Chen Shi squeezed through the crowd, took off his hat, and casually tossed it by the roadside. His clothes were a bit long, so he tore off a piece, wrapped it around his hand, and tied a knot with his teeth on the back of his hand. He gripped it tightly, finding it quite handy. The cloth was rough linen, but it provided a good grip. "This way, when there's blood, I won't have to worry about the knife slipping."
Just then, the sound of thunder rolled in the sky. Chen Shi looked up to see dark clouds covering the once clear sky. The air was moist, suggesting rain would soon follow.
Chen Shi called for Heiguo and asked, "Heiguo, have you seen Mr. Fu?" Heiguo immediately led the way, and Chen Shi followed it through the streets, soon arriving at the home of County Magistrate Zheng Shiyun.
Zheng Shiyun had been the county magistrate in New Township for many years, wielding power and influence, with few enemies. However, his home was now filled with cries of pain. Chen Shi barged in to find the household staff lying on the ground, and Zheng Shiyun pinned to the wall by a bamboo pole through his chest, though not fatally wounded, he was in agony.
Zheng Shiyun's family was at a loss, trying to pull out the bamboo pole but unable to do so. Pulling it out would rip his flesh further since the end inside him was broken and embedded in his body.
"The county office's guards have all been sent away, leaving it unguarded. Hearing the fight, no one came to check. Only County Magistrate Zheng Shiyun could give such an order. Therefore, Zheng Shiyun knows who that noblewoman is! Mr. Fu is here to force him to reveal her identity."
Chen Shi grabbed the bamboo pole and asked, "County Magistrate Zheng, who is the noblewoman that bought Shen Yusheng's Divine Fetus from you?" Zheng Shiyun, in unbearable pain and sweating profusely, gritted his teeth and said, "You want to know who the noblewoman is too? Fine! I'll tell you! It's the family of Li, the Provincial Governor! Do you dare to provoke them? You only dare to target me! What did I do to deserve this?"
Chen Shi pulled out the bamboo pole, and Zheng Shiyun screamed in pain but at least was freed from the wall, though some flesh was torn off. Chen Shi examined the bamboo pole, noting it was likely from the Scholars Academy, very sturdy, but Fu Leisheng's strength had broken one end.
Chen Shi's face was serious as he asked, "Ten years ago, the top scholar of the fifty provinces, who sold his Divine Fetus, and who bought it?" Zheng Shiyun replied, "Ten years ago, I wasn't the county magistrate, I didn't have the authority to sell his Divine Fetus. The people who sold it back then are all dead, I heard the buyer killed them to keep it quiet."
"Over the years, how many Divine Fetuses have you sold, Master Zheng?" Chen Shi asked. Zheng Shiyun became cautious and said, "I've never sold any. This time, if it weren't for the personal inquiry of the Provincial Governor's family, I wouldn't have done such a heinous thing."
Chen Shi walked out with the bamboo pole, breaking off the damaged end as he went. The pole, originally taller than a person, was now just over three feet long. Zheng Shiyun watched him leave with a sigh of relief.
"I don't believe you."
Chen Shi's voice came from outside the wall. Zheng Shiyun was startled as Chen Shi, outside, formed a sword gesture with his left hand, channeling True Qi into the bamboo pole. The pole, like a sword, shot out with a gesture, piercing through the wall and Zheng Shiyun's throat with immense force. Zheng Shiyun flew back, crashing into an old tree in the yard, hanging three or four feet off the ground.
"The Midnight Demon Slaying Sword... can be used like this?"
His limbs hung limp, unmoving. The Zheng household was filled with cries. "Those who steal Divine Fetuses must die!" Chen Shi left, saying, "Mr. Fu doesn't want to dirty his hands, so I'll do it for him!"
"Chen Shi, what are you doing here?"
Chen Shi, led by the black dog, caught up with Fu Leisheng. Fu Leisheng frowned and stopped, saying, "Today is your big day, you're the top in New Township, with the True God descending to grant you a Divine Fetus. You are destined to soar! Don't you want fame and fortune?"
