County Lieutenant Zheng Yuntao

The commotion outside the inn caught the manager's attention, and he hurried out with several burly assistants.

He saw a middle-aged man in purple robes approaching menacingly, surrounded by a group of sturdy men in fitted fighting clothes.

At the sight of the purple-robed middle-aged man, the manager froze. Then his stern expression immediately turned welcoming. "Why, if it isn't the Zhao Family Head! What a rare honor. Would you like something to—"

"Scram."

The purple-robed middle-aged man shot him an impatient glare. The manager wisely stepped aside. This was not someone he could afford to offend.

The purple-robed middle-aged man strode into the inn, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

"Good neighbors, there's no need to panic. I just received word that my son was murdered, and his killer is hiding in this inn. Please do me the courtesy of clearing the premises. The Zhao Family will cover all your expenses today."

The purple-robed middle-aged man cupped his hands with a smile, though there was something distinctly chilling about it.

The news stunned everyone present.

They had never imagined that the Zhao Family's young master, who had always bullied others and swaggered about with impunity, would actually be killed.

What brave soul had dared to do such a thing?

Curious as they were, the inn was clearly no place to linger.

The guests hurried out of the inn.

Only two figures, one tall and one small, remained motionless by a second-floor window, standing out like a sore thumb.

"Look carefully. Was it them?"

The middle-aged man grabbed a shifty-looking man beside him and demanded an answer.

The man rubbed his eyes. Once he was certain he had the right people, he pointed at Li Xinge and his companion. "That's right, Master Zhao. I saw these two kill the young master with my own eyes."

The middle-aged man waved his hand. Behind him, over a dozen burly men drew their sabers and surged upstairs, radiating murderous intent.

They surrounded Li Xinge and his companion.

Little Carefree was terrified. Instinctively, she tried to hide behind Li Xinge.

But then, as though remembering something, she gritted her teeth and stepped in front of him instead.

Li Xinge put down his chopsticks and regarded the purple-robed middle-aged man with interest. "You're Zhao Tiancheng?"

Zhao Tiancheng raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Boy, you know me?"

Li Xinge smiled faintly. "Before your son died, he said you wouldn't let me off. I've been waiting here for you for quite a while. I just didn't expect you to take so long."

Zhao Tiancheng laughed in fury. "Good, good, good. It's been a long time since I've met a young man as arrogant as you. Tell me, how do you want to die?"

Li Xinge raised an eyebrow. "You? I doubt you could kill me."

The contempt in Li Xinge's words thoroughly enraged Zhao Tiancheng.

Just as he was about to erupt—

"Old Zhao, this is the Welcoming Guests Inn, not somewhere for you to fight and kill."

An authoritative voice rang out from a private room.

Zhao Tiancheng's expression changed at the sound. He shot Li Xinge a vicious look and left him with a threat. "I'll deal with you later."

Then he hurried toward the private room.

He forced a smile onto his aging face and spoke in a slightly fawning tone. "County Lieutenant, I didn't realize you were dining here too. How thoughtless of me. There was a reason for this, but I've disturbed your enjoyment. Please forgive me."

He could not afford to offend this county lieutenant. Rumor had it that he was a direct descendant of the Dongjiang Zheng Clan, one of the county's great clans.

A cold snort came from inside the private room.

Then the door opened, and a middle-aged man in blue-green official robes stepped out.

"What is this about?"

The county lieutenant looked displeased.

"Please forgive me, County Lieutenant. My son was murdered. In my grief and anger, I lost my reason and disturbed you."

The county lieutenant looked surprised. "Someone in Qinghua Town dared to kill the son of a local snake like you?"

"Just an outsider with more guts than sense."

Zhao Tiancheng ground his teeth.

"I see."

Suddenly.

The county lieutenant caught sight of the corner by the window, and his brows drew together.

The figure in white robes seemed familiar, as though he had seen him somewhere before.

All at once, he remembered who the white-robed figure resembled—a personage of great importance he had once met.

Could it be him?

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Why would someone of his standing be here alone? My eyes must be playing tricks on me.

"Well, since this is about avenging your son, go ahead and settle your blood debt and your grievances."

The county lieutenant waved a hand with a smile.

Zhao Tiancheng grinned. "Thank you, sir. Once I've avenged my son, I'll return to beg your forgiveness."

"Don't worry about it."

Zhao Tiancheng turned around, his expression instantly becoming vicious.

He swept a hand forward and barked coldly, "Get him! Chop that brat into mincemeat!"

The dozen or so men drew their sabers together and rushed forward.

Li Xinge's expression never changed. He leisurely picked up a handful of chopsticks from the table, then hurled them.

Whoosh!

Over a dozen men fell, each dropping without a sound. A chopstick protruded from the center of every forehead, each killing its target in a single strike.

It all happened far too suddenly.

Before Zhao Tiancheng could react, every last one of his men was dead.

"H-how is that possible?"

His subordinates had all been elite fighters.

Even a body realm cultivator would have had to give ground against their combined assault, yet this young man had killed them with a casual flick of his hand.

Not being entirely stupid, he immediately realized he had kicked a steel plate.

The young man's utter confidence could only mean he was no ordinary person.

This is all my fault. I let hatred blind me.

What does a son matter?

I'm still in my prime. If I lose a son, I can have another.

But if I die, I really will lose everything.

"Could you spare me? I won't seek revenge anymore."

Zhao Tiancheng spoke with a desperate hope of escaping.

