The sky was gradually darkening, the setting sun as red as blood. On the streets, pedestrians were hurrying along, heading towards their homes.
Just at this seemingly calm and beautiful moment, a startling, fleeting shadow suddenly tore through the peaceful, vast sky.
At a speed invisible to the naked eye, it quickly leaped and moved among the buildings on the street, leaving behind a continuous string of afterimages.
“Hey, did you see that clearly?”
“I thought I saw someone with one leg flying by up there.”
Huh???
“Xiao Jin, are you drunk or what?”
“Someone with one leg? Why not say someone with no head!”
Inside the government office, in a quiet and comfortable courtyard, two figures sat beside a stone table in a small pavilion.
These two people in the pavilion were none other than Hua Tianhai, the former leader of the Tianhai Gang, and Hong Zhi, the Prefect of Baidao Prefecture!
Hong Zhi had invited Hua Tianhai over, and they had been chatting freely for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick.
But even until now, Hong Zhi still hadn’t gotten to the main point.
Hong Zhi had tried to probe indirectly for a while but still couldn’t get any information about Hua Yunfei.
After some rambling and going off on tangents, Hong Zhi finally realized that this old fox, Hua Tianhai, seemed to have been on guard against him from the start.
Hong Zhi looked at Hua Tianhai, who remained calm and composed, and then stopped beating around the bush, taking the initiative to bring up the matter concerning Hua Tianhai’s son, Hua Yunfei.
“Senior Hua, the reason I called you here is regarding the leader of the Tianhai Gang, Hua Yunfei!”
Upon hearing this, a trace of subtle fluctuation passed through Hua Tianhai’s brows, but it quickly returned to calm.
“Prefect, please go ahead.”
“What crime has my son, Hua Yunfei, committed?”
“If this unfilial son has violated the laws of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, I will personally bring him to the yamen.”
After saying this, Hua Tianhai put on a righteous look, as if he would readily sacrifice his own kin for the sake of justice.
As the Prefect of Baidao Prefecture, Hong Zhi naturally understood Hua Tianhai’s character.
This old fox was treacherous, cunning, and had killed countless people. He was especially protective of his own. How could he possibly truly care about the laws of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty?
Hong Zhi ignored Hua Tianhai’s performance and spoke unhurriedly.
“Wu Wei, the head of the Wu Family Martial Arts Hall, is dead!”
“I’ve heard that before he died, Wu Wei seemed to have some grievances and entanglements with Hua Yunfei, the leader of the Tianhai Gang.”
“I wonder if there’s any truth to that, Senior Hua!”
Hearing that Wu Wei, the head of the Wu Family Martial Arts Hall, was dead, a flash of sharp light gleamed in Hua Tianhai’s eyes.
He had already learned this news this morning.
Hua Tianhai had then gone to ask his son about it.
Hua Yunfei looked utterly shocked, unable to believe the news of Wu Wei’s death.
Just yesterday, Hua Yunfei had only taught Wu Wei a lesson, hadn’t struck him hard.
Hua Tianhai’s expression didn’t change, and he responded to Hong Zhi’s question without hesitation.
“There’s no truth to that. These are just rumors circulating among the public.”
“Prefect, you must know this too.”
“My son, as the leader of the Tianhai Gang, is naturally subject to slander from those with ill intentions.”
“So, these rumors can’t be taken seriously!”
“Prefect, don’t worry. After I return, I will instruct my subordinates to help you find the murderer who killed Wu Wei!”
Help the authorities find the murderer?
Hong Zhi gave Hua Tianhai a deep, meaningful look.
If your Tianhai Gang doesn’t cause trouble for me, I would be lucky, let alone having you help the authorities.
Forget it, Hua Tianhai was a martial artist at the small achievement stage of Internal Qi, the same martial arts level as himself.
Hong Zhi didn’t want to push this old fox too hard either.
If he pushed him too far, Hong Zhi was afraid the old man would fight him desperately.
“Very well, with Senior Hua’s help, I believe the murderer of Wu Wei will surely be found.”
After saying the first half of the sentence, Hong Zhi paused for a moment, then suddenly fixed his gaze on Hua Tianhai.
“Senior Hua, your Tianhai Gang is the number one gang in the prefectural city, with immense power and influence, even overshadowing me, the Prefect.”
“But you must know that there are always people stronger than you, and heavens beyond heavens. No one can violate the laws of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty.”
“I am not the only one in the prefectural city; the Xuan Envoy is also stationed in Baidao Prefecture!”
“Senior Hua, one must understand propriety. Things you shouldn’t touch, it’s best not to touch. Otherwise…”
These words from Hong Zhi were undoubtedly a naked warning to Hua Tianhai.
