Chapter 215: Evil Beast

May 13th, the 45th year of Hongguang.

Gu Xianfeng, Sect Master of the Mount Tiefeng Sect, was suspected of colluding with Western spies and intending to rebel, and was killed on the spot by Professor Xu Jing of Wu'an University!

All disciples and elders of the Mount Tiefeng Sect were arrested.

In Datong Prefecture city, all Mount Tiefeng martial arts halls were sealed, and all personnel related to the Mount Tiefeng Sect in the Martial Arts Hall Association were arrested.

In addition, all personnel related to the Mount Tiefeng Sect in underground boxing matches were also arrested.

With this, the Great Martial Arts Sect that had dominated Datong Prefecture for decades vanished overnight!

After the news spread, the entire Datong Prefecture was shaken.

In a prefecture city like Datong, with Wu'an University sitting in town, the power of the government had always appeared very strong, but for a Great Martial Arts Sect like the Mount Tiefeng Sect to disappear just like that still made many Jianghu people feel a sense of sorrow.

The moment the news returned, the Green Face Ghost King went from the Green Face Manor to the Zhang family.

Zhang Mansion.

Inside the room, Shangguan Xiao and the "Green Face Ghost" sat opposite each other, neither speaking.

Shangguan Xiao knew that the person opposite her was an impostor, specially arranged by Li Fei.

In order to create a smokescreen to make "Beast King" Yu Longqing mistakenly believe that the Qingyuan Property Management Company was picking up goods on the side of Bai Yang City, Li Fei, besides arranging a group of people to rush to Bai Yang City to pretend to pick up goods, also had people disguise themselves as the Green Face Ghost to appear in Bai Yang City.

After annexing the "Beast King's" forces, in order to deter the "Beast King's" personnel scattered in various places, Li Fei also had people disguise themselves as the Green Face Ghost to appear in other places twice.

This person who disguised himself as the Green Face Ghost was from the Qingyuan Boxing Village and had followed Shangguan Xiao for decades; like Xiang Du, he was one of Shangguan Xiao's most trusted confidants.

Even so, this person didn't know the true identity of the Green Face Ghost, only knowing that his disguising as the Green Face Ghost was to cover up the Green Face Ghost's true whereabouts.

Li Fei had instructed Shangguan Xiao before his seclusion that for the next ten days, the "Green Face Ghost" must stay in the Green Face Manor every day and appear in public once or twice.

It just so happened that today the Mount Tiefeng Sect was destroyed, and such major news was sent back, so Shangguan Xiao had the "Green Face Ghost" come over from the Green Face Manor to the Zhang Mansion to discuss matters with her.

However, when the two were alone in the room, Shangguan Xiao couldn't really discuss matters with her subordinate, so they could only be speechless.

"I wonder how Xiao Fei is doing now?"

Shangguan Xiao thought to herself, feeling somewhat worried.

Li Fei hadn't told her the details of the "Ten-Day Breakthrough Method," only saying that his seclusion this time was to impact the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Although Shangguan Xiao didn't know the inside story, her martial arts common sense made it impossible for her to imagine what kind of method could complete a breakthrough in ten days, so she couldn't help but feel worried for Li Fei, fearing that Li Fei was being too hasty and would suffer from Qi deviation.

After the two sat quietly in the room for a while, Shangguan Xiao got up to see the other party off, and she herself returned to the government guesthouse.

Not long after sitting down in the room, the phone on the table rang.

"Hello?"

Shangguan Xiao picked up the phone.

"Lord Shangguan, the matter you asked us to investigate has results."

A man's voice came from the other end of the phone.

This person was the intelligence leader arranged by the Qingyuan Property Management Company in Datong Prefecture, responsible for exploring intelligence for the company in Datong Prefecture.

When Li Fei left Datong Prefecture to return to Xingcheng, he handed over all the personnel left in Datong Prefecture to Shangguan Xiao, so Shangguan Xiao could also command the people of the Qingyuan Property Management Company in Datong Prefecture.

That night, she got that information from the General Inspectorate from Li Fei's hands; besides knowing about the woman named Xiao Rui, she also knew who the few people in the Zhang family with the most suspicion were.

Afterward, she had been pretending to unintentionally contact these few suspects, wanting to find out who had poisoned Zhang Zongyang.

A week ago, Shangguan Xiao discovered some clues, so she asked the intelligence personnel below to investigate some things for her, and now there were results.

