Investigating Liu Manor!

Not long after, Wang Lang, Patrolman Li, and Centurion Zhao followed City Lord Zhou through a corridor in the City Lord's Mansion, arriving at the assembly hall in the backyard.

Two guards in black, tight-fitting attire stood by the door. Their temples bulged, their Blood Essence vigorous, indicating they were Body Tempering experts in the middle stage of Body Tempering, specifically tasked with protecting City Lord Zhou.

City Lord Zhou gave a slight nod to the two guards and led the three inside.

The hall was bright, with three people already seated.

On the left side of the head seat sat an old Daoist with white hair and a youthful complexion, clutching a gleaming wine gourd. His eyes were narrowed, appearing half-awake.

To his right was a monk, about forty years old, wearing a patched, earth-yellow robe. The nine clear scar marks on his head were visible.

Strangely, a sheathed short knife hung from his waist.

In the center sat a woman in her early twenties, dressed in a water-blue, belted long skirt. She had a slender figure, but her expression was cold.

A sheathed long sword lay across her lap.

Seeing people enter, all three looked up.

City Lord Zhou quickly stepped forward and first cupped his hands in greeting to the three inside:

"I apologize for keeping the three esteemed experts waiting."

He then turned to Wang Lang and the other two, his tone solemn:

"Young Master Wang, allow me to introduce. These three are esteemed rogue cultivators I've invited from afar. All are deeply cultivated and experienced individuals."

"This is Daoist Song Yunzi."

"This is Master Huineng."

"And this is Jiang Wan, Fairy Jiang."

After introducing Song Yunzi and the others, City Lord Zhou turned to introduce the other group:

"To you three, this is Centurion Zhao Changyuan from our Yuan Province Demon Subduing Division, with a cultivation of mid-stage Qi Induction Realm. This is Patrolman Li, also skilled in Qi Induction."

Finally, he gestured to Wang Lang, his voice unconsciously raising:

"And this, is Young Master Wang Lang. Though Young Master Wang is young, he is already... at the ninth level of Qi Induction Realm!"

As these words were spoken, the air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.

The gazes of Song Yunzi, Master Huineng, and Fairy Jiang instantly fell upon Wang Lang, their scrutiny mixed with unconcealable surprise.

Ninth level of Qi Induction? This young man looked no older than his early twenties, his physique more like a martial artist, yet he possessed such a Qi Refinement realm?

At this age and with such cultivation, he would be considered a genius even in a major sect. How did he end up in this remote small town?

The three were filled with surprise and doubt, but no one spoke to question it.

The first rule for rogue cultivators wandering the jianghu was to observe more and ask less.

Especially towards those whose cultivation might be higher than their own.

What if the person was an old monster who liked to pretend to be young?

Thus, they all cupped their fists and bowed to Wang Lang.

Wang Lang's expression was calm. He returned the salute, showing no inner turmoil from City Lord Zhou's praise or the three scrutinizing gazes.

He also did not reveal that he had already broken through to the fourth level of Spirit Condensation Realm.

It wasn't that he suspected anyone in the group, but he understood the principle of not revealing one's full strength.

Always keep something in reserve, and you can surprise them at critical moments.

Now, the Grand Righteous Qi and Vajra Qi within him were contained and profound. Unless someone's realm far surpassed his, it would be extremely difficult to discern his true depth.

The one with the lowest cultivation in the entire group was naturally Patrolman Li, who was only at the first level of Qi Induction. He stood somewhat awkwardly behind Centurion Zhao.

However, this kind of high-level meeting didn't require his participation. With his Centurion leading the way, he only needed to follow orders.

After the two sides briefly got acquainted, City Lord Zhou quickly got to the point:

"Esteemed experts, you are all likely aware of the tragic incident at the Liu family. Why don't we set out immediately and investigate the scene? Perhaps we can find clues and bring the malevolent Yao to justice sooner."

Naturally, everyone agreed.

Those who came to help subdue a Yao likely harbored some desire to aid the world. Otherwise, why would they risk coming when they knew it might be a second-tier Yao causing trouble?

