The Night Watchers' Rules

"Xiahou Family, did you sleep well?" A gentle yet slightly teasing voice came from the other end of the communicator.

"Han Luosheng?" Xiahou Chen sneered. "Young Master Han, what brings you here in broad daylight? Our two families have been keeping to ourselves lately, so don't forget our agreement."

The two powerful families in Jinling City are both partners, working together to erode the Jinling City's civilian martial arts resources; and rivals, both secretly vying for complete control of the city one day.

"Of course I remember the agreement. However, I just received a very generous gift, and I feel it's necessary to share it with the Xiahou Family."

Han Luosheng chuckled lightly, "Your precious daughter, Xiahou Ying, came to me crying and begging for help, carrying a suicide note full of resentment."

"Ying'er is with you?!" Xiahou Chen suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. "Han Luosheng! Do you want to break off all pretense of civility?"

"Xiahou Family, please don't be agitated. I've already 'pacified' her for you. I'm just very curious, how could your Xiahou Family not even be able to keep an eye on a Blood Nourishing Realm girl?"

Han Luosheng's words were laced with undisguised sarcasm.

"It seems your Xiahou Family has run into a formidable opponent."

Xiahou Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.

"You don't need to worry about this. Now that Ying'er is in your hands, name your price."

"Great. I want the 'hunting rights' to that abandoned factory area in the east of the city for the next three years."

"Deal." Xiahou Chen gritted his teeth and agreed.

The sealed room fell silent once more.

Xiahou Chen sat back in the bone chair, his eyes filled with a terrifyingly gloomy expression.

"A powerful stranger capable of instantly killing Third Level of Blood Refining Variants cultivator..."

"And there were no signs of battle left behind..."

"When did such a person emerge in Jinling City?"

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, another urgent ringing broke the silence.

This time, it's a red emergency hotline that's only used in extremely urgent situations!

Xiahou Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"Lord Wolf Fang."

The caller was none other than Wolf Fang, a mid-level investigator from the Great Xia Night Watchers stationed in Jinling City and a Blood Transformation Realm expert!

Xiahou Chen.

On the other end of the phone, Wolf Fang's voice was icy cold.

"I have completely 'dealt with' all the evidence and lists regarding the Xiahou Family keeping commoners, which Zhan Qiushui handed over. The higher-ups won't hear a thing."

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Chen's tense nerves finally relaxed slightly.

"Thank you for your protection, Lord Wolf Fang. I will double the 'offerings' from the Xiahou Family this month and send them to your secret account," Xiahou Chen quickly replied.

"We'll discuss the offerings later. I'm making this call to warn you."

Wolf Fang's tone suddenly became extremely stern.

"The prodigies from Capital and Demon Capital Martial University have already arrived in Jinling! Their instructors are at least top-tier experts at the Qi Gathering Realm!"

"These arrogant spoiled brats, I don't know what's gotten into them that suddenly came to Jinling like this, but before they leave, your Xiahou Family had better keep your tails between your legs! Cease all 'hunting' operations! If anyone runs into their line of fire, I can't protect you!"

"Understood! I will immediately order a complete standstill!" Cold sweat beaded on Xiahou Chen's forehead.

"There's one more thing."

Wolf Fang paused, his tone unusually solemn.

"I've seen Xiahou Jing's body. He didn't die at Zhan Qiushui's hands."

"What?" Xiahou Chen was taken aback.

"The cut is smooth, and in an instant, hundreds or even thousands of unavoidable sword energies burst forth, forming an absolute killing zone..." Wolf Fang's voice was very low, as if afraid of being overheard.

"The one who killed him was a strange swordsman who had mastered the [Earth-Level Profound Truth]!"

"Boom!"

This news was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, causing Xiahou Chen and the elders present to completely change their expressions!

Earth-Level Profound Truth!

That's an unparalleled killing move that even Blood Transformation Realm experts dream of!

"Jinling City... is hiding a monster who has mastered Earth-Level Profound Truth?" Xiahou Chen's voice trembled.

He immediately thought of Xiahou Yuan, who had also died quietly.

If it was that swordsman who made the move, then everything makes sense!

"That's all I have to say. You'd better take care of yourself." Wolf Fang finished speaking and hung up the phone.

On the other side.

The Night Watchers's Underground Liaison Point in Jinling City.

Under the dim operating lights, Wolf Fang hung up the red-line phone.

He turned around and saw several fully armed logistics personnel in hazmat suits carefully packing Xiahou Jing's Variants -filled remains into specially made metal alloy boxes.

"Hurry up."

Wolf Fang urged coldly.

"These body parts must all be secretly delivered to that 'master' before tonight."

This is a rule of the Night Watchers: all corpses of Variants must be handed over.