Chapter 318: I Kill You, No Reason Needed

When Qinglong City Lord heard Qi Jia Lao Wu’s shout, a chill ran through his heart. He tried to dodge, but it was already too late. The surrounding Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe had all turned their gazes toward him. Even Lu Qing lifted his head, his eyes fixed on the man.

"Qinglong City Lord?" Lu Qing said, studying the man.

This middle-aged man, the first to arrive at the scene and whose aura was subtly the strongest among all the Xian Tian Jing present, was someone Lu Qing couldn’t ignore. But seeing that the man had merely stood by, doing nothing, Lu Qing had chosen not to engage. He hadn’t expected this man to be the very City Lord of the world’s first and greatest gate—the Qinglong City Lord.

Feeling Lu Qing’s gaze, Qinglong City Lord froze. He knew there was no escape. With no choice, he stepped down from the roof and bowed deeply.

"I am Zhang Yi Zhi, the guardian of this city. I greet you, Lu Xiao Langjun."

The moment the words left his mouth, everyone present reacted with shock.

This statement revealed far too much.

First, the man’s attitude. As the ruler of Qinglong City, his status there was unquestionable. His strength was legendary—unrivaled within the city, with no one daring to challenge him. Even the Four Great Families treated him with utmost respect. Yet now, before this young man, he stood with humble deference.

And the way he addressed Lu Qing—clearly acknowledging his identity, even showing a flicker of genuine fear. That alone sent ripples through the crowd.

No wonder the man had remained silent and aloof since arriving. Everyone had wondered why he hadn’t intervened. Now it was clear—there was a deeper reason.

As for Qi Jia Lao Wu, he was stunned. He had shouted out Qinglong City Lord’s identity in hopes of provoking him into action. After all, a city lord allowing outsiders to slaughter his people without response would suffer a devastating blow to his authority. But he never imagined the City Lord would treat Lu Qing with such respect—his tone not just low, but tinged with fear.

A cold dread crept into Qi Jia Lao Wu’s heart. He quickly cried out, “City Lord! This man is merciless—he’s killed my second brother and elder brother! Now he dares slander us! You must stand for justice on behalf of the Qi family!”

But Qinglong City Lord didn’t even glance at him.

Instead, he kept his eyes on Lu Qing and said, “I did not expect the honor of your visit to this humble city, Master Lu. Forgive my lack of proper reception.”

“Ah,” Lu Qing feigned surprise. “So you know me?”

“Master Lu’s fame spread far and wide after your victory at Sheng Cheng,” Zhang Yi Zhi replied earnestly. “I happened to hear a rumor or two. I didn’t expect you to arrive so swiftly. My apologies for not greeting you sooner.”

Lu Qing smirked. “So it was Sheng Cheng that brought word of me.”

He paused, then said, “Well, then, I’ll spare the formalities. Just one question—City Lord, are you here to defend the Qi family?”

Qinglong City Lord flinched.

“No, no!” he quickly waved his hands. “I beg you, Master Lu, do not misunderstand! I only sensed the surge of Xian Tian Jing energy here and came to investigate. Had I known it was you, I would never have interfered. If the Qi family dared to offend you, then they only have themselves to blame. I will not interfere in the slightest.”

Seeing the City Lord so firmly distance himself from the Qi family, the onlookers were dumbfounded.

Who was this Lu Xiao Langjun, that even the notoriously firm Qinglong City Lord trembled before him?

The Sheng Cheng battle? Could it be that something earth-shattering had happened there recently?

Each of the powerful figures present mentally resolved to send scouts back to investigate what had truly occurred in Sheng Cheng.

“City Lord,” Lu Qing shook his head, “you’re mistaken. I didn’t kill Qi Jia Lao Da and the others merely because they offended me. It’s because their sins are too great—unforgivable. They deserved to die.”

Qinglong City Lord’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Could it be… the Feng Zhou Plague?”

“Precisely,” Lu Qing said. “The Qi family was behind it. Over ten thousand people perished. City Lord—do you think they deserve to live?”

