This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 174 Someone is setting up a scheme

"Master, this is all part of a conspiracy,"

Haibo's body trembled like a candle flickering in the wind, so agitated he seemed about to cough up his heart and lungs. Blood slowly seeped from the corner of his mouth, like specks of red plum blossoms blooming on his pale lips.

"Someone, bring me the Star Pill!"

Chen Han's face instantly turned icy cold, and his roar was like thunder, shaking the roof tiles.

"No, no need. I have been waiting for your arrival. I am exhausted and my life is nearing its end. Don't waste that incomparably precious Star Pill."

"Haibo, what exactly happened? Who injured you so badly?"

A young swordsman swiftly caught his arm and carefully helped him to a seat. It was clear to everyone that after Haibo coughed up blood, an invisible killing intent seemed to envelop the room, like heavy, oppressive clouds, making it hard to breathe.

"Quickly fetch a Rejuvenation Pill to stabilize Haibo's injuries."

Chen Han knew that Hai Bo was like a candle flickering in the wind, his life about to be extinguished. He had been waiting for him here all this time, otherwise he would probably have died long ago.

As for Haibo's identity, neither the Chen family nor the people from Dali who were hiding in Yong'an knew anything about him. He was like a mysterious star in the dark night, a core figure known only to the head of the Chen family.

However, the terrible scene before him gradually calmed Chen Han's initially anxious mood.

Upon hearing the news of Chen Haoran's tragic death, his anger surged like a vast ocean, threatening to engulf the entire world.

Therefore, his trip to the capital was not simply to listen to Emperor Wu's perfunctory answers; he came for revenge. The real Chen family members were still on their way, and he came in person to thoroughly investigate how the Chen family had been brutally wiped out.

After being given the Rejuvenation Pill like a miracle cure, Haibo's rapid, labored breathing, which resembled that of a bellows, finally stabilized somewhat.

Seeing this, Chen Han continued speaking.

"Uncle Hai, what exactly happened? Who killed Haoran? Could it be Emperor Wu?"

“Patriarch, I dare not make a hasty conclusion. After all, it was the Chen family’s promotion banquet, with many prominent families gathered. No one would have thought that someone would commit murder at that time. By the time I arrived, it was already too late.”

“I have been secretly investigating. The young master’s death was covered up very well. Rumor has it that a young man was present at the scene, so he was identified as the murderer. But I don’t think so. That young man is clearly a scapegoat. The real murderer must be someone else.”

"Oh? Could it be that young sword immortal? If you don't believe he committed the murder, what's your reasoning?"

Chen Han frowned. He had long heard of Xiao Xingchen's name, so how could he not know it?

He already had a general idea of ​​the situation; what he wanted to know were the unknown details.

"Because I have seen Chen Miao."

"What? You saw Chen Miao? Where is she now?"

Chen Han was struck dumb. The disappearance of Chen Miao and Madam Chen had long been a major mystery in Yong'an. It was truly unbelievable that two perfectly healthy people could simply vanish into thin air without leaving a trace.

“I only caught a glimpse of her; she didn’t know me at all, so naturally I couldn’t stop her. At that time, she was fleeing for her life with Madam Chen. In order to stop the pursuit, I acted decisively. However, in just one exchange, I was beaten into this miserable state.”

Haibo was dejected, a sense of loss hanging over him. He had dominated the world for decades, but unexpectedly, ten thousand years later, he was killed by a single palm strike. Besides the loss, he felt a deep sense of regret for a tiger fallen into the plains.

"How could that person be the same boy who shattered me to pieces with a single palm strike? I even suspect that the person in the shadows is a celestial being descended from heaven. Only someone from the Ninth Heaven could have injured me like this."

"Nine Heavens, how could this be! Our Chen family has always had a harmonious relationship with the Nine Heavens, how could someone descend to the mortal realm to kill my successor?"

Chen Han was filled with doubt, feeling completely bewildered.

"And what else? After you were repelled, what about Chen Miao? Under such a vicious pursuit, there was no way they could have survived. Could she have already perished?"

Haibo shook his head, his face full of bitterness.

"The person hiding in the shadows had already astonished me greatly, but then a woman suddenly appeared. She was dressed simply, like a village woman, but she had a beauty that could shame the moon and make the flowers blush. It wasn't until she appeared that I truly felt that the person who injured me was now on high alert and ready for battle."

"A woman? And who is she?"

Everyone in the room remained silent, realizing for the first time the unfathomable depths of Yong'an's power. This was a master of the seventh level of the Heavenly Realm! Even with a slight decline in his cultivation, Haibo was still a force to be reckoned with. Yet now, he had been brought to the brink of death with a single blow. This was truly astonishing. One such powerful master was bad enough, but now there was even a woman who instilled fear in him. They found it utterly unbelievable; they had never heard of so many powerful figures in the world.

“I did not lie to you. That woman simply stood there gracefully, like a pillar of strength, stopping the killing in the shadows. However, I only caught a fleeting glimpse of her before she swept me away like autumn leaves in the wind. When I rushed back, they had vanished without a trace. I could smell the aura of the Otherworld in the air. If I am not mistaken, Chen Miao and Madam Chen should have been taken to the Otherworld.”

