Dahe Village has several hundred households; even if thirty thousand silver taels were distributed, each household would only receive a few dozen taels.

Meng Zhen set aside the valuables from the three men, then inspected the remaining items, hoping to uncover the true mastermind behind this incident.

But the other party had clearly come prepared; aside from silver, there was nothing else.

"Lord Shen, Lord Chu, what about Hong Yu and the others?"

The valuables on the three Refining Organ Realm experts had been more or less summarized. Ye Hong looked to Shen Yu and Chu Ming.

Hong Yu was the guard who had previously driven the carriage, helping Shen Yu and Chu Ming escape.

"Hong Yu and Bao Fei were bribed long ago. We escaped to..."

Shen Yu recounted what had happened afterward.

After hearing the story, Ye Hong’s expression grew darker.

"Old Shen, Brother Chu, did you manage to see the black-clad man’s face?"

Compared to Ye Hong, Meng Zhen—the seasoned Commander of Ten Thousand Soldiers—was evidently much calmer.

"No, that mysterious figure kept his face covered, and it was the dead of night. I couldn’t see clearly."

Shen Yu didn’t reveal that Chu Ming was the black-clad one; during their brief wait earlier, he had already realized why Chu Ming hid his true strength.

A single gift for deciphering the Mountain Scripture was enough to earn the resentment of countless people. If he also revealed talent for martial arts, who knows what new mortal dangers might befall him.

He was well aware that Chu Ming was merely protecting himself.

"I couldn’t see either," Chu Ming said.

Meng Zhen fell into thought.

That black-clad man saved Chu Ming and Shen Yu, then helped them kill Black Pockmarks and his cohorts, showing he wasn’t an enemy.

If not an enemy, then who could it be...?

Could it be Commander Huo?

There were only so many Refining Organ experts in Xirong County; those who could easily slay an expert like Black Pockmarks—already nurturing his third organ—were countable on one hand.

The only ones he could think of were the six Commanders of the Tiger Armor Army, or perhaps Commander Xiang?!

But, is that possible?

After pondering for a moment, he stopped dwelling and walked over to the corpses of Black Pockmarks and his companions. He lifted the black cloth from two of them. "Lord Ye, do you recognize these two?"

Ye Hong heard him and looked, his expression instantly changing: "It’s actually Chen Shuo, Chief Escort Master of Wind Traveling Escort Agency, and Li Xingbai, Master of Xingheng Martial Arts Hall."

Wind Traveling Escort Agency?

Chu Ming’s heart stirred slightly.

"Wind Traveling Escort Agency is most closely tied to the Wan Family," Ye Hong’s eyes burned with anger. "There are rumors that Xingheng Martial Arts Hall is connected to them as well."

He clenched his fists tightly.

"Wan Family!"

Their identities pointed the blame for the attack straight to the Wan Family.

"Wan Family actually dared attack commandery officials!" Shen Yu’s anger flared as well.

"Rest assured, Lord Shen. I will report this to Lord Xiao without fail."

Wan Family...

Chu Ming’s expression was calm, yet a sharp light flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Is it really just the Wan Family?

Can a single Wan Family mobilize Wind Traveling Escort Agency, Xingheng Martial Arts Hall, Black Wind Stronghold—three major forces—three Refining Organ experts?

The ’that one’ spoken of earlier by Hong Yu, the guard, clearly held considerable status—could Wan Family alone have such qualifications?

...

In the following matters, Shen Yu and his group began distributing silver taels to the villagers of Dahe, and didn’t set off again until dawn.

Because of the attempted murder, Meng Zhen and Ye Hong remained tense and vigilant throughout.

Half of Thousand Miles Escort’s masters had died in Dahe Village; the remainder dared not do anything nor follow Chu Ming’s group further.

The carriage was destroyed; they were forced to ride horses, but made better speed.

As dusk approached, a city loomed in the distance, with the characters ’Baiyuan County’ sprawling across its walls.

The constables guarding the gate were remarkably perceptive, seeming to recognize Shen Yu and Chu Ming, and respectfully welcomed the group into the city.

In just half a month, the Blood Evil Sect incident in Baiyuan County seemed as though it had never occurred; everything was back to routine, the lively spots lively, the prosperous ones thriving.

