chapter 38 Serial murder plan ===

"You... How did you know?" Thornex Zhou's face was filled with fear. Indeed, he had lied just now, not wanting to implicate the Lord’s Mansion. Verdantius Liu's words completely shattered his confidence. He hadn't expected to be manipulated by Lichenus Qi, who hadn't even mentioned borrowing money yet, but voluntarily offered to help him raise funds. "It's simple. Tone-Breaking Army rarely leaves the military camp, let alone comes to this middle-of-nowhere Canglan City. As a mere Centurion, do you have the qualifications to reminisce with the Lord of a city? Clearly, you were lying. Lichenus Qi has some leverage over you, and he dares not offend Tone-Breaking Army." "The only way was to use someone else's hand to kill, lure you to Qifeng Canyon, assassinate the guards of the Xu family, and then, with the help of my father-in-law, kill you. Even if news of Tone-Breaking Army's death leaks, it has nothing to do with the Lord’s Mansion; the Xu family would be the real culprits." In the first two encounters, they only seized without killing, aiming to make the Xu family take notice. Step by step, luring the Xu family as the weapon workshop remained closed, Silvianus Xu must be anxious. Personally coming to escort, at this moment, when Wan and Tian families found him, willing to spend ten million gold coins, asking Tone-Breaking Army to take action, it was a well-designed trap. After Thornex Zhou and others killed the Xu family guards, Silvianus Xu appeared, and then Tone-Breaking Army was killed—a perfect plan. Lichenus Qi sat in the Lord's position, unwilling to be coerced. Although Thornex Zhou's status was inferior, bearing the name of Centurion Tone-Breaking Army, he dared not openly oppose. He had to rely on the Xu family, manipulating everything in secret. The hidden hand pushing things behind the scenes was none other than the Lord’s Mansion. Although not directly involved, after careful analysis, it was as if one were present, every detail and conversation between them was scrutinized and deduced accurately. "What a cunning Lichenus Qi! I treated you like a brother, and you actually plotted against me, using others to kill me and silence me. I covered up your filthy deeds for more than twenty years, never expecting you to turn your back so heartlessly." Surprisingly, Thornex Zhou couldn't bring himself to hate Verdantius Liu. All of this was manipulated by Lichenus Qi; he was also a victim. "What did Lichenus Qi do back then to give you leverage over him?" He inquired, if this leverage might be useful in the future, to coerce the Lord’s Mansion, and at crucial moments, stand on the side of the Xu family. As he mentioned this matter, Thornex Zhou's expression became extremely ferocious. Both of his eyes were blind, blood seeping out, making him look terrifying. "Twenty-five years ago, we went on a mission together, passing through a small town. We encountered a beautiful woman by chance. Little did I know, Lichenus Qi, with a human face but a beastly heart, after seeing this woman, unleashed his beastly nature, violated and killed her. To cover up the murder, he massacred the entire town, all ten thousand residents, disguising it as a monster attack." Recalling this, Thornex Zhou hated him to the bone. Lichenus Qi had begged him for several days, offering a large amount of gold coins to keep Thornex Zhou silent. In the following years, Lichenus Qi would provide Thornex Zhou with a sum of gold coins at regular intervals for his extravagance. After several years, Lichenus Qi's extraordinary talent had grown from a small soldier to the lord of a city. Thornex Zhou knew his position was inferior, and the incidents of the past were so long ago, that there was no need to bring up old accounts. A few days ago in the Imperial City, he had embezzled Tone-Breaking Army's funds without permission, losing ten million gold coins. If these coins weren't used for military expenses, the consequences were obvious—punishment by military law, execution as an example. Finally, he thought of Lichenus Qi. As the lord of a city, he must be incredibly wealthy. He decided to ask him for a loan of ten million gold coins to plug the hole, and then think of other ways. "Just based on your one-sided words, even if you reveal it, Lichenus Qi can easily deny it. After all, so many years have passed, and there's no evidence." Verdantius Liu continued to inquire. More than twenty years had passed, and few people could remember what happened in the small town back then. "Back then, I deliberately left a way out. I copied a copy of the town's records. This time in Canglan City, when I mentioned the records, Lichenus Qi started to disbelieve. All information about the town was erased. When I presented the first copy, he surprisingly remained calm, even comforting me. He offered to fill in the missing gaps. It turns out he was using me to kill with borrowed knives." Thornex Zhou's eyes were bloodshot. From start to finish, he had been manipulated in circles by Lichenus Qi. "Where is the record hidden now?" Finding the records meant controlling Lichenus Qi, seizing his leverage. In the future, he could control him and make him obedient. "If I tell you, can you give me a way out?" Thornex Zhou's vacant eyes stared at Verdantius Liu, relying on his feelings. "No!" The matter of killing the Tone-Breaking Army must not leak. This answer left Thornex Zhou stunned. Then, he forced a bitter smile. If it were someone else, they would probably do the same. To eliminate all future troubles, one must cut the grass and eliminate the roots. "I can promise you to tell you the location of the records, but you also have to promise me a condition. If not, I'll bite my Thornex Zhou, disheartened and cold-hearted, knew that in his current state, even if he were released, there was nowhere for him to go. Deprived of his cultivation, blinded in both eyes, he was worse than useless. "Speak, what condition?" Deacon