The deputy general hadn’t finished speaking when suddenly his vision blurred. A gust of wind swept past his face, followed immediately by a crisp “crack” sound. Then he saw a mountain to the side suddenly collapse.

Then he suddenly realized it wasn’t the mountain that had fallen—it was his neck that had been broken.

As he fell, his last thought was “The sound of a snapped cervical vertebra is so crisp…”

So crisp.

The crack had just reached everyone’s ears when in the next instant, all witnessed the overturned corpse spurting blood wildly.

Beside the corpse stood a person dressed entirely in gray, with only a pair of eyes as beautiful as clear water flowing over moonlight. He was very impatiently throwing down the corpse he had clamped under his arm, then casually stepped on it, trampling it into a pile of unidentifiable matter more rotten than swamp sludge, laughing heartily: “You’ve rotted worse than sludge!”

His subordinates chuckled darkly. Everyone else, including Jing Hengbo, all retreated three steps in unison.

This guy was too petty and too disgusting!

Pei Shu laughed even more happily. With a gesture, a soldier standing more than ten feet away from him suddenly appeared in his grasp. He clamped the man under one arm with one hand, squeezed, and twisted.

“Crack.”

Another sound.

Light and casual, as if snapping sugar cane.

The soldiers stood frozen, their blood seemingly turned to ice—what was terrifying wasn’t the killing, but his attitude while killing. So casual yet excited, with an intense gleam flashing in his eyes.

They were all battle-hardened men who could tell at a glance that this kind of indifference and bloodthirsty aura belonged only to a hundred-battle veteran general, a cold-blooded maniac!

The scene fell silent for a moment, with only the clear sound of falling snow.

After a brief pause, fierce shouts erupted.

“Form ranks, surround and kill!”

With a thunderous roar, the soldiers rapidly changed formation, trying to surround Pei Shu within their ranks.

Pei Shu laughed heartily, his laughter excited. Slaughter and bloodshed had always been his favorite things. Five years in Tianhui Valley—he’d been lonely for too long!

He flashed like a phantom, actively darting into the formation, his body becoming like smoke, his voice drifting above the great formation.

“Stinking titled officers! Come in and kill! Let’s compete to see who kills more!”

His voice echoed as his figure flashed continuously. Quan Ninghao and the others charged into the formation, the wind from their movements stirring Jing Hengbo’s long hair.

Pent-up anger desperately seeking release, hearts harboring irreconcilable hatred—this firefight was exactly the whetstone for heroes who once dominated battlefields to reappear in the world.

Killing intent and blood energy surged toward the clouds.

The voice of the commanding officer quickly changed from initial composure to unease, then to panic, and finally almost carried a crying tone.

“Change formation! Change formation!”

“Fall back, fall back!”

“Idiots, why are you charging right into them!”

“Spread out! Spread out! Don’t cluster together for them to slaughter!”

“Who dares to flee! You actually dare to… ah!”

The screams were piercing. Snow stopped and danced again. Jing Hengbo squinted as she watched the slowly falling figures, sighing.

Really panicked. He only thought to hide behind others giving orders, not realizing he was already the last living person?

The killing was… truly fast.

She stood up, covered her nose, and walked around the pile of corpses she couldn’t bear to look at. She decided she must properly educate Pei Shu in the future. This kid’s nature was too vicious. Killing was one thing, but did he really need to be so cruel?

His previous malicious and narrow-minded behavior was understandable, but after falling into his sister’s warm embrace, he should become a sunshine-bright handsome young man.

Jing Hengbo was very confident.

However, looking at that group of new subordinates, she was filled with worry about the future.

Was it really good to bring this group of people along?

That group was currently crouched on the pile of corpses, counting ears according to military custom.

Quan Ninghao and Pei Shu each held a string of ears, methodically settling accounts there, arguing over who had one more or one less, sounding like they were haggling over a missing vegetable at the market.

Pei Shu was even more ruthless. Not only did he compete with Quan Ninghao, he also divided his own subordinates into two teams, requiring them to compete, threatening no antidote for the losers.

They must have held such competitions frequently within the valley. Those fellows were all familiar with the routine, also arguing over who had one more or one less. One team seemed to have lost and was furiously searching for prey that wasn’t dead yet. Turning around, they discovered one fellow still writhing under the pile of bodies, immediately delivering a knife stroke and laughing heartily: “Another dead one! It’s a tie!”

