At Zheng Kecheng's Home
The main door wasn't locked, and it was eerily quiet inside. Qin Wang walked up, observed for a while, then pushed the door open. By the moonlight, he saw a Ba Xian table with eight wooden chairs in the main room.
Not forgetting his primary purpose, Qin Wang, with dagger in hand, headed towards the left bedroom. Inside, there was a large bed, a wardrobe in the corner, and a dressing table. On it was a piece of paper held down by an inkstone, which caught his attention.
Sighing, Qin Wang read the brief note in the moonlight. It was Li Chunxia's short suicide note. She had sent away her only maid and chose death as an escape, expressing her hatred and regret for Zheng Kecheng, blaming herself for causing her brother's family's downfall.
"There's no mention of the Moon Reflecting Blade manual?"
Frowning, Qin Wang was sure that the manual had to be here, as per the intelligence. He immediately began searching the wardrobe.
"Found it!"
In the second compartment, Qin Wang found a bundle containing some silver fragments, a yellowed booklet, and a black iron plate inscribed with the number 92. The booklet was titled "Moon Reflecting Blade"!
After a quick glance at the booklet filled with illustrations of blade techniques, he stashed it and the iron plate into his clothes, along with the silver fragments, before slipping away into the night.
Three Days Later
Morning sunlight bathed Qin Wang as he stood in his courtyard, holding a long blade and looking pleased with his progress.
[Martial Art: Flying Eagle Technique (Minor Mastery)]
[Progress: (1/1600)]
[Effect: Allows swift movement across rooftops and walls like a flying eagle. Mastery can be achieved in three years.]
[Martial Art: Moon Reflecting Blade (Initiate)]
[Progress: (1/800)]
[Effect: Blade techniques are swift and fierce like a crescent moon. With daily practice, mastery can be achieved in two years.]
Since obtaining the Moon Reflecting Blade manual from Zheng Kecheng's home, he had been diligently practicing, reaping the rewards of his hard work.
"Time for breakfast, then a stroll around the Su and Chen family areas, and the militia camp before resuming practice."
After tidying up, Qin Wang headed towards the long street. He ordered a bowl of liver noodles and a bowl of three-flavor noodles at Feng Lai Zi's noodle shop. Ever since advancing to the second rank, his appetite had doubled.
"Have you heard? The eldest son of the Chen family, Chen Tianyu, was killed while buying ginseng in Qingyun County for the Chen matriarch. His body was horribly mutilated, and the Chen matriarch has fainted several times from grief. The Chen family head even vomited blood in anger! They suspect the other three families, but they all deny it. The tension is palpable!"
"It seems like the Chen family has had one misfortune after another since the rumors about the family head practicing the Zikui Sword Technique were exposed."
"Now that you mention it, it does seem like that!"
"Did you hear? The militia leader Qishun captured Li Hongfei and Chen Hao and plans to execute them at the Yacha Market this morning to appease the victims."
"This Heavenly Secret Pavilion is amazing. General Qi relies on its intelligence to capture people accurately every time!"
Listening to the discussions around him, Qin Wang thought to himself, "They haven't started fighting yet. Looks like I need to add more fuel to the fire!"
After finishing his meal, he set off towards the Su and Chen family areas.
Midnight
[Daily Intelligence Refresh!]
[Today's Intelligence]
[1: Yesterday you wandered near the Chen family, learning that the Chen matriarch is in worse health after hearing about her grandson's death.]
[2: You heard about Li Hongfei and Chen Hao's capture. The former's alchemy furnace will be available at the next black market sale.]
[3: You passed by the militia camp and learned that Qishun is interested in the Red Sun Divine Art rumored to have caused a bloodbath in Youzhou. (Note: Your Little Red Sun Art is derived from parts of this divine art.)]
[4: You checked the black iron plate from Zheng Kecheng's home and found it to be an entry token for the Jingshan Black Market, held on the 1st and 15th of each month at the Jingshan Fishing Platform.]
[5: You passed by the Su family and learned that Su family head Su Dingfeng is frustrated but fears acting due to his son's involvement with an immortal sect.]
[10: You learned that the Chen family head, believing that the poison on his son resembles the Su family's flying knife toxin, plans to attack the Su family at 3 a.m.]
"The Red Sun Divine Art?"
"My Little Red Sun Art is derived from this?"
Qin Wang was deep in thought as he read the third piece of intelligence. This divine art, belonging to the top expert Yan Baifei from Liangzhou, was far superior to his own technique. It would be immensely beneficial to obtain it, but for now, it was just a thought.
"The black plate from Zheng Kecheng's home is a black market entry token?"
Taking out the black plate from his pack, he examined it closely. Jingshan, located between Huxiaoji and Qingyun County, was about 100 miles away. Today was the 5th, so there were ten days until the market opened. With the 5000 taels he had from Li Hongfei, he could visit the black market and potentially acquire items to enhance his cultivation.
"Chen family plans to attack the Su family tonight?"
Qin Wang's eyes lit up. There was still time to hide near the Su family and possibly take advantage of any chaos. Even if he couldn't intervene, observing the fight would provide accurate intelligence for tomorrow.
With this plan in mind, he grabbed his dagger, disguised himself as a 50-year-old man, and headed towards the Su family with two packs of paralyzing incense and a fire striker.
Two Hours Later
Qin Wang reached a tall camphor tree 100 meters from the Su family estate, which provided a great vantage point. The estate was vast, with pavilions, ponds, and lush gardens, showcasing its wealth.
Time passed, and at 3 a.m., he saw five figures moving swiftly like large birds, approaching the Su family estate.