The Eulogy Concealed a Killing Intent

Li Shun feigned confusion. "Senior Brother Kong, what exactly happened? Didn't we agree that I would serve as acting county magistrate for three months? Why have you suddenly called me back to East Mountain?"

Only after a long while did a few lines of text slowly appear on the jade pendant.

"Junior Brother Li, please don't get agitated."

"A disaster of Heavenly Dao Severed Qi has struck East Mountain. To protect the people under his care, Martial Uncle Fang has sacrificed his life!"

Only then did Li Shun show just the right degree of utter shock. "What?!"

He sprang to his feet and shouted, "Li Qing, ready the horses! We're returning to East Mountain at once!"

Normally, Li Shun called him "Little Dumpling."

Only when something was truly urgent did Li Shun call Li Qing by name.

Li Qing wasted no time. He accepted the order with a solemn expression and hurried off.

Before long, the two were galloping through the night.

They left the officials of Shangyu County staring at one another, each privately guessing what had happened.

"This... something earth-shattering must have happened!"

April twenty-third.

Li Shun finally returned to East Mountain Town, now reduced to ruins.

Everywhere he looked, the land was scarred.

Though most houses still stood much as before, they were coated in a deathly black ash, like embers drifting down after a great fire had consumed all things.

The survivors sat among broken walls and rubble, their eyes hollow and bewildered, like walking corpses.

"What kind of disaster is this Heavenly Dao Severed Qi? How could it be so terrible?" Li Qing said, unable to believe what had become of his familiar hometown. Zheng Zhi had heard that Li Shun was back and hurried out to meet him.

He sighed. "It was a disaster