Chapter 238

Three days later.

Hsssh~

Boom!

Inside the still chamber, suddenly a burst like an explosion rang out.

A large stream of scalding water turned into rolling mist in midair, slowly rising.

"Success!"

Chen Mu opened his eyes, sensing the fusion of Fire and Water Intent around him, a flicker of joy in his gaze.

Three days of seclusion—Fourth Level of the Crimson Water Dragon Killing Dao!

At this realm, both the basic technique "Blazing Dragon Claw" and the ultimate move "Blazing Sun's Ultimate Realm" have greatly strengthened.

Chen Mu carefully felt it, comprehending its profound mysteries.

…

A new day, bright sunshine.

Chen Mu, as usual, stepped out toward the Zhenwu Office.

Yet, after walking only a short distance on the main road, he sensed the atmosphere on the streets differed from usual.

Several groups clearly not allied with one another came and went from taverns, teahouses, and restaurants along the street, sternly interrogating passersby.

Among them, even Constables and officers in the attire of the Zhenzhoucheng city government could be seen, participating as well, making the entire street feel tense.

"What's happened?"

A hint of doubt rose in Chen Mu's mind, but he kept walking, continuing toward the Zhenwu Office.

Entering the Zhenwu Office gate, he casually stopped a squad member about to go on duty.

The squad member, seeing it was Chen Mu, immediately halted and bowed respectfully.

"My lord!"

"Hmm." Chen Mu waved his hand and asked directly, "I've been in seclusion these past days and paid little attention to outside affairs. What's happened in the city? Why is the street so noisy, even drawing Constables from the city government?"

The squad member, clearly aware of the situation, answered at once, "Returning my lord, it's the Xu family—they've suffered a loss. The night before last, they lost a family heirloom, said to be extremely important."

"The Xu family has mobilized vast manpower and called in favors; even the city government has been persuaded to assist them in searching the entire city."

"Over these two days, every thief of any reputation within Zhenzhou's borders has been targeted by the Xu family, causing chaos everywhere."

"The Xu family? Lost a family heirloom?" Chen Mu's face showed appropriate curiosity, "Do you know what artifact was stolen?"

The squad member shook his head, a trace of regret on his face, "This subordinate doesn't know. The Xu family has kept it tightly secret and revealed nothing specific—only that it's an ancestral treasure."

"Alright, go about your duties." Chen Mu waved him off, then strode toward the main hall.

Sitting in the main seat of the hall, Chen Mu pondered inwardly.

'The Xu family lost a treasure? I've just had a few quiet days, and now this happens—and it's stirred up the whole city, even dragging in the government…'

A thought suddenly surfaced.

'Could this be the Jing'an Prince's doing behind the scenes?'

According to Zhao Fuzhou's earlier information, the Jing'an Prince has been secretly collecting martial cultivators' blood essence and excels at exploiting conflicts to incite trouble.

If this Xu family theft is also his handiwork, then the next step…

Chen Mu's eyes flashed with sudden understanding.

'If this truly is the Jing'an Prince's doing, then the next step—the so-called "Xu family treasure"—will likely be "accidentally" leaked, appearing in the homes of forces with delicate or competitive ties to the Xu family: Qingyun Manor, the Zhao family, the Black Water Gate, and so on.'

'Then the Xu family will surely not let it pass, and conflict will erupt. In that conflict, casualties and blood essence loss will be unavoidable!'

Thinking of this, Chen Mu's lips curled slightly.

If true, the Jing'an Prince's methods are endlessly inventive, precisely targeting the entangled interests among the major powers.

"Zhenzhoucheng is about to see new turmoil."

Chen Mu muttered, then calmed his mind, picked up the Juan Sect's documents as usual, and began reading—as if indifferent to outside events—while secretly raising his vigilance, preparing to watch and wait, to see how this drama would unfold.

…

The next morning, Chen Mu was reading Juan Sect documents in the Zhenwu Office hall when Yu Shoujiang hurried in.

"My lord, something's happened!"

Yu Shoujiang bowed and reported, "The Xu family has gathered a large force and now surrounds the Black Water Gate's base in Chengxi! Both sides are tense, on the verge of fighting!"

Chen Mu put down the Juan Sect documents, his expression showing no surprise, only asking calmly.

"What's the cause?"

"It's said the Xu family's lost heirloom has been traced," Yu Shoujiang said quickly. "Someone secretly tipped off the Xu family, claiming to have seen the treasure hidden inside the Black Water Gate. That's why the Xu family head, Xu Ziluo, brought men to confront them."

As expected!

Chen Mu thought inwardly.

The entire sequence matched his prediction from yesterday.

First, the Xu family treasure stolen; then, the leak; then, provoking conflict between the Xu family and the Black Water Gate to create bloodshed.

"Let's go see."

Chen Mu stood up and signaled Yu Shoujiang to follow.

As a Zhenwu Office Inspector, he was obligated by duty and reason to appear at such a large-scale factional conflict.

…

The Black Water Gate's base lay fifteen li west of the city, beside Heishui Lake, nestled against mountains and water, easy to defend.

When Chen Mu and Yu Shoujiang arrived with a squad of Zhenwu guards, the open ground by the lake was packed with people, the atmosphere grim and deadly.

Xu Ziluo, head of the Xu family, held a ring-hilt great knife, face dark with rage, behind him stood over a hundred elite Xu family disciples and hired warriors, each radiating murderous intent.

Opposite them, Xie Baichuan, head of the Black Water Gate, wore an equally grim expression, flanked by elders and core disciples, standing ready in formation.

"Xie Baichuan! Enough nonsense—hand over the ancestral treasure of my Xu family!" Xu Ziluo's voice rang like a great bell, thick with suppressed fury.

Xie Baichuan heard this, fury turning to laughter. "Xu Ziluo! Don't you dare make groundless accusations! My Black Water Sect acts in the open and aboveboard—when have we ever taken anything from your Xu family? This is clearly someone deliberately sowing discord, hoping to see our two houses fight like the snipe and the clam! Don't fall into the villain's trap!"

"Hmph! A trap?"

Xu Ziluo gave a cold laugh. "If there weren't ironclad evidence, would my Xu family come knocking on your door so lightly? Someone saw it with their own eyes—the treasure is inside your Black Water Sect. If your conscience is clear, then open the gates and let us go in and search! If we don't find it, I, Xu Ziluo, will apologize to you on the spot!"

"Bullshit!"

Xie Baichuan refused outright. "My Black Water Sect has stood in Zhenzhou for over a hundred years—how can you just barge in and search as you please? If I let you search today, what face will my Black Water Sect have left to stand on in the jianghu tomorrow? Xu Ziluo, don't push us too far!"

The two men were wary of each other, yet neither would back down. Their subordinates also began pointing fingers and trading insults, and the standoff reached a deadlock.

The smell of gunpowder grew thicker and thicker.

Chen Mu and Yu Shoujiang stood on a slope a little farther off, quietly watching with the guards of the Zhenwu Office.

The little drama Prince Jing'an had arranged had to be said—was quite a good show.

Just as the two sides were locked in their tense standoff, a sudden change erupted!