Powerful Families Bully and Block the New Chapter, a Lone Official Raises the Banner and Steps on Blood and Frost

Cui Mai stumbled and staggered back to the Cui Family estate. Before he had even caught his breath, a servant led him straight into the main hall.

Cui Chongnian, the Cui Family head, was around fifty, fair-faced and beardless. Clad in a dark purple silk robe, he sat in the hall sipping tea.

Seeing Cui Mai in such a panicked state, he frowned. "What are you panicking for? What happened with Luo Zheng? Didn't he accept the gift list?"

Cui Mai dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling. "Master! Something terrible has happened!

Wucheng... Wucheng has been placed under Wu'an State!

Under the rule of that Marquis of Blood Robe!

The Marquis of Blood Robe's decree has reached the county office, ordering the household registers, grain stores, and arms inventory to be reported within three days. Those who fail to report by the deadline... will be treated as defying orders!"

Smack!

The teacup in Cui Chongnian's hand shattered. Scalding tea splashed across the hem of his robe, yet he did not notice it at all.

"What did you say? Wu'an State? The Marquis of Blood Robe?"

Cui Chongnian shot to his feet, his normally composed face twisting in an instant. "That man... that man who destroyed Zhao State..."

"That's him! Blood Butcher Yama!"

Cui Mai's voice quavered. "Master, that King of Qin has folded these three hundred li of land into his fief!

A state within a state!

What... what are we going to do?"

Cui Chongnian's expression changed again and again, from shock to deathly pallor, from pallor to livid green.

He abruptly waved a hand. "Go! Invite Wang Lie and Zheng Huai here at once!

Tell them it is a matter of utmost urgency!"

One incense stick later, the heads of the Wang and Zheng