Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

Yesterday, Feng Zijing had clearly instructed his County Magistrate to give a fine reception to Hundred Households Chief Zhou, Liu Siye, and their colleagues from Liyang—just enough to keep them happy and send them on their way.

But to his surprise, after the evening banquet, this Hundred Households Chief Zhou came to the County Magistrate’s Office alone. Putting on a show of tireless diligence, he insisted on asking Feng Zijing about the situation at Jiangkou Pier.

Jiangkou Pier?

The mere mention of the topic gave Feng Zijing a headache.

Even before taking office, he knew Jiangkou was a special case—a gray area tacitly approved by the Court.

All those powerful figures from the Jianghu who lived by the sword or engaged in shady business needed a relatively stable place to operate.

It was better to channel the flow than to dam it.

Rather than let them roam freely and wreak havoc in other commanderies and counties, it was better to designate a specific area and have the Court turn a blind eye to it.

As for the goods coming and going from the pier, who knew if they were backed by righteous sects, great Noble Families, or those secretive villains from the Demon Sect?

If one were to truly investigate, who could withstand the scrutiny?

He, Feng Zijing, only had the cultivation of the Profound Acupoint Pass Realm. In a place like Jiangkou, teeming with hidden masters, he could barely protect himself.

Besides, these Jianghu folk and wealthy merchants were far more generous than commoners or local gentry.

When they needed a favor, the reward could easily be several thousand or even ten thousand taels of silver. It was a much faster way to earn money than painstakingly scraping together a few dozen or several hundred taels from the common folk as a County Magistrate elsewhere.

The sensible thing to do was to take that silver, purchase Cultivation Resources, break through to the next Realm as soon as possible, and seek a promotion.

Why stir up trouble with those people and make things difficult for himself?

So, when faced with Zhou Chengkai’s questions, Feng Zijing naturally dodged the issue. He simply had his men bring out all the old, dusty records related to the pier from the County Magistrate’s Office and piled them up in front of Zhou Chengkai.

’You can take your sweet time investigating them yourself!’

And investigate he did, for the entire night.

Zhou Chengkai, however, was patient. He actually stayed.

As the host and chief official, Feng Zijing couldn’t very well leave his guest to go to sleep, so he had no choice but to stay with him.

Suddenly, a drum began to beat.

Feng Zijing rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Hundred Households Chief Zhou, it seems there’s an urgent matter outside. This Magistrate must take his leave."

Only then did Zhou Chengkai look up from the records. He nodded. "Please, Magistrate. Official business is more important."

Feng Zijing stood up, but before he could even walk out the door, a Chief Constable rushed in, his face pale with panic. Ignoring Zhou Chengkai’s presence, he stammered, "Your Excellency, something... something terrible has happened!"

"What are you panicking about? What is it? Speak slowly."

Feng Zijing’s heart skipped a beat as a sense of foreboding washed over him.

The Chief Constable said, "Your Excellency, the Shopkeeper of the Xinglin Inn beat the drum to report a crime. He said that at cockcrow this morning, some madwoman appeared out of nowhere and started killing everyone she saw in the inn. Many people in the inn were murdered. Magistrate Zhao... and more than ten officials from Liyang... they were all killed!"

"What?!"

Feng Zijing felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. His eyes went wide, and he nearly lost his footing.

’Killing officials?!’

’And it was within the county seat! More than ten Court-appointed officials killed in one go!’

What kind of maniac had such audacious nerve?

In his shock, he subconsciously turned to look at Zhou Chengkai behind him.

’This Hundred Households Chief’s unusual behavior last night, staying at the County Magistrate’s Office... could it be he sensed something in advance?’

’Did he know something was going to happen?’

But he saw that Zhou Chengkai’s face was also filled with shock. He shot to his feet and asked urgently, "My colleagues from Liyang are in trouble too?"

Seeing that the shock on his face didn’t seem feigned, it appeared he was completely unaware.

The suspicion in Feng Zijing’s heart faded.

’Perhaps it’s just a coincidence.’

’After all, Zhou Chengkai had no motive.’

Feng Zijing ordered, "Immediately muster the government constables! Gather every constable in the city and head to the Xinglin Inn."

The Chief Constable acknowledged the order and ran off.

Feng Zijing gave Zhou Chengkai a quick, cupped-fist salute. "Hundred Households Chief Zhou, this case is of the utmost importance. This Magistrate must go there at once."

"Magistrate Feng, I will go with you."

Zhou Chengkai’s expression was grave.

Feng Zijing had no time for pleasantries and simply nodded.

