Chapter Six: A Twist of Fate

"Ouyang Zheng, you mobilized the armed police to ambush these wolf cubs and disrupt the evil god’s sacrificial rite—fine, that’s none of my concern. But to involve my daughter in this matter, don’t you think that’s going too far? If something had gone wrong, wouldn’t she have been killed by the city-guarding divine light as well? Is this how the City Lord’s Mansion handles affairs?"

The voice was both deep and cold, and together with the man’s face, marked by lines as if carved by a blade, it created a suffocating pressure. Most importantly, Xiao Nan could tell—the man was furious, on the verge of erupting.

Those in uniform and black attire were clearly not ordinary citizens, but elite military police from this city. No wonder they were fully armed and acted as if no one else existed. Law enforcers had such latitude, doing as they pleased. Yet this squad seemed to have a very specific purpose: upon arrival, they ignored everything else, merely lowering their heads and circling the scene.

Rather than preventing a major crime, it seemed more as if they were searching for something. Especially the leader, a young man in his thirties, who showed no interest in how many had died or whether the beast-headed monsters might escape; instead, he hurried his dozen subordinates, all of whom dug through the gravel and soil with small trowels.

Did they really believe they’d find some treasure in the earth?

Xiao Nan’s heart tightened; he dared not move. The less conspicuous he was now, the better—best if no one suspected him at all. That golden thread was peculiar, too; even at a distance, it had chosen him, diving straight into his birthmark. What a mess.

"The birthmark must have been formed from the national treasure mirror I retrieved back then—the patterns are identical. My chance at another life must be thanks to it. I never thought it would have such a gluttonous appetite for strange things."

He was deeply puzzled but didn’t make a sound, lying as still as a corpse. Somehow he sensed that this secret was a matter of life and death and could not be revealed to anyone.

Upon hearing the giant, over two meters tall, question in a low, gruff voice, Ouyang Zheng turned and forced a smile. "Zhang Yi, I received a report that the wolf cubs of the Longevity Society were conducting a blood ritual here, so I immediately dispatched troops to assist. You know as well as I do—when facing ruthless terrorists, there can be no mercy. Your daughter is unharmed, isn’t she? Is that any reason for such anger?"

"If something had happened, do you really think you’d still be standing here in one piece? I, Zhang Yi, will remember this debt and settle it with the Ouyang family in due time."

"Suit yourself." Ouyang Zheng spread his hands, shook his head, and turned away, urging his men, "Anything yet? Impossible—once the evil beast died, we sealed off the area immediately. How could there be nothing?"

His expression was anxious as he joined the search, turning over fallen corpses again and again.

...

While that side searched feverishly, heedless of onlookers, Zhang Yi, meanwhile, was sweating bullets as he comforted his sobbing daughter. His forehead was slick with sweat.

"Don’t cry, don’t cry, sweetheart. When we get home, your father will turn Yuanjiang City upside down and wipe out every last dog in the Longevity Society. Come, let’s go to the hospital for a check-up… You’ve suffered a shock injury and need treatment."

He murmured gentle words for a long while, and only when Zhang Xiaorou’s sobs began to subside did he suggest they seek medical help. It was clear that, though the middle-aged man looked rough and burly, at heart he was gentle and caring.

"Wait."

Ouyang Zheng stood quietly to the side, his gaze sweeping the villa grounds with growing anxiety. If they couldn’t find the thing, he’d have no way to answer to his uncle.

He’d spent half a year secretly watching the Longevity Society’s agents just for the chance to harvest divine bloodline power, and now it had all come to nothing, with many lives lost. If the objective wasn’t achieved, wouldn’t his uncle consider him useless?

He understood well that this operation was crucial, not only for his uncle’s breakthrough but also for the future power balance in Yuanjiang City.

He turned to look at Zhang Yi, suspicion in his eyes.

What if the divine bloodline had not disappeared, but had been taken by someone right under their noses? Even if he searched for a year, it would be futile.

And, during the earlier explosion, the very first to appear on the scene had been Zhang Yi.

This man was extremely strong; despite his imposing stature, he had arrived without a sound. When the white light flashed, Ouyang Zheng hadn’t even noticed what he had done. The evil beast was destroyed, and the divine power was missing. Could it have something to do with him?

Ouyang Zheng had bested several of his brothers and was most highly regarded by Ouyang Ming, the Prefect of Yuanjiang. Yet it wasn’t his superior strength that set him apart, but his meticulousness and efficiency. To put it kindly, he was careful; less charitably, he was deeply suspicious by nature.

Now, seeing the mission falling apart and unable to find the cause, he regarded everyone as suspect. Once a man’s heart is set, he simply must get to the bottom of things. He’d rather make a mistake than let something slip by.

"Captain Zhang, are you just going to leave like this? Without giving an explanation? The City Lord’s property is not so easily taken."

Ouyang Zheng’s voice was cold and sinister.

A civilian organization like yours dares to swallow something the authorities must have—where did you get such an appetite?

"What did you say? You’re demanding something from me? Who gave you the nerve?"

Zhang Yi’s beard bristled. Concerned for his daughter’s injuries and proud of his own status, he had not wanted to stoop to Ouyang Zheng’s level, only planning to someday seek justice at the City Lord’s Mansion. But to think—before he’d even made a move, this youngster was already getting so presumptuous.