"Since everyone's here, I've invited all of you here to talk about the disappearance of the senior members of She Lin Society," Prefectural Magistrate Li Zhenyi said gravely.
"I've already sent out experts to gather intelligence and investigate," Army Superintendent Yuan Xu said coldly. "The murderer will be brought to justice!"
"I'm just afraid the murderer isn't human," Taoist Bai Feng said slowly. He turned to Lu Sheng. "In this regard, I'd like External Head Lu to explain the troublesome aspects. Crimson Whale Sect is the leader of the Northern Lands. She Lin Society must have some clues as to why.
"So what if he's human? So what if he's not human? "Lu Sheng said blandly.
"If he's human, he'll be under my jurisdiction. If not, he'll be under the Intelligence Bureau's jurisdiction. The Intelligence Bureau has recently recruited a few experts with extraordinary strength, "the Army Superintendent chuckled.
Taoist Bai Feng did not retort, but waited to see how Lu Sheng would answer.
Lu Sheng's eyes narrowed. Thinking back to the order issued by the Zhen Family, he instantly had a hunch that the Intelligence Bureau had suddenly jumped out. It was highly likely that the other Noble Families or forces wanted to use this method to test the Zhen Family and get them involved in this matter.
"I'm just a martial artist. I don't know the specifics either. The old Sect Master took over personally," he laughed.
"If even External Head Lu doesn't know, then who does?" Army Superintendent Yuan Xu said sarcastically.
"In any case, we haven't received any news about this. If the Intelligence Bureau wishes to investigate, I'm willing to cooperate," Lu Sheng said with a smile. "If you find anything, please let us know immediately so that we can be prepared."
"Isn't it because She Lin Society had a business conflict with Crimson Whale Sect …" an elder couldn't help but whisper.
"Hmm?" Lu Sheng's eyes widened. The elder shuddered and lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
Crimson Whale Sect's reputation as the leader was not won by mercy, but by slaughter. In terms of real power, all the people in the city were under Lu Sheng's control. It could be said that his influence was second only to that of the magistrate, Li Zhenyi. This was also the reason why the yamen had specially summoned him.
"I've invited External Head Lu here for two reasons. Firstly, External Head Lu is the number one expert in Mountain-Edge City. Your strength is extraordinary," As Li Zhenyi spoke, Taoist Bai Feng, who was beside him, revealed a faint smile.
"Secondly, we would like to ask for External Head Lu's assistance in the investigation of the She Lin Society." Li Zhenyi and the others pretended not to see the old Taoist's expression and continued.
"Of course, it's just that …" Lu Sheng didn't finish his sentence.
"Report!!!"
Suddenly, an official rushed in from outside.
"Sir, all 72 members of the Sanyu Clan in the south of the city have been killed. Their corpses were found in the well in the courtyard!"
"What?!" Li Zhenyi's expression changed as he stood up.
Lu Sheng's heart sank. Although the Sanyu Clan wasn't big, they were both under Zhen Family, just like Crimson Whale Sect. In terms of intelligence gathering, their importance was second only to Crimson Whale Sect. Yet now …
"Looks like your sect has run into some trouble," Taoist Bai Feng looked at Lu Sheng and smiled faintly.
"You don't have to worry about whether there will be trouble." Lu Sheng could roughly guess that the other party had other forces backing him. His previous sliver of hope in the imperial court was gone now.
Crimson Whale Sect was like a ship that could capsize at any time. Now, everyone wanted a piece of the pie.
"The Sanyu Clan is our sect's ally. I'll go and investigate the matter first. Farewell," since he could see that the official's attitude was useless, Lu Sheng didn't waste any more time and stood up to leave.
"External Head Lu, if you're interested, you can consider joining our Intelligence Agency. Perhaps you'll have a way out," Taoist Bai Feng's persuasion came from behind.
Lu Sheng ignored him and turned to leave. From these words, it was clear that the Intelligence Agency already knew of Crimson Whale Sect's predicament.
If Scarlet District really launched a full-scale attack, a high-ranking member like him would never let them off. Moreover, he had killed many of Scarlet District's ghosts and burned a pleasure boat. He had a personal grudge against them first. Therefore, this so-called recruitment was just empty talk.
'Perhaps they weren't sure about Zhen Family's departure before. But with the incident with the Sanyu Clan, they quickly confirmed it.' Lu Sheng understood that the imperial court's attitude was to sit on the mountain and reap the spoils later. It was highly unlikely that they would participate in the battle, much less help Crimson Whale Sect. It would already be a blessing if they didn't kick them when they were down.
After leaving the yamen's backyard, Xu Chui and Ning Qing came up to him.
"External Head, where are we going now?"
"You guys return to the sect!" Lu Sheng said calmly. "I'll go find someone."
"Milord, don't you need us to follow you?" Ning San asked, puzzled.
