62: The conspiracy is in progress!

Jinling City, the City Lord's Manor.

Deep within a side courtyard, there was an elegantly decorated quiet room.

This was the private residence of Zhang Long, the Chief Steward of the City Lord's Manor.

Zhang Long held an extraordinary status within the City Lord's Manor.

Although his martial arts cultivation was not as high as those top-tier experts, he excelled in being smooth and sophisticated, with seasoned methods.

Deeply trusted by the City Lord, he was a figure of true power.

At this moment, he was reclining on a soft couch.

His eyes were slightly closed, enjoying a gentle massage from a maidservant.

The pressure from her fingertips was just right.

The entire quiet room was filled with the soul-soothing scent of sandalwood.

This rare tranquility and comfort were broken by a knock at the door.

“Knock, knock.”

Zhang Long's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

His voice carried a hint of displeasure at being disturbed.

“Who is it?”

From outside the door came the respectful voice of a servant.

“Steward Zhang, Master Duan of the Jingtao Martial Arts School requests an audience.”

Duan Tianba?

Zhang Long's eyelids cracked open slightly.

He had long-standing dealings with Duan Tianba.

The man was a thorough egoist who knew how to adapt to circumstances, and he never came empty-handed.

More importantly, he was well-versed in the way of currying favor with those in power.

Visiting at this time meant there must be something important.

“Let him in.”

The door creaked open.

Duan Tianba practically jogged inside.

His waist was bent extremely low, his face was covered in a fawning smile, and he was incredibly respectful.

In his hand, he carried a heavy red sandalwood box.

The wooden box made a dull thud as it touched the marble tabletop.

Zhang Long's gaze lingered on the wooden box for a moment.

Then, he calmly shifted his gaze back to Duan Tianba's face.

“Steward Zhang, please forgive me for disturbing you so late at night.”

Duan Tianba gently placed the wooden box on the desk.

He acted cautiously, as if afraid of disturbing Zhang Long's peaceful dreams.

Zhang Long waved his hand, signaling the maidservant to withdraw.

Only after the door closed again, isolating all sounds from the outside, did he slowly speak.

His voice carried a hint of unhurried composure.

“Master Duan, there is no need for such formalities between us.”

“Currently, Jinling City is in a state of high alert, and the City Lord is in a foul mood.”

“You coming here late at night surely isn't as simple as catching up, is it?”

Zhang Long's tone was flat, but it went straight to the heart of the matter.

Upon hearing this, the fawning smile on Duan Tianba's face grew even wider.

He rubbed his hands together and bowed his body a bit lower.

“Steward Zhang is truly perceptive!”

“This lowly one has come precisely to share the City Lord's burdens and offer a plan to you, Steward Zhang!”

He leaned forward and lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.

“This lowly one might have found the true culprit of the Qiujiang Massacre!”

These words were like a clap of thunder exploding in Zhang Long's heart.

The Qiujiang Massacre!

This was a massive boulder weighing on the City Lord's heart.

It was a bloody case that had shaken the entire Jinling City.

Zhang Long's hand holding the teacup paused slightly in mid-air.

Yet his face remained impassive.

His gaze was deep.

“Oh?”

“Explain yourself.”

Seeing Zhang Long show interest, Duan Tianba was secretly delighted.

He knew that he had made the right move.

No longer keeping him in suspense, he stepped forward directly.

He opened the lid of the red sandalwood box.

The contents of the box instantly entered Zhang Long's sight.

Yellow Gold Notes were stacked neatly, totaling a massive tens of thousands of taels.

And on top of the Gold Notes, three crystals shimmering with light and emitting pure energy fluctuations were even more eye-catching.

Spirit Stones!

The cultivation treasures that Meridian Opening Realm Martial Artists dreamed of!

A single one was worth ten thousand taels of gold, and they were often unavailable even if one had the money!

Zhang Long's breathing became heavy for a split second.

He was used to seeing gold, silver, and jewels.

These mundane riches had long since ceased to cause a ripple in him.

But Spirit Stones were different.

They were true cultivation resources.

They were the hard currency of the martial world that could enhance one's cultivation.

They were far more useful than gold and silver!

Duan Tianba offering three at once was enough to show his sincerity.

“Steward Zhang, a small token of my appreciation.”

“These are just a bit of my sincerity. If this matter succeeds, there will be further heavy rewards!”

Duan Tianba's voice carried a hint of fawning and expectation.

Zhang Long slowly set down his teacup.

His plump fingers gently picked up a Spirit Stone, feeling the surging energy contained within.

He narrowed his eyes.

“Master Duan, if your information is true, it would be like providing charcoal in the snow for the City Lord, a monumental achievement.”

Zhang Long's voice carried a hint of unquestionable majesty.

“But if there is even a sliver of falsehood...”

His tone suddenly turned cold.

“You should know the consequences of deceiving the City Lord.”

Duan Tianba's body trembled, and he quickly straightened his back.

He did not dare to be the least bit negligent.

“This lowly one wouldn't dare!”

“Steward Zhang, I swear to heaven that every word is true, and I would never dare to deceive you!”

He leaned into Zhang Long's ear and lowered his voice.

“That person is the one who suddenly emerged recently... the Iron Bone Martial Arts School Disciple, Li Qing!”

Li Qing?

Zhang Long's brow furrowed tightly once more.

He had never heard of this name.

When did such a person appear in the city?

As the Chief Steward of the City Lord's Manor, he had the various powers and martial arts experts of Jinling City at his fingertips.

But this Li Qing was completely outside his range of intelligence.

A nobody?

Which meant an incompetent person!

How could such a person be connected to the Qiujiang Massacre?

A flash of doubt and a hint of disdain crossed Zhang Long's eyes.

Duan Tianba keenly captured the emotion in Zhang Long's eyes.

It seemed he had to provide a sufficiently convincing explanation.

He took a deep breath, his voice filled with complex emotions.

There was unwillingness, fear, and deep-seated hatred.

“Steward Zhang, this Li Qing indeed suddenly emerged recently.”

“I also sent people to check his background, but nothing could be found.”

“It's as if he appeared out of thin air!”

Duan Tianba's voice carried an imperceptible tremor.

“His actions are also very strange.”

“He often carries some... large fish salvaged from the Qiu River to the market to sell.”

“Those fish are far larger than normal, and some even carry a faint Demonic Qi on them!”

Duan Tianba deliberately emphasized the words “Demonic Qi.”

He wanted to link Li Qing with the word “Demon.”

Whether it was true or not, those large fish had long since been eaten.

Dead men tell no tales!

This would undoubtedly make it easier to attract the City Lord's Manor's attention.

“Think about it, the Qiujiang Massacre was precisely caused by an outbreak of underwater Yao Beasts.”

“And this person can frequently pull such abnormal fish from the river. Isn't that suspicious?”

“Furthermore, I have personally exchanged blows with this person.”