A short while later, the two men arrived at the Xinglin Inn with a large contingent of over a hundred constables.

Before they even entered, the thick stench of blood washed over them.

Stepping into the inn, the scene before him made Feng Zijing suck in a sharp breath.

The main hall, the stairs, the corridors... bodies were strewn everywhere.

Blood spattered the walls and floors, even pooling in some places.

They soon found the Jiangkou County Magistrate.

Under the veranda of a small, separate courtyard nearby, Liu Siye of the Liyang County Criminal Court and more than ten Officials from the Liyang Commandery Magistrate’s Office lay scattered in pools of blood, their deaths horrific.

Feng Zijing’s face turned extremely grim.

For such an appalling case of murdering officials to happen under his jurisdiction—and not just a local Assistant Officer, but also officials from a neighboring commandery on business—it was a catastrophe of epic proportions.

At the next Court evaluation, he could forget about getting an ’Excellent’ rating. He’d have to burn incense and bribe everyone up and down the ladder just to get ’Competent.’

Suppressing his rage, Feng Zijing summoned the inn’s Shopkeeper and demanded sternly, "Did you get a clear look at the killer’s face? How old were they? Where did they flee after the attack?"

The Shopkeeper, his face a mask of grief, replied, "Your Excellency... this humble one only knows it was a woman. She was on a killing spree, cutting down anyone who showed their face. I didn’t dare peek out. I just heard people outside shouting about a ’thieving hag’ and a ’madwoman.’ After she finished killing everyone, it seems she ran north."

"North?"

Feng Zijing’s brow furrowed.

’That’s a huge area. The clue is as good as useless.’

His gaze fell upon Zhou Chengkai, who was crouching beside Liu Siye’s body, brow knitted in concentration as he examined it closely.

He immediately walked over and asked, "Hundred Households Chief Zhou, have you found anything?"

Zhou Chengkai pointed to Liu Siye’s abdomen. "Magistrate Feng, Liu Siye was killed by a palm strike to his Celestial Spirit. Logically, the fatal wound is on his head, and the blood should have flowed from his mouth and nose. But there’s a small bloodstain seeping through the clothes on his abdomen. The color is slightly darker than the surrounding blood, as if caused by internal bleeding."

Feng Zijing looked closely and saw that it was just as Zhou Chengkai had described.

Although he wasn’t an expert in criminal investigation, he also found it strange.

"I would be so bold as to request a more thorough examination of Liu Siye’s remains. Perhaps I can find more clues. I wonder if the Magistrate..."

Zhou Chengkai cupped his fist.

"Please, Hundred Households Chief Zhou. The investigation is what matters. This Magistrate trusts you."

Feng Zijing, also hoping to find a clue as quickly as possible, naturally agreed.

Zhou Chengkai said his thanks, rolled up his sleeves, and gently pressed his fingers into Liu Siye’s bulging stomach.

A moment later, his gaze sharpened, as if he had confirmed something.

He held his fingers together, released a slight pulse of Inner Qi, and a faint white glow appeared at his fingertips. Like two small knives, they gently sliced open the abdomen.

Zhou Chengkai reached one hand into the small incision. He fumbled for a moment, seemed to grasp something, and then slowly pulled it out.

When his hands were fully withdrawn, an object was nestled between his fingers.

Zhou Chengkai wiped the filth off the small plaque, revealing its true appearance.

It was a Tooth Token, about two fingers wide and three inches long.

On the front of the Tooth Token, two lines of small characters were clearly engraved.

Jiangzhou, Cao Danying.

Below them was another line of even smaller characters, which listed a street address, along with Cao Danying’s date of birth and other details.

’Jiangzhou, the Cao Family!’

Feng Zijing’s mind went blank with a BUZZ, and his expression changed dramatically. "Jiangzhou, Cao Danying? Could it be *that* person from the Cao Family...?"

’Why would someone from the Cao Family be here?’

’And why would they kill Liu Siye, and massacre so many other officials?’

’What in the world is going on?’

Feng Zijing felt his breathing become difficult. He looked up at Zhou Chengkai.

Zhou Chengkai handed the Tooth Token to Feng Zijing, his expression exceptionally grave.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly, "Magistrate Feng, to be perfectly honest, we came to Jiangkou to secretly investigate the theft of the Liu Family’s silk. We had already made some progress on the case..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the bodies of Liu Siye and the others on the ground. "But now, with Liu Siye and the others so brutally murdered, this Tooth Token... it might be a clue Liu Siye deliberately left for us. Things are not as simple as they appear..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but Feng Zijing already understood.

