Chapter 356: Vicious Beast

The 45th year of Hongguang, May 13th.

Gu Vanguard Commander, Sect Master of the Iron Peak Sect, was suspected of colluding with Western spies and plotting a rebellion, and was killed on the spot by Professor Xu Jing of Wu University!

All disciples and Elders of the Iron Peak Sect were arrested.

Within the city of Datong, all Iron Peak martial arts halls were sealed, and all personnel associated with the Iron Peak Sect in the Martial Arts Hall Association were apprehended.

Furthermore, all personnel involved in the underground fighting matches connected to the Iron Peak Sect were also arrested.

With this, a major martial arts sect that had dominated Datong for decades vanished overnight!

After the news spread, the entire Datong was shaken.

In a prefecture-level city like Datong, with the presence of Wu'an University, the government's power had always appeared extremely formidable; yet, the fact that a major martial arts sect like the Iron Peak Sect could be wiped out just like that still left many in the pugilistic world feeling a sense of trepidation.

The moment the news returned, the Green-Faced Ghost King left the Green-Faced Villa and headed toward the Zhang residence.

The Zhang residence.

Inside a room, Shangguan Xiao and the "Green-Faced Ghost" sat opposite each other, neither of them speaking.

Shangguan Xiao knew that the person across from her was an impostor, specifically arranged by Li Fei.

Back then, to create a diversion and make the "Beast King" Yu Longqing mistakenly believe that the Qingyuan Property Management Company was picking up goods near Baiyang City, Li Fei not only arranged for a group of people to rush to Baiyang City to pretend to pick up goods, but also had someone disguise themselves as the Green-Faced Ghost to appear there.

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

This person impersonating the Green-Faced Ghost was from the Qingyuan Martial 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 did not know the true identity of the Green-Faced Ghost, only knowing that his impersonation was to cover the Green-Faced Ghost's true whereabouts.

Before entering seclusion, Li Fei had instructed Shangguan Xiao that for the next ten days, the "Green-Faced Ghost" must stay at the Green-Faced Villa every day and appear in public once or twice.

It just so happened that the Iron Peak Sect was destroyed today, and with such major news returning, Shangguan Xiao had the "Green-Faced Ghost" come over from the Green-Faced Villa to the Zhang residence to discuss matters with her.

However, once the two were alone in the room, Shangguan Xiao could not truly discuss matters with her subordinate, and they could only sit in silence.

"I wonder how Xiao Fei is doing now?"

Shangguan Xiao thought to herself, feeling somewhat worried.

Li Fei had not told her the details of the "Ten-Day Breakthrough Method," only saying that his seclusion this time was to attempt to reach the Dao Foundation realm.

Although Shangguan Xiao did not understand the inside story, her common sense of martial arts made it impossible for her to imagine what method could complete a breakthrough within ten days, so she could not help but worry for Li Fei, fearing he might be too hasty and suffer qi deviation.

After the two sat quietly in the room for a while, Shangguan Xiao rose to see the other person off, while she herself returned to the government guesthouse.

Not long after she sat down in her room, the telephone on the table rang.

"Hello?"

Shangguan Xiao answered the phone.

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

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

This person was the intelligence chief arranged by the Qingyuan Property Management Company in Datong, responsible for scouting intelligence for the company in Datong.

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

That night, after she received the intelligence from the General Supervisory Court from Li Fei, besides learning about the woman named Xiao Rui, she also learned who the most suspicious people within the Zhang family were.

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

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

"Speak."

Shangguan Xiao subconsciously gripped the receiver in her hand.

"."

On the other end of the phone, the intelligence officer stated his investigation results.

After listening, Shangguan Xiao's gaze turned cold:

"Good, I understand. Thank you for your hard work."

Clack!

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

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

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

"Aunt."

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

This person was named Zhang Shiwei, a member of the Zhang family's second branch.

According to seniority, he should call Shangguan Xiao aunt.

Zhang Shiwei was twenty-nine years old this year and was a martial artist at the early stage of Qi Transformation. In terms of aptitude, he could only be considered average; it was basically impossible for him to break through to the Dao Foundation realm in this lifetime.

Because he knew there was no hope for him in martial arts, Zhang Shiwei put all his heart into maneuvering in official circles; currently, he was a Level 4 Executive Officer of the General Zhige Court, a Grade 9 official.

