Chapter 194: No Survivors

"As long as Ge Linquan dies, this position will be yours."

Zhao Cheng heard that, his eyes filled with delight; he had been eyeing the prefect's post for a long time, but Ge Linquan was flawless and had remained in that position, and now he finally had a chance to bring him down.

"I heard members of the Chi Family are also in Liangzhou?"

"Chi Family?" Zhao Cheng couldn't help but wonder, "Which Chi Family?"

"Which other Chi Family could it be?" the man in black gave him a cold glance, his authority leaving no room for doubt: "Naturally it's the Chi Family that previously hid in Nanpu, now concealed within Liangzhou City."

"Your meaning is..."

"We must absolutely prevent them from returning to Jingcheng; we will eliminate them within Liangzhou City." The man in black slowly lifted his head, the pitch‑black mask covering his entire face, his voice sounding as if chilled by ice: "Leave no living mouth, to end any future trouble."

Zhao Cheng felt a knot tighten in his chest; how could he not know the Chi Family? Back then they were among Daqi's most prominent aristocratic clans, with deep foundations; even after relocating to Nanpu their roots remained. With his current strength, attempting to move against the Chi Family would be like an ant trying to shake a tree—pure fantasy.

"Sir, the Chi Family is no ordinary household; the Chi Family elder has many guards, Xie Yuwei is still in the city, and if anything happens to the Chi Family within Liangzhou City, no one can bear the consequences!"

I'm afraid they won't even wait for me to sit in the prefect's seat before meeting their end.

"That is your own business. If you want the prefect's seat, you must have the ability to sit there; otherwise anyone can replace you quickly." The man in black stood up, speaking in a neutral tone: "Think it over yourself!"

With those words, his figure flashed and he left swiftly.

Zhao Cheng sat in his chair, his mind repeatedly replaying the man in black's words.

Indeed, without ability, even if I sit in the prefect's seat, I'll be replaced, or perhaps I won't even be able to sit there at all.

Rather than that, I'd rather gamble everything in one go!

"Come forward."

"Sir."

"Investigate the recent convoys entering the city and locate the Chi Family's hideout."

"Understood."

The epidemic in Liangzhou City had been largely contained; it wouldn't be long before the city could reopen, and Chi Nan Yi spent each day with the Chi Family elder, drinking tea and playing chess, enjoying a few rare days of leisure.

That day, Xie Yuwei returned to the manor to visit the Chi elder; before he stepped into the courtyard, he heard Chi Nan Yi shout loudly: "Grandfather, you're cheating! Once a piece is placed, there's no regret! How can you still take back a move?"

"I made a mistake, let's start over, start over. I'm just an old bone, can I still not see the error?"

"You stinky chess loser, I will never play chess with you again."

The Chi elder heard this, had no choice but to put the piece back: "Alright, alright, all according to you, just as you wish."

The attendant, hearing this, laughed and said: "Everyone knows the head of our family has poor chess skill, yet only the young miss can cure the master."

Xie Yuwei smiled without a word, handed the snack in his hand to a servant, and stepped lightly toward the courtyard.

"Junior has met the Chi elder."

"You came at the right time!" Chi elder waved at Xie Yuwei: "Come help me quickly; this girl's chess skill is just too high, with my old bones alone I can't win today." Chi elder looked up, Xie Yuwei couldn't help but...

"What are you..."

"Ah, isn't this the girl's idea? Lose and you have to stick paper on your face; lose again and my old face will be unrecognizable, covered in paper."

Chi Nan Yi laughed: "Grandfather, will you need a helper for the next game?"

Xie Yuwei stepped forward, before he could speak, he heard Chi Nan Yi whisper: "Sir Xie, we should settle our accounts properly."

"Accounts? What accounts?"

"Sir Xie, you wouldn't be trying to dodge payment, would you? You're an imperial official; you must not do such a thing."

"Miss Chi is joking, I would never commit such a dodgy payment; it's just that I'm not clear on what I owe you, miss."

During this Liangzhou epidemic, the pills and elixirs used to treat patients all came out of my own pocket; these medicines are costly, I can't bear them alone!

"So that's the matter. Rest assured, Miss Chi, I've already reported the whole Liangzhou epidemic to the Emperor; all the merit belongs solely to you, and the Emperor's reward this time will be given entirely to you."

The Emperor's reward?

Sounds fairly reliable.

Having solved such a huge problem myself, the Emperor should also grant me a thousand mu of fertile land and ten thousand taels of gold.

Seeing her greedy look, neither Xie Yuwei nor the Chi elder felt annoyed; they only thought her temperament was endearing, very cute. Today she redressed in feminine attire, which made her even more striking.

Xie Yuwei's gaze always involuntarily followed Chi Nan Yi; Chi Nan Yi held a white piece, gently placed it on the board, a slight smile curving her lips: "I win again!" As she spoke, she took out a note to stick on the Chi elder's face, but at that moment her hand froze, her eyes sharp as a blade.

A dagger flew swiftly in one direction.

At the same time, Chi Nan Yi shouted to Ji Bai: "Protect Grandfather!"

A figure dropped from a branch, the dagger lodged precisely in the black‑clad man's throat, and he was already lifeless.

Chi Nan Yi's expression was stern, she looked around warily: "Come out!"

"Hahaha, truly unexpected. You little girl is young yet hyper‑alert. We hid so covertly that even the Chi Family's Dark Guard and servants couldn't detect us, yet you a little girl uncovered us. Girl, who taught you these skills?"

"What does it have to do with you?" Chi Nan Yi said coldly: "Who are you?"

"I consider myself a talent‑cherisher, but alas, you don't appreciate it." The leading black‑clad man lingered his gaze on her, then laughed loudly: "No matter, not being appreciated is fine; who made you so beautiful?"

Hearing him say that, Chi Nan Yi felt so nauseated she almost vomited the leftover rice.

"Your mouth is full of filthy words; I will cut off your tongue."

"Hahaha, you want to cut my tongue? You're not qualified enough." With those words, the man lightly tapped his toe, his body surged forward, and in the blink of an eye he was right in front of Chi Nan Yi, his fingers hooked, aiming for her torso.

"Despicable, filthy dog thing." From Chi Nan Yi's hand, a flash of silver, dozens of Silver Needles shot out, each as fine as cowhair, coated with poison; once they touch skin, the toxin spreads rapidly throughout the body.

Chi Nan Yi thought she could hit at least one, but in the end she couldn't even graze the man's coat.

Chi Nan Yi's heart sank; this man's martial skill was astonishingly high.

At that moment, a figure appeared before Chi Nan Yi: "Miss, you go first; I'll handle this place."

Ji Bai drew his long sword, leapt forward, and engaged the black‑clad man in battle.

From the Chi Family's outer courtyard, the clashing of weapons echoed; Chi Nan Yi's eyes darkened, realizing that waiting for reinforcements would now be difficult.