"No need," Lu Sheng waved his hand. The situation was urgent. Scarlet District was closing in on them. They had to hurry.
As he spoke, he hopped onto the horse carriage, leaving Xu Chui and Ning San to find their own carriage. As for himself, he made his way to the Sanyu Clan headquarters alone.
Because it was within the city, the headquarters of the Sanyu Clan was located in a rather large courtyard.
A ring of officials surrounded it, preventing anyone from entering.
Lu Sheng watched from afar. Before he even got close, he could already smell a thick stench of rot. There was a faint trace of Yin Qi in it.
'As expected, those things have made their move …' His face darkened.
'So it seems that Scarlet District isn't sure that Zhen Family has left for good. That's why they're still probing. Perhaps they're worried about a backup plan, so they're cutting off their forces bit by bit. If that's the case, I don't have much time left … 'Lu Sheng gave the Sanyu Clan headquarters a cursory glance, then turned to leave.
He first sought out Chen Jiaorong in the city and borrowed his jade pendant. After fiddling with it for a while, he secretly dripped his blood to absorb the Yin Qi on it.
Then, he made a trip to Fine Treasures Hall. Unfortunately, he still couldn't find any new Yin Qi items. In the end, he could only contact Zhuo Wenyu.
Unfortunately, even after burning the flesh used for communication, Zhuo Wenyu still didn't show up.
Lu Sheng waited for more than two hours at the rendezvous point, but there was still no sign of him. Only then did he return helplessly.
The only Yin Qi he obtained was the jade pendant in Chen Jiaorong's hand.
What comforted him was that although the amount of Yin Qi in the jade pendant wasn't enough to upgrade Ultimate Crimson Nine Furies Skill, it was enough to upgrade his Strength Proficiency hard body skill by two levels.
In the days that followed, Lu Sheng knew that Crimson Whale Sect was the main target. Knowing that it would be difficult for him to escape, he focused all his energy on cultivating Jewel Pillar Skill.
Jade Lotus continued to send him intelligence reports.
Something happened to a Crimson Whale Sect branch in a small city as well. Dozens of men were either killed or injured. Only a few who were out on missions managed to escape and returned to report the news.
A few days later, there was no news of another mining base. The sect sent men to investigate, but the External Affairs Emissary leading the team, along with thirteen experts, were all sunk into the sea, never to return.
Lu Sheng had only been cultivating in the casino for about ten days when the situation took a turn for the worse.
With the Crimson Whale ship as the epicenter, a radius of tens of li around Crimson Whale Sect seemed to have become a forbidden zone. Once Crimson Whale Sect members stepped out of this area, they disappeared immediately.
After another two days, Lu Sheng made arrangements for his kin and forbade them from leaving the city. Following Hong Mingzi's summons, he led his men to the Crimson Whale ship.
…
White smoke billowed from the incense burner.
Hong Mingzi reclined on a pillow on a dark-red carved bed, the thick smell of medicine wafting from his body.
Two people stood in the bedroom — a man and a woman. Both looked to be in their thirties or forties, and bore some resemblance to Hong Mingzi. Their demeanor was that of a person in authority. They were Hong Mingzi's two remaining children.
Lu Sheng sat before the bed, gazing silently at his feeble senior apprentice brother, waiting for him to speak.
Hong Mingzi drank a mouthful of medicine with his daughter's help. Coughing a few times, he turned to look at Lu Sheng. "Junior Apprentice Brother, the reason I asked you to come this time … is to entrust you with something."
"Please speak, Senior Apprentice Brother." Lu Sheng said solemnly. Hong Mingzi had been mentally and physically exhausted these days. The foundation he had built up for most of his life was facing the brink of collapse so easily. The burden on his heart was unbearable. Coupled with his poor health to begin with, he had finally fallen ill.
"I'm old … be it Crimson Sun Sect or Crimson Whale Sect … I no longer have the power to govern them …" Hong Mingzi coughed.
"Today, I pass on the position of Crimson Sun Sect's Sect Master to you. As for the position of Sect Master, if you want it, I'll give it to you. If you don't want it, then so be it. I'll pass it on to Chen Ying. "
"Father!" His two sons and daughters were a little displeased at once.
"Don't interrupt!" Hong Mingzi berated sternly. Under the pressure of his authority, the two of them trembled in fear, not daring to make another sound.
"Junior Apprentice Brother, what do you think?" After berating his own children, he turned to Lu Sheng.
"Is Zhen Family really gone?" Lu Sheng asked again after some thought.
"That's right. Everyone's gone. Not a single person is left," Hong Mingzi smiled bitterly.
When the other two heard this, their faces instantly turned pale. Before they could reply, Lu Sheng slowly spoke in a deep voice, "Let's go.
I'll accept the position of Sect Master. I'll accept the position of Sect Master too. "
"Hahaha!! Good, good, good!! " Hong Mingzi was overjoyed. He could no longer see through Lu Sheng's strength. Lu Sheng must have already surpassed him. Perhaps he could lead Crimson Whale Sect to a path of survival.
