Chapter 212: Strong Seizure
Chapter 212: Strong Seizure
It was common for lone rogue Qi Refiners or Demonic Evils, relying on their cultivation powers alone, to terrorize areas and repeatedly commit major crimes.
Figures like Lin Jiyi or Lady Hongtao were precisely that kind.
But to some extent, they were just minor troublemakers. Yet, truly formidable evils existed in the world. Some had even gained powerful reputations that struck fear deep into both the court and the major sects. Broadly speaking, the assassin organization Path of Heaven belonged to that category. The swords in their hands were capable of making even Divine Kings tremble—they were utterly lawless and unrestrained…
And the Ghost Official in Qingjiang Prefecture was exactly like that!
Ever since this practitioner appeared in Qingjiang Prefecture five years ago, he had committed countless bloodsoaked crimes. Sometimes he murdered entire families and wiped out clans; other times, he plundered without limit; still other times he directly kidnapped wives and daughters. The pile of major crimes he had committed could literally form a small mountain. Yet, this Demonic Evil operated viciously, possessed extremely lofty cultivation, and moved like a shadow—appearing and vanishing without a trace—terrifying and utterly mysterious.
Precisely because he was so mysterious and troublesome, he became one of the three great calamities, alongside the Demon Hound of Crow Mountain and the affair of the Spirit Well!
In recent years, however, the Ghost Official struck very rarely.
But why now, of all times—just when the Shoushan Sect and the Seven Clans were locked in conflict—did he attack twice in rapid succession?
“How could it be? How is this possible?”
“This is a trick! Someone must be plotting ill…”
Young Master Bai, Second Master Hu, and the others suddenly realized something. Their voices trembled a little.
With shocked expressions, they suddenly whipped their heads around to look at Fang Cun.
Fang Cun was slowly lifting his teacup, drinking with utter composure.
Meanwhile, He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er instantly grasped something too.
Though they’d only heard snippets within the hall, it was enough to let them guess the truth. If the Ghost Official’s first strike ‘happened’ to do the Seven Clans a huge favor, then his second strike also ‘happened’ to inflict a massive loss on them. Could the Ghost Official’s schemes really shift so wildly and rapidly, changing his mind twice in such a short time?
…
“This Ghost Official committing two bloody crimes in a row is truly excessive. It seems the Six Sects truly must capture him…”
Meeting the suspicious and resentful gazes of Second Master Hu and Young Master Bai, Fang Cun remained calm, taking a small sip of tea. Sighing softly, he sounded utterly disgusted with these Demonic Evils. As he spoke, he smiled and looked towards the Lingwu Sect Leader. “Wouldn’t you agree, my honored senior?”
The Lingwu Sect Leader gritted his teeth in secret, too preoccupied to answer.
Suddenly realizing the situation had spun completely out of their control, he didn’t even have the heart to continue the verbal sparring anymore.
From his perspective, he naturally knew more than others. He could guess exactly what was behind the Ghost Official’s first strike. He also suspected that not everyone might have been truly killed—that perhaps the seemingly incinerated dossiers and account books weren’t really all destroyed. After all, some of those dossiers were critical documents seized by the Qingjiang Prefecture County Mansion after they shut down shops colluding with the Demon Lord to the south. They were held within the County Mansion for detailed investigation later.
Such dossiers and ledgers were extremely valuable. Publishing them could cause endless trouble later; keeping them hidden away was the best approach.
And yet… just as these documents were transported out of the city… they encountered the Ghost Official…
Didn’t that mean these vital dossiers had all fallen into the hands of this “Ghost Official”?
If so, the seriousness of the situation was unknowable!
Important figures within the Seven Clans themselves could get implicated!
Faced with this, what could he do?
He was suddenly regretting getting involved with the Seven Clans…
Previously, he only vaguely knew the Seven Clans had some connection to Crow Mountain. How could he have guessed they were tangled with that entity far to the south?
…
“Well done, Shoushan Sect… Well done, Second Young Master Fang…”
Amid the stifling atmosphere pressing down within the hall, a cold laugh suddenly rang out.
Young Master Bai, Second Master Hu, and the old manager of the Wandering Spirit Warehouse had figured it out. They had no proof, of course—just like they themselves never left any proof for anything they did. But knowing was knowing. Burning with frustration, they also realized they were now backed absolutely into a corner, with no room for compromise left…
As Qi Refiners of the Seven Clans, holding high positions of power, the reason they’d come to Lingwu Sect bearing gifts and forced smiles was simple: they were the agents dispatched specifically by their families to resolve this crisis. Instead of being resolved, though, the situation had become vastly more complex and dangerous! And if they failed to fix this… what exactly awaited them?
“The Ghost Official has committed atrocities in Qingjiang for years. The Six Sects never captured him, letting this beast act more brazenly, to the extent of committing such heinous crimes that outrage both man and god! Since he dares strike now, we cannot let him roam free! If the Six Sects won’t act…”
Young Master Bai’s voice sounded like it was forced through his teeth. “…My Bai Family will intervene!”
