Chapter 529: Night Falls, Murder in the Wind!

Chapter 529: Night Falls, Murder in the Wind!

Zhao Cheng had collected quite the harvest. Only 30 new Arbiter recruits had reported to the Wind Pavilion this year. Yet, he'd managed to gather a tribute of 400 True Immortal Jades—a sum equal to four years of Yun Xiao's yearly stipend.

"It proves he holds some sway in the Skyruler Immortal Manor to sit there and collect such money," Yun Xiao mused.

Without a moment's hesitation, Yun Xiao fed the 400 True Immortal Jades to Red Moon, then stood quietly at the street corner, waiting as the night began to deepen.

The night was still young. In the Celestial Court, nighttime was a different world altogether. Many deeds that daylight forbade could now be discreetly conducted.

In the meantime, the little black coffin spirit beast started producing Tri-Heavenly Sariras one by one.

Yun Xiao leaned against the wall at the corner, popping the tri-colored beads into his mouth like peanuts, followed by a swig of wine from his flask. This was his unique path of Immortal cultivation.

Slowly, as he consumed the Tri-Heavenly Sariras, the celestial power within his Dantian swelled. His Dao Heart had been complete for some time, and now his power was finally catching up.

"Establishment Yang Immortal Realm," Yun Xiao murmured as he pocketed his flask. "I've finally reached the real bottleneck."

Next came the Third Dao Tribulation of the Immortal path—True Immortality.

This level demanded a transformation of the Genesis Spirit, a separation from the body. For a Sword Cultivator like him, this step was critical, as the freed spirit could command the Flying Sword with more precision and power, striking foes from even further away!

"Ordinary Arbiter Initiates remain below the Mid True Immortal Realm—just two stages above me," Yun Xiao noted to himself. His own record for slaying enemies beyond his level had reached six, even seven stages higher.

Yang Immortal to True Immortal was a significant threshold, perhaps slightly challenging. But once Yun Xiao broke through to the True Immortal Realm, he would soar like a dragon.

"I must become a True Immortal soon! The myriad worlds cannot wait..." Lifting his gaze, Yun Xiao stared up at the dim stars scattered across the sky. It was his homeworld.

With a whoosh, his figure, a blur of white, vanished from the street corner. When he appeared again, he was near the gates of Sangju City. Standing at the street junction, he looked ahead.

At the end of the street, a couple wrapped in each other’s arms and oblivious to the world, strolled toward him.

Noticing someone in their path, they looked up, annoyance flickering across their faces.

"Weren't you supposed to set up an ambush at the city gates?" Yun Xiao asked.

Chi Yu chuckled and turned to Gu Yuan, saying, "Ever heard the old saying?"

"What is it?" Gu Yuan fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously.

"A good dog doesn't block the path." Chi Yu raised an eyebrow at Yun Xiao, then shot him a glare. "Otherwise, it might just get its legs broken."

With that, he wrapped his arm tighter around Gu Yuan’s slender waist and walked straight towards Yun Xiao. His demeanor suggested he might just walk right through him.

Yun Xiao watched them coolly, making no move to step aside.

As Chi Yu approached, his mocking tone took on an edge of anger. In front of his woman, he could not show weakness!

"Lu Yao, look at you, acting tough when Deputy Changfeng was just teasing you. You really take yourself too seriously." Chi Yu shrugged with a laugh.

"Pathetic," Gu Yuan shook her head in disappointment at Yun Xiao. "We’ve been with Deputy Changfeng for ten years. Are you closer to him than we are? Zhao Cheng has been restless lately. So, Deputy Changfeng made you squad leader to remind him to keep a low profile, not because you’re actually useful, get it?"

"Don’t be too blunt with this fool; his brain can’t handle it." Chi Yu waved dismissively, his impatience clear. "Enough, just stay out of our way. You can pretend to be in charge in Zhao City, but don’t bother us."

However, Yun Xiao didn't step aside but repeated, "I ordered you to set up an ambush, and you disobeyed. If the criminal escapes, it's on you."

Chi Yu rolled his eyes, thoroughly exasperated. "So what if I disobey? I might as well be done with you!"

"Recently, that Chi Yu lad sent me a few exotic songstresses; it's been a bit taxing." Lu Changfeng scratched his head. "Sorry, cousin."

"At your age, you should practice some restraint," Lu Qian said as she slipped into a wide floral robe and stepped barefoot beside him at the railing. She was of age, ripe as a peach, her sultry gaze smooth as silk.

"Indeed." By day, Lu Changfeng was a revered prospective Arbiter commander of the Skyruler Immortal Manor, but here, he was just a younger cousin!

The air was thick with awkwardness, and Lu Changfeng, desperate for a change of subject, coughed and ventured, "You killed those nine people, didn't you?"

Lu Qian paused, surprised. "How did you know?"

"Well, one of the deceased was your sister. I know you've had your differences lately," Lu Changfeng remarked coolly.

"..." Lu Qian pressed her lips together, a cold smile playing across her face.

"Just say it. You asked me here for a reason, what is it?" Lu Changfeng asked, looking at her.

Lu Qian took his hand, her gaze earnest. "Little brother, since you were 13 years old, we've been close. It's been over a decade. You're like family to me..."

"Get to the point," Lu Changfeng interrupted, growing impatient.

Lu Qian sighed softly. "Recently, I skimmed off some treasures at the Northern Immortal Jade Mine. Eight people found out."

"So you killed them all, and with such fanfare?" Lu Changfeng asked, puzzled.

"If I had killed them quietly, it would've been too easy to trace back to me. With all this commotion, the Arbiters of the Skyruler Immortal Manor personally investigating makes it easy. We just need a scapegoat to close the case smoothly. Once the Manor closes the case, everything settles..." Lu Qian explained with an awkward chuckle.

"Got a scapegoat ready?" Lu Changfeng asked.

"Already set up. It’s Mo Ya, one of my father’s old generals. He’s nearing the end of his life. I've arranged the deputy mayor position for his son. He'll help me out before he passes," Lu Qian stated earnestly.

"Alright, as long as everything’s arranged. I’ll arrest them and close the case." Lu Changfeng nodded, accustomed to such maneuvers within their circles.

"You mentioned eight people. Your sister wasn't involved, was she?" Lu Changfeng suddenly recalled.

Lu Qian’s gaze turned icy. "I've wanted her dead for a while. Took the opportunity to handle it. Besides, we appeared close in public. With her gone, it's hard for the common folk to suspect me."

"Alright then!" Lu Changfeng, ever the stoic in matters of authority, clapped Lu Qian on the shoulder. "How are we handling the scapegoat? Another murder tonight to hang at the city gate?"

"Yes, I told him to kill three nobodies tonight," Lu Qian glanced at the sky, estimating the time. "He should be hanging the bodies about now."

As her words fell, a guard came rushing in, panic-stricken.

"Arbiter, Young Master!" The guard knelt before them, pale-faced and trembling.

"Speak up," Lu Qian said coldly, then gave Lu Changfeng a suggestive eyebrow raise, signaling that their plan was about to conclude.

The guard stammered, "The murderer killed three more today, hung them at the city gates!"

Lu Qian and Lu Changfeng exchanged a smile.

But the guard added in terror, "This time, the victims were three Arbiters!"

At that, Lu Changfeng's trousers, which he had just pulled up, slipped down again, exposing his unimpressive stature.