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Wang Ye might have managed to bring Old San out of that formation with Flying Star, but Shen Yixin was not at all optimistic about it.

That Junior Minister from the Judicial Court was too inexperienced.

Shen Yixin simply didn’t believe he could break through the ancient formation just by using Flying Star unless Liu Yu himself would come.

However, considering the current situation, it seemed that the opponent had succeeded.

Otherwise, the Lyuzhou Magistrate would not have been aware of the matter concerning the token.

"Prefectural Governor traveled all the way here, my apologies for not coming out to meet you sooner!" Shen Yixin bowed with hands clasped, "May I ask, my third brother accompanied Minister Wang to your esteemed land a few days back. Is he well now?"

"Third Elder Shen and Eighth Master?" Chen Qing smiled, "They’re living quite comfortably in Lyuzhou, but the circumstances are special, it’s not convenient to go into detail here. Does Sixth Elder plan to make me stand here and talk the whole time?"

Shen Yixin frowned. Since the other party knew that Old Ba had followed, it must be true—Shen Lao San really had gone to Lyuzhou with the help of Wang Ye, which was truly remarkable.

"My apologies, Lord Chen, please come in!" Shen Yixin waved his hand, and several barriers instantly vanished at the city gate, which he also slowly opened under his control, leaving Hong Rui beside him with an inexplicable expression.

It used to be that he could at least occasionally order the soldiers to open the city gates. Now, it seems that he doesn’t even need to bother with that—what exactly is his purpose for being here?

However, Chen Qing did not move in response to the invitation. Standing at the bottom with Ghost Doll, he looked up with a smile that was not quite a smile: "What does Sixth Elder mean by this? Could it be that you’ve forgotten to close a couple of formation gates?"

Shen Yixin: "...."

This young man... is indeed not simple!

Shen Yixin observed him seriously. Outside Nanyang City, there were numerous formations. Even a top Magician like Mu Hongqing, who was proficient in formations, would not be able to discern the number of formations here. How old was this young man?

Could he have actually seen through the two formation gates he had intentionally left open?

Indeed, someone who could stir up trouble in Lyuzhou was no ordinary person.

How had Old San and Old Ba fared after dealing with this man? What was this man’s relation to Old Er’s death?

At that thought, Shen Yixin eventually closed down all the formations in front of the gate.

He was not afraid of a sudden attack from the other party; the one on the city wall was just a dummy puppet.

Should the other dare to act, he could reactivate the formations at any moment.

If the other dared to enter, no matter how capable, they would have to remain in Nanyang obediently.

Without Wang Ye here, there was no other Twilight Sorcerer available to help him leave!

But it seemed the other party did not care about this. After he closed the last two formations, with the somewhat eerie-looking doll, the man stepped into Nanyang City without changing his expression.

"Interesting..."

Old Qi, who was hurrying on his way, also found it all quite amusing as he observed everything through the Thousand Eyes Technique.

Since the departure of Old San and Old Ba, the atmosphere in the Shen family within Nanyang City had become extremely tense. Yet, the tenser it got, the less anyone dared to make a move, not even probing gestures... well, of course, the actions of a few brats don’t count.

Nanyang has become like still water. Now that such an interesting person has arrived, could he stir this dead water into turmoil?

---------------------------------

In the night, in the same place where they had received Wang Ye last time, the Shen family entertained the long-traveled Chen Qing at the same restaurant.

After introductions were complete, Chen Qing couldn’t help but express his admiration: "Worthy of Shen Family’s management of Nanyang City.

Nowadays, every place in Jiangnan is in hardship.

I’ve exhausted my efforts bringing some people to Lyuzhou, which brought a bit of life to that ghost town, yet with the market not circulating, there’s hardly any business on the streets.

According to what Minister Wang said, Nan Ming Prefecture is even more miserable.

However, I didn’t expect Nanyang City to be a completely different scene. "

Chen Qing looked at the bustling lights of thousand homes from the upper floor of the restaurant. To be honest, he felt somewhat envious. This was what a city should look like. Now, his Lyuzhou, with no trade, was ultimately lacking something.

