Chapter 216: Deadlock

Jingzhou City.

A colossal Ancient Ship floated in midair. Its hull was crafted from some unknown material, covered in countless profound and intricate patterns that glowed faintly, drawing the gazes of innumerable people below, who stared up in constant amazement.

Such a feat was a rare sight, even for the many Martial Artists of Jingzhou City.

Moreover, the Ancient Ship was magnificent and imposing. A banner fluttered high in the sky, emblazoned with a large character: “Wei.” It was clearly a vessel of immense importance!

“Quick, look! Isn’t that Lu Bai standing at the bow?”

“It is him! Lu Bai caused a monstrous disaster. How dare he come back?”

“You’re clueless, aren’t you? Someone from the Capital City has obviously arrived!”

The people of the city buzzed with discussion as they watched the scene unfold.

Willow Shade Courtyard.

Chu Huai’an announced himself again as he entered. He bowed deeply and said in a low voice, “The Duke of Wei has arrived. It’s said that Wu Lan, Liang Yifan, and Yu Weifeng have already been taken aboard the ship by the Duke, prepared for transport back to the Capital City!”

Yun Luo was rather unfazed by the Ancient Ship.

She had seen plenty of Flying Magical Treasures like this one.

Shi Kai stared at the massive Ancient Ship, his eyes filled with shock. But he quickly came to his senses and asked, “How is my benefactor? Is he alright?”

He was still in the Root Bone Stage and had limited vision, so he couldn’t make out the people on the ship.

Chu Huai’an replied, “He’s fine for now. It seems he’ll be going to the Capital City as well. This case has already attracted the attention of King Wu. As for the final outcome, it’s hard to say.”

After a pause, Chu Huai’an sighed with emotion. “This Lu Bai truly lives up to his name, the ‘Black Hand Yama.’ Not only did he kill that Wu Ziyan and wipe out the Fujiao Gang, but I hear he also slew True Master Dan Ding.”

Shi Kai pressed his lips together.

Though he was young, he knew clearly in that moment that Lu Bai was avenging his father.

His father had been wrong about True Master Dan Ding, but in the end, he hadn’t been wrong about Lu Bai.

Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion.

In a secret training chamber in the rear courtyard, a gray-haired old man seemed to sense something. He suddenly opened his eyes, his expression grave, and rose from his bed.

“Guards!”

The old man called out as he left the secret chamber.

A few guards quickly ran over, their faces filled with panic and unease.

“What happened?”

the old man asked in a deep voice.

The guards, stumbling over each other’s words, described everything that had happened that night.

“Ziyan…”

The old man closed his eyes, his face terrifyingly dark as he muttered to himself.

‘My grandson, the grandson of Marquis Jingzhong, was killed by a mere Evil Exterminator Guard!’

‘And that Evil Exterminator Guard is still alive.’

Marquis Jingzhong gazed at the Ancient Ship in midair, his heart boiling with killing intent, yet he felt a profound sense of powerlessness.

‘If it were anyone else, even if they had brought an army of thousands, I could have used my Nascent Soul Realm Cultivation to cut my way through them and slaughter that Lu Bai first!’

But the one who had come was Duke Wei.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard.

His status and position were both above the Marquis’s.

Moreover, Duke Wei’s personal arrival meant he had the approval of His Highness.

What Marquis Jingzhong had to consider now was not how to kill Lu Bai, but the fate of the Marquis’s Mansion and the survival of his family!

‘Wu Lan, Liang Yifan, Yu Weifeng, you pack of useless fools!’

Marquis Jingzhong cursed inwardly.

‘If I weren’t so old, with so little of my lifespan left, forcing me into seclusion year-round to recuperate…’

‘If I had been in charge of the family, how could such a disaster have happened!’

Just as Marquis Jingzhong’s expression flickered with uncertainty, a figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

The newcomer was thin, with a pale golden complexion and exceptionally bright eyes, which were fixed intently on him.

“Duke Wei.”

Marquis Jingzhong’s heart tensed. He offered a slight bow of his hands in greeting.

“Come with me to the Capital.”

Li Qingtian’s tone was calm, yet it permitted no argument.

