Chapter 160: Take the Money, Do the Job, No Cheating Young or Old

"My lord, aren't you going to ask who slaughtered the entire Hu family?"

The advisor did his duty, down to the responsibility of offering a reminder. Since this had to be reported to the court, one had to get the whole story straight. If the higher-ups asked questions, at least he'd have something to fob them off with.

"Do you know how many First Rank martial artists the Hu family had, how many Second and Third Ranks? Even Fourth Rank martial artists, and over a hundred fully armed guards. Where did all these people go? Dead! All dead! A powerhouse capable of wiping out the entire Hu clan — you think this official can go poking around? I haven't lived long enough yet."

"What evil star did the Hu family offend? This student has always believed the Hu family committed many evils and would sooner or later face retribution. Never expected retribution to come so swiftly."

"Indeed, this is all retribution. The Hu family, whom the full might of this county could not bring down, was slaughtered overnight by a single person. Why would this official want to provoke such a powerhouse? Besides, how generous they were, leaving us so much money for the aftermath — we should be content! Take the money and handle the matter beautifully, wouldn't you say?"

"My lord speaks reason. Take the money, do the job, no cheating young or old."

"Those poor souls must also be properly settled. Though that great hero left not a single word, only silver and the kidnapped victims, what they wanted was an attitude. If we settle these people properly, we will surely earn that great hero's satisfaction. This official does not wish to lose his head for no reason in the middle of the night. Keep an eye on this matter — take five... take a thousand taels from inside for resettlement."

"My lord is benevolent. With a thousand taels of silver, it's enough for these poor wretches to have a good New Year."

"Sigh! Looking at their pitiful state, this official cannot bear it either. Look at that child — the face is completely ruined."

"My lord, that child had his ears, nose, and lips cut off by someone."

"Nonsense, does this official not know that? Tragic, far too tragic. The Hu family's hands were drenched in blood, brutal and cold — they deserved this calamity. Pass down the order: search carefully, see if the Hu family has any survivors."

"If survivors are found, may I ask the County Magistrate how they should be dealt with?"

The County Magistrate clenched his teeth. "The conclusion that the entire Hu clan was slaughtered cannot be altered. Understood?"

"This student understands! This student will give the order at once to ensure all survivors remain here."

"Very good!"

Chen Chen Guanlou stood at the mountain peak, letting the cold wind howl, blowing his clothes flapping loudly.

He gazed down the mountain, gazed at Hu Family Village, watching Yamen Runners and soldiers bustle in and out, hauling away crate after crate of gold, silver, and treasures. Only at the end did they cart the victims away by horse-drawn carriage.

Only the Hu family's main residence had been burned; many intact houses remained — all blue-brick tile-roofed buildings, displaying the village's unmatched wealth and nobility.

At the County Magistrate's order, more able-bodied laborers were hauled in, and everything usable, everything movable, was carted away without exception. At his final command, the soldiers began setting fires at the front and back of the houses, determined to utterly destroy this wicked village.

"Evil must be eradicated completely. We absolutely cannot let this place become a den of crime again. Burn it, burn everything, seal off this site. From today onward, let this place become a desolate land rarely visited by man. Then have people cook up a few terrifying legends — I refuse to believe anyone will still gather here to commit evil."

"The County Magistrate's fire is well-timed, also clearing up the aftermath for the Hu family, preventing corpses from rotting and causing plague."

"Even with the entire Hu family dead, they still won't let one rest easy. This official still has to worry about plague. Remember — don't miss a single corpse. What should be burned must be burned clean."

"County Magistrate, rest assured. This student guarantees the matter will be handled properly. Ensuring no fish escape the net."

The flames rose, wrapped in thick smoke and dust, shooting straight into the clouds.

Chen Chen Guanlou carried his great blade on his back, descended the mountain, headed home.

Ahead on the road he met a whiskered traveler, gripping a dog-head saber, standing in the middle of the path.

"Are you the Nameless Hero?"

At this moment, Chen Chen Guanlou was still in his Nameless Hero disguise — a body of hemp cloth garments, feet in a pair of black cloth shoes, his cheeks buffeted by the cold wind looking exceptionally weathered.

"And who are you?"

"I am the one who will take your life!"

He who comes is ill-intentioned; the well-intentioned do not come. Deliberately blocking his path down the mountain to intercept him — Boss Qi truly is all-seeing and all-knowing, and cold-blooded enough. Watching his partner the Hu family be slaughtered to the last, yet remaining unmoved.

There was only one target — the Nameless Hero.

"Been waiting long, friend? What instructions did your boss give you?" Chen Chen Guanlou took down the great blade from his back, chatting about everyday matters as he did.

"What boss? I took a Jianghu bounty to kill you."

Chen Chen Guanlou's brows rose slightly — so this wasn't one of Boss Qi's people after all.

"What Jianghu bounty?"

"A Jianghu bounty to kill you."

"May I ask what my head is worth?"

"A thousand taels of gold."

"Quite pricey. How did you find me?"

"Flames shot to the sky, even the authorities were alarmed. I got word that the Nameless Hero would slaughter the Hu family, and sure enough, I waited for you here. Let's fight!"

Chen Chen Guanlou laughed!

Blade leaves its sheath!

He and the whiskered traveler brushed past each other, stepping forward step by step. The whiskered traveler stood rooted in place, a bloodstain slowly appearing on his neck — the bloodstain growing larger and larger, longer and longer, until finally, fresh blood gushed forth.

The whiskered traveler collapsed to the ground, dying still unable to understand how there could be such Kuai De Dao Fa in this world.

Without pausing, Chen Chen Guanlou continued down the mountain.

On the road he met a pair of brother swordsmen.

"Waiting for me specifically, gentlemen?"

"The Nameless Hero?"

"Bullshit Nameless Hero. I see clearly a thief — sneaky and furtive, not daring to show his true name."

"Kill me — what do you get?"

"A thousand taels of gold is enough!"

"Who sent you word, told you to wait on this road for me?"

"These small matters, you'll know once you're down below."

"Enough! Since I can't get an answer out of you, go down below and reunite with the one who sent you the news."

Draw blade!

Blade leaves its sheath!

The two brothers, one before the other — fresh blood slowly dripped from the sharp swords in their hands!

Chen Chen Guanlou passed the two brothers and continued down the mountain.

Bang!

The two brothers' corpses hit the ground, yet Chen Chen Guanlou never glanced back.

He trusted his bladework — his blade never missed.

He didn't know how powerful the third chapter of *Ascension Record* truly was. He only knew he was faster now, stronger!

In one breath he reached the riverbank.

There he saw a Daoist Priest sitting on a stone by the bank, fishing.

The Daoist Priest used only a single wooden hairpin to casually pin up his hair. He wore a coarse hemp Daoist robe and a pair of straw sandals on his feet. The sandals were old — already patinated. Yet they were perfectly intact, with no trace of repair.

What a powerful Gong Fa — the straw sandals had worn to a patina without losing a single fiber.

Chen Chen Guanlou sat down on a boulder.

"Daoist Priest, are there fish here? Can you catch any?"

Chen Chen Guanlou rested his feet. After traveling such a long road, it was time to catch his breath, drink some water, and eat a little something.

"Boundless longevity and blessings. Is the young friend perhaps looking to cross the river by boat? Unfortunately, the boatman hasn't come today."

"No matter, I'll wait a while. Does the Daoist Priest often come here to fish?"

"This poor Daoist is here for the first time as well — I too don't know how the fishing is in this spot."

"With the Daoist Priest here, today's catch is sure to be plentiful and fine."

"Thank you for your auspicious words, young friend."