Chapter 71: Enmity (怨讐), and Water (原水) (1)

The world is full of incidents and accidents.

People may not know, but thousands of crimes occur every day. And among them, the cases where the culprit is caught and the matter is resolved are less than half.

It's the same in any region. Although the government and the martial world train specialized investigators, their numbers are few, and the vast expanse of the Central Plains means many cases remain buried in the dark.

Unsolved criminal cases. Major crimes that neither the government nor the martial world could resolve.

The unsolved cases that surfaced in Jiangsu Province came to light as the warm spring weather grew increasingly hot.

The shocking rumor started in Henan and spread to nearby regions.

And the protagonist of the rumor was none other than Yan Hozheng, the eldest son of the Bishan Yan family.

Five years ago, Yan Hozheng, the culprit in the Huishan fire in Jiangsu Province.

Five years ago, Yan Hozheng, the culprit in the collective suicide of the Hai Min family in Jiangsu Province.

Three years ago, Yan Hozheng, the culprit in the murder of a courtesan in Shangzhou, Jiangsu Province.

Two years ago, Yan Hozheng, the culprit in the Taibenhelu fire in Jiangsu Province.

There is a strong possibility that he committed numerous other fires, murders, and rapes.

Yan Hozheng, the eldest son of the Bishan Yan family.

Once known as a scholar, he recently gained the reputation of Guangfengsa due to his outstanding martial arts.

The scion of a prestigious family committed countless crimes in Jiangsu Province, and all these cases remained unsolved.

The shock of the rumor was immense. Even the government was murmuring about verifying its truth.

No one knew where the rumor started.

It's not easy for a rumor without a source to spread so quickly. Many people viewed Yan Hozheng with disdain, but those with deeper thoughts immediately recognized that the situation was not normal.

People cursing Yan Hozheng, those watching the situation, and those who noticed the abnormality.

Amid the chaos in Henan, Yan Hozheng finally revealed himself.

* * *

Thud, thud.

Yan Hozheng's steps were brisk. The steps of the Changying Corps following him were unwavering.

People moved aside to avoid them.

There was no murmuring.

Crossing the wide official road, Yan Hozheng and his group headed toward Xuchang, looking extremely dignified.

Flutter!

Surprisingly, over a dozen members of the Changying Corps carried flags with poles over fifteen feet long.

The flags bore the characters for Bishan (碧山) and Yan (燕) in elegant calligraphy.

This was the procession of the Bishan Yan family, one of the Seven Great Clans, known for its righteous lineage. The grand procession was as impressive as a triumphant general's return.

And at the forefront of the group was Yan Hozheng.

Wearing a loose white robe that reached his calves over his white martial attire, his slender build and handsome face, along with the spotless white clothing, made him look extremely noble.

This was why people couldn't openly criticize Yan Hozheng and his group.

Was it because they were part of the Seven Great Clans? Or because they were a group of swordsmen maintaining a sharp aura?

No, it wasn't that.

Most people's eyes were on Yan Hozheng. They were not afraid of the bloodstained axe he carried.

Rumble.

One step, one step.

With each step, a mysterious indigo mist rose from beneath his feet.

Yan Hozheng himself was special. People thought so. Whether he held the axe or not, his dignified presence, like a bamboo that stands straight, made people hesitant to speak.

It was an overwhelming presence.

Even the ruthless Black Shadow Emperor could show a mysterious and awe-inspiring side at times.

'Impressive.'

Li Zheying, standing atop a tower as high as a city wall, whistled as he looked down at Yan Hozheng.

'Henan is considered the center of the Central Plains martial world thanks to Shaolin and the prestigious families. Even if the opponent is a martial artist, an angry crowd wouldn't consider their strength or prestige.'

In other words, even common people should normally shout insults openly.

But look at that scene. It was so quiet that you could hear an ant passing by, and no one spoke. There wasn't even a murmur.

They were overwhelmed.

Yan Hozheng's presence and the mysterious aura he exuded completely silenced the crowd.

'What an impressive young man.'

If it were innate, it would be understandable, but it's impossible for someone who hasn't led many people.

Yet, he hasn't even reached his twenties, so he couldn't have had such experiences. In other words, his innate dignity is that impressive.

'At least, from this, he doesn't seem like a criminal.'

Li Zheying shook his head.

'Let's not jump to conclusions.'

Most people who commit evil deeds don't look like they would.

So, Yan Hozheng couldn't be free from this evil rumor.

As Yan Hozheng moved, Li Zheying also moved to another building.

Rustle.

It was an amazing light step.

With just the strength in his ankles, he leaped onto the roof of the target building.

The level of the light step itself was outstanding, even before the achievement it represented. It was a peak light step that moved without any visible movement.

People revered this light step as the Vajra Immovable Body Technique (金剛不動身法).

'However, it's slower than expected. If this continues, it will be nightfall... Huh?'

Li Zheying turned his gaze south.

Surprise showed on his face.

'The Ming Family?'

A group was approaching on the official road from the distant south.

It was the Ming Family.

About a hundred martial artists were marching in formation, and their speed was quite fast. They carried flags with the characters for 'Nine Great Families' (九大家) just like Yan Hozheng's group.

Li Zheying focused his vision.

