Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 78 The Wu Family? The Wu Family! (810 chapters released after the initial release)

"Boom!"

The fine jade bracelet was smashed to the ground, shattering into countless fragments that cut Xu Qiqiu's forehead.

Spots of crimson rolled down, blurring his vision.

But he didn't dare to breathe loudly, and obediently knelt on the ground, not moving at all.

Standing beside him, Master Zheng stood with his hands clasped, his head bowed and eyes lowered, showing no trace of his former arrogance.

After a long while, a dry voice rang in their ears:

"You mean... that young man named Liu Sheng might have discovered you?"

Behind the beaded curtain, smoke billowed from the bronze incense burner, its swirling vapors obscuring a large, obscuring figure.

Xu Qiqiu shivered, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes, and whispered:
“I dare not deceive Master Wu. I only have suspicions, and I have no concrete evidence.”

That kid secretly kept birds as his eyes and ears, and he spied on me and Master Zheng twice, his senses were exceptionally sharp.

To avoid being exposed, Master Zheng and I retreated first.

This statement was ambiguous and lacked concrete evidence, but Xu Qiqiu knew that for a behemoth like the Wu family, there was no need for evidence to carry out their actions.

All you need to do is have doubts.

Especially since it involves the White Lotus Sect, once exposed, given the Wu family's current status, they will likely not have a good ending.

Therefore, he was certain that the Wu family would take action against Liu Sheng in order to eliminate any future troubles.

As for the result, need I say more?

To be honest, until this moment, he still didn't know just how strong the Wu family's hidden strength was.

The brothers had a long-standing relationship with the Wu family, but they never expected that the Wu family would secretly collude with the White Lotus Sect.

During the riot that night, they were surrounded by government officials and were on the verge of being wiped out when suddenly a master appeared, rescued them, and took them to the Wu residence.

It was only then that they learned that the Wu family's relationship with the White Lotus Sect was extraordinary.

Even Zheng Xiangzhu was completely bewildered at the time. Later, after verifying it through some unknown method, he finally believed it and temporarily kept him at Wu's residence for service.

Unexpectedly, the next day they received news of the deaths of the Xu brothers, Qichun and Qixia.

Moreover, Xu Qidong, his nominal fourth brother but actually Master Wu's illegitimate son, has also disappeared.

Then, they were instructed to go find Xu Qidong.

Ironically, Mr. Wu had been a womanizer throughout his life, especially fond of defiled other men's wives and daughters. Yet, in the end, all ten or so of his sons either died young or died in various accidents after reaching adulthood.

Only his third son, Wu Changqing, was exceptionally talented and on whom he placed great hopes, but he died in Black Wind Mountain more than half a month ago, leaving only his head behind.

The only bloodline now is Xu Qidong, who was born more than 20 years ago after being raped by Xu's mother.

If Xu Qidong were to pass away, Master Wu would likely be without an heir.

That's why he, who had almost ignored Xu Qidong's disappearance for the past twenty years, is so concerned about it.

In the past two days, Xu Qiqiu and Zheng Xiangzhu searched through several places that Xu Qidong frequented, but found nothing.

Later, Xu Qiqiu had a brilliant idea and rented the courtyard diagonally opposite the Xu residence to monitor the government's actions.

If we can get some useful clues, we can follow the trail and find Xu Qidong.

After catching a glimpse of Liu Sheng during the day, especially after discovering that the boy had become a demon-hunting warrior, his heart was immediately consumed by jealousy and resentment.

Why is it that I've gone into hiding and become a lonely figure, while you're riding high?
Moreover, the downfall of the Xu family is also inextricably linked to this kid.

The Xu family was originally thriving, but after the fourth son made a grudge against this person, things took a sharp turn for the worse, and everything went wrong.

In particular, after discussing it, the three brothers unanimously suspected that the strange titmouse was inextricably linked to Liu Sheng and Old He.

As for evidence, suspicion is the best evidence.

Fueled by both old and new grudges, he hatched a cunning plan to use the Wu family's power to crush Liu Sheng and Old He.

