7: Chapter 7: Zhang Juhe, having slipped through the cracks, is enraged.

"If I could catch the killer, wouldn't I be set for life? I'd marry eight or ten wives and be content forever."

"Keep dreaming. If you met that ruthless person, you'd probably end up as nothing but a pile of bones on the ground."

Listening to their conversation, Chu Chen already had a plan in mind.

He walked out of the inn and headed toward the City Lord's Manor.

As he approached the City Lord's Manor, a cultivator clad in silver armor shouted at Chu Chen, "Strangers are not allowed near the City Lord's Manor, otherwise we have the authority to execute you on the spot."

The City Lord's Manor was truly overbearing. Chu Chen glanced at the speaker.

"I have an important matter to report. I've found traces of the killer who murdered Zhang Yuan. Please inform the City Lord."

Hearing this, the silver-armored cultivator sneered, "Kid, do you know how many people have come today pretending to have found the killer? There have been dozens. Without exception, when they were found out, the City Lord threw them to the demonic beasts."

"Are you sure you've still found traces of the killer?" The silver-armored man looked at Chu Chen with an amused glint in his eyes.

However, Chu Chen said with a serious face, "I truly have discovered the killer of Young Master Zhang Yuan. If I lie, I will leave myself at the City Lord's disposal."

Seeing Chu Chen's serious expression, the guard couldn't help but be slightly moved.

Could it be that this person really found the killer of Young Master Zhang Yuan? Otherwise, why would he insist on seeing the City Lord even after hearing about the fate of the imposters?

"Follow me!" the silver-armored man said to Chu Chen, then walked into the City Lord's Manor.

Chu Chen followed behind him and soon arrived at a back garden, where a woman was incessantly weeping to a middle-aged man with sharp, well-defined features.

"It's all your fault! I told you to stop letting Yuan'er go to those filthy places. Now look what's happened—Yuan'er died for no reason, and you, his father, can't even catch the killer."

"Cry, cry, cry! All you know how to do is cry. What else can you do besides cry? I will handle Yuan'er's matter myself."

The middle-aged man waved his hand, and two maidservants helped the woman away.

This middle-aged man was Zhang Yuan's father, Zhang Juhe.

Zhang Juhe said to the silver-armored man, "You may leave now."

"Yes, City Lord," the silver-armored man replied respectfully and withdrew.

In the entire back garden, only Zhang Juhe and Chu Chen remained.

"Tell me, how did you find my son's killer, and where is the killer now?"

Zhang Juhe said to Chu Chen, "You should know that if you lie to me, I will make sure you suffer a fate worse than death."

Facing Zhang Juhe's cold and fierce gaze, Chu Chen didn't show the slightest bit of cowardice.

"City Lord Zhang, on the night your son died, I happened to be at the scene and even exchanged blows with the killer."

As soon as these words were spoken, a powerful force erupted from Zhang Juhe's body.

In that instant, Chu Chen knew that Zhang Juhe was definitely a Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator.

Just now, his entire body had been scanned by a wave of soul power.

This Zhang Juhe was actually a Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator. Fortunately, he hadn't been reckless, or he might have truly met his end here.

"You fought with my son's killer?" Zhang Juhe stared at Chu Chen with an unfriendly gaze.

"Yes. That day, I was out on a mission. When I passed by this place, I noticed a surge of evil energy and immediately went to investigate, finding that a demonic cultivator was at work."

"However, by the time I arrived at the scene, your son had already been consumed by that demonic cultivator, leaving behind only a pile of bones."

"After a brief clash with the demonic cultivator, I discovered he was a Spirit Condensation expert. If not for the life-saving measures given to me by my sect, I might not have escaped his hands either."

"Today, hearing that the victim was City Lord Zhang's beloved son, I thought it best to report this matter to the City Lord."

Hearing this, Zhang Juhe scanned Chu Chen again and noticed he was holding a top-grade spirit sword.

Furthermore, the fact that he showed no fear when facing him proved that this young man had seen cultivators even stronger than himself.

Thinking of this, his expression softened as he said, "Young friend, it was I who lost my composure. I hope you can understand the grief of losing a son."

"Naturally. City Lord Zhang has lost his beloved son; it's understandable that your emotions are heightened."

The corner of Chu Chen's mouth curled slightly. He thought to himself: 'Luckily I was prepared and took out the falling snow sword in advance. This falling snow sword is a top-grade spirit sword.'

Combined with his superb acting, it wasn't difficult to fool him.

Zhang Juhe continued, "Young friend, which sect are you from?"

"Tianxuan Sect!"

Hearing those three words, Zhang Juhe's eyes darkened. He thought gloomily to himself: 'As expected of someone from the Tianxuan Sect. It seems the Tianxuan Sect has long been dissatisfied with me.'

'Now they've even sent a disciple to investigate me. However, Yuan'er probably wasn't killed by him. I might as well use him to find the killer first, then kill him here afterward.'

"A disciple of the Tianxuan Sect! Truly, a hero comes from the youth! I wonder how I should address you, little brother?"

"I am Chen Shuang!" Chu Chen replied.

"Good, good, good. Little brother Chen, as long as you have a way to help me find the killer, these two thousand spirit stones and that high-grade spirit sword will be yours."

Chu Chen spoke with righteous indignation, "As a disciple of the Tianxuan Sect, it is our responsibility to eliminate demons and defend the Dao. Even without these rewards, I would certainly help City Lord Zhang find the demonic cultivator who killed your son."

"Good! Little brother Chen is indeed worthy of being a Tianxuan Sect disciple. Even I must admire such spirit."

"But how can we find my son's killer?" Zhang Juhe asked further.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Chu Chen said with a serious expression, "City Lord Zhang, I have a tracking treasure in my possession. However, that demonic cultivator is also a Spirit Condensation Realm expert."

"I'm afraid you might not be able to take down this demonic cultivator alone, City Lord Zhang."

"Little brother Chen, have you forgotten that our White Jade City has another Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator stationed here? He's also from your Tianxuan Sect. His cultivation has reached the fifth level of Spirit Condensation, one level higher than mine."

"I can ask him to take action for me once the time comes."

As soon as these words were spoken, Chu Chen concluded that there were only two Spirit Condensation Realm cultivators in White Jade City: one from the Tianxuan Sect and the other being Zhang Juhe.

It seemed his worries were unnecessary. After all, if one could solve a problem themselves, who would be willing to owe someone else a favor?

"In that case, let's not delay. We should start now."

"So soon?" Zhang Juhe asked in surprise.

Chu Chen nodded and immediately took out a strange stone from his robe, which had a large character on it that even Zhang Juhe couldn't understand.

He muttered some incantations, and suddenly a white light shot out from the strange stone.

"City Lord Zhang, I have tracked the location of that demonic cultivator, but..."

Seeing Chu Chen's grave expression, Zhang Juhe asked anxiously, "Little brother Chen, who exactly is it? Stop keeping me in suspense."

"City Lord Zhang, as I said before, that demonic cultivator is also in the Spirit Condensation Realm, and the location I've tracked is right here in White Jade City."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juhe suddenly had an epiphany.

"So it's him! That old fossil! I was wondering why my son died so quietly. As the guardian of White Jade City, that old thing didn't react at all to such a big event."

"Damn him!" Zhang Juhe's body erupted with a powerful aura as he flew toward the western part of the city.

"Old Man Li, you dare to assassinate my son! Today, I will fight you to the death!"