Stirrings on All Sides

"Brother Deng, do you really think so?" Han Tai's lips twitched.

He knew it couldn't be Yin Muhua, because Yin Muhua was already dead.

Moreover, Pang Tong and the Han Family are in cahoots, and the Han Family has close ties with the Yinyuan Sect. In other words, Yin Muhua and Pang Tong are also in cahoots. Even if Yin Muhua hadn't died, he wouldn't have done this.

"Ahem." Deng Feng coughed lightly, then suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Whether it's Yin Muhua or not is unimportant. I say it is, so it is. Brother Han, you really want to investigate this thoroughly? What kind of strength does someone need to kill Official Pang like that? If you really piss us off, what's the difference between crushing the two of us and crushing a chick?"

Take my advice, brother, don't investigate. We don't have the power, and the higher-ups probably don't expect anything from us; it's just a formality."

Han Tai nodded slightly upon hearing this. He had many guesses in his mind, but indeed, he was too weak. If he continued to investigate, he might lose his life, so it was really unnecessary.

With Pang Tong dead, the Soul-Calming Office will be in chaos again, but this is someone else's problem, what does it have to do with him?

"Brother Deng is right, that old hag is too arrogant," Han Tai cursed.

At the same moment.

The Han Family Residence.

In a Teahouse on the east side of the courtyard, Han Shantong and Lu Xingmin sat facing each other.

Inside the side room, many of the utensils were woven from Bamboo Strips, emitting a pleasant fragrance.

"Pang Tong disappeared last night. He was ambushed and killed in the streets of Swallow-Return Ward. His body has been reduced to ashes." Han Shantong tapped his fingers lightly on the table. One could feel the anger burning within him in his voice.

"Who do you think did it?" Lu Xingmin lay on the Soft Couch, his fat jiggling, while two maids fed him pastries from time to time.

"Ran Hongxia!" Han Shantong gritted his teeth and spat out three words.

"It's her?" Lu Xingmin frowned. "Ran Hongxia has been staying at the County Yamen these days. When she occasionally goes out, it's to visit various powerful figures and search for talented individuals. I've had people watching her every move, but we haven't detected anything unusual yet."

"Where was she last night?" Han Shantong asked.

"At the County Yamen."

"Are you sure she didn't go out last night?" Han Shantong pressed.

"This? I'm not sure. Ran Hongxia comes from the Prefectural City; who knows what skills she has? It's not impossible that she could have fooled the servants and scaled the wall to leave the courtyard," Lu Xingmin hesitated. "But how do you determine that she is the murderer?"

"Pang Tong has mastered the Zhenyue Technique to Perfect Mastery. Only Martial Artist with the Transforming Force can kill him."

In this county town, there are four Transforming Force Martial Artist: you and me, Old Ghost Ma Family, and the deceased Cheng Yannian.

"Last night, I was discussing important matters with Old Ghost Ma Family. It wasn't Ran Hongxia. Could it be that you were the one who did it?" Han Shantong said coldly.

Lu Xingmin was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Brother Han, you're really joking. It certainly couldn't be me."

"Who else could it be but Ran Hongxia? A top expert can't just appear out of nowhere. Ran Hongxia must have guessed that Cheng Yannian died at my hands. Her attack on Pang Tong is to force him to reveal information. If Pang Tong confesses everything, then our situation will be extremely precarious," Han Shantong said in a low voice.

Lu Xingmin's smile froze. He suddenly became irritated, raised his hand and slapped the maid beside him away. The maid flew more than ten steps and fainted on the spot.

"So what do we do now?"

"We can't wait for the Hundred-Child Feast. I need to defeat the Devouring Spirit-Devouring Demon Child first. Once I succeed, I will possess the Spirit-Devouring Demon Child's technique, Soul-Devouring Mind Probe, and I will be extremely confident in finding the murderer," Han Shantong said, squinting.

"Is this method feasible?" Lu Xingmin frowned.

"It has to work, even if it doesn't work. The Hundred-Child Feast can greatly increase the chances of success, but it doesn't mean that you can't Deity Worship if the number of babies is less than a hundred. You still have a chance to succeed. I can't wait."

