Chapter 198: At He Family Manor

"I... I..." He Weiyuan didn't know what to say. He stammered two words before the searing pain in his leg cut him off. He could only press desperately with his hands, but blood still seeped relentlessly through his fingers.

Zhao Jin lifted He Weiyuan's chin with the spear tip and said coldly, "Care to explain how this all came about? You're going to die no matter what, and He Family Manor will be wiped out. Do you want to leave with a bellyful of words, or speak your piece before you go?"

Hearing this, He Weiyuan shuddered violently. He raised his head and stared at Zhao Jin with venomous hatred, clenching his teeth and enduring the pain for a long moment before slowly saying, "Originally, well water didn't mix with river water between us. But when you opened that Fragrance Drifting Winery, you cut off this old man's path. How could this old man tolerate you?"

Zhao Jin leveled his spear and said grimly, "I will destroy your He Family Manor. I will use your manor as my winery. I will take everything you have, so that your sons and grandsons will never rise again."

As soon as the words fell, the spear thrust viciously into He Weiyuan's lower abdomen. Then Zhao Jin twisted both wrists. He Weiyuan let out another earth-shattering scream. By the time Zhao Jin withdrew the spear, He Weiyuan could only roll on the ground. Zhao Jin's three thrusts wouldn't kill him quickly, but the agony was beyond compare.

Chen Sheng walked over, knife in hand. Looking at He Weiyuan writhing on the ground, he said coldly, "A pity we can't carve you up with a thousand cuts!"

"Save me... save me..." He Weiyuan's toughness vanished completely in the pain. He couldn't help but begin begging for mercy.

Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng simply watched coldly. The weeping woman in the inner room no longer dared to make a sound. He Weiyuan rolled a few times on the ground, his strength gradually fading, yet he kept wailing and pleading.

"... I'll tell everything... I'll tell everything... The Widow Lin matter—I arranged for people to do it. I originally wanted her family to make a donation to the sect. I never expected the Widow Lin would refuse to the death. I arranged for people to kill her whole family, then found a sect member desperate for money to save a life to take the blame..."

"... Mr. Mu said I shouldn't treat sect members like that. At the time, all the circuit leaders hated Mr. Mu for blocking their path to wealth. I egged on that bunch from Zhou Family Village to make a move..."

"... What's wrong with doing it for money? Everywhere else, people get rich and sleep with women this way. Why should we in Xuzhou live in poverty..."

"... Widow Lin, Widow Lin, don't come closer... I... I'll give you... Why? Why can others plot to seize my family, but I can't plot to seize yours? Don't come closer..."

The flow of blood slowed. The thrashing grew weaker. He Weiyuan's words became incoherent. A look of terror appeared on his face; he was clearly seeing visions now.

Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng exchanged a glance, both somewhat stunned. They had never imagined that so many of the things they had experienced were connected to this He Weiyuan.

That year, the second time they went to the execution ground to observe a sentencing, the man who was beheaded had supposedly killed the Widow Lin's family. So it was He Weiyuan who had found him to take the blame. No wonder he had worn such a horrifying expression before his death.

Chen Sheng hadn't pieced together as much as Zhao Jin had. Zhao Jin connected many events, past and present. The sudden death of Mr. Mu had its origins right here. Because of the conflict over seizing the Widow Lin's property with the various Xuzhou circuit leaders of the Smelling Incense Sect, He Weiyuan had schemed and instigated from behind the scenes. Someone had acted and killed Mr. Mu. Then this He Weiyuan became the Xuzhou Assembly Master of the Smelling Incense Sect. What followed was the conflict with Zhao Jin's side.

Blood pooled across the floor. He Weiyuan's body stiffened. Zhao Jin felt not a shred of pity, only that this scoundrel had gotten what he deserved.

"Dasheng, take his head," Zhao Jin said. Chen Sheng stepped forward and delivered a single stroke. Head and body separated instantly.

Zhao Jin wiped his spear on He Weiyuan's clothes a few times and said bitterly, "Take the head back as an offering to Dalei. Toss the body into the wilds for the dogs!"

Chen Sheng nodded. Zhao Jin raised his voice and said, "Dress yourself and come out. Otherwise, you won't live either."

After saying this, Zhao Jin kicked He Weiyuan's head out of the room with one foot, then returned to the courtyard with Chen Sheng. Just as Zhao Jin had anticipated, He Family Manor was unusually empty. Of course, this was also related to the manor's status. Not many might know that He Weiyuan was the Assembly Master of the Smelling Incense Sect, but everyone knew He Weiyuan had close ties with the sect and that he was a local tyrant. With these two points, no force in the underworld dared to act rashly, so there was no need to spend great effort on defense.

Zhao Jin and his companions had scaled the wall to enter. Because it was so early, no one was around when they rushed through the first courtyard. In the second courtyard, they caught a manor servant who had risen early to sweep. After a few forced questions, they learned He Weiyuan's residence and also found out there were hardly any able-bodied men in the manor now, only a certain Mr. Zhou who was of some importance.

They immediately split into two groups. Liu Yong and Ji Xiang went to keep an eye on Mr. Zhou's place, while the four of them charged over here. Dong Bingfeng had already reached the roof of the side room, Wang Zhaojing was by the courtyard gate, and Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng launched the frontal assault.

Seeing He Weiyuan's severed head roll out, Dong Bingfeng and Wang Zhaojing knew the deed was done and gathered around as well.