"Speak."

Shangguan Xiao subconsciously tightened her grip on the receiver.

"..."

On the other end of the phone, the intelligence personnel stated their investigation results.

After hearing it, Shangguan Xiao's eyes turned cold:

"Good, I know, thank you for your hard work."

Slap!

She hung up the phone heavily, and the killing intent in her eyes could no longer be hidden.

That night, Shangguan Xiao walked into a teahouse and sat quietly in an elegant room.

A moment later, a young man who looked somewhat similar to her pushed the door and entered.

"Aunt."

He called out affectionately after seeing Shangguan Xiao, a smile appearing on his face.

This person was named Zhang Shiwei and was from the second branch of the Zhang family.

According to seniority, he should call Shangguan Xiao Aunt.

Zhang Shiwei was twenty-nine years old this year and was a martial master at the early stage of the Qi-Changing Realm. In terms of aptitude, he could only be considered average, and it was basically impossible for him to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm in this life.

Because he knew there was no hope for him in martial arts, Zhang Shiwei put all his heart into drilling in officialdom; currently, he was a 4th-level executive officer of the General Stop-Gong Office, a 9th-rank official.

Among the younger generation of the Zhang family, Zhang Shiwei was one of the few people with the highest official rank.

But he was not the direct grandson of Zhang Zongming of the second branch, and the support he could obtain was limited; plus his cultivation was not enough, so a 4th-level executive officer was about the peak he could touch in his life.

However, the power in the hands of this 4th-level executive officer was not small, because he was responsible for the allocation and distribution of elixirs.

The sources of elixirs for the Stop-Gong Offices in various places had two parts: one was refined by themselves, and the other was received from the General Stop-Gong Office above.

Zhang Shiwei was responsible for allocating and distributing elixirs to the Stop-Gong Offices below.

Because his name was on the list of suspects given by the General Inspectorate, Shangguan Xiao found an opportunity to take the initiative to contact the other party.

The allocation and distribution of elixirs seemed to have relevant rules and regulations, but in reality, there was a lot of room for operation.

Delayed distribution, poor quality of distributed elixirs, shortages in quantity, etc. —these were all things that Zhang Shiwei, this executive officer, could manipulate.

He had a hundred ways to make the elixirs received by the Stop-Gong Offices below every month become less, and the other party couldn't do anything about him!

So there were many points in between that could be used for profit.

Shangguan Xiao originally thought that she would find Zhang Shiwei and talk to the other party about the distribution of elixirs in Xingcheng in the future, so as to close the relationship and see if she could find any flaws.

As a result, she didn't expect that as soon as she found Zhang Shiwei, Zhang Shiwei showed great enthusiasm; she didn't need to take the initiative to mention anything, and the other party had already taken the initiative to arrange everything for her:

"Aunt, don't worry; in the future, you will take the lion's share of the benefits in Xingcheng!"

If it were just this, it would be fine, but what truly made Shangguan Xiao suspicious was that during the conversation, Zhang Shiwei vaguely revealed that he had another very secret channel of interest, which could sell a portion of the elixirs in exchange for money or other resources.

So Shangguan Xiao asked the intelligence personnel below to investigate the news based on the information she obtained.

Today, she got the results and made an appointment to meet Zhang Shiwei again at night.

"Shiwei, you said last time that if I could get the share of elixirs managed by the first branch for you, you could exchange it for more profit?"

Shangguan Xiao went straight to the point.

"Of course."

Zhang Shiwei looked at Shangguan Xiao somewhat strangely, then revealed a look of sudden realization, saying somewhat excitedly:

"Aunt has decided to take action against the first branch?"

"Take action against the first branch?"

Shangguan Xiao frowned slightly.

Zhang Shiwei's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said: "It was my loose tongue!"

Then he lowered his voice: "Aunt, the share of elixirs managed by the first branch is the lion's share; as long as we can get it, our profits will be very large."

"Fine, I have a batch of elixirs in my hand now; hand it over to you to deal with first. This time I want to exchange for a 3rd-level protective suit."

Shangguan Xiao said.

The control of strategic resources like 3rd-level protective suits was quite strict; she also relied on some words Zhang Shiwei had revealed before, and asked people below to investigate that there seemed to be a few 3rd-level protective suit transactions in the market that were truly related to Zhang Shiwei.

So she specifically made an appointment to meet Zhang Shiwei tonight to test him.

