Proofreader & Editor: Lotas

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"Li Hengsheng!"

 

At that moment, Mu Haiming was furiously enraged. Li Hengsheng had actually killed someone right in front of him, showing utter disregard for his presence.

 

Such a minor cultivator at the peak of the Postnatal realm, he could squash him with a slap!

 

Even if Mu Haiming dared not truly kill Li Hengsheng, turning him into a cripple would be seen as Li's own lack of skill, and no blame could be placed on them.

 

Thus, Mu Haiming made his move against Li Hengsheng!

 

With a swift motion, his palm shot towards Li Hengsheng's shoulder, employing a grappling technique similar to Wu Santong's. However, Mu Haiming's strength was in a completely different league, and even from a distance, Li Hengsheng felt the oppressive force!

 

But Li Hengsheng didn't take Mu Haiming seriously either.

 

Ever since he consumed the Seven Treasures Crystal Pill, Postnatal pinnacle warriors posed little threat to him, let alone now that he had mastered the Thunderous Movement technique, making him even more dismissive of such opponents.

 

Mu Haiming's moves were fierce and ruthless, each strike carrying the weight of a thousand jun, his fingers cracking as if they could leave marks on steel itself.

 

His movements were as swift as the wind, precise and ruthless, dazzling to behold!

 

Yet Li Hengsheng displayed the Thunderous Movement technique to its fullest, dodging as if teleporting across the sky. As Mu Haiming's claw strikes descended, Li Hengsheng would sidestep, letting the attacks miss by a hair's breadth.

 

Li Hengsheng seemed to narrowly avoid each of Mu Haiming's attacks, but after more than twenty consecutive moves, Mu Haiming hadn't even touched the hem of his garment.

 

He realized that Li Hengsheng's movement technique was somewhat peculiar.

 

It looked chaotic, but it was incredibly fast, so fast that his own claw strikes couldn't keep up.

 

This made Mu Haiming grow impatient, unable to believe that a mere Postnatal peak cultivator could leave him so helpless.

 

As Mu Haiming's attention wavered, Li Hengsheng seized the opportunity to counterattack.

 

The Overlord Immortal Finger was unleashed in an instant!

 

The terrifying explosive force at the fingertip struck Mu Haiming's chest. Li Hengsheng's control over his internal energy had improved significantly, not just in mastering Thunderous Movement, but also in controlling the Overlord Immortal Spear technique.

 

Previously, he could only slowly build up from the first spear technique, but now he could unleash the power of the fifth spear technique right from the start.

 

The same was true for the Overlord Immortal Finger.

 

The power of the first finger far exceeded that of the past.

 

Li Hengsheng's movements were as swift as a startled swan, landing three consecutive fingers on Mu Haiming's chest.

 

Struck by three fingers, Mu Haiming instantly felt an overwhelming piercing force penetrating his chest!

 

Crack!

 

His breastbone shattered!

 

Following that, two streams of energy pierced through his flesh.

 

His internal organs were damaged!

 

Mu Haiming spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying into a pillar, cracking it upon impact.

 

Then he lay on the ground, unconscious.

 

Li Hengsheng then withdrew his hand, standing nonchalantly as his gaze swept over everyone present.

 

At this moment, the entire Inspectorate was silent.

 

Whether it was the people from the Mu residence or the Inspectorate, all were stunned.

 

Li Hengsheng was at the peak of the Postnatal realm, while Mu Haiming was at the pinnacle of the Postnatal realm. The gap between the two was clear to everyone present.

 

But what was the reality?

 

Mu Haiming attacked Li Hengsheng but didn't even touch his clothes, only to be struck by Li Hengsheng's casual move, spitting blood and falling unconscious.

 

How could they comprehend this?

 

Such an event, if spoken of, would seem like a tall tale.

 

"Do you have any other business?"

 

Li Hengsheng looked at the other people from the Mu residence and asked indifferently.

 

"We…"

 

A disciple from the Mu residence swallowed hard, then quickly said, "No more issues."

 

"If there's nothing else, then leave."

 

Li Hengsheng spoke.

 

"Yes."

 

At this moment, no one dared to make a sound. Joking aside, if Mu Haiming had been defeated, what could they possibly think?

 

A few people came forward wanting to help Mu Haiming up, but Li Hengsheng said, "This person has damaged the public property of the Inspectorate, including doors and pillars, and has committed violence within the Inspectorate against the Inspector himself, which is a capital offense."

 

"However, out of great mercy, I will spare his life. But these damages will need to be compensated by the Mu residence."

 

Saying this, Li Hengsheng turned and walked to the desk, wrote a note, handed it to one of the Mu disciples, and said, "This lists the compensation and the ransom. Have someone from the Mu residence bring the money over quickly, otherwise…"

 

Li Hengsheng left his threat unspoken.

