Outside the County Office
A figure sped into the County Office. Moments later, the figure arrived outside a side room within the office.
Inside the Side Room
County Magistrate Li Nantian sat cross-legged, cultivating. Hearing the sound outside the door, his ears twitched and a look of surprise crossed his face. He stood up and slowly opened the door.
Outside stood Fang Heng, who had been sent to investigate the destruction of the Azure Cloud Stronghold.
Fang Heng was out of breath and covered in dust. He started to speak as soon as he saw Li Nantian.
"Come in first and tell me everything!" Li Nantian interrupted, his pupils constricting. He ushered Fang Heng inside.
"What exactly happened that led to the destruction of the Azure Cloud Stronghold?" Li Nantian asked in a deep voice once the door was closed.
"Sir, the Azure Cloud Stronghold was destroyed by the Su Family. They were ruthless. Very few managed to escape." Fang Heng said, his face a mask of anger and hatred.
"The Azure Cloud Stronghold paid a hefty sum to the Su Family every year. There's no reason for them to attack. Did something happen?" Li Nantian asked, his brow furrowed.
He was puzzled. Why would the Su Family attack the Azure Cloud Stronghold?
"I've uncovered some clues. A while back, Qin Hao of the Qin Family sent someone to the Stronghold with orders for us to assassinate Su Hao, the third young master of the Su Family!" Fang Heng said, his face grim.
"Assassinate Su Hao? Such a big decision! Why didn't Xiao Hu report this to me?" Li Nantian's face darkened with anger.
"Xiao Hu and the others failed to kill Su Hao. Instead, the Su Family retaliated and destroyed the Azure Cloud Stronghold." Li Nantian had a sinking suspicion about what happened.
"Yes, according to the information I gathered, the Su Family only took action after Xiao Hu led the attack on Su Hao." Fang Heng nodded grimly.
"But Xiao Hu isn't stupid. He shouldn't be taking such a huge risk at a time like this. Was there a reason?" Li Nantian was puzzled.
Xiao Hu was the first person he subdued after arriving at Northwest County. He was both intelligent and skilled. The Su Family had been acting particularly domineering lately, eliminating anyone who dared to cross them. Xiao Hu should have known better than to act rashly at such a time.
"Qin Hao's guard went up the mountain and told them that Su Hao had been disowned by the Su Family and sent to the remote Qingyuan County. He said they didn't need to hold back and even gave them ten thousand taels of silver as incentive. That's why Xiao Hu and the others were tempted." Fang Heng had been thorough in his investigation.
"Qin Hao's order… Could it be that this Su Hao offended him?" Li Nantian's eyes narrowed as if deep in thought.
"A few days ago, Su Hao humiliated Qin Hao by the Fu City River. I suspect that sparked a desire for revenge. He couldn't act directly, so he used our Azure Cloud Stronghold." Fang Heng explained the reason behind Qin Hao's actions, his voice cold.
"Sir, Su Hao is currently in Qingyuan County. We should eliminate him and avenge our fallen brothers from the Azure Cloud Stronghold!" Fang Heng's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness.
"No. It's possible that the Su Family is using Su Hao as bait. If we act now, we might be walking right into their trap. We'll observe the situation for a while longer. Since Su Hao is in Qingyuan County, we can always make our move later." Li Nantian shook his head, rejecting the idea immediately.
He feared that this was a trap laid by the Su Family, just waiting for someone to take the bait.
"Sir, on my way back, I also received news from the branch about the Branch Master's adopted children."
"What are Duanmu Chen and the others up to?" Li Nantian asked.
"Lan Yue died because of Su Hao. Duanmu Chen sent Lu Yi and Pan Ta to Fu City to eliminate him, but they disappeared without a trace. They were probably also dealt with by the Su Family!"
"A bunch of arrogant fools. However, losing three adopted sons and daughters at once will surely enrage the Branch Master." Li Nantian's expression turned serious.
Although he held the Branch Master's adopted children in contempt, losing three of them in one go was no small matter. Once Duanmu Ming, the Branch Master, left seclusion, the Su Family would undoubtedly become his target.
Within the Northwest Blood Cult branch, there were two main factions.
One faction was led by Duanmu Chen, Duanmu Ming's adopted son. The other consisted of the elders who had followed Duanmu Ming for many years.
"Let's put the Azure Cloud Stronghold matter aside for now. Since Su Hao is in Qingyuan County, I will… My blood poison acted up yesterday and I need to recuperate, so it's not convenient for me to go in person. You will go in my stead tomorrow and meet this Su Hao. Feel him out." Li Nantian said in a low voice.
"Sir, why is the blood poison flaring up more frequently now? At this rate, I'm afraid we won't be able to stay in Qingyuan County for much longer. We need to find a way to suppress it." Fang Heng's face changed as he heard Li Nantian mention the blood poison, worry creeping into his voice.
"Unless I can break through to the Heaven Realm, it will be difficult to suppress with my current strength. Once the Branch Master comes out of seclusion, he should be able to help me integrate this blood poison into my true qi. Any news from him?" Li Nantian asked in a heavy voice.
"The Branch Master is still cultivating within the dungeon of the Prefectural Governor's Office, absorbing the Earthly Yin Qi there. He should be able to break through to the late stage of the Heaven Realm soon!"
"Once the Branch Master reaches the late stage of the Heaven Realm, he will surely be able to help you resolve this blood poison issue, Sir!" Fang Heng nodded.
"Everything hinges on the Branch Master's return. Also, regarding the Azure Cloud Stronghold, it was destroyed because of the Qin Family's orders. Contact Qin Hao and demand five hundred thousand taels of silver as compensation for our losses." Li Nantian said after a moment of thought.
"Understood, Sir!" Fang Heng bowed and retreated from the room.
Meanwhile
Atop the roof, a dark figure slowly materialized.
This shadowy figure was one of the three ninjas that Su Hao had sent to monitor the County Office.
He had noticed someone entering the building and decided to follow, overhearing the entire conversation that had just transpired.
The amount of information was significant. He needed to inform Su Hao immediately.
He shifted his body, preparing to slip away unnoticed.
Inside the room
Li Nantian, who had just sat down, suddenly went rigid. His expression shifted, and in a flash, he shot upwards, his fist aimed at the roof.
BOOM!
Under the force of his punch, a large hole appeared in the roof. Li Nantian soared through it, landing on top of the building.
Caught off guard, the retreating ninja was forced to reveal himself.
"Die!"
Li Nantian didn't hesitate. His hand sliced through the air, a surge of powerful energy engulfing the ninja.
The ninja's face contorted in shock. His brief moment of carelessness had exposed his presence. Now, Li Nantian's attack had sealed off all his escape routes.
BOOM!
The energy slammed into the ninja. In a blink, Li Nantian appeared before him.
But then, his expression twisted in surprise.
The spot where the ninja stood was empty.
His gaze darted around, finally landing on a dark figure darting away at high speed.
"Blood God Finger!"
A crimson aura suddenly enveloped his finger. In the next instant, he vanished and reappeared behind the fleeing shadow, his finger thrust forward.
Thud!
The blood-red finger pierced the shadow's back. A mouthful of blood splattered, and the figure dissolved into a bloody mist.