Chapter 186:  160 Holding power, with an arrogant attitude (Thanks to Cang Lei You Sheng’s Silent Gale for the reward support)_1
 

Jiang ancestral home.

Inside the hall.

“Suhu is dead? Is this true or false?”

“The Chief of Night Patrol himself made the call, it was Xin Cheng who went to claim the body…”

“Who did it? Who dares to kill a member of our Jiang family!”

“Enough, second brother, cut out that phony act. You’re probably the happiest about Suhu’s misfortune!”

“That’s bullshit!”

“You know the truth in your heart!”

The sound of a wine glass shattering on the ground echoed.

Following closely, the hall erupted into chaos with men’s cursing, women’s quarreling, and children’s crying all mixing together.

Jiang ancestral home.

Back mountain.

The middle-aged butler had been waiting in the cold night wind for a long time, finally seeing the elderly head of the house tardily opening the door. Years of cultivated servitude meant he bore no hint of dissatisfaction.

On the contrary.

He hastened a few steps forward, bowing and bending in just the right measure of deference.

“Disturbing your rest so late is really improper, but… we just received news that Young Master Suhu has run into trouble. I had to disturb your rest urgently; regarding this matter, you…”

“I am already aware of it,” Jiang Qingcang said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged butler was stunned.

His expression showed a faint change, but to be honest, it was somewhat unexpected.

He had just learned the news about Young Master Suhu, but how did the elderly head of the house come by this information?

Once he pondered it, a chill ran through him.

He couldn’t help but look up and take a deep glance.

It turns out the confidential clerk in the old man’s hands was truly as rumored, more than just Jiang Xinrun’s line.

He bowed again and said, “I see you already knew. I apologize for the slow communication on my part.”

The butler apologized immediately.

Seeing Jiang Qingcang unmoved, he quickly inquired, “Young Master Xin Cheng is already on his way back with Young Master Suhu’s body. Do you want to take a look?”

“Lead the way.”

Jiang Qingcang’s reaction was different from what the middle-aged butler had expected. He thought there would be a storm, but it was as calm as a still sea.

It seemed he saw right through the butler’s thoughts.

“Think I should be raging?”

The middle-aged butler quickly lowered his head, “It was my lack of thorough consideration.”

Jiang Qingcang did not continue to say anything.

With his status, he naturally didn’t need to fully explain his thoughts to those around him. In fact, he had always been inscrutable.

For someone who personally overcame his elders in a grand era, eventually taking control of the Jiang family and leading them to the pinnacle, how could he possibly be of a simple mind!

That’s why, in the Jiang family, no one dared to speculate about the true patriarch’s thoughts.

As the old man made his appearance, the intense arguments in the hall suddenly hushed to the point where you could hear a pin drop. Everyone hurriedly adjusted their appearances, vying with each other to speak to the old man. The thoughtless were pointing fingers at each other, while the schemers showed concern for the old man.

The old man arranged matters in an orderly manner.

Someone rushed in from outside the door.

Before long.

A disheveled young woman burst in, ignoring the mocking eyes of everyone else; she knelt before the old man with a plea.

“Please… you must severely punish the murderer who killed Suhu!”

The young woman clutched at the old man’s legs, holding on to the hem of his trousers tightly.

The old man bent down and lifted the woman’s arm, its softness indicating how well this granddaughter-in-law usually maintained herself.

Although some words were not heartfelt, Pei Jinye still spoke in the old man’s voice, reassuringly, “Suhu will not have died in vain!”

The young woman’s eyes were red with tears, a pitiable sight.

After the maids escorted the young lady aside,

The old man slowly turned to his sons and daughters by his side.

Everybody hurriedly covered up their previous gloating expressions.

Righteously they said, “Maintain close contact with the Night Patrol Department; we must bring the murderer to justice!”

“Yes!”

It was deep into the night before you knew it.

After the people of the Jiang family dispersed, the ancestral home returned to its usual serenity, albeit with a quietly repressed atmosphere.

In everyone’s eyes, the old man had lost his most beloved grandson. At such a time, anyone who foolishly provoked him was bound to get no good out of it.

