192: Stop killing with killing

A rift piercing through space slowly opened at the center of the county town, above the County Magistrate's Office.

The moment the rift opened, it caught the attention of City Lord Xiao Muchu, who was resting at the Xiao Residence; he immediately took flight and arrived near the rift.

Through the rift, a wave of pressure descended, spreading majestically across the entire county town as if announcing the arrival of a great figure.

At this time, the spatial rift could be seen from many parts of the county town. The gazes of the residents looking at the rift were filled with confusion and doubt, and some even held a small amount of anticipation.

Figures supported by Lotus Platforms first appeared from the rift. City Lord Xiao Muchu's brows furrowed slightly; the four on these Lotus Platforms were at the Spirit Rank Upper Stage, clearly not the ones who had opened the rift.

Next, an elaborately crafted palace slowly emerged from the rift, with a special spiritual charm flowing over it, and an Aura no weaker than his own poured out from within.

City Lord Xiao Muchu's expression tightened slightly. Fortunately, the person inside the palace was at a similar Realm to his own. However, if there were space-type Source Beasts, it might be a bit difficult to deal with.

But clearly, the procession did not end there. After the palace appeared, the rift did not close; instead, more figures standing on Lotus Platforms appeared, and every single one was at least at the Spirit Rank.

It wasn't until over forty figures appeared after the Lotus Platforms that the rift slowly closed.

And City Lord Xiao Muchu also saw six figures and over a dozen Source Beasts hanging in the air behind the palace, pulled by ropes in the hands of attendants.

“Fu Qinghuai, Li Ziyang...”

Seeing those people's faces and the Source Beasts beside them, City Lord Xiao Muchu clearly recognized them. But how could the people from the three Eighth-Rank Noble Families of this county town be in the hands of this strange procession?

Sensing that the person in the palace was at a similar Realm as himself, City Lord Xiao Muchu was no longer so restrained. His Domain Rank Aura and the Domain rules he had comprehended spread out majestically between heaven and earth.

He faintly showed a posture of standing on equal footing with the person inside the palace.

“I wonder which esteemed guest has arrived in my Zhiyao County? Would you care to enter the Xiao Residence for a detailed discussion?”

A faint inquiry came from inside the palace: “Are you the Assistant Magistrate of this Zhiyao County?”

Being directly questioned by the person inside the palace, City Lord Xiao Muchu felt a faint impatience. However, for someone to travel with such an honor guard, the power behind them must be unfathomable and not easily provoked.

So he suppressed his displeasure and replied, “Yes.”

“That's good. Three Eighth-Rank Noble Families from your Zhiyao County joined forces to attack the carriage of my Qinghan Palace's Young Palace Master. How do you, as the Assistant Magistrate, think this crime should be judged?”

Of course, it wasn't just City Lord Xiao Muchu paying attention to the situation; all the Noble Families in the county and some high-Realm Loose Cultivators were also watching.

When they saw the six figures hanging in the air, the leaders of the three Eighth-Rank Noble Families were shocked, their hearts skipping a beat. Now, hearing this Domain Rank big shot say this, their vision went black, feeling as if the sky was falling.

Didn't they hide their identities to attack the Chu Family? How could they run into this Young Palace Master's procession?

Hearing the words of the person inside the palace, clear confusion appeared on City Lord Xiao Muchu's face.

You're saying these six Contract Masters, who are only at the Lower or Middle Spirit Rank, attacked your procession which has over fifty Spirit Rank Contract Masters plus a Domain Rank powerhouse?

This is even more ridiculous than a tall tale.

The palace doors opened, and Wu Yuan's figure walked out. He had a serious and angry expression, seemingly still afraid and angry because the Young Palace Master had been attacked.

City Lord Xiao Muchu had indeed never heard of Qinghan Palace, but a Young Palace Master guarded by a Domain Rank existence was clearly not a power Zhiyao County could afford to offend.

He could only cup his hands. “I am not yet clear on the causes and consequences of this matter. Why don't Your Excellency explain in detail? If these six people were truly bold enough to attack your Young Palace Master's carriage,”

“this Assistant Magistrate will certainly punish them severely.”

The palace doors opened again, and Chu Shengfan stepped out slowly, with appropriately sized Lotus Platforms appearing under his feet with every step.

After he appeared, the attendants both in front of and behind the palace immediately bowed halfway, their voices respectful. “Welcome, Young Palace Master.”

The simultaneous respectful shouts of over fifty Spirit Rank Contract Masters even triggered a faint energy tide in Zhiyao County, making all the secret observers feel a bit more solemn.

“How about I explain it to you? This seat returned home to visit relatives and did not expect to see these six people slaughtering my clansmen. If this seat had not returned in time, I'm afraid an unforeseeable disaster would have occurred.”

“Regarding this assassination attempt—Shen Family, Fu Family, Li Family—do you admit it or not?”

This final questioning was already infused with energy, spreading across most of the county town.

Chu Shengfan was only at the Spirit Rank Lower Stage; no matter how indignant his words were, those Noble Families probably wouldn't have taken them seriously.

But now, behind Chu Shengfan stood over fifty Spirit Rank Contract Masters, a Domain Rank existence, and the Qinghan Palace, which was incredibly mysterious to the county residents.

So even though his tone was calm now, those who heard these words felt a chill in their hearts.

Being named like this, the three Noble Families could no longer hide. Their Clan Chiefs and high-status elders flew into the air one after another.

In an instant, seven more figures appeared in the air. One of the old men bowed deeply toward Chu Shengfan.

“I did not know that the trash of my clan had disturbed the Young Palace Master's carriage. Their lives are at the Young Palace Master's disposal. Additionally, my clan is willing to offer 100,000 Source Spirit Stone and several treasures, just to soothe the Young Palace Master's startled self.”

Hearing this, the two people hanging behind the palace suddenly looked defeated, but they did not object. Clearly, the readiness to be sacrificed for the Family at any time had long been deeply ingrained in their hearts.

“Which Family are you from?”

Hearing Chu Shengfan's question, the old man looked happy, thinking that Chu Shengfan was moved by the offer.

So he quickly said, “I am from the Fu Family. I will have my clansmen go to the treasury to get things to present to the Young Palace Master.”

To his surprise, Chu Shengfan let out a light sneer. “Do you think I am so easily fooled? A few mere riches can offset the crime of them trying to assassinate my clansmen?”

The old man's voice was a bit dry. “Then what does the Young Palace Master want my Fu Family to do to earn your forgiveness?”

Saluting or even groveling to someone with a much lower Realm than himself, this old man was incredibly unwilling, but with a Domain Rank existence staring from the side, he didn't dare not bow his head.

“Though I am young, I believe that ending killing with killing is the truth. Since the Fu Family wanted to exterminate my Chu Family, it is not too much for me to retaliate in the same way today.”

Hearing his words, not only the old man in front of him but also the people from the other two families who had just flown up suddenly turned pale.