“Master Zhao! Master Meng! Master Liang!”
He suddenly shouted sharply.
Near him, three old men in cyan robes stepped forward uniformly. “We await your orders, Young Master!”
“Go to Great Qingjiang City immediately! Whoever that Ghost Official is, drag him out and bring him before me…”
He spoke to these men, but his eyes remained fixed directly on Fang Cun. “No matter what connections you uncover, no matter who sent him… make him understand the price of terrorizing Qingjiang! Make him know the consequences of crossing the Seven Clans!”
“Yes, Sir!”
The three old men in cyan answered coldly, deathly serious.
Beside them, Second Master Hu sighed suddenly. “The Seven of Songling Ridge, you will go too…”
He paused briefly, then shook his head. “Forget it. I shall lead you there personally!”
The seven black-robed Qi Refiners around him accepted the order immediately.
“This old man shall accompany you.”
The old manager of the Wandering Spirit Warehouse sighed softly. “Things have escalated beyond control. All Qingjiang cultivators… wouldn’t quiet cultivation be more pleasant? Yet there are always some who leap out to stir the pot, causing trouble for all. What good comes from endless feuding?”
Every cultivator in the hall understood his insinuations, not daring even to breathe loudly.
The old manager, Second Master Hu, and the others no longer wished to speak. They sighed heavily once more, then turned abruptly and rushed out of the hall. Immediately after, clouds rose like lightning, vanishing instantly from the sky. Their anxious haste showed just how vital those lives and the stolen dossiers were to them.
With their departure, the hall suddenly felt emptier.
Yet the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier still.
Everyone was stunned inside: More than ten Golden Core Refiners acting together? How huge would the turmoil be within Qingjiang?
A massive chaos within Qingjiang truly loomed?
…
“Haha! To witness such righteous resolve in our fellow cultivators deeply impresses Fang Er…”
Amidst this stifling atmosphere, Fang Cun—undeniably at the eye of this storm—rose gracefully. He even bowed slightly towards those present with a light laugh. “The Ghost Official has plagued us for years. He should have been captured long ago! To see the Seven Families willing to rid Qingjiang’s common folk of this scourge and relieve Old Master Fan’s burden truly upholds the noble spirit of Qi Refiners. Fang Er sincerely wishes you instant success and an effortless capture!”
Those around just stared at him coldly in silence.
“Fang Er came to Lingwu Sect to study the ways and comprehend the classics. But seeing fellow cultivators all have urgent duties, I now fear I may disturb matters!”
Fang Cun turned cheerfully to Little Fox and ordered, “Gather our things. We are leaving!”
Disbelief flitted across the faces of Lingwu Sect members in the hall. They’d been struggling for words to say to this Second Young Master Fang, yet he announced his departure abruptly. Though truthfully, giving him continued access to their sacred texts for study now grated on them immensely. Directly chasing him out was beneath Lingwu Sect’s dignity—they didn’t want to be the bad guys. His willingness to leave on his own brought undeniable relief.
Except for Young Master Bai. He snorted darkly, his gaze venomous, clearly wanting to say something.
Before he could speak, however, Fang Cun appeared to suddenly remember something and turned to Yu Qingli:
“Ah, since we’re leaving, of course we must bring your sister along!”
“What?”
Everyone in Lingwu Sect reacted with shock and disbelief. They were almost furious enough to laugh.
After causing this disaster… you still expect to take someone away from Lingwu Sect?
Not only them, but even He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er looked uneasy.
Beside them, Yu Qingli suddenly grew tense.
An Elder said stiffly, “Lingwu Sect makes no move to detain Second Young Master Fang should you wish to depart. But this request to take someone… what precisely do you mean?”
Fang Cun frowned. “The affair is concluded. Taking her with us was agreed upon from the start, wasn’t it?”
The Elder was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. He dropped the subject then and there.
Only then did Fang Cun’s expression truly darken. His gaze swept coldly over the assembled crowd. “You demanded my actions. I took them. Whatever the outcome, this young master provided real effort. I rarely engage in transactions with others. Having paid the price, am I not entitled to claim what was promised? Could it be that Lingwu Sect chooses now to renege?”
The abrupt shift in demeanor instantly silenced Lingwu Sect’s Leader and Elders, who were itching to unleash their fury. They were primed to explode with anger first, yet this preemptive strike made them feel inexplicably, unreasonably… guilty despite having done nothing.
“Or perhaps…” Fang Cun’s voice carried a dangerous chill now. “…you believe this young master an easy target? Believe you can swindle me?”
Swindle him?
How could they?!?
The cultivators felt deeply wronged and outraged: ‘It was you who refused to fulfill your duty yet still demand payment! This is nothing less than strong-arm seizure!’