 

The people looked at each other, still in shock, now realizing they had become hostages.

 

"Yes."

 

The disciple from the Mu residence no longer had the arrogance he had when he arrived.

 

Everyone left the Inspectorate trembling.

 

They had come to cause trouble, but not only did they fail to find any, they didn't save Mu Xiong, lost a brother, and even Mu Haiming became a hostage of the Inspectorate.

 

Such an event was beyond their wildest dreams.

 

The Mu residence had dominated the White Snake Path for many years, fearing no one.

 

For many years, the Inspectorate had been nothing but a puppet, a decoration. Which Inspector hadn't colluded with them after taking office, taking money and leaving?

 

But this one was different, actually standing against them!

 

"What are you looking at me for?" Li Hengsheng saw the people in the Inspectorate staring at him and frowned, "Lock them up!"

 

"Ah, yes!"

 

The people hurriedly took Mu Haiming to the dungeon.

 

***

 

In the dungeon.

 

The empty dungeon had only one room occupied, which was where Mu Xiong and his underlings from the previous night were held.

 

Mu Xiong, imprisoned here, showed no panic at all.

 

He just sneered at the two jailers.

 

"You two dogs, it's not too late to release me now. If you wait until the Mu residence people arrive and then release me, I will break your legs!"

 

The two jailers were trembling with fear; they truly feared the Mu residence!

 

"Xiong Ye, please don't make it difficult for us. We're just earning our pay. If we release you, how will we support our families?"

 

One jailer almost cried as he spoke.

 

"Hmph, once we get out, your families can reunite in hell," another disciple from the Mu residence said coldly.

 

"It's about time," Mu Xiong said, looking at the sunlight outside, then smiling, "The people from the Mu residence must have arrived at the Inspectorate by now. Soon the cell door will open, and then it will be your death!"

 

"Really?" One jailer said to the other.

 

Just then, the door to the cell opened abruptly.

 

This scared the jailers out of their wits.

 

"Hahaha!"

 

Everyone burst into laughter.

 

"They've come to save us," Mu Xiong said with a smile.

 

However, two guards came down, supporting a person, and said to the jailers, "Come on, give us a hand and lock this person up in the cell, and guard him closely!"

 

"Uh, yes."

 

The two hurried over.

 

Wait a minute.

 

Why does this person look so familiar?

 

"Isn't this Mu Haiming from the Mu residence?" The two were shocked.

 

What happened to him?

 

Even Mu Xiong and the others realized that the person who had just come in looked familiar, and they were utterly shocked when they recognized it was Mu Haiming.

 

How did Mu Haiming end up in the dungeon?

 

Mu Haiming was a Postnatal pinnacle expert!

 

How could he be beaten to such a state?

 

Seeing this, the two guards laughed and said, "This man caused a ruckus in the Inspectorate and was beaten into this sorry state by the Inspector himself in one move. You really missed a show."

 

"One move?"

 

The two jailers couldn't believe it.

 

"You're talking nonsense!" Mu Xiong also shouted angrily.

 

A Postnatal pinnacle defeated by a Postnatal peak in one move.

 

Who would believe it?

 

He admitted that Li Hengsheng was much stronger than himself, but he didn't believe Li could defeat Mu Haiming.

 

But how to explain what was before his eyes?

 

The two jailers now felt emboldened.

 

Even Mu Haiming had been locked up, so what was Mu Xiong in comparison?

 

Wu Santong and his men posted the tax exemption declaration in the usual place for public notices.

 

Seeing the Inspectorate posting a notice, many nearby citizens were curious but dared not come closer to look.

 

After Wu Santong and his men left, the citizens crowded around.

 

They all looked worried.

 

They thought it must be another new tax imposed by the Inspectorate.

 

The taxes were already making their lives miserable.

 

"What does it say? What new tax are they imposing? The new Inspector has just taken office and is already levying taxes. How are we supposed to live?"

 

An illiterate old man sighed softly, his face full of worry.

 

But many literate people pushed forward to read the notice, and the more they read, the more surprised they looked.

 

"What? Another tax?"

 

Someone couldn't help but ask.

 

A young man who looked like a scholar said in shock, "It's not a tax notice; it's a tax exemption notice!"

 

"What? Tax on examation?"

 

The old man exclaimed in surprise, "Wasn't there a school tax before? Now even examation is taxed?"

 

"It's not an examation tax, it's a tax exemption!"

 

The scholar excitedly stepped forward and said, "The notice says that from today, some miscellaneous taxes are abolished, and apart from the necessary normal taxes, all other taxes are canceled!"

 

At this, there was an uproar among the crowd!

 

How could this be possible?

 

In the crowd, a man who had read the notice frowned and quickly left.

 

Today, the entire Tushan City was bustling.

 

The common people were all discussing the tax issue.

