Night deepened, yet the study remained brightly lit.
The man set down his brush and paper, narrowing his eyes as he gazed out the window.
On his desk lay the shattered remnants of a golden beast-taming collar.
Xiahou Cang—one of the castellans of the six cities of Dixiu Bay.
His fingers traced the broken edges of the collar, sensing the unusual aura lingering within. A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes as he murmured,
"A coincidence?"
"An interlocking scheme... Quite the elaborate plot."
Beside the fragments lay a set of clothes.
It was the gown worn by the woman from earlier that day.
A faint, elegant fragrance clung to the fabric, fresh and unoffensive.
Yet it was precisely this scent that sent a chill of lingering dread down Xiahou Cang's spine.
For this scent was designed to drive a great demon into a frenzy and provoke it to attack whoever wore it!
The root cause of the demon's rampage had been the crack in the beast-taming collar, followed by the scent from the city shop that triggered its violent frenzy.
Xiahou Cang was no fool. He refused to believe so many coincidences could align so neatly.
He had originally thought he could stay out of the strife brewing between the other five cities.
Now it seemed some people simply couldn't wait to drag him into the fray!
His expression darkened gradually as he walked toward the window.
Eyes icy, he murmured,
"Of all the things you could have done... you should never have touched my wife and child!"
With his hands clasped behind his back, fine golden sand trickled from between his fingers—the pulverized remains of the collar fragments.
In the corner of the room, the shadows twisted, and a figure in black dropped to one knee.
Xiahou Cang turned his head slightly, his sharp profile silhouetted against the moonlight.
"A few matters."
"First, find out who tampered with the beast-taming collar."
"Second, find out who supplied the recent batch of spices to the shops in the city. Round up the merchants and interrogate them."
"Third, conduct a discreet inquiry into the youth and the old man from today. Do not disturb them under any circumstances. If you are discovered, treat them with utmost courtesy."
"As for the first two matters... investigate them to the bitter end!"
The shadow figure nodded heavily, lowered his head, and vanished without a trace.
Alone in the study, Xiahou Cang murmured, "That young man today was an unforeseen variable..."
"I truly ought to thank him properly in person."
Yet just as he was lost in thought, a maid's soft voice sounded from outside the door.
"Master, the Castellan of Beizha City requests an audience. He is currently waiting in the reception hall."
Xiahou Cang knitted his brows.
"What is that old fellow Huyan Lie doing here so late?"
Turning toward the door, he called out,
"Very well, I understand. Ask him to wait a moment; I will be right there."
The voice outside had awakened the woman in the inner chamber.
Yu Su got out of bed with sleep still in her eyes, draped an outer robe over her shoulders, and naturally picked up the jade crown and sash from the table as she walked over.
In a gentle voice, she asked,
"Husband, it is so late... What could Huyan Lie want with you?"
Xiahou Cang's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Rest, my dear. You need not trouble yourself over these matters."
As he spoke, he spread his arms, and she leaned forward to fasten his sash.
"Regardless of whether today's incident has anything to do with him, do not let it show. Act as though you know nothing."
"I heard a few things while I was back with my family."
"Undercurrents are churning in Dixiu Bay. Many eyes are fixed on the beast-fighting arena—they want to swallow your share of that prize."
"Moreover... I heard a rumor that Huyan Lie ran into a wall with Ao Zhuo over in Nanhuai City."
After fixing the jade crown, Xiahou Cang took her delicate hand into his own and smiled tenderly.
"To think you were still fretting over your husband even while visiting the Yu family."
"I have already punished the cultivators who were secretly guarding you today. Do not worry yourself."
With that, he squatted by the bedside, looking down at their plump baby boy, who was pouting in his sleep, and smiled warmly.
Standing, he embraced Yu Su and whispered,
"I will go see what he has to say."
Tucking her slipping robe tighter around herself, she smiled. "Go on. I'm going back to sleep."
Xiahou Cang stepped out of the room. His expression was calm and unreadable, carrying an aura of an authority that commanded unspoken respect.
