Outside Fucheng, within a secluded village...
Yue Ying sat by the window, her figure draped in a light veil. Her eyes gazed out at the world, but her mind seemed distant, lost in thought.
The door creaked open gently, and a woman entered.
It was Madam Wang, the proprietress of the Moon Shadow Tower and the former personal maid of Yue Ying's mother. Years ago, she had helped Yue Ying escape from the clutches of the Murong family.
Noticing Yue Ying's contemplative state, Madam Wang approached her with concern. "Miss, your injuries haven't fully healed yet. You need to rest."
"Auntie Wang, my wounds are no longer a concern. Has anything noteworthy happened recently?" Yue Ying asked softly.
"Miss, the Azure Cloud Stronghold has been destroyed. Our hopes of obtaining the Frost Pearl are dashed," Madam Wang replied, her face grim.
"Destroyed?" Yue Ying's eyes widened in surprise. How could the Azure Cloud Stronghold be destroyed so suddenly?
"Rumor has it that the Su family was responsible," Madam Wang revealed, sharing the information she had gathered through her network.
"The Su family wiped out the Azure Cloud Stronghold? Why would they target them? Could it be that the Azure Cloud Stronghold had ties to the Blood Cult?" Yue Ying wondered aloud.
"The Azure Cloud Stronghold fell to the Su family overnight. There's much speculation about the reason, but it's mostly just gossip. No one knows for sure. However, this development throws a wrench into our plans to exploit Sima Mingyue," Madam Wang said, her voice laced with frustration.
"Auntie Wang, this recent injury has taught me a valuable lesson. Without strength, relying solely on schemes to bring down the Qin family or the County Governor is futile. That's why I've decided to travel to the Neon Garment Palace in the Great Yin Empire to cultivate," Yue Ying declared, her tone resolute.
"The Neon Garment Palace... Does that mean Second Miss has returned? But Miss, if you leave, what about the remaining members of the Murong family?" Madam Wang asked, her voice filled with concern.
The "Second Miss" she referred to was Murong Yue's aunt, an elder of the Neon Garment Palace in the Great Yin Empire.
"The money Su San Shao gave us is enough to provide for them well. They can live far away from the shadow of the Murong family's enemies. Perhaps it's for the best," Yue Ying said, her voice heavy with emotion.
The villagers were mostly widows and orphans of the Murong family. As the sole surviving member of the direct lineage, Murong Yue had inherited not only the leadership but also the burdens of her clan.
"Perhaps this is the best course of action. I will follow your lead, Miss," Madam Wang conceded.
Over the years, she had witnessed the toll that the weight of responsibility had taken on Murong Yue. Maybe this was the release they all needed.
"When do you plan to leave, Miss?" Madam Wang asked.
"In three days. My aunt will arrive then, and I'll leave with her," Murong Yue replied.
"Miss, aren't you going to see Su San Shao one last time?"
"My journey to the Neon Garment Palace is unpredictable. I don't know when I'll be able to return to Fucheng. It's better to avoid a painful farewell. After I'm gone, go to Qingyuan County and deliver this jade pendant to him," Murong Yue said, handing Madam Wang a delicate jade pendant.
"Miss, are you entrusting the Shadow Network you've built to Su San Shao?" Madam Wang asked, her eyes fixed on the pendant.
The pendant represented the Shadow Network, a secret organization Murong Yue had established using the remnants of the Murong family's influence. It served as a symbol of her authority, granting the bearer absolute control over the network.
"Yes," Murong Yue confirmed.
Madam Wang understood. Entrusting the Shadow Network to Su San Shao was the most sensible decision Murong Yue could make before leaving.
Meanwhile, at the Qin residence in the heart of the city...
"Young Master, the Azure Cloud Stronghold has been destroyed. It seems the Su family was behind it," a guard reported to Qin Hao in a hushed tone.
"The Azure Cloud Stronghold is gone, but what about Su Hao? Is he dead?" Qin Hao's primary concern was Su Hao's fate.
"Su San Shao is alive and well in Qingyuan County. It seems someone within the Su family is protecting him," the guard informed him.
"Alive? That useless Azure Cloud Stronghold couldn't even eliminate a single紈绔. Well, it's gone now. How are the preparations for Young Master Lu's return coming along?" Qin Hao asked, shifting his focus.
"Young Master, I've found a suitable candidate – Mu Wanqing, the daughter of Mu, a wealthy merchant in Fucheng. I'm certain Young Master Lu will find her to his liking."
"Mu Wanqing... I've seen her before. She's indeed a beauty. Young Master Lu will be pleased," Qin Hao said, nodding in satisfaction.
"However, Young Master, after this, finding another suitable candidate for Young Master Lu will be challenging," the guard said, a hint of worry in his voice.
Young Master Lu, whose full name was Lu Song, was the son of the Northwest County Governor and a disciple of the Bright Moon Sect, a demonic sect in the Western Liang Empire. He practiced the sect's infamous Bright Moon Manual.
The Bright Moon Manual was a dual cultivation technique that allowed practitioners to enhance their cultivation by absorbing the vital essence of their partners. However, when used on unsuspecting individuals, it drained their life force, leaving them withered and dead.
Before each of Lu Song's visits, Qin Hao would meticulously select a young woman and offer her to him as a vessel to fuel his cultivation.
As the son of the County Governor, Lu Song had discerning tastes. His victims had to be both beautiful and virtuous.
To curry favor with Lu Song, Qin Hao ensured that each candidate he presented was carefully chosen.
"The Northwest County is vast. If we can't find anyone suitable in Fucheng, we'll extend our search to the surrounding towns. Remember, my path to becoming the head of the Qin family hinges on keeping Young Master Lu content," Qin Hao said coldly.
"Understood, Young Master!" the guard replied hastily.
"Keep a close eye on this Mu Wanqing. I don't want any mishaps," Qin Hao ordered, unwilling to leave anything to chance.
"Rest assured, Young Master. I have men watching her constantly. There won't be any problems. I'll bring her to you on the day Young Master Lu returns," the guard assured him.
"Excellent," Qin Hao said, satisfied. The guard had handled such matters numerous times before, so a simple reminder was sufficient.
"Young Master, what about Su Hao? Should we send men to Qingyuan County?" the guard asked.
"Not yet. Let's focus on welcoming Young Master Lu first. I'll deal with Su Hao later," Qin Hao replied, a cold glint in his eyes.
He wouldn't let Su Hao off so easily.
Meanwhile, at the Su residence...
Su Ming handed the letter he had received from Su Hao to his second brother, Su Hong.
After reading the letter's contents, Su Hong took a deep breath, suppressing his astonishment. "Brother, are you saying there's a possibility of a gold mine in the Azure Cloud Mountain Range? If it's true, we, the Su family, must claim it for ourselves."
"The Blood Cult has been searching for it for years, so there must be some truth to it. However, if they haven't found it after all this time, it won't be easy for us either. Besides, who should we send to search for this gold mine?" Su Ming said, his brow furrowed in thought.
The potential gold mine in the Azure Cloud Mountain Range was an opportunity the Su family couldn't afford to miss. However, finding the right person to lead the search was proving to be a challenge.
"Brother, I believe I have the perfect candidate in mind," Su Hong said, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
"Oh? You already have someone in mind? Tell me, Second Brother," Su Ming said, turning to face Su Hong.
"Hao'er, of course. He was the one who discovered this information in the first place. Moreover, he's currently stationed in Qingyuan County, close to the Azure Cloud Mountain Range. Whether he finds it or not is a matter of luck, but even if he doesn't, it's not a loss for the Su family," Su Hong explained, his tone casual yet confident.