Chapter 87: Killing Intent
"Do you think there's any divine skill in this world that could make it so that, no matter how terribly someone treats you, the moment you see them, you can't feel any anger..."
"Lord Xia, that's called love."
"What bullshit! Your mother was crying on my bed when I loved her!"
"..."
In the residence of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess, Lord Xia sat behind his study desk.
A palpable anger radiated from him.
The steward on the opposite side stood there with a forced smile. He had misspoke a word and was scolded mercilessly.
"Just leave." Lord Xia waved his hand impatiently.
The person across from him left hastily as if he was granted clemency.
And now, Lord Xia remained seated alone, lost in contemplation.
He wasn't known for having a good temper, so why did his anger always seem to vanish whenever he crossed paths with Chu Liang?
There had to be something deeper going on here.
Reflecting on the events of the past two days, he realized that perhaps if he had let out his fury in the heat of the moment, he wouldn't be feeling this intense anger now. Upon retrospection, every time he suppressed it, the anger seemed to intensify.
Now, the Young Lord boiled with unrestrained hatred.
He stole my limelight... badmouthed my gift... and was the reason for the decline of my invitation...
Despite the seething rage, Xia An would have remained rational if these were the only occurrences. He was well aware that it would be unwise to make enemies over these trivial matters of pride.
But...
Chu Liang's inquiry into Liu Xiaoyu today added another layer of concern.
This concerned the livelihood of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquessate!
The imperial and noble members assigned to reside in the remote Southern Regions were part of the marginalized branches within the expansive imperial families of the Yu Dynasty. Historically, these branches held titles without real power, lacking the authority to govern regions. Moreover, these imperial families in the Southern Regions were never particularly wealthy.
While their daily life was comfortable enough to maintain a somewhat extravagant lifestyle, Xia An's father, the current Mountain-Subjugating Marquess, was really into something quite troublesome.
He was deeply immersed in the pursuit of cultivating and attaining immortality.
If he possessed extraordinary talent or none at all, it wouldn't have been such a difficult matter. The most unfortunate scenario was when one's talent falls short of achieving true success, yet the limited talent still provided a faint glimmer of hope, hinting that one might be different from the norm.
This was exactly the challenge facing the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess. His cultivation skills were considered ordinary, which meant that he would at best achieve the third or, at best, the fourth realm.
However, the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess was unwilling to settle for a lifespan confined to these limits. Instead, he held onto the hope that by investing a lot of resources, he could push himself beyond his current limits and reach the highly sought-after seventh realm.
But how could things be this easy?
Over many years, the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess had nearly used up all the savings that had been amassed by his family over generations.
Fortunately, in recent years, he started doing a new business.
The Mountain-Subjugating Marquess initiated contact with more than a dozen declining imperial families in the Southern Regions, capturing women and selling them to people in the Eastern Regions for profit.
This business was carried out in collaboration with a Master of the Eastern Whale Division, and this business and collaboration remained a closely guarded secret.
In recent years, he had almost completely withdrawn from the business, focusing wholeheartedly on his cultivation. He entrusted the management of this human trafficking business to his filial son, Xia An.
Lord Xia has been overseeing this operation for several years, and now, for the first time, he faced a crisis.
If this heinous activity were to be exposed, the entire House of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess would be in tremendous danger.
If the only uncertainty lay in the fate of that demon at this moment, there wouldn't be much cause for concern. However, if disciples from the Mount Shu Sect were to become aware of this business, it would escalate to a grave matter.
Lord Xia contemplated for a long time. In the flickering candlelight, his complexion gradually darkened.
"Master Lu," he called out softly.
A figure dressed in black immediately appeared behind the Lord Xia.
"I want them dead."
...
In the blink of an eye, several days passed. On the hillside outside the Li Family Estate, a stage had been erected, surrounded by a dozen large lamps. Below it lay a spacious open area, large enough to accommodate the citizens of half of South Gate City.
