Chapter 65 Old Friends

Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Old Friends The influence of the Divine Sword Sect radiates across three states and twelve counties, including the eight counties of Sword State, the three counties of Xuanzhou, and the lone county of Taiping County in Ming State. Though it claims peace by name, Taiping County is anything but peaceful. Due to its many mountains and steep ridges, it has historically been a land of destitution and treacherous terrain, with a fierce local populace and banditry widespread. Over a thousand years ago, the unrest of the Taiping Sect originated in Taiping County, eventually leading to the downfall of the former Dayan Dynasty and the rise of the Dachang Dynasty. After the establishment of the Dachang Dynasty, to thoroughly eradicate the roots of the Taiping Sect, they adopted a strategy of population replacement—relocating the remaining populace to other major provinces and migrating a large number of outsiders from neighboring states and counties. This also led to the profusion of martial arts families and sects, large and small, in Taiping County. Coupled with the fact that Taiping County is separated by the Min River from the other counties of Ming State, making travel inconvenient, there was no powerful force to control the situation, which has kept Taiping County unstable. It was not until the influence of the Divine Sword Sect infiltrated the area that a true balance was formed. Even so, the undercurrents were still flowing in the dark, with struggles and conflicts between various forces being a regular occurrence. On this evening, outside the city of Taiping County, a swift horse galloped to the city gates. "Thank goodness the gates aren’t closed yet; otherwise, I would have to spend the night outside the city." Li Qian, the rider of the swift horse, heaved a sigh of relief. After receiving his mission, he had spurred his horse relentlessly, not stopping for a moment on his journey. Even so, it still took him a full two days and a night. It took more time than it would to reach the Iron City of Xuanzhou. Not because the city of Taiping County was farther away, but due to the many mountains and steep ridges in Taiping County, the roads being windy and convoluted, leading him on many detours. Before entering the city, Li Qian glanced outside the city walls of Taiping County, only to see a multitude of shanties constructed along the wall, densely packed and stretching endlessly. These shanties housed a large population, mostly composed of migratory folk. Due to various reasons, having lost their lands or livelihoods, they had no choice but to leave their homes and come to Taiping County to seek a living. In the cities of Baibi and Iron City that he had been to before, such situations seemed not to exist. From this, the chaos and suffering of the people in Taiping County were evident. Li Qian did not linger; squeezing his legs against his horse’s belly, he charged into Taiping County. The soldiers guarding the city didn’t even dare to intercept him. For they were perceptive enough to recognize the unique pattern embroidered on the protective case around the neck of the swift horse Li Qian rode, which was specific to the Divine Sword Sect. The Divine Sword Sect has a presence in this Taiping County City, with disciples often riding in and out on horseback, naturally making them recognizable. Upon entering Taiping County City, Li Qian headed straight for the Divine Sword Sect’s local branch. ... The local branch of the Divine Sword Sect was housed in a large mansion estate. The plaque read "Taiping Divine Sword Mansion." There were also guards standing at the mansion gate. The local branches of the Divine Sword Sect in each state and county usually have attached local organizations in addition to the stationed disciples. These local organizations are mainly made up of recruited freelance martial artists and those who have volunteered to join and often serve as the Sect’s affiliated external forces. Often, a local Divine Sword Sect station would only have a dozen stationed disciples, but the numbers of affiliated martial artists could range from several dozen to a hundred or even more. At this moment, inside the Taiping Mansion. Several people were drinking and chatting. Suddenly, a gatekeeper ran in, "Gentlemen, someone from the Divine Sword Sect is here." "Here?" Those who were eating and drinking quickly stood up. They knew the Sect was going to send a Innate Realm expert to handle a case. "Quick, we must meet them now, Junior Sister Fan, go inform Senior Brother Yan and the others..." One of the bearded men, Hu Lang, took command. Among those present, his cultivation was the highest, already having reached the Sixth Layer of the Postnatal realm. The stronger the strength, the higher the authority. "Okay." The woman called Junior Sister Fan immediately turned and left. The bearded man, together with a few Inner Sect Disciples, hurried out. ... In a reception room. Li Qian sat uprighteerily, with tea brought by the servants placed on the table beside him. However, he did not drink. Being out and about, even within a Divine Sword Sect station, he would not casually eat or drink. At this moment, a group of people came in hastily. When they saw Li Qian seated, they were first taken aback, puzzled by the youthfulness of the Innate Realm martial artist sent by the Sect. However... they were well aware of another point: the younger the Innate Realm martial artist in the Divine Sword Sect, the higher his status. "Inner Sect Disciple Hu Lang pays respect to Senior Brother." The leading bearded man hurriedly greeted. "Inner Sect Disciple Yan Chou pays respect to Senior Brother." "Inner Sect Disciple Su Can pays respect to Senior Brother." ... Li Qian did not stand up, but merely nodded his head: "Who is the Family Head?" In the Sect’s local branches, the main distinctions are between the Family Head and the Squad Leader. The Family Head holds a higher rank, usually undertaken by Half-step Innate or Ninth Layer Postnatal warriors. The Squad Leader, on the other hand, has a slightly lower cultivation. With so many local branches, there are not enough Innate Realm warriors to warrant permanent placements—a waste of manpower. An Innate Realm warrior is only dispatched by the Divine Sword Sect to handle major incidents, on a mission basis. "Senior Brother, since another case has occurred, the Family Head and a few other Senior Brothers went out not long ago. I’ve already sent someone to inform them immediately," said Hu Lang the bearded man respectfully. "Take me directly to where the incident happened," Li Qian said as he stood up. "Yes, Senior Brother," the bearded man responded promptly. Then, he turned to another Inner Sect Disciple beside him: "Junior Brother Su, you stay in charge of the mansion." Thus, a group of people rode fast horses and left the Taiping Divine Sword Mansion. Sanhe Town. Situated twenty miles west of Taiping County town. