Chapter 60: Threat

At dawn of the following day.

A black alchemical flying vessel, over thirty meters in length, ascended into the sky, soaring into the clouds before speeding off toward Yishui City.

On board the vessel, aside from the two servants who piloted it, there were five others, including Xiang Pangyun.

Xiang Pangyun sat casually on the deck, gazing at the misty clouds around him. He could even see the vast land below through the fog.

“Dongbo Xueying, twenty-two years old?” A strange smirk curled at the corner of Xiang Pangyun’s lips. “If he’s a Named-level warrior, a young Named-level at that, he’d be a rare and delightful toy indeed.”

…

At Xueying Domain.

Atop Xueshi Mountain, near the cliff outside the castle, a young man dressed in black robes and with black hair stood alone, gazing down at the land below. His presence exuded a faint pressure that even ordinary soldiers could feel. Dongbo Xueying usually restrained his aura, but today, in his poor mood, his natural aura radiated slightly, enough to make ordinary people feel oppressed.

Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!

Hooves thundered as three knights galloped up the mountain path.

“They’ve arrived,” Dongbo Xueying turned his gaze toward them.

The three knights spotted their lord waiting outside the castle gates. The leading knight dismounted swiftly, handed his horse to a companion, and hurried toward Dongbo Xueying.

“My lord,” the knight bowed respectfully.

“Has Master Si An from the Pavilion sent word?” Dongbo Xueying asked.

“Master Si An has reported that there is no news of any sudden deaths among the noble youths in Yishui City. He has already submitted the matter to Longshan Pavilion in Qinghe Prefecture. Results should arrive within three days,” the knight replied respectfully.

Dongbo Xueying frowned.

Just as he had feared. Si An was only responsible for Yishui City. He had sent messengers in the dead of night to request an urgent investigation, and his subordinates had waited there for news. Yet the result was… Si An had found nothing and had to escalate the matter.

“Three days,” Dongbo Xueying mused inwardly. “I hope nothing goes wrong. Hmph, no matter who it is, they won’t harm Qing Shi.”

He had always taken care of his younger brother, from infancy to adulthood. Their bond had long since become a part of his very being. For his brother, he had without hesitation entered the Destroying Mountains.

In the past, he hadn’t understood why some people would risk their lives for others, why they would disregard their own safety. But as he raised his younger brother, watching him trail behind, calling out “Brother! Brother!” and seeing him as a child cling to his legs, begging, “Carry me, Brother!” and watching him obediently bow his head to accept scoldings…

He had come to understand. When emotions run deep enough, they transcend life and death itself.

That was how he felt for his younger brother.

“Lord Dongbo,” the knight respectfully retrieved a scroll from his chest. “This is from Master Si An for you.”

Dongbo Xueying took the scroll and strode into the castle.

The guards at the gate all saluted respectfully.

“Announce my order: Qing Shi is forbidden from leaving the castle for the next three days!” Dongbo Xueying commanded.

“At once, my lord.”

All the soldiers responded with reverence.

As for whether his younger brother would be allowed out after three days, that would depend on whether this trouble had been resolved.

…

Walking through the castle, Dongbo Xueying flipped through the scroll.

“Hmm?” He furrowed his brows. “This is about Qing Shi’s little girlfriend, Ji Rong?”

Previously, he had asked the Longshan Pavilion to investigate every detail about Ji Rong. This time, although the identity of the noble youth hadn’t been uncovered, Master Si An had sent over Ji Rong’s intelligence first.

“Oh…”

Dongbo Xueying read on.

Ji Rong’s father, Ji Wu Hai, had struggled for his family in his youth, building a prosperous business over twenty years. He married and had a daughter—Ji Rong. Ji Rong had lived a comfortable life in her early years. However, later, her uncle, who controlled the family, turned against them and expelled Ji Wu Hai’s family.

Ji Wu Hai and his wife were forced to live with Ji Rong’s maternal family—the Yan Clan—where they were looked down upon and discriminated against. Ji Rong’s childhood had been pitiful and tragic, and her father had turned to drinking to drown his sorrows.

