Perhaps within the territory of Da Qi, there are some relatively wild and primitive areas where living creatures still gather in the form of tribes.

But in Hanzhou, this situation never happens.

Only in the neighboring grassland is the tribal system prevalent. On the boundless wilderness, one barbarian tribe after another passes on their heritage in the form of blood tribes.

Now Zhang Xinkong has changed his appearance and is meeting with someone secretly, and the other party even said something like this about our tribe...

Zhou Qing had probably guessed the identity of the young man holding the fan, and also understood what was meant by the problem with the Zhang family mentioned in the Xuandu Temple mission.

This family is most likely colluding with the barbarians.

The question now is how deep the collusion between the Zhang family and the barbarians is.

Because it is located on the border, relations between humans and barbarians have always been a major problem in Hanzhou.

Although there have been many conflicts between the human and barbarian tribes throughout history, and there is no real peace even now, there is still communication and exchanges between the two tribes.

In those areas where the two tribes directly border each other and there are no natural barriers such as the Gray Bone Mountains, some individuals and forces trade with the barbarians, bringing treasures from the grasslands to Hanzhou to sell, and then doing the same in reverse, which is almost a tacit agreement.

In such a world of cultivation, there are countless masters and all kinds of magical Taoist magic and martial arts emerge in an endless stream. It is impossible to completely eliminate the prohibitions on such things.

The world is bustling with people seeking profit, and the world is bustling with people seeking profit.

This is a great business, so naturally there will be people who will continue to do it.

Even in the few border areas between Da Qi and the barbarians, the Da Qi government and the barbarian royal court reached a consensus and jointly established mutual markets to exchange what they had.

Such trade is very prosperous, and all kinds of treasures that can only be grown on the other side will appear. It is probably the truth that what is poison to one may be honey to me.

What's more, in the trade fairs near the Ten Thousand Snow Mountains, not only the human and barbarian tribes participate, but the Snow Tribe also joins in to buy what they need.

However, such trade is sometimes affected by the situation of various ethnic groups. If a large-scale war breaks out, it will be closed immediately.

When the war is over and the storm has passed, trade will naturally resume.

So generally speaking, after discovering such a situation, in order to decide how to deal with the Zhang family, we must first determine the extent of their collusion with the barbarians.

If it is just an ordinary trading relationship, then it must be punished.

Although everyone knew that the civilian forces of the human and barbarian tribes traded with each other in private, this was openly prohibited by both the Da Qi government and the barbarian royal court.

If you do it and are discovered, you will naturally be punished, but given the special circumstances of this world, you will not be sentenced to death.

Doesn't the Da Qi government want to punish severely? Of course they do, but there are some things that the court has to compromise on and consider opinions from all sides.

There are too many people and forces involved in this kind of thing, so they can only take a step back.

We won't come here openly. If we are discovered, we will admit defeat.

But as long as we don't go too far, you can't be reckless when punishing us.

Just like the officials and doctors in ancient times who had privileges in Zhou Qing's previous life, the practitioners in this world have their own power. The network of contacts of each practicing force is intricate, so they are naturally special.

After all, the Qi Bai family is one of the top families in the world, and the local power of each state and county is not something that the Qi Bai family can completely ignore.

But if the Zhang family is transferring benefits to the barbarian tribes and seriously damaging the interests of Da Qi, they must be severely punished, even with cruel measures.

Even if the Zhang family directly defected to the barbarians and betrayed the human race, then there is nothing to say, just exterminate the family.

But this is normal.

Now the Zhang family's affairs have been discovered by Xuandu Temple and handed over to Zhou Qing for full handling.

It was clearly stated in the true teaching assessment that after Zhou Qing had investigated all the problems of the Zhang family, he could do whatever he wanted.

The laws of the Great Qi Dynasty, the tacit understanding between the imperial court and the local forces in Hanzhou, and those rules that cannot be put on the surface can all be ignored as long as he wants.

Even if the Zhang family only has a normal trading relationship with a barbarian tribe, Zhou Qing can directly choose to deal with the Zhang family with the heaviest punishment.

Or maybe the Zhang family had completely surrendered to the barbarians, and Zhou Qing could just turn a blind eye to it.

Xuandu Temple supported all the choices he made during the true transmission assessment, allowing him to ignore all the rules in Hanzhou.

But if you think about it a little, you will know that if Zhou Qing really chooses to act recklessly, he will definitely fail the true teaching assessment.