The other team was dissatisfied, prowling the corpse pile with knives, trying to find some unlucky fish that slipped through the net.

This group’s disregard for life and their killing aura made even the battle-hardened titled school officers feel alarmed, unable to help but keep their distance, afraid they might go berserk and cut off their ears too.

Only now did Jing Hengbo understand why, after five years of such dark and hopeless life in the valley, when ordinary people would have long since become decadent, collapsed, and suicidal, these people could still maintain their martial skills and fighting spirit.

It was Pei Shu. Even in desperate straits, his heart’s fire never dimmed, still defiantly fighting heaven, fighting poison, fighting everything in the world. When there was truly nothing left to fight, he would rather fight himself than allow anyone to abandon hope and sink into the mire.

Such a person deserved admiration and respect, but also inspired fear.

Jing Hengbo felt that her previous mental complaints about the fool were really being blessed without knowing it. Compared to the Demon King, fools were truly too gentle.

After the ear counting was finished, the titled school officers had undoubtedly lost. Seeing the officers’ expressions, Jing Hengbo thought that probably for the rest of their journey, they would have to endure such harmonious, beautiful, and murderous competitions.

“You have fifteen minutes,” she said, “I need to disguise these people’s deaths to look like they were poisoned or killed by wild beasts.”

This was also a simple matter for this group. Fifteen minutes later, Quan Ninghao came to report that everything was arranged. Jing Hengbo glanced at his blood-soaked hands and decided not to ask exactly how he had handled those corpses.

She looked from a distance, and after seeing it, felt her heart skip a beat.

All the corpses had been dragged to the mouth of Tianhui Valley, all positioned in the same direction—bodies inside the valley, heads facing outward, corpses scattered haphazardly, backs covered with various mud stains. It looked exactly like these people had been driven and pursued by something in the valley, fleeing frantically for their lives, only to be caught and killed one by one at the valley entrance.

The mud stains on their backs were “monster” footprints, and all their heads had been torn off, looking like they’d been violently ripped away by some giant beast.

This treatment was to avoid the telltale traces of ear-cutting being discovered. Wild beasts couldn’t possibly cut ears so neatly.

The dark valley mouth, countless scattered headless corpses, blood and mud everywhere, indistinguishable “beast footprints,” drifting gray mist… a vivid scene of hell’s devouring masses.

Knowing the truth, Jing Hengbo’s hair stood on end just from one glance—too terrifying, too realistic.

It was hard to imagine what someone who didn’t know the truth would feel seeing this scene. She believed that after today, Tianhui Valley would truly become a dead zone. No matter what benefits were offered, no one would dare enter again.

Jing Hengbo suddenly noticed something wrong and exclaimed: “How come the Xuanyuan family hasn’t shown up yet? Aren’t they the ones who love taking advantage most?”

“They’re here.” A voice suddenly came from behind. Jing Hengbo turned around to see Yelu Qi smiling at her.

He was holding someone in his hand. Jing Hengbo stared for a while before recognizing that already crippled, bruised and swollen fellow as the once suave and elegant Xuanyuan Yan.

Yelu Qi had taken care of Xuanyuan Yan? While seriously injured and poisoned, where did he get the strength? And what about all those Xuanyuan family guards? Where were they?

She looked at Yelu Qi’s complexion and quickly took out the antidote she had gathered for him, indicating he should take it. Yelu Qi wasn’t polite, accepting it with a smile: “Now I owe you another life. You’ll have to let me repay it slowly.”

“Forget it,” Jing Hengbo said irritably, “If you want to freeload, just freeload. Why find such excuses? How many times have we saved each other already? Can we even keep count?”

“When I save you, I’m just repaying debts. When you save me, it becomes my debt.” Yelu Qi smilingly handed Xuanyuan Yan to her. “How do you plan to dispose of him?”

Jing Hengbo bent down with a sweet smile and patted Xuanyuan Yan’s face. “Hey! You look like trash.”

“Yes, yes, I’m trash, I’m trash!” Xuanyuan Yan immediately rubbed his face against her hand. “Please spare this piece of trash! I’ll definitely thank you properly and absolutely won’t retaliate against you. I swear by the Xuanyuan family’s glory!”

“The Xuanyuan family’s glory? Haha, the Xuanyuan family’s glory!” Jing Hengbo laughed loudly. “Has the Xuanyuan family ever had glory?”