“Since Duke Wei has come in person, this old man naturally wouldn’t dare to disobey.”

Marquis Jingzhong said grimly, “However, my own grandson was murdered by a villain—beheaded. According to the laws of our dynasty, a life for a life! I ask that Duke Wei do me a favor and hand this man over to me for disposal.”

Li Qingtian said, “This person is a key witness in this case. How he is to be dealt with is not up to you.”

“Duke Wei, regardless of the full story behind this case, or whether there are other hidden details, even if…”

Marquis Jingzhong tried to argue further, but Li Qingtian cut him off. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it in the Capital.”

Marquis Jingzhong was silent for a long moment before finally nodding.

‘As long as Lu Bai is still in the Wu Dynasty, dealing with him will be all too easy.’

‘There’s no rush.’

—————–

Li Mansion.

With such a major incident tonight, no one in Li Qian’s family had slept.

They had just heard from the servants that True Master Dan Ding had been killed by Lu Bai!

‘That kid… he’s truly a Living Yama. How many people has he sent to their graves tonight?’

Li Qian was secretly astounded.

When Li Yue’er heard of True Master Dan Ding’s death, her feelings were complicated.

Ultimately, her master Xue Chen’s death had nothing to do with True Master Dan Ding.

True Master Dan Ding’s submission to Marquis Jingzhong was perhaps just a choice he made after weighing the pros and cons.

Li Yue’er felt dissatisfied and resentful, but she couldn’t say she felt hatred.

“True Master Dan Ding’s most favored disciple was killed, yet he accepted benefits and chose to compromise. But Lu Bai, for the sake of a single Shi Tianlei, turned Jingzhou City upside down with slaughter…”

Li Qian shook his head slightly, sighing endlessly.

He didn’t possess Lu Bai’s kind of audacity.

But if he had to choose, he would definitely want to befriend someone like Lu Bai.

‘Speaking of which, perhaps the greatest gain from Yue’er’s time cultivating at Danding Temple was getting to know this Lu Bai.’

At that moment, Li Qian’s expression changed. He looked up and saw a colossal Ancient Ship approaching from the vast darkness of the distant night.

After watching for a moment, Li Qian’s heart tightened. He said in a low voice, “Duke Wei is here!”

“The Duke of Wei?”

Li Yue’er asked.

Li Qian nodded and mused, “Seeing this display, His Highness probably knew about the situation in Jingzhou City long ago. He specifically sent Duke Wei over. Marquis Jingzhong is finished.”

Li Yue’er’s eyes lit up. “Then Young Master Lu will be alright, won’t he?”

“It’s hard to say.”

Li Qian shook his head slightly. “Too many people died tonight.”

Li Yue’er said, “But all those people deserved to die! Young Master Lu exposed this case, so that should be a meritorious deed, right?”

“It’s not that simple.”

Li Qian shook his head. “Lu Bai’s actions were equivalent to bypassing the laws of the Wu Dynasty to carry out private executions. If he’d only killed one or two people, it might have been overlooked, but we’re talking about hundreds of lives.”

There were some things he left unsaid.

Even if Marquis Jingzhong and his faction were punished, it would be impossible for Lu Bai to escape unscathed.

There had to be an accounting for so many lives lost.

If people like Lu Bai could ignore the laws of the Wu Dynasty, go on killing sprees without punishment, the dynasty would have long since descended into chaos.

Whether Lu Bai’s life could be saved depended entirely on a single thought from His Highness.

To take it a step further, even if Lu Bai managed to keep his life, his future would likely be very difficult.

The Marquis Jingzhong had operated within the Wu Dynasty for hundreds of years. His network and influence at court were far beyond what a single Evil Exterminator Guard like Lu Bai could compare to.

The commotion Lu Bai had caused tonight was too great. He had unknowingly offended countless factions!

The court’s politics were as deep as the sea, with all the major powers intricately intertwined.

If these people wanted to retaliate against an Evil Exterminator Guard to avenge Marquis Jingzhong, they had far too many methods at their disposal.

Li Qian thought it over and over.

‘As long as Lu Bai remains in the Wu Dynasty from now on, it’s a dead end.’

‘Not even the gods could save him.’