Chapter 114

Chapter 114: How Dare He? (4000 words, two chapters combined)

In the three days following Xu Ming’s attack, he had been resting at the city lord’s residence.

After the death of the Li family’s young master, there wasn’t a single piece of news from the Li family. The entire Li family was eerily quiet, as if nothing had happened.

However, according to Xu Pengda’s investigation, the Li family had already started organizing the account books of their Baihe County properties over the past two days, presumably preparing to move.

Similarly, within these three days, Baihe County lost another twenty children—ten boys and ten girls.

These twenty children vanished without a trace! Xu Ming suspected it might be the work of the Black Lotus Sect.

During these two or three days of recuperation, Xu Ming also asked Fang Ling quite a bit about information regarding the Black Lotus Sect.

Currently, the world is divided into four major regions—Western Regions, Southern Lands, Northern Wilderness, and Eastern Continent.

The Western Regions have four great demonic sects and three temples.

And the Black Lotus Sect is one of the four great demonic sects of the Western Regions.

In the Western Regions, things are different compared to the Eastern Continent.

There are human kingdoms in the Western Regions, but all of them are subordinates to either the demonic sects or the Buddhist temples.

Human emperors need the approval of the demonic sects and Buddhist temples behind them to ascend the throne.

Moreover, the demonic sects and Buddhist temples can depose an emperor of a dynasty at any time.

One could say that in the Western Regions, the secular dynasties exist solely to provide sustenance for the demonic sects and Buddhist temples.

Thus, the Black Lotus Sect can be considered one of the seven most powerful “nations” in the Western Regions.

No wonder they dared to act against me.

Even if I were killed, the Black Lotus Sect doesn’t fear retaliation from the Wu Kingdom. It would be impractical for the Wu Kingdom to send troops all the way to the Western Regions just because they’re angry.

Forget about the Wu Kingdom’s army reaching the Western Regions; they’d be exhausted by the journey.

Even if both sides were at their peak states, in a direct conflict between the Wu Kingdom and the Black Lotus Sect, the latter probably wouldn’t be intimidated.

This made Xu Ming even more puzzled.

Why would such a massive demonic sect want to kill him?

Other than killing dozens of Black Lotus Sect members before, he didn’t have any other grudges with them, right?

If someone commissioned the Black Lotus Sect to act against him, that person must have a very high status. Otherwise, how could they possibly command respect from such a large sect?

Unable to figure it out, Xu Ming stopped thinking about it.

He decided to deal with the current situation first.

Three days later, Xu Ming had recovered sufficiently. Aside from a small black palm print on his chest, the fist that struck him there had faded.

Xu Ming’s condition returned to its peak.

Xu Ming wasn’t sure if this black palm print would have any adverse effects on him, but currently, everything seemed fine. He thought it was likely just a superficial side effect of that strike.

【You have defeated a Late Stage of Sea Observing Realm Cultivator—Li Hui. Blood Qi +20, Spiritual Energy Concentration +10, Sword Qi +10, Fear-Heart Talisman】

【Fear-Heart Talisman: Draw the talisman with fresh blood to activate it. It causes fear in the opponent, reducing their fighting spirit.】

After killing Li Hui, Xu Ming also received some attribute rewards.

The Fear-Heart Talisman wasn’t a physical talisman paper but rather a method to draw the talisman.

A flash of insight passed through Xu Ming’s mind, and he instantly understood how to use it.

Xu Ming secretly tested it on the big white goose in the courtyard.

The originally sleeping Xiao Bai suddenly woke up in shock, looking around nervously, trembling, then hugged its head with its white wings, resembling a child who thinks “as long as I hide under the covers, I won’t see any ghosts.”

Later, Xiao Bai realized this was still scary, so it followed Xu Ming everywhere, unable to be driven away no matter what Xu Ming did.

Even at night, this Heavenly Black Goose directly crawled into Xu Ming’s bed.

The next morning, after twenty-four hours, the Heavenly Black Goose immediately returned to its usual fearless demeanor.

Xu Ming felt that the Fear-Heart Talisman seemed somewhat useless. “I’m going out today to handle some matters. You don’t need to follow me,” Xu Ming said to Xiao Bai.

“Goose goose goose! (Brat, you’re leaving me behind again!)” The Heavenly Black Goose Xiao Bai flared its wings, clearly unhappy.

Since arriving in Baihe County, this brat kept leaving her behind while he went out alone.

She was practically a lone goose.