Xuanyuan Yan nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, no glory, none! I misspoke! Please let me go! I won’t even return to the Xuanyuan family! I’ve long despised that disgusting clan! Really!”

Jing Hengbo straightened up. She was already too lazy to look at this person. Someone without backbone didn’t deserve her bending over.

Yelu Qi suddenly laughed: “If the Xuanyuan clan had more disciples like this, you wouldn’t need to worry. It should collapse in a few years without help.”

Jing Hengbo’s heart stirred. Understanding his meaning, she felt greatly pleased.

“Why not go home?” she smiled. “You must go home. If you don’t go home, where would I find such a completely corrupt wastrel to destroy the Xuanyuan family’s estate?”

Xuanyuan Yan looked up at her, his gaze confused yet urgent.

Jing Hengbo casually rummaged in her pack, found a poisonous herb she herself wasn’t sure what poison it was, and stuffed it into his mouth. Xuanyuan Yan didn’t dare resist, could only swallow it with a bitter expression.

“There’s an antidote, right?” Jing Hengbo asked Pei Shu only after feeding it to him.

Xuanyuan Yan’s face turned green.

Pei Shu scratched his chin, thinking uncertainly: “Maybe?”

Xuanyuan Yan’s face began turning purple.

“I won’t kill you. Go back. But remember your antidote is with me.” Jing Hengbo pointed to his mouth. “You go back, work hard for the family estate, work hard to anger your father. Do things to my satisfaction, and I’ll give you the antidote. I might even support you to become the Xuanyuan family head.”

Xuanyuan Yan suddenly looked up, his gaze surprised and incredulous, yet blooming with hopeful light.

“Helping you is just a small effort, but from now on you must obey my commands. Your Xuanyuan family’s information, resources, and everything I want, you must immediately provide to me. Otherwise…” Jing Hengbo smiled warmly. “I have ways to put you in power, naturally I can pull you down anytime. Right? Hmm, how do you think living in Tianhui Valley for life would be?”

“No! No! I agree! I agree! Whether I become family head doesn’t matter. Just let me live and I’ll serve you for life!”

“Hey, hey, why not become head? I said you should, so you should! Besides a fool like you, who else is qualified to be Xuanyuan family head?” Jing Hengbo laughed heartily.

“Most of the Xuanyuan family disciples qualified to compete for the position of family head are currently in this vicinity.” Yelu Qi seemed to mention casually.

He appeared indifferent to everything. Seeing the titled school officers and a large group of paper-thin people following behind Jing Hengbo, he showed no particular surprise, though his gaze swept over Pei Shu several times.

He looked at Pei Shu, then at Jing Hengbo, his expression rather meaningful.

“Excellent! Now let me show you my sincerity.” Jing Hengbo laughed heartily and clapped her hands. “Old Quan, Pei Shu, your work has come! First drive these spying fellows far from the Xuanyuan family, paving the way for our future Xuanyuan family head!”

“Yes!” Quan Ninghao said without hesitation.

“Call me Master Pei!” Pei Shu cursed as he left, running incredibly fast.

Yelu Qi’s expression trembled after hearing the name Pei Shu.

“You didn’t guess wrong,” Jing Hengbo smiled. “It’s him.”

She raised her eyebrows, wanting to see his expression clearly. Pei Shu’s appearance was unexpected and would bring great variables to her future journey. For Yelu Qi, was this something he wanted to see or not?

The change in expression lasted only an instant. The next moment he exhaled a long breath: “This Pei Shu became famous young, so according to rumors he’s arrogant and looks down on everyone. Such a person is hard to control. Even if temporarily excited to follow you, betrayal could happen anytime. Moreover, you have his mortal enemies the Kanglong Army beside you. This guy doesn’t have much tolerance. You must be careful he doesn’t turn traitor. If I may say, don’t relax vigilance. It’s best to choose steady, loyal, responsible people among the titled school officers to maintain good relations with Pei Shu—both winning him over and monitoring him. If you could get the legendary ‘Wilderness Taming Arts’ in Pei Shu’s hands, that would be even better. That’s the famous military manual Pei Shu became renowned with. Getting that would be equivalent to gaining a famous general.”

Jing Hengbo stared into his eyes. His pupils were black as obsidian, deep but without treacherous light.

He was sincerely planning for her, with such detailed consideration.