If the Zhang family really defected to the barbarians and he did not deal with it, Xuandu Temple would not say anything. But when he returned to Xuandu Temple and the true transmission assessment was over, how could the Zhang family be really safe and sound? They would definitely not have a good ending.

During the assessment period, Xuandu Temple will not interfere with his choice, but after the assessment, how could Xuandu Temple possibly keep such a traitorous family?

In the blurred light and shadow, Zhang Xinkong did not speak for a long time. He seemed very angry, and when he spoke again, his tone was very bad.

"The masters of your tribe have come here to take risks. Isn't what I do for you also risky?"

Zhang Xinkong stared at the young man holding the fan, "If Xuandu Temple knew about this, I would not survive today."

The young man holding the fan said indifferently: "Xuandu Temple would not know that Hanyuan County has been operating normally for so many years and no major problems have ever occurred. How could Xuandu Temple pay attention to such a small place?"

"Also, you should bear the risks according to the benefits. Master Zhang, you don't think that you can complete the first level of True Blood Refining now because of your own talent, right?"

The last words were full of sarcasm.

Zhou Qing's heart moved when he heard this. Although the conversation between the two did not reveal what their deal was, it also allowed Zhou Qing to get a lot of information.

The matter between the Zhang family and this barbarian tribe is probably very serious...

"Our tribe will not interfere in the affairs of the Han family. In the past, the Han family and your Zhang family were not much different, but you were able to complete the transaction on time and in quantity."

The young man holding the fan laughed, "How come now that the Zhang family's strength has become stronger and has overwhelmed the Han family, he is saying that the Han family will affect our transaction?"

He knew what Zhang Xinkong was thinking at a glance.

His strength has grown, but his ambitions have also expanded. It is not enough to cooperate with them. He also wants to get more in Hanyuan County and wants to have the best of both worlds.

"If you don't know, you might think Han Tielin is the one who has refined the true blood. Master Zhang, do your own thing well, and our tribe will give you what you want."

"Second and third refinements of true blood are not impossible."

"Don't contact me casually unless there is something important later. I have other things to do in Hanzhou."

After saying that, the young man holding the fan stood up and took one last look at Zhang Xinkong.

"The goods are delivered once a month. It's time to pay last month's goods. It's still the same place. Don't let me remind you about this kind of thing."

Then, without waiting for Zhang Xinkong's response, he left.

In the light and shadow, Zhang Xinkong clenched his fists, his veins showing, but he did not attack in the end.

Zhang Xinkong suddenly looked up at the sky with a frown on his face.

When Zhou Qing saw this, he was startled and quickly dispersed the light and shadow in front of him, no longer observing the situation there through the light.

"Facing such an expert, it is still risky to use fixed-interest light, and the more times you observe the opponent, the higher the risk."

The Fixed Breath Light uses light to observe the person whose breath is locked, but it is not without restrictions.

If the other party is strong enough, you may sense that you are being spied on if you watch for too long. If it happens too often, you will definitely become suspicious.

There is no method that can be said to be absolutely flawless, it all depends on who you are targeting.

At the top of the restaurant, Zhang Xinkong's frown relaxed. He just felt like something was wrong.

But this feeling soon disappeared, leaving people clueless.

"Rude barbarian..."

Zhang Xinkong cursed in his heart, then got up and left.

No one could have imagined that an incident of collusion between people had just occurred here, and one of the parties was the head of the Zhang family.

If Zhou Qing didn't have the Steady Light, he wouldn't believe that the dignified head of the Zhang family would come to such a place so low-key and cautious.

It can be said that if this barbarian went to the Zhang family to meet Zhang Xinkong every time, he would have been noticed long ago.

But Zhang Xinkong took the initiative to leave the Zhang family, which made the matter extremely secretive.

I'm afraid that when he left the Zhang family, he also went through a special place like a secret passage.

Only by doing things that are unexpected can you avoid being noticed.

Zhou Qing recalled the conversation between Zhang Xinkong and Zhang Qing, wondering what to do next.

"According to that person's request, the Zhang family should deliver last month's goods to the barbarians within a few days."

"I don't know whether Zhang Xinkong will go to the transaction personally or ask someone else in the Zhang family to do it. If it is someone else, then if I can intercept this batch of goods before the transaction, I will know exactly what the Zhang family is selling to the barbarians."

As for observing Zhang Xinkong through the fixed-interest light... the key point is that he can't stare at Zhang Xinkong from morning to night, and he can't be sure when Zhang Xinkong will meet with the Zhang family and talk about these things. What if he doesn't say it?