He was telling the Tianhai Gang not to go to extremes. Murder cases were considered the most serious offenses in the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty.
If homicides became frequent, even he, the Prefect of Baidao Prefecture, would not escape blame.
The Xuan Envoy!
The moment these four words were spoken, Hua Tianhai’s expressionless face instantly turned serious.
Hua Tianhai could never forget that young face for his entire life.
That terrifying man who swatted him like a fly, injuring him with a single slap.
The current Xuan Envoy of Baidao Prefecture was a terrifying existence at the Martial Arts Grandmaster level!
Seeing that old fox Hong Zhi was about to bring up that great deity, Hua Tianhai immediately became uneasy and quickly spoke up in response.
“Alright, Prefect, I understand!”
“I can assure you that the death of that Wu Wei has absolutely nothing to do with my son.”
“Prefect, don’t worry. After I return, I will thoroughly purge the Tianhai Gang and strictly forbid its members from doing anything heinous.”
This time, Hua Tianhai appeared very sincere, without his previous perfunctory attitude.
Regarding that particular person from the Xuan Niao Wei, Hua Tianhai had no other thoughts, only fear.
That old fox Hong Zhi really was something. Why did he suddenly have to bring up that terrifying existence?
Hua Tianhai suddenly felt like leaving, no longer wanting to stay at the government office. He stood up and gave a slight bow to Hong Zhi.
“Prefect, I just remembered there are some important gang affairs I need to handle. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
“I’ll take my leave!”
Seeing Hua Tianhai looking like he was fleeing in panic, Hong Zhi fell into deep thought.
It seemed that person’s reputation was really useful!
That old fox Hua Tianhai was actually this afraid.
But before Prefect Hong Zhi could get up, a series of startled cries came from outside the courtyard.
“Chief Constable, what’s wrong with you?”
“Chief Constable, your leg!”
“Someone, help!”
But before these panicked voices could fade away, Fan Wei had already arrived inside the courtyard.
Hong Zhi looked intently towards the courtyard gate and saw Fan Wei, his face pale white, cold sweat constantly streaming down his forehead.
Most importantly, one of Fan Wei’s legs was missing. He was using a knife to prop himself up against the ground, acting as his substitute leg!
Hong Zhi’s eyes widened in shock, so angry he seemed about to tear his eyes out. He casually shoved aside the heavy stone table and rushed to Fan Wei’s side at great speed.
“What happened? What happened to your leg, Fan Wei!”
“Who did this? How dare they!”
“Treason!”
Fan Wei was the Chief Constable of the government office. Who didn’t know he was one of my men?
Which wretched, god-forsaken person did this, daring to lay hands on an officer, and the Chief Constable at that!
Treason! This is outright treason!
“Sir, never mind me, go notify the Xuan Niao Wei immediately!”
“A ghost domain… it is… the legendary ghost domain!”
“A Calamity… Calamity-class Ghost!”
“Wu… the Wu residence, something’s happened at the Wu residence!”
Fan Wei didn’t have time to catch his breath. Enduring the excruciating pain from his leg, he spoke anxiously and urgently.
“Sir, quickly…”
Fan Wei tried to say more, but suddenly noticed that Hong Zhi, who had been right in front of him, had vanished.
Because the instant Hong Zhi heard the words “Calamity-class Ghost,” he understood the severity of the situation.
All of Hong Zhi’s internal qi instinctively surged into action, and he sped towards the Xuan Niao Wei mansion.
This was the first time in his life he disregarded his image as Prefect, running for dear life towards the Xuan Niao Wei mansion.
Immediately after, Fan Wei’s energy and blood could no longer sustain such a huge loss, and he suddenly fainted.
“The Chief Constable has fainted! Someone, quick!”
Over at the Xuan Niao Wei side, many carriages had also arrived. He Yan, the Deputy Envoy, stood upright at the gate.
Why? Because the people in these carriages were precisely the Xuan Niao Wei and the Hei Yu Wei arriving from Tian Du.
When this long carriage convoy finally stopped, He Yan, feeling nervous and uneasy, walked towards the carriage in the very middle.
Why was He Yan so flustered?
Because the Xuan Envoy, Lu Xuan, had not come out personally to welcome these important figures from Tian Du.
Lu Xuan had instructed him early in the morning: if those from Tian Du arrived, he alone would be responsible for receiving them.
Only if He Yan truly couldn’t handle it could he go inform Lu Xuan to show up.
The closer He Yan got to the central carriage, the more he could feel an invisible pressure.
The carriage curtain hadn’t been lifted, but from inside came an old yet powerful voice.
This voice pierced through the thick curtain and reached He Yan’s ears directly.