“However, these matters will require your own efforts,” Yelu Qi smiled again. “I temporarily cannot accompany you.”

Jing Hengbo raised her eyebrows.

“I must go find my elder sister, send her somewhere safe to hide, then if possible, I’ll return to find you.” He smiled as lightly as clouds and wind.

“Really?”

“Although I often deceive you, this time I definitely won’t lie.”

“Why not let Xunru travel with us?”

“My sister has an odd temperament and has never liked excessive contact with others,” he said apologetically. “I’ll arrange things for her and hurry back.”

“Fine.” Jing Hengbo waved her hand. “Remember to come back.”

“Naturally.”

Jing Hengbo stood in the snowy ground, watching Yelu Qi’s figure gradually disappear into the wind and snow. He walked with light, quick steps, but her heart filled with faint melancholy.

Once enemies, who would have thought they’d have a period of traveling together, sharing life and death. When it came time to part, she was startled to realize that somehow her inner defenses had largely dissolved, and she felt a trace of tender affection.

“I know…” she muttered, “you often deceive me. This time, you’re definitely lying again.”

…

“Sister, let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“I’ll send you to a place no one would think of. You’ll live there, and when I finish my business, I’ll come back.”

“Xiao Qi.”

“Mm.”

“You’re lying again. Every time you lie, you smile particularly charmingly. Do you know this isn’t good? Young ladies will throw themselves at you one after another.”

“Isn’t that good? Haven’t you always clamored for a sister-in-law?”

“But I don’t want young ladies throwing themselves at you before you throw yourself at someone else first, not even caring about your life.”

“Sister, it’s too cold. Your brain seems a bit frozen and confused.”

“Even confused, I’m clearer than you. I raised you from infancy, feeding you and changing your diapers. I know whether you want milk or a diaper change from one cry. Saying you’ll send me somewhere safe and come back for me—can you even return?”

“The more you talk, the less I understand.”

“Stop smiling, it’s disgusting. You’re leaving her because you’ve offended the Nine Heavens Gate and the Yelu family. From today on, you’ll have no peace. She already has enough protection around her, and you don’t want to add to her troubles. Of course, you don’t want to bring me danger either. After you send me somewhere safe, I think I’ll never wait for you again in this lifetime.”

“A man who cannot protect women should never become their burden. Sister, you taught me this.”

“A woman who cannot overturn storms and clouds should never become a man’s burden. I also said this.”

“Sister, Yelu Qi was never one to passively take beatings. Though the State Preceptor has been making wedding clothes for others all these years, do you think I’m truly without preparation and power?”

“I know you do. You’re leaving to fight the Nine Heavens Gate and Yelu family to the end. You also want to discover your origins. Conflict with the Yelu family is inevitable. This should have been done long ago. You’ve endured humiliation for my sake all these years, constrained by the Yelu family, forced to maintain balance in everything everywhere, tolerating Gong Yin. Now it’s time for a man’s ambitions to unfold again, to battle the storms three hundred times. I have only one request—take me with you.”

“Sister, tired? Sleep first?”

“I can. But if I wake up and don’t see you, remember to come back and collect my corpse.”

“Xunru!”

“Take me with you, or leave my body behind. Choose yourself.”

“Damned woman!”

“You dare call me a damned bitch.”

“Sister…”

“Living or dying, I only want to be with my little brother.”

…

“Fine, together.”

…

Jing Hengbo stood at the valley mouth for a while. Soon she heard clamorous sounds in the distance and secretly marveled—the killing was so fast.

After a while, clamorous arguing could be heard.

“What foolish brat dares block grandpa’s path?”

“What country bumpkin dares not let grandpa block?”

“Wah wah, Little Seven, we’ve met someone even more arrogant than us. Should we go gang up on him?”

“Beat him! Beat him!”

…

“You bunch of bastards, why are you stopping grandpa from killing people!”

“Because you want to kill!”

…

“Damn it! If these bastards keep blocking, grandpa’s going to lose! Slaughter them!”

“Ah ah ah, Gray Loaches, your movement techniques are so fast! Where did you practice? How did you practice? Wow, your bodies are so slippery! Wow, your waists are so thin! Wow, you’re not wearing pants! Wow, such a tiny leaf covers your little brother? Wow, so shabby! Do you want to see mine…”

“Shut up! Kill them!”

…

Jing Hengbo held her forehead.

She felt that continuing this lifestyle would definitely add many wrinkles to her forehead.

