Chapter 55: In a breath, I

A burst of footsteps sounded, and Wu Gang rushed from deep within the mansion.

He saw Shen Qing's face and also sucked in a breath of cold air, but thinking of the Two Elders of Dongxuan hiding in the dark, he felt somewhat relieved.

Wu Gang slowed his steps, putting on a stern look: "Shen Captain? Why are you barging into my Wu household?"

"Could there be some misunderstanding?"

"Misunderstanding? Wu Gang, you really forget favors when you're important—can't you recall what you've done? Selling children has earned you quite a bit, hasn't it?"

Wu Gang's face darkened: "Do you have any evidence?"

Shen Qing couldn't help laughing: "Is there something on your neck that even a dung beetle can't resist?"

"Are you demanding evidence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Wu Gang's face flushed red; since he took the post of Assistant Prefect of Luoshui City, no one has ever spoken to him like this.

Shen Qing also grew tired of arguing with Wu Gang; since the culprit was confirmed to be here, the task was simple—kill, exterminate the family, confiscate property, then go drink.

The Azure River in his hand slowly unsheathed, killing intent and sharpness shooting to the heavens, making everyone in the Wu manor tremble with fear.

At that moment, a man ran out from the inner room—one of the Wu manor's heads, Wu Yue, also Wu Gang's younger brother—running toward Shen Qing while waving his arms and shouting; in the blink of an eye, he was within thirty meters of her.

"Stop! Stop! Stop! The person here is the World‑Passing Yama, Shen Qing, Lord Shen!"

Shen Qing glanced at him; the Azure River in her hand did not slow, a blue light flashed, and she swung straight at Wu Yue.

Since the comer is a member of the Wu family, we might as well cut him down too.

Shen Qing didn't bother with your nonsense.

Wu Yue hurriedly stopped his steps.

"Lord Shen, are you here for the human‑trafficking case? I reported it! I reported it!"

A buzzing sound! A fierce gale blew, causing Wu Yue's face to sting, but fortunately the Azure River halted half a centimeter from his neck.

"The case was reported by you?"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone's gaze in the courtyard gathered on Wu Yue, and Wu Gang was dumbfounded.

Wu Yue stared at the Azure River less than half a centimeter from his neck and sucked in a breath of cold air; his legs went weak, and from birth he had never been so grateful that his parents gave him a sharp, articulate mouth.

But Wu Yue dared not hesitate any longer and quickly spoke.

"Sir, the complainant is Elderly Sun of Ancient Moon Street; I had someone guide her to the Captain's Office."

"I had long held evidence of Wu Gang's human trafficking, so I had Elderly Sun file the report."

That much checks out; if no one had guided her, Elderly Sun probably wouldn't have thought to go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to report.

Shen Qing moved the Azure River away from Wu Yue's neck and signaled with her eyes for him to continue.

Wu Yue watched the withdrawn Azure River sword and finally relaxed.

"It's like this: as early as last year I noticed some irregularities and had been secretly gathering evidence, discovering that Wu Gang didn't just traffic children—he also trafficked women and even slaves."

"Since you already have solid evidence, why didn't you report it to the authorities sooner?"

Wu Yue gave a bitter laugh: "Lord Shen, how do you know I haven't reported? Over the years, many child‑disappearance cases have occurred in the city, and I have secretly sent people to seek the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the magistrate's office."

"As for the offices everywhere, there's no need to elaborate—everywhere are informants, so this case could never get anywhere; the Embroidered Uniform Guard occasionally sends someone to investigate, but most of the time they give up halfway… Well, 'knowing when to retreat' is more accurate."

"Until I arranged for Elderly Sun to report to you, I wanted to secretly observe your reaction; if you were like the usual Embroidered Uniform Guard, I would stay hidden until someone capable appeared, and if you were willing to keep investigating, I would hand over the evidence."

"I just never expected Lord Shen to act this quickly."

Shen Qing's expression turned strange; indeed, it was a scene of righteous vengeance against kin.

Hearing this, Wu Gang not far away could no longer hold back, his face alternating between green and white.

"Wu Yue! You beast! What a waste of our brotherhood!"

Wu Yue turned his head, face grim: "Big brother, I call you big brother—this is the last time I'll call you that; I'm ashamed to be associated with you."

"How can you still face your ancestors underground after doing those things?"

"If I don't do something, the Wu lineage will be cut off in your hands!"

Wu Gang stumbled back two steps: "So you've always looked down on me like this!"

Shen Qing stood aside silently, watching this drama, only wishing she had popcorn and soda; such a righteous‑kinship spectacle—doesn't it beat some movies from her past life?

This could be turned into a book by a storyteller, lasting three days and nights.

Seeing Wu Yue's firm expression, Wu Gang also hardened his heart and spoke through gritted teeth.

"Wu Yue! Shen Qing! Do you really think you can take me down?"

"I've spent years and a fortune in Luoshui City just for today!"

"Two Elders of Dongxuan! I'm counting on you!"

As the words fell, the Two Elders of Dongxuan emerged from the shadows and stood before Wu Gang.

Ge Dong held a spear, while Ge Xuan wielded a silver‑backed blade.

Ge Xuan smiled, stroking his beard.

"You are the World‑Passing Yama, Shen Qing—I've long heard of your name."

Having said that, his true qi surged, and the aura unique to a half‑step Grandmaster realm burst forth.

"However, it's a pity—today you cannot take Wu Gang away."

"Why don't we negotiate? We'll withdraw today; I'll take Wu Gang far away, and you can pretend you never saw us."

Wu Gang's face darkened: "Two Elders of Dongxuan, why be so polite? Didn't you say you'd split the spoils nine‑to‑one with Shen Qing? You take nine, she gets one."

"Flat fee—three thousand taels! Kill Shen Qing, seize that scoundrel Wu Yue, and send me out of Yongning Commandery!"

Beside him, Ge Dong also showed a grim smile upon hearing the three thousand taels.

"Three thousand taels? As you wish—I'll loosen up my bones as well, young friend—sorry about that."

Having spoken, a peak‑Innate‑Realm aura surged forward.

Wu Yue's face changed drastically; he also had cultivation of the Acquired Realm, so he could naturally sense that Ge Dong and Ge Xuan were extraordinary.

He couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva, anxiously looking toward Shen Qing. Today he had indeed laid all his cards out; now the only thing he could do was hope in Shen Qing.

Shen Qing looked at the East Profound Two Elders with a calm expression, speaking in a calm tone.

「One Nine Open? 」

Ge Xuan nodded: "Not bad, One Nine Open."

Shen Qing laughed, too pretentious; Luoshui City West City is his turf, yet someone is even more pretentious than him?

How preposterous!

Shen Qing's figure vanished, a Dragon-Elephant Roar burst forth, an overbearing aura surged mighty, directly crushing the East Profound Two Elders' aura into pieces.

East Profound Two Elders' faces turned stern: "Not right! This move is tricky!"

In the next moment, Shen Qing's figure appeared again before Ge Xuan, nine successive azure flashes shone, and Ge Xuan's body also revealed several fine blood lines.

The air echoed with Shen Qing's voice.

「Indeed, One Nine Open. 」

「In a breath's time, I'll cut you nine times. 」