Chapter 1 Fei Qing’s Worries

Fei Qing sat inside the carriage, the compartment swaying slightly.

“The current situation in the world is getting worse, and the Northwest is completely devastated. Several military expeditions have failed.” Fei Qing pondered silently, “The Emperor is ruthless enough to his subordinates, but he is increasingly weak and compromising towards those five princes who possess vast armies!”

“Since the Emperor ascended the throne, I left the capital to take charge of the Blood Rain Guard in the Empire’s Eastern Region. Being away from the Emperor for a long time, he no longer trusts me as much.”

Fei Qing sighed.

He worked hard to manage the Empire’s Eastern Region, cultivating a strong enough Blood Rain Guard army to maintain basic stability in the entire Eastern Region, unlike the devastated Western and Northern Regions.

“The stronger the Blood Rain Guard army I cultivate, the more the Emperor fears me.” Fei Qing was also somewhat weary. “But if I don’t put my heart into it, the Empire’s Eastern Region may also be devastated and completely out of control.”

“It’s been more than a month since I returned to the capital to report my duties, but the Emperor still hasn’t let me go back.”

“That Cheng Yanran acts brutally, slaughtering a Blood Rain Guard squad, even implicating their families. He acts so cruelly that I wanted to punish and discipline Cheng Yanran, but the Emperor refused.” Fei Qing thought to himself, “The Emperor treats me far worse than before.”

In the eyes of outsiders, Fei Qing was still the Emperor’s right-hand man.

However, Fei Qing knew…

The danger he now faced.

“With Dean Ming as my backer, even if I fall, at least my younger sister and my father will be safe from harm.” Fei Qing thought, then sighed inwardly, “An Emperor should be close to virtuous officials and keep petty men at bay. But Your Majesty, can you distinguish between virtuous officials and petty men? I even doubt who you still trust?”

At this moment, the carriage arrived at the Fei residence.

Fei Qing got out of the carriage and entered the residence.

“My lord, Jing Ming has arrived and is seeking an audience.” The silver-haired old man, Lu Shao, said.

“Oh?” Fei Qing nodded slightly.

With the Emperor’s trust diminished, Fei Qing wasn’t one to be slaughtered. He was also cultivating forces loyal to him. People like ‘Jing Ming,’ who had the potential to become a top-tier expert, were also part of Fei Qing’s reserve forces.

…

“My lord.” Xu Jingming respectfully saluted.

“I know about the matter with your squad.” Fei Qing sat there.

“My lord, was it ordered by Cheng Yanran, the son of the Prince of Yan?” Xu Jingming asked.

Fei Qing looked at Xu Jingming in surprise.

Xu Jingming had purchased detailed information about ‘Cheng Yanran’ from the virtual world network and also knew about the relationship between the Yellow Springs Sect and the Prince of Yan’s estate! Plus, Cheng Yanran had sent people to assassinate him the night before, so it was easy to deduce.

“My lord, you said that Cheng Yanran wouldn’t let it go.” Xu Jingming said, “And I also found out from the Blood Rain Guard that the Yellow Springs Sect is based in the Empire’s Northern Region and must have connections with the Prince of Yan’s estate, so I guessed it was Cheng Yanran who ordered it.”

“Mm.”

Fei Qing nodded slightly, “I agree with your guess.”

“Slaughtering a Blood Rain Guard squad and even implicating their families is a capital crime.” Xu Jingming said. He wanted to borrow official power because Cheng Yanran was too difficult to deal with.

“Without evidence, there’s no way.” Fei Qing looked at Xu Jingming. “Even if you have evidence, it’s useless.”

“Useless even with evidence?” Xu Jingming looked at Fei Qing.

“To arrest a son of a prince, the Emperor must nod his head.” Fei Qing said.

“My lord, Cheng Yanran targeted me and Luo Baichuan because of Miss Fei. Afterwards, he continued to target my squad. Is my lord just going to condone Cheng Yanran like this?” Xu Jingming asked.

