Chapter 367: Heimu Yuan

Looking at how only he and Su Qing remained at the Cheng Mansion,

Cheng Feng felt a surge of ruthlessness; his purpose for coming to Heimu Prefecture had been ruined just like that.

Yet, his hands did not stop.

He first knocked unconscious the men in black captured outside the Cheng Mansion and Huang Ping, this so-called envoy.

He had them all bound and brought aboard the Sun.

At the same time, he ordered Babai to collect the corpses on the ground and douse them with kerosene.

The machine gun fire from the Mechanical Dog was too loud,

and to avoid an investigation by the government,

just in case, Cheng Feng naturally chose to run.

Amidst the raging fire and oil,

the first residence Cheng Feng had in Heimu Prefecture vanished into the flames just like that.

The night was like ink, the stars were scattered, and the Sun floated up silently.

Cheng Feng sat inside the Sun, looking at the Cheng Mansion in the distance as it gradually turned into a sea of fire, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

The firelight reflected in his eyes, appearing exceptionally deep.

Su Qing lay quietly in the cabin, her breathing even; clearly, he had skillfully applied a sleeping technique to her.

"Sun, head home," Cheng Feng commanded in a low voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

The Sun responded immediately, started its engines, and slowly sailed away from this area of Heimu Prefecture.

"Master, how should we handle that man in black and Huang Ping?" Babai's voice rang out in the cockpit, carrying a hint of inquiry.

"Lock them up for now; they might still be useful." Cheng Feng pondered for a moment, a flash of coldness crossing his eyes.

"Today's affairs will not just end like this."

The Sun plowed through the night, leaving behind trails of silver,

and Cheng Feng's heart gradually calmed down.

He began to plan his next actions and identity.

Heimu Prefecture was a necessary region for Cheng Feng's next steps.

But to have such an ending before even beginning made Cheng Feng feel somewhat gloomy inside.

No one knew that Cheng Feng had already left this place.

And the monstrous fire at the Cheng Mansion in Heimu Prefecture, as well as the earlier explosive gunfire,

caused the "rats" operating in the night to smell the unease.

Major forces also began to investigate whose handiwork this might be.

Although this method of destroying the evidence was crude, it was still very effective.

Only the Imperial Court and the government—

the approaching army of the Red Lotus Sect had already left them unable to eat or sleep in peace.

And now, such an unsettling event had occurred.

This left everyone in Heimu Prefecture feeling anxious and uneasy.

And for the government to want to investigate and prove its competence was difficult indeed.

Fortunately, Cheng Feng did not rely on his true identity, and he had used a fake identity to handle matters in Heimu Prefecture.

This made it even more impossible for the government to find anything.

What he did could be called clean.

Heimu Prefecture Fuya.

A thin old man of about fifty sat in the Rear Courtyard, quietly feeding the fish in the pond.

After he finished throwing all the fish bait in his hand,

he took a square cloth held by the maid behind him with both hands and wiped his hands.

Only then did he look unhurriedly at the uneasy figure not far away.

In the Rear Courtyard of the Heimu Prefecture Fuya, a hint of imperceptible oppression hung in the stillness.

The old man, who was the Prefect of Heimu Prefecture, Heimu Yuan, slowly stood up.

His gaze passed through the well-arranged rockery and the lush bamboo forest, fixing on the nervous-looking Prefectural Assistant in the distance.

His voice was not loud, yet it carried unquestionable majesty.

"Prefectural Assistant, as you hold an important position in this prefecture, you ought to be concerned and work hard for the safety of the prefecture.

Yet now, a fire has burned inexplicably, and over twenty lives have been reduced to nothing.

And you want to brush it off with just a single word of 'accident'?

Is this what you call 'the environment remains safe'?"

Upon hearing this, the beads of sweat on the Prefectural Assistant's forehead became even denser.

He hurriedly stepped forward a few paces, bowed, and said with a trembling voice, "Prefect, please calm your anger. This subordinate has truly done his best.