“Hmm?”
“You don’t seem to be the Baidao Prefecture Xuan Envoy, Lu Xuan, right?”
Upon hearing the person inside ask, He Yan didn’t dare hesitate for a moment and quickly replied.
“Replying to Lord Earth Envoy, yes, that is correct!”
“Your subordinate is the Deputy Xuan Niao Wei Envoy of Baidao Prefecture. By order of the Xuan Envoy, I am here to respectfully await your arrival, Lord Earth Envoy!”
The people from the Tian Du Xuan Niao Wei who transported heavenly and earthly treasures were generally Earth-level Xuan Niao Wei!
He Yan was naturally well aware of this situation. Having served as Deputy Envoy for over a decade, he had met quite a few Lord Earth Envoys from Tian Du.
The next moment, a strong wind lifted the carriage curtain, and the person inside instantly appeared in front of He Yan.
“Haha, interesting!”
He Yan saw an old man in a red Xuan Niao uniform appear before him, laughing heartily. He was completely confused.
What’s wrong with Lord Earth Envoy?
Logically, this Lord Earth Envoy should be angry at the Xuan Envoy’s behavior, right?
“Lu Xuan, truly a young hero, his style of action is unique!”
“Ever since I came to An Province, others have always personally received me.”
“I’ve truly never had to wait for someone else!”
“You are Deputy He Yan, right? My name is Li Chengxing, Deputy Chief of the Xuan Niao Wei. I am the person in charge of transporting the heavenly and earthly treasures to An Province this time.”
Li Chengxing stated his identity to He Yan. Then, without waiting for He Yan to react, he continued.
“Your Xuan Envoy is certainly a very busy man!”
“But this time, I absolutely must meet him face to face.”
“I carry a sacred decree with me. His Majesty summons your Xuan Envoy!”
“Lu Xuan!”
He Yan was stunned, his eyes glazed over by the succession of earth-shattering statements from Li Chengxing.
“Deputy… Deputy Chief?”
“A sacred decree?”
“His Majesty?”
These words, in He Yan’s eyes, were things beyond his reach.
That exalted Great Xia Emperor, ruler of the empire’s billions of subjects, had actually taken notice of the Xuan Envoy.
Is this… is this… really true?
“Chief Li, please… please go to the main hall to rest for a while. I will go immediately to inform the Xuan Envoy.”
As for the Hei Yu Wei contingent, He Yan didn’t have time to greet them at this moment.
Because what Li Chengxing had said was far too important.
That was an imperial edict!
In the entire Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, is there anything more important than an imperial edict?
Obviously not.
Faced with the Great Xia Emperor’s imperial edict, cold sweat kept pouring from He Yan’s forehead, but the speed of his steps didn’t slow down in the slightest.
When He Yan arrived outside Lu Xuan’s courtyard, five or six Xuan Niao Wei guards were stationed at the entrance.
“Subordinates greet the Deputy Envoy!”
The sounds from outside the courtyard naturally fell upon Lu Xuan’s ears.
“Hmm?”
“Could it be that those people from the Tian Du Xuan Niao Wei have arrived?”
In an instant, the door of the martial arts training room within the courtyard was flung open by an invisible large hand, and Lu Xuan’s figure eerily vanished from the room.
In less than a single breath’s time, a flickering, illusory purple light flashed, like an arrow piercing through the void, shooting out from the courtyard gate.
When everyone regained their senses and refocused their gaze, Lu Xuan was surprisingly standing at the entrance.
Lu Xuan stood firmly in front of the courtyard gate, hands behind his back, expression calm, gaze sharp, watching He Yan before him.
“Deputy He, what is it?”
As for those people from Tian Du, Lu Xuan saw no need to receive them personally; having Deputy He Yan was sufficient.
Seeing this, He Yan glanced around at the Xuan Niao Wei guards, then hurried over to Lu Xuan.
It was then that He Yan, approaching Lu Xuan, spoke in a very low voice.
“Xuan Envoy, it’s a matter of utmost importance. You must go there personally!”
“This time, the person who came from Tian Du is Lord Li Chengxing, one of the three Deputy Chiefs.”
“Moreover, Lord Chief Li is carrying a decree from the current reigning Majesty!”
“His Majesty’s decree!”
Hearing this news, Lu Xuan’s usually calm heart experienced its first intense turmoil!
Li Chengxing, one of the three Deputy Chiefs!
The decree of the Great Xia Empress!
These two pieces of news truly startled Lu Xuan.
Especially the Great Xia Empress, Xia Mingyue. When exactly had he, Lu Xuan, caught the attention of this ruler of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty!
Being targeted by this terrifying figure was not good news for Lu Xuan at all!