So fixed-interest light must be used, but other paths must also be taken together.

If Zhang Xinkong did this personally, it would naturally be impossible to intercept the goods in advance.

In that case, Zhou Qing planned to launch an attack directly after Han Tielin recovered.

Although we still don't know what the so-called "goods" are, but from Zhang Xinkong's words we know that he has colluded deeply with the barbarians, and there is a high probability that he will not be tolerated by Xuandu Temple.

It would be fine to just attack him directly and then search for other evidence afterwards.

However, if possible, Zhou Qing still wants to find out everything first and then act based on the evidence.

He is a reasonable man.

Even if I die, I want the other party to die clearly.

Will the Zhang family directly hand over the goods to the young man holding the fan?

This is unlikely.

Because from the last words of the young man holding the fan, his status should be relatively high, and he still has a lot of things to do in Hanzhou, so he asked the Zhang family not to disturb him at will.

Such a person is unlikely to return to the grassland for the time being, let alone pick up or transport goods.

One delivery per month, twelve times a year. A person who dared to mock Zhang Xinkong in person would never do such "hard work".

"In addition to Zhang Xinkong, the Zhang family also has many masters at the level of Manifestation of Sainthood and Marrow Cleansing. If this matter is to be done by others, they will also need sufficient strength to guarantee it."

"Zhang Xinkong is not the only one who knows about the collusion with the barbarians, but there are definitely many people who know about it. Zhang Xinli and Zhang Bo are very suspicious."

Zhang Xinli, Zhang Xinkong's younger brother, has reached the level of a perfect saint. He once attempted to reach the level of a perfect saint. Although he failed, he survived. With the help of the Zhang family, he was not hurt and his strength became stronger than a normal perfect saint.

Zhang Bo, who has achieved the pinnacle of marrow cleansing, is known as the Zhang family member with the greatest hope of being promoted to the True Blood Realm. He once practiced in Xuandu Temple.

Thinking of these two people, Zhou Qing went to find Han Shanshan and asked her for more information about these two senior members of the Zhang family, such as their daily activities.

Han Shanshan thought for a moment and said, "My great grandfather knows more about this. Why don't you let him tell you, Senior Brother Zhou?"

The big family has a clear division of labor, and each department complements and checks and balances each other. Han Shanshan is still young after all, and it is impossible for her to understand everything in detail.

Zhou Qing nodded in agreement, and soon the great grandfather arrived here.

This old man was not among the old men Zhou Qing met when he was "making elixirs" and seemed a little unfamiliar.

"I am Han Deyan, honored to meet Master Zhou. Thank you for your help to the Han family."

Han Deyan wanted to bow to Zhou Qing, but was stopped by Zhou Qing in time.

This old man is a marrow cleansing warrior, but his Qi and blood are already very weak. Zhou Qing estimates that he is probably over ninety years old.

It would be inappropriate to accept a gift from him.

Han Shanshan told Han Deyan about Zhou Qing's question. He thought for a moment and replied, "Zhang Bo is expected to be promoted to True Blood, so he is rarely responsible for the affairs of the Zhang family. Most of the time, he is at peace cultivating in the Zhang family in the hope of a breakthrough. He rarely shows up, and there is little information about him."

Please...collect 6_9_book_bar (Six//Nine//Book//bar)

"Although Zhang Xinli's strength is stronger than that of an ordinary Manifestation Saint because of his failure in becoming a Yin God, he has no possibility of further advancement. Therefore, many important affairs of the Zhang family are now in the charge of Zhang Xinli."

"Things like the Zhang family's important businesses in other counties, their connections with some powerful forces, and the Zhang family's ancestral land in Hengchuan County are all handled by Zhang Xinli. I have a lot of Zhang Xinli's intelligence records, and you can bring them all over for Mr. Zhou to review."

Zhou Qing suddenly asked, "Wait, what's going on in the Zhang family's ancestral land in Hengchuan County?"

"It's like this. After the Zhang family grew stronger, although they placed their focus on Hanyuan County, Hengchuan County is still valued by the Zhang family, and the Zhang family's ancestral land is still there."

Han Deyan explained: "At the same time, because a large number of items produced in the Gray Bone Mountains were brought into Hengchuan County by practitioners, many forces have bases there, and there are also exploration teams that specifically enter the Gray Bone Mountains."

