Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 78 - 77 Li Hongyi’s News

Chapter 78: Chapter 77 Li Hongyi’s News

In a room at the Chu State Demon Slayer Bureau, the scent of ink wafts through the air as a middle-aged figure diligently practices calligraphy, each stroke executed with utmost care.

Practicing calligraphy helps to calm the mind and cultivate one’s character. Cultivators must avoid impatience and restlessness. Especially those in the Demon Slayer Bureau, who have witnessed much darkness, require patience. He is not young anymore, and if he can’t advance further, his life might just end here.

At that moment, someone knocked and entered, bowing, "Sir, someone outside says they have urgent matters to discuss with you."

"Tell him to convey it to you," Sun Qian replied.

"I did tell him, but he insists that it’s extremely urgent, concerning the Wanxiang Sect and a Great Demon outside the city, and must only be discussed with you." The person continued.

Sun Qian frowned and said, "Bring him here."

"Yes, sir." The person withdrew and soon returned with a man, who turned out to be Yin Qing.

"Yin Qing meets the Vice Commandant." Yin Qing bowed, but the other person continued to write quietly, ignoring him, while an intangible pressure fell on Yin Qing.

These influential figures can exert pressure with just a casual act. Of course, this is due to their status. As the Vice Commandant of the Chu State Demon Slayer Bureau, Sun Qian was a prestigious figure in Chuzhou, respected even by powerful families. Crushing small fry like him would be as easy as crushing an ant.

A moment later, Sun Qian put down his pen, raised his head to look at Yin Qing, and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Yin Qing glanced at the person beside him. Sun Qian gave a signal, and that person bowed and withdrew.

"You can speak now," Sun Qian said.

"Vice Commandant, I, Yin Qing..." Yin Qing recounted the escorting of Lv Qin, the encounter with Xiao Mo, and the incident of Li Fan killing and seizing treasures.

After listening, Sun Qian’s gaze turned cold, an invisible pressure fell on Yin Qing, making him shiver. He immediately kneeled on the ground, kowtowing, "Vice Commandant, I came to report and will not let this matter be revealed to a third party. I’m willing to serve you unto death."

Yin Qing also knew this matter was extremely dangerous, but he came fueled by anger, unable to consider much else. Success would bring wealth and glory.

"You wish to join the Demon Slayer Bureau?" Sun Qian naturally understood his intentions.

"Yes, I wish to follow you loyally." Yin Qing kowtowed, placing his head on the ground.

Sun Qian asked, "In your opinion, what should be done?"

"These people committed murder and robbery, violating Court laws, and should be executed without mercy," Yin Qing said. Sun Qian stared at him; these people of the martial world were truly ruthless, betraying friends without hesitation to seek glory.

"You said that sword cultivator is at the Soul Emergence Realm?" Sun Qian asked.

"Yes, he claimed he had just broken through, but his combat strength is strong," Yin Qing replied. "This person might have some background. You can accuse him in the name of the Court."

"Well done, you can join the Demon Slayer Bureau," Sun Qian said.

"Thank you, sir." Yin Qing was overjoyed, cold sweat on his back.

At last, he succeeded. He believed Sun Qian could handle what came next. These Court officials had dark hearts.

"What’s his name?" Sun Qian asked again.

"Li Fan." Yin Qing replied.

"Li Fan?" A gleam appeared in Sun Qian’s eyes.

"Yes." Yin Qing nodded.

Sun Qian looked outside, squinting his eyes.

He wasn’t present at the Battle of Li Mountain, but he knew about the incident in Lin’an County, involving that young man named ’Li Fan’ which stirred a commotion.

He didn’t know the specifics of what happened on the sword peak at the Peak of Li Mountain. If Lingxiao Pavilion won, they would probably announce it, but if they lost, there would be silence. Those who knew weren’t of Sun Qian’s reach, and Li Mountain wouldn’t proclaim it.

But he knew Li Mountain was still there.

At this time, a Li Mountain Disciple appearing in Chuzhou City was intriguing.

Last time Li Fan was in Lin’an County, Wen Ruyu intervened at the end. So now, is Wen Ruyu also behind him?

Yin Qing saw Sun Qian was silent, and he looked up, softly calling, "Sir."

Sun Qian regained his composure and asked Yin Qing, "What has Li Fan done since arriving in Chuzhou City?"

"He is searching for a woman, Li Hongyi of the Cui Family," Yin Qing replied.

"Nothing else?" Sun Qian asked.

"And to settle Lv Qi." Yin Qing said.

Sun Qian nodded, looking at Yin Qing with interest, "Are you trying to get me killed?"

Yin Qing: "..."

"I wouldn’t dare." Yin Qing said.

"Do you know where Li Fan comes from?" Sun Qian asked. Yin Qing was taken aback; could it be that Sun Qian knew Li Fan?

"Li Mountain!" Sun Qian’s eyes showed killing intent, and he struck down with a palm on Yin Qing’s head.

Instantly, blood flowed from Yin Qing’s head as he fell limp, his eyes wide open, with only two words in his mind, Li Mountain...

