290: The boss has been waiting for you for a long time!

Not long after the Martial Arts Competition ended.

Dengfeng County!

In Dengfeng County, in front of the Shen family's mansion, several guards were on duty as usual.

However, these three men all looked listless, either gazing around boredly or yawning from time to time.

Just then, two burly middle-aged men slowly approached the main gate, seemingly casual but with a hint of intention.

After approaching the gate, the leading man immediately cupped his hands and bowed.

His honest and simple face instantly broke into a familiar smile, and he said enthusiastically,

“Brothers, we’ve come from outside Fu City.”

“Is Lao Jiahuo (Old fellow) Shen Yunwei here?”

“We heard that Physician Shen’s medical skills are superb, so we specifically came to seek treatment!”

The three Shen family guards, seeing that they were from outside Fu City, did not show any impatience; instead, they politely returned the bow.

One of the Shen family guards spoke, “Distinguished guests, we are truly sorry!”

“Our Old Master told us a few days ago that he would not be seeing guests for a while.”

“The Old Master and his entire family have all left Fu City to visit the Young Lord's family.”

“All of the Shen family’s major pharmacies also put up notices today that they are temporarily closed.”

“What?!”

The inquiring middle-aged man heard this reply, his eyes instinctively met his companion's quickly, and he was secretly shocked.

That Lao Jiahuo (Old fellow) Shen Yunwei actually left Fu City!

No wonder all of the Shen family’s pharmacies had been closed since yesterday.

So that’s what happened!

The most urgent task now is to inform County Magistrate as soon as possible!

The man who had just spoken suppressed the shock in his heart, cupped his hands without changing his expression, and said, “Thank you, brothers, for informing us!”

“It seems we brothers don’t have the good fortune to meet Physician Shen.”

With that, the two men turned and left, walking quickly towards a certain direction.

And that direction was precisely where the county office was located.

In the side hall of the county office, a man dressed in casual luxurious clothes sat on a chair.

He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with the dignified aura of a superior.

This person was none other than County Magistrate Liu Bifu, the County Magistrate of Dengfeng County, and also the one who had personally gone to warn Shen Yunwei that day.

At this moment, upon hearing the news brought back by these two men, he suddenly stood up and angrily demanded, “What did you say?!”

“That Lao Jiahuo (Old fellow) Shen Yunwei left Fu City?”

“As the County Magistrate of Dengfeng County, why am I completely unaware of this?!”

“Where are those useless people guarding the city gate?”

“Immediately tell them to come see me!”

County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, a mixture of ashen and a hint of ferocity.

These past few days, he had been secretly searching for weaknesses in the Shen family, trying to find a Breakthrough.

However, to County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s surprise,

The Shen family’s attitude towards that Young Miss Lu Qingqing was extremely special.

It was not just simple Pay attention to, but even subtly carried a hint of respect.

This greatly puzzled County Magistrate Liu Bifu.

That Lu Qingqing was merely the daughter of the Lu family from Qingyun County's Fu City; although she was a suitable match for the Shen family, she couldn't be considered a prominent family.

Why would the Shen family value her so much?

For this, County Magistrate Liu Bifu specifically sent people to secretly investigate Lu Qingqing’s background, attempting to find exploitable weaknesses.

He had already planned in his heart to fully target Lu Qingqing next, using her to coerce the Shen family into submission.

However, just as County Magistrate Liu Bifu was preparing to act, he suddenly learned that the entire Shen family had quietly left Fu City, disappearing without a trace!

“Humph!”

County Magistrate Liu Bifu snorted coldly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

“That Lao Jiahuo (Old fellow) Shen Yunwei, the monk may run away, but the temple won’t!”

“The Shen family has such a large business; I don’t believe you can stay away forever!”

By then, it wouldn’t be too late for County Magistrate Liu Bifu to slowly deal with the Shen family.

Currently, the most important thing was to keep a close eye on the Shen family’s movements and absolutely not allow them to completely escape his control.

County Magistrate Liu Bifu took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and coldly ordered, “Someone! Immediately send more men to watch all of the Shen family’s pharmacies!”

“Once any trace of Shen Yunwei or anyone from the Shen family is found, report it to me immediately!”

“Additionally, continue to investigate Lu Qingqing’s background.”

“I want to see what is so special about this Lu family that makes the Shen family value them so much!”

County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s secretary, upon hearing this, quickly responded and left.

County Magistrate Liu Bifu stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, his gaze grim as he looked out the door.

Shen Yunwei, do you think you can escape?

This Dengfeng County is ultimately my territory!

However, before County Magistrate Liu Bifu could carefully plan how to seize the Shen family's wealth,

A loud bang suddenly came from outside the door, and a black shadow, like a cannonball, smashed through the wooden door and flew straight towards him.

County Magistrate Liu Bifu was greatly alarmed, and his corpulent body hastily dodged to the side.

The black shadow heavily crashed to the ground, emitting a dull thud.