The fools had arrived.

The fools always arrived to cause trouble after the dust had settled.

Poor Pei Shu must have encountered the fools during his killing competition. The fools always pestered whoever seemed interesting, and whatever you wanted to do, they would definitely sabotage. Pei Shu had aroused their interest, so it seemed this killing competition would definitely be lost.

After a series of clanging sounds, Jing Hengbo saw Yi Qi and Si Si approaching with their arms hooked around Pei Shu’s neck from left and right. From far away, Yi Qi loudly greeted her: “Wifey, where did you run off to? You made me so anxious looking for you! Ah, is this gray kid your new conquest? Not to criticize you, but your taste in men is getting worse and worse…”

Another series of clanging sounds as three shadows fought in a tangle. Jing Hengbo ignored them completely and went to talk with Tian Qi who had arrived.

After a while, Tian Qi left. When Jing Hengbo turned back, the fight had ended. Pei Shu had torn off Yi Qi’s robe to wrap around his crotch and was surrounded by seven fools, glaring furiously.

Jing Hengbo felt the days ahead would definitely be very lively.

“How did it go?” she asked the only reliable Quan Ninghao.

“There were indeed Xuanyuan family disciples spying nearby,” Quan Ninghao reported clearly. “We killed these people’s guards and sent men to drive those disciples into the nearby mountain pass. The mountains there are full of swamps and countless fierce beasts, with treacherous paths. Even if they’re lucky enough to escape the swamps and avoid the beasts, they won’t be able to get out without wandering for a year or two.”

“Excellent!” Jing Hengbo clapped her hands and said to Xuanyuan Yan, who was listening in a daze: “Second Young Master, did you hear? Your enemies have all disappeared now. You’re now the only Xuanyuan family heir. No matter how reluctant your father is, he can only choose you as family head. Don’t you want to hold your head high and show your father your might?”

Xuanyuan Yan shivered, instinctively wanting to shake his head. But looking up to see Jing Hengbo’s eyes flowing with smiles, he shivered even more and hastily nodded.

“Excellent!” Jing Hengbo clapped again. “Then, Little Yan, hurry home and anger your father to death!”

…

In a grand mansion in Beixin City, smoke hung heavy in the air. White mourning cloths were hung everywhere, and black soul-summoning banners fluttered in the wind. Passersby could tell at a glance that a funeral was being held.

Today was New Year’s Day, a truly auspicious day. Encountering such things was always inauspicious, so passersby all hurried around the mansion, walking while wondering strangely—this family holding a funeral on New Year’s Day had quite a lively entrance, with countless guards and a long line of carriages and sedan chairs. Just looking at those vehicles, one could tell the mourners were either wealthy or noble.

The grandeur of a funeral depended on the status of the host family. For the eldest son of the Xuanyuan family’s funeral, the Huangjin Tribe chief personally came to pay respects, so naturally the other Huangjin Tribe officials couldn’t stay home for New Year and all hurried over.

In the mourning hall, Xuanyuan Jing personally presided over the funeral rites. The pain of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired one made him seem to age ten years instantly, but seeing the hall full of nobility brought some comfort—his eldest son had considerable honor in death, which was worthy of their father-son relationship.

After the Huangjin Tribe chief came to offer incense, he never left, sitting in the back hall being personally attended by Xuanyuan Jing over tea. Both were actually waiting for news.

“Earlier we saw fireworks, so the gold mine has been found,” Xuanyuan Jing said with a gratified expression.

Jin Zhaolong said nothing, his brow slightly furrowed. He felt vaguely uneasy because according to his private plan, the Jinchi Army was supposed to double-cross them, and would also send fireworks notification upon success, but now those fireworks were long overdue.

This couldn’t be said to Xuanyuan Jing. He could only drink his tea glumly, feeling that since last night, everything seemed wrong—the mysterious dancer’s appearance, Xuanyuan Wei being assassinated, and now even Lady Yao had disappeared. He looked up at the gloomy sky outside, vaguely seeming to see a pair of large hands silently gripping the wind and snow, hurling it fiercely at him…

He couldn’t help but shiver. Turning back to see Xuanyuan Jing equally distracted, he couldn’t help saying: “Master Jing… you seem to have something on your mind…”

Usually he wouldn’t be so direct, but today he seemed to need confirmation of others’ unease to reduce his own.

