Chapter 175: Zhao Guanghui, You’re Done For!
Among them, there were even quite a few that suffered losses, or died suddenly or disappeared for various inexplicable reasons.
So he had almost released more than half of his Lishi.
However, up until now, he still did not know who the person was that secretly reported and denounced him!
Fortunately, he, Zhao Guanghui, had operated in Wuqing County for many years and naturally had planted people in Zhao Guangxi’s circle, even in the Four Great Pounding Houses and Wuguan Camp, buying off informants.
He had already learned of Zhao Guangxi’s plan in advance.
Therefore, Zhao Guanghui decisively prepared to flee!
Abandoning the foundation he had struggled for decades to build in Wuqing County, abandoning his wife and children, and discarding all so-called trusted aides and Guest Officials!
He trusted no one, only himself!
Head north, to the black soil lands of the Changbai Mountains, the Sacred Dynasty’s Border Region!
Zhao Guanghui decided to live incognito as a wealthy family patriarch, lying low in the northern border for a few years.
“So close, just so close. 【Undying Molting Insect Solution】 nurtured to minor completion, and it could give birth to a Tongue Corpse Ding Jia…”
Even so, Zhao Guanghui’s heart was dripping blood.
In the border lands, where could the martial arts practice culture compare to the flourishing Capital Region?
An ordinary True Intent Master, placed in the Border Region, could claim kingship and establish their own sect.
Going to that godforsaken place would inevitably greatly delay the gestation time of the Tongue Corpse Ding Jia.
However, sooner or later, he, Zhao Guanghui, would return—
Rumble!
In an instant, the courtyard wall of the back garden collapsed with a boom, shattered bricks falling like rain!
Four surges of Qi and Blood, figures like ferocious beasts, descended from above with imposing force.
The sound of bowstrings vibrating came from all directions, along with martial artists closing in, surrounding and intercepting, enveloping the entire Zhao Mansion in the center.
Some Zhao Mansion Guards still tried to resist and were struck down on the spot.
Zhao Guangxi had the 【Chengping Guan Well Sword】 at his waist; though not unsheathed, its killing intent already made the lanterns throughout the mansion flicker wildly.
Lu Jing’s black clothes billowed, flapping loudly, golden lines bursting from the veins on his face as he stepped out from the dust one step at a time.
He looked at Zhao Guanghui and said coldly,
“Zhao Guanghui, your deeds have been exposed. Come with us!”
Beside Lu Jing stood a lean man who, when still, resembled a tiger, and when moving, was like a wolf—standing imposingly without anger, his entire Qi condensed into a single stream, actually disturbing the night wind into shrill howls, with chilling vapors rising to form a visible pillar of smoke shooting high into the air!
This person was the Outer Commission Commander of Wuguan Camp, Liu Qingyi.
Holding military authority, training soldiers and armor, he had once been personally summoned by His Majesty the Emperor and possessed the strength to Slay Five Thieves!
Liu Qingyi stared fixedly at Zhao Guanghui and said,
“Where is my man, Li Yaozu?”
In addition, there was a government runner dressed in uniform and fast boots, his face pockmarked, his eyes habitually scanning people up and down with a marketplace slickness.
This runner said little, hugging a saber and standing to the side.
Zhao Guangxi sighed, somewhat exasperatedly saying,
“Eldest Brother, oh Eldest Brother, crooked demonic side paths yield no real gains. How could you be so foolish, disgracing the Old Zhao Family’s family honor! Do not blame your little brother for enforcing justice on a family member!”
Zhao Guanghui retreated a step, his face ashen.
“You, you all…”
Why did the Lishi I placed outside the mansion not give warning?
Moreover, how did they head straight for the back garden, as if they knew the Secret Tunnel was here?
Wasn’t it said that the move would be made at tomorrow’s inauguration banquet…
Zhao Guangxi, he deceived me?!
“Sigh, Landlord Zhao…”
A faint sigh came, as Hong Junxian stood in the distance behind a group of martial artists, his face showing some reluctance, saying,
“You should turn from the dark side to the light sooner rather than later. Do not mislead yourself.”