Qi had already left, and the upcoming discussion involved too many secrets. He stood at a distance, keeping watch to prevent any leaks. "Help me kill Lichenus Qi, avenge me." Veins popped up on Thornex Zhou's face. All of this was a vile conspiracy by that despicable Lichenus Qi. "I cannot fully promise you, but I will do my best. Can you understand what I mean?" Verdantius Liu didn't explicitly agree. Thornex Zhou wasn't foolish and could sense the implied meaning. The Lord’s Mansion had already waded into this murky water, and escaping now was evidently impossible. A battle with the Xu family was inevitable sooner or later, and the outcome was uncertain. With the crisis in the Xu family's purple gold mine resolved, the plans of the Wan and Tian families failed. Tone-Breaking Army's life or death was unknown, and Lichenus Qi would undoubtedly be uneasy, trying to find out the reasons and locate the hidden records Thornex Zhou mentioned to destroy them. The breakthrough was still the Xu family. Tone-Breaking Army's mysterious disappearance, only the Xu family knew the details. Lichenus Qi didn't dare to act openly, but he would use every means secretly to destroy the Xu family. "Your strength, placed in the Imperial City, is among the best. Canglan City won't be able to hold you for long. I believe you can eliminate Lichenus Qi. I brought three copies of the records, hidden in the Yuelai Inn's T-shaped courtyard. When you enter, it's the tenth brick in the courtyard." Thornex Zhou revealed the two locations where the records were hidden to Verdantius Liu, his face showing a touch of desolation. "Safe travels!" Drawing his short knife, Thornex Zhou's body gradually withered, his cultivation in the Soul washing Realm providing a large amount of essence. Transforming into human skin, a storage pouch fell to the ground. The intense drumming from his dantian indicated that the breakthrough to the third stage of the Innate realm was imminent, just a step away. The rest was entrusted to Deacon Qi to ensure that no traces of the struggle were left behind. All fifteen guards were gathered together, looking at Verdantius Liu with reverence. There was a hint of fear deep in their eyes. "What happened today, I don't want any of you to leak a single word. If I find out who leaked it, don't blame me for being ruthless." As Verdantius Liu's words fell, a terrifying killing intent enveloped all sixteen of them, including Deacon Qi. The scene where they had questioned Thornex Zhou just now was observed by everyone. A Soul-washing Realm cultivator could only endure for five breaths, and even that caused immense pain. "Master, rest assured. We absolutely won't leak a single word." Deacon Qi assured, and the fifteen guards collectively pledged not to disclose today's events. The group continued on their way, leaving Qifeng Canyon. The journey was mostly safe, with no encounters along the road. Half a day later, they saw the exit of the Sunset Mountains. "Master, aren't you coming back with us?" Deacon Qi asked. They would be back in Canglan City in half a day. Why wasn't the master returning? "I need to go to the mine. The Wan and Tian families, along with other experts, will come. They intend to seize the purple gold mine. You quickly transport the ore back to the weapon workshop." After saying this, Verdantius Liu plunged into the Sunset Mountains, rushing towards the Xu family's purple gold mine, hoping there would be no unexpected developments. Meanwhile, the Tian family: "The Family Head, Silvianus Xu has not left Canglan City and is still guarding the Xu family. He patrols the five weapon workshops every day." The spies had been gathering around the Xu family for the past few days, observing their every move. Silvianus Xu left the house every morning and returned every evening. "Could it be that they can bear to see the weapon workshops close down?" Herbidor Tian's face darkened. For this plan, they had put in a lot of effort. The goal was to lure Silvianus Xu out of Canglan City, use him to eliminate the Tone-Breaking Army, and then take over the Xu family's industry while occupying Canglan City. "Family Head, something's not right. Xu's family has brought back ten carts of purple gold ore, and they've already entered the city!" A spy rushed in, panting heavily, bringing the news. "Impossible. Could they have failed?" Herbidor Tian murmured to himself, "Keep observing every move of the Xu family. I'll go to the Wan family." After speaking, he got up and left the main hall, heading straight to the Wan family. The story splits into two: Verdantius Liu returned to the Sunset Mountains, urging the horse to gallop toward the Xu family's purple gold mine. It was a journey of about one and a half days. The dozens of experts brought in by the Tian family had been wandering around the Sunset Mountains for a day but found no trace of Verdantius Liu. Their frustrated cries echoed through the quiet night. This group not only included experts from the Tian family but also those from the Wan family. "Elder, where has this lad gone? We've almost searched the entire outer perimeter of the Sunset Mountains, and there's no sign of him." A disciple of the Tian family lit a bonfire, setting up camp. After searching for a day, they found no clues. "Don't be anxious; this lad can't escape." The elder of the Tian family walked into the camp, sitting cross-legged to rest. Other disciples patrolled the area to avoid attacks from mystical beasts. A black figure silently approached, a sly smile on the corners of his mouth. "You want to kill me, but you're still a bit too green." Since entering yesterday, Verdantius Liu had known that someone was following him. He intentionally acted as if he didn't notice, settled the matter of transporting goods, and was now ready to deal with them. The crackling of the bonfire was particularly harsh in the silent night. A disciple on patrol was about to turn around when suddenly his neck felt cold.