Chapter Thirty-Three: A City in Turmoil
Inside the main hall of Xiyu Villa, Ling Beixiao slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Who did this? Who did it?"
One of the subordinates replied tremblingly, "We were unaware that when we arrived in town, all of the more than one hundred people who had returned from the night before had been wiped out, without a single survivor."
Ling Beixiao turned to Ling Xueyan and asked, "Have all the gangs been notified?"
Ling Xueyan: "They have all been notified and should arrive at the resort by tomorrow morning."
Ling Beixiao said angrily, "How could someone dare to do such a big thing on the territory of Xiyu Manor, and you all knew nothing about it?" Ling Beixiao pointed at several subordinates and scolded them.
At this moment, another subordinate ran into the hall and said, "Reporting to the master, a group of people have come from outside the manor, insisting on seeing you, and we can't stop them."
Ling Beixiao: "What's meant to come will come. Now, go down."
Ling Xueyan: "These cowards of the martial world are nothing to fear. Father, let me deal with them!"
Ling Beixiao: "No, this is a tense moment. I need to step in personally, otherwise the situation will only get more difficult to manage." With that, Ling Beixiao turned and left.
Ling Beixiao arrived at the entrance of the manor. There were over thirty people outside, clamoring to enter. Several manor disciples blocked their way. Upon seeing Ling Beixiao, the disciples all bowed and greeted him.
"Master!"
Upon seeing Ling Beixiao, the crowd immediately ceased their clamor. A swordsman shouted, "Ling Beixiao, all the friends who came to participate in the treasure appraisal conference have been killed and their treasures stolen on your territory. Was all of this the work of your Fine Rain Manor?"
The crowd echoed, "Yes, was it you who did it...?"
Ling Beixiao raised his hand and said, "Everyone, you have asked me to speak. As the master of this place, I, Ling Mou, am truly not the one who wanted to see such a thing happen in my territory. I bear an unshirkable responsibility for failing to protect everyone's safety. However, if you all say that it was done by my Xiyu Manor, without any evidence, then you are simply provoking trouble!"
One of the swordsmen said, "Ling Beixiao, since you want evidence, do you know that your friend carrying the treasure traveled safely, but upon arriving at the Night Return Inn, over a hundred people were all murdered? Tell me, besides your Fine Rain Manor, who else here has the power to do this? Don't you all agree?"
"Yes! That's right! You're absolutely right!..."
Upon hearing this, Ling Beixiao suddenly raised his right hand and struck out with his palm from a distance. A stone lion on his right shattered instantly, leaving everyone present speechless.
Ling Beixiao solemnly said, "Everyone, Ling Mou has already said that Xiyu Manor was not adequately protected in the matter of the night's return to the inn, and therefore bears inescapable responsibility. However, since the incident has already occurred, I ask that you all give Ling Mou some time to find the culprit. If you insist on making things difficult, then Xiyu Manor is not a place where you can run wild."
After hearing Ling Beixiao's explanation, the swordsman addressed the crowd, saying, "Alright! Let's temporarily trust Master Ling and give Xiyu Manor three days to investigate the murderer. What do you all think?"
Everyone discussed it and said, "Good! Good! Let's make it three days!"
The swordsman then said to Ling Beixiao, "Master Ling, if the murderer cannot be found in three days, the truth will be self-evident. At that time, Xiyu Manor may be able to kill dozens of our people, but it cannot kill thousands upon thousands of our fellow martial artists."
Ling Beixiao smiled and said, "Alright! Let's set a three-day period. During these three days, please stay at my manor to ensure everyone's safety and the smooth running of the treasure appraisal conference."
The swordsman said, "Very well, then we will disturb your manor."
Ling Beixiao said to Ling Xueyan, "Please arrange accommodations for everyone."
Ling Xueyan nodded and said, "Please, everyone!"
The group then followed Ling Xueyan into the manor.
At the mountain villa square, Murong Hanchan and her entourage stood by the courtyard, watching dozens of people enter the square. Ling Qichen, standing beside her, shook her head and sighed.
Murong Hanchan leaned against the railing and asked, "Young Master, are all these people here to participate in the treasure appraisal event?"
Ling Qichen said leisurely, "Yes, or no."
Murong Hanchan asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Ling Qichen said, "Just this morning, more than a hundred people who came to participate in the treasure appraisal conference were all killed at the Yelaigui Inn in town, and their treasures were stolen."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunfeng and Chunxiang exclaimed in surprise, "What? More than a hundred people were all killed?" They were momentarily embarrassed.
Ling Qichen nodded and said, "Yes, most of them died from poisoning."
Yin Xiaosheng asked, "Do you know which gang or faction was behind this?"