The descendants with Jiang blood flowing in their veins dare not touch this taboo, and the lower servants even less so…

Serving the powerful, they had grown accustomed to companions vanishing silently from this world and naturally understood how filthy the depths of those outwardly glamorous and illustrious households could be.

“Master,” the middle-aged butler stood at the door of the internal court, speaking softly, “Miss Song has come again.”

The old man’s voice came from within the room.

“It’s very late; tell her to go back and rest. The matter of Suhu needs some time; reassure her.”

“Yes, Master.”

The butler left.

Not long after, the young woman in plain clothes at the outer courtyard could only nod in thanks and depart alone down the mountain.

Inside the mountain estate.

A figure stood behind a window, the moonlight falling steadily upon his shoulders.

“They say that the gods are three feet above our heads, but do they truly exist?”

“Even if they do, it makes no difference.”

“In this world, what gods would kneel in gratitude to a person like me, who kills and sets fires yet also deals with the aftermath, a great philanthropist by that standard!”

Before long.

Pei Jinye turned and walked away.

The Big Dream for Thousands of Autumns quietly operated.

Early morning.

As the first rays of the sunlight rose from the east.

Underneath the expansive rosy clouds,

A figure on the back mountain was already practicing the Play of Five Animals. The figure, dressed in a loose martial robe, stood with arms raised, one leg lifted, arms extended, eyebrows up, exerting strength…

The person here was none other than Pei Jinye.

However, he appeared in the back mountain of the Jiang family with the visage of Jiang Qingcang.

A set of the Play of Five Animals completed.

Steaming white vapor rose from the top of his head.

After Bone Forging, one could step into the Middle Three Realm of Blood Refining.

This was the Martial Arts Realm.

The realm most warriors sought after for their entire lives.

Although Pei Jinye had taken advantage of proficiency and various other favorable conditions to develop a strong physique that ordinary people would need several years of hard cultivation to achieve in just over a month,

he was very clear that the world was vast and full of wonders. Even Teacher Chang could easily kill him, let alone others.

Luckily, he could Devour other people’s Transcendents!

Under the leisurely drifting white clouds and the mild and pleasant sun.

An hour later.

The cultivation ended.

Pei Jinye continued to appear in the front yard for a meal in the guise of Jiang Qingcang; the more he impersonated, the more skilled he became.

The expensive medicinal cuisine was like bland tea and simple meals to average families; Pei Jinye enjoyed it without any hesitation.

His Vitality grew increasingly robust with digestion.

Since the condensation of the second Blood Lotus, Pei Jinye had noticed that his appetite had greatly increased compared to before.

“Master.”

The middle-aged Butler approached and began to report on the day’s news.

He reported for a full five minutes.

During this time, “Jiang Qingcang” quietly continued his meal.

Regardless of how outsiders interpreted his aloofness or steadiness, in truth, Pei Jinye was just too busy to bother with such thoughts.

“This afternoon, there’s an important meeting at the city hall; they hope the Jiang family will attend. What are your orders?” the middle-aged Butler asked, bowing.

“Have the vice chairman go, no one is to disturb me this afternoon… and no need to prepare dinner either, wait until I finish my seclusion,” “Jiang Qingcang” instructed.

Once the old man spoke, the middle-aged Butler immediately complied, his tone slightly excited, “Are you breaking through this time?”

“It’s just a minor realization.”

“Jiang Qingcang” said lightly.

Yet the Butler spoke earnestly, “At your level, even the slightest insight is a precious opportunity worth a fortune. If you can break through, that would certainly be…”

“Jiang Qingcang” interrupted the Butler’s flattery, “Prepare some items for me that restore Vitality and spiritual power. Place them in the back yard. Arrange it as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Master. I’ll make the arrangements at once!”

After the middle-aged man left, Pei Jinye continued to enjoy his breakfast.

He wiped the corners of his mouth with a precious handkerchief and then stood up.

The maids behind him skillfully and swiftly began to clear the table.

Back mountain.

Pei Jinye glanced at the time.

He had requested three days off from the Investigation Team and didn’t need to report until the day after tomorrow.

