Shen Hao was a bit stunned, not understanding why the Black Beast Tattoo on his chest would be interested in a strange map—this was the first time something like this had happened.

First, it made him want to purchase that piece of Yin Jade, then, through some kind of stimulation, allowed his eyes to see the special markings carved on the Yin Jade.

Is this... trying to send him to the location marked on the map?

The more he thought about it, the more likely that seemed. But this was clearly an incomplete map. Even if Shen Hao wanted to find the place, it would be useless. Did he have to collect all the pieces first?

Shen Hao fell silent; he had no interest in this at all. He simply put the item away and decided to let things follow their own course.

However, the tattoo on his chest gave Shen Hao a different sense of crisis.

How to describe it? It was like... the feeling of being "manipulated" or a "tool"—very uncomfortable, even making Shen Hao feel a chill, the kind that creeps in the more you think about it.

Break free? Shen Hao didn’t even know what the tattoo actually was yet. As for escaping from it, he had not the slightest clue for now.

The only thing he could do was to carefully remember every time the Black Beast showed its head, then repeatedly investigate—maybe, eventually, he would figure out what it really was. Only then could he talk about "breaking free."

The day passed without incident.

Before dawn, Shen Hao came out of his tent, planning as usual to head into the city, make a quick round, then walk along Gui Mountain’s road for a bit—back and forth would easily kill a day. But as soon as he left the tent, he was stopped by Wang Jian, who hurried over with news that something had happened in town.

"Three killed in total. All Gathering Spirit Realm cultivators—two at the third layer, one at the fourth."

"The identities of the deceased have been confirmed: ’Liang Tian’, ’Niu Jing’, and ’Wang Qi’. They are all merchants, well-known among loose cultivators, often teaming up to attend major sects’ disciple recruitment seasons, making profits by flipping small auctions."

"The bodies were found by an auction house worker, who opened the door and saw the three lying dead inside, blood everywhere. He immediately reported to the authorities."

"This is the place." Wang Jian led Shen Hao to a building and stopped. Shen Hao glanced up at the bright sign at the entrance: Hongyun Auction House.

Inside, the bodies were in a storeroom, with a crowd gathered outside, headed by D Flag Commander Han Yuan.

"Oh, Shen Zongqi is here?"

"Yeah, I heard something happened and came to take a look. How is it? What’s the situation?"

"No signs of struggle—fatal injury is a slit throat. Look at all that blood, it’s oozed out through the door cracks."

"Cut throats?"

"Weird, right? The forensic doctor examined them—all bled out to death. Truly fucking bizarre!"

Hearing this, Shen Hao frowned, confused, and after a look around the room, came back out.

Indeed, from what could be seen, each of the three only had a single wound, right at the neck—a gash two fingers wide and four inches long, splitting the carotid artery, with a terrifying amount of blood loss.

But three Gathering Spirit Realm cultivators, sliced in the throat without resisting, just letting blood pour out instead of saving themselves until they died of exsanguination? That sounded utterly strange.

"Confusing smoke? Illusion array? Or perhaps a paralyzing restriction?" Shen Hao quickly offered his guesses.

"All possible. Tch, another headache of a case."

Han Yuan shook his head, but showed no intention of discussing the case with Shen Hao—his tone was clearly perfunctory, even his smile looked forced.

Shen Hao understood Han Yuan’s thinking and didn’t stay any longer, simply turned and left.

Three Gathering Spirit Realm cultivators dead in Pingjiang City was a big case, and D Flag was assigned, so Han Yuan’s intentions were clear—big cases meant opportunity, not just for promotion but for reputation too. Since he caught this case, how could he let Black Banner Battalion intervene so easily?

Shen Hao’s role was emergency backup, but if D Flag didn’t need his support and he forced his way in, it wouldn’t look good. So Shen Hao simply turned and left to avoid stirring up trouble.

Even so, this matter left Shen Hao feeling uneasy. After all, it was only two days until Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute was set to officially open its sect gates; if anything else happened, it wouldn’t look good at all.

That afternoon, Liu Chuan gathered all Flag Officers for a meeting, focusing on this very case.

"Suppress it! Investigate the case, but limit the spread of information. Shut down the auction house, detain everyone with inside knowledge elsewhere, and don’t release them until things in Pingjiang City are resolved.

Han Yuan, how’s your progress?"

"Hundred Households Liu, my men are processing the files. You’ll have the report for review tomorrow."

"Good. Handle the case as you see fit, but make sure no information leaks. Understand?"

"Understood."

"Right—and send a copy of the report to Shen Zongqi from Black Banner Battalion as well. He’s in charge of patrols for the whole area; he needs to be kept informed."

"Yes."

Liu Chuan paused, then continued: "Notify the Garrison to elevate security to wartime alert—pay attention to any suspicious individuals."

"Should we inform Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute?"

"No need."

Shen Hao felt these arrangements were still a bit careless and couldn’t help but speak up: "Hundred Households Liu, don’t you think our manpower is a bit thin? After all, the perpetrator managed to silently kill three Gathering Spirit Realm cultivators. Shouldn’t we request some reinforcements from Hundred Households Tang’s side?"

The Hundred Households Guard under Tang Qingyuan were not the same as regular Xuanqing Guards—main difference being their equipment. For example, only the Hundred Households Guard were supplied with the powerful Law-Breaking Arrow Array.

"Heh, Shen Zongqi, you’re not feeling secure?"

"No, I just think extra caution wouldn’t hurt."

Liu Chuan kept a blank face, but his mind raced. He and Shen Hao were the same rank, but Liu Chuan was the field commander this time. Shen Hao’s words sounded thoughtful but had a hint of telling him how to do his job, which made him uncomfortable. Still, Liu Chuan was a smooth operator and rarely showed his feelings. Besides, with Shen Hao about to be promoted, Liu Chuan couldn’t afford to disrespect him.

"Shen Zongqi is indeed cautious. Fine, I’ll send word to Lord Tang and request more personnel."

Liu Chuan waved, dismissing the others, and, not slighting Shen Hao, immediately sent a note to Li City, asking Tang Qingyuan to transfer fifty Hundred Households Guards armed with Law-Breaking Arrows, also briefly explaining what had happened here. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

That night, fifty fully armed Hundred Households Guards rushed over from Li City and set up camp outside the city. As soon as they arrived, Liu Chuan handed command of them over to Shen Hao.

So—you’re not reassured? Fine, here’s your men, and you’re in charge. How’s that for giving you face?

Truth be told, as soon as Shen Hao took command of the fifty Hundred Households Guards, the unexplainable anxiety he’d been feeling eased up quite a bit. He couldn’t say why.

The next day, Shen Hao deployed the fifty Hundred Households Guards at a location between Gui Mountain and Pingjiang City—close enough to quickly rush to either side if needed, and stayed there himself as well.

At noon, Zhang Liao rode over and handed in D Flag’s case file notification.