Ten Thousand Sword Masters

After several rounds of drinks, Yang Changping bid farewell to Tang Guanshan, left the White Tiger Gang, and returned to Cangxi Pavilion.

Soon after, Zhu Yiwen and Du Zhong returned, reporting that they had not found any signs of the Green Fang Gang or the Flying Dragon Gang making a move or any strange collusion.

Just as Yang Changping was about to launch into an analysis, Cao Jin, the mayor of Cangxi Town, dressed in a white robe, hurried over.

"Master Cao?"

Upon seeing Cao Jin, Yang Changping stood up in surprise and hurriedly invited Cao Jin to sit down.

"Master Yang, I've come to tell you something. The steward of Old Master Chen's residence was found murdered on his way to the clinic, beheaded with a single blow. It's said that Old Master Chen fainted from anger after learning of his grandson's beheading. The steward was on his way to fetch a physician, but he was beheaded on the way," Cao Jin said angrily.

Those present were shocked to hear this, not expecting the murderer to be so brazen.

"It seems the killer isn't just targeting Chen Tao, but possibly the entire Chen family," Yang Changping said.

"If the killer was targeting the Chen family, how did he know the whereabouts of the Chen family's steward so quickly?"

At this moment, Zhang Jianyun spoke with a puzzled expression, and the crowd fell silent.

"You mean the murderer might be someone from the Chen family?" Cao Jin asked Zhang Jianyun.

"This is a good starting point. We can start by investigating within the Chen family compound and see if there have been any major conflicts within the Chen family recently," Zhang Jianyun said.

Cao Jin nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Yang Changping and asked, "How about you come with me to the Chen residence, Pavilion Master?"

"Okay, Zhang Jianyun will come with us too," Yang Changping said, calling out.

Afterwards, Cao Jin, Yang Changping, and Zhang Jianyun went to the Chen residence.

At this moment, the Chen residence was brightly lit, yet filled with the sound of weeping.

"Lord Cao, Pavilion Master Yang, and this young man, please have a seat."

Chen Zhengsheng's eldest son, Chen Jun, invited Zhang Jianyun and the others to take their seats.

"We've come here to find out if there's been any internal conflict within the Chen family recently," Cao Jin said slowly.

Chen Jun was taken aback upon hearing this, and then said, "There is harmony throughout the Chen family, and there are no conflicts among us."

"Master Chen, if there are no conflicts within your Chen family, then why was your steward killed on the way to fetch a physician? Who leaked his whereabouts? Or was the murderer lurking outside your Chen family, killing everyone who leaves? Or did the murderer know the steward's identity and intentionally kill him?" Zhang Jianyun said unhurriedly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jun's expression changed several times before he sighed, "I have an illegitimate son who was originally supposed to participate in the selection of the Nine Star Guards with Chen Tao, but my father confined him to his quarters and forbade him from participating in the selection. This is the latest conflict that has occurred in my Chen family."

Chen Jun then changed the subject: "However, my illegitimate son has been honest and kind since childhood, and he is just an ordinary martial artist. It is impossible for him to have the skill of beheading someone with a single strike."

"Call him here so I can ask him some questions," Yang Changping said.

Chen Jun remained silent for a while, then got up and walked out of the living room, calling someone to call his illegitimate son over.

A short while later, a young man dressed in purple walked in.

"Father, what do you want with me?" The young man was Chen Feng, Chen Jun's illegitimate son.

"The Nine Star Guardian has something to ask you," Chen Jun said.

"Oh, which one of you is a member of the Nine Star Guard?" Chen Feng asked, looking around at the crowd.

Yang Changping glanced at Chen Feng, then asked, "Where were you when your brother died?"

"I'm reading at home," Chen Feng blurted out.

"What books are you reading?" Yang Changping asked.

"Zhou Zi explains," Chen Feng replied.

"What witnesses are there?" Yang Changping continued to ask, while giving Zhang Jianyun a look.

Chen Feng was somewhat displeased upon hearing this, "What kind of witness do I need to read a book at home?"

Just then, Zhang Jianyun suddenly drew his sword and slashed at Chen Feng.

In an instant, Chen Feng swiftly dodged, a dark line flashing across his face.

"You brat, how dare you collude with the supernatural!" Seeing the black line flash across Chen Feng's face, Yang Changping was furious and immediately took action.

Those who merge with the supernatural can maintain a human form for a period of time before completely transforming into the supernatural. During this time, when they use the power of the supernatural, black lines will appear around their bodies.

"If you won't let me be human, then I'll just have to be weird, hahaha."

Once exposed, Chen Feng burst into wild laughter and began fighting with Yang Changping.

Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Jun collapsed to the ground in despair, crying out, "Xiao Feng, why did you do this? Why did you choose this path?"

"Why? Why can Chen Tao participate in the selection of the Nine Star Guards, but I can't? You've blocked my path, so I'll destroy you!" Chen Feng roared.

call out!

Just as Chen Feng went berserk, Zhang Jianyun leaped forward and slashed with his sword.

"You have received 30/380 hostility points from Chen Feng."

"You have received 50/430 hostility points from Chen Feng."

At the same time, he also received a notification from the system.

call out!

Chen Feng drew a slender willow sword from his waist and began to fight Yang Changping and Zhang Jianyun.

Bang bang bang!

While Yang Changping launched a fierce attack, Zhang Jianyun also attacked from the side, leaving Chen Feng no way to retreat.

"Die, all of you, die!"

Chen Feng roared, the black lines on his face increasing, and his expression becoming extremely ferocious.

boom!

Just then, taking advantage of Chen Feng's inattention, Cao Jin suddenly threw a punch, striking Chen Feng in the abdomen and sending him flying. Yang Changping then seized the opportunity to capture him.

"Lord Cao, this man has colluded with strange people to commit murder. Let my Nine Star Guard handle him," Yang Changping said to Cao Jin.

Cao Jin nodded. "That would be ideal, of course. However, my office is short one constable. I wonder if Pavilion Master Yang would be willing to spare one?"

After Cao Jin finished speaking, he smiled and looked at Zhang Jianyun.

Yang Changping understood and said, "That depends on his own decision."

Upon hearing Cao Jin's offer to let him become a patrolman, Zhang Jianyun hurriedly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Cao, but I am a soldier formally recruited by Cangxi Pavilion and have only just started my job. I really have no reason to leave."

Upon hearing Zhang Jianyun's reply, Yang Changping burst into laughter: "Lord Cao, this is not me forcing anyone to stay."

"Never mind, never mind," Cao Jin said with a smile, waving his hand.

Just as the group was chatting and laughing, Chen Feng suddenly bit his tongue and committed suicide.

"He actually managed to bite his tongue and commit suicide. It seems he hasn't been fused with the monster for long," Yang Changping said helplessly.

"Lord Yang, since Feng'er is dead, leave his body to me." At this moment, Chen Jun said with tears in his eyes. He was on the verge of collapse after losing two sons in one day.

Seeing Chen Jun on the verge of collapse, Yang Changping thought for a moment and, after confirming that Chen Feng showed no signs of life, decided to leave Chen Feng's body at the Chen residence.

It was late at night when Zhang Jianyun got home, but he was not sleepy. He had experienced so much on his first day at work, which made him feel the urgency to cultivate.

He took out the secret manual, the Zhou Tian Xin Fa (Heavenly Circulation Mind Method), and began to study it carefully.

After studying hard all night, I only took a short nap just before dawn. Then I washed up, had a simple breakfast, and headed to Cangxi Pavilion.