“Ah… ah.” Xuanyuan Jing was startled before coming to his senses, then sighed. “I… I saw someone.”

Usually he wouldn’t be so direct either, but today he wanted to suppress his constantly pounding heart through confession.

Jing Hengbo’s flower-like smile in the hall had truly frightened him badly.

Those three words “the first one” nearly scared him into nightmares.

“Who?”

Xuanyuan Jing opened his mouth, wanting to speak but stopping. After a long while, he said viciously: “In any case, I’ve already ordered people to guard this mourning hall inside and out. If she dares come, I’ll make sure she can’t leave!”

“Who exactly?”

“Sigh… Jing Hengbo…” Xuanyuan Jing said bitterly. “That dancer…”

“So it’s her!” Jin Zhaolong was stunned for a long while, then his eyes lit up. “They say Queen Jing is incomparably beautiful. Seeing her today, her reputation is well-deserved! But Master Jing, since it’s her, what are you afraid of? Just a fallen woman! Hehe, if you’re really afraid, let me capture her for you! However…” He suddenly smiled lowly. “After capturing her, I can’t immediately hand her over to you. I need to interrogate her myself first, thoroughly interrogate her…”

Xuanyuan Jing smiled bitterly at him—lust clouding judgment!

But he couldn’t say anything, only clasped his hands in thanks. Suddenly hearing commotion outside, he had just changed color and stood up when a servant quickly ran in: “Your Majesty! Master Xuanyuan, the Second Young Master has returned!”

Xuanyuan Jing’s face lit up with joy. His suspended heart settled, and he immediately said: “Remove the guards, quickly invite him in!”

The servant went out to relay orders. The guards surrounding the place immediately cleared a path. Xuanyuan Yan entered boldly with a team of guards. Xuanyuan Jing and the Huangjin chief hurried out. Xuanyuan Jing looked with fatherly concern and immediately saw that Xuanyuan Yan had one empty sleeve, instantly shocked.

“My son… what is this…”

Xuanyuan Yan stood in the mourning hall, seeing at a glance the huge black character for “memorial” and then the changed expressions of everyone around. Suddenly a surge of malice rose in his heart.

He pointed at the “memorial” character and coffin: “Smash it all!”

Xuanyuan Jing felt a thunderous roar in his ears and swayed. The Huangjin chief quickly supported him, saying in amazement: “Xuanyuan Yan, what is this…”

Before he finished speaking, the group of guards behind Xuanyuan Yan had already leaped out.

Only when they moved did everyone notice these weren’t Xuanyuan family guards! Xuanyuan family guards didn’t have such high lightness skills!

Like fish, like loaches, like ghostly shadows, like gray whirlwinds, they instantly appeared on beams, rooftops, and the coffin. Tearing, crashing, and smashing sounds rang out continuously. Snow-white curtains were torn, the memorial character smashed down, the coffin broken, incense burners overturned. Torn black and white cloth pieces floated down like black and white snow in the mourning hall.

Screams arose. The mourners frantically fled outside, fleeing and colliding in panic. A large pile of purple-robed dignitaries tumbled down the steps.

“Stop! Stop! Someone come! Someone come!” The Xuanyuan family people rushed up trying to stop them, but who could match the speed of Pei Shu and others? The guards outside hurried over but were blocked at the steps by mourners madly rushing out of the hall, only seeing coffin boards and fragments being thrown out with clattering sounds.

Scattered items were everywhere, along with the cries of those being crushed. For a moment, the Xuanyuan family’s mourning hall also became hell.

Xuanyuan Yan had originally been nervous and fearful, but now seeing everyone frantically avoiding him in fear and trepidation, he—the Xuanyuan family’s famous wastrel who was used to others’ disgust—for the first time in his life saw fear in others’ eyes toward him. He immediately felt his chest expand with joy, his malice greatly vented. He couldn’t help raising his head in hearty laughter, his face twisted and fierce as a demon.

Once human evil nature is awakened, black sprouts bloom everywhere.

Xuanyuan Jing was half-dragged, half-supported to the side door, his face deathly pale, eyes rolling back, nearly fainting.

The mourning hall was smashed to pieces in moments. Xuanyuan Yan swept his robe and jumped onto the offering table, pointing at Xuanyuan Jing: “Father! Give me the family head’s bronze seal!”