"Prefectural Governor is too humble." Shen Yixin personally poured a cup of wine for Chen Qing, "The Shen Family has been managing Nanyang for a thousand years and is barely managing to hold up under the current situation. When Lord Chen took over Lyuzhou, it was completely in disarray, and the recent upheaval has only compounded it. Yet you’ve still managed to maintain Lyuzhou’s liveliness. I truly admire your capability."

Chen Qing smiled, ready to politely return the gesture when others at the table grew restless.

"Sixth Brother, given the current situation, why waste time with pleasantries?

" A young man sitting on the left, whose face was nearly as youthful as Chen Qing’s, looked at him coldly: "Mister Chen, what is the purpose of your visit? Why didn’t my third brother and Eighth Master come with you?

That Wang fellow said my second brother has died—what exactly happened? "

Chen Qing glanced at him: "May I know who you are?"

"Lord Chen, please excuse him," Shen Yixin smiled, "This is my youngest brother, Shen Yichen. He’s still young and may have been impolite. I hope you won’t take offense."

Chen Qing laughed: "What do I care about a child?"

Shen Yichen couldn’t help laughing at that: "You don’t seem to be much older than I am?"

"In fact, I might just appear young. I could be about the same age as the elders."

"Really?" Shen Yichen was astonished.

"False..." Chen Qing immediately laughed: "Young Master Twelve is really quite na?ve, isn’t he?"

"You!" Shen Yichen got up angrily, only to be pressed down again by the tall Fourth Elder Shen beside him.

But Chen Qing added a phrase that chilled the atmosphere further.

"It’s just too na?ve." Chen Qing looked coldly at Shen Yichen: "In an environment like the Shen Family’s, with a temperament like that of Young Master Twelve, can you really survive up to now?"

No sooner had he spoken than Shen Yichen was taken aback, and all the smiles disappeared from everyone’s faces.

"Look at what Lord Chen is saying, as if my Shen Family were a demon’s nest that devours humans!" Fourth Elder Shen chuckled heartily. "The youngsters like the twelfth are young; with their brothers watching over them, what’s the harm in living a bit more naively?"

"Really?" Chen Qing smiled and said, "Then I’ll start by answering Ninth Master’s question."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Chen Qing with astonishment. The guy had been quite slippery earlier, but now he seemed so straightforward? In an instant, everyone became more vigilant.

"Let’s talk about Second Elder Shen’s question first." Chen Qing scrutinized the expressions of those around him and continued, "I’m sure Wang Ye has already told you about the process of Second Elder’s death.

Now, some outcomes have been reached. Second Elder is not dead, but he has taken control of Ninth Master! "

When he said this, Chen Qing watched everyone’s eyes with great care.

Everyone’s pupils constricted in shock at his words. Aside from the three youngest, whose faces were a bit too expressive, the older ones managed to retain their composure.

A weight sank in Chen Qing’s heart. The Ancient Worm imitated humans all too convincingly: the aged were composed, the young full of vigor, all in line with their ages and schemes, truly making it hard to distinguish between demon and human.

"And then what?" Shen Yixin looked at Chen Qing with a deep gaze. "After Second Brother took control of Ninth Master, he didn’t plan on doing something?"

"He didn’t get the chance to do anything," Chen Qing said with a smile.

"He was caught off guard by Third Elder and Eighth Master, tumbled into the fog, and vanished without a trace. As you all know, the fog Formation on the river is quite miraculous. Once Second Elder ran into it, it’d be very difficult to find him. "

"Is Lord Chen telling the truth?" Shen Yifeng looked at Chen Qing, frowning. "Second Brother has gone into the fog?"

"Seventh Master seems quite concerned about this?" Chen Qing asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qi’s face grew ugly. "Is Lord Chen here to sow discord among us?" he asked.

