Lu Guangyi's Scheme

Qingfeng County, a private room on the second floor of Worryfree Tavern.

Liu Guang stood with his hands at his sides, quietly waiting off to one side as he listened to the information leaking in through the crack beneath the door.

Of the ten voices, seven or eight were connected to Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi had now become Qingfeng County's unquestioned great hero, the subject of fervent discussion among its people. Almost everywhere, one could hear people talking about Zhao Zhi.

Even County Magistrate Lu Guangyi's reputation could not compare to that of Zhao Zhi, a mere blue-clad constable.

Liu Guang slightly raised his chin and let his gaze fall on the seated Lu Guangyi. He noticed that the man's face was dark and gloomy, as though water might drip from it.

"Why haven't Su Qingyou, Tao Ran, and Lei Juechen arrived yet?"

Lu Guangyi shot Liu Guang a glance, his tone carrying a trace of anger.

Liu Guang? Just a blue-clad constable.

If Chen Qingzhi and Cao Yun had not died, why would he have brought Liu Guang to an occasion like this?

Zhao Zhi.

What a Zhao Zhi.

Lu Guangyi clenched his hand. His fat palm looked like a large steamed bun.

Liu Guang's heart trembled, and he hurriedly answered, "My lord, I informed them long ago. They should be here shortly. Please calm your anger."

Lu Guangyi glared at Liu Guang and did not press the matter further.

He needed to make arrangements.

Qingfeng County could be abandoned.

According to information gathered from all sides, Iron Horse Manor and Flying Cloud Stronghold had practically been wiped out by Zhao Zhi alone. Zhao Zhi's strength had already reached Innate Perfection, and he was likely only one step away from the Meridian Opening Realm.

With such strength, even he would find it difficult to kill Zhao Zhi.

Unless he entered the Meridian Opening Realm.

Lu Guangyi thought of the Meridian Opening Pill his master had given him.

Master?

Thinking back to his days training in Black Qi Mountain, he did not believe his master would kindly allow him to enter the Meridian Opening Realm. Yet after examining the Meridian Opening Pill, Lu Guangyi had found nothing wrong with it. For the time being, he kept it on his person in case of unforeseen need.

At the same time.

The forces that had joined the campaign against Flying Cloud Stronghold, including those arranged by County Magistrate Lu Guangyi, had reported every detail of what had happened, confirming the words of his senior brother, Xue Lihuai.

The Profound Nether Guard of the Profound Nether Platform had arrived.

If the dirty dealings he had conducted in secret, as well as what he had done back on Black Qi Mountain, were dug up, the Profound Nether Platform would certainly punish him.

As he pondered, sounds came from outside the door.

"Lord Lu."

"Lord Lu."

"Lord Lu."

Hearing the familiar voices, Lu Guangyi quelled his turbulent thoughts and said indifferently, "Come in."

The private room door was pushed open, and three middle-aged men entered: Su Qingyou, head of the Su Family; Tao Ran, head of the Tao Family; and Lei Juechen, leader of the Evergreen Gang. Each was a figure who could make Qingfeng County tremble with a stomp of his foot.

Su Qingyou had short whiskers clinging to his cheeks and a handsome face, always bearing a faint, seemingly absent smile. "Lord Lu, my apologies. Something delayed us."

"It is enough that you came." Lu Guangyi did not pursue the matter and went straight to the point. "Do you agree to what I told you?"

Su Qingyou, Tao Ran, and Lei Juechen looked at one another, hesitant and indecisive.

As Lu Guangyi's expression grew increasingly grim, Su Qingyou had no choice but to speak. "Lord Lu, you should know Zhao Zhi's reputation in Qingfeng County now. If we lay a hand on him, the people of Qingfeng County will never let us off. Besides, Zhao Zhi is powerful, at the level of Innate Perfection. How could we possibly kill him?"

Lu Guangyi slowly shifted his gaze toward Tao Ran and Lei Juechen. "You two think the same?"

"Yes."

"Mhm."

Tao Ran and Lei Juechen did not conceal it. Before coming to the tavern, they had already discussed it among themselves.

