Chapter 112
"Since we’re all here, let’s begin . I’ve invited all of you here to discuss the disappearance of the entire She Lin Society’s upper rank," the Prefect Li Zhenyi said somberly .
"Regarding this matter, I’ve dispatched capable experts to gather intelligence and investigate it thoroughly," said the Army Superintendent Yuan Xu . "I swear to bring the murderer to justice!"
"I fear the murderer may not be human," Taoist Bai Feng remarked slowly . Glancing at Lu Sheng, he continued, "With respect to that, let’s hear about the thorny issues from External Head Lu . Crimson Whale Sect calls the shots in the Northern Lands . Even She Lin Society submits to it . I’m sure you must have leads . "
"So what if it’s human? And so what if it’s not human?" Lu Sheng asked emotionlessly .
"If it’s human, then it falls under me, the Army Superintendent’s purview . If it’s not, then it falls under the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Agency . The Intelligence Agency has recently brought in several extraordinarily skilled experts," the Army Superintendent chuckled .
Taoist Bai Feng made no attempt to deny it . He simply stared at Lu Sheng, watching to see how he would respond .
Lu Sheng’s eyes narrowed to a slit as his thoughts went back to the order issued by Zhen Family previously . Instantly, Lu Sheng suspected that other Noble Families were behind the Intelligence Agency’s sudden interference in this matter . Highly plausibly, other Noble Families or factions were testing Zhen Family’s reaction to their involvement .
"This junior is a mere brute . I’ve no idea what’s been going on . Old Sect Master’s been the one handling these matters personally," he decided to beat around the bush .
"If even External Head Lu isn’t clear, then who is?" Army Superintendent Yuan Xu’s tone seemed rather confrontational .
"Anyway, we’ve not received any news about this case . If the Intelligence Agency intends to dig into it, I will actively cooperate," Lu Sheng chuckled . "If any clues are found, please inform us at the first available opportunity so that we can be prepared . "
"Isn’t it all because of She Lin Society’s business conflict with Crimson Whale Sect in the past…" an elder sitting at a lower-ranked seat could not help but mumble to himself .
"Eh?" Lu Sheng eyes widened in a glare, instantly sending shivers down the elder’s spine . The elder hurriedly looked down, not daring to say a word further .
Crimson Whale Sect’s title as the King of the Underworld had not been won through compassion and kindness; it was fought for and earned with blades and swords . All of the underworld's factions in the city fell under Lu Sheng’s control . One could say that his words carried weight unmatched by any except for the Prefect Li Zhenyi . That was also the reason why the yamen had specially invited him over .
"This Prefect has invited External Head Lu firstly because External head Lu is the Number One expert in Mountain-Edge City . Your prowess is unmatched," at these words by Li Zhenyi, Taoist Bai Feng smirked indiscernibly .
"Secondly, it's because I want to request for External Head Lu’s assistance in the She Lin Society case," Li Zhenyi and the rest of them pretended not to notice the Taoist’s expression and continued .
"Naturally I will give my assistance, but…"
"NEWS!!!"
Suddenly, a messenger rushed in from outside, interrupting Lu Sheng's reply .
"Your Excellency, all seventy-two members of the Three Surplus Clan south of the city have been slaughtered . Their corpses were discovered in a well in the courtyard!"
"WHAT?!" Li Zhenyi jumped to his feet, color drained from his face .
Lu Sheng’s heart lurched . Although Three Surplus Clan was not large, they were Zhen Family’s vassal just like Crimson Whale Sect and were highly skilled in gathering intelligence . Its importance was second only to Crimson Whale Sect . Yet now…
"Looks like your sect is about to get in trouble," Taoist Bai Feng looked at Lu Sheng and smiled .
"Whether or not we get in trouble is none of your concern," Lu Sheng had roughly guessed at the factions standing behind Taoist Bai Feng . If he previously harbored any hope in the court, it was now completely wiped out .
Crimson Whale Sect was like a ship that would capsize anytime . The storm had already begun and now everyone wanted a share out of it .
"Three Surplus Clan is an ally of our sect . Since something’s happened to them, this junior must dig into it . Farewell," since he saw no help coming from the court, Lu Sheng spared no time to rise and bid them farewell .
"If External Head Lu is interested, you may consider joining our Intelligence Agency . Perhaps you may find a way out for yourself," behind him, Taoist Bai Feng advised .
