Chapter 34

In the city of Qingzhou, the Yin Xu Sect ranks second among the five major sects. Unlike the Longhu Sect, which rose to prominence only in the past few decades, the Yin Xu Sect has long dominated the top position in Qingzhou.

Speaking of heritage, the Yin Xu Sect is the undisputed pride, with its sect leader, Yin Jueqing, not having used his hands for nearly twenty years. No one knows how powerful he truly is.

Rumors among the sects suggest that Yin Jueqing has already become a先天 (Xiantian) expert but chooses not to reveal himself, and he often remains in seclusion, which is why Longhu Sect's Long Xing has been known as the top expert in Qingzhou for so long.

Even Long Xing is wary of this opponent. Even if Yin Jueqing hasn't reached the Xiantian realm, Long Xing dares not underestimate him, let alone after not seeing him for over twenty years, it's unknown whether he has made any breakthroughs.

Moreover, the Yin Xu Sect is not a small sect like the Longhu Sect, which lacks a solid foundation. Long Xing knows that the Yin Xu Sect is a representative sect of a major sect in Shu, so he has never engaged in a large-scale conflict with the Yin Xu Sect.

However, Long Xing knows that the Yin Xu Sect is not as low-key as it appears. Once a real conflict breaks out, the Yin Xu Sect will be like a pack of wolves emerging from the grass, biting through the throat of their enemies.

The Yin Xu Sect has few disciples, but each one is a formidable expert. In the eyes of outsiders, those seventh and eighth-rank experts are only used for guarding the gates.

In a grand hall heavily guarded, Yin Jueqing sat on the main seat, dressed in a long white robe, his skin devoid of any color, and his face looking like that of a young man in his twenties, except for his blood-red eyes, which glinted with a fierce light.

Even when he heard that his brother, Yin Wuqing, had died in a remote area, Yin Jueqing's expression did not change, and he listened to his disciple's report with a cold demeanor.

After a long while, Yin Jueqing spoke in a low voice, "Bai Chen... Have you found out this person's background?"

"My investigations have turned up nothing. This person seems to have appeared out of nowhere, but once he appeared, he was extremely powerful, both in martial skills and alchemy talent, and even in martial diagrams and formations. He is different from the disciples of the major sects I know, and he is likely not associated with any of the top sects."

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Yin Jueqing's mouth, and his eyes glinted with a fierce light, "Since he is not associated with any of the top sects, it will be easier to deal with him!"

Yin Jueqing paused, as if thinking of something, and added, "However, we must proceed with caution. Before we find out his background, we should not reveal our methods. We need to find a scapegoat."

"But, Deputy Sect Leader..."

"Such a waste of a life is just that. He disgraced the Yin Xu Sect and exposed our secret techniques. He deserves to die!" Yin Jueqing showed no mercy for his brother's death, and his expression did not change.

Unlike the eerie aura around Yin Wuqing, Yin Jueqing's aura was cold, and his tone was devoid of any emotion.

The disciple below seemed to have some insight and, feeling the coldness from Yin Jueqing, immediately knelt down, "Congratulations, Sect Leader, on mastering the supreme secret technique. You are the undisputed top expert in Qingzhou."

Yin Jueqing's eyes flashed with a blood-red light, "Just in Qingzhou..."

...

Bai Chen realized that his original purpose for coming to Qingzhou was to find a way out for the Wu Liang Sect, but now it seemed he had offended most of Qingzhou.

The Dan Qi Sect aside, the Yin Xu Sect, which had no prior connection with him, had inexplicably become his enemy, and the Tie Juan Sect was pushed to the enemy's side by his own actions.

However, the Tie Juan Sect becoming an enemy was something Bai Chen had anticipated and planned for.

The Tie Juan Sect no longer posed a significant threat. Although Zhuo Bufan's cultivation was not weak, he was in his twilight years, and Mu Sansheng posed no threat. The Tie Juan Sect now relied on its century-old heritage.

