"The Young Master previously told me that he had a feud with Chen Qing, and that Chen Qing also stole his Profound Iron Box!"

"But... it’s impossible for Chen Qing to have fought one against five. That’s simply too unbelievable!"

At this, he lowered his head. By the end, even he felt his speculation was a bit absurd.

Miao Feng slammed his fist onto the White Jade balustrade beside him, and the hard stone instantly fractured into a spiderweb of fine cracks.

There wasn’t enough evidence!

Who could prove that Miao Zhicheng died at Chen Qing’s hands?

’Am I supposed to question the Wutai Sect’s chief disciple—and by extension, the entire Wutai Sect—based on mere speculation and his movements?’

Although his Golden Sand Castle had some influence in Lin’an Prefecture, it was nothing compared to the Wutai Sect, which held sway over an entire prefecture!

Forcing an accusation would only bring humiliation upon himself.

Miao Feng closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the agony of his son’s death and his own towering fury.

When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with cold, murderous intent.

"Investigate! I want a thorough investigation into everyone Zhicheng has offended recently."

"And as for Chen Qing, we can’t let him go, not even on the slightest suspicion. Besides, he stole Zhicheng’s Profound Iron Box."

Miao Feng said in a cold voice, "Secretly issue a kill order throughout the Lin’an Martial World with a hefty bounty. Anyone who can provide a confirmed lead on Chen Qing’s whereabouts within Lin’an Prefecture will be rewarded with five thousand taels of silver! Anyone who can take his life will be rewarded with twenty thousand taels of silver."

He paused, the cold glint in his eyes intensifying. "At the same time, contact ’Yidao An’ anonymously and put out a contract. Double the price! I want Chen Qing’s head!"

He couldn’t, and wouldn’t dare to, offend the Wutai Sect so grievously in the open.

The expert was startled. "Fortress Master, Chen Qing’s strength is extraordinary... Killing him will be difficult. Besides, hiring assassins from Yidao An is extremely expensive."

"I know!"

Miao Feng cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Just do as I say! Go, now!"

Putting out a contract and offering a bounty for his death was the only thing he could do at the moment, and it was also the most effective method.

He believed that at this moment, Golden Sand Castle was far from the only party that wanted Chen Qing dead!

Yu River of the Earth Element Sect probably wanted to know Chen Qing’s whereabouts even more desperately!

’If Chen Qing is the killer, all the better. If not, then I’ll just consider it revenge for my son!’

"Yes!"

The expert dared not say more. He bowed, accepted the order, and hastily departed.

.....

「Three days later」

Chen Qing arrived at Tongping City, a strategic Town on the border of Lin’an Prefecture.

The city was strategically located with exceptionally convenient land and water routes connecting it to Yunlin and Fengle Prefectures.

The Yunjin River, a tributary of Qianchuan Marsh, flowed through the city, bringing with it merchants from all corners of the land, as well as a tangled web of information.

Once he passed through this city, he would have officially left the territory of Lin’an Prefecture.

The city streets were teeming with people, making it even more clamorous than Shiqu City.

"Yu River is making such a scene looking for Chen Qing. Could the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl be in his hands?"

"That... That can’t be, can it?"

"Well, I heard the pearl the Earth Element Sect got was a fake!"

"I heard that not only does Chen Qing have the Wood Yang Jade, but there’s also a secret contract on his head for twenty thousand taels!"

"If you ask me, he’s probably already disguised himself and slipped out of Lin’an Prefecture."

"With such a huge bounty on his head... who wouldn’t be tempted? If his location is exposed, he’s a dead man for sure."

Chen Qing chose a restaurant overlooking the river, went up to the second floor, and picked a seat by the window. He ordered three small dishes and a pot of clear tea.

’These rumors... Is someone secretly spreading them, fanning the flames? And someone else has put a contract out on me?’

His gaze seemed to casually sweep over the glittering Yunjin River below, but he was actually taking in the entire situation within the restaurant.

Not far from him, seated diagonally across the room, a table of six people was particularly conspicuous.

The six of them had heavy, focused auras, their temples bulged, and their eyes held a restrained, sharp glint. All of them were Late-stage Embracing Pill Force masters.

Even more noticeable was their murderous aura, so thick it was almost palpable and mixed with the faint scent of blood. They were clearly ruthless veterans who lived by the blade.

The surrounding patrons subconsciously kept their distance, casting frequent glances filled with awe and fear.

Three of them were the notorious "Huashan Three Monsters." As for the other three, judging by their posture, aura, and the style of the Weapons at their waists, they were clearly top assassins from Yidao An, nicknamed "Ghost Hand," "Shadowless Needle," and "Duanchang Saber."

The six sat around a single table, and the atmosphere was heavy.

The sallow-faced Ghost Hand frowned, his voice hoarse. "What damn rat hole is this Chen Qing hiding in? It’s been four whole days and we haven’t heard a thing!"

Ever since the slaughter outside Lin’an City, it was as if Chen Qing had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind.

Some guessed he was hiding in some godforsaken place, while others rumored he had already been secretly eliminated by a mysterious master. This left many who had been drawn by the scent of blood frustrated, all riled up with nowhere to vent their energy.

Shadowless Needle, a gaunt man, shook his head. "I had my men watching the other main road to Yunlin Prefecture like a hawk. No sign of him."

Duanchang Saber, who had a hideous scar across his face, said in a rumbling voice, "That kid’s strength is nothing to scoff at. I heard even Chen Lin of the Sea-Covering Sword was no match for him."

Shadowless Needle sneered. "Relax. With the six of us working together, taking him down won’t be a problem."

The leader of the Huashan Three Monsters, a burly, bald man, scoffed, "No news of this kid for so long... you think he got struck by lightning? I heard that old coot Yu River is still running around looking for him like a mad dog."

The second of the Huashan Three Monsters chimed in, "Yu River? If he’d already found him, what would be left for us? I’d say he doesn’t have a clue, either."

The third of the Huashan Three Monsters rubbed his chin. "What do you think? Could Chen Qing have already slipped back to Yunlin Prefecture? If he really has some advanced Concealment techniques and a bit of luck, it’s not impossible that he snuck through some remote mountain pass."