Chapter 715: The Qin Family

Although Ten Thousand Rivers City has declined somewhat in recent years, the city still produced some wealthy merchants and magnates, especially Old Master Qin.

In Ten Thousand Rivers City, where every inch of land is precious, he even has a large manor of his own.

Everyone knows Old Master Qin is charitable and kind, a famous philanthropist in Ten Thousand Rivers City, but no one knows that Old Master Qin has countless ties with the Hundred Knowledge Sect of the martial world.

Back then, Old Master Qin took revenge on his enemies and seized their property, with Bai Xiaosheng contributing greatly; thus Old Master Qin became a very useful pawn in Bai Xiaosheng's hand.

However, Old Master Qin is now old and does not wish to involve himself too much in the martial world's disputes.

After all, he still has some leverage held by Bai Xiaosheng, so this time Bai Xiaosheng hid those people who had fled Jing Cheng in the Lake Center Island of Ten Thousand Rivers City, and Old Master Qin contributed greatly.

Unexpectedly, Bai Xiaosheng is getting married and even sent an invitation.

Old Master Qin felt a splitting headache; he knew Bai Xiaosheng's identity.

Now Prince Rui has ascended the throne and founded a state; this former crown prince Bai Xiaosheng will surely be eliminated sooner or later.

If he continues to hide Bai Xiaosheng here, and the emperor finds out later, the Qin family will likely face death by a thousand cuts and the utter destruction of the whole household.

Even when Bai Xiaosheng's invitation arrived at his manor, Old Master Qin could not avoid dealing with it.

After all, the Qin family had hidden many unknown secrets back then; once this secret became public, he would lose both life and reputation.

He cannot afford to gamble; he only hopes Bai Xiaosheng will behave peacefully within his territory.

Now that he is married, he should properly live with his wife and not think of opposing the imperial court.

Although he cannot drive Bai Xiaosheng away, he can still guarantee that Bai Xiaosheng will live out his life peacefully in his territory, and the Qin family can assure that.

Old Master Qin placed the invitation on his study desk, never expecting that after just a meal's time, the invitation would disappear.

He also prepared to gather his three sons to discuss what gift to bring when attending the wedding on the island.

Just then he discovered the invitation had vanished without a trace, and his three sons disappeared at the same time.

He sent people to investigate, and the servants of each household said the young masters had received some letter and then hurriedly left home, and they have not returned to this day.

Old Master Qin's mind went blank; he stepped back several times and fell into his chair.

Madam Qin also sensed something was wrong, crying beside him: 'Master, how did all three of our children disappear at once?'

'Especially the third son; this child is very well-behaved and would not normally go out to cause trouble.'

The eldest and second sons are born of concubines, but only the third son is a late-born child of Old Master Qin; Madam Qin never expected she could still bear and raise a child, after all two had died in infancy before.

After this child was born, he held the status of legitimate heir, and Old Master Qin also cherished him as a treasure in his palm.

The Qin family's third young master is not only outstanding in appearance, but also extraordinary in talent and learning.

The Qin family has been engaged in commerce for generations, but in this generation of the third son they might have produced a scholar-official; who would have thought today would cause such a great disturbance?

'Steward Wu, any news?' Old Master Qin anxiously urged.

He too is a person who has weathered great storms, but the invitation on the desk vanished without a trace, and his three sons all encountered mishaps.

That invitation sent by Bai Xiaosheng also has its peculiarities; that fellow is extremely cautious.

If he loses the invitation, no matter how familiar he is with Bai Xiaosheng, he cannot reach the Lake Center Island.

If he does not go, Bai Xiaosheng will suspect him of divided loyalties; once those Qin family secrets are made public, he fears the entire Qin family will be despised.

'Then hurry up and look! What's the use of keeping you servants all day? Get out and search!'

Old Master Qin flew into a rage, and Madam Qin wept uncontrollably.

Old Master Qin violently smashed the inkstone on the desk onto the floor, and Madam Qin was so frightened she dared not cry anymore.

'Crying, crying, crying—all you know is to cry; now when troops come we block them, when water comes we dam it— the Qin family is no stranger to storms, so get back inside!'

Madam Qin wanted to say more, but seeing that Old Master Qin was truly angry, she hurriedly led the people back to the rear courtyard, enduring all manner of anxiety.

'Master! Master!' Steward Wu came rushing in, crawling and tumbling.

He held the third young master's jade pendant and said to Old Master Qin before him: 'Master, someone outside requests an audience, saying not to alarm the authorities nor anyone else; a noble person wishes to speak with you privately.'

'What? What did you say?' Old Master Qin's face froze for a moment, then he shouted: 'Quick! Quickly bring the person in!'

Upon hearing that someone had come to him of their own accord, Old Master Qin suddenly felt less panicked than before.

As long as he can uncover the truth behind it, the Qin family fears nothing.

If it is someone he has offended before, asking for wealth or life… then he must also see whether the other party has the ability to take his life.

Old Master Qin's face was grim as frost; he slowly sat down in the chair of his study.

Not long after, steady footsteps sounded from outside, followed by several sturdy-guarded escorts escorting a tall man inside.

Old Master Qin dared not think too much; he had already cleared the residence of all idle persons.

He also ordered his guards to stand watch around the study, appearing to outnumber the opposing party.

Yet seeing the opponent's formation, Old Master Qin only felt a faint chill in his heart; this time someone truly came to take his life.

The visitor wore a dark cloak, with a hood covering half his face, making his features indistinct.

One of the accompanying guards stepped forward, pulled over a chair and placed it opposite Old Master Qin; the man lifted the corner of his robe and sat down slowly.

He slightly raised his hand to remove the hood, revealing a face of extraordinary beauty and outstanding handsomeness.

Upon seeing that face, Old Master Qin was utterly shocked and jumped to his feet.

He felt he had seen that face somewhere before.

He remembered that a few years ago, when he went to Shang Jing for business, he had caught a distant glimpse of Prince Rui's face.

At that time, Prince Rui was proceeding down the street with his entourage, and the civilians on both sides hurriedly stepped aside.

He also stood on tiptoe in the crowd and glanced once, and that single look left him stunned by Prince Rui's bearing.

Prince Rui is the war god of Southern Qi; the ordinary people of Shang Jing in Southern Qi have more or less also seen him.

Now this face faced him directly, and Old Master Qin's heart panicked, not knowing what to do.

For one must know that Prince Rui is no longer Prince Rui, but the current Son of Heaven.

He instinctively weakened at the knees and fell with a thump before Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin coldly observed the portly yet somewhat clumsy Old Master Qin before him.

He didn't want to waste too much time on this person, gesturing at Ling Feng.

Ling Feng sent the other two jade pendants to Old Master Qin, who glanced at them and his body trembled slightly.

Enough, the three sons had all fallen into the Emperor's hands.

At this moment, under Xiao Yin's pressure, he didn't even have the thought to retort.

Since the Emperor managed to find him, he must have put in a lot of effort; the Qin Family's inside and out were surely investigated thoroughly.

At the same time, all kinds of doubts rose in his heart—what exactly did Bai Xiaosheng do?

Actually, even the Emperor was alarmed, personally going incognito to find this oasis.

The more he thought, the more frightened he became—something major must have happened.

Xiao Yin stared coldly at him and slowly said, "Speak, who exactly is the nobleperson residing on Lake Heart Island?"

Old Master Qin's face turned pale; he no longer dared to conceal: "In reply to the Emperor, it is… it is the Sect Leader of the martial world's All-Knowing Gate, Bai Xiaosheng."

Xiao Yin suddenly raised his brows, a hint of killing intent appearing in his eyes.