When Ji Rong was nine years old, her father, Ji Wu Hai, awoke and set out to rebuild his fortune. Within a year, he became immensely wealthy. Returning to Yishui City, their family began to rise again, while the Yan Clan and the Ji family, previously controlled by his uncle, quickly declined.

“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying continued reading.

The scroll was extremely detailed, describing many events.

“Upon thorough investigation.”

“Based on circumstantial evidence, Ji Wu Hai is suspected of being a follower of a dark god. His wife and daughter may also be dark god followers.”

“Firm evidence is still under verification.”

Upon reading this line, Dongbo Xueying’s pupils constricted.

A dark god follower?

The Longshan Pavilion had always been relentless in tracking down dark gods and demons. If this were confirmed, they would act immediately. In fact, prior to this, the Longshan Pavilion had found no issues with Ji Wu Hai. It was only because Dongbo Xueying had requested an investigation into his younger brother’s girlfriend that the Pavilion had launched the highest-level inquiry into Ji Wu Hai’s family.

This meticulous and comprehensive investigation, from all angles, had quickly uncovered some “issues.”

However, for now, it was only suspicion, with no conclusive evidence.

“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying examined the scroll carefully.

There were many recorded facts following this, all of which were the basis for the Longshan Pavilion’s deductions.

“Even if they aren’t dark god followers, Ji Wu Hai is still a hypocrite and a vicious man,” Dongbo Xueying thought, astonished. Ji Wu Hai had suffered at the hands of his older brother and had been cast out, and even his wife’s family had looked down on him. Yet his revenge had been ruthless and subtle. Even the Longshan Pavilion had previously found no trace of it, only discovering it now after a detailed investigation.

“A beggar child was beaten to death by Ji Rong’s servants simply for bumping into her?”

Some of the information uncovered.

It proved that not only was Ji Wu Hai a hypocrite and cruel, but his wife and daughter were as well, only better at hiding it. Yet the Longshan Pavilion had even uncovered the death of a beggar child.

“No.”

“This woman can’t stay with Qing Shi any longer,” Dongbo Xueying decided immediately.

A woman with deep cunning, skilled at deception, and inherently cruel—his younger brother, by comparison, was too naive and innocent. He might even thank her while being toyed with and destroyed.

…

In the afternoon.

Dongbo Xueying sat atop the main tower of the castle, his mind completely merged with the heavens and earth, feeling the profound mysteries of nature.

“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying suddenly opened his eyes, gazing toward the outer castle gate.

“Ji Rong?”

“Let her in quickly.”

The castle guards did not block her. Ji Rong entered the castle.

Smiling sweetly, Ji Rong stepped into the castle. Inwardly, however, she was puzzled. Normally, Dongbo Qing Shi would have come to see her by now. Why hadn’t he come today? Was it because of the recent conflict with the noble youth? Ji Rong decided to come and visit, to let Qing Shi feel her care.

“Ji Rong,” Dongbo Xueying, clad in black, stood in a corridor.

Ji Rong was startled, then quickly replied, “Brother Xueying.”

“Do you remember the little beggar who was brutally killed six years ago?” Dongbo Xueying asked coldly.

A chill ran through Ji Rong’s heart.

How did he know? Almost no one knew about that.

“Brother Xueying,” Ji Rong looked up at Dongbo Xueying, but the moment she met his cold, sharp gaze, she felt a surge of panic.

The mental power of a Heaven-Synchronizing expert was immense. Being stared at felt like an ant being watched by a dragon.

It was a primal, instinctive fear.

Ji Rong couldn’t help but feel even more frightened.

“I don’t care about your affairs, but you’d better leave my brother’s side quietly,” Dongbo Xueying said. “I’m giving you three days to make it happen. I believe you have the means to end your relationship with my brother in a perfect and seamless way.”

“Obey me willingly. If you dare defy me, my actions will be far more terrifying than you can imagine,” Dongbo Xueying said coldly.

Under the pressure of his spiritual force.

Under Dongbo Xueying’s threat, and the revelation of her hidden past, Ji Rong felt panic and fear.

If Qing Shi was a naive little boy, then his older brother was absolutely terrifying. Clearly, refusal would mean death! One must remember that this spear-wielding madman had annihilated the entire Cutlass Alliance when he was only fifteen, a year younger than Qing Shi.