“These days have been busy,” Xu Ming smiled. “Soon, we’ll leave Baihe County, and then I’ll take you to see the outside world, let you open your eyes.”

“Goose? (Is Baihe County’s matter resolved?)” Xiao Bai tilted her head.

“Yes,” Xu Ming nodded. “It will be resolved soon.”

Xu Ming stood up and walked toward the door, his voice coming from behind him. “Stay well at the county government office and don’t wander around.”

“Goose”

Watching Xu Ming’s departing back, the Heavenly Black Goose squatted on the ground, looking a little disheartened.

She really wanted to go with Xu Ming, but she knew that these brothers, Xu Ming and Xu Pengda, were extremely busy these days. Even if she wanted to help, she didn’t know how.

“Goose”

The Heavenly Black Goose raised her head, gazing at the sky, reminiscing about playing with Xu Ming when they were younger.

Back then, Xu Ming was so small, now he has grown so much.

When humans grow up, they gain more worries. If she were to transform into human form, would she be able to help him better? But when will she be able to transform? Leaving the county government office,

Xu Ming didn’t go directly to the mansions of the four powerful clans—Sun, Huang, Li, and Xiao—but instead headed straight to Baihe County’s largest Qinglou establishment—the Wind Rain Pavilion.

“Wow, what a handsome young master!”

“Come play, young master.”

“Young master, would you like my company?”

As soon as Xu Ming entered the Wind Rain Pavilion, several women dressed in cool attire surrounded him, clinging to his arm like white rabbits.

Nowadays, Xu Ming had grown up. Although he couldn’t be described as handsome as Pan An, he was undoubtedly a good-looking man.

“Wow, young master, you look unfamiliar.” The madam of the Wind Rain Pavilion swayed and approached. “What kind of woman do you prefer, young master? We have everything here.”

Xu Ming smiled and shook his head. “I am a friend of Young Master Sun. I’ve come to find Young Master Sun Zhuang.”

“A friend of Young Master Sun, this way, this way. I’ll take you right there.”

The madam led Xu Ming upstairs to a room.

From inside the door, the sound of a woman’s soft moans and the creaking of the bed could be heard. Occasionally, the sound of a palm slapping a bottom could also be heard.

“That… Young Master Sun seems to be a bit occupied. Would you like to drink some wine first, young master? Wait a moment?” the madam asked.

Xu Ming smiled. “No problem, I’ll wait here. Madam, please go ahead with your business.”

“Alright, young master.” The madam didn’t say anything more. If the young master wants to wait, let him wait.

Wouldn’t the young master listening outside feel incredibly infuriated? After the madam descended the stairs, Xu Ming kicked the door open with a single foot.

Inside the room, Sun Zhuang was startled and trembled all over.

“Who are you?! What do you want?” Sun Zhuang quickly pulled up his pants. The woman lying on the bed spoke with a tone of coquettish dissatisfaction, seemingly unsatisfied with her desires.

After all, this Sun Young Master ended things in less than ten breaths. Speaking of which, who was this young master? Could he be an enemy of Sun Young Master? However, he looked incredibly handsome.

Xu Ming closed the door without even glancing at the woman lying on the bed, half-dressed. “Greetings, Young Master Sun. I wish to borrow something from Young Master Sun.”

“What?” Sun Zhuang frowned.

Regaining his composure, Sun Zhuang decided to kill the intruder and feed him to the dogs later for ruining his mood! “Borrow my head,” Xu Ming calmly said.

“What? Borrow my head?” Sun Zhuang first looked stunned, then burst into laughter. “Borrow my head? What arrogance! Do you know who I am?!”

As Sun Zhuang finished speaking, a bolt of thunder shot toward Xu Ming.

Xu Ming dispersed it with a punch.

By the time Xu Ming threw another punch, he was already in front of Sun Zhuang.

“Wait…”

Sun Zhuang managed to utter a single word before a peachwood sword slashed across his neck, spraying blood onto the bed and onto the body of the courtesan.

“AAAAAAHHH!!!”

Realizing what had happened, the courtesan began emitting piercing screams.

Some people hearing the screams looked upstairs, wondering who was having such thrilling fun.

When everyone looked toward the direction of the screaming, the door opened, and Xu Ming emerged holding a dripping bloody head.

Everyone thought they must have seen wrong, but when they rubbed their eyes and looked again, they realized they hadn’t. That man truly held a severed head in his hand.

