“It’s finally over…”

Hu Ma, with his blade under his arm, watched the kneeling masses and the Jianghu heroes who had suddenly emerged. Without saying much, his black cloth robe and smiling mask quietly disappeared into the shadows.

A Zougui Great Executioner had to maintain this air of mystery.

To kill the Jitu Snake God, one had to kill swiftly, without wasting a moment. To kill Old Master Yan, one had to present all the evidence of his crimes, killing him plainly and clearly.

Moreover, one couldn’t be stopped on the way here, disrupting the killing intent. One also couldn’t be seen by all when leaving, letting people feel one was unpredictable and omnipresent. Only then could one achieve a deterrent effect!

Of course, there were still many things to be dealt with in this Yan family mansion, in this Guazhou Prefecture.

But those were no longer tasks for the executioner.

The matter of questioning the Yan family needed Zhang Agu, the Zougui Interrogation Hall Official. Old Master Yan’s corpse, as well as all the aggrieved citizens and Jianghu heroes, were all prepared for her.

And if anyone was dissatisfied with how she handled the Yan family in Guazhou, Seventh Aunt, the Reasoning Hall Official, would step forward. As for the most practical matters, such as the Yan family’s mansions, fields, salt and iron mines, blood food restaurants, and the courtesans they kept outside…

That was where Red Lantern Mistress came in.

There was no need to worry about Red Lantern Mistress being too busy. She had many capable people under her command, and besides, Erguitou didn’t have much to do these days anyway.

It was a pity that the Yan family, with seven generations in officialdom and two hundred years of accumulation, had hidden countless gold, silver, jewels, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and other valuable items. Hu Ma had noticed just now that they had all been thoroughly looted…

…Really, they dug three feet into the ground, leaving nothing behind!

As for the remaining foundation in the Guazhou area, Hu Ma didn’t need to worry about it. After he left, Zhou Datong would naturally appear as he had instructed, sealing off the Yan family to preserve evidence. He would also have Little Red Tangerine take a trip to Mingzhou to inform Fairy Miaoshan.

He wondered who was so ruthless as to turn Iron Cage King and his two thousand personal guards into potted landscapes?

Thinking about it, Iron Cage King relied on the Yan family, had great influence, and commanded a Iron Cage Army of thirty to fifty thousand men. But no matter how many people he had under him, the only ones he truly trusted were probably those two to three thousand. Now that they were all dead here, the entire Iron Cage Army was equivalent to a leaderless group.

If Miaoshan was quick to seize the opportunity, came over, she might be able to firmly grasp such a large territory in the hands of the Non-Eating Bull faction.

And at that time, Old Yin Mountain would be surrounded on three sides. In the north, there would be the Grain Protection Army. In the west, there would be the White Armor Army. And the Iron Cage Army in the south would also be in the hands of his own people. Then, the three armies could unite, communicate with each other, and plan bigger things, advancing and retreating as they pleased.

However, for him, the most important thing at the moment was the first gathering of reincarnated individuals.

While thinking, Hu Ma turned his whole body into a deathly stillness, not disturbing the people in the city who were all beating gongs and drums, talking about the Yan family’s affairs. He just quickly headed towards the west of the city to meet up with Old Calculation, Wu Ya, and the others.

He moved extremely fast, quickly leaving the lively scene, and was about to reach Master Zhao’s residence.

“Good skills…”

But just then, as he was silently rushing along, a faint sigh suddenly came from in front of him. He immediately stopped, narrowed his eyes, and looked forward.

He saw that at the mouth of the alley ahead, two figures, one on the left and one on the right, were emerging. One of them was wearing a silver robe and a red crown, dressed extremely richly, so fashionable that it was a bit gaudy.

The other was wrapped in a black robe, only revealing a small face that was beautiful but listless. She was standing there, staring at him, and the red-crowned man was the one who spoke.

Without showing any expression on his face, Hu Ma instantly perked up. Now that he had opened three Palace Gates, he was sensitive to every movement, but the appearance of these two was so unpredictable and without warning?

Especially these two, both possessed an aura different from ordinary people. He had met them before and thought they were reincarnated individuals, but now seeing them blocking his path, he understood that if they were truly reincarnated individuals, they probably wouldn’t need to stop him here.

“God Hand Zhao family’s Zhao Sanyi, Curse Chen family’s Chen Abao…”

The two were also sizing up Hu Ma. After a light sigh, the red-crowned man gently raised his hand and bowed: “Greetings to the Hu of the Suppressing Blame clan, the Great Executioner Lord of the Suppressing Blame Palace…”

“The Ten Clans?”

Hu Ma was suddenly shocked.

To be named after God Hand Zhao and Curse Chen, they could only be direct descendants of the Ten Clans. Even collateral relatives didn’t have this qualification. But the people of the Ten Clans were always mysterious and elusive, rarely appearing. Now, two of them had appeared before him at once?

The impact on his heart was truly not small, but Hu Ma still didn’t reveal anything. He just nodded slightly, then slowly raised his hand and returned the greeting to the two, saying calmly: “What can I do for you two?”

His identity was that of a Great Executioner Hall Official, while the other party was a descendant of the Ten Clans, so there was naturally a difference in status.

But the Zougui Great Executioner Hall Official was the head of all hall officials, only recognizing the main family. He didn’t need to kowtow or bow to other descendants of the Ten Clans.

“We just have some things to ask.”