Ignoring him, Lu Sheng left . From his line, Lu Sheng surmised that Intelligence Agency must have already gotten wind of the dire straits Crimson Whale Sect was facing .
If Scarlet District truly launched a full frontal assault, a member of the upper echelon like himself would never be spared . Moreover, he had previously killed many of Scarlet District’s ghosts, burnt a pleasure boat, and struck a vendetta with them . Hence, this supposed offer was merely lip service .
‘Perhaps they had no way to be sure if Zhen Family had left . But now, with the Three Surplus Clan massacre, they got the confirmation they needed,’ Lu Sheng understood that the court would not get itself involved in this battle . They would be happy to sit back and watch; expecting them to come to Crimson Whale Sect’s aid was impossible . They should already count themselves lucky if the court does not strike them while they’re down .
Exiting the yamen from the backyard, he was greeted by the duo including Xu Chui .
"External Head, where to now?"
"You guys return to the sect!" Lu Sheng said composedly . "I’m going to find someone . "
"My lord, do you need our company?" Ning San asked .
"Not necessary," Lu Sheng waved his hand . The situation was getting more and more urgent with the pressure exerted by Scarlet District . He had to hurry .
He flipped himself up on a horse and instructed Xu Chui and Ning San to find themselves a carriage . Alone, he headed straight for Three Surplus Clan .
Because it was located within the city, the headquarters of Three Surplus Clan occupied a rather large plot of land .
A perimeter of soldiers and officials surrounded it, obstructing all entry .
Lu Sheng gazed at it from afar without walking up to it . An acrid rotten stench with threads of faint Yin Qi hidden in it stung his nose .
‘It’s done by those things indeed…’ his face fell .
‘So it seems that Scarlet District was uncertain if Zhen Family had truly left . They were testing the waters . Maybe they were afraid of a retaliation and so started off with its vassals, slowly clipping off its wings .
In that case, I don’t have much time left…’ Lu Sheng looked at Three Surplus Clan’s headquarters, then turned and left .
In the city, he first found Chen Jiaorong and borrowed his jade pendant for a while . Secretly, he dripped a drop of blood onto it and absorbed its Yin Qi .
Then, he visited Fine Treasures Hall again but was still unable to find any artifacts with Yin Qi . Finally, he had no choice but to contact Zhuo Wenyu .
A pity that Zhuo Wenyu did not show up even after burning the piece of flesh used to contact her .
Lu Sheng waited for two full hours in the agreed spot in vain . Only then did he return helplessly .
The only source of Yin Qi he could find was Chen Jiaorong’s jade pendant .
But as a consolation, the Yin Qi volume in the jade pendant was sufficient to upgrade two levels of a Strength Proficiency hard body skill, though it was still inadequate to upgrade Ultimate Crimson Nine Furies Skill .
In the several days after realizing that Crimson Whale Sect was going to be the next target and that he had no chance of escaping, Lu Sheng poured all his energy into cultivating Jewel Pillar Skill .
Simultaneously, he continued to receive reports from Jade Lotus .
An incident occurred in the Crimson Whale Sect's branch in a small city . Dozens of members were either killed or heavily wounded . Only those who had been dispatched on missions escaped death by coincidence and brought word back .
Before long, contact was lost with another base of operations in a mining sector . The sect dispatched an External Affairs Emissary who led a team of thirteen experts forward to investigate . Yet, like a rock sunk in the sea, none of them returned .
Lu Sheng had only cultivated for ten days in the casino and the situation was already spiraling downwards .
Any Crimson Whale Sect disciple who left the Crimson Whale for a distance of several dozen miles in any direction would immediately vanish without a trace . It was as if the whole region had become a forbidden zone .
Another two days later, Lu Sheng had settled his family down, forbidding them from leaving the city . Then, responding to Hong Mingzi’s summons, he led his men for the Crimson Whale .
***
White smoke rose in a straight line from the incense furnace .
On the mahogany bed, Hong Mingzi half-lay on a pillow, thick medicinal smell emanating from his body .
A man and a woman stood in the bedroom, both of them in their thirties or forties and resembling Hong Mingzi in appearance . Both of them exuded the aura of those in power . They were the two remaining children of Hong Mingzi .
Lu Sheng sat in front of the bed, gazing at his frail and weak senior apprentice brother, waiting for him to speak .
Under the feeding of his daughter, Hong Mingzi sipped a mouthful of medicine and coughed . Turning around to face Lu Sheng, he panted, "Junior Apprentice Brother, I’ve called you here to… entrust you with something . "
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