Chapter 1683: Chapter 866: Deadly Scheme (Part 2)
As soon as these words were spoken, the elders of the Xiao family all changed color.
Heavenly Mechanism Great Power!
"Master Xia, do you know..."
Master Xia shook his head and sighed, "Even though I have reached the Feather Transformation Realm, my understanding of the Way of Cause and Effect is not deep. I just calculated a little, but couldn’t figure anything out..."
The elderly elder of the Xiao family frowned, then sighed, "Then we can only go back and ask the Ancestor to take action."
Master Xia said nothing.
Elder Xiao hesitated for a moment, cupped his hands towards Master Xia, and said, "I have another favor to ask."
Master Xia nodded, "Please speak freely."
The Xiao family elder said, "This matter is peculiar, and to avoid gossip, could I ask Lord Inspector to keep this matter confidential and not mention it to others."
Master Xia said, "Naturally, at this point in the matter, it’s not what my Xia family wishes either. The nephew from the Xiao family was extraordinarily talented with a promising future, which I held in high regard. It’s a pity that Heaven is jealous of the talented, and I also feel very regretful."
After speaking, Master Xia added lightly:
"The deceased is of great importance. Perhaps in life, he was young and impetuous with some flaws in his behavior. But now that he is dead, everything should be put to rest. If others inquire, the Taoist Court will say he died in the line of duty, giving my worthy nephew some dignity."
The Xiao family elders all cupped their hands in gratitude, saying, "Master Xia is compassionate and benevolent, thank you very much."
As for what kind of character Xiao Tianquan was and what he did, some among these elders knew, while others did not.
But even if they didn’t know beforehand, seeing him die a sudden and tragic death, with a terrified expression, it was clear he had done something guilty and was receiving retribution.
Xiao Tianquan was at the core of the Xiao family’s direct lineage, sharing in the family’s honor and shame.
If he had truly committed some scandal, the shame would fall upon the entire Xiao family if it were exposed.
The fact that Master Xia was willing to let bygones be bygones and give face to the Xiao family was naturally the best outcome.
The Xiao family elder said, "We will return Tianquan’s son’s remains as soon as possible and report back to the Ancestor, who also has expertise in the Way of Cause and Effect. He should be able to find out who exactly was behind the schemes against our family’s direct lineage..."
Master Xia said with satisfaction, "That’s very good."
Then, he became slightly stern and casually remarked:
"Tianquan was cursed to death in public, which was both a provocation to my Xia family and a slap in the face to the Xiao family. The person behind this is likely an enemy of the Xiao family, unwilling for our two families to form ties, and thus laid such a sinister trap."
"If the Xiao family’s Ancestor is proficient in the Way of Cause and Effect, please have the old man definitely calculate the causation here and see who is secretly attacking. Not only the Xiao family, but my Xia family will also not let this person go."
The Xiao family elder cupped hands saying, "Thank you very much, Master Xia, for your good intentions. I will certainly report to the Ancestor and ask him to deliberate."
Master Xia nodded.
After that, the feast abruptly ended.
Originally, the guests were all merrily enjoying themselves, but no one expected bloodshed, resulting in a death, making the atmosphere somewhat eerie.
The Xiao family’s elder didn’t dare to delay, using a coffin to collect Xiao Tianquan’s body, gathering all his possessions, bidding farewell to Master Xia, and then hurriedly returning to the Xiao family.
Master Xia watched them leave, but when looking at Xiao Tianquan’s coffin, a hint of unavoidable disdain finally appeared in his eyes as he sighed softly:
"What a pity, for the special Eternal Life Rune’s seed came too late..."
...
Xiao Tianquan died, and the news was kept under wraps, but it couldn’t be completely concealed. At least there would definitely be some rumors from the Taoist Court.
Because Xiao Tianquan was the Enforcement Leader of the Taoist Court.
Gu Changhuai and Xia Canonical Official were dealing with the aftermath of the Rouge Boat when they received a document.
This was a document within the Taoist Court that only cultivators at the rank of Supervisor and above could see.
It contained only a few words, without any background, simple and direct:
"Xiao family’s Enforcement Leader Xiao Tianquan, courageous and fearless, died in the line of duty."
Gu Changhuai and Xia Canonical Official were stunned, momentarily thinking they had misread it.
After repeated confirmations, waves of shock surged in their hearts.
Not long after parting, Xiao Tianquan, who was sheltered by the Feather Transformation Realm’s Master Xia, actually just...
Died?
The so-called dying in the line of duty was merely an excuse.
The real situation, surely, was that the cause of his death was not suitable for public disclosure.
The two raised their heads, exchanging glances, a thought simultaneously emerging in their minds:
How did he die?
Or rather... who killed Xiao Tianquan? How was it done?
Despite racking their brains, they couldn’t fathom who or by what means could kill the Xiao family’s most direct disciple right under the nose of the Feather Transformation Realm?
The room’s atmosphere fell silent for a while.
Both pondered, still clueless.
A moment later, several more official documents were delivered, all indicating that within one day, across the Qian Learning state boundary and its surrounding regions, numerous fleeing Evil Cultivators, Sin Cultivators detained in the Taoist Prison, family disciples, and even some sect disciples, had suddenly died.
They were of various identities, and died in different manners, but without exception, all were mysterious and sudden deaths.
Gu Changhuai and his companion furrowed their brows even tighter.
"Sudden death..."
Gu Changhuai muttered.
This term seemed somewhat familiar to him.
After a moment, he suddenly recalled the words Mo Hua had said previously at the Mistwater City tavern:
"Heaven sees what people do. The Howling Celestial Dog, having committed many unrighteous deeds, might any day be struck down by Heaven and suddenly drop dead..."
Not only did Gu Changhuai remember, but Xia Canonical Official also recalled.
The two looked at each other, both finding it unbelievable.
"Mo..."
Xia Canonical Official began but saw Gu Changhuai shaking his head, clearly indicating not to bring up that name now.
Xia Canonical Official swallowed the name "Mo Hua," with a stunned expression saying:
"This should... be a coincidence, right?"
She thought for a moment, her eyes suddenly focusing, and asked Gu Changhuai, "Did you yesterday..."