Halfway along, pedestrians ahead suddenly hurried aside as several officers in Flying Fish Suits of the Criminal Defense Bureau strode briskly past.

"Young Master Chu, Mr. Shen."

The leader was none other than Shao Pengshu, now elevated to Seventh Grade, flanked by Tan Hong, and followed by Hou Wuchun.

They had heard that Chu Ming and Shen Yu were returning and rushed straight from the Criminal Defense Bureau.

"Lord Shao, Lord Tan," replied Chu Ming.

"Young Master Chu, Mr. Shen, I’ve already ordered the Chu Mansion cleaned up," Shao Pengshu said.

West City Chu Mansion, originally gifted to Chu Ming by County Magistrate Fu Chang; even after Chu Ming traveled to Xirong County, it was never reclaimed—someone was always sent to tidy up, so it remained the Chu Mansion.

Chu Ming cupped his hands and said, "Let’s go to the Academy first."

This time, he was passing through Baiyuan County to deliver a cultivation technique to Feng Yuan, and also to visit his two senior brothers, Ning Hao and Liang Yuan.

"Right, let’s head to the Academy. I left in a hurry last time; there’s so much I never got to pack."

When Chu Ming was detained on charges of rebellion, Shen Yu had rushed to Xirong County, leaving everything behind—much was still at the Academy.

"Good. Tan Hong, go prepare a banquet at the Academy."

"Yes." Tan Hong promptly led people away to arrange things.

On both sides, the bystanders watched from afar.

"That young man must be someone important—looks like even the Criminal Defense Bureau fears him..."

"I think I’ve seen him somewhere..."

"You’re just a porter, there’s no way you’ve met people of that stature, always bragging."

"..."

...

At the gates of Baiyuan Academy.

County Magistrate Fu Chang and County Magistrate Liu Sitong stood in official attire, looking somewhat anxious toward the distance.

Feng Yuan wore ordinary clothes, sweat marks on his brow, breathing somewhat rapidly, but excitement gradually deepened between his brows.

Just behind him were Ning Hao and his father, Liang Yuan, and several others.

Further back stood Luu Xian and Guan Chong.

Those who had come to welcome them were mostly acquaintances of Chu Ming.

Before long, several fine steeds approached at a steady trot.

Fu Chang and Liu Sitong immediately greeted them with smiling faces.

"Commander Meng, Lord Shen, Lord Ye, Lord Chu."

The order was deliberate: Commander of Ten Thousand Soldiers held the highest rank, then came Shen Yu and Ye Hong—both Senior Fifth Grade—and finally Chu Ming, Senior Seventh Grade. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Meng Zhen and Ye Hong showed no emotion, just nodded politely and remained silent.

Shen Yu scanned the group, hands clasped behind his back, as if Fu Chang and the others were invisible. Turning to Chu Ming, he said, "I’ll go tidy up. Call me when the meal’s ready."

He then strode into the Academy.

Ye Hong followed; his duty was to protect Shen Yu.

Fu Chang and the others gave awkward, embarrassed smiles, not daring to say much more.

Previously, when Shen Yu was only Eighth-Grade Instructor, they already treated him politely; now he was Senior Fifth-Grade Chief Historian—he could display whatever attitude he liked.

Chu Ming nodded in response, then saluted Fu Chang and the others one by one.

"Please, please, come inside."

Seeing Chu Ming so courteous, Fu Chang concealed his embarrassment and gestured respectfully.

A dozen people marched grandly toward the Academy dining hall.

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan’s eyes flickered uneasily; several times they nearly greeted him, but in the end held back.

Times had changed. Their old friend Chu Ming, who once shared the dorm, was now Senior Seventh Grade Chief Clerk in Xirong County—and they were still merely academy junior examinees.

Luu Xian and Guan Chong were even more timid, heads bowed, trailing in the rear, not daring to look up.

They would rather not have come, but with the County Magistrate’s orders, who could disobey?

Fu Chang’s arrangements were clever. He didn’t set the banquet in a city tavern, but instead chose the Academy dining hall.

The dining hall had its stories. The downfall of the Chu Family and Blood Evil Sect began with the infamous poisoning incident here.

This time, though, there was certainly no poison. After that episode, Fu Chang tightened Academy security, especially in vulnerable spots like the dining hall. From the dishes, the servants, the cooks, to the dining hall manager, everything was arranged personally by Fu Chang.