People had arrived early. There were enthusiastic fans of the South Melody Conservatory unfurling large banners, presenting flowers and colored silk. Meanwhile, more laid-back individuals had already started to secure their spots, worried they wouldn't get a good spot if they arrived late.
Some musicians of the South Melody Conservatory were performing, while singers and dancers were rehearsing nearby, drawing a crowd of spectators and adding to the lively atmosphere.
Xue Lingxue's first performance on this stage would begin in the evening.
Facing the stage on the hillside, a row of premium seats was set up under a canopy with awnings and beaded curtains. These exclusive seats were reserved for prominent figures from South Gate City and patrons who had spent a great deal of money.
The performances presented by the South Melody Conservatory were open to the public free of charge. However, for those who wished to enjoy the exclusive premium seats, it was understandable for the organizers to charge a fee. In this regard, the South Melody Conservatory chose to turn a blind eye to such matters.
In this case, due to their connection with the Li Family Estate, Chu Liang and Lin Bei managed to secure a small private compartment.
At this moment, Liu Xiaoyu'er was seated in the compartment, facing a table where Lin Bei meticulously arranged small trays of snacks.
"Preserved fruits, candied fruits, sweets, dried meat..." he said as he arranged the snacks on the table one by one.
"And my cherished fruit tea." Chu Liang placed the drink on the table.
"Hmm! You have never even let me taste this before," Lin Bei complained.
"It costs one sword coin per jar. She doesn't have the currency of the Mount Shu Sect, but you do," Chu Liang explained with a smile.
"Hmph!" Lin Bei folded his arms and mockingly pouted.
"Nevermind. You get a jar too." Chu Liang retrieved another jar.
Lin Bei took it, and laughter bubbled out of him, "Heheheh!"
"When you finish the drink, write an 800-word positive review and share it with the fellow disciples at Jade Sword Peak," Chu Liang continued.
"Wow! You really take advantage of every opportunity!" Lin Bei exclaimed.
"We're buddies," Chu Liang said, patting his chest in imitation of Lin Bei's usual mannerisms.
The two of them chatted and laughed, but Liu Xiaoyu'er sat there, visibly unhappy, pouting and looking despondent.
Seeing this, Lin Bei sighed and said, "Miss Liu Xiaoyu'er, everything you need is here. What else do you want?"
"I want my sister..." Liu Xiaoyu'er said pitifully.
Chu Liang and Lin Bei found themselves without a better solution. Initially, they had pledged to inquire about the whereabouts of her elder sister, but their efforts yielded no progress. They couldn't abandon the homeless little girl so they allowed her to stay with them at the Li Family Estate.
Given her level of innocence, she would have been kidnapped and sold after traveling for less than two li.
She had been carefree just a few days ago. However, as time passed, the little girl seemed to sense ominous premonitions, growing increasingly despondent.
As the three inspected the venue, a servant from the Li family approached and delivered a letter.
"Someone sent a letter, saying it's for Young Hero Chu," the servant reported.
Chu Liang took the letter and glanced at its contents.
He couldn't help but be reminded of how koi fish were considered bringers of good luck. Just as they were contemplating this, the thought seemed to materialize.
"What does it say?" Lin Bei asked.
"The letter mentions that someone has seen a woman resembling Liu Xiaoyu'er by the Qinnan River. It might be her sister. We're requested to bring her along to confirm this," Chu Liang replied.
"As expected of a koi fish," Lin Bei chuckled. "Let's take her there to check it out so that the sisters can reunite before the performance tonight.
"I will take her there myself," Chu Liang said, "You can stay here."
"Why?" Lin Bei asked.
"I...find this letter somewhat strange," Chu Liang pondered for a moment and said, "If I don't return in half a day, hurry back to the Mount Shu Sect and report about this."
"I am the one to report again?" Lin Bei was stunned.
Eh?
Why did I say again?
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