“This is the capital.”

Fei Qing looked at Xu Jingming, “My word doesn’t count.”

Xu Jingming was stunned.

“Stay in the capital for a few more days, and you’ll understand everything.” Fei Qing got up and left. Xu Jingming watched this scene and thought, “It seems I can’t rely on official power; I can only rely on myself.”

…

Xu Jingming returned to the Nan Yi Thousand Household Office. With dozens of colleagues dead, the Nan Yi Thousand Household Office was also discussing this matter.

“Pity Old Qu and the others.”

“The Yellow Springs Sect’s methods are too cruel; they even implicated families.” The Blood Rain Guards chatted, but they were just cursing with their mouths.

Seeing this scene, Xu Jingming could feel the numbness in the hearts of these Blood Rain Guards. “I can feel that they don’t plan to avenge their colleagues. Dozens of colleagues died, and their families were killed. It’s so tragic… why are they still so numb?”

Suddenly, angry curses came from the front.

“Centurion Zhao! You only have three squads under your command, and now one squad is almost completely wiped out, even their families were implicated. I begged you to send someone to investigate, and you even demanded a bribe?” Zhang Ke’s frantic voice came.

Zhang Ke walked out, still cursing as he turned back, “I’ve seen what it means to be greedy for money! Are you even worthy of being a Blood Rain Guard centurion?”

“Zhang Ke!”

Zhao Defang walked out, his beard trembling, and roared, “Don’t you dare slander this official! When did I demand a bribe? The investigation of the Yellow Springs Sect is ordered by the Town Protector, it’s not up to me to send people! Considering that your whole family was killed by the Yellow Springs Sect and you’re consumed by anger, I won’t pursue your crime of slander, but you better be careful. Not everything can be said.”

“Hahaha…” Zhang Ke laughed, his laughter frantic.

The other Blood Rain Guards watched this scene and sighed inwardly.

“Vice Captain Zhang Ke is truly pitiful.”

“Bad luck, he provoked the Yellow Springs Sect.”

“Working in the capital, don’t you know who you can’t provoke?” These Blood Rain Guards muttered to themselves. They were impressive in front of ordinary people, but they were careful and cautious when facing truly powerful forces, afraid of inviting disaster.

Xu Jingming also watched all of this.

“I used to be like you.”

Zhang Ke looked at the surrounding Blood Rain Guards, “Going with the flow, muddleheaded, just going through the motions, thinking that the royal families and wealthy clans are not to be trifled with, thinking that the major forces in the capital are terrifying, thinking that those Blood Rain Guards who are affected and lying dead on the streets are unlucky, that it’s their fault for angering those powerful forces?”

“But I understand now, the Blood Rain Guard, ah, the Blood Rain Guard, has long lost its bloodiness!” Zhang Ke sneered, “A Blood Rain Guard without bloodiness is a joke, a joke!”

“If there was bloodiness, if it was the Blood Rain Guard of the capital when my father was young! Who would dare to slaughter a Blood Rain Guard squad? Even implicating their families? I’m afraid the Blood Rain Guard would turn the entire capital upside down.”

“Unfortunately, that was the Blood Rain Guard of the past…”

As he said that, Zhang Ke walked out.

“Zhang Ke.” Xu Jingming called out to him.

Zhang Ke looked at Xu Jingming, but directly said, “Captain, and everyone present, you should stay away from me, otherwise you might be implicated by this madman.” As he said that, he strode out.

The surrounding Blood Rain Guards then buzzed with discussion.

“The Blood Rain Guard of the past?” Some older Blood Rain Guards had complex feelings. “It’s different now, that was the past.”

…

Outside the city, in front of the cemetery.

Zhang Ke knelt there.

Xu Jingming came here and offered sacrifices and burned some paper money.