Murong Hanchan pouted and said, "They definitely don't know, otherwise, these roughnecks wouldn't have entered Xiyu Manor!"
Ling Qichen: "I really don't know now. My father was furious about this matter. To be able to do such a big thing on the territory of Xiyu Manor, there must be a considerable force behind him."
Yi Mingzhao sighed, "These people's motives are probably not pure. They not only kill and rob, but also want to frame Xiyu Manor."
Chunxiang: "In that case, the martial arts world will once again be plunged into bloodshed."
Murong Hanchan reclined on the railing, leaning against the pillar, her jade-like hands playing with her long hair that reached her chest. She said calmly, "When has the martial world ever been peaceful? Bloodshed and slaughter are the true flavor of the martial world."
Upon hearing this, everyone stared at Murong Hanchan.
Murong Hanchan was taken aback and felt uneasy. She then stood up and said, "You guys chat! I have to go!" With her hands behind her back, she left gracefully.
Meanwhile, in a mysterious place, inside a room filled with aristocratic atmosphere, the luxurious decorations and architecture were dazzling. A dragon throne stood resplendently, and upon it sat a man with white hair and a youthful face. His age was difficult to guess, but his kingly bearing and aura were naturally revealed; he was none other than Ouyang Longyuan.
Three people stood in the hall: the young emperor, the grandmaster, and Ku Bai Diao.
Ouyang Fanhuang's voice rang out: "Poisoner, you are seriously injured."
Ku Bai Diao: "Serving the Brahma Emperor is a duty I would gladly die ten thousand times over."
Ouyang Fanhuang: "Why is Hongniang nowhere to be seen?"
Ku Bai Diao: "Hong Niang... she's dead."
Ouyang Fanhuang's expression changed slightly. "Hmm?"
Upon seeing this, the Grandmaster immediately said, "It is my incompetence that caused Hongniang to lose her life."
Ouyang Fanhuang: "So, you've encountered a master?"
The young emperor said, "That's right, this person's cultivation has reached the pinnacle, and we are both under his control."
Ouyang Fanhuang: "How many people escaped alive?"
Grandmaster: "There are two people, a man and a woman. The woman is dressed in white and is particularly conspicuous."
Ouyang Fanhuang: "It's alright, Grandmaster. You should know what to do next."
Grandmaster: "If these two appear at the treasure appraisal event, find someone to testify that they are the murderers. If they are not there, we can take the opportunity to incite various factions in the martial arts world to fight against Xiyu Manor."
Ouyang Fanhuang: "Very good, I look forward to Ling Beixiao's counterattack. Remember, you must not reveal too much. As long as Ling Beixiao is alive, he will always be your crisis."
Upon hearing this, both the Grandmaster and the Young Emperor replied in unison, "Yes!"
In the small bamboo grove, Yu Linglong had already told Ma Pingchuan and Qiuxia what had happened.
Yu Linglong: "That's how it happened."
Qiu Xia: "My God, I never imagined that those who buy and sell treasures would end up losing their lives."
Ma Pingchuan: "Luckily we escaped, otherwise we would have been victims of the blade."
Yu Linglong said to Qiu Xia, "We cannot get involved in the conflicts of the martial world. If we cannot find Chunxiang tomorrow, let's return to Tianji Palace."
Qiu Xia glanced at Ma Pingchuan, then knelt down and said, "Palace Master, I don't want to go back with you. Please grant my request."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong immediately understood and said, "Qiuxia, if there is a calamity in the mortal world, it cannot be avoided or escaped. Just do as you please."
Tears streamed down Qiu Xia's face as she cried, "It is Qiu Xia who has let down the Palace Master."
Yu Linglong pulled Qiu Xia up and said, "Get up. If you ever see through the illusions of the mortal world, Tianji Palace will always be your home."
Qiu Xia stood up, tears streaming down her face, and nodded: "Yes!"
Ma Pingchuan, who was standing nearby, noticed this and asked with concern, "Qiuxia."
Qiuxia wiped away her tears and smiled, "Brother Ma, I'm fine."
Ma Pingchuan: "It's getting late. Let's go back to Mianzhu Town and find an inn to stay in."
Qiuxia: "The town is so chaotic, it's better if we don't go back. It's only for one day anyway, so let's camp here tonight."
Ma Pingchuan scratched his head and said, "Isn't this a bad idea? It's cold and damp outside at night. What if you catch a cold?"
Qiuxia smiled and said, "Brother Ma, don't worry, we won't catch a cold. Let's go find some food before it gets dark."
Ma Pingchuan: "Alright then, Palace Master, I'll leave Brother Xiaoyao to you!"
Yu Linglong: "...You guys go ahead."
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