Rumble!

The deep energy from his dantian rapidly enhanced his vision.

'The Blue Hall (青色堂)?'

The Ming Family had many martial organizations under its command.

One of them was the Five Elements Hall (五行堂), divided into five organizations: Red (赤), Blue (青), Black (黑), White (白), and Yellow (黄).

The Blue Hall of the Five Elements Hall symbolizes Wood (木), and all its members are spear experts.

'Of course, they must have known about Yan Hozheng's appearance. But... '

Li Zheying was inwardly puzzled.

'Why specifically the Blue Hall?'

He only learned yesterday that the Ming Family had dispatched troops to capture Yan Hozheng.

While other details were unknown, it was certain that they sent peak experts from the Qingbing Wuguan and warriors from the Huming Hall. And Yan Hozheng single-handedly defeated them.

More astonishing was the battle with the Blue Wolves.

It's not yet confirmed if the Blue Wolves belong to the Ming Family, but Yan Hozheng reportedly fought and killed seventy of them.

Li Zheying couldn't believe it. In fact, he still found it hard to believe.

The Blue Wolves were experts in killing, regardless of their martial arts strength. How could a young man not yet in his twenties single-handedly eliminate them?

'There must have been some preparation. But... '

Regardless of the reason, the Ming Family must know about Yan Hozheng's strength.

Yet, they dispatched the Blue Hall. If a battle were to occur, the Blue Hall would hardly be enough to stop Yan Hozheng and the Changying Corps.

Why did they specifically send the Blue Hall?

Bang!

Wugou, the leader of the Blue Hall, planted his spear. The Blue Hall spear experts immediately stopped.

Yan Hozheng's group was now about twenty yards away from the Blue Hall.

Wugou shouted.

"Yan Hozheng, the eldest son of the Yan family and the suspect in the unsolved crimes of Jiangsu Province, listen! Drop your weapons immediately and surrender to the Ming Family..."

Wugou couldn't continue.

Yan Hozheng didn't stop. Even seeing the Blue Hall standing firm.

"Arrogant brat."

Wugou's eyes flared with killing intent.

How could he not even hesitate once? The Blue Hall's presence was completely ignored.

Yan Hozheng's group closed the distance to ten yards.

Wugou shouted again.

"If you don't stop right there, we will forcibly apprehend you!"

Still, he didn't stop. His walking speed remained the same, and his sharp aura was unwavering.

They closed the distance to five yards.

Wugou, glaring at Yan Hozheng, shouted.

"Charge!"

Rumble.

A hundred Blue Hall members aimed their spears forward.

Wugou, raising his spear, shouted.

"The Blue Hall will apprehend the suspect Yan Hozheng..."

At that moment.

Bang!

Wugou's eyes widened.

He took a strong step forward, and in an instant, he was right in front. Behind the fluttering robe, a massive axe rose high into the sky.

Wugou raised his spear in shock.

Yan Hozheng calmly swung the axe.

Crack! Thud!

The axe split the spear and cut Wugou in half.

Spurts of blood.

It was like red dye splattered on white paper. Wugou's blood stained Yan Hozheng's pristine white robe.

"Leader!"

"Damn him!"

At that moment.

Whir!

Small, white wind shapes gathered around the bloodstained axe.

The white tiger aura, fueled by killing intent, formed the spirit of a tiger king.

Bang!

Yan Hozheng, taking another step forward, swung the axe.

Crack! Bang!

"Ah!"

"Ugh!"

One swing, and he swept them away.

The overwhelming wind from the axe sent fifteen spear experts flying.

The spears in their hands broke, and their hands were severely damaged or severed. The formation was instantly shattered.

In one move, Yan Hozheng disrupted the entire Blue Hall formation.

He spoke calmly.

"Eliminate the enemy."

"Yes, sir!"

Swoosh!

Yan Hozheng, with his axe on his shoulder, watched as the Changying swordsmen charged forward, wielding ruthless blades.

Swoosh! Crack!

"Ah!"

"Raise your spears!"

In an instant, chaos ensued.

The wide official road turned into a battlefield. Civilians watching Yan Hozheng's movement screamed and fled in all directions.

Thud! Swoosh!

"Stop them! Stop them!"

"You bastards! How dare you... Ah!"

The Changying swords were merciless.

They wielded ruthless blades without a hint of mercy. The Changying Corps, inspired by Yan Hozheng's overwhelming martial arts, displayed astonishing sword techniques.

The Blue Hall's collapse was instantaneous.

Their leader was dead, their formation shattered, and they were overwhelmed in momentum. Moreover, the Changying Corps' prowess was incomparable to the Blue Hall.

This was not a battle but a one-sided massacre. The Changying Corps thoroughly targeted the weaknesses of their opponents, swiftly eliminating the Blue Hall members.

In the middle of the battlefield.

Yan Hozheng, as if it were unrelated to him, calmly crossed the battlefield. The frenzied spear experts who attacked him were dealt with by the Changying swordsmen.

A moment passed.

The Changying Corps, without a single casualty, eliminated the Blue Hall and followed Yan Hozheng.

Flutter!

Ten members, having sheathed their weapons, raised the flags again. They moved south along the official road.

Fear showed on the faces of the civilians.