"No matter who it is, if they threaten my Han Family, I will make them vanish into thin air." Han Shantong spoke, he suddenly exerted force in his hand, crushing the teacup in his hand.

Two days later.

News of Pang Tong's death spread throughout the streets and alleys, and officials posted notices everywhere, causing widespread panic.

At this moment, Ran Hongxia had already ridden out of the city and was galloping along an Official Road. When she reached a Yellow-Earth Slope, she met Wang Ling, who was coming towards her.

At this moment, Wang Ling was followed by a Cavalry Unit of three hundred men, all of whom were armored and armed with crossbows. They were all strong and imposing, exuding a murderous aura.

"Brother Wang, you've finally arrived! Hurry to Jiangyin County, there's a bunch of beasts there, I can't stand them anymore!" Ran Hongxia shouted.

Wang Ling, dressed in white, possessed a cold and aloof demeanor and a deep gaze. "What have you found out?"

"The Han Family controls the Soul-Calming Office and colludes with more than ten other forces in the Outer City, often oppressing the people."

Moreover, the Han Family has been searching for the baby all this time. Han Shantong, the head of the Han Family, thought he could fool his mother, but little did he know that his little tricks were no match for me. Ran Hongxia carried Heavy Hammer on her shoulder, her face full of disdain.

"Searching for babies? That means they're preparing for Hundred-Child Feast to worship the Spirit-Devouring Demon Child." Wang Ling frowned, his voice icy cold, devoid of any emotion.

"Most likely, and I suspect Cheng Yannian's death was also due to the Han Family," Ran Hongxia said.

"No need to guess, it's the Han Family. I've already captured Han Shantong, Han Rong, and his capable henchman, Han Qi, in the Prefectural City. That Han Qi is a tough nut to crack; he refused to talk until I crushed twenty-six of his bones before he confessed everything," Wang Ling said in a deep voice.

"Just as I thought, the Han Family is a bunch of beasts," Ran Hongxia cursed through gritted teeth.

"Hmph, colluding with a cult and murdering the Chief Commissioner of the Soul-Calming Office —either one of these is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of his entire family. On this trip to Jiangyin, I will tear him apart, skin him alive, and grind his bones to dust." Wang Ling's tone remained calm, but he seemed to exude a chilling aura that instilled fear in those around him.

Ran Hongxia could already picture Han Shantong's miserable state in her mind. Wang Ling was notoriously ruthless and hated evil. Any criminal who fell into his hands would die a terrible death.

"How did the Soul-Calming Office's Reexamination go? Did they find any martial arts prodigies?" Wang Ling changed the subject and asked again.

"There really is one. There's an eighteen-year-old Martial Artist named Lin Qing who has mastered the Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake to the Transcendent Realm." Ran Hongxia said, handing over a piece of cloth that listed a lot of information, including Lin Qing and Li Ping, as well as elite Martial Artist from other forces in the Outer City.

This year's situation is special. If these people can gain Wang Ling's approval, they can be taken to the Prefectural City for further screening. If they pass, they can immediately join the Soul-Calming Office.

The first person on the list is Lin Qing, and the information recorded is extremely detailed.

"To be able to master the Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake to the Transcendent Realm, one's martial Talent is indeed quite remarkable."

"Unfortunately, the Yin Bone is only of inferior quality. I need to see it for myself; it might not even meet my standards," Wang Ling said calmly.

"Brother Wang, he reached the Transcendent Realm of the Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake at the age of eighteen without any guidance, and you still don't approve of that? It's just that his Yin Bone is a bit lacking. His Talent is dazzling enough to completely cover up this shortcoming." Ran Hongxia said irritably.

"I'm looking for a true peerless genius, Yin Bone, Talent, and courage—everything must be top-notch," Wang Ling said in a deep voice.

"Brother Wang, are you still thinking about the Otherworldly Powerhouse Legacy in that Great Tomb?" Ran Hongxia suddenly asked.

"Shut up!" Wang Ling snapped. "Some things are better left unsaid."

Ran Hongxia immediately shut her mouth. She wasn't afraid of anyone else, but she was afraid of Wang Ling.