’The case of the stolen Liu Family silk is most likely connected to the Cao Family.’

’Liu Siye and his men must have discovered something, treading on the Cao Family’s interests or even prying into their secrets, which is why the Cao Family sent someone to silence them.’

The thought of being dragged into a secret conflict made Feng Zijing’s scalp tingle and a cold sweat break out on his back.

These waters were too deep. How could a small county magistrate like him possibly wade into them?

Watching Feng Zijing’s ever-changing expression, Zhou Chengkai said in a low voice, "Magistrate Feng, there is something I must shamelessly ask of you."

"Please speak, Hundred Households Chief Zhou."

Feng Zijing’s voice was bitter.

Zhou Chengkai said, "By a stroke of luck, I did not return to the inn last night and thus escaped with my life. But since the killer has already made their move, there’s no guarantee they don’t know about me. To be safe, I must leave immediately and rush back to Liyang Commandery City."

He gave Feng Zijing a solemn, cupped-fist salute. "The scene of this tragedy, the bodies, and the evidence are all here. I must trouble you, Magistrate, to immediately send an urgent report detailing the case to the Linjiang Jingwu Bureau, as well as the Jiangzhou Government Office and its Jingwu Bureau. Let our superiors decide how to proceed."

"This..."

Feng Zijing was immediately caught in a state of hesitation and inner conflict.

’Report it?’

’And have Jiangkou report it to the Prefecture?’

It was obvious this matter had far-reaching implications. He had no idea how deep the waters ran.

’He didn’t want to get involved.’

’After all, this was originally Liyang’s problem, but now he was being dragged into it.’

’It’s utterly baffling!’

’If I agree to this, I’d have to be insane!’

He instinctively wanted to refuse, but then he saw Zhou Chengkai’s grief-stricken and indignant expression. "Magistrate Feng, more than ten of my colleagues from Liyang have died a horrible death here. My own future is uncertain on this journey back; I might be murdered on the road. The killer is so vicious, treating the law of the land as if it were nothing. If this case is buried and forgotten, I will not be able to rest in peace. I beg you, Magistrate, please agree."

Seeing Zhou Chengkai’s tragic and heroic demeanor, as if he were marching to his death, Feng Zijing’s instinct for self-preservation was finally overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

After weighing his options again and again, he finally gritted his teeth. "Hundred Households Chief Zhou, your loyalty is commendable. This Magistrate accepts. I will certainly report the full details to the State and Commandery. On your journey, please be extremely careful!"

"Magistrate Feng, you are a man of great integrity. I... on behalf of my ten-plus colleagues from Liyang, thank you! I will repay this great kindness in the future. Farewell!"

A look of gratitude appeared on Zhou Chengkai’s face. Without any hesitation, he turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the morning mist.

After seeing Zhou Chengkai off, Feng Zijing’s mind was a tangled mess.

He composed himself and said to the Chief Constable beside him, "Go and summon County Captain Xiong at once. Tell him there is a matter of utmost urgency to discuss."

The Chief Constable hurriedly accepted the order and left.

Not fifteen minutes later, he ran back, a look of surprise on his face. "Your Excellency, the Second Master is not at the Government Office. The gatekeeper said that before the sun was even fully up, the Second Master took a team of government constables and rushed out of the city. He said it seemed like something major had happened over at Hidden Emperor Castle."

"Hidden Emperor Castle?"

Feng Zijing’s frown deepened.

’The Celestial Sword Sect is stationed over there. What could possibly have happened?’

Suspicions sprouted in his mind, but he couldn’t make sense of anything. He could only wave his hand in frustration. "I understand. For now, take your men and clean up the scene. Collect the bodies. We’ll wait for the County Captain to return before we discuss this further."

And so he waited, all the way until Noon.

Just as Feng Zijing was pacing back and forth, burning with anxiety, County Captain Xiong finally returned.

But he was rushing, his expression even uglier than Feng Zijing’s, his forehead beaded with sweat.

"Magistrate, something catastrophic has happened!"

Before Feng Zijing could even ask, County Captain Xiong, his face grim, said directly, "Hidden Emperor Castle was breached last night! The Celestial Sword Sect—their Elders and disciples were all killed in battle. There were no survivors!"

"What?!"

Feng Zijing felt as though he’d been struck by five thunderbolts at once. He froze completely.

The teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a CRASH, shattering into pieces.

Scalding tea splashed onto his Official Boots, but he didn’t even notice. Only a single thought remained in his mind.

’The sky over Jiangkou is about to change!’