Upon closer inspection, it was the secretary he had just sent out to do business!

At this moment, the secretary's body was lifeless, and a pool of blood slowly spread beneath him, clearly indicating he had died.

County Magistrate Liu Bifu was both shocked and enraged, hastily looking up towards the main door, and sharply shouted, “How dare you!”

“To dare to trespass into the county office and even commit murder in front of me! You are simply a lawless madman!”

His voice trembled slightly, a mix of anger and fear.

The dignified county office, one day, would be trespassed upon as if no one was there, and even murder would be committed in front of him.

This was simply blatant humiliation!

Outside the door, a tall figure slowly stepped in, his steps steady, yet carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.

It was a man with only one left arm.

Then, this man, with a stern face and knife-like eyes, stared directly at County Magistrate Liu Bifu.

“You, as the County Magistrate of Dengfeng County, why are you targeting Young Miss Lu Qingqing?!”

“Who sent you?!”

County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s face suddenly changed, and alarm bells rang in his heart.

He forced himself to remain calm and sternly said, “You… who exactly are you?”

“How dare you be so presumptuous!”

“Guards! Quick, guards! Seize this madman!”

However, outside the door, there was silence; no one responded.

The entire county office seemed to have fallen into a dead silence, with only that person’s voice echoing in the empty hall.

“I don’t know any Lu Qingqing.”

“Perhaps, there’s some misunderstanding between us!”

Cold sweat seeped from County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s forehead; he lied through his teeth while guessing the identity of the man in front of him.

A premonition of ill omen rose in his heart, and he instinctively retreated a few steps, his voice tinged with panic: “You… don’t come any closer!”

“I am an imperial official!”

“If you dare to touch me, you will be an enemy of the entire imperial court!”

What a powerful Martial Artist aura, such an oppressive and scorching power.

Could he be a Martial Artist of the Blood Refinement Realm?

County Magistrate Liu Bifu was utterly horrified; as a Martial Artist at Marrow Refinement Perfection, he was no match for the man in front of him.

Suddenly, several other men, dressed in identical white brocade robes, swiftly rushed in from outside the door.

Their movements were uniform and their steps steady, clearly well-trained.

“Wait!”

“These clothes!”

In his extreme tension, three large characters suddenly flashed through County Magistrate Liu Bifu's mind.

Blackbird Guard!

County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s pupils suddenly contracted, and a tempestuous wave surged in his heart.

The Blackbird Guard, that was a mysterious force directly under His Majesty, specially responsible for dealing with those ghostly things.

How could they appear here?

Could it be… could it be that my actions have already alarmed the Blackbird Guard?

But, I haven’t even had time to act yet, have I?

Also, the Blackbird Guard seems to rarely concern themselves with mundane affairs, so how could they come to trouble me?

There must be some misunderstanding in this!

Yes!

It must be a misunderstanding.

Cold sweat continuously poured down County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s pale face.

He suppressed the fear in his heart, forced a smile, and stammered, “Esteemed sirs, I wonder… I wonder what brings you here today?”

“Is there some misunderstanding in this?”

However, the men in white brocade robes outside the door completely ignored County Magistrate Liu Bifu, walking directly towards the leading man, and respectfully cupped their hands to report.

“Mystic Envoy Huang, we have interrogated some information from County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s subordinates.”

“This County Magistrate Liu Bifu is preparing to act against the Shen family!” one of them said in a deep voice.

“As for the reason—” another took over, with a hint of disdain in his tone, “For wealth!”

The man addressed as “Mystic Envoy Huang” frowned slightly upon hearing this, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

And he was Li Daren, who had been entrusted by Lu Jiahe to stay in Dengfeng County to protect Lu Qingqing!

Li Daren coldly glanced at County Magistrate Liu Bifu.

The temperature in the room instantly rose sharply, and a suffocating sense of oppression filled the air.

This was a phenomenon caused by Li Daren's entire Qi and Blood power suddenly surging.

County Magistrate Liu Bifu felt Li Daren’s astonishing killing intent, his whole body stiffened, his face ashen, and he stammered, “No… you… you can’t kill me!”

“I… I can give you money! Lots of money! As long as you let me go…”

However, what followed was the crisp sound of bones breaking.

A shattered piece of wooden door, like an arrow, directly pierced through County Magistrate Liu Bifu’s forehead, leaving a glaring blood-filled hole.

His eyes were wide open, still retaining the last trace of terror and disbelief.

It was as if, until the last moment of his life, County Magistrate Liu Bifu still couldn’t believe any of this had happened.

It seems I extended my hand where it shouldn’t have been!

Young Miss Lu Qingqing!

This was the most crucial point.

Unfortunately, the second before County Magistrate Liu Bifu lost consciousness, he understood the whole truth.

Li Daren looked at the two corpses on the ground and coldly said,

“So it’s another corrupt official!”

