Chapter 61: Killing Sword
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the Gao family’s courtyard, within the Xu family’s residence, an air of vigilance permeated the atmosphere, casting a somber tone over everyone present.
Inside the hall, Xu Zaichuan’s lifeless body lay in a coffin. Xu Wangliang stood beside it, his expression dark as he examined the wound on his son’s neck.
“What a swift and merciless strike,” Xu Wangliang muttered through clenched teeth, causing the temperature in the room to seemingly drop. The servants in the hall held their breath, afraid to provoke any further anger from Xu Wangliang.
“Master, you must avenge Chuan’er!” Xu Zaichuan’s mother wailed, her voice hoarse and piercing.
“He took the life of my son. No matter who he is, he will not escape justice!” Xu Wangliang turned to his butler. The butler swiftly stepped forward and whispered, “Old Master, I have just ordered an investigation into the whereabouts of all those who held grievances against Young Master today. If there is any suspicious activity, they will be immediately apprehended.”
“Pa!” Xu Wangliang’s slap landed on the butler’s cheek, sending him crashing into a pillar and spewing a mouthful of blood.
The bewildered butler looked at Xu Wangliang, unsure of his transgression. The surrounding servants trembled, bowing their heads even lower.
…..
“Capture and interrogate any enemies first, regardless of any unusual movements today,” Xu Wangliang said grimly, gazing down at the butler. “Furthermore, detain anyone who has been seen wandering around the estate today. I would rather wrongly punish someone than let a suspicious individual slip away. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes, yes. I will attend to it immediately!” The butler scrambled to his feet, his cheek swollen.
“Young Master has perished, yet you seem devoid of grief,” Xu Wangliang suddenly turned his attention to the servants around him.
All the servants quivered, filling the hall with their mournful wails that spilled beyond the confines of the mansion.
On the bustling streets of Apricot Fen City.
“How dare they destroy my shop!”
“Master, everyone inside was slain. Killed by a single sword strike!”
“Have you discovered anything?”
“The traces have been completely eradicated. We currently have no leads. Master, I heard that Xu Zaichuan met the same fate today. He died from a sword wound, just like He Yuanqiu.”
“Interesting.”
“Master, what shall we do now?”
“We investigate! If we let this attack on our shop go unanswered, others will see us as easy targets!”
“Very well, I shall commence immediately!”
A tense atmosphere settled over Apricot Fen City. People scurried home, refraining from venturing outside to avoid getting embroiled in the unfolding events.
Intermittent cries and sounds of scuffles echoed through certain corners of the city, only to fade away soon after.
The other noble families of Apricot Fen City silently acquiesced to Xu Wangliang’s actions. After all, his beloved son had been slain. If anyone were to oppose him at this time, they would undoubtedly become his enemies.
Furthermore, Xu Wangliang had garnered a reputation for avenging even the slightest grievances within Apricot Fen City. If misunderstandings arose, one might escape unscathed for now, but one never knew when Xu Wangliang’s blade might strike.
Some noble families weren’t fearful, but they also had no desire to stir up unnecessary trouble.
The Xu Clan Estate.
“Is he among these people?”
Xu Wangliang turned to Wu Changli, a consecrator from the Qian Clan who had been specially dispatched to assist him.
Wu Changli’s cultivation was average. Despite being over 50 years old, he had only recently reached the Bone Tempering realm. However, within the Qian Clan, Sergeant Wu held a status equivalent to ordinary Marrow Refinement realm martial artists.
This was due to Wu Changli’s unique ability to control Gu worms.
One of the species of Gu worms possessed an extraordinary talent for tracking individuals based on the scent of blood.
Though the Qian family and the Xu family were not particularly close, the uproar caused by Xu Wangliang in Apricot Fen City had prompted the Qian family to send Wu Changli to assist.
Upon hearing Xu Wangliang’s inquiry, Wu Changli did not immediately respond. Instead, he observed the winged Gu worm resting in his palm. The creature hovered there, showing no signs of taking flight.
“Not among these individuals,” Wu Changli shook his head.
The prisoners had endured severe torture, leaving some unrecognizable or on the brink of death. Having overheard Xu Wangliang’s conversation earlier, they had gained a general understanding of the situation.
Upon hearing Wu Changli’s words, a glimmer of hope sparked in some prisoners’ eyes, and tears of joy began to trickle down their faces. They might finally escape this place.
“Why are you all so elated?” Xu Wangliang’s disappointment transformed into fury. His son had died, yet these prisoners dared to display such happiness.
The prisoners felt as if their throats were being constricted, rendering them silent.
“There may still be accomplices among them. We must conduct thorough interrogations,” Xu Wangliang declared before exiting the prison. The sergeant involuntarily shrank back and quickly followed suit.
Wu Changli had heard of Xu Wangliang’s temper before, and now he witnessed it firsthand. The prisoners were unfortunate to have crossed paths with Xu Wangliang.
It could only be said that in this world, sometimes simply avoiding trouble was insufficient for a peaceful existence.
“Can you track down my son’s killer?” Xu Wangliang inquired upon returning to the main hall. Seated atop a high chair, he peered down at Wu Changli. Though he did not exert any overt pressure, Sergeant Wu involuntarily tensed up.
“If the culprit has not yet left Apricot Fen City, I can attempt to do so,” Wu Changli replied in a low voice.
“In that case, I entrust you with this task, Revered Elder Wu!” Xu Wangliang’s lips twitched.
“I dare not refuse, I dare not refuse!” Wu Changli hastily waved his hand, eyeing the Gu worm hidden within his sleeve. He extracted a small piece of black soil, no larger than a fingernail, from his pocket and placed it before the Gu worm with a pained expression.
The Gu worm leaped onto the black soil, devouring it within moments. Its wings quivered, and it took flight.
An hour ago, the Gu worm had tasted Xu Zaichuan’s blood. It was now seeking the same aura.
The very same aura that was now lingering upon the sword that had claimed Xu Zaichuan’s life..