"Good. Very good." Lu Guangyi clenched his fists tightly. Though they were fat and fleshy, his knuckles could still be seen turning white. His voice gradually darkened, revealing a chilling coldness. "Have you all forgotten what you did in the past? Every one of you had a hand in refining Human Elixirs."

Su Qingyou and the other two abruptly changed expression.

Lu Guangyi continued, "Refining Human Elixirs is a grave crime. Whether you wash your hearts clean and reform yourselves or not, your entire families will be executed. Do you wish for me to send the evidence to the Profound Nether Platform?"

"Lord Lu, why must you go this far? If the matter of the Human Elixirs is exposed, Lord Lu will be implicated as well." Su Qingyou smiled, poured himself a cup of wine, then poured one for Lu Guangyi. "Come, Lord Lu. I apologize for what we said just now."

As he spoke, Su Qingyou drained the wine in his cup in one gulp. After setting it down, he said unhurriedly, "I know you wish to kill Zhao Zhi, my lord, but Zhao Zhi has already grown into a force to be reckoned with. He has both strength and status. Even if we can kill him, trouble will never cease."

Lu Guangyi snorted coldly. "They are merely ant-like commoners. What is there to worry about?"

Su Qingyou lowered his voice. "I heard from the Fan Family that the Profound Nether Platform values Zhao Zhi and intends to recruit him. If we truly make a move against Zhao Zhi, I fear it will draw the Profound Nether Platform's attention."

"The Profound Nether Platform." Lu Guangyi's expression remained unchanged as he took a sip of wine. "The Profound Nether Platform is indeed powerful and highly placed, but its strict rules mean not just anyone can become one of its members. Only by passing the Profound Nether Platform's examination can one truly become a Profound Nether Guard. If he dies before that, the Profound Nether Platform will not hold anyone accountable."

Tao Ran asked hesitantly, "County Magistrate, is that true?"

Lu Guangyi smiled. "I am a man of the imperial court and have long been in contact with the Profound Nether Platform. Naturally, I understand its situation." After a pause, his eyes gradually narrowed. "You should all know what Zhao Zhi has been doing in the county lately. If he is truly allowed to continue, you will no longer be able to live the carefree lives you once did."

Lu Guangyi drank a cup of wine by himself, then continued, "The three of you keep bringing up the Profound Nether Platform. Have you considered whether, after Zhao Zhi joins the Profound Nether Platform, he might choose to make a move against you? He dared to strike at the Fan Family and dared to destroy Iron Horse Manor. He likely would not show mercy to any of you either."

Su Qingyou, Tao Ran, and Lei Juechen exchanged looks. They had considered this issue as well.

Zhao Zhi's actions in Qingfeng County had made these local gentry and great powers, who usually ran rampant without restraint, cower in fear for quite some time. It had not been pleasant in the slightest.

Tao Ran hesitated. "But if we kill him..."

Lu Guangyi cast Tao Ran an indifferent glance. "The Profound Nether Platform wants living people, not dead ones. A dead man is not worth the Profound Nether Platform's investigation."

Su Qingyou pondered for a moment, then said, "Then what method does Lord Lu have for killing Zhao Zhi?"

A flicker of amusement passed through Lu Guangyi's eyes as he slowly said, "We need only..."

After hearing Lu Guangyi's words, Su Qingyou and the other two exchanged looks once more and all nodded slightly.

Lu Guangyi looked at Su Qingyou and the others. "Since you all agree, go back and make preparations. This time, we must kill him in a single blow."

"Lord Lu, we shall take our leave first."

Su Qingyou, Tao Ran, and Lei Juechen cupped their hands, rose, and departed.

After the three had left, Lu Guangyi picked up a cup of wine and drained it in one gulp.

Zhao Zhi.

To have cultivated to Innate Perfection beneath his very nose, Zhao Zhi must possess some great secret. If he could grasp such a secret, breaking through to the Meridian Opening Realm should not be a problem.

Even if there was no secret, such a young Innate Perfection cultivator would be an immense tonic if refined into a Human Elixir.