Li Daren was also a bit speechless; he thought it was some scoundrel who was so bold.

Daring to hide in the dark and spy on Lord Lu's younger sister.

It turned out to be just a corrupt official who took bribes and valued money more than his life!

“You few, immediately take this news back to Mystic Envoy.”

That Lord Lu had already secretly transferred the entire Shen family using a great Divine Ability a few days ago.

Perhaps, Old Brother Lu in Qingyun County, like the Shen family, has also been settled by Lord Lu in an unknown place.

What exactly happened above?

Even a legendary figure like Lord Lu has to arrange his relatives in advance!

Li Daren shook his head, sighing inwardly, “Forget it, forget it!”

These matters of immortals fighting, I, a mere Blood Refinement Realm, am not qualified to get involved.

At the same time, in Qingyun County.

In front of the Lu family's mansion, eight figures suddenly appeared; their strange attire and extraordinary aura instantly alerted the guards at the entrance.

“Hey, who are you?!” The guard stepped forward, holding a long saber, vigilantly staring at the eight people.

Among these eight, there were five men and three women.

Among the five men, there was an old man with white hair, a thin face, and an immortal-like appearance, as well as some younger-looking men.

The three women appeared to be around forty or fifty years old, still charming, with faces showing maturity and dignity.

One of the elders smiled slightly, his voice extremely gentle: “We are old friends of the Lu family, and we have come today to visit the Lu family head; please inform him.”

The Lu family guards frowned upon hearing this, secretly vigilant.

Although these people spoke calmly, the aura they exuded made him feel an invisible pressure.

The leading Lu family guard did not dare to neglect, and quickly cupped his hands, saying, “Distinguished guests, we are truly sorry.”

“Our Old Master just happened to go out and is not at home right now; he will probably be back after some time!”

At this moment, from behind the elder who had spoken,

A fierce-looking man with glaring red eyes suddenly let out a cold snort.

“Humph!”

This cold snort, like a thunderclap, instantly suppressed the entire Lu family mansion.

A suffocating pressure filled the air, as if even time had frozen at that moment.

“Old Ghost Luo, what else is there to ask?!”

The fierce man’s voice was cold, carrying a hint of disdain and contempt, “This group of ants, just act directly.”

“The Old Ancestor and the others just think too much.”

“A mere group of Mortals, and we, so many people, have to act together; it’s simply a waste!”

The elder who had spoken, however, frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with his companion’s recklessness, but did not speak to stop him.

These eight people were precisely the eight Sun Spirits, all peerless powerhouses of the Divine Palace Realm!

Their existence was inherently above Mortals, and they would not easily show themselves on ordinary days.

And today, all eight Sun Spirits were dispatched simultaneously, merely to capture Lu Xuan’s Bloodline relatives!

This was simply like using a cannon to kill a mosquito, an extreme overreaction!

After a long while!

The eight Sun Spirits then disappeared from Qingyun County's Fu City with extreme speed.

However, inside the Lu family mansion, it was a mess.

These eight Sun Spirits searched the entire Lu family in a short amount of time, but were surprised to find that

None of Lu Xuan’s relatives were in the mansion.

Even the most important target—Lu Xuan’s biological father, Lu Jiahe—was nowhere to be seen.

However, these eight Sun Spirits did not return empty-handed.

They learned Lu Jiahe’s whereabouts from the Lu family servants.

“In Zilanshan Yunteng Valley!” one of the Sun Spirits said coldly, a sinister light flashing in his eyes.

Zilanshan Yunteng Valley, only thirty li from the county town, with rolling mountains and treacherous terrain.

The valley entrance was wide, surrounded by hard yellow rocks, like a natural barrier.

The figures of the eight Sun Spirits appeared like ghosts above Yunteng Valley.

They stood in mid-air, their gazes as sharp as eagles, scanning the valley below.

The eight Sun Spirits' gazes all fell upon the stone platform below, where a young man was sitting cross-legged.

He wore a dark black brocade robe, his ink-black hair neatly tied up, gently fluttering in the wind.

“Lu Xuan!”

Old Ghost Luo’s pupils suddenly contracted, his voice tinged with shock and apprehension.

The fierce man’s face changed, his eyes flashed red, and he gritted his teeth, “Damn it, we’ve been tricked!”

There was also a woman, one of the three female Sun Spirits.

Her face was cold and beautiful, usually carrying an air of aloof arrogance.

But at this moment, a rare look of horror appeared on her face.

“This… how is this possible?!” she murmured softly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

They never expected Lu Xuan to appear here!

It turned out that all of this was a trap meticulously designed by Lu Xuan!

“It’s you four again!”

“I, Lord, have been waiting for you for a long time!”

“Good, the last time in Mingxin Prefecture, I, Lord, haven’t settled that score with you yet, have I?”

“Today, all of you stay here for me!”

As soon as the words fell, Lu Xuan’s aura suddenly erupted, and the entire valley trembled under his aura.