“So it was you, you betrayed me?!”
Zhao Guanghui suddenly realized, his face alternating between light and shadow, his eyes nearly spewing fire.
He had known earlier that this old fellow Hong Junxian had disobeyed orders and intruded into the back garden side, following his tracks.
But afterward, he had sent Lishi to keep watch on Hong Junxian continuously, yet discovered nothing unusual again.
He had thought that this old fellow was overly suspicious and simply wanted to probe the Ding Jia Warriors.
After all, this was originally Zhao Guanghui’s plan.
Gradually reveal information, hook the willing, and bind Hong Junxian completely to himself.
But how did it come to this, to actually betray me!
Betray me—you, Hong Junxian, what real benefits do you get besides a name for integrity?
He himself could truly extend life and increase longevity for him!
Unthinkable—Zhao Guanghui simply could not figure it out.
Zhao Guanghui looked at Zhao Guangxi, Lu Jing, and the others, forcing a smile,
“Everyone, is there some misunderstanding?”
“Misunderstanding?!”
Lu Jing sneered coldly, suddenly attacking, killing intent surging abruptly. His whole person was like the great waves of the Yangtze River, surging forth. With a grab and clasp of his large hand, he actually tore apart the intent Zhao Guanghui had secretly stirred, smashing down overhead!
With a boom, Zhao Guanghui was sent flying, smashing through fake mountain Stone Forests, pavilions, towers, and terraces.
Everywhere he passed was reduced to ruins. Zhao Guanghui, even exposing his considerable strength to Slay Three Bandits, was laughably like an ant trying to stop a chariot before Lu Jing.
Dust rose everywhere, the night curtain like tides; between heaven and earth, it seemed only Lu Jing’s domineering voice, allowing no debate, remained.
“We’ll talk about misunderstandings after capturing you.”
……
“What? Landlord Zhao and the others captured Zhao Guanghui, even discovered the Secret Tunnel in his home, and everyone’s already heading to the Mourning Hall? So bold?”
The night was deep and silent, the Chen Residence utterly still.
Chen Shun’an had just returned home not long ago and was holding Wan Niang in sound sleep with even breathing when he sensed the familiar aura of Scarred Liu intruding into Chaodou Hutong, bringing this news.
Chen Shun’an’s eyes snapped open, sleepiness vanishing instantly. His body sprang up, and he went to open the courtyard gate.
“When did this happen?”
“Just half a stick of incense ago. Tonight it was my turn to guard the Well. Instructor Lin hurriedly came to the Well, told me to inform you without delay, then headed straight to the Mourning Hall!”
Scarred Liu was panting, surprise and panic still on his face.
Evidently, these lowly Water Carriers, though aware that Landlord Zhao and Zhao Guanghui, this pair of blood brothers, were at odds.
Could not have imagined that Zhao Guangxi would actually convince Lu Jing and the others to join forces and raid Zhao Mansion at night!
It seemed Zhao Guanghui had done something that enraged both gods and men, drawing heaven’s wrath and humanity’s resentment.
Tonight, the situation in the entire Wuqing County would likely change dramatically!
Scarred Liu’s shock had not faded.
And Chen Shun’an was no better off.
He had underestimated Zhao Guangxi, Lu Jing, and the others’ determination to eliminate Zhao Guanghui.
Or rather, what Zhao Guangxi said about joining forces with all powers at tomorrow’s inauguration banquet was deliberately spread fog!
After all, such a vast and deep personnel mobilization—how could it not leak information, alerting a few internal traitors to inform Zhao Guanghui?
So Zhao Guangxi had directly kept Chen Shun’an, Lin Shou Zhuo… and countless others completely in the dark.
Conveniently cleaning out a wave of internal traitors and reorganizing the ranks.
And Chen Shun’an was just one link in his plan.
Likely, core figures like Zhao Guangxi, Lu Jing, Commander Liu, and others had long been in secret communication but kept it hidden.
Specifically waiting for a key moment to strike suddenly!
