"An invitation to a gathering in the city?" Lu Sheng stared blankly at the invitation Jade Lotus had personally delivered.
The invitation was black and gilded. The handwriting on it was bold and flamboyant, tinged with the color of blood. He wondered what material it was made of.
"Hmm … Squire Xiao personally delivered it to the sect branch," Jade Lotus said in a low voice. "Your subordinate thought it was urgent, so I hurried over to deliver it."
Jade Lotus knew that Xiao Hongye was not a simple character. Therefore, an invitation personally delivered by Xiao Hongye naturally could not be judged by common sense.
Seated in his study, Lu Sheng gently picked up the invitation and opened it.
"To Sect Master Lu: It's been a long time since we last met. An elder from my family wishes to meet with Sect Master. — Xiao Hongye. "
The content was simple, but the meaning was clear.
Lu Sheng closed the invitation.
"Alright, you may go about your business. I got it."
"Yes." Jade Lotus slowly retreated.
Before he left, he inadvertently glanced up at the girl dressed in black standing behind Lu Sheng.
The girl was wrapped entirely in a long black robe, her figure hidden. Only her gloved hands and long hair with a hairpin at the back, one could tell that she was a woman.
'Perhaps she's an expert newly recruited by Sect Master,' he guessed.
Lu Sheng waited until Jade Lotus had left the study before placing the invitation on the table.
'Ashoka Manor's men are here, and yet they're here to question me. Are they suspicious? Or are they trying to use my sect's influence to investigate?'
Ashoka Manor would not turn a blind eye to the murder of two Officiators, no matter how thick-skinned they were. Especially when Bai Jiang was a top-notch expert on the verge of attaining Seven-Vein Level. Such a character would be a big shot no matter where he went.
Lu Sheng glanced at the umbrella girl beside him. Yin Crane Web was like a parasite, constantly taking root in her body and absorbing her strength. It was now growing stronger and stronger.
In the beginning, she only needed to abandon a part of her body to expel Aquarius Qi from her body. But now, even if her entire body exploded, it would be difficult to escape the Yin Crane Web's control.
This process was called assimilation.
"Just stay at home tonight. Don't run around."
The umbrella girl shrank back in fear and nodded hurriedly.
Lu Sheng shook his head, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. He had already tried it when he came back. Yin Qi could only improve other martial arts, but it was useless for the qualitative change caused by the fusion of Yin and Yang.
Everything could only wait.
After taking care of some matters in the sect and meditating for a while, it was soon night time.
Together with Xu Chui and Ning San, Lu Sheng boarded the horse carriage and left the Crimson Whale stealthily in the direction of Mountain-Edge City.
"Recently, Miss Yunxi often goes to the Painted Wall by the River to enjoy the paintings. She also occasionally asks Old Hei of the Painted Wall about news about you, Sect Master," Xu Chui reported in a low voice on the carriage.
Ning San drove the carriage, turning a deaf ear to all the noise. He was very intelligent. Although he hadn't studied much, he had always been extremely experienced in the ways of the world.
"Riverside Mural? Who is Old Black? "Lu Sheng asked casually.
Xu Chui glanced at Lu Sheng. Not noticing any signs of anger from his boss, he continued, "Old Black is the father of an Internal Affairs Emissary who passed away in the sect. Because he used to work as an accountant for the sect, he still has some influence after retiring. He knows many secrets. "
"Since Yunxi wants to know, I don't have anything to hide. Let her do it," Lu Sheng said casually.
"Understood. I'll have the brothers of Soaring Eagle Squad keep an eye on Miss Yunxi's safety at all times," Xu Chui replied respectfully.
The more he interacted with this Sect Master, the more he felt that Sect Master was unfathomable.
Not to mention the fact that he could break through to Intent Proficiency at any time, even Spirit Focus above Intent Proficiency was no match for Sect Master's subordinates.
At this thought, Xu Chui's eyes burned with passion. To be able to follow such a powerful Sect Master and become his subordinate was truly an extremely fortunate thing.
Lu Sheng glanced at him and suddenly thought of Yin Crane Web. If Song Zhenguo could test out the effects of Yin Crane Web, perhaps he could give it to this subordinate who had always been by his side.
Over the past few days, one incident after another occurred.
Li Shunxi's departure, obtaining Martial League and the treasure map, killing the second Officiator, destroying Scarlet District's headquarters. He had experienced more than all the things he had experienced in the past.
To prevent the Noble Families from discovering the fact that he was a pure human martial artist, Scarlet District had no choice but to silence him. But Lu Sheng could not be sure how many people in Twin Eagle City had seen him kill the Officiator back then.
Although he was not afraid of Ashoka Manor because of Shangyang Family's deterrence, Lu Sheng hated trouble. The less trouble he had to deal with, the better.
"My Lord, we've arrived at Xiao Manor," the coachman Ning San's voice sounded.
Lu Sheng lifted the curtain and alighted from the carriage. Xu Chui followed closely behind him. Amidst the warm flattery of the gatekeeper, the two of them strolled into Xiao Manor.
"Welcome, Sect Master Lu," Xiao Hongye walked out smilingly, his hands tucked into his sleeves and folded before him. Dressed in golden-red official robes, he looked tacky and rich, completely lacking the demeanor of an Ashoka Manor Emissary.
"Old Xiao, let's cut to the chase. Where are the elders in your family? I'm a busy man, so I rushed over the moment I received your letter, "Lu Sheng asked familiarly.