“You…” Xuanyuan Jing barely managed not to faint. Hearing this, his eyes rolled back again. “You… how can you say such things…”

“So Second Young Master, you’ve done such conscienceless things for the position of family head. You’re not worthy!” An elder of the Xuanyuan family beside him angrily said: “The position of family head isn’t your father’s decision alone! It requires unanimous agreement from all family elders! Even if you got the bronze seal, we could invalidate it! With your character and behavior, dream on for this lifetime!”

“Old dog, you dare oppose me? I’ll make you dream in Blackwater Marsh for the rest of your life!” Xuanyuan Yan pointed at the elder with a sinister smile. “Who else would get the family head position if not me? The eldest is already dead! All other family disciples with inheritance rights are all dead! I’m the only direct legitimate heir left in the Xuanyuan family! If you don’t give it to me, would you rather give it to some distant branch relatives whose bloodlines have deviated who knows how far?”

“What!” This time even the nearly fainting Xuanyuan Jing woke up. Several old faces stared at Xuanyuan Yan, deathly pale.

Xuanyuan Yan felt even more satisfied. He wanted to put his hands on his hips but remembered he’d lost one hand. Sharp pain struck, making him hate even more. He felt that having suffered so much, the family head position must be given now whether they wanted to or not. If not, he’d kill people!

“Didn’t you see all the people around me have changed? Didn’t you see none of the guards returned? Want to set off fireworks to summon them back? Elder Wang, your nephew is also near Tianhui Valley. Didn’t you want to support him? Quick, call him back!”

The elder stared at him in horror. Normally he’d consider this empty bluster, but now he didn’t dare disbelieve. He stepped back, tremblingly set off fireworks, and looked up waiting. Seeing no response in the sky, his face turned deathly pale.

This type of signal fireworks should be immediately answered when seen according to rules. With no news after so long, there truly was trouble.

“How about it?” Xuanyuan Yan laughed heartily, venting all the fear and anger he’d suffered at Jing Hengbo’s hands on his father and elders. “Hand over the family head’s bronze seal! This position should be mine!”

“No!” The one who spoke in opposition was actually Xuanyuan Jing. “The Xuanyuan family cannot be handed to you! These people behind you have unknown origins. You must have made an agreement with outsiders, bringing people to cause trouble and destroy the Xuanyuan family! Speak! Who are these people!”

Xuanyuan Jing’s beard bristled, his eyes red as he stared at Xuanyuan Yan. He was both family head and father, with years of accumulated authority. Xuanyuan Yan’s arrogance immediately diminished, his body shrinking as he stepped back.

“Speak, who!” The angry roar shook the roof tiles. Xuanyuan Jing’s face turned purple. The elders looked at him worriedly, afraid he might collapse.

“Who else could it be? Me, of course.” A lazy voice came, still carrying laughter.

The voice was languid and slightly hoarse, possessing a woman’s infinitely charming tone. But Xuanyuan Jing heard it like ghostly wailing, his whole body trembling in shock.

Looking up, his face no longer resembled human color.

The crowd suddenly parted in a line. First entered a large group of fierce and valiant men. The Xuanyuan family people’s pupils contracted seeing them—they were clearly titled school officers!

Titled school officers—when would they clear the way for others? Could it be Cheng Gumo? But that was clearly a woman’s voice just now, and even Cheng Gumo wasn’t qualified to have titled school officers clear his path.

People couldn’t help standing on tiptoe to see, through the crowd of titled school officers, a woman slowly walking forward with a smile.

Plain clothes with wide sleeves, graceful figure, her black hair slightly curled, gently lifted by the wind, half-covering her smiling eyes. When her gaze slowly turned, everyone felt their hearts pound violently, as if brilliant sunset clouds had suddenly dazzled their vision.

Xuanyuan Yan stared without blinking, feeling the woman before him was the most beautiful he’d ever seen in his life.

“It’s you! It really is you!” Xuanyuan Jing shouted, his body stumbling backward until something hard hit his feet. Looking down, he saw he was stepping on his son’s coffin board. Suddenly wild grief, anger, and pain surged in his heart. He turned back fiercely, staring hard at Jing Hengbo.

Jing Hengbo continued smiling, not yielding at all, meeting his gaze.

Such hateful, painful eyes—she had experienced them too.