"So Zhang Xinli would take the Zhang family back to Hengchuan County every month to deliver some resources to the Zhang family's ancestral land. He would also bring the resources collected by the Zhang family in Hengchuan County back to Hanyuan City, either to be consumed by the Zhang family or to be sold to other parties."

"Because the resources that need to be transported are extremely valuable, Zhang Xinli is usually responsible for it himself. If he doesn't have time, he will hand it over to other Zhang family masters."

The Gray Bone Mountains are a natural treasure land, where wild beast flesh, medicinal herbs, spiritual plants and much more can be found.

Especially for wild beasts, every part of their body is a treasure and can be used by practitioners.

Any force has a great demand for the flesh of wild beasts. For example, the Qi and Blood Pills of Xuandu Temple require the flesh and blood of wild beasts.

In the entire Hanyuan County, only the Gray Bone Mountains can provide these things in large quantities. Forces like the Zhang family consume an enormous amount of wild beast flesh and blood every month. It is unknown how many space bags they need to hold.

The area inside many space bags is not large, and hundreds of cubic meters are already very rare.

However, the corpses of wild beasts are generally huge, and some can be tens of meters long.

Because of these reasons, it is not surprising that Zhang Xinli led the Zhang family to transport resources to Hengchuan.

Other forces in Hanyuan City, including the Han family, would do similar things every once in a while.

Everyone does this, so there's nothing strange about it.

But this information seemed problematic to Zhou Qing, who already knew that the Zhang family was colluding with the barbarians.

Could it be that the Zhang family's trade with the barbarians took place in the Gray Bone Mountains? Was the cargo in this team returning to their ancestral land?

Even if it isn't, it doesn't matter. As long as Zhang Xinli leaves Hanyuan City, it will be Zhou Qing's chance to capture him alive.

Zhou Qing asked, "Has the Zhang family returned to Hengchuan County this month?"

"No."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, and then carefully learned from Han Deyan the information about some masters of the Zhang family, as well as many matters related to Hengchuan County.

After Han Deyan left, Zhou Qing said to Han Shanshan:

"Miss Han, please ask the Han family to keep an eye on Zhang Xinli and other masters for me. If anyone is going to Hengchuan County, please notify me in time."

"But this matter must be kept confidential. No one can know that this is what I need."

"Brother Zhou, please rest assured that every time the Zhang family returns to Hengchuan County, they are open and aboveboard. It is not difficult to detect, and no one will discover you."

Han Shanshan smiled and said, "After all, the Han family has been paying attention to the Zhang family for a long time."

"Brother Zhou, do you want to go to Hengchuan County? Do you need my father to send a few masters of the Han family to accompany you?"

Zhou Qing shook his head, "No, it's more convenient for me to be alone."

The Han family's expert...

With Zhou Qing's current strength, except for Han Tielin, the other people in the Han family are just inferior to him.

Being with him not only does not keep secrets, but he is also asked to take care of the Han family when they encounter danger.

What Zhou Qing didn't expect was that in the afternoon, the Han family gave him feedback that many people from the Zhang family had already gone to Hengchuan County.

The person leading the team is none other than Zhang Xinli!

This made Zhou Qing feel that this group of Zhang family members were most likely going to trade with the barbarians.

The young man with the fan had just urged Zhang Xinkong when something like this happened in the afternoon. It was hard not to make associations.

In addition to Zhang Xinli, other Zhang family masters who were traveling with him, the Han family, also gave him accurate information, allowing Zhou Qing to have an accurate understanding of the strength of this team of Zhang family members.

After Zhang Xinli and the others left Hanyuan City, Zhou Qing told Han Tielin that they hoped he could recover to his peak as soon as possible, as it might not be long before he would be needed to take action.

Then Zhou Qing followed quietly, and at the same time he gave Han Tielin a snail to facilitate subsequent contact at any time.

The distance from Hanyuan City to Hengchuan County is definitely within the service range of Snail.

After seeing the figures of Zhang Xinli and others from afar, Zhou Qing did not get anxious, but found a deserted place, transformed into an earth spirit monster, walked underground, and followed the Zhang family.

The Earth Spirit Demon can control the power of the earth, so there is no problem in moving the soil and cracking the ground to create an area that can accommodate his body, and then carry it together while walking underground.

Zhang Xinli's spiritual perception range is definitely wider than his, but the Earth Spirit Demon is gifted and is born with the earth as protection. He stays at an edge limit position, so it is impossible for Zhang Xinli to find his trace.