"The elders are inside. Brother Lu, you'll know once you go in," Xiao Hongye said smilingly.
Lu Sheng smiled and nodded, following Xiao Hongye into the main hall. Xu Chui asked him to wait outside.
Inside the main hall sat a middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to Xiao Hongye. He was also dressed like a wealthy merchant and looked rather amiable. But unlike Xiao Hongye's amiability, this man was clearly more reserved.
The moment he laid eyes on him, Lu Sheng's heart skipped a beat. The entire main hall was filled with a fishy stench, like the stench of fish. There was also a faint sense of oppression. Every move of this man seemed to affect the entire main hall.
"I'm Ashoka Manor's Deputy Manor Lord, Ye Moling," the middle-aged man looked calmly at Lu Sheng as he walked in.
Lu Sheng's expression changed slightly when this man's gaze fell on him, as though he was being pricked by needles. He quickly squeezed out a smile and bowed to Ye Moling.
"Shangyang Family's Crimson Whale Sect Master, Lu Sheng, greets Manor Lord Ye."
"No need for formalities. I've called you here to investigate some matters with the help of Crimson Whale Sect's Turf Lord," Ye Moling did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point about the Officiator's disappearance. "You were one of the people involved, right? What exactly happened? Tell me again. "
Lu Sheng quickly recounted everything he knew in a low voice. Of course, it was not the truth, but a half-truth he had fabricated earlier.
"In that case, you really didn't witness the battle, but only heard the sounds from afar? At the same time, you were injured by the aftershock? " Ye Moling did not ask how a Three-Vein expert was injured by the aftershock. He was well aware of Bai Jiang's strength. A top-notch expert on the verge of breaking through to Seven-Vein at any time. Even a casual palm strike from him could carry terrifying destructive power and lethal poison. It was not uncommon for a Three-Vein expert to be injured by the aftershock.
"Yes," Lu Sheng replied with his head lowered.
"Did you send anyone else to investigate after that?" Although Ye Moling did not hold out much hope, he still asked anyway.
"I did. Young Mistress Jiuli also specially instructed me to investigate. Apart from the aftermath of the battle, I found nothing else. I don't know the murderer or the reason," Lu Sheng replied respectfully.
Ye Moling stared at him for a while, then suddenly frowned.
"Your aura, why has it become weaker …" This was not the aura of a Three-Vein expert. In fact, it might not even be the aura of a Single-Vein expert. The other party's aura was too weak. It seemed to be no different from an ordinary martial arts expert.
Hearing that, Lu Sheng revealed a slightly pained expression. He said in a low voice, "My injuries haven't healed yet …" He did not expect Yin Crane Web to be so powerful that it could conceal his aura so well that even this expert before him could not detect it.
"Black membrane damaged? I understand. You've worked hard. Send my regards to Young Mistress Jiuli, "Ye Moling did not press Lu Sheng further. To put it bluntly, Crimson Whale Sect Master was a member of Shangyang Family and a Three-Vein expert at that. For him to be injured by his own Officiator out of the blue and have yet to recover, it was Ashoka Manor's fault.
On account of the Officiator's disappearance, Shangyang Family would be grateful if they did not pursue the matter.
"Manor Head, I'll definitely do as you say. In that case, I'll take my leave, "Lu Sheng said respectfully.
"Mm, go ahead." Ye Moling did not hold out much hope from the start. He had merely sought out Lu Sheng as one of the interrogators. Before that, he had also questioned many others in the Northern Lands. There were still many people waiting behind Lu Sheng.
Lu Sheng exited the main hall as he had come.
Ye Moling remained seated. Only after everyone had left did he look to his right.
"Who's next?"
Xiao Hongye walked out and whispered, "It's someone from Yunxiu Hall. He's from another city. "
"Mm," Ye Moling lifted his teacup and took a sip. He did not like this job, but he had no choice but to check the manpower himself.
This was not only because he was the Manor Head, but also because he had the ability to see through others' cultivation.
Take that Lu Sheng who had just left for example. Although he was the Sect Master of Crimson Whale Sect and was rumored to be a Three-Vein expert on par with the umbrella girl, his aura was obscure and his black membrane was nowhere to be seen. He looked no different from a heavily injured Nobleman.
Of course, Ye Moling could also tell that this person's original strength was pretty good. He should be at the pinnacle of Three-Vein.
"Let the next one in. Let's take a quick look first. "He lifted his teacup and took another sip.
…
Exiting the main hall, Lu Sheng's eyes flickered slightly on his lowered face.
"Ashoka Manor has sent a Manor Head!"
His expression did not change, but a sense of danger rose in his heart.
This Ye Moling seemed amiable and not overbearing. But that was based on the fact that he was a member of Shangyang Family.
Without this layer of skin, without Shangyang Jiuli standing behind him, Lu Sheng did not think that Ye Moling would continue speaking to him so politely.
"I wonder if the current me can deal with this person?" Without exchanging blows, he had no confidence. But just from the intensity of his aura, this person was definitely stronger than Bai Jiang, and not just by a level.
"If the current me were to face Bai Jiang again …" Lu Sheng compared the two and narrowed his eyes. "At most, a little stronger than him." A sense of urgency rose in his heart. He walked briskly towards the gates of Xiao Manor. Coincidentally, a few middle-aged men with extraordinary auras walked in.
Upon seeing him, the leader of the group hurriedly cupped his fists.
"Your humble servant Huang Qiuyuan greets Sect Master Lu."
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