*Tap, tap, tap...*
His footsteps sounded light and measured as he walked into the hall.
Seated inside was a burly, curly-bearded man.
His appearance was striking and unusual: a long braid hung from the crown of his head, with the sides of his scalp shaved clean.
He wore dark greenish python hide draped with a fox tail over his shoulder, and venomous serpent fangs hung around his neck.
Standing over eight chi tall, he was powerfully built, with arms as thick as tree trunks.
Clad in a magnificent brocade robe, Xiahou Cang stepped into the room. His pupils contracted slightly before he let out a mild chuckle.
"Heh, my apologies for keeping you waiting, Brother Huyan."
The burly man set down his wine jar and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, entirely understandable, completely understandable!"
"I heard your Dao companion returned from her family home with your son. After a long parting, a reunion is sweeter than the wedding night, so of course... Hahahahaha!"
Though Xiahou Cang maintained a smile on his face, deep down, he felt nothing but disgust for this man, who never knew when to draw the line with his crass humor.
His wife and child entering the city today was hardly a secret.
Yet merely half a day had passed, and Huyan Lie, all the way from Beizha City, already knew about it. It was impossible not to be suspicious.
Sweeping his sleeves, Xiahou Cang parted the hem of his robe and took a seat. He picked up a teacup and sipped at it, entirely unhurried...
Opposite him, Huyan Lie possessed no such patience.
Seeing Xiahou Cang taking his time, the man waved a hand to dismiss the household servants.
The servants hesitated, looking troubled, until Xiahou Cang waved his hand as well, prompting them to withdraw.
Once the doors closed, a terrifying surge of spatial power erupted from the man's body, erecting a soundproof barrier around the room!
Still sipping his tea, Xiahou Cang narrowed his eyes, secretly startled.
*When did this fellow break through to the second layer of the True Immortal realm?*
*Buzz!*
Huyan Lie slammed his wine jar onto the table beside him with a dull thud, turned to Xiahou Cang, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Xiahou, I'll cut straight to the chase."
"Lately, rumors have been spreading across Dixiu Bay that strange phenomena have cropped up around Qijin Ferry. The river has frozen over, and faint blue spiritual light flickers constantly beneath the surface."
"Quite a few people suspect it could be a rank-three, tier-four earthly celestial treasure—the Cold Soul Jade Glaze!"
"We just don't know its exact age, or whether it possesses innate Dao resonance."
"What do you say you and I join hands?"
Xiahou Cang listened quietly throughout.
Even after Huyan Lie finished, he was in no rush to agree.
Who could say for sure... that this wasn't a trap laid out just for him?
If he died, all of Xialin City would be carved up and devoured by the other five factions in an instant.
He had to tread with utmost caution.
The Cold Soul Jade Glaze was undeniably precious; selling it alone could fetch several pills capable of enhancing a True Immortal's cultivation.
Yet... between a treasure and one's life, anyone knew which to choose.
"Oh... So that's what brings you here, Brother Huyan."
"I have heard some rumors myself, but so far, no definitive omen has appeared. It might very well turn out to be nothing."
"My wife has just returned, so I haven't paid much attention to such things. If the Cold Soul Jade Glaze truly does reveal itself, we can discuss it then."
"I imagine plenty of eyes are on that treasure. You might want to speak with the others as well, Brother Huyan, and we can all go together."
Xiahou Cang's evasive words left Huyan Lie deeply irritated. The burly man cursed inwardly,
*Dammit, if those bastards had agreed, would I have come looking for you?!*
Outwardly, however, he merely laughed.
"Hahaha, fair enough!"
"Then I won't disturb you any longer. Let's stay in touch."
Xiahou Cang rose to his feet with a smile.
"Of course, let us stay in touch. Forgive me for not seeing you to the gate, Brother Huyan; my boy is still very young, and I must check on him."
Once the man departed, Xiahou Cang's expression turned frigid.
"Hmph. You'd better hope today's matter had nothing to do with you!"
Chapter 1728