At the same time, we will not lose track of these Zhang family members.

Zhou Qing planned to wait until they were farther away from Hanyuan City before taking action. He would not give Zhang Xinli and the others any chance to ask Zhang Xinkong for help, nor would he attract the attention of Hengchuan County.

The information about the masters in the Zhang family team emerged in Zhou Qing's mind.

Zhang Xinli, the manifestation of holiness is perfect.

Zhang Bai, late stage of Manifestation of Sainthood, Zhang Wei, great achievement of Marrow Cleansing, Zhang Yan, middle stage of Manifestation of Sainthood.

There are a total of four masters at the level of Manifestation of the Holy Spirit and Cleansing of the Marrow who are within Zhou Qing's range of response.

As for the Riyou Bone Refining Realm, there is no need to say more. In front of Zhou Qing, it is just a weed and can be harvested at will.

There can't possibly be another Zhou Qing in the Zhang family.

As time passed, Zhou Qing occasionally checked the map to determine his current location.

By evening, they were already far away from Hanyuan City.

It was impossible for the Zhang family to rush to Hengchuan County by walking or riding horses, as flying magic weapons were extremely fast.

Fortunately, the Earth Spirit Demon has a huge bonus in the earth. The power of the earth does not hinder him at all. Instead, it helps him move forward, so Zhou Qing has not lost him.

"We're almost there..."

Zhou Qing muttered to himself, then stopped where he was. After making sure that he was no longer within Zhang Xinli's perception range, he rushed out of the earth and returned to his human form.

Then he took out an advanced flying magic weapon that the Han family had temporarily lent him, and chased after Zhang Xinli and the others at an even faster speed.

The large amount of Yuan Crystals embedded in the flying magic weapon had their power drained away, and the distance between it and Zhang Xinli and the others was shortened in an instant, and the distance was still shortening.

The movement in the rear quickly alarmed Zhang Xinli and others. The Zhang family's flying boat stopped and many masters looked back.

"It's the Han family's Aurora Flying Boat!"

Zhang Xinli frowned. He knew that this flying magic weapon was very famous.

"Why did the Han family suddenly appear? Are they going to Hengchuan County too?"

"Is it coming for us?"

"Han Tielin was almost beaten to death by the patriarch, how dare they? Maybe there is something urgent in Yokogawa County."

“…”

The others were talking about it, but none of them were afraid.

Zhang Xinkong's breakthrough has caused the Zhang family to expand unprecedentedly. In addition, Zhang Xinli is also here. Except for Han Tielin, no one in the Han family can be a match for this perfect saint.

They were even considering leaving the Han family behind if the people in the Aurora Flying Boat were not as strong as them! This was not the first time that the Han and Zhang families had secretly done something like this.

Zhang Xinli asked loudly: "Which friend of the Han family is this?"

"Zhang family? I'm not here to see you. I have urgent business to attend to in Hengchuan County."

Zhou Qing's voice changes, imitating an old man from the Han family whom he met while refining the elixir.

Zhang Xinli sneered, "Han Dewei? What can an old man like you do in Hengchuan County? Why don't you stop and talk to us?"

At the same time, he gave a wink to the other members of the Zhang family, who understood and secretly gathered their strength.

The Aurora Flying Boat was getting closer and closer, and the Zhang family was ready to make a move, but before they could make a move, three formation flags suddenly appeared from the flying boat! The powerful formation was formed in an instant, and the power of heaven and earth was boiling.

A magic sword appeared out of nowhere, with great power like that of a god.

“Swish!”

The unstoppable force directly pierced the foreheads of the three Zhang family members, and then cut Zhang Xinkong, who had achieved perfect sainthood, into two halves!

When he reacted, he unleashed terrifying Taoist magic to resist, but it was all in vain.

It wasn't over yet. The magic sword emitted unparalleled divine light and disappeared. When it reappeared, it had already fallen on the other members of the Zhang family, ending their lives. All resistance was nothing more than a paper-like defense.

What is the realm of manifestation of sainthood, the realm of cleansing marrow, what is the powerful realm of manifestation of sainthood who has experience in impacting the Yin God, under the suppression of the formation, under the invincible power of the magic sword, they are all like tofu.

It will break if touched! Zhou Qing also came to the Zhang family's flying magic weapon and directly took away all their souls and suppressed them.

In a flash, all the members of the Zhang family were beheaded and killed.

(End of this chapter)