"3rd-level protective suit? Aunt, this might be a bit difficult."

Zhang Shiwei showed a look of difficulty.

"If you can do it, I will hand over all the elixir resources of the first branch to you later."

Shangguan Xiao said indifferently.

Zhang Shiwei's breathing immediately became rapid; he hesitated for a moment, looking at Shangguan Xiao:

"Good, then I will try!"

Shangguan Xiao narrowed her eyes and said calmly: "Good, the goods can be given to you in three days."

"Good."

Zhang Shiwei smiled and picked up the teacup on the table, "Come, Aunt, wish us a happy cooperation!"

Shangguan Xiao picked up the teacup with cold eyes and touched the other party's cup lightly:

"Happy cooperation."

May 15th.

The sixth day of Li Fei's seclusion, the third day of the Mount Tiefeng Sect's destruction.

Datong Prefecture Government Building, Garrison Commander's Office.

Qu Xun, Chief Supervisor of the General Inspectorate, pushed the door and walked into the office directly.

Governor Bian Jingru, who was reviewing documents, put down the documents in his hand and frowned slightly at the other party:

"What's the matter?"

"Found it!"

Qu Xun looked at Governor Bian Jingru with a complex expression.

"The true culprit? Mount Tiefeng Sect's? Is everything arranged?"

Governor Bian Jingru asked.

"No, the true culprit has truly been found."

Qu Xun lowered his voice and said.

From the conversation between the two, it was not difficult to see that the Mount Tiefeng Sect was truly wronged to death...

"Hmm?"

Governor Bian Jingru's expression also changed, his body leaning forward slightly, "Who?"

"You can take a look at this."

Qu Xun handed the document in his hand to Governor Bian Jingru.

Governor Bian Jingru took the document and read it carefully; a moment later, he slammed the document onto the table, anger appearing on his face:

"Why was it only found now?!!"

The Mount Tiefeng Sect had already been dealt with, Gu Xianfeng was dead, and as a result, the true culprit was found...

Qu Xun was also helpless: "We had previously included this person on the list of suspects, but we just hadn't been able to find evidence; the other party just revealed a flaw, and we discovered it."

"Can you be sure?"

Governor Bian Jingru asked expressionlessly.

"As long as we catch them red-handed, the case can definitely be settled!"

Qu Xun said.

Governor Bian Jingru fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he looked at Qu Xun and said word by word: "In this matter, the Mount Tiefeng Sect must be involved!"

Upon hearing this, Qu Xun's expression also became serious, and he nodded:

"I understand what you mean. In fact, now that this true culprit has been added, and the Mount Tiefeng Sect is added, the whole thing seems more reasonable, and the investigation team can no longer pick out any faults."

"Good, then go do it."

Governor Bian Jingru closed his eyes and said somewhat exhaustedly.

"Yes."

Qu Xun got up and was about to walk out of the office.

"Don't let any more problems arise!"

When he was about to open the office door, Governor Bian Jingru's stern voice came from behind.

Qu Xun felt a chill on his back and hurriedly said: "Don't worry!"

After speaking, he left the office.

Soon, the powerful force belonging to the government was secretly mobilized again.

A few days ago, this force destroyed a Great Martial Arts Sect.

Next, I don't know who will be crushed.

May 16th.

The seventh day of Li Fei's seclusion.

That night, on a highway on the outskirts of Datong Prefecture city.

A truck stopped on the side of the road, the headlights were on, and a team of people guarded the surroundings.

In the jungle not far away, Shangguan Xiao was wearing night clothes, secretly hiding and peeping.

This truck of goods was transferred by her from Xingcheng to be handed over to Zhang Shiwei; in order to avoid this being a trap set by Zhang Shiwei to frame her, the vast majority of the elixirs in this truck were fake!

Shangguan Xiao just wanted to use this batch of fake goods to lure out the people behind Zhang Shiwei.

She wanted to see who Zhang Shiwei was actually trading with, that even strategic resources like 3rd-level protective suits could be exchanged?

So she secretly followed out tonight.

If Zhang Shiwei was really colluding with Western spies, then the other party was highly likely to have truly poisoned Zhang Zongyang!

Ten minutes later, a car drove from the other end of the highway and finally stopped in front of the truck.

Three people got off the car, and the other party negotiated with the people sent by Zhang Shiwei.

Soon, both sides began to trade.