"Of course not..." Chen Qing shook his head. "Following that encounter between Third Elder, Eighth Master and Second Elder, we are quite sure that Second Elder, with his Insect Technique, posed no threat to the other two. Both masters are clean, which means that the monster... is among us here!"

"You say it’s among us because you say so?

" Old Shi’er rose angrily from his seat.

"Just because you say so with your mouth? Since Third Brother and Eighth Master are clean, why haven’t they returned?

And what proof do you have that what you say is true?

You say the monster is among us, I could say the monster is harboring inside you. How can you prove your innocence?"

"Ninth Master really does have a temper..." Chen Qing said with a smile.

"Though the twelfth is a bit hot-headed, his words aren’t without merit..." Shen Lao Liu looked at Chen Qing seriously. "Would the Lord care to answer the twelfth’s question?"

Seeing all the hostile gazes directed at himself, Chen Qing pursed his lips slightly. The Shen family weren’t that foolish after all; they even knew to present a united front against an external party.

"Of course, I can!" Chen Qing rose to his feet and said, "Third Elder and Eighth Master could not come because they were injured.

I cannot elaborate on the specific reasons for their injuries, but they were not light.

Once they entered the fog, they could easily become targets for other monsters.

I have something belonging to Third Elder that can prove what I say.

" As he spoke, Chen Qing took out a jade pendant with an engraved Technique on it.

Mystic Water Jade!

Everyone frowned as they looked at it. It was indeed Third Elder’s token, with a Technique arranged by Third Elder himself on it. If Third Elder did not allow it, outsiders could not control this Mystic Water Jade.

"Then how can you, Lord, prove that you are clean?

" Seventh Elder Shen asked slowly. "Minister Wang could break through the blockade because he is a puppet, but how could you do the same? Isn’t that problematic as well?

Is there not another possibility that Third Brother was possessed, and so are you, Lord, which is why you could pass through the fog? "

"Old Liu has a point!" Fourth Elder Shen also stood up. "Lord, you’d better explain yourself properly, or else we shall have no choice but to restrain you first!"

With that statement, all eyes were locked on Chen Qing. Although the Techniques had not yet been activated, the pressure bearing down was indeed immense.

"Everyone, everyone, stay calm, stay calm!" Hong Rui, who had come along just to join in the banquet, stood up with a wry smile, playing the peacemaker.

He almost wished he could slap himself in the face. What was he doing getting involved in this mess?

The last time the Shen family invited Minister Wang to a banquet without inviting him, he took offense and stayed away.

He had hoped Minister Wang would at least have a word with him before leaving, as he had many questions to ask.

Finally, another person from the Imperial Court came, and he couldn’t afford to be aloof this time.

So, he shamelessly tagged along to the banquet, only to find himself caught in such a situation.

He inwardly cursed this young and rash Magistrate for riling up these people. Why stir trouble with them?

If he had known, he would have stayed aloof. If things came to blows, should he help or not?

Chen Qing, on the other hand, was taken aback by Hong Rui’s actions. The chubby man, with his legs trembling, still stood in front of him to take on the trouble. Quite commendable, indeed!

"Gentlemen..." Chen Qing said with a chuckle, pulling Hong Rui down to sit. "Since I’ve come, I naturally can prove my innocence."

"How will you prove it?" Old Shi’er looked at Chen Qing with an unfriendly gaze.

Chen Qing didn’t respond immediately. Standing still before everyone, he closed his eyes. In the next instant, a golden soul emerged from his physical body.

The members of the Shen family stood up in surprise!

"Gentlemen..." Chen Qing laughed. "Soul manifestation is the best proof, isn’t it? Because once possessed, no matter how convincingly one imitates on the outside, the soul within would certainly no longer be one’s own, right? What do you say, elders?"

All were stunned; it seemed to make sense. They had been suspecting each other all these days, but no one had thought of this!

"Since I’ve started this, why don’t we just root out the culprit now?" Chen Qing looked at the people and smiled. "Let’s do it one by one. Whoever cannot manifest their soul... should be the monster, should they not?!"