“Ah!”

“Murder!”

“Report it! Quickly report it!”

In an instant, the entire Qinglou establishment was thrown into chaos.

Xu Ming, however, walked down the stairs as if nothing had happened, carrying Sun Zhuang’s head out the door and onto the street.

Next, those on the street who saw Xu Ming carrying the head were also stirred into commotion.

“This looks like the head of Young Master Sun from the Sun family?”

“Ah? He killed Young Master Sun?”

“How dare he?”

“Isn’t Young Master Sun like a celestial being? Is this man even stronger than Young Master Sun?”

Many people scrambled to run away, while some bold ones, after calming down, became curious and recognized the head as Sun Zhuang’s.

Xu Ming continued walking towards the Sun Mansion.

Quite a few daring people wanting to watch the spectacle followed along.

Among them, many had taken shortcuts to rush to the Sun Mansion to report the situation.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, Xu Ming arrived at the Sun Mansion.

With Xu Ming’s arrival, many people gathered in front of the Sun Mansion, all eager spectators.

“Master Sun, it’s bad! Young Master…”

The Sun Mansion’s steward, having been informed that the young master had been killed, hurriedly rushed over to report to his master.

“What happened to Young Master Zhuang?”

Inside the main hall, Master Sun was leisurely brewing tea, appearing very calm.

What could happen to his son? His son was a personal disciple of the Thunderline Sect, a cultivator at the late stage of the Cavern Realm. While things might differ elsewhere, in Baihe County, his son absolutely ruled with impunity.

“Master…” The steward looked as if he wanted to cry, “Young Master’s head… it’s been chopped off…”

“What?!” The tea Master Sun had just sipped was sprayed out, his calmness shattered, “What did you just say? What happened to my son?”

“Master,” the steward appeared teary-eyed, “Someone just told me they saw someone on the street carrying Young Master’s…”

“Master!”

Before the steward could finish saying “head,” a servant tumbled into the main hall.

“Master, it’s terrible! Someone came in carrying Young Master’s head!”

“What?!” Master Sun abruptly stood up, then felt dizzy and sat back down hard.

“Go check, go check…” Master Sun forced himself to stand up.

“There’s no need for Master Sun to personally welcome me.” Outside the door, a man’s voice sounded, and along with it, a head was thrown in.

Sun Zhuang’s head rolled to a stop right in front of Master Sun, facing him directly.

“My son! My son!” Master Sun wailed, “Son-in-law, what wrong did our Zhuang commit? Why did you resort to such extreme measures? Is there no law anymore??!”

“Master Sun, don’t worry, you’ll soon join your son, and then you can discuss the law with him.”

Xu Ming took out a piece of white paper from his pocket.

“Baihe County’s Sun Feng, whose son is a personal disciple of the Thunderline Sect, using the power of the Thunderline Sect to bully men and dominate women in Baihe County, committing every possible evil deed, seizing five acres of land from the Wang family in the eastern city, forcing the girl Chang Hua into prostitution, and because Lin Fei’s son defied Sun Zhuang, Sun Zhuang beat him to death…”

Xu Ming listed sixty-three crimes committed by Sun Feng and his son Sun Zhuang.

These were only what Xu Ming and Xu Pengda had uncovered in recent days; in reality, there were even more.

“Do you have anything to say about these accusations?” Xu Ming put away the paper and looked at Sun Feng.

“Slander! This is pure slander! Xu Ming, where is your evidence?!”

“Evidence?”

Xu Ming held the peachwood sword and stepped forward.

“You! What are you planning to do?!”

Master Sun kept retreating until he hit the wall corner, with no way to escape.

Xu Ming looked at him calmly: “Did I ask for evidence when I killed your son?”

Upon finishing his sentence, Sun Quan’s pupils dilated instantly, and in the next moment, his head fell off to the side.

Xu Ming turned around and looked at the Sun Mansion’s steward. “You’re the Sun Shen steward of the Sun Mansion, right?”

“Please spare me, please spare me…” The steward knelt before Xu Ming, repeatedly kowtowing.

“You’ve committed countless evils, and cannot be spared.”

Xu Ming swung his sword again, and another head dropped to the ground.

Xu Ming stayed in the Sun Mansion for half an hour.

Xu Ming found a maidservant and had her identify names recorded on the paper. Xu Ming proceeded to eliminate each one within the Sun Mansion.

By the time Xu Ming exited, the peachwood sword had turned crimson red.