That night also had fierce wind and snow, that night also had cold winter wind. That night ministers and armies forced the palace below the city walls, sitting in protest, petitioning and coercing. A group of people joined forces, using every means to drive her from the Imperial Song, making her lose friends and lovers, making her understand the taste of betrayal and coldness in this world—a knife inserted into flesh, a section of snow pressed against the heart.

Among that group, there was him, standing in the forefront with a righteous, dignified expression.

How could she not take revenge? How could she not repay this?

Now was just the beginning.

“Truly worthy of being the family head. Your mind is clearer than others,” she said with a sweet smile, pointing at Xuanyuan Jing. “This is simply perfect. You can clearly see the disaster the Xuanyuan family is about to face, clearly see how you’ll uncontrollably walk toward destruction, clearly wait day by day for collapse and death. Like a critically ill patient, watching helplessly as cancer cells invade their body. From internal organs to brain, until breathing stops… Ah, thinking about what you’ll face makes me feel… so refreshed.”

“Jing Hengbo!” Xuanyuan Jing suddenly calmed down, saying hoarsely: “If you have the ability, come kill me!”

“NO NO, killing people is the least fun,” Jing Hengbo waved her finger. “Why would I kill you? If you died early, you couldn’t see the Xuanyuan family’s misfortune. Wouldn’t that be too easy on you?”

“You’re dreaming! As long as I’m here, I won’t allow Xuanyuan Yan to get the family head position!”

“If not him, then who?” Jing Hengbo asked strangely. “Soon you’ll have a stroke. Your Xuanyuan family’s inheritable disciples are dead or missing. If you don’t pass the family head position to the talented Second Young Master, would you rather leave it there for outsiders to fight over?”

Xuanyuan Jing seemed struck in his weak spot, his whole body trembling. After a long while he shouted: “You’re making alarmist statements! The Xuanyuan family has so many disciples qualified to inherit the family head position. Many are still in the Imperial Song. How could you so quickly catch them all in one net…”

“Are you pretending to be stupid or do you really not understand your Xuanyuan family?” Jing Hengbo smiled and shook her head repeatedly. “Don’t you know that for the Tianhui Valley expedition—such a major matter concerning your Xuanyuan family’s fortune for the next ten years—which of your family disciples wouldn’t be envious and jealous? Who wouldn’t want to come get a share? If they couldn’t grab the main prize, getting some scraps would be good too. If they could intercept halfway and do some double-crossing, that wouldn’t be bad either. Tell me, how could they bear not to be there?”

Xuanyuan Jing’s face turned ashen—the Xuanyuan family indeed had such customs. Moreover, the Xuanyuan family’s secrets could never be concealed. Everyone had many others’ spies around them. No matter how much he emphasized secrecy for such operations, they were leaked immediately.

“You can only blame yourselves for being stupid, like flies following stench! Rushing to any benefit, crowding together, deserving to be caught all at once!” Jing Hengbo laughed heartily and beckoned to Xuanyuan Yan.

Xuanyuan Yan immediately scurried over, bowing extremely smoothly: “So it’s Her Majesty the Queen. Xuanyuan Yan failed to recognize gold inlaid with jade. My respects, my respects. Xuanyuan Yan pays respects to Her Majesty the Queen and thanks Your Majesty for your support. In the future, should Your Majesty have any tasks, please feel free to command.”

Looking at Xuanyuan Jing, he probably wanted to spit blood again.

“Little Yan,” Jing Hengbo kindly patted the head of Xuanyuan Yan, who was older than her, like an empress dowager. “In the future, be a good family head.”

“Yes.”

“Your father is old with poor mobility. Serve him well. Don’t let people disturb him casually, and don’t let him worry about your affairs anymore.”

“Yes. Yes.”

“Later we’ll sign a mutual assistance and friendship agreement. I’ll fully support your assumption of the family head position, giving you the strongest military support. You and the Xuanyuan family behind you will fully support all my demands. Money, grain, people, and all information channels, personnel arrangements everywhere. You’ll need to give me a detailed inventory later, including all your Xuanyuan family’s account books.”

“Good, good.”

“Don’t worry. If your Xuanyuan family supports my cause, I’ll definitely give you the best returns. I’ll definitely make you sit firmly in the family head position and live seventy or eighty years. If everything goes smoothly in the future, I’ll grant your Xuanyuan family a surname, as my most loyal servant clan. Hmm, how about changing the surname to Black?”

“…Yes…”

“Thud”—Xuanyuan Jing collapsed.

Literally fainted from anger.