448 Mask!
“What’s the fuss about?” Fan Ziyu asked, his face stern.
“I just got word from a few customers that the demon from the bronze sinkhole escaped. He’s killed all the guards and is now at large,” the shopkeeper said, mopping his brow with his sleeve.
“I see.” Fan Ziyu nodded. “Just make sure that the disciples in the pavilion stay put and out of trouble.”
“Pavilion Master, I heard that when the demon was fighting outside the sinkhole, he exuded a powerful killing intent. Rumor has it that the Qingzhou guards could hear tiger and wolf sounds,” the shopkeeper spoke softly.
“What’s your point?” Fan Ziyu asked, staring at the shopkeeper. “Just do your job.”
The shopkeeper seemed worried. “Isn’t that the characteristic of the four-directional tiger-wolf technique? There are very few practitioners of that technique in Qingzhou City, and most of them are older people.
“Mr. Long, the young man who disappeared suddenly a year ago, likely wasn’t seeking refuge but was kidnapped by the demon. Now that he’s reappeared, it coincides with the emergence of the demon,” the shopkeeper continued, looking pleased with himself. He prided himself on his keen observation and exceptional memory, qualities that had secured him his current role at the Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary.
“A remarkable coincidence. The only young and physically strong genius who vanished around the same time a year ago was Qin Huai. He was supposedly killed by the leader of the Blood Poison Gang, Wen Zonghao, who had an assistant named Zhou Cunzhong. Now that all members of the Blood Poison Gang are dead, the only ones aware of this coincidence in the entire Qingzhou are you and me.
“The prefecture overseer has announced a reward of a county governor’s post to anyone who uncovers the demon’s identity and whereabouts,” the shopkeeper added, rubbing his hands in anticipation. He knew his master wasn’t interested in administrative positions, so he proposed a partnership where they could share the bounty.
“You have a point. We need to keep this between us,” Fan Ziyu responded, patting the shopkeeper’s shoulder and leading him to the backyard.
“Pavilion Master, should I…?” the shopkeeper started, but he was interrupted when Fan Ziyu suddenly struck him in the chest.
The shopkeeper looked at his master in disbelief, not understanding why Fan Ziyu wanted to kill him.
“You’re too clever for your own good. That can be a problem,” Fan Ziyu said indifferently, watching the life drain from the shopkeeper. He sprinkled some black powder over the shopkeeper’s body, which silently dissipated in the backyard.
After dealing with the shopkeeper, Fan Ziyu quickly retreated to his room. He triggered a secret compartment on the top of a bookcase, which rotated to reveal a hidden chamber.
Rumble…
The hidden room contained a simple sleeping mat and rows of ancient books neatly organized on either side. Each cover bore the inscription “Qingzhou Biography.” The centerpiece was a portrait of a man – the Emperor of Qingzhou.
“So many smart people in this world… I must be prepared,” Fan Ziyu murmured, addressing the portrait. “I hope you can forgive me, Senior.” He bowed three times before the portrait and scattered a handful of powder over it, causing the image to quietly dissolve.
Outside the secret chamber, Qin Huai observed everything. He had initially visited the Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary out of concern that they might uncover something. To his surprise, his visit had confirmed their speculations.
However, he hadn’t anticipated that the pavilion master would share a mysterious connection with the Emperor of Qingzhou, even murdering the shopkeeper to keep the news quiet. It seemed that Qingzhou was not only infiltrated by demons but also by the emperor himself.
As a gentle breeze blew, Qin Huai’s figure vanished.
…
In the original base of the Blood Poison Gang, now occupied by the Thunderbolt Gang, Qin Huai strolled in as if he owned the place. He was now disguised in the garb of a new Thunderbolt Gang member, complete with a bamboo hat.
He carried a bag, handing out its contents — vitality pills — as he went. With the Thunderbolt Gang now dominated by two families and expanding their ranks daily, unfamiliar faces were common, so no one suspected the newcomer Qin Huai.
Thus, Qin Huai had free reign to explore without encountering troubles. Relying on his memory, he boarded the flower boat which served as Huang Qiguang’s residence. The boat was filled with revelers, an atmosphere of indulgence permeating the air.
Using the wind breath technique, Qin Huai gradually blended into the crowd.
He effortlessly entered Huang Qiguang’s room. His aim was to find the mask that Huang Qiguang had crafted to frame him. The mask’s quality was so high that it could even endure attacks from a bone pattern realm expert. However, after numerous intense encounters and especially after Gao He’s assault, Qin Huai’s face was severely damaged.
Moreover, the face was too risky to maintain. If he was identified by a member of the Blood Poison Gang and associated with it, it could have unforeseen consequences.
He scanned the room, reasoning that if Huang Qiguang was hiding the mask, he wouldn’t keep it in an obvious place, but he wouldn’t stash it somewhere too remote either.
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