There was no joy of success on anyone's face. They all stared bitterly at He Weiyuan's head. Zhao Jin said directly, "If there were any guards in the courtyard, they would have attacked when the screaming started just now. We don't need to worry about resistance now. Pair up, round up everyone in this residence, make them tie each other up, and gather them in the middle courtyard. Anyone who resists or flees—kill without mercy."

Dong Bingfeng and Wang Zhaojing nodded and hurried out. Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng exchanged a glance, then strode out as well. Whether the woman in the room stayed or left was not worth their attention.

He Weiyuan's residence was not small, with several dozen people in total. But no matter how many sheep there are, they are still prey for wolves. Facing Zhao Jin and the others, covered in blood and holding weapons, most of these family members and servants dared not resist. They obediently tied each other up and awaited their fate. A few had quick wits and bold hearts, but after Dong Bingfeng drew his bow and shot two dead, and Chen Sheng smashed the arms of two more with the back of his blade, everyone fell in line.

Zhao Jin kept looking up at the sky, judging the time by the sun's position. Yesterday he had arranged for Shi Manqiang to bring men over. The city gates would be open now; he didn't know where they were at this moment.

"Young masters! Young masters! This humble one is willing to turn coat! This humble one is willing to turn coat!" Most people were weeping or silent, but one man shouted loud enough to shake the heavens.

"This man is the Mr. Zhou they mentioned. He's not the steward, but his word carries more weight here than the steward's. They say that old villain He trusted him greatly," Liu Yong said beside Zhao Jin's ear.

The man called Mr. Zhou was haphazardly wrapped in a cotton robe. His hairstyle and dress made him look like a scholar, but now his face was full of panic as he desperately shouted and begged for mercy.

When this Mr. Zhou noticed Zhao Jin looking his way, he immediately strained his throat and shouted, "This He household is a den of filth and iniquity. Who knows how many crimes against heaven and reason they've committed. This family also believes in a heretical cult and plots rebellion. Young master, great lord, this humble one is Zhou Xuezhi, willing to atone for his crimes through service."

Zhao Jin furrowed his brow. He had killed too many people these past two days; his every move radiated murderous intent. This subtle expression, however, scared Mr. Zhou out of his wits, and he shouted even louder: "Great lord, this humble one also knows where the He family hides their money. This humble one knows everything about the He family. This humble one is willing to atone through service. Please, great lord, show mercy."

The members of the He household looked at this Zhou Xuezhi with utter disgust, and some even spat directly at him. Zhou Xuezhi paid no attention whatsoever, only staring at Zhao Jin's group with fervent intensity.

"Walk over slowly," Zhao Jin said, raising his voice.

Wild joy appeared on Zhou Xuezhi's face, but he dared not make any sudden moves. He slowly stood up and threaded his way through the crowd. Naturally, he dared not act rashly. Over there, Dong Bingfeng's bow was not drawn, but an arrow was nocked on it the entire time.

After much difficulty, he emerged from the crowd and knelt cleanly on the ground, knocking his head against it several times. With his arms tied, he couldn't get up after kowtowing. Zhao Jin simply flipped him upright with his spear.

"You know everything?" Zhao Jin asked.

"This humble one... this humble one knows everything." Being scrutinized by Zhao Jin at close range, Zhou Xuezhi couldn't help but shiver.

"Do you also know about the ambush against us? Was it your idea?" Zhao Jin said calmly.

He spoke calmly, but Zhou Xuezhi was so frightened he immediately kowtowed again, hurriedly defending himself: "Old villain He was the one who devised the plan. This humble one merely filled in the gaps. This humble one even advised that old villain, saying the young masters have considerable power within Xuzhou city, and if their families investigated and sought revenge afterward, it would be hard to settle..."

Just as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd behind him shouted angrily, "Usually, wasn't it you who gave the master ideas? Now you're blaming the master!"

As soon as the woman shouted, Dong Bingfeng immediately raised his bow. The bound crowd all ducked their heads and hunched over in fear. Zhou Xuezhi's hands were originally tied behind his back, so once he kowtowed, he couldn't straighten up. But at this moment, some surge of strength came from nowhere. He slammed his forehead against the ground, using the force to bounce himself upright. His forehead was bruised purple, but he couldn't care about that. He shouted in his defense, "Great lord, grandfather, that old villain He Weiyuan joined the Smelling Incense heretical cult to prevent others from seizing his family property. A man of that temperament would never take orders from this humble one. As his private secretary, taking his silver, this humble one naturally had to offer some ideas. But in this matter, this humble one sincerely advised old villain He. He wouldn't listen, and this humble one was powerless..."

Seeing Zhao Jin's expression remain cold, Zhou Xuezhi's eyes looked ready to bleed. He strained his throat and shouted, "This humble one knows the inside story. This humble one also knows where He Weiyuan burned incense and made offerings. This humble one knows every single circuit leader of the Xuzhou branch of the Smelling Incense Sect. This humble one knows everything. If the great lord spares this humble one, this humble one can do anything."

After speaking, he kowtowed again. Midway through the motion, Zhao Jin's spear stopped his body. Zhao Jin glanced at him and said coldly, "Remember your words. Otherwise, even if the authorities protect you, you will still die."

Though the words were harsh, Zhou Xuezhi knew his life was spared. His emotions swung wildly, and tears streamed uncontrollably down his face. Watching Zhao Jin turn away, he gritted his teeth and added, "Great lord, this humble one begs one more thing of the great lord. Please, great lord, also show mercy and spare this humble one's wife and daughter."