Chen Kun let out a furious roar, then stood still, woodenly in place.
It was as if he hadn't heard Zhuo Yijian's words.
For a long time, he slowly turned around, his eyes bloodshot, and looked at Zhuo Yijian and the two first-rate experts standing in front of him. His expression was a mix of sorrow and anger. "Cousin Yijian? Why are you here? Did you find any clues about the culprit when you arrived?"
Chen Kun recognized his cousin, Zhuo Yijian, whom he had seen ten years ago.
"Cousin, it was Aunt who wrote to report the good news that Cousin Yi had been taken by an elder from the immortal sect for training!"
"My father was busy with affairs, so he sent me to congratulate you and bring Aunt to Yunzhou for a reunion. But unexpectedly..."
"When I arrived here, the mansion was already burned down. Qi Shun had sent people to investigate, and I ordered the bodies to be collected... but there were no clues about the culprit. I only heard that the killer was a masked man in black who used a poison that could disperse inner strength within three breaths."
"Furthermore, all the Chen family members were killed, but the maids and servants were spared and released."
"This indicates that the perpetrator had a deep grudge against the Chen family."
Zhuo Yijian's face showed deep sorrow as he spoke.
"A poison that disperses inner strength within three breaths!!"
"What a brazen villain!! You wiped out my entire clan. If I find you, I will tear you to pieces, peel your skin, extract your tendons, and grind your bones to dust to relieve my hatred! Ah!!!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Kun remembered the 'Yellow Sparrow' he had encountered at the Su family that night and clenched his fists so hard that his bones cracked loudly. The vicious aura of a first-rate expert surged out from him!
That night, because of that dispersing poison, the Chen family lost four second-rate experts!
Originally, Chen Kun, having advanced to a first-rate expert, was ambitious and prepared to dominate Yanyun County. But now, due to that 'Yellow Sparrow,' everything was ruined!
His family was gone.
What was the point of ruling Yanyun County alone? Chen Kun's eyes were cold as he slowly walked outside.
"Cousin, I have already brought back all the maids and servants, just waiting for you to come back and investigate!"
"General Qi Shun has sent people to investigate, and I have also sent people to inform."
Seeing Chen Kun walking outside, Zhuo Yijian immediately spoke.
Although the Chen family had been exterminated, his cousin Chen Kun and, most importantly, his nephew Chen Yi, who had great destiny, were still alive!
When his nephew returns, even the royal family of Da Cang will have to show respect!
Therefore, when he arrived here and discovered the Chen family's massacre, Zhuo Yijian immediately collected the bodies and began investigating the culprit, bringing back all the released maids and servants.
He intended to get closer to his cousin to benefit his family in the future!
"Hmm."
Chen Kun paused his steps, said nothing more, and followed his cousin Zhuo Yijian to the side courtyard where the maids and servants were housed.
Yanyun County
In a large courtyard behind the county office.
A young silver-armored general, about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with eyebrows like swords and eyes like stars, sat in the main seat, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Standing below was Qi Shun.
"General Qi, you have made great contributions in capturing Yanyun County this time. I will report it truthfully to my adoptive father!"
Zheng Lingyun said, looking at Qi Shun standing before him.
"Thank you, sir!"
Qi Shun's heart filled with joy, and he respectfully bowed.
"I came here for two reasons: to integrate and recruit the volunteer troops of Yanyun County and to investigate the murderer of my father! General Qi, do you have any clues about the murderer?"
Zheng Lingyun asked.
"Sir, the late Chief Constable was repeatedly exposed by 'Tianji Pavilion' and 'Baixiao Divine Monarch' and was killed while pursuing them. Hence, 'Tianji Pavilion' and Baixiao Divine Monarch are highly suspect!"
"I also investigated from the angle of possible grudges the late Chief Constable might have had and listed several potential suspects. Among them, Qin Wang from Qingniu Market is the most suspicious! Here is the list, sir, please take a look!"
Qi Shun respectfully handed over a booklet, placing it on the desk in front of Zheng Lingyun.
