Lei Heng Makes a Move!

The person took out a black scroll with gold trim from their sleeve, their voice clear and businesslike.

"Fang Mo, commander of the Seventh Small Flag under White Tiger Hall's jurisdiction, is hereby ordered to investigate the case of the mysterious disappearance of villagers from Liuxi Village, Wannian County. The deadline is seven days. We require the villagers to be found alive or their bodies recovered. Failure to solve the case within the deadline will result in execution according to the law!"

"Commander Fang, come and receive the order."

Fang Mo's apple-eating paused.

Liuxi Village? One hundred and thirty-two people missing? And he had to solve the case in seven days?

He casually tossed the remaining apple core into the grass in the corner, the flippant expression on his face vanishing instantly, replaced by one of flattered deference and a hint of sycophancy.

Fang Mo strode forward quickly, and as he walked, he naturally wiped the hand that had been holding the apple on his clothes. Then, from his wide sleeves, he pulled out several pieces of excellent quality silver.

"Oh my, it's a Sir from above! This humble place has no tea to offer, please forgive our lack of hospitality."

Fang Mo cupped his hands, bowing deeply. As he took the scroll, the pieces of silver, like a magic trick, silently slipped into the other man's palm.

The messenger's expression remained unchanged. He subtly flipped his wrist, weighing the silver.

Not too much, not too little. Just right. It wasn't so much that it would make him afraid to accept it, nor so little that it would seem insincere.

This one knew the rules.

The messenger's originally tense lips finally curved into a genuine smile, and his narrow eyes were no longer entirely cold.

Fang Mo took the heavy scroll with both hands, not opening it immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with a tone of mingled fear and appeasement:

"Esteemed Sir, your subordinate is new here and hasn't even settled in yet. I truly have no confidence in this Liuxi Village case. Being punished for failing the mission is a small matter, but delaying the Hundred Households' important business would be an unforgivable offense."

"Could you perhaps offer some guidance? Is there anything special about this case?"

After speaking, he slipped another folded silver note over.

This time, it wasn't silver fragments, but a banknote from Baotong Bank worth one hundred taels.

The messenger lowered his gaze, quickly scanning the number on the banknote. His eyelids twitched.

Such generosity.

He subtly tucked the banknote into his sleeve. When he looked at Fang Mo again, his gaze had softened considerably, even carrying a sense of "insider" camaraderie.

"Ahem."

The messenger cleared his throat, glanced around to ensure his men were out of earshot, then lowered his voice to a volume only the two of them could hear.

"Sir Fang is too kind. Since Sir Fang is so understanding, I won't hold back."

"This Liuxi Village case, on the surface, is about missing people, but in reality..."

He paused, his eyes becoming somewhat obscure and unfathomable. "Let Sir Fang know that this case is likely intricately linked to the three demon monks from the Western Desert who were sent to the heavenly prison some time ago."

Fang Mo's pupils contracted sharply.

Demon monks from the Western Desert?

Weren't those the three unlucky fellows, Yuantong, Yuanji, and Yuanjue, who had died by his hand?

So that's how it was.

Even though those three monks were dead, their mission, or rather, the mission of the people behind them, had not stopped. Liuxi Village was very likely one of the supply locations for the raw materials of the Blood Spirit Pill—virgin boys and girls—or perhaps a refining den.

Lei Heng, that scoundrel, was relentless in his desire to destroy me!

If he couldn't find anything, it was a death sentence. If he did find something and stumbled upon the shocking conspiracy behind it, facing the mastermind behind the Organ Refining realm cultivators or even stronger, with his current manpower, it would also be a death sentence.

A clever scheme of using a borrowed knife to kill.

Fang Mo sneered inwardly, but outwardly he put on a show of extreme shock, clasping his hands repeatedly.

"Thank you, Sir, for informing me! This news has practically saved my life!"

"Sir Fang need not be so formal."

The messenger waved his hand, his smile returning to its practiced cordiality. "We all work under White Tiger Hall; it's only natural that we look out for each other. If you don't mind, you can just call me Wu Er."

"Brother Wu!" Fang Mo readily complied, calling him "Brother" with genuine warmth.

Wu Er chuckled, patted Fang Mo's shoulder, and said meaningfully, "Brother Fang, since you've accepted the order, you should set out soon. The higher-ups are watching this case closely. If you miss the deadline, Lord Lei... it won't be easy to explain."

"I understand, I'll go prepare immediately and won't cause Brother Wu any trouble."

"Good, then I'll be going back to report."

Wu Er didn't linger. With a wave, he led the team of black-clad Captains and turned to leave.

They came quickly and left just as fast, leaving behind a scorching scroll and a lingering sense of murderous intent that filled the courtyard.

Fang Mo stood in place, watching the group disappear at the alley entrance.

The scroll in his hand crinkled under his grip.

"Boss, Lei Heng has no good intentions."

Yan Wangchou appeared out of nowhere, exhaling a puff of smoke, his old face flickering in and out of the haze. "Liuxi Village is thirty li outside the city, backing onto a mass grave. It's a notoriously ominous place. This seven-day deadline clearly means they don't expect us to return alive."