“Captain, you should keep your distance from me.” Zhang Ke looked at the tombstone and said calmly, “From now on, I am a living dead man, a living dead man only for revenge. I don’t want to implicate you. I can see… Captain, you are a good person, and you have bloodiness. Don’t be implicated by me.”

“Zhang Ke.”

Xu Jingming turned to look at Zhang Ke, “The people who died are my brothers, can I ignore it?”

“Moreover, they and their families were implicated because of me.” Xu Jingming said softly.

Zhang Ke was stunned and looked up at Xu Jingming, “Implicated because of you?”

“Remember the assassination attempt on me the night before?” Xu Jingming said, “That night, there was also an assassination attempt on Luo Baichuan, and Luo Baichuan had an arm and a leg broken. If I had also had an arm and a leg broken that night, perhaps there wouldn’t have been any subsequent retaliation.”

“Because I blocked the assassin, it angered the person who ordered it, so they sent a stronger team to wipe out my entire squad.” Xu Jingming said.

“Who is the murderer? Why did he target Captain, why did he target Luo Baichuan?” Zhang Ke asked.

“Cheng Yanran, the son of the Prince of Yan.” Xu Jingming said, “Just because Luo Baichuan and I are Miss Fei of the Fei residence’s best male friends.”

Zhang Ke found it incredible, “Just because of this reason?”

“Yes, just because of this.”

Xu Jingming nodded, “In the eyes of the Prince of Yan’s son, maybe ordinary Blood Rain Guards like us are like pigs and dogs, for him to kill and slaughter at will.”

“Haha… Hahaha… How ridiculous, this world is so ridiculous.” Zhang Ke laughed loudly, but staggered away.

“Zhang Ke.” Xu Jingming looked at him.

Zhang Ke didn’t pay any more attention to Xu Jingming.

…

“I want to put a bounty on Cheng Yanran, the son of the Prince of Yan.” Inside a secret hall, Zhang Ke, wearing a black robe and a mask, said.

“The Seven Kill Tower has always had a bounty on Cheng Yanran. It’s been six years, and no one has succeeded.” The Seven Kill Tower receptionist said.

“Two thousand six hundred taels of silver.” Zhang Ke threw gold bars, silver ingots, and other things on the table, “I want to increase the bounty.” (tael: a unit of currency)

“Okay.”

The receptionist was very casual.

Looking at the entire Blood Rain World, there weren’t many people the Seven Kill Tower dared not put a bounty on! The son of the Prince of Yan? The Seven Kill Tower didn’t care. The Prince of Yan only controlled a fiefdom of ten thousand li, which had limited influence on the Seven Kill Tower.

“The bounty amount, including mine, is only thirty-two thousand six hundred taels?” Zhang Ke looked at the amount, “This son of a prince has ruined the reputation of many daughters of wealthy families. Haven’t any of those wealthy families offered a large bounty?”

“The wealthier the family, the more they fear the Prince of Yan. It’s already good to have more than thirty thousand taels in bounty.” The Seven Kill Tower receptionist smiled softly, “My lord, is there anything else?”

Zhang Ke turned and left.

…

In the evening.

Cheng Yanran’s team was traveling on the street, with twelve guards on the left and right, and a coachman driving the carriage.

“Cheng Yanran! You sent people to slaughter a Blood Rain Guard squad and even kill their whole family. I, Zhang Ke… a lonely ghost, have come to collect the debt!” Accompanied by a loud shout that reverberated throughout the bustling street, a man wearing Blood Rain Guard official uniform, wearing mourning clothes on the outside, and holding twin blades, strode over.

This made countless people on the street secretly surprised, and they all moved aside to avoid him.

“Slaughtered the Blood Rain Guard, wiped out the whole family?”

“Who is Cheng Yanran?”

“Surname Cheng! Should be a member of the royal family.”

The pedestrians discussed.

Zhang Ke charged towards the carriage team with a determined look.

Cheng Yanran in the carriage changed his expression. Some things could be done quietly, but if they were exposed, it would still be a bit troublesome.

