Chapter 169: Countering Moves, Paying Lip Service While Defying in Secret!

Fang Ronghe's gaze flashed like lightning, sweeping over them all: "My Fang family has decided to spare no effort in hunting down this fiend! But Changlong Fucheng is not the Fang family's private domain—it requires your full cooperation."

"I ask each of you to immediately dispatch your most capable personnel to assist my Fang family in conducting a thorough search of the entire city for all unfamiliar faces and suspicious cultivators!"

"Better to wrongly investigate a thousand than to let a single suspicious person slip through!"

"Any resistance? Kill on sight!"

These words were utterly tyrannical, as if Changlong Fucheng were the Fang family's personal property, forcibly dragging every faction into their scheme.

The heads of the Sun family and others secretly cursed the Fang family's arrogance and had no desire to get entangled in this mess, but faced with Fang Ronghe's overwhelming strength and the Fang family's current frenzy, they dared not speak out.

The head of the Sun family forced a faint smile: "Old Fang speaks truly—this murderous villain must be eradicated at once! My Sun family will do our utmost!"

"Yes, yes."

"We will certainly cooperate!"

The heads of the Han family and the Biao Feng Martial Hall, among others, followed suit, reluctantly agreeing.

Thus.

Throughout the day, Wulong Fucheng was gripped by an eerie tension.

In every alley and street, warriors and enforcers from the Fang, Sun, Han, and Biao Feng Martial Hall could be seen, moving in groups, violently bursting into taverns, teahouses, inns…

They interrogated every unfamiliar face, entangled or even attacking at the slightest suspicion, turning the city into chaos, filling it with complaints.

Such a massive disturbance could not possibly escape the notice of the Changlong Fucheng Garrison Office.

Inside the government office, the official in charge of this region listened to his subordinate's report, then calmly sipped his tea and ordered, "Jianghu vendettas—let them fight. As long as no innocent civilians are harmed, do not interfere."

Clearly, he had no intention of getting involved in the Fang family's mess.

…

Chen Mu, disguised and walking through the alleys, watched coldly as squad after squad of fierce warriors raced past him, instantly understanding the Fang family's plan—

They intended to mobilize the entire city for a carpet search, forcing him to reveal himself!

"Think you can find me by sheer numbers?"

Chen Mu sneered inwardly.

Since the Fang family wanted to drag everyone into the water, he might as well stir it up even muddier.

…

Nightfall arrived as scheduled.

Compared to the Fang residence, which was on high alert, the Sun residence's defenses were noticeably lax.

A shadow, weightless as smoke, leaped over the high wall, evading a few half-hearted sentries, and slipped silently to the outer door of the master's bedroom, Sun Chengye.

Inside, Sun Chengye was half-asleep, his rest uneasy from the day's forced compliance with the Fang family's unreasonable demands.

Suddenly, he jolted awake—a strange chill pierced him, snapping him from his shallow sleep.

Instinctively, he opened his eyes—

By the faint moonlight seeping through the window, he was horrified to see, standing silently beside his bed, a blurred black shadow.

The shadow seemed fused with the darkness, save for a pair of cold, emotionless eyes, calmly fixed upon him!

Sun Chengye's blood ran cold; his sleep vanished, sweat soaking his inner garments.

He opened his mouth—but terror had paralyzed him; no sound came out.

"Want to die? Or want to live?"

Chen Mu spoke coldly, mimicking the voice of "Li Dashun."

"…"

Sun Chengye could not speak, only nodded frantically, his body rigid, not daring to stir even a thread of Qi from his dantian, fearing misinterpretation.

"If you want to live, don't be the Fang family's henchmen."

Chen Mu spoke coldly, swiftly pressing a black dragon-shaped mark onto the bedside table.

"This is a warning. Next time, I'll take your head."

"Deliver the same message to the Han family, the Biao Feng Martial Hall, and others."

"Remember—you have only one chance. One choice."

With that, his form flickered, gliding gracefully out the half-open window, vanishing like a phantom.

"…"

The room fell silent.

Sun Chengye lay motionless on the bed. After a long while, he gasped for air as if returning from drowning, his stiff body relaxing. He sat up, his face drenched in sweat.

His terrified eyes fixed on the black dragon mark mere inches away; his lips trembled as he muttered a stifled curse.

"What the hell is going on?!"

The Fang family forced them to send people and expend effort, searching the whole city.

Chen Mu, meanwhile, directly threatened their lives!

How could he offend neither?

"Huff~ huff~"

Sun Chengye panted, forcing himself to calm down. Ignoring the sticky sweat on his skin, he grabbed clothes at random and dashed out.

After running a few steps, he turned back, pried off the wooden board bearing the black dragon mark, clutched it in his hand, and burst out of the room.

Half an hour later.

The heads of the Han family, the Biao Feng Martial Hall, and other key figures of Wulong Fucheng gathered in a secret chamber.

"Clang~"

Sun Chengye tossed the wooden board bearing the black dragon mark onto the table, voice hollow: "Talk—what's your solution?"

"What solution? Just wait to die!"

"Damn it! The Fang family got targeted by the Black Dragon Society — why drag us into it?"

"Sigh, we can't afford to offend either side!"

"How about we move?"

"Move? Are you out of your mind? Our family's business of decades is all here — how would we move? Move where?"

"……"

A crowd cursed, argued, anxious, frustrated, helpless.

Sun Chengye leaned against the wall, sighing weakly, his eyes full of panic.

"Actually, this matter is quite simple." A voice suddenly rang out.

"Oh, Brother Han, have you thought of some good idea?" Everyone looked toward the sound.

They saw the Han family patriarch raise his brows and chuckle lightly. "The Fang family wants us to search the whole city — we can send people, but how much effort we actually put in, now that's something to talk about!"

"What do you mean?" Sun Chengye frowned.

"Haha, I get it — show up for work but don't put in the effort! That really is simple!" The master of the Gale Martial Hall said, invigorated.

Oh right~!

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Show up for work but don't put in the effort — comply on the surface, resist in secret!

……

……

After warning Sun Chengye, Chen Mu made another trip to the Fang family and killed a batch of guards in the outer courtyard who were too afraid to patrol and had curled up hiding in their rooms.

Along the way, he let another batch of servants escape under cover of night.

"Bastard! Damn beast!"

Fang Hongtu burst out cursing, so angry he slammed his fist on the table, smashing it to pieces.

"Enough."

Fang Hongdao said in a low, heavy voice, "He can't hide much longer. After daybreak, one more day of searching will be enough to force him out!"

"Hopefully so." Fang Hongyi sighed.

……

Dawn broke.

The Fang family's remaining diehards, along with the gang members they controlled, continued tensely and roughly scouring the streets for the person.

Personnel from the Han family, Sun family, Gale Martial Hall, and other factions also roamed the streets — but only roamed, taking it easy, strolling leisurely.

They'd glance at the entrance of an inn, teahouse, or tavern… take a peek and move on.

Or simply pretend they hadn't seen anything and walk right past.

Chen Mu sat at a roadside tea stall, watching this scene with satisfaction.

"Search the whole city? I'll let you search till you're blue in the face!"