In the grand manor of the Xu family, guards were stationed everywhere, and the atmosphere was solemn.
In the main hall, Xu Zaichuan's corpse lay in a coffin. Xu Wangliang stood to the side, staring at the wound on his son's neck with a dark, brooding expression.
"Such a fast sword, such a ruthless sword!"
The words escaped through Xu Wangliang's clenched teeth, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. The maids and servants in the hall held their breath, terrified of provoking him.
"Master, you must, you must avenge Chuan'er!" Xu Zaichuan's mother wailed loudly, her voice hoarse and piercing.
"Whoever killed my son, no matter who they are, they shall not escape!"
Xu Wangliang turned to his steward. The steward quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Master, I have just issued orders. We are currently screening the movements of everyone who had a grievance with the Young Master. If anyone's whereabouts seem suspicious, they will be seized immediately."
*Slap!*
Xu Wangliang struck the steward across the face. The man was sent crashing into a pillar, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The steward looked at Xu Wangliang in horror, unable to fathom what he had done wrong. The surrounding servants shuddered, bowing their heads even lower.
"Anyone with a grievance is to be seized and interrogated immediately, regardless of whether their movements today seem suspicious or not."
Xu Wangliang looked down at the steward and said grimly, "Also, anyone found loitering around Chuan'er's residence today must be arrested. I would rather kill the wrong person than let a single suspect slip away. Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes, yes! I will see to it at once!" The steward scrambled up, nursing his swollen face as he ran out.
"The Young Master is dead, yet you all don't seem to be grieving at all!" Xu Wangliang suddenly turned his gaze toward the servants.
The servants jolted in fright, and a chorus of loud wailing erupted in the hall, the sound even carrying outside the manor.
***
In a narrow alley in the heart of Xingfen City.
"How bold! To dare overturn my shop!"
"Master, everyone inside is dead. They were all killed by a single sword strike!"
"Can you discern anything?"
"The traces left behind have been wiped clean; nothing can be determined for now. Master, I heard Xu Zaichuan died today, also from a sword wound. He Yuanqiu met the same fate."
"Oh? Now that is interesting."
"Master, what should we do now?"
"Investigate! If a shop is overturned like this and we don't respond, others will think we are easy targets!"
"Understood, I'll get on it immediately!"
The entire atmosphere of Xingfen City suddenly grew tense. Searches and arrests began. Those well-informed in the city quickly hid in their homes, refusing to wander outside for fear of being caught in the crossfire.
Cries and the sounds of fighting echoed occasionally from various parts of the city, but they were quickly suppressed.
The other prominent families in Xingfen City tacitly accepted Xu Wangliang's actions. After all, he had lost his most beloved child; to step forward and stop him at such a moment would be to invite an immediate feud with the Xu family.
Furthermore, Xu Wangliang was notorious in Xingfen City for his vendettas. Even if a misunderstanding occurred and nothing happened now, one never knew when he might come to stab them in the back.
Some families were not afraid, but they had no desire to invite such trouble.
By the second day, the Xu family began screening all outsiders within Xingfen City. Anyone found using facial disguise techniques was arrested for interrogation.
To dare use disguise meant one had something to hide. And if one had something to hide, they could explain it thoroughly in the Xu family dungeons.
However, there were truly too many outsiders in Xingfen City. For the Xu family to screen everyone one by one was too difficult and would create too many enemies. Not all outsiders were easy targets; among them were many true experts and powerhouses.
Consequently, after only two days, this large-scale search for outsiders gradually slowed down. Investigations continued, but they could no longer be conducted so recklessly.
At the same time, those planning to leave the city or traveling merchant caravans became primary targets for inspection. Caravans were also informed that if they discovered anyone suspicious joining them mid-journey, they could return to claim a large bounty.
Xingfen City had not been this turbulent for many years. The atmosphere was one of panic; people were scarce on the streets and in the taverns.
***
The Xu Family Manor.
"Is he among these people?"
Xu Wangliang turned to look at Wu Changli, a retainer from the Qian family who had been specifically sent to assist him.
Wu Changli's cultivation was mediocre; he was over fifty and had only recently, through much struggle, reached the Bone Tempering Realm. Yet, in the Qian family, his status was on par with ordinary Marrow Tempering Realm martial artists.
This was because Wu Changli possessed a unique skill: the ability to control certain venomous insects.
The species of these insects were strange and exotic, including one that could track a person based on the scent of their blood.
The Qian family's relationship with the Xu family was merely average, but because Xu Wangliang had caused such an uproar in Xingfen City, the Qian family had sent Wu Changli to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Upon hearing the question, Wu Changli did not answer immediately. Instead, his eyes were fixed on a winged insect in his palm. The insect hovered in his hand, showing no intention of flying away.
"It is not these people," Wu Changli said, shaking his head.
Many in the dungeon had already been tortured beyond recognition, some even mortally wounded. They had overheard the conversation between Xu Wangliang and Wu Changli just now and understood the gist of it.
Thus, hearing Wu Changli's words, some could not help but weep with joy; they were finally going to be released.
"You all seem quite happy!"
Xu Wangliang was already disappointed, and seeing the change in the prisoners' expressions only fueled his rage. His son was dead, yet these people dared to show such joy.
The prisoners felt as if their throats had been squeezed, and they dared not make another sound.
"There must be accomplices among them. Interrogate them more thoroughly. Those who deserve death, kill them!"
Xu Wangliang dropped the command and turned to leave the dungeon. Wu Changli shrunk his neck and hurried to follow.
Wu Changli had heard that Xu Wangliang was temperamental, but now he had seen it firsthand. The people in the dungeon were truly cursed to have encountered him.
One could only say that in this world, wanting to live well sometimes required more than just avoiding trouble.
"Can Protector Wu track the killer of my son?"
Arriving at the main hall, Xu Wangliang sat in a high chair, looking down at Wu Changli. Though he did not exert intentional pressure, Wu Changli's body still tensed up involuntarily.
"If that person has not yet left Xingfen City, I can try," Wu Changli said in a low voice.
"Then I shall trouble you, Protector Wu!" The corners of Xu Wangliang's mouth twitched slightly.
"I wouldn't dare!"
Wu Changli waved his hands dismissively. He glanced at the insect in his sleeve, then pulled a piece of black soil the size of a fingernail from his pocket, placing it near the insect's mouth with a sense of regret for the cost.
The insect leaped forward and landed on the black soil, consuming it in moments.
Its wings vibrated slightly, and it began to fly forward.
Half an hour ago, this insect had licked Xu Zaichuan's blood. Therefore, the scent it was searching for now was that exact same essence.
That same essence remained on the sword that had committed the murder.