 

Meanwhile, the Mu residence and the Hua family were furious!

 

The Hua family heard that Li Hengsheng not only did not increase the land tax as they requested but also canceled all the taxes they had proposed!

 

This greatly angered Hua Xianggu, the head of the Hua family!

 

After hearing the report from his subordinates, Hua Xianggu felt that Li Hengsheng was really opposing them.

 

Initially, Hua Zheyu went to the Inspectorate and spent thirteen thousand taels of silver, which Hua Xianggu found strange. After secretly communicating with the Mu residence, they realized they had been played by Li Hengsheng.

 

But Hua Xianggu didn't care, considering Li Hengsheng a greedy little figure, and let it go. But unexpectedly, after taking the money, he opposed the Hua family!

 

What was he trying to do?

 

"Patriarch." At this moment, a person knelt before Hua Xianggu and hurriedly said, "Last night, the Mu residence suffered a big loss at the hands of the Inspectorate. Their batch of goods was seized, and then Mu Xiong was captured. Today, Mu Haiming went to the Inspectorate to demand an explanation, but he was severely injured by that Inspector and locked up in the dungeon!"

 

"Mu Haiming was defeated by the Inspector? Isn't that Inspector just a Postnatal peak cultivator?" Hua Xianggu was surprised.

 

"Yes, I don't know how he did it." The man was also puzzled.

 

But the news was indeed true.

 

"No matter what, this Li Hengsheng, opposing our Hua family, cannot be allowed to live," Hua Xianggu's eyes showed a hint of coldness.

 

"Then, Patriarch, what do you plan to do?" The man asked cautiously.

 

"Don't rush. Let's see what the Mu residence does first," Hua Xianggu said indifferently, after all, Li Hengsheng had seriously offended the Mu residence.

 

At the same time, in the Mu residence, it was the same.

 

Mu San, also known as Mu San Ye, was a ruthless and arrogant figure in Tushan City, and he couldn't swallow the defeat to Li Hengsheng.

 

"This is the list that Inspector sent, saying we need to compensate," the trembling Mu disciple handed the list to Mu San.

 

Mu San took it with a dark face and read it.

 

Inspectorate's gate: Five Thousand Taels.

 

Inspectorate's pillar: Five Thousand Taels.

 

Inspectorate's cleaning fee: Two Thousand Taels.

 

Mental distress compensation for everyone in the Inspectorate: Five Thousand Taels.

 

Seeing these four lines, Mu San cursed, "Is Li Hengsheng robbing us? What's with five thousand taels for a gate?"

 

"And kicking the gate is one thing, but why kick the pillar? Think your leg is that strong?" Mu San didn't understand.

 

"San Ye, we didn't kick the pillar; it was the Inspector who sent Ming Ge flying into the pillar…"

 

"So we have to compensate?" Mu San was shocked.

 

"And what the hell is a cleaning fee?" Mu San was baffled.

 

"One of us died, and his blood stuck to the ground," the Mu disciple's voice trembled.

 

"Outrageous!"

 

Mu San was furiously indignant, "We've always been the ones to bully others; when has it been the turn for others to bully the Mu residence!"

 

"And there's even a mental distress compensation, damn it!" Mu San cursed wildly.

 

Just then, a woman's voice came from outside, "Third brother, who has angered you so much that you're cursing up a storm here?"

 

As the voice fell, a woman in red entered from outside. The woman was elegantly made up, exuding an air of regal grace.

 

"Second sister." Seeing the newcomer, Mu San hurriedly greeted her.

 

"What's all the fuss about?" The woman approached, took the note, and upon reading it, she laughed instead, "This new Inspector is quite interesting."

 

"Second sister, this person is too much, bullying our Mu residence, and you find it interesting?" Mu San sighed.

 

"So what? What do you want to do? Do you want to get rid of him?" The woman spoke calmly, "If you kill the Inspector, our Mu residence won't be far from destruction."

 

"What's so great about an Inspector? Just like before, get rid of him in secret!" Mu San said coldly.

 

"Without evidence, who can say it was us?" Mu San looked at the woman, "What do you say, second sister?"

 

"You do as you see fit," the woman said, "If you want to do it, do it the old way, but make sure it's clean and leaves no trace, otherwise it will bring destruction to our Mu residence."

 

"I've heard that the old man from the Inspectorate is planning to take the Inspector to find Lin Qizhu. Hmph, that Lin Qizhu has been hiding his identity. We couldn't kill him before, but now it's a good opportunity. I guess Lin Qizhu definitely doesn't live in the city. When they return from finding Lin Qizhu, near the city gate, let Ghost Wolf kill him," Mu San said coldly.

 

At this moment, everyone was oblivious to the fact that on a locust tree beside them, a little sparrow was perched, and hidden among its feathers was a golden bug.