“Kill him.” Cheng Yanran’s order came from the carriage.

“Dare to slander His Highness the Prince’s son, he deserves to die.” Immediately, three guards rushed out. Zhang Ke rushed up with twin blades. Even though Zhang Ke was a top-tier expert… after only a few exchanges, he was cut across the throat by a blade under the siege of the three guards.

…

Nan Yi Thousand Household Office.

“Thump.”

Zhang Ke’s body was thrown in front of the Nan Yi Thousand Household Office.

“Blood Rain Guard Zhang Ke assassinated His Highness the Prince’s son in the street.” Two guards on horseback were in front of the Nan Yi Thousand Household Office, one of them shouted, “Your Nan Yi Thousand Household Office must give an explanation to His Highness.”

“Assassinating a prince’s son is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of relatives. His Majesty will also know about this soon.”

After the two guards finished speaking, they turned and left, leaving only Zhang Ke’s body lying in front of the Nan Yi Thousand Household Office.

Blood Rain Guards and auxiliary guards quickly came out and looked at Zhang Ke’s body, looking at each other.

“Assassinated His Highness the Prince’s son in the street?” Zhao Defang, who had received the news, rushed over, looking at Zhang Ke’s body, he cursed angrily, “You don’t want to live, but you want to harm us? Now there’s trouble, trouble!”

Assassinating in the street, unable to deny it, as the centurion of the squad, ‘Zhao Defang’ could not escape being held accountable. Of course, Xu Jingming would also have to bear responsibility.

******

Virtual World Network.

Xu Jingming was currently in the spaceship hall, looking at the materials in his hand, “I’ve been preparing for the plan to deal with Cheng Yanran for two days, but I still don’t feel confident. I always feel uneasy.”

Huff.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of thin air, it was Pang Ze.

“You haven’t looked for me in a long time.” Pang Ze smiled at Xu Jingming, “My manager title is undeserved.”

“So I’m inviting Mr. Pang today.” Xu Jingming said.

“What’s the matter?” Pang Ze asked.

Xu Jingming handed the materials in his hand to Pang Ze, “I encountered an enemy in the Blood Rain World, and I want to eliminate him! This is the information I’ve collected and the plan I’ve made. Please, Mr. Pang, give me your opinion.”

Pang Ze took the materials and flipped through them.

Xu Jingming waited silently on the side.

Pang Ze finished reading and said, “You’re too petty, only preparing 50 million universe coins! To deal with such a tough nut to crack?”

Xu Jingming was stunned.

“Looking at these materials, you can tell at a glance that the Prince of Yan doesn’t really care about the life or death of this son.” Pang Ze said, “The one who really cares about his life or death is that Emperor. If you want to kill the prince’s son… the biggest obstacle is actually the Emperor!”

“You haven’t even figured out your opponent, do you think your plan can succeed?” Pang Ze teased, “But there are some merits to your plan, first target the ‘financial resources’ of the Prince of Yan’s son, first rob a wave! At least you can earn back the capital.”

“I also feel like I don’t have much confidence, so I thought I’d earn back the capital for the plan first.” Xu Jingming immediately said, “Then I’ll make a desperate strike. I believe that with so many universe citizen players assassinating without fear of death, there’s still a certain amount of certainty.”

“Too crude.”

Pang Ze said, “How about this, count me in on this operation. I’ll invest 300 million universe coins! The subsequent income will be divided according to a 6:1 ratio.”

“Invest 300 million?” Xu Jingming was stunned.

Such a large investment?

“The strong prevail over the weak, that’s the way of kings.” Pang Ze said, “Do you need me to join? It’s okay if you don’t join, I’ll help you improve the plan, but the probability of success is still no more than 30%.”

“I’d be delighted if Mr. Pang is willing to join.” Xu Jingming said.

“With a total investment of 350 million universe coins, I’ll make the plan.” Pang Ze nodded.

Xu Jingming immediately felt settled.

It’s settled!