He was standing outside a house at the street corner, where there was a bundle of bamboo, twenty or thirty pieces, with a chopping knife beside it. "Mr. Fu, you're still not ruthless enough."
Chen Shi saw this and knew Fu Leisheng was looking for bamboo. He immediately grabbed the chopping knife and cut the slender bamboo poles into three or four feet lengths, sharpening one end, tying them into a bundle, and carrying it on his back.
"I don't trust a scholar to kill," Chen Shi said, holding the chopping knife, the linen wrapped around his hand fitting perfectly.
Fu Leisheng had his eyes on a long piece of bamboo, about seventeen feet, very sturdy. He used a sword qi to cut off the front end, picked it up, and walked away coldly, saying, "I am prepared to die, I won't care about you when the time comes!"
The homeowner came out to find the chopping knife missing, the bamboo cut into pieces, and the long bamboo taken, cursing. The two of them reached the dock by Clear Canal River, waving for a painted boat. Chen Shi asked, "Boatman, do you know where the Provincial Governor's family lives?"
The father and daughter on the boat recognized Chen Shi. The boatwoman smiled and said, "I remember you, you're rich, not like those poor scholars! The Provincial Governor's family lives on East Street, in a mansion of a wealthy merchant from the south, it's very big! Why are you asking?"
"To deliver a bundle of firewood!"
Chen Shi jumped onto the boat, tossing her a silver ingot, saying, "Please, take us there." The boatwoman saw it was a two or three-ounce silver ingot, smiling broadly, and said, "Alright! Dad, hurry up! These two are looking for revenge, let's drop them off and quickly leave, we don't want to get involved!"
Fu Leisheng looked at the boatwoman, who giggled and said, "We've been on this river for years, seen all kinds of people. You two look like you're out for revenge, carrying all those bamboo poles, what's the point?"
Chen Shi replied seriously, "These bamboo poles, sharpened at one end, form a sword shape, perfect for the first move of the Midnight Demon Slaying Sword, the thrust."
The boatwoman shook her head and said, "Carrying them like that isn't right, I have a fish basket on the boat, put them in there."
She brought a fish basket that could hold twenty or thirty slender bamboo poles. Chen Shi carried it on his back, finding it light, and thanked her.
The boatwoman chuckled and said, "Are you going to collect bodies?"
"No need."
Chen Shi tightened the fish basket and said, "I've killed too many people, if I were to collect bodies, I don't know how much it would cost."
"Boom!"
Thunder rumbled in the sky, but it didn't rain, just stayed gloomy.
The boatwoman handed him an umbrella, saying, "Yes, yes, you've killed many! Take this, don't get soaked."
Li Xiaozheng was the new Provincial Governor of New Township Province, only staying in New Township County for a day before taking office. He was appointed by the Western Capital, and New Township Province was an important place. The Zhao family had caused chaos, releasing demonic transformations and sacrificing countless people, leaving much to be done, so he couldn't delay.
However, he left in a hurry, but his family didn't have to rush, they could travel leisurely to the provincial capital.
Li Xiaozheng was a man of integrity, not fond of women, married only two wives, Miss Wei Yin from the Xia family and Miss Jing Shu from the Yan family, as his main and secondary wives. Besides them, he had three concubines and several maidservants. He was very protective of his reputation.
On this trip, the two wives and three concubines each brought their own servants, children, and attendants, staying in New Township County for a few days to rest.
The first wife, Xia Weiyin, laughed and said, "The master went to New Township Province to take office the other day, busy with official duties and mundane affairs, with various officials visiting and personnel appointments, very noisy. He also had to execute the Zhao family's heads, heads rolling, we women can't see that, too bloody. But two days have passed, I suppose the heads that needed chopping are all chopped. We should go slowly, so the master isn't without women and gets charmed by some vixen."
The second wife, Yan Jingshu, said, "Sister is right. This isn't anywhere else, the officials here were originally Zhao family people, now that the Zhao family is down, they're lost, not knowing how to flatter the master, won't they offer money, treasures, and women? The master's reputation is good, but it's hard to stay pure in such situations."
