was supposed to come to his aid was nowhere to be seen, which made him suspicious.

"The Thousand Stone Sect's Spirit Vein?" Zhang Rongfang asked in return, his Dark Light Vision immediately activating as he carefully examined the other party.

"An ordinary martial artist?" The old man was taken aback, his expression immediately darkening. He seemed to have discerned Zhang Rongfang's identity through some means.

For Spirit Vein, even a grandmaster would find it easy to defeat an ordinary Spirit Vein artist, but killing one would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

So, having confirmed that the other party was just an ordinary martial artist, what did it matter how strong they were? He was too lazy to waste words.

His gaze immediately turned cold.

"Boy, let me ask you, have you ever seen a Daoist priest wearing a ghost mask and carrying a large black worm?"

"I've seen him," Zhang Rongfang replied. "I know where he is, but I don't want to say."

Tiny specks of Blood Spots flickered in his eyes as he scanned the other person.

"You brat!" The old man's eyes turned cold. "There are always some kids in this world who think they can look down on everyone just because they have a little talent."

He slammed the Crescent Moon Shovel into the ground with a thud, the heavy weapon crashing into the soil, causing the grass and turf to flip and scatter outwards.

"Then come and teach me a lesson." Zhang Rongfang spread his hands and smiled. "I've never been hit before in my life. I don't know what it feels like to be hit."

"By the way, you're also from the Thousand Stone Sect, right?" he suddenly asked.

"You know about my Thousand Stone Sect?" The old man's eyes sharpened even more.

The person in front of me likely knows why Black Tiger Daoist hasn't shown up yet.

He felt his hands starting to itch.

The main problem is that this kid is just too annoying.

"Come and hit me!" Zhang Rongfang said, spreading his arms wide. "I want to experience what it feels like to be hit. Come on, make me cry."

"You brat!" The old man's forehead veins throbbed. In all his years, this was the first time he had encountered such an infuriating guy.

"Very well, then so be it!" He gripped the Crescent Moon Shovel, and his blood and qi circulated rapidly throughout his body.

Bang! The dirt splashed up under his feet, and the old man sprinted forward, covering seven or eight meters in the blink of an eye.

The Crescent Moon Shovel in his hand transformed into a black dragon phantom, which fiercely descended upon Zhang Rongfang.

Swish! By a hair's breadth, Zhang Rongfang gently turned to the side, avoiding the attack.

Then raise your hand and extend your fingers.

Just a little! Pfft.

The old man's right arm, which was gripping the Crescent Moon Shovel, suddenly went numb, and he almost lost his grip on the weapon.

He was horrified, rushed forward several meters, and looked back at the other person.

"What kind of martial art is this!?"

"I'll tell you if you make me cry," Zhang Rongfang replied with a smile.

"You brat!!" The old man's blood and qi surged rapidly.

This was the first time he had felt the urge to kill someone since breaking through to the Super Grade Worship God.