"Someone come." Sun Qian called. The person from before returned, looking at the corpse on the ground with a calm expression.

"Send someone to investigate Li Hongyi of the Cui Family but keep it low-key," Sun Qian instructed.

"Yes, sir." The person nodded.

"Clean this up," Sun Qian glanced at Yin Qing’s corpse, turned back to the desk. The treasure had unexpectedly landed in a Li Mountain Disciple’s hands.

He needed to think carefully about this.

The previous Prefect Xu Bin died at Li Mountain, and though Li Mountain wasn’t destroyed, the forces like the Chen family that were involved in the Li Mountain affair were terrified. If various powers learned a Li Mountain Disciple came to Chuzhou City, they wouldn’t sleep easy.

A storm was brewing in Chuzhou City.

...

Li Fan settled in Chuzhou City, practicing quietly while waiting for news from Han Zong.

These past few days, Han Zong and Situ Chan would come to the inn to see him daily, but Yin Qing had disappeared, mysteriously vanished. However, Li Fan didn’t care or bother about it.

One day, Li Fan was practicing in the courtyard.

"Xiao Fan," at this time, Han Zong anxiously entered the courtyard. Over the past few days, the relationship between them had grown closer, so he addressed Li Fan directly as Xiao Fan.

"Brother Han, what’s wrong?" Li Fan asked.

"I found out," Han Zong said, "but Xiao Fan, prepare yourself; it’s not good news."

Li Fan’s expression grew serious, "Tell me, Brother Han."

"I discovered that indeed, Miss Li has come to Chuzhou City and went to the Cui Family, but... Miss Li was turned away by the Cui Family and even suffered humiliation."

Han Zong hesitated. Li Fan frowned and asked, "Specifically, what happened?"

"The Cui family members called her a bastard, bringing shame to the Cui Family’s name, and refused to accept her. Miss Li wanted to see her mother but was beaten and driven away by the Cui family," Han Zong continued.

"Her father wasn’t there?" Li Fan asked.

"I didn’t hear about that. The information I gathered indicated Miss Li came alone," Han Zong replied.

A sense of foreboding arose in Li Fan’s heart.

Lin’an County is far from Chuzhou. If Li Daoqing were around, he wouldn’t let Li Hongyi travel such a distance alone to Chuzhou.

If Li Daoqing were here, he wouldn’t just let Li Hongyi suffer humiliation without intervening.

Unless...

Recalling Li Hongyi’s odd behavior that day, Li Fan’s expression turned extremely grim.

"My mistake." Li Fan blamed himself a little as he had promised in Lin’an County to accompany Li Hongyi to the Cui Family to find her mother.

Back then, when Li Daoqing was with Li Hongyi, they ran wild, undoubtedly due to his identity as a Li Mountain Disciple. Knowing he couldn’t help in the Cui Family, Li Daoqing chose to help his daughter in this way.

But because of the Li Mountain affair, he returned to Li Mountain.

Seeing from his encounter with Li Hongyi, she was naive and idealistic, unaware of the world’s darkness. She had light in her eyes, hence fearlessly following him in mischief, risking her life.

"Brother Han, you know Chuzhou City well, can you help me find her?" Li Fan asked.

"Understood, I will do my utmost," Han Zong nodded, seeing the special relationship between Li Fan and Li Hongyi, and would naturally do his best.

Li Fan took out a bundle of Demon Cores and handed them to Han Zong.

"Xiao Fan, you saved our lives, and I’m not doing this for the Demon Cores," Han Zong refused.

"I know," Li Fan nodded, "but to accomplish things, they are needed. I wish to find her as quickly as possible. Moreover, these Demon Cores are meant for you and Sister Chan."

Han Zong nodded and didn’t refuse anymore. As Li Fan said, getting things done fast required resources.

"I’ll go find her right away," Han Zong turned and left, not daring to delay this matter.

Watching Han Zong’s back, a sharp intent flickered in Li Fan’s eyes.

The Cui Family!

Even with an Innate Dharma Form, Miss Li was rejected as an illegitimate child, disgraceful to the Cui Family’s name.

He’s curious to know how esteemed this Cui Family’s name truly is.

"Xiao Fan, Yin Qing is missing," at this moment, Situ Chan also spoke up.

Li Fan looked at her, and Situ Chan continued, "That day, Brother and he had a dispute, intending to sever relations. Now Yin Qing is missing, and I’m worried he might inform the government about the incident outside the city for revenge."

Although she called Yin Qing a brother, time reveals the true character, and she knew that Yin Qing was somewhat narrow-minded, and probably held a grudge over what happened that day.

"Don’t worry, just ignore it." Li Fan replied, if Yin Qing indeed acted out, the next time they meet, he might as well die.

Situ Chan felt relieved hearing Li Fan’s words, seeming like he had a reserve of confidence.

However, Situ Chan was curious about the source of Li Fan’s confidence and how he managed to kill the Tiger Demon Mountain Lord?

In her eyes, the young man before her seemed increasingly mysterious, beyond her comprehension.