Chapter 345: Yan Canghai's Shock, Leaving the City

Seeing Lu Qing so decisively kill the other assassin, the remaining killer couldn’t help but swallow hard.

He felt a surge of relief—thankfully, he had spoken up first. Otherwise, he would have been the one dead.

At the same time, fear gripped him. This young man, so calm and young in appearance, was terrifyingly ruthless.

He had killed several Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe without so much as blinking. He was far more merciless than even they were.

No wonder he’d thrown Sheng Cheng into chaos.

“Enough. You may speak now.” Lu Qing’s voice was calm as he finished off the last assassin.

“I can only tell you one person knows this,” the killer said. “But you must promise—never reveal it was me who told you.”

“Agreed.” Lu Qing nodded.

The assassin began transmitting the information through mental whisper.

After hearing it, Lu Qing arched a brow. “Are you certain you’re not lying?”

“Something like this can be verified instantly,” the killer replied with a bitter smile. “Why would I risk deceiving someone like you, little master? But even if you know the location of the Secret Realm’s entrance, it won’t help. The array guarding it is under Xuan Kong Shan’s control. Only they can open it. Even we must wait for the agreed time and receive their permission before entering or exiting.”

“That’s none of your concern,” Lu Qing replied, his Spirit Soul Sensing still monitoring the man’s emotional fluctuations. He sensed the killer was mostly truthful. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

“Wei Family Head,” he said, “this man is in your hands.”

“Very well.” Wei Xinghe understood at once and stepped forward.

The killer’s eyes widened in panic. “You lied! You said you’d spare me!”

But Wei Xinghe gave him no chance to protest. With a flick of his hand, a blade of Sword Qi shot forth and severed the man’s head in an instant.

Lu Qing didn’t even turn back.

From the moment he extracted information from these men, he had never intended to spare them. The records showed they had already slaughtered countless people before arriving in Cang County.

These Wu Jian Lou assassins were utterly without morals—every last one of them filth.

To let even one live would have been a greater sin than killing them.

“A Qing,” Old Doctor said quietly, “what now?”

He didn’t react to Lu Qing’s actions. Though he personally disliked violence, he didn’t see anything wrong with what Lu Qing had done.

“What can I do, Master?” Lu Qing shook his head. “Xuan Kong Shan’s foundation is far beyond our reach. I asked about the Secret Realm only to prepare for the future. I never intended to confront them now.”

“Best that way,” Old Doctor said, exhaling in relief.

He’d truly feared Lu Qing might act on impulse and go hunting for Xuan Kong Shan.

“Master, is your medical tour complete?”

“Still a few villages to go,” Old Doctor replied. “I came into town because my medicine ran out. I meant to ask Wei Family Head for supplies—only I didn’t expect to run into these assassins.”

“Any findings?” Lu Qing asked.

He knew Old Doctor hadn’t just come out to heal people. More importantly, he wanted to understand how Tian Di Bian Hua had affected ordinary folk.

“There are some things,” Old Doctor said, his expression growing serious. “But I’ll tell you once I finish the last villages.”

“Good. I’ve already finished setting up the arrays in the village and cultivated the Spirit Field. Once you return, we can begin cultivating better medicinal herbs.”

“Excellent!” Old Doctor smiled.

After a brief exchange, Lu Qing turned to Wei Xinghe.

“Wei Family Head, now that Wu Jian Lou assassins have arrived in Cang County, the city is no longer safe. I suggest you and Wei Fu Ren temporarily stay at Bie Yuan. It would be safer for all of us, and we can watch out for one another.”

Wei Xinghe fell silent, thinking of the assassin who had escaped. He realized his residence was indeed no longer secure.

“Very well,” he agreed. “Thank you, Lu Xiao Langjun.”

Though Lu Qing spoke politely, Wei Xinghe knew his place. With his own cultivation level, he had no right to “watch out” for someone like Lu Qing.

It was simply Lu Qing’s way of showing concern for their safety.

He immediately ordered his household staff to dispose of the assassins’ corpses, then began packing up their belongings.

They would soon leave for Jiu Li Village with Lu Qing.

Just as the Wei Family Residence bustled with activity, the gatekeeper rushed in.

“Family Head! The City Lord is here to see you!”

“The City Lord?” Wei Xinghe blinked, instinctively turning to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing paused, then recalled the waves of panic he’d sensed upon entering the city.

He nodded. “If the City Lord has come, we might as well receive him.”

Wei Xinghe said, “Bring him in at once.”

The gatekeeper dashed out. Moments later, City Lord Yan Canghai, accompanied by several personal guards, entered through the gate, led by the gatekeeper.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, Yan Canghai’s gaze locked onto Lu Qing, sitting calmly in his seat. His heart lurched.

When did this young man arrive? I received no report.

Could that terrifying battle aura he’d sensed earlier have come from this boy?

“Ah, Lu Xiao Langjun is here. Greetings, Lu Xiao Langjun.” Yan Canghai bowed respectfully.

His guards stared in disbelief.

They couldn’t understand why the Family Head would show such deep respect to a mere youth.

“City Lord,” Lu Qing replied, nodding slightly. “You’re here because of the energy surge from earlier, I assume?”

“Indeed,” Yan Canghai said, still respectful. “I sensed a Xian Tian-level battle unfolding at Wei Family Residence. I came to investigate.”

Lu Qing smiled. “Just a few petty intruders. We’ve dealt with them. No need to worry, City Lord. You may inform the citizens—there’s no danger anymore.”

