Visitors from the Prefecture City: The Earth-Shattering Secret Behind the Map

Yuelai Inn, Celestial Grade private room.

The room was lit with expensive ambergris incense, and thick beast hide carpets covered the floor.

A slightly plump middle-aged man in a brocade robe sat by the window, sipping tea.

He was Qian Tong, the steward of the Flying Horse Merchant Association.

Across from him stood a tall, thin man wrapped entirely in black clothing, his aura cold and sinister like a venomous snake.

"Have you confirmed it?"

Qian Tong set down his teacup and asked unhurriedly.

"Confirmed."

The black-clad man's voice was hoarse. "That Lu Chen was originally just a dock laborer who rose suddenly half a year ago. First he mastered Iron Cloth Shirt, then he earned merit in the battle to destroy the Red Fish Gang."

"Half a month ago, he went into the water and killed the Water Ghost King. Word has it he used some kind of cold-attribute technique."

"Cold-attribute technique?"

Qian Tong's eyes lit up. "That fits."

He pulled a tattered piece of sheepskin from his bosom, marked with faint, blurry lines.

"The family head saw it in an ancient text—beneath the Angry River, there's suspected to be a relic of the 'Profound Nether Sect' from a thousand years ago."

"The Profound Nether Sect once dominated the world with its ice-cold techniques. That Lu Chen, a laborer with no background, suddenly wields a cold-attribute technique and can even slay a Meridian Connecting Realm demon..."

Qian Tong sneered. "If you told me he didn't get a legacy from under that water, even a ghost wouldn't believe it!"

"The steward is wise," the black-clad man flattered.

"This is a major merit."

Qian Tong stood and paced the room. "If I can bring that legacy back, the family head will reward me handsomely! Maybe even grant me an 'Obstacle Breaking Pill' to help me break through to the Meridian Connecting Realm!"

At that thought, Qian Tong's breathing quickened.

"That Lu Chen—what's his current strength?" Qian Tong asked.

"On the surface, he's at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm, just stepping into the Bone Refining Pass."

The black-clad man said dismissively, "Just a country bumpkin relying on brute force. Even if he got the legacy, what could he possibly master in just half a month?"

"Don't be careless."

Qian Tong waved a hand. "Killing the Water Ghost King means he has some skill. Besides, this is Black Water Gang territory. Taking it by force would stir up trouble."

"Then what does the steward suggest?"

"First, courtesy, then force."

Qian Tong's eyes gleamed with cunning. "Tomorrow I'll visit him and sound him out. If he's smart and hands over the goods, I'll give him a sum of money, maybe even take him to the prefectural city to develop."

"If he's not smart..."

Qian Tong made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Then make him disappear."

The black-clad man gave a sinister chuckle. "Understood. Shall I go give him a warning tonight?"

Qian Tong thought it over.

"Fine. Send someone clever to circle his courtyard. Don't kill anyone—just leave a mark. Let him know that once the Flying Horse Merchant Association has its eyes on someone, there's no escape."

"Yes!"

The black-clad man accepted the order and left.

Late at night.

Lu Chen's small courtyard was pitch black.

Wind rustled through the leaves with a soft whisper.

A shadowy figure vaulted over the courtyard wall like a ghost, landing without a sound.

This was a Death Warrior raised by the Flying Horse Merchant Association, skilled in stealth and assassination, with exceptional Lightness Skill.

He crouched low, swiftly crossed the front yard, and crept toward the main house in the back.

According to intelligence, that Lu Chen lived in the main house.

The Death Warrior's task was simple: leave a dagger and a note by Lu Chen's bedside, warning him to cooperate tomorrow.

He had done this countless times without ever failing.

In his eyes, dealing with a Junior Leader from some country gang was overkill.

The Death Warrior reached the window of the main house.

He pulled out a thin tube, ready to blow in some knockout smoke.

Just then.

He suddenly felt a chill.

This cold wasn't the chill of the night wind, but a bone-deep iciness that shot straight from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

It felt like being stared down by some terrifying beast.

The Death Warrior's every hair stood on end.

His assassin's instinct told him: danger was near.

Without a moment's hesitation, he pushed off the ground to leap backward.

"Since you're here, don't bother leaving."

A flat voice suddenly rang out beside his ear.

The Death Warrior's eyes flew wide in terror.

He found he couldn't move.

At some point, his feet had been frozen solid by a layer of black frost, stuck fast to the ground.

And from the darkness before him, a figure slowly emerged.

Lu Chen held the Hundred Refinements Steel Saber in his hand, its blade gleaming with a faint, cold light.

He looked at the terrified Death Warrior like a rat caught in a trap.

"Flying Horse Merchant Association?"

Lu Chen asked.

The Death Warrior clenched his teeth and said nothing.

He flipped his wrist, producing a poisoned dagger, and lunged at Lu Chen.

If he couldn't escape, he'd fight to the death!

Lu Chen shook his head.

"Too slow."

He casually reached out with his left hand and seized the Death Warrior's wrist.

[Profound Nether Cold Qi] activated.

Crack.

The Death Warrior's wrist instantly froze, then with a light squeeze from Lu Chen, shattered into icy shards.

"Ahhh--!"

A bloodcurdling scream tore from the Death Warrior, but the moment it left his throat, Lu Chen clamped his hand around his neck.

The cold spread up his neck, instantly sealing his vocal cords.

The scream cut off abruptly.

Lu Chen hoisted the Death Warrior, limp as a dead dog, and held him up to eye level.

"Go back and tell your master."

Lu Chen's voice was soft, but to the Death Warrior, it sounded like a verdict from the King of Hell.

"The waters in Nujiang County run deep. Be careful you don't drown."

With that, Lu Chen tightened his grip.

Crack.

The Death Warrior's neck snapped.

Lu Chen tossed the corpse aside.

He looked down at the body, his brow furrowing slightly.

It was only the first day, and they'd already sent someone to test him.

It seemed this Qian Tong was even more impatient than he'd imagined.

"Since you're all so eager to die..."

Lu Chen lifted his gaze toward the Yuelai Inn, no longer hiding the killing intent in his eyes.

"Then I'll grant your wish."

He turned and went back inside, retrieving the Beast Hide map he'd brought back from the Dragon Palace.

On the back of the map was a line of small text.

He'd discovered it while merging his cultivation technique.

Profound Nether Hand wasn't just a technique—it was a key.

A key to unlocking the true treasure vault of the Profound Nether Sect.

And that vault was located in the "Great Marsh Mountain Range," upstream of the Nu River.

"I was planning to lie low in the county town a while longer."

Lu Chen put away the map, muttering to himself.

"Looks like the plan needs to change."

"Before I leave, I'll clean out these flies first."