The group left the City Lord's Mansion and, led by City Lord Zhou, headed towards the Liu family's residence.

The pedestrians on the street, seeing the City Lord escorting several people with extraordinary bearing hurrying along, quickly made way, whispering amongst themselves.

Upon reaching the imposing yet eerie gates of the Liu Manor, City Lord Zhou stopped and bowed to Wang Lang and the others:

"Everyone, I, Zhou, am merely a mortal. I fear I can't help with such strange matters and might even become a burden. The investigation will depend entirely on your esteemed skills! I will await good news at the yamen!"

His tone was sincere, but his eyes revealed a sense of relief. He was even secretly planning that once this matter was resolved, he would find a way to transfer back to his hometown in the Central Province.

Even if he returned to be a lazy family parasite, it would be better than living in constant fear in this remote small town.

City Lord Zhou, with his attendants, departed hastily, leaving Wang Lang and the other five standing before the closed gates of the Liu Manor.

Beneath an old ginkgo tree by the gate lay three headless corpses haphazardly. Judging by their clothing, they appeared to be household servants or guards.

The severed neck was as smooth as a mirror, as if instantly cut by an extremely sharp object.

The City Lord's Mansion soldiers had clearly received strict orders, and the scene was kept relatively intact.

Master Huineng chanted a Buddhist name in a low voice and was the first to step forward, squatting beside a corpse to carefully examine the wound and the surrounding traces.

He pressed his finger near the wound and looked at the direction the corpse's fingers were scratching the ground, then mused:

"Amitabha. Judging by the posture of these three fallen individuals, facing outwards from the manor with their bodies leaning forward, they must have been fleeing in terror before their deaths."

"Alas... their speed was far inferior to that which beheaded them. They were caught in this very corridor and died in an instant."

"Furthermore, the cut is smooth and done in one go. It must have been caused by either a sharp blade or some extremely sharp limb or spiritual power of a Yao."

Song Yunzi stroked his beard and nodded, "Master's words are indeed wise. Observing the remaining Blood Essence and the terror frozen in their final moments, the attack was sudden and swift."

Wang Lang also nodded slightly. This monk is quite observant.

"Everyone, let's go inside and take a look." Centurion Zhao, as the official representative, was the first to enter the Liu Manor, whose gates had already been pushed open.

As soon as they stepped inside, a heavy smell of blood mixed with an indescribable scent of narcissus flowers assaulted their senses.

Everyone frowned. Jiang Wan covered her nose with her sleeve, a look of disgust flashing in her eyes.

The scene in the front courtyard was even more tragic than outside the gates.

The pavilions and rockeries were still there, but the ground, pillars, and flowers were covered in splattered dark red bloodstains and unrecognizable fragments.

Song Yunzi swept his whisk, driving away the flies, and said in a deep voice, "This manor is not small. If we act together, our efficiency will be too low."

"Why don't we split up to investigate and meet back here in half an hour to exchange information?"

The suggestion was reasonable, and everyone agreed.

Jiang Wan spoke first, "I'll go to the women's quarters in the backyard to investigate."

Centurion Zhao said, "Patrolman Li and I will check the front hall, the accounting room, and the storeroom."

Master Huineng clasped his hands and said, "This humble monk will go and inspect the east and west wing rooms and the servants' quarters."

Daoist Priest Song Yunzi said, "Then this humble Daoist will go and check the kitchen, the back rooms, and the secluded spots in the garden."

Finally, all eyes fell on Wang Lang.

Wang Lang appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he grumbled, Why is everyone so professional?

I'm not a professional! What am I supposed to do?

But he had to say something polite. After a moment's thought, he spoke with a composed expression:

"Everyone has a clear division of labor. Then I, Wang, will do some work to fill in the gaps. The distribution of bloodstains, traces of destruction, and so on, these most direct traces at the scene, I will examine them carefully. Perhaps it will corroborate your findings, or perhaps I will find some different clues."

With the division of labor clear, the six people immediately dispersed.