Yan Canghai… said nothing.

He didn’t believe a word.

Petty intruders? Who could possibly produce Xian Tian Jing energy? And not just one—but several at once?

Even Zhou Fu might not survive such strength.

But he also knew Lu Qing had made it clear: he didn’t want further questions.

So he bowed again. “I see. Then I’ve been mistaken.”

“Not entirely,” Wei Xinghe added politely. “We appreciate your concern, City Lord. Even knowing the danger, you still came to check. That deserves thanks.”

He knew full well what had happened. Still, he acknowledged the gesture.

“City Lord,” Lu Qing said, “we’re about to leave the city. Would you be so kind as to order the gates opened for us?”

“Leaving so late?” Yan Canghai’s heart skipped.

“Yes,” Lu Qing said. “You’ve likely guessed it—those assassins came for Wei Family. If my master and The Lady of the Wei Family remain in the city, more may come. For the safety of the people, we’d best step away for a time.”

Yan Canghai… said nothing.

He desperately wanted to ask: What did Wei Family do to attract so many Xian Tian Jing assassins?

And worse—if this keeps happening, what kind of power are they now tangled with?

But Yan Canghai restrained himself.

Some truths, once known, could never be undone.

He’d learned that lesson too well in the past.

Instead, he nodded. “It’s simple. I’ll personally escort you out.”

“Thank you, City Lord.”

The household staff moved swiftly. Within moments, two carriages were ready.

Lu Qing and his companions took one. The second carried supplies, guarded by a small squad of Yin Yue Wei.

Old Doctor remained unseen. He would continue his rounds in the remaining villages and wouldn’t return with them.

Yan Canghai and his guards arrived at the city gate.

With the City Lord present, the gatekeepers dared not refuse.

And so, Lu Qing’s party passed through the gate smoothly, heading slowly toward Jiu Li Village.

Standing at the gate, Yan Canghai watched the distant carriage vanish into the dark.

A sense of impending storm settled over him.

A mere family like Wei’s—how could they attract so many Xian Tian Jing assassins?

More troubling still: the battle had lasted less than ten breaths.

No signs of violence remained at the residence.

Had those assassins been killed… or had they fled?

If they’d been killed, then this Lu Qing’s strength was truly terrifying.

Perhaps… it was time for him to make a decision.

But Lu Qing had no idea what Yan Canghai was thinking.

On the way back, he remained vigilant, fearing the escaped assassin might ambush them.

But he was relieved to find his worries unfounded.

No trace of the final killer was found.

They reached Jiu Li Village safely.

“Father, Mother… what are you doing here?”

Wei Zian ran out from Bie Yuan, surprised to see his parents.

“Your mother missed you,” Wei Fu Ren said, trying to sound casual.

But Wei Zian wasn’t fooled.

“Really?” He frowned. “Even if you miss me, why come so late? And I just left home a few days ago.”

He didn’t believe her excuse.

And why was Lu Qing down from the carriage?

He’d seen him earlier that morning, still at Half Mountain Small Courtyard.

Wei Fu Ren fell silent.

Wei Zian’s suspicion deepened. “Mother… did something happen at home?”

Lu Qing chuckled and stepped forward.

“Zi An,” he said, “tonight, Wu Jian Lou assassins came to your family. They were after your mother and father.”

“Wu Jian Lou assassins?!” Wei Zian gasped.

He remembered the horrors of Sheng Cheng.

These weren’t ordinary killers. They were Xian Tian Jing-level monsters.

And now they’d come for his parents?

Ma Gu, standing behind, also looked stunned.

“Thankfully, Master was visiting your home. Otherwise, we might not have made it.”

“Indeed,” Wei Xinghe added. “Thanks to Chen Lao Qian Bei’s intervention, your mother and I survived. Lu Xiao Langjun feared more assassins would come, so he sent us here to Bie Yuan for safety.”

“Lu Qing,” Wei Zian asked, “did they come because of what happened in Sheng Cheng?”

“Most likely,” Lu Qing admitted. “I questioned them. They were sent by Xuan Kong Shan.”

“Those old monks!” Wei Zian spat. “They’re truly despicable—using such underhanded tactics! Don’t worry, Mother. Bie Yuan is safe. As long as Lu Qing is here, no evil will dare come near. And I’ll protect you—I won’t let them harm a single hair on your head!”

“Good,” Wei Fu Ren smiled, touched. “Then I’ll rely on you, An Er.”

With the family now safe, Lu Qing had no reason to stay.

Bie Yuan was already within his array’s protection.

Wei Xinghe and his family were secure.

He gave final instructions: avoid leaving the village unless necessary.

He also checked in with Hu Lao San and Hu Ze Zhi—asking if they were comfortable in their new home.

Then he returned to Half Mountain Small Courtyard.

As he stepped onto the mountain, he saw Wei Shanhai seated quietly in the courtyard.

“Lu Xiao Langjun,” Wei Shanhai asked immediately, “how did it go? Did Xinghe and the others get hurt?”

“They’re unharmed,” Lu Qing replied. “I brought them to the village. You can go to Bie Yuan and hear the full story from them.”

“Thank you,” Wei Shanhai said, relief in his voice.

To him, Jiu Li Village was far safer than Cang County.

Especially after witnessing Lu Qing’s array, and feeling the ever-growing presence of Qi in the village, he knew this place would one day become an unimaginable blessed land.

Wei Xinghe’s family had come here not just for safety—but for a future of smooth cultivation.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end