Li Xinge paused, then understood. His face filled with mockery. "What do you think?"

Zhao Tiancheng's expression changed, and his legs carried him into the private room at astonishing speed.

Inside, the county lieutenant was drinking and making merry with two beauties in his arms.

Zhao Tiancheng's intrusion sent both women screaming in fright, and a cup of wine spilled onto the county lieutenant's crotch.

Looking at the wet patch, the county lieutenant's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Zhao Tiancheng keeps provoking me, over and over. Does he really think I'm so easy to push around?

He was just about to explode when Zhao Tiancheng dropped to his knees.

Tears and snot streaming down his face, he wailed, "County Lieutenant, for the sake of all the gifts I've offered you over the years, please save my life!"

The county lieutenant froze, bewildered. "What happened?"

"The man who killed my son is too powerful. I'm no match for him."

Zhao Tiancheng sounded utterly dejected.

"Well..."

Seeming to notice the county lieutenant's hesitation, Zhao Tiancheng said with a pained expression, "If you're willing to intervene, I'll offer you half the Zhao Family's wealth."

The county lieutenant's heart leaped.

"In that case, I'll make an exception and help you this once. I doubt anyone in Baihe County would dare deny the Zheng Family this courtesy."

The county lieutenant wore a haughty expression.

"Thank you, County Lieutenant. I'll never forget your great kindness."

The two left the private room and walked straight toward Li Xinge.

Watching Li Xinge drink with his head lowered, the county lieutenant said with a genial smile, "Young man, I am Zheng Yuntao, a member of the Dongjiang Zheng Clan and the county lieutenant of Baihe County. Would you do me the courtesy of sparing Zhao Tiancheng?"

As though he had heard nothing, Li Xinge continued drinking, ignoring the county lieutenant completely.

Beside him, Zhao Tiancheng secretly rejoiced at Li Xinge's arrogance.

He hurried to rebuke him. "Boy, you've got the gall of a rabid dog! This is the county lieutenant himself, and you dare treat him with contempt? Watch out, or he'll exterminate your entire clan!"

The county lieutenant glared at him, signaling for him to shut up.

"Exterminate my entire clan?"

Li Xinge chuckled and slowly raised his head. With a cold smile, he said, "The last person who wanted to exterminate my entire clan is already reunited with his whole family underground."

"What big talk! You dare act so brazenly before the county lieutenant? You're digging your own grave!"

"Shut your mouth!"

The county lieutenant roared.

At some point, beads of cold sweat had broken out across his forehead.

His roar startled Zhao Tiancheng, who thought his attempts to fan the flames had worked.

He hurried to pour oil on the fire. "Look how angry you've made the county lieutenant! Get on your knees and apologize!"

Li Xinge looked at the county lieutenant with a smile. "Are you sure?"

The county lieutenant snapped out of his daze. Summoning every ounce of strength, he slapped Zhao Tiancheng across the face, leaving him seeing stars, his head spinning. It took him a long while to recover.

What happened next rooted Zhao Tiancheng to the spot.

The county lieutenant wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, bowed with his hands cupped, and said with a fawning expression, "Zheng Yuntao of the Zheng Family greets the Li Family Head."

"You know me?"

"I had the honor of seeing you once at our family head's birthday banquet."

Li Xinge's gaze was cold. "How could I possibly deserve such a grand salute from the illustrious county lieutenant?"

Zheng Yuntao's expression changed, and he hurried to explain. "Before you, what does a mere county lieutenant like me amount to? Li Family Head, this vile man deceived me. For the sake of the friendship between the Zheng and Li families, please forgive me."

By now, Zheng Yuntao had mentally cursed eighteen generations of Zhao Tiancheng's ancestors. The man had truly punched a hole through the heavens.

Li Xinge smiled faintly. "If not for Brother Ling Jun, do you think you'd still be standing here talking to me?"

The county lieutenant smiled sheepishly. Everyone in Baihe County knew this man's temper was far from mild.

"Give Brother Ling Jun my regards!"

He pointed at Zhao Tiancheng, who was trembling all over beside them. "I'll leave him to you. Unless I misheard, he said he wanted to exterminate my entire clan."

"Rest assured, I won't disappoint you."

"Good. I'll go get some rest, then. Little Carefree, let's go!"

Li Xinge spoke to little Carefree, who had already eaten and drunk her fill.

Taking her little hand, he led her upstairs to the guest rooms on the third floor.

After Li Xinge left.

Zheng Yuntao let out a long breath, straightened his official robes, and stood upright again. Heaven alone knew how much pressure he had felt facing that man.

Looking at Zhao Tiancheng, who stood as dumbstruck as a wooden chicken, Zheng Yuntao's eyes flashed coldly. This damned fool had nearly gotten him killed.

"Zhao Tiancheng, oh, Zhao Tiancheng. You certainly raised a fine son. Without him, you probably wouldn't have met someone so important in your entire life."

Zheng Yuntao spoke through gritted teeth.

"C-County Lieutenant, who is he?"

Zhao Tiancheng's teeth chattered so badly he could barely speak.

"Since you're about to die, I'll at least let you become a ghost who knows why. That man is the family head of the Green Maple Li Clan, someone who stands on equal footing with our own family head."

Zhao Tiancheng's vision went black, and he fainted outright from terror.

"Guards, convey my order! The Zhao Family has been colluding with fiends of the Demonic Path and plotting treason. Exterminate the entire clan!"