Late at night.
West of the county town.
Amid quiet surroundings, a carriage slowly approached. Its driver was a burly man carrying a saber, his hands steady on the reins as he deftly guided the four-horse carriage.
At last, the carriage stopped before an unremarkable little courtyard.
"Eldest young master, we're here."
The burly man was not just a driver but a trusted subordinate. He was powerful, a Blood Gate Martial Artist himself.
After losing one Blood Gate expert after another, Qian Zhen had few core subordinates left. That lack of high-level fighting strength was a fatal problem for him.
"Mm."
The voice from inside the carriage betrayed neither joy nor sorrow. Qian Zhen emerged and stepped down, first casting a glance at his master's residence.
As remote and quiet as ever. Who could have guessed that the strongest martial artist currently in Suming County lived in a place like this?
Withdrawing his gaze, he waved to the driver behind him. "Head back first."
The driver obeyed without hesitation, returning along the road they had come by.
Qian Zhen climbed the steps, came to the black door, and knocked three times with his fingers.
Those three knocks were enough for a Five Senses expert to hear.
Yet Qian Zhen waited outside for a quarter of an hour, and the door still did not open.
Just as his expression began to stiffen and he was thinking of going back to report recent developments to his father, a sound came from behind the door.
Creak-
The door opened a crack.
A kindly voice drifted out from behind it.
"My disciple, have you stirred up trouble again?"
At those words, Qian Zhen's expression stiffened. He stood where he was before finally murmuring an assent.
"I've disgraced you, Master."
The voice remained kindly. "What disgrace? It's no matter. This county town needs a bit of this. Back when I was young, now, Commandery City was truly lively. Young people these days simply have no fire in their blood."
Qian Zhen fell silent.
He understood the master inside. The man might sound kindly, but the reality was otherwise. His methods far surpassed Qian Zhen's.
If Qian Zhen's own rules still followed a discernible pattern, the man inside truly defied anyone's attempts to fathom him.
"What are you standing there for? Must I invite you in?"
Qian Zhen immediately stepped forward, pressed his palm against the black door, pushed it open, and entered.
Zhao Chenfeng's slightly plump figure was already heading toward the house. After entering, Qian Zhen even quieted his breathing. He softly slid the door bolt into place, then followed his master.
One behind the other, they passed through the little garden in the front courtyard. In the darkness, there was only the faint glow of a few fireflies.
As he walked, Zhao Chenfeng asked, "Have you killed anyone these past few days?"
At that question, Qian Zhen immediately answered, "Yes, Master. I've killed quite a few. They were all people who refused to submit in their hearts, people who resented me."
Hearing that answer, Zhao Chenfeng asked again, "Have you killed a hundred?"
Qian Zhen was instantly at a loss for words. Though he did not keep useless people around, he did not keep people merely to kill them, either. How could he possibly have killed a hundred in such a short time?
A sense of helplessness welled up inside him, a feeling he had never experienced toward anyone else.
Had his father not said he had found him a master and told him to become his disciple, he might never have come. This was having far too great an effect.
His disciple said nothing. Zhao Chenfeng reached the doorway and sighed. "What a pity. Had you killed a hundred, tonight might have been the night you broke through to the Five Qi realm of my lineage. A pity, such a pity."
Still voicing his regret, he stepped through the doorway.
Hearing those words, Qian Zhen froze. Break through... to Five Qi!?
The Five Qi realm was the pinnacle in this little town, but how difficult it was to achieve! Those with talent could seek masters in larger cities and further their training in martial schools.
Those without talent could only stay where they were, watching the years slip away.
He, Qian Zhen, was one of those people whose years were slipping away.
Now an opportunity like this was telling him he could attain the Five Qi realm.
Forget a hundred-even if it meant a thousand, ten thousand, he would kill them!
As long as he reached that realm, when someone as arrogant as the man tonight appeared, he could strike and kill him himself.
Just as Qian Zhen stopped walking, Zhao Chenfeng had somehow come to stand facing him, their eyes meeting. His voice was kindly and held a note of gratification.
"Good. You're tempted. Then what are you waiting for? My good disciple, go. Kill enough, kill your full hundred, and I will help you ascend to Five Qi."
Qian Zhen still believed his master's words. He had originally come here to ask his master to act and help him kill the fellow who had denied him any peace these past days.
Who could have known he would have such an opportunity to act personally?
His eyes instantly reddened.
Qian Zhen bowed, then left the residence and headed toward the gambling house.
He did not need to kill another hundred; just a few more would suffice. Right now, the best place was the gambling house. As long as he killed everyone inside, no one could prove he had done it. Then it would be that vicious criminal's doing!
After he left, Zhao Chenfeng's slightly plump figure remained standing there, satisfaction showing in his eyes.
Very good indeed. This child of his junior martial brother truly showed some promise. His disposition suited their lineage.
Perhaps after this, there would be a slim chance of contending for that position.
As for the matter that had brought Qian Zhen here, he actually knew all about it. But he had no intention of acting. He had fled here not to take action, but to recuperate. Drawing that pack of dogs here again would be no good.
Several more days passed in the blink of an eye.
Over these nights, every force belonging to Qian Zhen suffered devastating blows.
The forces of the Hall of Outstanding Heroes in particular saw people in their territories dying inexplicably, leaving all those targeting the Zhou Family afraid.
They feared someone would come to their doors at night and kill them.
Faced with such damage to his own forces, Qian Zhen, their pillar of support, seemed to have vanished. The Qian Family above him made no move either.
Under these circumstances, the members of the Hall of Outstanding Heroes chose the most common approach.
Report it to the authorities!
People had died, many people, and all within a short span of time.
This was no ordinary case. It was a grave crime, a murder case, one for which the local county magistrate would be held accountable.
Suming County's magistrate was shocked and furious, yet he had no choice but to intervene. This had to be suppressed. If it was reported to his superiors and tarnished his record, it would be disastrous, affecting his transfer and his future official career!
Thus, a day later, the county office acted. The deputy magistrate privately began arranging a banquet for Qian Zhen's subordinates and the Zhou Family, attempting to settle the matter.
When word reached the Zhou Residence, the Zhou brothers were still playing a board game in the rear courtyard.
Uncle Chen came over and told them the news.
Holding a white piece, Zhou Buren smiled and laughed heartily as he said to Zhou Muzhi,
"Oh, fourth brother, fourth brother, you really do have a way! To think these villains would see this day. The deputy magistrate actually sent someone with an invitation-what a rare thing! People like them never usually spare us merchants so much as a proper glance."
Besides eliminating his opponents at night over these past days, Zhou Muzhi had neglected none of the things he needed to do. He could now draw out the wronged soul at any time.
Before that, however, he ought to visit his master and ask how the booklet was coming along.
Zhou Muzhi answered his second brother, "I haven't been much help. I've only lent a little effort in an area I'm familiar with. When it's time to attend the banquet, second brother, be sure to let me know."
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