The scale of last night's fire was rare, and coupled with the deep night, we could not put it out in time, which led to this tragedy.

This subordinate has already ordered people to thoroughly investigate the source of the fire; I will certainly give you an explanation."

Heimu Yuan waved his hand lightly, signaling the Prefectural Assistant not to be overly nervous,

but his eyes did not relax in the slightest because of this: "An explanation?

What I want is not an explanation, but the truth.

Over twenty lives—how can they be lightly wiped away with the two words 'accident'?

Do you know that behind this, there may be hidden, unknown conspiracies?"

A rat from the gutter has walked onto the stage so brazenly.

This is a provocation against my Heimu Prefecture!!"

Upon hearing this, the Prefectural Assistant felt a shiver in his heart.

He knew Heimu Yuan's temperament well.

This old man, who appeared gentle and refined, was actually meticulous in thought and ruthless in his methods.

He hurriedly nodded in agreement: "This subordinate understands. This subordinate will certainly do his utmost to investigate the truth and will never let anyone go unpunished."

Heimu Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze turning once again to the fish in the pond; they seemed unaffected by the disturbances of the outside world, still swimming leisurely.

He sighed softly and said: "In this world, the human heart is hard to fathom. You may go now; remember, no matter what you find, you must report it to me immediately."

The Prefectural Assistant acknowledged the order, bowed to take his leave, and hurried out of the Rear Courtyard.

Heimu Yuan remained standing where he was, staring at the fish in the pond, while his mind calculated a different scheme.

"Someone come, summon the Heimu Guard Du Yuan to see me."

In Heimu Prefecture, the Prefectural Assistant could only manage the government constables and other officials.

But Heimu Yuan's greatest trump card was still the Heimu Guard in his own hands.

Composed of thirty thousand sturdy men, the Heimu Guard was the fundamental reason the Heimu family could establish a foothold in Heimu Prefecture.

And among them, Du Yuan was the foster son whom Heimu Yuan regarded as his own.

Very quickly, a man like an iron tower appeared before Heimu Yuan's eyes.

Feeling the aura like a furnace radiating from the man, Heimu Yuan smiled with satisfaction.

His physical body is like an iron tower, his Blood Qi like a furnace.

He is only one strand of refined True Qi away from breaking through to the True Qi Realm.

"Du Yuan, you have come." Heimu Yuan's voice was gentle yet powerful, reaching straight to the heart.

He raised his head, his gaze like a torch, looking straight at this man like an iron tower before him, his heart full of gratification and expectation.

Du Yuan bowed in salute, his voice low and firm: "Foster father, you summoned me?"

Du Yuan's voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable loyalty and determination.

Heimu Yuan gently patted Du Yuan on the shoulder and smiled: "The Blood Qi on your body is becoming increasingly dense; it seems you are not far from breaking through to the True Qi Realm.

Remember, a true expert must not only cultivate the physical body but also cultivate the heart and nature.

Only with a resilient heart and nature can one walk further on the path of the Martial Dao."

Upon hearing this, a flash of excitement crossed Du Yuan's eyes; he knew well his foster father's expectations and cultivation of him.

He nodded heavily and said: "Foster father, rest assured, this child will certainly keep it in mind and not fail your expectations."

Heimu Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze shifting from the fish in the pond to Du Yuan, a flash of appreciation and expectation in his eyes.

"Du Yuan, are you aware of the great fire last night?"

Upon hearing this, Du Yuan frowned slightly and nodded. "This child has already heard of it; those capable of such methods are beyond the reach of ordinary Martial Artists.

But if foster father wants it investigated, give me three days."

Heimu Yuan nodded with satisfaction; he knew well Du Yuan's ability and determination.

"Du Yuan, this matter is entrusted to you to handle.

Remember, no matter who the person behind this is, you must drag them out; you must never tolerate evil."