Gao Hui heard distant noises and rushed over, only to find scattered ashes upon arrival.

“Hiss—”

He sucked in a sharp breath. During their earlier conversation, Yang Lingrui had described Zhao Qi as steady and cautious. Now he understood exactly what that meant.

“Greetings, Mayor Gao.”

Gao Hui waved dismissively. “Skip formalities. Are you injured?”

“I’m unharmed,” Zhao Qi answered, gesturing at the ashes. “But I feared tricks from this person, so I acted first without searching him.”

Gao Hui examined the scene and retrieved the damaged storage bag from the Solitary Moon Mountain cultivator’s remains. The bag had been compromised by fire talisman burns and Golden Light Technique strikes, temporarily sealing its contents. Fortunately, the damage appeared repairable.

Yang Lingrui arrived moments later, immediately grasping the situation.

“You’ve worked hard, Junior Brother Zhao.”

“You overpraise me, Senior Brother. I merely delivered messages and used a single talisman.”

Gao Hui chuckled. “Modesty doesn’t suit you, Zhao Qi. Each action proved essential.”

“Slaying two seventh-level practitioners?” Yang Lingrui added teasingly. “No one in family matters could match this feat.”

They agreed Gao Hui would have dynasty craftsmen repair the main storage bag, while the Yang Family received those from the three slain disciples. Before departing, Gao Hui warned Yang Family members to avoid unnecessary travel until dynasty representatives arrived.

The mayor then altered the three disciples’ corpses to mimic deaths by Blazing Sun technique. This ensured any future inquiries would blame the dynasty: three rogue disciples causing chaos in Baishi Town, slain righteously by its mayor. The late-stage Gathering Qi cultivator’s fate would be explained by dynasty officials.

The Yang Family recalled two miners from their posts. Protected by third-floor formations, only a Gathering Qi full-level cultivator could threaten them now.

One month later, two ninth-level Gathering Qi practitioners from Solitary Moon Mountain stormed into Baishi Town. They confronted Gao Hui with threats of mountain trial punishment – until entering the town hall.

Their accusations died unspoken when they saw He Shenglai occupying the central seat.

Gao Hui’s sixth-level cultivation and mayoral title meant little to these visitors. But He Shenglai… He Shenglai changed everything.

Although his realm was lower than the two individuals and his dynasty position remained merely a patrol officer, his lineage carried immense weight.

As the legitimate son of the He Family from Wanzhong Forest!

Regardless of cultivation or official rank, this bloodline alone could completely suppress them.

The two men swallowed their anger initially, but upon hearing Mayor Gao’s account, their faces darkened.

“Mayor Gao, how much of this tale do you believe yourself?”

“Such insolence! You dare take us for fools!”

He Shenglai lounged with crossed legs as anger colored their faces. “What? You demanded answers – here they are. Take them or leave them.”

At these words, their expressions soured further. One slammed the table, rising abruptly. “Fine! Let’s say we accept those three deaths. But explain my junior brother’s fate!”

The “junior brother” referred to the Solitary Moon Mountain cultivator slain by Zhao Qi.

“I killed him,” He Shenglai answered, casually tilting his head.

“You!” The other cultivator roared, “He Shenglai! Don’t spout lies! You only recently arrived in Baishi Town!”

With a contemptuous smirk, He Shenglai flung out an official document. The patrol order bore the dynasty’s gold seal, commanding his inspection of Wangyue’s towns and clans three months prior.

The Solitary Moon Mountain pair turned ashen. Though suspecting the document’s belated creation, the imperial seal rendered protest impossible.

“Assume you met him,” one growled through clenched teeth. “Why kill him?”

“Must I spell it out?” He Shenglai drawled. “No enmity between us. I killed him because he overstepped.” His tone hardened. “Tiger-Chasing strictly honors the dynasty-sect pact. Yet some grow too bold, forgetting their place.”

Tension crackled as the trio faced off. He Shenglai leaned forward, grinning. “Oh? Want to fight? Let’s dance!”

His right hand flashed – five jade willow leaves materialized at his fingertips. The mountain cultivators’ bluster vanished, replaced by wary fear.

Wanzhong Forest’s ancient willow spiritual treasure could grow living leaves rivaling Perfected Gathering Qi talismans in power. Five leaves meant certain death. Even He Shenglai’s steel whip contained willow branches from this Condensing Essence treasure.

“Enough!” The mountain cultivator yielded. “Return my junior brother’s remains for proper burial.”

“Gone,” He Shenglai shrugged. “Burned. Should I keep corpses for festival decorations?”

“You destroy evidence! This outrage…”

“Silence!” He Shenglai barked. “Mongrels dare yap at me? Were I not bound by office and pact, you’d be ashes too! Explanation given. Now scurry back to your mountain!”

Gao Hui stepped forward, bowing. “Esteemed guests, this matter concludes. We bid you farewell.”

A cold snort answered as one stormed out. The other warned darkly, “Lord He, the sect will hear of this.”

“Pray do,” He Shenglai chuckled. “Safe travels.”

When they departed, He Shenglai’s laughter boomed. “Did you see their purple faces, Gao Hui? Like overripe eggplants!”

He clapped in delight. “The Yang Family excelled – preparing Life-saving Methods for Yang Lingrui and spending Dynasty merits on attack talismans. Such devotion merits reward!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep