"As expected of the capital city."
Looking at the bustling scene before him, Lu Qing couldn't help but sigh again.
Compared to the county seat, this place is more than ten times more prosperous.
After sighing for a while, Lu Qing began to stroll around.
Of course, he had a purpose in wandering around.
Soon, after spending a little money to support a few small vendors.
He got the information he wanted.
"You mean the Zheng family mansion? It's located in the west of the city. It's where the mansions of the largest aristocratic families in the city are all located."
"Young man, are you also going to offer condolences to the second young master of the Zheng family and collect your reward money?"
A vendor selling candied hawthorns answered Lu Qing's questions with great enthusiasm after Lu Qing bought two skewers.
"To offer condolences?" Lu Qing feigned ignorance. "No, I just heard that the Zheng family is the most powerful family in the prefecture, and I wanted to go and see for myself."
"So, young man, you're also a martial artist?" The vendor suddenly realized. "However, you've come at the wrong time. The second young master of the Zheng family was murdered by villains a few days ago and is currently holding a funeral. He probably doesn't have time to entertain you."
However, if you are going to pay your respects, you should be able to go in.
The funeral of the Second Young Master Zheng was held in a grand manner. The Zheng family announced that any citizen of the entire prefecture who went to pay their respects and pray for the Second Young Master Zheng would receive a reward of one hundred coins.
I went there yesterday, kowtowed to Young Master Zheng a few times, and actually received the reward money.”
"Such a good thing has happened, then I'll go and pay my respects."
Seeing the vendor looking like he'd made a great deal, Lu Qing also exclaimed with "pleasure."
After leaving the stall, Lu Qing's expression calmed down, a hint of mockery appearing in his eyes.
"That scumbag doesn't deserve to have the people pray for him!"
Following the directions of the candied hawthorn vendor, Lu Qing quickly arrived at the western part of the city.
As soon as I arrived here, I noticed the difference.
Compared to other bustling areas, the western part of the city is much quieter.
However, the buildings are also much more magnificent.
They are all huge mansions that occupy a vast area, the kind that only truly wealthy families could afford to live in.
Lu Qing glanced around and quickly identified the Zheng residence from the largest houses.
Because it was the only house, surrounded by white silk ribbons, and mournful music could be heard.
Lu Qing slowly approached the house, encountering many ordinary people along the way who were coming from the direction of the Zheng residence, their faces showing a hint of joy.
These were clearly the same city dwellers who went to the Zheng family mansion to offer sacrifices and ask for a reward, as the candied hawthorn vendor had mentioned.
As he walked, he observed his surroundings.
Finally, he took several glances from a tall tower in the city.
"Stop right there, what are you doing?"
When Lu Qing arrived at the gate of the Zheng residence, guards stopped him.
"My name is Lin An, and I am from Jizhou. I am traveling in Cangzhou and have heard that the second young master of the Zheng family was murdered by villains. I am saddened and would like to go in to pay my respects. Is that alright?"
Lu Qing casually created an identity for himself.
"So it's Young Master Lin. Since you're here to pay respects to the Second Young Master, then of course you're welcome. Please come in."
The two men looked Lu Qing up and down and saw that although he had an ordinary appearance, he did have fluctuations of qi and blood power, and at least had the cultivation level of perfect qi and blood.
Without suspecting anything, he immediately replied politely.
This is because such things have happened many times before.
The Zheng family was, after all, a prominent family, renowned throughout Cangzhou.
There are countless people who want to seek refuge with him every day.
In the past, a martial artist of low cultivation level like Lu Qing, who was at the Qi and Blood Realm, would naturally not have been able to enter the Zheng family mansion.
However, the manor is holding the funeral for the second young master these days, and the old ancestor has instructed that no one should be stopped from coming to pay their respects.
She wanted her Yu'er to enjoy the worship of the people, to receive incense offerings, and to accumulate good karma so that she could also enjoy glory and wealth in the afterlife.
The Zheng family naturally dared not disobey their ancestor's decision in the slightest.
In order to fulfill the wishes of their ancestors, they even used money to guide the city's residents to come and worship.
And so, Lu Qing entered the Zheng residence without any trouble.