 

This bug was a spirit beast called the Golden Beetle. Although it had no combat power, it had one ability: it could understand human speech. After listening, it would repeat it to the sparrow in beast language, and the sparrow would then return to report.

 

After their conversation ended, the sparrow had already disappeared.

 

This sparrow belonged to Zhen Wanshou, who was commissioned by Li Changqing to investigate his son's actions and gather intelligence on his adversaries.

 

The sparrow had now returned to the Changqing Tavern and relayed the information to Zhen Wanshou.

 

Zhen Wanshou then informed Li Changqing.

 

"They're in such a hurry to make a move," Li Changqing knew about the White Snake Path and was aware that Li Hengsheng had done some things to offend people, but if it were him, he would have done the same.

 

Li Changqing passed on the intelligence, then gave it to the sparrow, hoping it could deliver the information to Li Hengsheng.

 

It's always good to be prepared.

 

But since the enemy was just a Xiantian, Li Changqing wasn't too worried, especially since Li Hengsheng had Xu Kui, a Xiantian expert, by his side.

 

After sending off the intelligence, Zhang Fuguang also came in and handed a letter to Li Changqing.

 

The letter was from Yan Botao, detailing the recent situation of the Changqing Trading Company and reporting to Li Changqing.

 

Li Changqing saw no issues and let it be. If there were any problems, he would give guidance in a reply.

 

The letter also contained some important intelligence.

 

"Hmm?"

 

Li Changqing was taken aback by one piece of intelligence.

 

Lu Shiran of Guanglan Palace actually ran away from home?

 

What was going on?

 

He understood later that the Su Family wanted to form a marriage alliance with Guanglan Palace, originally with someone else in mind. But when Su Xianci saw Lu Shiran, he fell in love at first sight, and Su Zheng was even more astonished when he heard Lu Shiran had a divine body.

 

He requested Lu Shiran to marry Su Xianci.

 

Guangzu initially disagreed, but later, no one knew what promise the Su Family made, and Guangzu actually agreed.

 

Lu Shiran refused to marry to the death.

 

In the end, she secretly left Guanglan Palace and disappeared without a trace.

 

"The Su Family, truly beasts," Li Changqing cursed after reading the letter.

 

"Never mind the Su Family for now, continue the story you told this morning," Zhen Wanshou said eagerly to Li Changqing.

 

"You said that monkey went out to learn and then arrived at the Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave, where he met an immortal named Bodhi Patriarch. What happened next? What did he learn?"

 

Zhen Wanshou was impatient.

 

Li Changqing had told him the story of "Journey to the West" in the morning, and he was hooked.

 

"The rest I'll tell tomorrow," Li Changqing was not in the mood to continue, and he returned to his room to write a letter to Li Hengsheng.

 

He wanted to tell his son that he was on a business trip to North Cold Country and was currently staying at the Changqing Trading Company there. If there was anything, he could write to the Changqing Trading Company.

 

After all, the Changqing Trading Company would forward the letters to him.

 

***

 

Night fell.

 

Li Hengsheng was in his room, perusing the archives detailing events that had occurred in the White Snake Path over recent years.

 

Suddenly, a chirping sound arose from the windowsill.

 

Curious, Li Hengsheng opened the window to discover a sparrow, which surprisingly held a note in its beak.

 

After placing the note down, the sparrow flew off.

 

Li Hengsheng was taken aback.

 

He had heard of pigeons delivering messages, but never sparrows.

 

He unfolded the note and read its contents, which left him somewhat astonished.

 

Who could it be from?

 

While he didn't know the sender, Li Hengsheng felt the message was likely genuine.

 

It seemed the Mu residence was planning to make a move against him.

 

Well, if they wanted to try, let them come.

 

"Knock, knock."

 

A knock came from outside, "My lord, are we ready to depart?"

 

The voice belonged to Yan Wanghou.

 

"Yes, let's go."

 

Li Hengsheng stepped out, called for Xu Kui, asked Wu Santong to stay behind to watch the house, and then boarded the carriage with Yan Wanghou to leave the city.

 

The city was rife with the Mu residence's informants. Upon seeing Li Hengsheng leave the city, they quickly relayed the news to Mu San.

 

"Just as I expected," Mu San sneered.

 

Tomorrow, Tushan City would be without an Inspector.

 

The Inspector would meet an unfortunate and violent end just outside the city gates, the perpetrator unknown.

 

That would be tomorrow's headline news.

 

Leaving the city, twenty li out, there was a lumberyard.

 

Many people were busy working there.

 

As Li Hengsheng's carriage arrived at the lumberyard, many turned to look, wondering why such a luxurious carriage and those beast-like horses were visiting such a modest place.

 

In a corner, a dark-skinned, burly man was nonchalantly eating a steamed bun while glancing over. Beside his right hand was a battle-axe, standing as tall as a man and exuding a formidable presence!