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

But he was not the direct grandson of the second branch's Zhang Zongming, so the support he could obtain was limited; coupled with his insufficient cultivation, a Level 4 Executive Officer was about the peak he could touch in his life.

However, the power in the hands of this Level 4 Executive Officer was not small, because he was responsible for the allocation and distribution of elixirs.

The sources of elixirs for the Zhige Courts in various places came from two parts: one part was refined by themselves, and the other part was received from the General Zhige Court above.

Zhang Shiwei was responsible for allocating and distributing elixirs to the Zhige Courts below.

Because his name was on the list of suspects provided by the General Supervisory Court, Shangguan Xiao found an opportunity to take the initiative to contact him.

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

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

He had a hundred ways to make the elixirs received by the Zhige Courts below each month become fewer, and the other party could do nothing about him!

Therefore, there were many points in between where one could profit.

Shangguan Xiao had originally intended to find Zhang Shiwei and talk to him about the future distribution of elixirs in Xingcheng, thereby drawing closer to him to see if she could find any flaws.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she found Zhang Shiwei, he acted very enthusiastically; without her needing to bring anything up, he 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 profits here in Xingcheng!"

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

Thus, based on the information she obtained, Shangguan Xiao had the intelligence personnel below investigate the news.

Today, she received the results and arranged to meet Zhang Shiwei again in the evening.

"Shiwei, you said last time that if I could get the elixir quota 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 with slight surprise, then a look of realization appeared, and he said somewhat excitedly:

"Has Aunt decided to make a move against the first branch?"

"Make a move 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 elixir quota managed by the first branch is the lion's share. As long as we can get it, our profits will be enormous."

"Fine, I have a batch of elixirs in my hand right now. I'll leave it to you to handle first. This time, I want to exchange for Level 3 protective clothing."

Shangguan Xiao said.

The control over strategic resources like Level 3 protective clothing was quite strict. She had also relied on some fragments of information Zhang Shiwei had previously revealed to have her people investigate, and it seemed there really had been trades of a few pieces of Level 3 protective clothing on the market related to Zhang Shiwei.

Thus, she specifically arranged to meet Zhang Shiwei tonight to test him.

"Level 3 protective clothing? Aunt, that might be a bit difficult."

Zhang Shiwei showed a look of difficulty.

"If you can manage it, I will hand over all the elixir resources from 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:

"Fine, then I'll 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, here's to our pleasant cooperation!"

Shangguan Xiao picked up her teacup with a cold gaze and gently clinked it against his:

"Pleasant cooperation."

May 15th.

The sixth day of Li Fei's seclusion, the third day since the destruction of the Iron Peak Sect.

Datong Government Building, Office of the Pacification Commissioner.

Qu Xun, the Chief Inspector of the General Supervisory Court, pushed the door open and walked directly into the office.

Bian Jingru, who was reviewing documents, put down the file in her hand and frowned slightly as she looked at him:

"What is it?"

"We found it!"

Qu Xun looked at Bian Jingru with a complex expression.

"The real culprit? From the Iron Peak Sect? Is everything arranged?"

Bian Jingru asked.

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

Qu Xun said in a lowered voice.

From the conversation between the two, it was not hard to see that the Iron Peak Sect had truly been wronged to death.

"Hmm?"

Bian Jingru's expression also changed, and he leaned forward slightly, "Who?"

"Please take a look at this."

Qu Xun handed a file in his hand to Bian Jingru.

Bian Jingru took the file and began to read it carefully. A moment later, he slammed the file heavily onto the table, anger appearing on his face:

"Why was it only found now?!"

The Iron Peak Sect had already been dealt with, and Gu Vanguard Commander was already dead, yet the true culprit had been found.

Qu Xun was also very helpless: "We had previously included this person on our suspect list, but we just hadn't been able to find evidence. The other party only just revealed a flaw, which we discovered."

"Can you be certain?"

Bian Jingru asked expressionlessly.

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

Qu Xun said.

Bian Jingru fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he looked at Qu Xun and said word for word: "In this matter, the Iron Peak Sect must have been involved!"

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

"I understand what you mean. Actually, now that this true culprit has appeared, adding the Iron Peak Sect into the mix makes the whole thing seem more reasonable, and the investigation team won't be able to pick out any faults anymore."