Before Qinglong City Lord could speak, Qi Jia Lao Wu roared, “Liar! You claim we started the Feng Zhou Plague? Where is your proof?!”

“I know where the proof is,” came a sudden voice.

All eyes turned. The speaker was Hu Lao San.

A stunned silence fell.

No one expected someone at the Post-Natal Sinew and Bone stage to step forward in such a moment.

Qi Jia Lao Wu’s body jolted. He stared at Hu Lao San, his mind racing—but he couldn’t recall any past connection between his family and this insignificant man.

“Father?” Hu Ze Zhi gasped, stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

But Hu Lao San had no time to explain. He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and declared, “City Gate Guard Hu Lao San, reporting to the City Lord!”

Qinglong City Lord was surprised. He hadn’t expected his own subordinate to be the one to expose the Qi family.

He didn’t recognize Hu Lao San—after all, the man was just a low-ranking gate guard. But seeing him emerge from behind Lu Qing, his expression softened.

“Please, no need for formalities,” he said. “You said you know where the evidence of the Feng Zhou Plague lies? Is that true?”

“Yes, sir. I speak only the truth,” Hu Lao San replied.

“Then where is the proof?”

“It’s not with me,” Hu Lao San said. “It’s in the hands of Ji San Gongzi.”

A wave of shock swept through the crowd.

How did this connect to Ji Jia’s youngest son?

“Fei’er?” A cry rang out from the rooftop. A figure leapt down into the courtyard—Ji Jia Jia Zhu, the family head, had arrived.

His face was etched with worry. Everyone understood now. Rumors had long circulated that Ji San Gongzi had been missing for days. Hearing this news so suddenly, it was no wonder he was shaken.

“Ji Jia Jia Zhu, please rest assured,” Hu Lao San said calmly. “The third son is alive—for now.”

Hearing that his son was still alive, Ji Jia Jia Zhu exhaled in relief. Then he pressed, “Where is he?”

“I’m sorry, sir,” Hu Lao San said. “I cannot disclose his location yet. Though he’s survived, he’s injured. I must protect his whereabouts for his safety.”

Ji Jia Jia Zhu immediately understood. The moment Hu Lao San mentioned the plague evidence, he realized his son’s disappearance was tied to it. If his hiding place were revealed now, the consequences could be fatal.

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He was grateful—had Hu Lao San not been cautious, he might have just doomed his own son.

His gaze softened as he looked at the man.

“Hu Lao San,” Qinglong City Lord finally spoke, once Ji Jia Jia Zhu had calmed. “You said Ji San Gongzi holds the evidence. Is this true?”

“Yes, sir. The letter was in his own handwriting. I read it myself. It’s absolutely genuine.”

“And the letter?”

“It’s been destroyed,” Hu Lao San said. “I had just read it when Qi Jia’s fourth son and his men burst in. I had no choice but to destroy it immediately—otherwise, the third son’s location would have been exposed.”

Hearing this, Qi Jia Lao Wu, who had been nervously clutching at hope, finally relaxed—just a little.

He glanced at Qi Wen Zheng’s corpse, cursing inwardly. How could you keep such a secret from the family? Then he turned to scream again, “City Lord! You heard it! All of this is just their word! They’re lying—trying to smear us! You must defend us!”

Seeing Qi Jia Lao Wu’s desperate act, Lu Qing frowned slightly, studying him. The man’s nerves were visibly frayed.

But he knew he couldn’t back down. If the plague charge stuck, his family would be ruined.

So despite his fear, he shouted defiantly, “You little thief! What are you staring at? Don’t think your strength gives you the right to rule over all! If you dare slander my Qi family, I’ll take you to Sheng Shan! I’ll appeal to the Three Holy Lords for justice! You’ve just ignited a Xian Tian-level battle in the city—slaughtering my family’s Xian Tian cultivators! You’ve broken the Sheng Shan Jin Ling! I don’t believe even Sheng Shan can ignore this!”

