After upgrading the Turtle Breathing Technique to the first level, Su Hao felt a peculiar, subtle energy within his body. This energy not only covered his body but also concealed the fluctuations of his blood essence, working perfectly.
Su Hao activated the Turtle Breathing Technique, hiding his strength at the fourth stage of the Human Realm, and left the Martial Pavilion.
He planned to find his father, Su Ming, to inquire about his reassignment. Su Hao was eager to leave the Su family, as it was difficult for him to complete tasks there. Without tasks, there were no rewards, and without rewards, his strength would increase slowly – not what Su Hao wanted.
His recent ambush by the Blood Demon Cult had taught Su Hao about the world's cruelty. Even if he wanted to be a playboy, he needed strength to survive.
Entering the living room, he saw his father, Su Ming, looking grave, as if troubled by something. Upon seeing Su Hao, Su Ming's expression immediately brightened.
"Your blood essence and spirit have recovered well. It's good to be young," Su Ming said cheerfully, without asking about Su Hao's depleted energy or the silver hairpin in Lan Yue's throat. Su Hao was grown now and entitled to his secrets.
"Dad, I've mostly recovered. Can I start working at the constabulary now? I'm getting moldy staying at home," Su Hao asked, inquiring about work before mentioning his reassignment, which still awaited his third uncle's notice.
"You won't be going to the Fuzhou City constabulary for now. Your third uncle and I are considering which county to send you to," Su Ming replied.
"You haven't decided yet?" Su Hao asked, surprised.
"We initially thought of sending you to Luoyuan County, the closest to Fuzhou City, for easy access in case of emergencies. But there's been a complication," Su Ming frowned.
"What complication?" Su Hao inquired.
"Your third and second uncles have been cracking down on some people lately, quite aggressively. Sending you to nearby Luoyuan County might put you in danger," Su Ming explained. "Luoyuan County is where your third uncle started his career. If you go there, many people might keep an eye on you, which isn't good for you at this stage."
"How about sending me to Qingyuan County, Dad?" Su Hao suggested, having familiarized himself with the counties under Fuzhou City during his recovery.
Luoyuan County was the wealthiest, located on the plains. Qingyuan County was remote, mountainous, beast-infested, and the most backward.
Going to Luoyuan County would make him a focal point, but Qingyuan County might give the impression of being abandoned by the family head. Moreover, Su Hao thought Qingyuan County suited him best.
The saying goes, "Tough environments breed wily people," so he'd likely find plenty of tasks there. Plus, the mountainous terrain with beasts would provide food for his Blood-Devouring Demon Vine to evolve.
"That place is too remote and harsh. Wouldn't you suffer there?" Su Ming shook his head, not wanting his son to endure hardships.
He then looked at Su Hao strangely, wondering if the recent attack had affected his son's mind, as he used to be unable to endure hardships.
"Dad, because it's remote, people will think the Su family has abandoned me. That way, they won't pay attention to me, and I'll be safer," Su Hao quickly explained, noticing his father's odd look.
"Hmm!" Su Ming's eyes lit up, impressed by Su Hao's reasoning.
Perhaps their previous overprotectiveness had led to the Blood Demon Cult's attack. If Su Hao appeared to be an abandoned scion, the cult might not bother targeting him, potentially making him safer.
"What do you think, Dad?"
"I'll discuss it with your third uncle. Wait a few days," Su Ming said, seeing merit in the idea but needing time to work out the details.
"Alright, discuss it with third uncle. I'm going out for a bit," Su Hao said, turning to leave the Su manor.
In the hall, Su Ming initially wanted to stop Su Hao but decided against it.
"Follow the young master and protect him secretly," Su Ming ordered, and two black-clad figures with emotionless eyes appeared before him – the Su family's death soldiers. They quickly left the hall.
Outside the Su manor, Su Hao felt melancholic, reminded of Su Ping at the gate.
"Blood Demon Cult, I will avenge Su Ping," he vowed.
A new carriage appeared before Su Hao, driven by an ordinary coachman from the Su manor.
"Young Master, where to?"
"First, let's buy some joss paper. We're going to Su Ping's grave," Su Hao instructed after boarding the carriage.
"Yes, Young Master!"
The coachman took Su Hao to buy joss paper in town before heading to Su Ping's burial site.
Su Ping's grave was in a cemetery outside the city, as he wasn't a Su family member and couldn't be buried in their ancestral grounds.
Upon arriving at the cemetery, Su Hao sensed something amiss. Some graves had loose soil on one side, forming deep holes as if something had crawled out.
"What's going on? Could corpses be crawling out?" Su Hao's face darkened as he approached Su Ping's grave, hoping it hadn't been disturbed.
But when he reached Su Ping's grave, Su Hao's expression turned grim. Su Ping's grave showed the same signs. He approached the loosened area and noticed a small coffin fragment. Following it, he cleared away some soil to reveal a dark hollow.
"Young Master, how could this happen? Did Su Ping crawl out?" the coachman exclaimed in shock.
"Su Ping's body is probably no longer in the grave. It must have been stolen. Take me to the cemetery keeper. We need to ask about the other disturbed graves and who was buried in them," Su Hao said gravely.
Some evil sects liked to use corpses for cultivation, especially those of deceased martial artists whose rich blood essence lingered after death, making them suitable for evil practices.
[Task 1]: Su Ping served the host for half his life. Now his corpse has been stolen after death. The host must find and deal with the grave robbers to let Su Ping rest in peace. Reward: 600 sign-in points, 6 Bronze Draw Cards!
"Young Master, there's a small courtyard over there. It should be where the cemetery keeper lives. Let's go ask," the coachman pointed to a simple courtyard not far away.
"Let's go inquire," Su Hao said, his face dark as he strode towards the keeper's courtyard.
Su Ping had died protecting him, and now his body had been taken. This was a direct challenge to Su Hao, one he absolutely couldn't tolerate.