Even catching the biggest ‘traitor’ Hong Junxian off-guard, unable to pass information to Chen Shun’an before being swept up.
However, Chen Shun’an felt no anger; instead, he thought even more highly of Zhao Guangxi.
Sense of security greatly increased!
Astute and bold, what a Landlord!
Worth Chen Mou’s full assistance… to slack off and lie low.
Moonlight cast a clear glow.
Chen Shun’an quickly returned to the room, comforted Wan Niang a few words, told her he had business outside and not to worry.
He grabbed the bluish-gray tight-fitting clothes draped over the screen, spread his arms, and donned them.
Chen Shun’an strode out the courtyard gate, his robe still slightly disheveled, hair uncombed, a Precious Sword slung on his back.
“Strange, when did Old Chen start practicing sword?”
Scarred Liu eyed Chen Shun’an suspiciously but asked no more, immediately stepping aside to clear the path; the scar on his face looked even more ferocious under the moonlight.
“Wait! Old Liu, you don’t need to go to Tu Tan Zi Yi Zhuang. You have another important task!”
Suddenly, Chen Shun’an called out to Scarred Liu.
Scarred Liu looked puzzled and said, “What’s up, Old Chen? Is there anything more important now than going to Tu Tan Zi Yi Zhuang?”
“Of course!”
Chen Shun’an laughed heartily a few times, a sinister look of beating a drowning dog on his face,
“Quickly gather the brothers, and notify the other Brother Well Stations. Bring weapons and surround the mansions of the financial backers of Guanghui Money House and those few Money Houses like ‘Su Kehachi’!
“Once news comes confirming Zhao Guanghui’s crimes or his death, immediately raid the houses! Take everything there is to take! No need to spare those Bai Shan Ren!”
Chen Shun’an had thought it through clearly.
Since this matter was instigated by Zhao Guangxi, leading the major powers, then afterward dividing Zhao Guanghui’s assets would surely mean a share for everyone.
It was just a question of more or less.
Zhao Guanghui’s mansion was too big a target; by now, plenty of people were likely watching it.
Guanghui Money House was not far from here and merely Zhao Guanghui’s subsidiary business, so relatively fewer people watching it.
And the few Bai Shan Ren households like ‘Su Kehachi’ were also the financial backers behind Guanghui Money House.
After all, for such a large Bank, how could Zhao Guanghui manage it so prosperously alone?
Even issuing King of Hell’s Accounts and treating lives like grass—the government turned a blind eye, pretending not to know.
It was Zhao Guanghui colluding with a few Imperial Clan Descendants and down-and-out Bai Shan Ren.
Guanghui Money House also had their shares!
He, Chen Shun’an, could finally wield authority as a weapon, seize the moral high ground, and launch the first fierce attack on the Sacred Dynasty’s nobles, those once high-and-mighty Bai Shan Ren!
Starting from raiding Zhao Guanghui’s house!
At Chen Shun’an’s words, Scarred Liu’s eyes lit up instantly.
Right, why go to Tu Tan Zi Yi Zhuang to join the crowd?!
Raiding houses from the rear and hauling gold and silver treasures, jewelry, agates, and such to Landlord Zhao was the real business!
And in the process of transporting and raiding, accidentally taking a few treasures by mistake would be perfectly normal, right?
Scarred Liu, with his shopkeeper seal, hurried away.
Chen Shun’an also immediately headed to Tu Tan Zi Yi Zhuang.
Above the night sky, dark clouds swallowed the moon.
Darkness fell abruptly all around.
In this instant of light and darkness alternating, Chen Shun’an’s figure suddenly vanished, Formless and Shapeless.
One can only rely on oneself.
Chen Shun’an was still somewhat uneasy about Zhao Guangxi and the others.
Only by personally seeing Zhao Guanghui’s soul scatter and seeing him pierced several times with Heart-Piercing Nails could Chen Shun’an feel at ease.
Moreover, he was extremely curious about that Immortal Fate of Zhao Guanghui’s.
Turning immortal fate into divine—Chen Shun’an felt that Immortal Fate was fated for him…
