Yongzhou, National Security Bureau Branch.
Zhang Baowen had been on edge lately. Ever since Fozhu instructed him to monitor Li Feng, who had come to Yongzhou, he noticed an influx of people arriving in the city. Normally, a big city like Yongzhou seeing a few newcomers was no big deal, but these weren’t ordinary people. Even as the director of the Yongzhou National Security Bureau, he didn’t dare provoke them.
Left with no choice, he could only keep tabs on them discreetly. As the branch director, his duty was to maintain Yongzhou’s stability and combat illegal forces. But he knew well that some people were far beyond his reach.
Zhang Baowen didn’t know why these individuals had come to Yongzhou, but their presence had disrupted the city’s calm. The Song family, in particular, had stirred into action after their arrival.
Despite being the bureau director—equivalent to a Ming Dynasty Jinyiwei commander—Zhang Baowen had to tread carefully around the Song family, acting subservient. His predecessor, a rich second-generation heir, had disregarded the Song family and, within half a month of taking office, was utterly ruined along with his family.
Learning from that lesson, Zhang Baowen maintained a cautious, conciliatory stance toward the Song family, taking their every move seriously.
This time, the arrival of these figures had even alarmed the Song family, indicating their significant backgrounds. To prevent trouble in Yongzhou, he could only monitor them.
Over the past few days, these people hadn’t caused any incidents, but their presence kept Zhang Baowen uneasy. He had a nagging feeling something was about to happen.
Tap, tap, tap…
A rush of footsteps interrupted his thoughts as a young man in his twenties burst into his office.
Zhang Baowen looked up, annoyed. “What’s with the panic? Where’s your composure?”
“Director… something… something happened,” the young man stammered, intimidated by Zhang Baowen’s anger.
“What happened?” Zhang Baowen’s expression changed, his first thought being that the newcomers in Yongzhou had caused trouble.
“Kunyang Town. Something big happened in Kunyang Town,” the young man replied.
“Kunyang Town?” Zhang Baowen sighed in relief. As long as it wasn’t Yongzhou, he could handle it. If the Song family got involved in a Yongzhou incident, he wouldn’t know what to do.
“Yes, a lot of people died,” the young man nodded.
“A lot of people?” Zhang Baowen looked at him in surprise. “How could so many die in Kunyang Town out of nowhere? What happened? A plague?”
“No, they were killed,” the young man answered.
“What?” Zhang Baowen shot to his feet, staring at the young man. “Killed? How is that possible? Some murderer went to Kunyang Town? How many died?”
“Based on incomplete counts, over a hundred,” the young man replied.
“Over a hundred?” Zhang Baowen’s anger flared. A hundred deaths wasn’t a small matter; it couldn’t be covered up. How could a quiet border town like Kunyang see such a massacre?
Wait.
Kunyang Town sounded familiar. Then he remembered— wasn’t that where Li Feng went?
Could this massacre be related to Li Feng?
His face darkened at the thought. Li Feng was someone Fozhu was watching. If this was connected to him, it was no simple matter.
“Yes, mostly Du Clan members. The Du Clan’s patriarch, the four guardians, and many others are dead. Also, people from Zhongyuan Province’s Zheng family, including their Third Master Zheng Xiaoyang,” the young man reported.
“Zheng Xiaoyang from the Zheng family is dead too?” Zhang Baowen’s eyes widened.
“Yes, both his arms were cut off, and he died miserably,” the young man confirmed.
Zhang Baowen took a deep breath. “Mobilize a team immediately. I’m heading to Kunyang Town now.”
“Yes, sir.” The young man turned and left.
Zhang Baowen paced his office a few times before picking up the phone and dialing a number.
—
Song Family Mountain Estate.
Song Yongquan was furious. He had discovered a Terrestrial Martial Realm ruin in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, but a powerful formation blocked entry. His men couldn’t get in, like seeing a beautiful woman undress before him but being unable to act. It was maddening.
“Young Master, don’t be angry. I see this as a good thing,” Uncle Tang, standing before him, said, noticing his rage.
“A good thing? Uncle Tang, I’ve lost men trying to break into that ruin. You call that a good thing?” Song Yongquan glared. If this weren’t Uncle Tang, who had raised him, he might’ve slapped him.
As the Song family’s young master, his resources were limited. It took years to build his team, and every loss hurt.
“Young Master, the stronger the formation, the more valuable the ruin’s contents. If you break it and get even one or two items, your cultivation could soar. With such strength, the Song family’s leadership is yours,” Uncle Tang said with a smile.
“That’s true, but after losing so many men without breaking the formation, I’m anxious. You know my situation—every man I have is assigned a task. I’m running out of people,” Song Yongquan said helplessly.
“Young Master, you could change your approach to manpower,” Uncle Tang suggested. “I know you value quality over quantity, but sometimes a rabble has its uses. For a formation this strong, sending expendable men to probe it, even if twice as many died, wouldn’t hurt you.”
Song Yongquan fell silent. He’d always prioritized elite followers, unlike his brother Song Zhiyuan, who used all sorts, from riffraff to rogues. Song Yongquan had looked down on that approach, thinking it led nowhere.
Another reason was pride. As the Song family’s young master, he felt associating with lowlifes demeaned him.
But Uncle Tang’s words were a wake-up call.
If only expendable men had died in the ruin, he wouldn’t be so distressed.
“Young Master, as the future head of the Song family, you bear its mission. When you lead, you’ll deal with these lowlifes. Without them, many of our industries would collapse, which would harm both the family and you,” Uncle Tang continued. “If I may be blunt, Second Young Master is better at this. If you keep pushing these people away, they’ll flock to him. Even if you become head, he could challenge you with their support. A true leader doesn’t show disdain for such people, even if you dislike them. That’s the path of a hero.”
Song Yongquan trembled, silent for a long moment before saying, “Uncle Tang, I understand.”
Uncle Tang nodded, satisfied. He supported Song Yongquan over Song Zhiyuan because Yongquan was open to advice, unlike the arrogant Zhiyuan.
“Young Master, for the Terrestrial Martial Realm ruin, we need a formation master,” Uncle Tang said, shifting the topic. “Without one, no number of deaths will break that formation.”
“A formation master?” Song Yongquan gave a bitter smile. “Uncle Tang, you know finding one is like finding a three-legged man. It’s nearly impossible.”
As a martial artist and the Song family’s young master, he knew how rare formation masters were, making the task daunting.
“There are formation masters, but it depends on the cost,” Uncle Tang said, a glint in his eyes.
“You have a way?” Song Yongquan’s eyes lit up.
Uncle Tang nodded. “I know of one, but he’s eccentric and not easily persuaded.”
“No matter the cost, we must hire him,” Song Yongquan said eagerly. To him, any price was worth it if it meant accessing the ruin’s treasures and securing his path to leading the Song family.
“Young Master, his condition…” Uncle Tang leaned in and whispered something.
“What?” Song Yongquan spun to face him, eyes wide with shock. “That’s his condition?”