"Good, then go and handle it."

Bian Jingru closed his eyes and said with some exhaustion.

"Yes."

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

"Don't let any more problems arise!"

Just as he was about to open the office door, Bian Jingru's stern voice suddenly came from behind him.

Qu Xun felt a chill down his back and hurriedly said: "Rest assured!"

Having said that, he left the office.

Soon, the powerful forces belonging to the government were once again secretly mobilized.

A few days ago, this force had wiped out a major martial arts sect.

It was unknown who would be crushed next.

May 16th.

The seventh day of Li Fei's seclusion.

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

A truck was parked on the side of the road with its headlights on, and a team of people stood guard all around.

In the jungle not far away, Shangguan Xiao was wearing night-traveling clothes, hiding in the dark to spy.

This shipment of goods was something she had transferred from Xingcheng to hand over to Zhang Shiwei. To avoid the possibility that this was a trap set by Zhang Shiwei to frame her, the vast majority of the elixirs in this truck were fake!

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

She wanted to see who exactly Zhang Shiwei was trading with, to the point that he could even exchange for strategic-level resources like Level 3 protective gear?

So she had secretly followed them out tonight.

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

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

Three people got out of the car, and the other party negotiated with the people Zhang Shiwei had sent.

Soon, both sides began the transaction.

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

*Whoosh*—

A piercing sonic boom rolled in from afar, and a dazzling light lit up on the sword body; it was as if a full moon had suddenly appeared in the sky above everyone!

Seeing this full moon, Shangguan Xiao could not help but have all her attention captured.

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

The next instant, Shangguan Xiao was startled and came to her senses, realizing she had been affected by a technique.

"Nether Night Full Moon Radiance?!"

Shangguan Xiao recognized this technique as one of the signature techniques of Jiang Jin, the Vice Dean of the General Administration of Orthodox Law.

Why would Jiang Jin come here?

Subsequently, she saw figures rushing out from the darkness, pouncing toward the two sides currently trading.

These people had their minds affected by Jiang Jin's 'Nether Night Full Moon Radiance' and were captured without the slightest power to resist.

Shangguan Xiao narrowed her eyes and recognized that these people who had suddenly rushed out were all official martial masters from the General Administration of Stopping Conflict.

So, the government was also aware of this transaction 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 emitted a sword cry, and a strand of sword intent locked onto Shangguan Xiao.

"It's me, Shangguan Xiao."

Shangguan Xiao said loudly, "The goods on the truck are all fake. I intentionally facilitated this transaction tonight to lure out the person behind the scenes."

"You intentionally facilitated this transaction?"

Just 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 holding a long sword was walking toward this side.

This person was named Fu Lang, also a helmsman of the General Administration of Stopping Conflict, who usually had the best relationship with Zhang Zongyang.

"Uncle Fu, you've come too."

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

Upon hearing this, Fu Lang turned and signaled to a subordinate, who immediately got on the truck to check.

A dozen 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 Administration of Stopping Conflict with us to cooperate with the investigation."

"No problem."

Shangguan Xiao agreed without hesitation.

She also wanted to know the truth very much.

And so, soon, the group returned to Datong Prefecture.

That night, Shangguan Xiao stayed in the building of the General Administration of Stopping Conflict.

Early the next morning, she was invited for questioning again.

The person questioning her this time was still Fu Lang.

"Uncle Fu, have you found the results? Is Zhang Shiwei in collusion with Western spies? Was it him who poisoned my father?"

Shangguan Xiao asked directly.

Fu Lang looked at Shangguan Xiao with a complex expression:

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

Shangguan Xiao clenched her fists, murderous intent appearing in her eyes: "Was it him who administered the poison?!"

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

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

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

"Zhang Shiwei said that among the people who have been colluding with Western spies all these years, you are also one of them. It was you who conspired with him to kill the 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, Western spies, the Iron Peak Sect being sealed, the destruction of the Iron Peak Sect, Zhang Shiwei's strange reaction...

All of this flashed through Shangguan Xiao's mind in an instant.

In a trance, she seemed to see a vicious beast that had been lurking in the darkness, preparing to hunt its prey.

Now, malice was surging in from all directions.

It was attacking!

Requesting monthly tickets.

(End of chapter)