Just when Shangguan Xiao intended to rush up and take action directly to subdue everyone present, a sword light suddenly cut through the night sky and appeared above everyone's heads.

Swish—

A harsh sonic boom came rolling from afar, and dazzling light lit up on the sword body, as if a full moon had suddenly appeared above everyone's heads!

Seeing this full moon, Shangguan Xiao couldn't help but have all her attention attracted.

This moon was truly beautiful, as if condensing all the beauty in the world.

The next instant, Shangguan Xiao was shocked in her heart, came to her senses, and knew that she had been influenced by magic arts.

"Dark Night Full Moon Radiance?!!"

Shangguan Xiao recognized that this magic art was one of the famous magic arts of Jiang Jin, Deputy Dean of the General Law Office.

Why would Jiang Jin come here?

Then she saw figures rushing out from the darkness, pouncing toward both sides who were trading.

These people were influenced by Jiang Jin's "Dark Night Full Moon Radiance" and were captured without any resistance.

Shangguan Xiao narrowed her eyes, recognizing that these people who suddenly rushed out were all official martial masters of the General Stop-Gong Office.

So the government was also aware of this trade tonight.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Xiao took the initiative to walk out of the jungle.

"Who is it?"

Several official martial masters immediately turned to look at Shangguan Xiao.

The flying sword hanging in the sky also let out a sword cry, and a sword intent locked onto Shangguan Xiao.

"It's me, Shangguan Xiao."

Shangguan Xiao said loudly, "The goods on the truck are all fake; this trade tonight was deliberately facilitated by me, wanting to lure out the people behind the scenes."

"You deliberately facilitated this trade?"

At this moment, a deep voice came from the jungle not far away.

Shangguan Xiao turned her head to look.

A middle-aged man with narrow eyes and a long sword in his hand was walking toward this side.

This person was named Fu Lang, also a Steering Envoy of the General Stop-Gong Office, who had the best relationship with Zhang Zongyang on weekdays.

"Uncle Fu, you are here too."

Shangguan Xiao had known Fu Lang a long time ago, "You can check the elixirs on the truck; the vast majority are fake goods; I just wanted to lure out the people behind the scenes."

Fu Lang nodded to a subordinate upon hearing this, and the other party immediately got on the truck to check.

Ten minutes later, this official martial master got off the truck and nodded to Fu Lang: "That's right, it was done very realistically; the vast majority of the elixirs are fake."

Fu Lang's expression softened, and he said to Shangguan Xiao: "This matter is of great importance; you need to return to the General Stop-Gong Office with us to cooperate with the investigation."

"No problem."

Shangguan Xiao agreed without hesitation.

She also very much wanted to know the truth.

So soon, the group returned to Datong Prefecture city.

That night, Shangguan Xiao stayed in the building of the General Stop-Gong Office.

Early the next morning, she was invited to be questioned again.

The person questioning this time was still Fu Lang.

"Uncle Fu, have the results been found? Is Zhang Shiwei colluding with Western spies? Is he the one who poisoned my father?"

Shangguan Xiao asked directly.

Fu Lang looked at Shangguan Xiao with a complex expression:

"Zhang Shiwei is indeed colluding with Western spies; he has already confessed."

Shangguan Xiao clenched her fists, killing intent appearing in her eyes: "Is he the one who poisoned him?!!"

Fu Lang carefully observed Shangguan Xiao's expression, seemingly discerning something.

Shangguan Xiao sensed that something was wrong and frowned: "What's wrong?"

Fu Lang took a deep breath, stared fixedly at Shangguan Xiao, and said word by word:

"Zhang Shiwei said that among those who have been colluding with Western spies over the years, there is also you; it was you who conspired with him to kill Zhang family head Zhang Zongyang!"

Boom—

Fu Lang's words were like a thunderbolt striking Shangguan Xiao!

Her body swayed, and she stared at Fu Lang with wide eyes:

"What did you say?"

The news of her father's death, her return to Datong Prefecture city, Western spies, the Mount Tiefeng Sect being sealed, the Mount Tiefeng Sect's destruction, Zhang Shiwei's strange reaction...

All of this instantly flashed through Shangguan Xiao's mind.

In a trance, she seemed to see an evil beast lurking in the darkness, preparing to hunt its prey.

Now, malice was surging from all directions.

It was attacking!

Seeking monthly tickets.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 216 =====