Even without his intervention, the Tie Juan Sect would be devoured by its many enemies, unless Zhuo Bufan could break through to the Xiantian realm, which was almost impossible.

Bai Chen did not return to the inn because without the auction house's protection, he could not find a safe place in Qingzhou. Only within the Longhu Sect could he temporarily ensure his safety.

At least, the Longhu Sect would not make a move against him until their cooperation ended.

The unpleasantness with the Tie Juan Sect did not affect Bai Chen's mood. Instead, Zhuo Bufan and Mu Sansheng were likely agonizing over whether to take action against him.

The Longhu Sect acted quickly, and Long Tu had already informed him that the grain procurement was almost complete.

Bai Chen was preparing to go to the Longhu Sect. It was close to noon, and the streets of Qingzhou were still bustling, as lively as any shopping paradise on Earth.

Suddenly, a loud copper gong sounded from the end of the street, and several officials pushed a prison cart, and the passersby obediently made way.

The prisoner in the cart was a large man with a blue beard and a face full of scars, looking anything but good. His eyes were wide open like copper bells, resembling an angry Vajra, and his mouth was stuffed with dirty hemp cloth.

"Is this the great villain Guan Dongtian from Xizhou?"

"I never thought he would be caught. It's a great relief."

"Yes, I heard he has been wreaking havoc in Xizhou for over twenty years, killing countless people, and the people have been suffering. Recently, with the upheaval in Xizhou, he gathered hundreds of bandits to attack the government and seize the grain, leaving countless people without food and starving to death."

Bai Chen, listening to the low murmurs of the crowd, felt a surge of anger and a deep disgust for the villain.

"Such a person truly deserves to die."

The voice of Jie Sha sounded in Bai Chen's mind, "Seeing is believing, and hearing is doubting."

"What do you mean?" Bai Chen was taken aback, thinking that Jie Sha should share his thoughts and hate such a villain who caused so much suffering, but why was he contradicting him?

"Go and see for yourself."

As night fell—

In the Qingzhou government prison, the originally dark and damp dungeon was now brightly lit, occasionally accompanied by the sound of whips and muffled groans.

Guan Dongtian was tied to a torture rack, and a bucket of cold water instantly brought him back to consciousness.

Two burly officials swung their arms, having whipped Guan Dongtian all night without making him talk, and several of their colleagues had already collapsed from exhaustion.

One official, unable to bear it any longer, cautiously turned to look at the magistrate Wu Liangdao.

"Sir, this guy is very stubborn. We've used all the torture methods, but he still won't talk."

Wu Liangdao pinched his nose, repulsed by the stench of the dungeon, and stroked his goatee, his triangular eyes glinting with a sinister light. He coldly said, "I don't care what methods you use, but you must make this rebel talk and find out where the grain is hidden."

Guan Dongtian lifted his stiff neck and let out a low, strained laugh, "Heh heh... Old scoundrel Wu, don't dream. The grain has already been distributed to the disaster-stricken people. You won't get a single grain."

"Hmph! Do you think I'm a three-year-old child? Even if you seized the grain, how could you distribute it to the people in less than three days? Speak up and save yourself some pain."

"I curse your entire family, I don't care about my own comfort. I want you and your gang to serve me. I enjoy this. I curse you, you lackey, why did you stop? Give me a few more hard ones, ha ha..."

Guan Dongtian, who had been weak, suddenly became fierce, "Come on, come on, are you scared?"

"Whip! Whip this scoundrel to death!" Wu Liangdao, enraged, pointed at Guan Dongtian and shouted, "What are you waiting for?"

Wu Liangdao snatched the whip from the official and, with a burst of anger, lashed Guan Dongtian several times.

The sound of the whip was loud, but it was drowned out by Guan Dongtian's roaring laughter. After a dozen lashes, Wu Liangdao was the first to collapse, unused to such physical labor.

An official, with a glint in his eye, leaned in and whispered to Wu Liangdao, "Sir, this method won't work. I have an idea."

"Speak!"

"This rebel likes