The gambling contest started off with great fanfare, but ended rather abruptly.
That evening, Luo Hui waited for the four branch leaders in the council hall of the Martial Prohibition Hall.
The four people in charge went to make arrangements first, since something had gone wrong in tonight's gambling match, and they definitely needed to find out the truth.
Half an hour later, Li Qianfan returned first. As soon as he entered the hall, he cupped his hands to Luo Hui and said, "My lord!"
Luo Hui nodded and pointed to the stool, "Sit down, let's talk after everyone arrives!"
Luo Hui returned with Yan Jin and Shang Tianhe. He didn't say anything and told them to take their seats first. Finally Liu Changfeng rushed back.
Seeing that everyone was present, Luo Hui spoke first, "Now that everyone is here, let's all speak!"
Li Qianfan from the Guard Division spoke first, "Sir, there haven't been any major changes among the men below."
Liu Changfeng from the Feng Department continued, "Sir, according to our scouts, neither Wang Jian nor He Lie have returned. They must have stayed after the battle."
Shang Tianhe of the Crane Division said resentfully, "Are the White Lotus Sect and the Wang Family going to openly join forces?"
Yan Jin from the Investigation Department had a different opinion. "Could it be that Wang Jian was coerced?"
Luo Hui looked at Yan Jin and said, "Tell me what you think?"
"If the Wang Family hadn't wanted to go to war with the White Lotus Sect in the first place, so many people wouldn't have died. Of the three families' duels with the White Lotus Sect, the Wang Family suffered the most casualties."
Liu Changfeng continued, "My lord, Xie Hen of the White Lotus Sect hasn't returned either."
"Oh? It seems Xie Hen is about to make a move! In that case, you continue to closely monitor the movements of the White Lotus Sect. Report any unusual activity to everyone. First, coordinate well with the Crane Division. Shang Tianhe, you can get moving. The main target is the White Lotus Sect. Gradually take control of this game and don't let it get out of hand."
"Yes, sir!" Liu Changfeng and Shang Tianhe both replied.
"Yan Jin, you continue to keep the Sun Moon Sect in check, but don't push too hard. You can relax a bit. Li Qianfan, you'll come with me."
"Yes, sir!" Yan Jin and Li Qianfan replied in unison.
"Alright, everyone go and get ready!" Luo Hui waved his hand and said.
That very night, several major events occurred, and by the next day, the news had spread throughout Wind City.
First, the Martial Prohibition Hall posted a notice stating that the White Lotus Sect Martial Prohibition Hall shut down in several locations and several responsible persons had been arrested for operating illegal businesses. After investigation, if the evidence is conclusive, they will be executed.
Secondly, the head of the Wang Family has changed. The only elder in the Wang Family with the strength of an eighth-rank expert is temporarily serving as the head of the family. As for Wang Jian, his whereabouts are unknown.
Thirdly, it is rumored that the Sun Moon Sect in Wind City are problematic and need to be re-discussed with the Martial Prohibition Hall before it can continue to preach.
Fourth, the Martial Prohibition Hall posted a notice stating that due to the increasingly rampant activities of the Deity Summoning Society in Feng County, the Martial Prohibition Hall has granted permission for small and medium-sized forces in Wind City to participate in the encirclement and capture.
The fifth one is the rumor that the Martial Prohibition Hall warned the Chen and Li families to pay back the taxes owed for the previous year.
The news immediately caused an uproar among the various factions in Wind City! It was a complete uproar! People were filled with mixed emotions of joy and sorrow!
At the White Lotus Sect's secret headquarters, Xie Hen looked at He Lie, Tang Yilun, and Mu Yunyuan with a serious expression. He said, "It seems the Martial Prohibition Hall is going to make the first move this time."
"Master, since Luo Hui wants to make a move, we're not going to sit idly by. Let's fight him," He Lie temper.
"Master Yin has given instructions to intensify our efforts in Yunzhou, so we cannot afford to lose our composure." The Sect Master Yin that Xie Hen mentioned is Yin Hong, the leader of the Yunzhou branch of the White Lotus Sect. All actions in Yunzhou are under his command.
"Master, did Master Yin say when to make a move?" Mu Yunyuan asked.
Xie Hen shook his head and said, "No, they just told us to be on standby at any time! Okay, let's not worry about that for now and deal with the current situation first."
"We'll settle accounts with Luo Hui later. If we really can't resolve this, Old Tang, you go and get him out!"
"Yes, Master!" Tang Yilun replied respectfully.
"If there's nothing else, everyone can head back now!"
"Yes!" the three replied and went out.
In the Chen Family's council hall, the Chen Family patriarch, Chen Tianyang, sat in the center, surrounded by a group of Lineage elders. Chen Tianyang spoke solemnly, "Luo Hui wants to launch a heavy attack on us. What do you all think we can do?"
The Grand Elder Hai looked at Chen Tianyang and said, "Patriarch, did the old patriarch say when he will emerge from seclusion?" The old patriarch of the Chen Family, Chen Han, was a peak ninth-rank martial artist who had been in seclusion in recent years, preparing to break through to the Grandmaster realm.
"My dad, his hometown didn't say anything. He just told me not to bother him if I'm not busy," Chen Tianyang said, shaking his head.
"Alas!" The Lineage elders sighed, their hearts filled with helplessness. The Chen Family was now caught between a rock and a hard place, struggling to survive.
The situation was quite different in the Li Family. Li Fei, the head of the Li Family, stood in the study, facing an elderly man with a youthful face and white hair, who was reclining in a recliner. He asked respectfully, "Father, what do you think we should do now?"
The old man with a youthful face and white hair was Li Yue, the former head of the Li Family and a peak ninth-rank martial artist. He said lazily, "Why do you care so much? Luo Hui asked you to pay money, so just pay it. Just remember, don't think about going against the imperial court now."
"Yes, then I'll go take care of it first," Li Fei replied with a bow.
Li Yue waved his hand and said nothing more. Li Fei turned and left the study.
Ni Kuang, the Sun Moon Sect's representative in Wind City, listened to his subordinate's report with a bewildered expression, completely baffled. What did that mean? Explain the doctrine? Was that something I could do? I'd better leave it to the higher-ups! He then put the matter out of his mind.
The Wang Family was filled with grief, as the Wang Family Lineage had indeed disappeared on his way back last night and his whereabouts were still unknown.
As for temporarily appointing the Grand Elder Hai as the head of the family, it was merely a stopgap measure to stabilize morale. Otherwise, those wolves lurking in the shadows would pounce and hunt them down.
After everyone left, the Grand Elder Hai went to the Lineage's ancestral land in the back garden. It's unknown who he was having a secret meeting with.
As for the smaller forces in Wind City, they were overjoyed to see the notice posted by the Martial Prohibition Hall. They could finally develop their forces openly and legitimately, without being controlled by the larger forces.
The timeline rewinds to the night the gambling match ended. Jiang Liu followed the crowd back to his residence, then put on a mask and hood, changed into night clothes, and flashed out of the courtyard. After determining a direction, he headed towards the South City.
Hiding in the shadows, they waited for a short while before seeing Wang Jian, the head of the Wang Family, walk over, followed by many elders of the Wang Family.
Jiang Liu released his mental pressure, enveloping the area. Instantly, Wang Jian felt himself plunged into darkness, and the other elders of the Wang Family collapsed to the ground. Jiang Liu quickly stepped forward, grabbed Wang Jian's neck, and Wang Jian immediately lost consciousness.
Jiang Liu grabbed Wang Jian and leaped into the air, then vanished in a flash.
Before long, several figures arrived, looking bewildered at the spot where Wang Jian had disappeared.