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with treacherous terrain, it commands the narrow passage connecting Taiping County town with the other counties of Min State. This place has always been a strategic battleground. Within a large residence in the town. Lamps were bright. But the air was filled with the stench of blood. Bodies lay in disarray. Some people were busy, investigating the scene. "These culprits are growing bolder by the day." The expression of Chu Ping, the Taiping County Xuan Supervision Department’s Squad Leader, was exceedingly grim. In less than half a month’s time, that gang of violent pirates struck repeatedly, and in their latest escapades, they perpetrated complete massacres. The Xia Family in question was a well-known local Martial Arts Family, intricately linked to the Divine Sword Sect, with descendants among the Sect’s Inner Sect Disciples. Moreover, the old Family Head, Xia Yuan, was originally an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sword Sect, already at the Half-step Innate stage before he left the Sect to establish the Xia Family. But at this moment, this old Family Head, along with 178 members of the Xia Family, met with violent deaths. "Brother Chu, don’t worry. Our Divine Sword Sect will soon dispatch an Innate Martial Artist to handle this. The main issue is finding out the whereabouts of this gang." The Divine Sword Sect’s Inner Sect Disciple, Yan Song, said. "They come and go like the wind, appearing and disappearing mysteriously. Although they’ve left some traces, by the time we locate their position, they always manage to flee a step ahead of us." Squad Leader Chu Ping let out a sigh. In fact, there was something else he refrained from saying; he suspected that this gang had a mole within the Xuan Supervision Department. But he hadn’t been able to uncover this yet. At this moment, someone hurried over at great speed. "Junior Sister Fan, what brings you here?" Yan Song asked upon seeing her arrive. "Senior Brother Yan, the Sect has sent someone." Junior Sister Fan reported hastily. "That’s great, I’ll head back immediately." Upon hearing this, Yan Song was delighted and promptly said to Squad Leader Chu Ping: "Brother Chu, I must leave first. Please determine the location of these culprits as quickly as possible." "Senior Brother Yan, I’ll come with you. I’m much more familiar with the many details of this case." Squad Leader Chu Ping said. "That works." Yan Song nodded in agreement. Thus, a group of people prepared to leave the Xia Family residence. However, before they even reached the entrance, the sound of horse hooves approached, with several riders quickly galloping towards the Xia Family’s doorstep. These riders were none other than Li Qian and his group, who had set out from Taiping County town. "Senior Brother Yan, this is..." After dismounting, Hu Lang was about to introduce Senior Brother Yan. Yet Yan Song’s pupils abruptly narrowed, and his face slightly twitched, but he quickly regained his composure and approached, bowing respectfully, "I’ve seen Senior Brother Li before." How could he not recognize Li Qian? He had once even sought trouble with Li Qian. After Li Qian participated in the True Inheritor selection, Yan Song knew he would never have hope again, so he applied for an external assignment, joining the Taiping Prefecture guards, and took over the position of mansion head after the previous one left. Through years of cultivation, he had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Acquired stage, but his talent, aptitude, and comprehension were limited. It was tremendously difficult to break through to the Innate Realm without the aid of an Innate Pill. Therefore, he planned to accumulate contribution points and exchange them for an Innate Pill. "Junior Brother Yan, it’s been a long time." Li Qian said with a half-smile. He hadn’t expected to encounter an ’old acquaintance’ here. If it weren’t for this person... he wouldn’t have participated in the retest for Official Disciples and eventually become a disciple of Zhou Buping. Yan Song’s back broke out in cold sweat. His head hung even lower. The other Inner Sect Disciples seemed to sense something was amiss as well, all of them silent as if plagued by chilling cicadas, none daring to speak. "Junior Brother Yan, what’s the situation here?" Li Qian didn’t intend to really take issue with Yan Song, but instead asked. Yan Song breathed a sigh of relief internally and hurriedly explained: "Senior Brother Li, over a hundred people from the Xia Family... were slaughtered in broad daylight..." He briefly described the situation. "They’ve gotten increasingly rampant?" Li Qian’s brow furrowed slightly, "Do we know what their motive is? For wealth or due to a vendetta?" "Senior Brother Li, based on several consecutive cases, it seems that this gang isn’t after wealth, but rather searching for something. However, with no survivors, it remains unknown what they’re searching for." Yan Song quickly replied. "Searching for something?" Li Qian walked into the Xia Mansion. There was still a faint scent of blood, with spatters of blood on the floor and walls... several bodies had yet to be dealt with. He examined each one. The people of the Xia Family seemed to have died in five different ways... implying the violent pirate gang should consist of five individuals. These were the only details he could discern. After all, Li Qian lacked investigative experience. When he reached the main hall, evidence of a fierce struggle was clearly visible, with destructive traces all around. A tall, white-haired old man lay there. His entire head was flattened, apparently killed with the Double Peak Piercing Ears technique. "Huh?" Li Qian crouched down, and under his Spiritual Perception, faintly sensed a trace of violent and malevolent energy lingering in the head area. ......