The ascent of his Cultivation filled Pei Jinye with much more confidence.

If the death of Xu Tian could be hidden for a longer period, Pei Jinye would prefer to continue laying low.

He only hoped that Yang Qingdan, fully armed, would be strong enough, and that his daring move to make contact wouldn’t be in vain.

“Buzz!”

At that moment, Xu Tian’s cellphone vibrated.

The caller was Qiu Hezi.

Pei Jinye waited a moment before answering, imitating Xu Tian’s voice, “What is it?”

“About Chief Xie’s case…”

Before Qiu Hezi could finish, Pei Jinye interrupted, “That case is your Investigation Team’s own business. With your abilities, can’t you resolve such a trivial case? I’m in the middle of something important right now. If there’s nothing else, let’s end the conversation here.”

The call ended.

Qiu Hezi was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.

Looking at the person opposite him, he said, “I told you, the people from Judgement Place are very arrogant. But Old Tang, why are you suddenly interested in Chief Xie’s business?”

“My transfer order came through, and I’ll be leaving in a week. Isn’t it okay for me to be interested in some gossip before I leave?” Tang Wudi said lazily.

Hearing this, Qiu Hezi shook his head with a light chuckle, “There are rumors that your family is moving. Is it true?”

“Who knows? I don’t look after the family business,” Tang Wudi paused, then added, “By the way, isn’t there a newbie in your team named Pei Jinye?”

“There is such a person. Why, do you know him?”

“Take care of him for me.”

Hearing this, Qiu Hezi suddenly laughed and asked, “Your visit today was to probe Xu Tian, but was it actually to look out for Pei Jinye?”

Tang Wudi didn’t mind his thoughts being seen through, “You know me, I don’t like owing favors.”

“It’s a small matter,” Qiu Hezi said nonchalantly, and then added as if he recalled something, “Speaking of which, Pei Jinye is somewhat lucky, but not by much.”

Tang Wudi, who was about to leave, looked up and said, “Well, go on then.”

“I thought you weren’t interested,” Qiu Hezi said with a light laugh. “Previously, he single-handedly reversed a situation and killed two members of the Old Gods Association, which was a significant accomplishment. However, Xie Zuxin suppressed it. Recently, when we were clearing out Xie Zuxin’s belongings, we found his unsubmitted award application letters in his office; some of Pei Jinye’s credit was transferred to his nephew.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Wudi raised an eyebrow, “Your Investigation Team is corrupt to this extent now?”

“That’s why they decided not to posthumously award him as a martyr…” Qiu Hezi sighed lightly, “Although his wife has been making a fuss.”

“Making a fuss? Bullshit,” Tang Wudi said with disdain, “It’s because you guys care too much about face. If it were me, I might have taken his wife away for interrogation too, to find out how much Xie Zuxin embezzled during his time in office. I don’t believe his wife knew nothing.”

Qiu Hezi looked at him silently.

Wei Family.

“During the previous investigation, we indeed discovered that Young Master Wei Xia had a conflict with Pei Jinye, and it was related to that girl from the Lan Family…” the secretary reported respectfully.

Wei Xianren’s father, Wei Pingding, listened calmly, “Have we discovered any movement on Pei Jinye’s side?”

“It seems someone is deliberately concealing his whereabouts in secret.”

Upon hearing the secretary’s report, Wei Pingding looked up, “What about his parents?”

“We only found out they are contractors on East Street. Our people tried to follow them, but received warnings.”

“Was it the City Hall or Pei Jinye who gave the warning?” Wei Pingding asked.

“Neither. To be honest, we don’t know who it was. Our people were knocked unconscious and thrown back without a chance to resist. They were sent back with a note saying there wouldn’t be any survivors next time.”

The secretary’s words made Wei Pingding pause.

At this time, Wei Xianren appeared.

Wei Pingding slightly composed himself, waved the secretary away, and with a calmer demeanor said, “Xiaoxian, you’re meeting with Mr. Xu this afternoon, make sure not to be nervous.”

Wei Xianren’s face was cold.

He felt extreme aversion inside.