After returning the greeting, the man with the red crown, who looked like a rooster, said somewhat impatiently, in a deep voice: “We wouldn’t find it strange that you came to kill the Jitu Snake Ghost.”

“But as soon as you came, in just a few days, you thoroughly investigated the Yan family, even dealing with the Old Master Yan who had become an immortal. Were these things planned by your young master, or do you really have such ability?”

“…”

‘As expected!’

Listening to their words, Hu Ma’s mind was also racing. He had already thought of a response and almost blurted it out, but after thinking about it again, he still remembered his identity as a Great Executioner and didn’t rush to speak. He didn’t even have any intention of answering, only saying calmly:

“Became an immortal?”

“Do you also think that Old Monster Yan of the Yan family belongs to the immortals?”

“…”

“This…”

Zhao Sanyi of the God Hand Zhao family was originally a little anxious, but after hearing Hu Ma’s question, he paused. Chen Abao, who was wrapped in a black robe next to him, shrunk his head and said: “That’s what everyone says anyway.”

“Immortal or not, it’s just a title…”

“…”

“Humph!”

Hu Ma snorted slightly, holding his blade, and said coldly: “I don’t know what others say, or how they view Old Master Yan of the Yan family, but the Suppressing Blame Palace only regards him as an evil spirit.”

“Since he’s an evil spirit, we won’t spare him. We’ll just chop him down with one blade. Why is there so much fuss?”

“…”

“This…”

With just one question and answer, the offense and defense switched, and Hu Ma’s aura seemed to be a bit stronger.

Zhao Sanyi of the God Hand Zhao family also scratched the hair next to his red crown. His expression seemed to carry some bitter smiles and worry. He lowered his voice and said: “This matter is not good to say in front of outsiders. You don’t need to worry that we have other ideas, but…”

“It’s just that your Suppressing Blame Palace handles things too frighteningly. Do you know the consequences of opening the Palace Gates so widely?”

“You handled this mission beautifully, but have you thought about it? This action of yours might actually… attract true evil spirits?”

“…”

‘Whoosh!’

Hearing these words suddenly, Hu Ma’s heart also sank, but he had already prepared himself. His face didn’t show it as he calmly said: “What evil spirits are you talking about, Young Master Zhao? Why not explain it clearly?”

His voice was already slightly cold. Two members of the Ten Clans had appeared in Guazhou Prefecture, and they had deliberately blocked his path to ask him about evil spirits. He couldn’t help but be cautious.

“Clearly? How much clearer do I need to be?”

Hearing Hu Ma’s response, the young master of the Zhao family seemed a little anxious. He frowned tightly and said in a deep voice: “Although you haven’t crossed the bridge yet, since you’re by the side of that Young Master, and you’ve also become this Great Executioner, you must have some knowledge.”

“Haven’t you heard before that there is a most terrifying kind of evil spirit in this world, evil ghosts crawling out from the depths of the underworld? They hide their heads and tails, are demonically evil and terrifying, and only want to bring disaster to the human world?”

“…”

His words had already made Hu Ma feel alert. Chen Abao, who was huddled in the black robe, also sighed and said listlessly:

“Your Suppressing Blame Palace is so mighty…”

“Unlike the Zhao family, who only knows how to perform Jianghu tricks and mystify people, and our group of families who hide our faces and only know how to refine curses in the desolate mountains, we are looked down upon…”

“Alas, speaking of this, it used to be said that among the Ten Clans, at least the Hu family was at the bottom, and our two families weren’t the most shameless, but now that this evening’s events have spread, who would dare to look down on the Zougui Hu family anymore?”

“…From now on, the least reputable among the Ten Clans will again be the Zhao family who plays tricks and our Chen family!”

“…”

“?”

Hu Ma was a little confused listening to all this. What were they trying to say?

Why did he only hear a lot of grievances and complaints?

“You…”

Zhao Sanyi of the God Hand Zhao family next to him also couldn’t hold back anymore. He glared at Chen Abao and said in a low voice: “Why are you starting again? We’re still one of the Ten Clans, we’re not that disgraced…”

“Besides, next time you lament your own fate, just talk about your Chen family…”

“…Don’t include our Zhao family!”

“…”

“Isn’t it true?”

Chen Abao immediately looked dissatisfied and said: “Your Zhao family calls itself God Hand Zhao, but people secretly call you Trick Zhao. Our Chen family calls itself Curse Chen, but secretly people have always called us Living Ghost Chen…”

“Don’t try to be brave, Brother Zhao. I know you secretly say that the Meng family only knows how to kowtow, and the Hu family is almost gone, but admit the truth, the Meng family is currently very powerful, and the Hu family has also become powerful…”

“Among the Ten Clans, the least reputable is indeed our Chen family, but fortunately, there’s also your Zhao family at the bottom…”

“…”

“Only you dislike your own background, our Zhao family is fine…”

The brother Zhao Sanyi was already speechless. He muttered something in a low voice, smiled apologetically at Hu Ma with an embarrassed expression, and said: “Never mind her, let’s get back to the main topic.”

“Lord Hall Official, we’re just here to offer a reminder. We both saw the lively scene just now. The Prefect of Guazhou was still stopped by the two of us. Of course, we have to admit that you handled this beautifully.”

“But we also want to advise you, opening the Palace Gates so widely is fine, but what if those evil spirits who only want to bring disaster to the human world mix in?”

“…Or rather, have they already mixed in?”

Chapter 1 The End