In fact, this list was obtained from Constable Lin Bao. According to Lin Bao, the late Chief Constable had suspected Qin Wang of being Baixiao Divine Monarch and had gone to arrest him with Constable Wang Jiang. Later, news came that both the Chief Constable and Wang Jiang were killed.
Qi Shun dealt with Lin Bao and brought the booklet to present as his own achievement.
"Qin Wang? Where is he now?"
Zheng Lingyun's eyes sharpened as he read about Qin Wang. According to the records, Qin Wang was a resident of Qingniu Market, eighteen years old, with a sister named Qin Xuemei who was a servant girl sold to the Chen family.
The records noted that Qin Wang was in Qingniu Market during two incidents of exposing Li Laocai's information, giving him the opportunity to commit the crime.
He was once arrested by the Chief Constable under suspicion of arson and likely harbored a grudge, providing a motive.
This person had entered the city twice without any record of leaving and had the opportunity to commit the crime when the late Chief Constable was exposed.
The late Chief Constable's pursuit of this Qin Wang ended in his death, making Qin Wang highly suspicious!
Whether or not he was guilty, he must be caught and interrogated!
"Sir, Qin Wang is currently missing."
Qi Shun replied respectfully.
"Isn't his sister, Qin Xuemei, a servant girl in the Chen family? Bring her in for questioning!"
Zheng Lingyun narrowed his eyes and said.
"Sir, the Chen family was wiped out by a mysterious person, and the maids and four servant girls were released. Strangely, all the other servant girls were found except Qin Xuemei, who disappeared."
Qi Shun reported.
"The Chen family was exterminated? And his sister is missing?"
Zheng Lingyun frowned.
"Yes! Recently, a middle-aged couple left through the south gate at dawn, poisoning dozens of soldiers with a toxin that rendered them immobile within three breaths. I suspect that the couple might be Qin Wang and his sister in disguise! I've already sent people to pursue them."
Qi Shun explained.
Although he couldn't be sure that the fleeing couple were Qin Wang and his sister, he had to say so. Otherwise, allowing a couple to escape through the south gate during a lockdown would be a severe dereliction of duty.
"A toxin that renders one immobile within three breaths!!"
Zheng Lingyun's eyes showed murderous intent as he said coldly, "Send people to capture that couple! They must be caught!"
He knew that his father, a second-rate expert at the later stage, was a formidable figure in Yanyun County. If ambushed by such a toxin, even his father might be caught off guard and poisoned!
Given the significant suspicion, they must be caught and severely interrogated to find out the truth!
"Yes, sir!"
Qi Shun respectfully bowed, took three steps back, and then turned to leave.
Three Days LaterGolden Eagle CityBaishi Village
In a small temple dedicated to the land god, a pair of young couple sat beneath the god's statue. The man appeared about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and the woman, thin and sickly-looking, seemed to be around twenty-five or twenty-six.
"Finally, the Chiyang Divine Skill is mastered! This is great!"
Qin Wang stood up, delighted as he looked at the system panel.
[Skill: Chiyang Divine Skill (Beginner)]
[Progress: (198/800)]
[Effect: The Chiyang flame generates inner strength, extends meridians, enhances defense, speeds up healing, and resists poison, cold, and yin-type inner forces. It will reach minor success in a year and a half.]
For the past three days, Qin Wang had been traveling with Qin Xuemei toward Jinzhou while practicing the Chiyang Divine Skill, and he finally achieved mastery.
This was largely due to his practice of the Lesser Chiyang Skill, which was derived from the Chiyang Divine Skill.
Practicing it was twice as effective with half the effort, and the inner strength from the Lesser Chiyang Skill directly converted into Chiyang Divine Skill's inner strength!
The progress reached 198 points!
"Chiyang Divine Skill!"
Qin Wang focused his thoughts and activated the Chiyang Divine Skill. Immediately, a surge of Chiyang inner strength appeared on his palms, emanating a scorching and terrifying aura!