The two wives shared a knowing smile, inviting the wealthy merchant from the south and said, "Master, thank you for your hospitality these days, we will leave for the provincial capital today, not daring to impose further."
The wealthy merchant, an old friend of Li Xiaozheng, doing business with the Li family of Quanzhou, quickly said, "Won't the two wives stay a few more days? I would like to serve you more."
The first wife, Xia Weiyin, waved her hand and said, "Staying in your home, your family isn't comfortable, not even daring to speak loudly. It's an imposition, how can we cause you more inconvenience?"
The wealthy merchant didn't dare refuse, immediately preparing some silver and treasures, saying, "I know the two wives and the master don't lack these, but it's my small token of appreciation."
The two wives didn't mind, saying, "Alright, we'll take it as your filial piety." With that, they ordered it to be accepted.
The second wife, Yan Jingshu, ordered the servants to pack and prepare to leave.
At this time, the young master Tianxiu came, looking very spirited.
Yan Jingshu asked, "My son, why are you so happy?"
"Mother, Aunt Gu and Mr. Zeng gave me a new Divine Fetus, making my cultivation much more effective!"
Li Tianxiu laughed, "It was put in through the back of my head, still a bit sore."
The two wives were shocked.
Li Tianxiu was Yan Jingshu's youngest son, a precious child, cherished and protected.
The young master was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, but he didn't like studying and hadn't cultivated a Divine Fetus yet.
Originally, someone in the Li family suggested that a child named Li Tianqing from a concubine's side, blessed by the True God with a first-grade Purple Jade Divine Fetus, should give it to the young master.
But nothing came of it.
This time in New Township County, they heard that someone in this small county had a Divine Fetus bestowed during the literary exam, a first-grade Wen Chang Divine Fetus, envied by many.
At that time, Yan Jingshu and Xia Weiyin were chatting and casually said, "If Tianxiu could also receive a first-grade Divine Fetus from the True God, I would be satisfied."
"Most likely Aunt Gu acted on her own!"
Yan Jingshu was a bit angry, ordering someone to call Aunt Gu.
A moment later, Aunt Gu arrived.
This woman, in her forties, was originally a wet nurse in the Li family. Seeing her capable, the two wives promoted her to manage the household affairs, handling all matters big and small.
Aunt Gu was indeed efficient, managing everything well, saving the two wives a lot of trouble.
Yan Jingshu scolded Aunt Gu for a while, then said, "Since you've done it, I can't do anything about it."
"Was the child whose Divine Fetus was taken given a proper burial?" Xia Weiyin asked.
Aunt Gu laughed and said, "Rest assured, madam, of course, he was properly buried. We didn't rob or steal, we paid a lot of money. The child's family is from the countryside, not their only son, losing one isn't a big deal. We paid them enough."
Xia Weiyin nodded gently and said, "It's a matter that harms one's virtue, spreading it would damage the Li family's reputation. The master values his reputation."
Aunt Gu understood and said, "I will handle it cleanly, only the county magistrate and a few officials know. Ladies, the carriages are ready, and the things are packed, it's better to leave early."
Xia Weiyin nodded gently, walking out surrounded by the women.
Yan Jingshu asked Li Tianxiu, smiling, "How do you feel with the new Divine Fetus?"
Li Tianxiu was excited and said, "Mother, I feel full of energy, my cultivation is much faster!"
Yan Jingshu sternly said, "Since you have a good Divine Fetus, study well with Mr. Zeng, don't be distracted! If you fool around with those maids again, I'll break your legs!"
Li Tianxiu quickly agreed, spotting a tall horse, he excitedly said, "Mother, I'm going to ride the horse!"
Yan Jingshu had no choice but to let him go.
Everyone left the manor, boarding the carriages outside.
Li Tianxiu rode the horse, galloping towards the city outskirts, laughing, "Mother, I'll wait for you outside the city!"
Yan Jingshu quickly said, "Mr. Zeng, take people and follow Tianxiu!"
A scholar in his fifties bowed, ready to mount his horse, when suddenly, with a whoosh, a green light flashed, piercing through the back of Li Tianxiu's head and out the front, trailing blood!
End of Chapter.