From Qin Hao's words, it was clear that he intended to make Su Chen his complete slave.
Elder Xue, standing beside him, had long since grown accustomed to his young master's methods.
Lei Ao of the Lei Family was one of the people he had enslaved.
His young master had only dropped a few hints, and Lei Ao had hired assassins from Happy Pure Tower to kill Su Mengbai.
As for why the assassin had remained at Lei Ao's residence,
that was because his young master had planned to push the assassin and Lei Ao out when people from Zitan Palace arrived.
That way, he could get close to Mu Qingxue.
But now the assassin had been killed.
His young master had one less bargaining chip, so he had turned his attention to Su Chen.
"How are the Innate Realm blood supplies coming along?"
Qin Hao turned and asked.
He intended to break through to the Spirit Refining Realm within the next day or two.
"The blood is ready, but killing so many Innate Realm martial artists may have attracted the attention of people in Qingcheng City,"
Elder Xue replied.
"Let them pay attention. This batch of Innate Realm blood should be enough to help me break through to the Spirit Refining Realm."
"We can stop the killings for a while after that."
Qin Hao said dismissively.
Qingcheng City was only a small town, after all.
Just then, a tiny bird flew in through the carriage window and landed on Elder Xue's hand.
A slim bamboo tube was tied to its leg.
After Elder Xue removed the tube, the bird quickly flew away.
He took out a tiny slip of paper and read it, his expression turning grim.
"Young master, Mu Qingxue should reach Qingcheng City tomorrow night. She's coming a little sooner than we expected."
"Also, Su Chen is meeting with Madam Liu of Yuchun Courtyard."
At Elder Xue's words,
Qin Hao said, "Let's go back first so I can break through. Keep an eye on the Lei Family's movements while you're at it."
"Also, send people to intercept Mu Qingxue and her party. Ideally, delay them until the day after tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Elder Xue nodded.
Meanwhile,
Su Chen had already stepped off the pleasure boat.
He glanced at the brightly lit boats around him and the steady stream of people.
Without stopping, he climbed into the carriage waiting by the shore and told the driver to return to the Su Mansion.
Before long, Su Chen was back at the Su Mansion and went straight into the secret chamber.
"Young master, Ling Tianhe sent word. A master called Elder Xue, who is at Qin Hao's side, has killed quite a few Innate Realm experts. It seems he's absorbing their blood."
"Also, Qin Hao has been egging on the Lei Family to kidnap you and force him to hand over the Kongming Mine."
Steward Fu, who had followed Su Chen into the secret chamber, reported.
"They're gathering Innate Realm blood. It seems Qin Hao must be cultivating some kind of demonic art."
"Why gather the blood of Innate Realm martial artists now? Is he planning to break through?"
"But what is Qin Hao playing at? He was just planning to meet me in two days, and now he's urging the Lei Family to kidnap me."
For a moment, Su Chen couldn't make sense of it.
"When is the Lei Family planning to make a move against me?"
Su Chen asked.
"Ling Tianhe is keeping an eye on them. The moment they act, he'll inform you at once."
Steward Fu replied.
"In that case, I won't be staying at the Su Mansion tonight. Didn't Qin Hao just get his hands on the blood of Innate Realm martial artists?"
"Then I'll pay him a visit and give him a little trouble while I'm at it."
Su Chen said.
Being kept on the back foot wasn't his style.
If his opponent was coming after him, he wasn't about to let them enjoy themselves.
"That's a good plan. This old servant will take his leave."
Steward Fu said.
He had been wondering how to deal with the Lei Family. In a direct fight, no one from their household could stand against them, except for those in the rear courtyard.
Now that Su Chen wouldn't be at the Su Mansion, the Lei Family would find no one there if they came. Nothing would come of it.
After Steward Fu left, Su Chen changed into black clothes, put on a hooded cloak, and left the secret chamber.
As for Qin Hao's residence,
Su Chen had already learned its location.
Dressed in his cloak, he threaded through the night market and headed for Qin Hao's residence.
It wasn't long before he spotted Qin Hao's estate.
The grounds were spacious, but according to the information Ling Tianhe had provided,
there were more than a dozen servants inside.
Su Chen didn't enter right away. Instead, he first watched the area outside the estate.
After checking around, he found no guards outside.
He stepped into a shadow and took out a map.
It was a map of the estate.
Golden Wind Fine Rain Tower had been established in Qingcheng City for many years; it had maps of various estates in the city in its archives.
Su Chen glanced at the map.
Then he vaulted over the wall and entered the estate.
The estate was dimly lit, giving it a desolate air.
Concealing his presence, Su Chen headed toward the brightly lit hall.
The hall was still lit. Qin Hao and the others might be inside.
He would go take a look.
He quietly approached the hall.
At that moment, two figures were talking inside.
It was Qin Hao and Elder Xue.
"Young master, the Blood Devouring Flood Dragon Diagram is ready and has been delivered. The Innate Realm blood in the secret chamber is also prepared. You're certain to break through to the Spirit Refining Realm today."
As Elder Xue spoke, a brocade box appeared in his hand. He passed it to Qin Hao.
His voice wasn't very loud, but Su Chen, hiding nearby, strained his ears and barely managed to hear him.
"Blood Devouring Flood Dragon Diagram, Innate Realm blood. Qin Hao intends to use them to break through to the Spirit Refining Realm."
Su Chen thought, then continued listening.
"Has the Kongming ore been delivered to the Lei Family?"
Qin Hao didn't immediately go to cultivate. Instead, he asked a question.
"There were too many eyes around during the day, so we planned to deliver it tonight. Your Blood Demon Flower needs about three more batches of Kongming ore of the same quality before it can mature."
Elder Xue replied softly.
"Blood Demon Flower? So the Kongming ore was meant for that, not the Fifth-grade Lotus Platform."
They had all assumed Qin Hao and the others were after the Fifth-grade Lotus Platform. They hadn't expected the real target to be a Blood Demon Flower.
"I don't remember ever hearing of a Blood Demon Flower. I'll look into what it does later."
Su Chen thought.
As Su Chen pondered this, Qin Hao and the old man had already gone into the rear hall.
Su Chen couldn't get any closer.
So he could only retreat, but the news about the Blood Demon Flower was an unexpected bonus.
Just then, a maid approached from nearby.
Su Chen's eyes shifted.
If Qin Hao was going to cultivate, he would be there for quite some time. Some of the maids ought to know where he practiced.
He quickly moved toward her.
The maid walking along only felt that something had blocked her way. Then it felt as if a hand had clamped around her throat.
Her vision went black, and she fainted.
Su Chen caught her and carried her straight to a rockery in the courtyard.
A drop of water landed on her face. The maid opened her eyes and tried to scream, but a large hand immediately clamped around her neck.
Then a cold voice sounded in her ear.
"Make a sound, and I'll crush your throat! Tell me where the master of this estate usually goes at night. Don't tell me you don't know."
"I don't want to waste time. If you won't tell me, someone else will. You get one chance."
Su Chen continued.
With his hand around her neck, the woman could barely breathe. Her face turned pale, and her body trembled with fear.
She nodded frantically.
Seeing this, Su Chen slowly eased his grip, giving her a chance to speak.
"The master often goes to the rockery in the rear courtyard at night. There's a secret chamber over there."
The maid hurriedly answered.
They were only ordinary people. When danger struck, their first instinct was simply to protect themselves.
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