Bailuo Prefecture—
A city dozens of times larger than Qingyun County. The streets teemed with pedestrians, carriages came and went in an endless stream, and towering structures stood imposingly throughout.
Near the city center lay a sprawling estate covering nearly a hundred acres. Its walls stretched skyward, and two jade-white lion statues flanked the vermilion gates.
This was the residence of Luo Jinghe, an appointed official of the Great Xia Dynasty and the Vice Administrator of Bailuo Prefecture.
Deep within the estate, in a secluded and tranquil garden, emerald-green grass carpeted the pathways, with ancient trees rising majestically every few meters.
At the end of a bluestone-paved path stood an exquisitely crafted pavilion. Inside, a middle-aged man dressed in fine silk robes lounged on a stone chair, attended by several beautiful young women whose delicate hands kneaded his shoulders.
Suddenly, a man hurried down the garden path toward the pavilion. Bowing humbly, he addressed the middle-aged man inside:
“Master, Huang Xuanzheng of the Huang family requests an audience.”
The middle-aged man was none other than Luo Jinghe, Vice Administrator of Bailuo Prefecture.
After a long pause, Luo Jinghe finally opened his eyes. Still reclining, he spoke indifferently:
“All of you, leave.”
“Let him in.”
“Yes, Master.”
At his command, the maidservants and the messenger quickly withdrew. Moments later, the man returned, followed by a young man dressed in plain white robes—Huang Xuanzheng, eldest son of Qingyun County’s Deputy Magistrate Huang Yangping and a low-ranking Black Raven Guard.
The moment Huang Xuanzheng saw Luo Jinghe, his face twisted in grief, his bloodshot eyes brimming with desperation. He rushed forward.
“Uncle Luo, you must uphold justice for my family!”
The day before, Huang Xuanzheng had received news of his father’s death—a bolt from the blue that struck him with such fury he nearly vomited blood. He could scarcely believe it.
Of course, he had considered returning to Qingyun County immediately, but reason prevailed. If the enemy could kill his father so easily, then Huang Xuanzheng, a mere Bone-Forging Realm martial artist, would only be throwing his life away.
When he sought help from the Black Raven Guard’s commander, he was flatly refused—“We lack the manpower to spare.”
Left with no other options, Huang Xuanzheng turned to the man who had long supported the Huang family—Vice Administrator Luo.
Luo Jinghe’s eyes showed no ripple of emotion. His expression remained calm, as though he had already known of the matter.
“Do not worry, Nephew. The Prefect has already dispatched men to Qingyun County. The truth will soon come to light, and your father will receive justice.”
“I, too, will not let the murderer escape.”
Luo Jinghe’s assurance gave Huang Xuanzheng, drowning in sorrow, a glimmer of hope.
Then, Luo Jinghe suddenly asked:
“By the way, Nephew, did anyone see you come here?”
The Black Raven Guards were a unique organization in the Great Xia Dynasty, answering directly to the emperor. Ordinarily, they avoided close contact with local officials—doing so could be construed as collusion, a capital offense.
“No, Uncle Luo. I left the Black Raven Guards in secret, disguised myself, and made sure no one followed me.”
A faint smile touched Luo Jinghe’s lips. He rose slowly and approached Huang Xuanzheng.
“Good. Rest assured, I will ensure justice for your family.”
Before Huang Xuanzheng could react, Luo Jinghe was already before him.
“Uncle Luo, then I—”
CRACK!
Luo Jinghe’s hidden hand shot out, slamming onto Huang Xuanzheng’s skull. A surge of terrifying energy invaded his body, ruthlessly crushing his organs.
Within moments, Huang Xuanzheng’s eyes glazed over with disbelief and resentment. His body went limp, collapsing like a sack of mud.
“No need for thanks. I’ll reunite you with your father.”
Luo Jinghe clasped his hands behind his back, a faint smile curling his lips as he gazed at the corpse.
“Master, should we still investigate the killer of Huang Yangping in Qingyun County?”
The attendant watched coldly before posing the question.
“Investigate. Huang Yangping was my dog. Whoever killed him has challenged me.”
“No matter who it is, they will pay.”
Luo Jinghe’s eyes burned with malice, sending a chill down the attendant’s spine.
“Yes, Master!”
Everyone in Bailuo Prefecture knew Huang Yangping was Luo Jinghe’s man. Yet some fool had dared to oppose him, brazenly murdering Huang Yangping. If Luo Jinghe did not retaliate, who would dare follow him in the future?
Moreover, Huang Yangping had supplied him with a steady stream of silver. His death meant Luo Jinghe would lose a significant source of income.
To cut off a man’s wealth is to murder his parents!
…..
Late Night, the Darkest Hour
The night was ink-black, the sky dotted with stars. A vast, luminous moon cast its glow upon the earth, draping Qingyun County’s roads in a silvery veil.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
A black steed galloped down the deserted road. Before long, it veered onto a narrower path, slowing its pace.
Eventually, the horse halted before a village entrance.
The rider was none other than Lu Xuan, who had left Qingyun County.
Sitting motionless atop his horse, he stared at the large stone marker at the village entrance. Even in the dim light, he could make out the three characters carved into it:
Liu Gou Village.
With the mindset of “plucking feathers from a passing goose,” Lu Xuan had decided to stop by Liu Gou Village on his way to Bailuo Prefecture.
His target? The black shadowy entity rumored to haunt the village.
If it still lurked there, Lu Xuan would gladly slay it again—and claim the system’s rewards.
But his hopes were dashed.
After tethering his horse, he slipped into the village and carefully scanned the area. Yet he detected none of the eerie, chilling presence from before.
As dawn approached and the villagers began to stir, Lu Xuan quietly departed Liu Gou Village.