"As for that woman who suddenly appeared, I later investigated her and was astonished to find out that she was Xiao Xingchen's mute wife."

Haibo smiled bitterly, feeling helpless. He had lived most of his life and this was the first time he had encountered something so absurd. He even began to wonder if he was hallucinating, but the feeling of being on the verge of death kept reminding him that it had all really happened.

"Haibo, I don't doubt you, but how can you be sure that the mysterious woman is Xiaoxingchen's person?"

"Because of her celestial beauty, she attracted many eyes like a magnet the moment she appeared. After making some inquiries, everyone in Yong'an knew that when she entered the city, she and the young swordsman had caused a great commotion at the city gate, which was witnessed by everyone. Moreover, I also learned that the day before, Chen Miao personally brought the mute girl back to the Chen residence, so I am absolutely certain of her identity."

"This matter is quite troublesome. Chen Miao is the apple of the eye of the Emperor of Dali. Now that she has mysteriously disappeared, I'm afraid Dali must be extremely anxious."

Chen Han frowned, a deep sorrow settling over him, as he considered Chen Miao's other identity as Madam Chen.

"Indeed, the Dali people have arrived and are searching in secret, but they are destined to waste their efforts. What exactly happened at the Chen residence that night is probably only known to Chen Miao and the others. For outsiders to investigate is more difficult than climbing to heaven."

"Are there no other clues besides these?"

"No, several groups of people lingered and investigated the Chen residence, but all their efforts were in vain. However, some people pointed the finger at Zhuo Shitian. They did appear in Yong'an, but in my opinion, it should not have been their doing, since there was neither reason nor need for it."

"You mean those despicable scoundrels from Zhuotian have also appeared in Yong'an? Why are they here, and what is their purpose?"

Chen Han was completely bewildered by this sudden news. These forces were rarely seen together in decades, yet they had all gathered in Yong'an. There must be a reason for this, but he currently did not understand what it was.

“Yes, Zhuo Shitian, these people must have come prepared for Yong’an. They could not possibly have come to Yong’an just to kill a young master. Moreover, given their methods, this would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Therefore, I have excluded them.”

"Xiao Xingchen has been eliminated, Zhuo Shi has been eliminated, what remains are the mysterious expert and the Martial Emperor. Could it be the work of the mysterious expert?"

"It doesn't seem like it either,"

Haibo denied it again.

"Well, a mysterious expert is hunting down Chen Miao and the others, so he has a reason to kill Hao Ran."

"The disparity in strength is like that between an elephant and an ant. If an elephant wants to kill an ant, it can simply stomp it to death. Why go through all that trouble to do something so cruel?"

Just like that mysterious master, whose single strike was like a thunderbolt, nearly killing me instantly. If he wanted to kill the young master, wouldn't it be as easy as turning his hand? A mere sword aura from afar would easily take his life; why bother inviting trouble? This is the arrogance of a master; they naturally disdain ants.

Haibo explained that he was absolutely certain of this, having once stained his hands with blood himself. Killing ants was indeed effortless; he could crush them with a single finger and would never use his hands.

"So, it can only be Emperor Wu, right?"

Chen Han took a deep breath, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. This was an irreconcilable hatred for the murder of his son. "That's right, it must have been Emperor Wu's doing. He's showing us a sign of his power, perhaps he's aware of some of our schemes, or perhaps he has other plans of his own."

"Emperor Wu, how dare you kill my son? Aren't you afraid I'll rebel immediately?"

"Master, please calm down. The events that have recently occurred in Yong'an City are far more complex than this. The War General has returned to the capital; have you heard?"

"I've heard that instead of guarding the northern border, he's run back to Yong'an. Isn't he afraid that Emperor Wu will make sure he never returns?"

Haibo nodded, his face growing increasingly somber, his body trembling like a candle flickering in the wind. Everyone knew that Haibo was nearing the end of his life, yet clearly he still had many things left unsaid.

He forced himself to stay alert and continued, “Indeed, this is another matter I wanted to mention to the patriarch. The General risked being left behind by Emperor Wu to return to the capital; he must have some ulterior motive. I have a feeling that someone has laid out a grand scheme in Yong'an, intending to ensnare everyone in the world. The General is one such scheme, as are you, and all the other nations are within his calculations. This matter is truly bizarre.”

"You mean, someone is trying to wipe us all out in one fell swoop? By Emperor Wu alone?"

Chen Han's lips curled into a slight sneer as he replied,

"No, I hope the patriarch will be cautious in everything he does. Mysterious experts are constantly emerging like fish crossing a river. We must not turn against the Martial Emperor because of the young master's death. Before we understand what kind of game Yong'an is playing, we must not act rashly, otherwise the one who makes the first move will be the one who loses the most."

"If the opportunity arises, Patriarch, you might consider meeting Xiao Xingchen. He gives me a unique feeling, as if he's a crucial piece in this intricate game of chess. Beside him is a peerless master, seemingly mute, which means his background is definitely extraordinary. He's worth befriending and testing... *pfft*..."

Before Haibo could finish speaking, another mouthful of blood gushed out. This time, everyone felt Haibo's life force rapidly fading away like the tide.

"Haibo..."

"Be... careful... our undercover agents... are... not... trustworthy..."