At the mention of Sheng Shan, the crowd stiffened.

Though Sheng Shan rarely intervened, the rule against Xian Tian-level battles within a city was absolute. Violating it meant even if you fled to the ends of the earth, Sheng Shan would hunt you down.

But when Qi Jia Lao Wu finished speaking, Lu Qing didn’t react. It was Qinglong City Lord who gave a strange, almost amused look.

Qi Jia Lao Wu, lost in his fury, didn’t notice.

“Cowards always cry first,” Lu Qing sighed, finally done with the man.

With a flick of his mind, a blade of sword qi formed, slicing through the air toward Qi Jia Lao Wu.

Qi Jia Lao Wu’s eyes widened in horror. He hadn’t expected this.

He tried to dodge, but already weakened by wounds, he couldn’t move fast enough.

The sword qi split him cleanly in two.

“Who gave you the illusion that I’d hesitate because of Sheng Shan?” Lu Qing said coldly, brushing the dust from his sleeve.

“What?!” The crowd gasped.

No one had expected Lu Qing to kill him—right there, in front of everyone, after Qi Jia Lao Wu invoked Sheng Shan.

This was clear defiance. Utter disregard for Sheng Shan.

Only Qinglong City Lord remained calm, though his heart pounded. He didn’t seem surprised.

“City Lord,” Lu Qing said, “since Ji San Gongzi holds the evidence, I’ll say no more. If you still have doubts, you’re welcome to investigate on your own. I’ll be leaving now.”

After killing Qi Jia Lao Wu, Lu Qing showed no emotion. It was as if he’d just crushed an insect.

He had no desire to stay.

“Master Lu jokes,” Qinglong City Lord said, his tone steady. “That man’s fear was obvious. Even if the Qi family wasn’t the mastermind behind the Feng Zhou Plague, they’re certainly involved. I will see this matter through to the end. No way will they escape justice.”

The crowd’s eyes twitched.

So the City Lord is already condemning the Qi family?

Who was this young man, that even the usually fair-minded Qinglong City Lord would abandon principle to appease him?

“Then I’ll take my leave,” Lu Qing said, turning away. He glanced at Hu Ze Zhi. “Hu Gu Niang, Uncle Hu. It seems you two can’t stay in Qinglong City. Why not come with us outside the city for now?”

“Alright,” Hu Ze Zhi answered without hesitation.

Hu Lao San hesitated, then nodded. This time, they had made enemies of the Qi family. He didn’t know what would happen next—but he and his daughter could no longer remain. Not if they wanted to live.

“Father, let’s pack our things!” Hu Ze Zhi said, already moving. She had changed after her journey through Zhong Zhou.

Ignoring the stunned crowd, she helped her father into the house to gather their belongings.

Soon, they emerged with two bundles of precious items.

“Master Lu, we’re ready.”

“Good,” Lu Qing nodded, turning toward the gate. “Let’s go.”

“Ji Jia Jia Zhu,” Hu Lao San handed over a small paper. “The third son’s location is written here. He’s injured. You must hurry. If you’re too late, I fear he may not survive.”

Ji Jia Jia Zhu took the note, then, with Hu Ze Zhi’s help, turned to look back at the small courtyard he’d lived in for decades—before stepping out.

As Lu Qing and his companions walked away, utterly unbothered, the surrounding Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe exchanged uneasy glances.

But no one dared speak.

Even the City Lord stood still. How could they possibly act?

Only when they sensed Lu Qing’s presence fading into the distance did one finally land beside Qinglong City Lord.

“City Lord… are you really letting them go?”

“Do you want to stop them?” Qinglong City Lord snapped, his eyes flashing.

“City Lord… who is this man? Why are you so afraid? He sparked a Xian Tian battle in the city and just walked away. We did nothing. If Sheng Shan finds out—”

“Don’t worry,” Qinglong City Lord interrupted, his voice low and strange. “Sheng Shan won’t punish us.”

“Why not?”

“Because this man… is now someone even Sheng Shan dares not provoke.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end