So he falsely claimed that he "might be discovered" and immediately moved back to the Wu residence to report.

"understood."

Behind the beaded curtain, Master Wu hummed casually, followed by the sound of snoring.

Xu Qiqiu and Zheng Xiangzhu immediately left, knowing their place.

As soon as I stepped outside, the cacophony of opera singing filled the air overhead. The pipa played softly, the gongs and drums resounded, and the music was incredibly lively.

They were actually two white lanterns on the eaves...

They're performing opera!
The two felt a chill run down their spines, exchanged a glance, and quickly left.
-
Yongningfang, diagonally opposite the Xu family mansion, is a detached courtyard house.

"no one?"

A black spider the size of a fist lay on the courtyard wall, tapping its chelicerae and making a soft muttering sound.

It was none other than Liu Sheng in disguise!
Having learned from his previous experience of being discovered by Xu Laosan, this time he first transformed into a bird, flew outside the wall, and then transformed into a black spider to sneak in.

However, the place was already deserted.

In broad daylight, someone is still hiding behind the door!
"Change!"

He transformed back into his original form and looked around the house, the yard, and the surrounding area, discovering many traces of daily life.

The "spying" he sensed during the day was indeed real.

But why did the people in this courtyard suddenly leave?

Was it part of the original plan, or did they know they had "alarmed" them and therefore immediately evacuated?
If it's the former, that's fine; if it's the latter...

That's clearly aimed at me!

After arriving at the gate, Liu Sheng tried to peek through the crack in the door and was able to see the entire entrance of the Xu family mansion clearly.

By standing guard behind the door, one can clearly see everyone who has entered and exited the Xu residence if one is attentive.

A thought struck him, and his eyes immediately narrowed:

"So this group of people is related to the Xu family?"

Now, apart from Xu Qiqiu, whose whereabouts are unknown, everyone else in the Xu family is dead.

Those dismissed servants didn't have the guts.

So, is it someone from the Wu family in the inner city, or...?

Xu Qiqiu?
Before he disappeared, Xu Laosan was with Zheng Xiangzhu and the others—

White Lotus Sect!
Liu Sheng frowned.

That night, during the riot, the newly arrived Magistrate Cai, together with General Xie Bao, orchestrated a scheme that severely damaged the White Lotus Sect forces in the city.

Unfortunately, some core members eventually left.

This included Zheng Xiangzhu and others, as well as Xu Laosan.

The government blocked key roads and dispatched hunting dogs, but still couldn't find their whereabouts. It's possible that they didn't leave at all, but are hiding in the city, playing a trick of "blind spots."

However, once they've shown their true colors, things will be much easier.

We have a treasure-hunting snake, even more powerful than a ground hound!
Less than half an hour later.

He made a special trip home, bringing Liu Sheng, whom Xiao Huang had brought, along to wander through the streets and alleys, enter the inner city, and finally stop in front of a magnificent mansion.

Lanterns hung high at the entrance, illuminating the gilded plaque bearing the house's nameplate with a dazzling light.

"The Wu residence..."

Liu Sheng stood in the shadows, silently reciting the two characters on the plaque, his gaze becoming profound.

This house occupies almost the entire northwest corner, with its courtyard walls directly connected to the inner city wall. Its flying eaves and brackets create a magnificent and imposing presence.

It was nearly midnight, yet the sounds of string and wind instruments still drifted from the mansion, interspersed with the sounds of pipa, gongs, and drums, mixed with the noise of opera singing, creating a cacophony that shattered the tranquility of the night.

"hiss~"

Little Yellow stood up, flicked its red tongue, and made a pouncing motion.

It sensed a strong threat from within.

Liu Sheng gazed intently at the massive mansion before him, reached out and patted its forehead, then turned and vanished into the darkness.
"Let's go back."

No wonder that even with the combined efforts of the county government and the Demon Suppression Bureau, that group of White Lotus Sect demons were able to escape so easily!

So it turns out they've gotten involved with the Wu family!

It's unclear whether this was a private act by the Wu family head in Shanyang County, or...

What does the Prince of Jin's Mansion mean?
(End of this chapter)