Chapter 92: Annihilation of the Qin Family!

Qin Li was running swiftly through the primeval forest, controlling the aura of his body to prevent too strong a disturbance. He did not want to die not by the sword of a Heaven Rank Martial Artist but become prey in the mouths of Spirit Beasts.

During his fight with Qin Hengtian, Qin Li clearly felt that the Innate Purple Qi inside him was showing signs of breaking through. That was why he did not choose to fight a long or exhausting battle with Qin Hengtian. Even though that old bastard had cursed and insulted him, he had already gotten what he deserved.

Qin Li wanted to find a place for a quick breakthrough. He clearly felt the restlessness of the Innate Purple Qi inside him, seeming like it might burst out at any time.

This could not go on like this!

Qin Li narrowed his eyes. He climbed to the top of a tree to survey the terrain. His gaze quickly landed on a steep peak. That peak was actually not too far from Phoenix Lake. Also, when Qin Li came there earlier, he had passed it and encountered no very powerful Spirit Beasts.

That was the place!

After deciding, he thought since no one was around, he could unleash all his power. He used his Lightness Skill, and his figure became like a wisp of blue smoke. In the blink of an eye, he appeared at a very distant location.

The breathtaking girl followed behind, staring in shock at where Qin Li disappeared. Her beautiful, charming eyes were filled with disbelief. By now, she understood why Qin Li could calmly escape under the chase of two Heaven Rank powerful individuals.

Thinking of this, a mischievous smile touched the girl’s lips. The Spirit Beast on that peak was her best friend. She could rest and heal her body there and then ask her to help deal with that hateful enemy together!

A killing intent flashed in the girl’s eyes. She whispered, “It is time to settle the grudges between us!”

…

In recent days, undercurrents were stirring. Even the ordinary residents of Huangsha City seemed to sense something unusual.

New Year was in three days. In past years, Huangsha City would be filled with a joyful and peaceful atmosphere. Especially, the juniors of the major families, who were rarely seen, would enter the market to buy New Year goods or gather together.

But this year, those large families kept their doors tightly shut and strictly forbade their juniors from going out. Some smaller families simply bought daily supplies in large amounts and sealed their families right off!

This puzzled many. Especially since Huangsha City had recently seen many unfamiliar faces. Inns and taverns were almost all full. Many Jianghu warriors clashed in fights without a word. Those people were very strong. The City Lord’s Manor did not care, and even the shadow owners behind these service industries, the Shangguan Family, turned a blind eye. This made the people in Huangsha City’s service industries like taverns and inns stay very silent.

After a few days of rest, most of the injured Royal Attendants returned to normal. Chen Yihan gathered everyone to plan to pressure the Qin Family with their Heaven Rank strength Ancestor after he returned. They would demand he hand over the treasures gained from Phoenix Lake. Then, in the Royal Family’s name, they would protect the family.

That way, it served two purposes. It brought a strong family under the Imperial Family and gained those treasures. Chen Yihan had thought of how to deal with Phoenix Lake’s treasures. If there were Combat Techniques or mental skills, the Qin Family could keep a copy. The other treasures would be split eighty-twenty—twenty percent for the Qin Family, eighty percent for the royal family!

In his pleased moment, Chen Yihan showed a cold smile. He thought to himself: Look at all the strong Martial Artists in Huangsha City now. If the Qin Family was not stupid, they would certainly choose to cooperate with the royal family!

Indeed, most Martial Artists who came seeking treasures at Phoenix Lake had not left. Many had not even entered the Ancient Ruins and had died in the mouths of Phoenix Mountain’s Spirit Beasts. They were already resentful. If no one had gained any benefit, it might be forgotten, but that mysterious shout had pushed the Qin Family into the spotlight. This time, even just watching, they wanted to see who could get the treasures from the Qin Family!

Many groups were secretly watching and waiting for the perfect chance. Everyone wanted to steal a piece!

But to everyone’s surprise, the Qin Family… on New Year’s night, suffered an extremely brutal massacre!

The Qin Family’s manor met with the annihilation of all main and side branches!

And what was most frightening was that no one saw any of it happening!

Keep in mind, around the Qin Family recently, at least thirty groups large and small were monitoring day and night.