Following the directions of the servants of the Zheng family, he arrived at the location of the mourning hall.
Inside the mourning hall, many people were queuing up to pay their respects. Judging from their clothing, most of them were probably city residents who came to offer donations.
Before it was his turn, Lu Qing began to discreetly observe the situation in the mourning hall.
The most eye-catching thing in the mourning hall was the huge coffin placed in the very center.
It's unclear what kind of wood it's made of, but it's inlaid with gold and jade, making it extremely luxurious.
Clearly, the Zheng family wanted Zheng Yu to continue enjoying wealth and luxury even in the afterlife.
Near the coffin, several powerful auras lurked, clearly guards arranged by the Zheng family to protect the coffin.
However, Lu Qing didn't care about any of that. What really caught his attention was the figure sitting upright beside the coffin.
He was an old man, his face wrinkled like tree bark, sitting there with a blank expression.
Despite her seemingly frail appearance, Lu Qing could vaguely sense a powerful aura emanating from her.
"This must be the old woman, right?"
Lu Qing silently activated his supernatural ability and began to observe discreetly.
Soon, a faint golden light of supernatural power emanated from the old woman, and several notes floated out at the same time.
After silently reading the note, Lu Qing lowered his eyelids and stopped looking at the other person.
A master of the Innate Realm has a very keen sense of perception. Even if he conceals his aura, he can still be easily detected if he keeps his gaze on the other person for too long.
However, as he lowered his head and recalled the words in the note, a cold glint appeared in Lu Qing's eyes.
This old woman truly emboldened him; only killing her could quell his rage.
"Steward Wang has arrived at the City Lord's Mansion!"
Just as Lu Qing was waiting, a shout suddenly rang out.
Not only did the crowd of worshippers stir, but even the old woman who had been sitting motionless for so long showed a slight change in expression, raising her head and revealing a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Soon, a middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in simple clothes and standing tall, walked in and bowed to the old woman.
This time, the old woman did not remain seated. Instead, she stood up, bowed slightly, and returned the greeting.
"Old Madam Zheng, I, Wang, have come on behalf of the City Lord's Mansion, on behalf of the City Lord's Mansion, to offer my condolences to Young Master Zheng," the square-faced middle-aged man said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty is too kind. I will remember this kindness."
The old woman said calmly.
Soon someone offered incense and candles, and the square-faced middle-aged man offered prayers before inserting the incense and candles.
He then approached the old woman, bowed, and said, "Grandma Zheng, the city lord has a few words to say to you. Would you mind if we went to talk?"
The old woman stared at the man for a few moments before finally nodding, "Please, Steward Wang, come with me."
"A great opportunity!"
Seeing the old woman and the square-faced middle-aged man leave the mourning hall, Lu Qing's heart stirred slightly, and he also quietly walked out.
He came here only to check on the strength and condition of the old woman from the Zheng family, and he didn't really want to mourn that scumbag Zheng Yu.
After leaving the mourning hall, Lu Qing walked out of the Zheng residence openly and honestly.
The guards at the gate did not stop him when they saw him come out.
In their view, a minor martial artist like Lu Qing having the opportunity to enter the mansion to pay respects to the Second Young Master and leave an impression on the ancestor is something they should be grateful for.
Who would have thought that this guy would just wander around the mourning hall once and then slip out?
After leaving the Zheng residence, Lu Qing did not linger and went straight to the tall tower he had seen earlier.
This tall tower should be a landmark in the prefectural capital.
At this time, the area under the tower is closed, the door is locked, and there is no one inside, so it is not possible to enter.
But how could this stump Lu Qing? With a slight movement of his feet, he leaped a few times and easily reached the top of the tower.
"This place truly boasts exceptional scenery and an excellent location."
Standing atop the tower, dozens of meters high, Lu Qing felt as if he could see almost the entire western part of the city.
More importantly, by sheer coincidence, this tower is directly opposite the Zheng residence, which is only a few hundred meters away.
After admiring the beautiful view from the tower for a while, Lu Qing's gaze toward the Zheng residence gradually turned cold.
With a slight thought, a longbow appeared in his hand.
