The news of the Gu family's mysterious disappearance, suspected of fleeing overseas, had spread throughout Kyushu.
Reports from various sources, both direct and indirect, pointed to the Gu family's guilt and their secret escape abroad to evade investigation and pursuit.
Of course, there were also many "insiders" claiming the Gu family must have offended someone and been wiped out.
With so many members of the Gu family gone, it was impossible to leave no trace. The Gu family estate was now under official lockdown, making it inaccessible to anyone, leaving them only with speculation.
Whether the Gu family was annihilated or had fled overseas, the fact of so many people disappearing remained undeniable.
The trending topic, which had broken records just three days prior, was still being hotly debated by netizens. Such an event was rare, occurring perhaps once in twenty years.
The Gu family was a powerful lineage, holding military authority. Would such a family's escape not cause irreparable damage to Kyushu?
If the Gu family were to reveal certain secrets to enemies, Kyushu's stability would be threatened.
The people of Kyushu were all concerned about the Gu family's affairs, each offering their opinions as if they held the truth.
Zhao Yunhai watched the comments online, occasionally chuckling. These netizens had such pleasant ways of speaking.
"Get the entertainment industry to make some noise, shift the public's attention."
Zhao Yunhai, having returned to his home in Qianzhou and dressed in casual clothes, was scrolling through his phone while sitting on the sofa. He then looked at A'Da.
"Why use the entertainment industry to divert attention?"
Yang Hui emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate of sliced fruit. She placed it on the coffee table, leaned on his shoulder, and asked curiously.
"Because we need to divert attention, silly."
Zhao Yunhai playfully flicked her nose, causing her to blush and bury herself in his embrace.
His relationship with Yang Hui was different from others; he didn't need to put in as much effort with other women, only his physical stamina.
In life, could one truly do without a soulmate?
Even his Uncle San, with all his philandering ways, eventually had to find a woman to marry and have children with.
"No wonder I sometimes see big scoops being broken."
Yang Hui murmured in his arms.
Zhao Yunhai scrolled through his phone, his lips twitching as he saw a major entertainment scandal that had broken just a minute ago.
"Aren't these entertainment industry figures just pawns used this way? They appear glamorous, but in reality, they are mere puppets controlled by others."
"Now that the Gu family has been dealt with, there are very few individuals left in Yanjing who are worthy of my Zhao family's attention."
As he spoke, Zhao Yunhai's gaze shifted to the side, and he saw Si Jinyan entering.
"Is there news?"
Zhao Yunhai asked.
Si Jinyan hurried over to his side and said, "Young Master Yun, there is news, but we lost ten men."
"It's a young man. I did some further investigation. His name is Xiao Yang. He was adopted and will turn eighteen in another month."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yunhai stated directly, "The person who adopted him is likely dead."
"Young Master Yun is spot on. The person who adopted Xiao Yang has passed away, and Xiao Yang himself is quite peculiar."
"According to people from the nearby villages, this Xiao Yang has never left that mountain and has always lived in seclusion there."
"Food and other necessities are brought up by people from the villages below the mountain."
"The person who adopted Xiao Yang left behind a considerable sum of money, enough to ensure Xiao Yang's comfortable living for years."
"The peculiar thing about this person is that the mountain where he resides is densely populated with snakes and insects, many of them highly venomous, yet they have never attacked Xiao Yang."
"Since Xiao Yang was around five years old, the nearby villagers have not been bitten by poisonous insects."
"That eagle was likely controlled by this person."
With that, Si Jinyan quietly stepped aside.
Zhao Yunhai processed the information he had just received, then mused, "Have Wang Fan select some ability-enhancing potions. I intend to promote him."
"As you command." Si Jinyan bowed slightly.
"By the way." Zhao Yunhai recalled Li Mingyi's somewhat dramatic words upon parting and chuckled inwardly. "Has Li Mingyi reached Japan?"
"Reporting to Young Master Yun, Li Mingyi has landed safely at a Japanese airport."
A'Da replied swiftly.
Zhao Yunhai leaned back on the sofa with a comfortable sigh and stretched lazily. "Tell him to be careful, as caution ensures a long journey. Don't capsize in a ditch."
"Rest assured, Young Master Yun, Li Mingyi will be extremely cautious."
A'Da said with a smile.
Zhao Yunhai grunted and closed his eyes, resting his head on Yang Hui's lap for a nap.
...
Meanwhile, the sword-wielding woman had infiltrated Yanjing. She was dressed in the most ordinary modern attire, but it couldn't conceal her ethereal aura.
In a place like Yanjing, she was quickly ensnared by a young dandy.
This dandy, unfortunately, was Zhao Fengji, a distant cousin of Zhao Yunhai.
The Zhao family was vast and prosperous, so having a few pampered youths was entirely normal.
Zhao Fengji, in particular, lorded over Yanjing, relying on his status as Zhao Yunhai's cousin.
However, Zhao Fengji encountered a woman today who was utterly unreceptive.
He had thought that a mere gesture and a bit of money would be enough to win her over, but despite his persistent cajoling, she remained unmoved.
"If you follow me any further, I'll cut off that thing of yours."
Yu Ruying glared at him with extreme disgust, wishing she could draw the sword from her storage ring and end him with a single strike.
What a pathetic Zhao family; they were not even a match for her sword.
In the cultivation world, she had casually annihilated countless mortal powers like this.
Although she had fallen from the Nascent Soul stage to the Foundation Establishment stage after accidentally stumbling into a secret realm and falling into this world, in this mortal realm, she was more than capable of being the greatest under heaven.
"Why speak so harshly? You refuse the toast and insist on the penalty."
Zhao Fengji's initially jovial face instantly turned as dark as the prelude to a thunderous storm.
"What? You don't believe me?" A hint of killing intent flashed in Yu Ruying's eyes.
A surge of killing intent plunged Zhao Fengji into an icy abyss. The bone-chilling cold soaked his back with sweat.
"You..." Zhao Fengji felt the threat of death. This woman was a powerful martial artist. He recoiled in fear.
"Scram."
Yu Ruying didn't want further complications and turned to leave.
"Do you think I'm easily intimidated? Have you forgotten who I am?"
Zhao Fengji, however, was not one to back down. This woman had just made him look foolish, and he felt his face had been lost. He was determined to reclaim it.
So, that evening, Zhao Fengji brought a Xiantian martial artist and several Houtian practitioners to track her down.
Seeing that he was still persistently bothering her, Yu Ruying headed towards a less populated area on the outskirts.
She stopped only when she reached an uninhabited zone, and with a flash of light, a sword's gleam appeared from its sheath.
"Ah!!!"
Several screams erupted from the darkness. In this desolate place, the cries were incredibly chilling.