By examining the bodies, everyone had just one sword wound. Some had even died in their sleep!

Also, the killer’s heart was extremely cold. Neither the elderly nor infants in their blankets were spared!

If he had not set fires all around after killing, the spies would never have found a trace!

What level of skill was this? How heartless?

The Family Head of the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Buhui, and the Family Head of the Fang Family, Fang Zhengdong, arrived at the Qin Family the next day. All they saw were ruins. The huge Qin Family manor was burned to the ground!

Almost everyone stood in stunned silence, like stone. They could not believe anyone could have such hatred for the Qin Family, to slaughter the entire bloodline in one night—thousands of people?

Finally, one of the spies mentioned something. After the Qin Family Ancestor, Qin Hengdi, returned, the Qin Family had opened their main gate to welcome a group, about eight or nine men in black hats and black robes, faces unseen. That same night, the massacre at the Qin Family happened.

So everyone searched the Qin Family for the black-robed men’s bodies but found none. They did find the corpse of Qin Hengdi, lying intact in his grass hut for seclusion, eyes wide open, filled with disbelief and refusal.

Then, others said they did not find the body of the Family Head Qin Hongyuan. Some guessed he was burned to ashes; others thought he escaped.

However it went, the Qin Family’s massacre marked an end to the treasure hunt at Phoenix Lake.

Perhaps the killer had a huge grudge against the Qin Family. Or perhaps the killer was after the Qin Family’s treasures and silenced them. No one found any valuable things at the Qin Family, which might have been taken by the killer.

But anyone who could come and go unseen and untraceable under such watch was not to be provoked by ordinary people. The Martial Artists lingering in Huangsha City weighed their strength and felt staying brought no benefit.

So, after New Year, Huangsha City slowly grew calm again. Of the once Three Great Families, mighty clans, only debris remained today. It drew sighs.

This incident shook the Azure Dragon Kingdom’s elite. The Emperor sent many men to investigate but found no clues. The black-robed men’s identities became a complete mystery.

Finally, two months after New Year, it all faded away without results.

Huangsha City warmed with spring blossoms, gradually regaining its past bustle. The only two Qin Family survivors of the main branch, Qin Feng and Qin Hu, never showed up again. But there was news that after learning of the tragedy, both joined the imperial family, becoming Protectors of the Azure Dragon Kingdom’s Second Prince, currently studying at the Imperial Academy.

Many residents of Huangsha City scorned these two Young Masters of the Qin Family. The Qin Family eldest son had died young; the remaining two were talented. Raised with great effort over years, they achieved much. Yet after the family’s destruction, they did not even return to mourn…

Others understood. If the enemy was still watching, returning would be suicide.

The event’s impact slowly weakened. Three months later, Huangsha City’s weather grew very hot. By then, except for a few, many likely totally forgot Qin Li, the once-abandoned son of the Qin Family.

On a clear night with a bright moon, a figure appeared amid the Qin Family ruins, standing silently in a green robe for a long time before sighing.

“How could this happen?”

The person was Qin Li, who had broken through to the Earth Rank. On the steep peak, Qin Li found a deep, abandoned cave, blocked it with a boulder, and went into seclusion. Months later, he broke through the Earth Rank and rushed straight back to Huangsha City. But he unexpectedly heard this news, and so much time had passed!

Even with no feelings for the Qin Family, seeing this made him sigh. He still wanted to ask Qin Hongyuan about his mother. But now… Qin Li shook his head slightly. Then his eyes suddenly fell far ahead, where a figure approached slowly by the moonlight.

“Qin Li?” The voice held surprise, trying the name out.

Qin Li had restored his fourteen-year-old appearance. He did not want anyone to know his other identity. Hearing that voice, Qin Li was also surprised. He did not expect Qin Hongyuan was still alive!

“What happened?” Thinking of what Qin Hengtian had said, Qin Li’s eyes slowly narrowed, but he did not act because he still had to ask clearly.

“It really is you! Where have you been all this time?” Qin Hongyuan walked over quickly, looking at Qin Li suspiciously. Seeing he looked unchanged, he asked: “Or did you go somewhere to seclude yourself in Nirvana?”

Qin Li nodded. “More or less. The Qin Family… how did it become like this?”