"I've already prepared the troops. Junior Apprentice Brother, you just have to disguise yourself and bring these two unfilial sons of mine to the Central Plains. I've arranged for a total of thirteen troops to go together …"
"Senior Apprentice Brother. Call for a meeting, "Lu Sheng said suddenly. "It's no use. If we flee now, the situation will collapse even faster."
Hong Mingzi's voice stopped abruptly.
…
"From today onwards, the position of Sect Master shall be passed on to my Junior Apprentice Brother Lu Sheng, External Head Lu."
In the vast Crimson Whale Grand Hall, Hong Mingzi coughed as he used his inner force to amplify his voice.
Lu Sheng sat on the Sect Master's throne. His expression was calm as he listened to the old Sect Master Hong Mingzi carefully read through the sect's rules.
Each and every rule and oath was laid down when the sect was first established.
The upper echelons below were in an uproar as they whispered to each other. Someone stood up, wanting to question him. But recalling the unsolved cases that had been popping up recently, he hesitated.
Chen Ying stood by the side, his face filled with worry. No one knew what he was thinking.
The Master of Ceremonies stepped forward and handed the red jade dagger that represented the Sect Master to Hong Mingzi. The old Sect Master unsheathed the dagger and handed it to Lu Sheng by the hilt.
At first, the grand hall was filled with noise and clamor. But as the ceremony continued, it gradually quietened down.
Gradually, everyone's gazes fell upon Lu Sheng, who sat on the highest seat.
"The Crimson Whale's principles are courage and faith, benevolence and righteousness, justice and tranquility. The ninth Sect Master once said: Those who commit evil shall face the will of Heaven …"
"Ka-cha."
Suddenly, a crisp cracking sound came from outside the grand hall.
Instantly, all the upper echelons, Internal and External Affairs Emissaries and Elders looked towards the door. A cold-faced guard led his men out from the side to check on the situation.
The Master of Ceremonies paused for a moment before continuing to read the declaration of the inauguration ceremony.
"… As long as metal and stone do not decay, this scene shall not perish. The Crimson Whale roams the frozen sea unhindered. Its body is hundreds of feet long, its shape like a droplet of jade …"
"Ka-cha."
Another crisp, piercing sound rang out.
"Men! Find out what's going on! "Chen Ying's expression darkened. He was the one who arranged the defense. Now that this had happened, it was his responsibility.
"Where's Ren Tao who went out just now?!" he shouted sternly.
The people below looked at each other.
Chen Ying's voice was transmitted using inner force. Normally, the guards outside the grand hall would be able to hear him clearly and would quickly enter to reply.
But now, there was not a single sound from outside.
"Guards! Where are the guards!!? "Chen Ying bellowed.
There was no sound outside the grand hall.
"This …"
The expressions of the upper echelons began to change.
Everyone had been on tenterhooks for the past few days. Some of the smarter ones had already guessed the trouble and danger behind this.
It was just that no one had expected something to go wrong during the Gang Leader Handover Ceremony.
"Send a few people out to take a look," Chen Ying ordered, his expression extremely ugly.
"Ka-cha!"
In that instant, another crisp sound rang out.
The entire grand hall fell silent. Everyone stared at the stone doors of the grand hall.
An Elder with a fiery temper and guts snorted coldly. He stood up and led his men towards the side door. He brought three men with him.
And then, there was no more and then.
After a few breaths of time, there was no more movement. Not even the sound of footsteps could be heard.
Someone called out from the side door, but no one responded.
The air was silent for a moment. Then, the entire grand hall began to panic. There was a buzzing sound as people drew their swords and sabers.
"Silence! Silence!! "Chen Ying bellowed, trying to calm the crowd down. But it was to no avail. Everyone's faces were filled with fear and helplessness.
"Everyone … please listen to this old man …" Hong Mingzi stood up shakily in an attempt to calm everyone down. But it was also useless.
The master of ceremony's face was pale. The sect master's pauldron in his hand was trembling violently, almost unsteady. His entire body was trembling. The pauldron in his hand was suspended in mid-air, as if it could fall at any time.
Lu Sheng was expressionless. He sat on the main seat and allowed the master of ceremony to put it on for him.
The exquisite red jade-colored pauldron was placed on his left shoulder several times, but it always slipped off.
"Ka-cha!!"
The third crisp sound rang out. The grand hall door finally opened slowly …
Everyone in the grand hall felt as if their throats were being squeezed. Instantly, there was no sound.
"Hehehehe …"
A woman's sharp and strange laughter came from the crack of the door.
"Pa."
Lu Sheng reached out and grabbed the master of ceremony's hand. He pressed the fiery red pauldron firmly onto his own shoulder.
Looking at a red shoe slowly stepping through the crack of the door, he slowly stood up from the throne.
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