Chapter 959: Sending Off the Girl

The trade routes were severed, and all commerce ceased. With the arrival of the Blood Guard from the Da Wei Yamen, the once-thriving Guangping County was plunged into a state of complete lockdown overnight.

Two fifth-level martial sect masters personally took command, mobilizing elite troops from the Western Prison Pass to encircle the entire county, leaving no room for escape as they launched an extensive and thorough investigation.

One of the martial sect masters even brought a special artifact designed to detect demons.

Wang Chen had never anticipated that the Da Wei Yamen would treat this case with such gravity, deploying resources as if they intended to dig three feet into the ground of the county to unearth every last suspect.

Later, he discovered that it was his discovery of the Demon-Raising Pool beneath the Peony Pavilion that had drawn the Da Wei Yamen’s intense scrutiny. They had reported the matter to the imperial capital while dispatching their finest forces to investigate.

The severity of the situation surpassed everyone’s expectations!

However, after submitting his report on the case, Wang Chen was excluded from the investigative team. Despite his demonstrated ability to sense demons with remarkable acuity, he was not involved in the subsequent efforts.

He didn’t mind; in fact, he felt a sense of relief.

But the families of Guangping County, both large and small, including local powerhouses and merchant families, bore the brunt of the fallout.

No matter how formidable they might have seemed in ordinary times, under the combined oppressive force of the Da Wei Yamen’s Blood Guard and the elite troops from the Western Prison Pass, they were powerless to resist, forced to submit as their properties were thoroughly searched.

In truth, many of these families were far from innocent; it was common for prohibited items to be discovered during the raids.

Faced with such circumstances, they could only count themselves unfortunate. Typically, they would pay a hefty price, offer some form of restitution, and the matter would be settled.

However, a few, driven by greed, attempted to argue or even resist, only to be swiftly and ruthlessly crushed!

Some of these families had harbored notorious bandits or wanted criminals, or had colluded with traitors and heretics.

Their fates were even more dire.

In short, this storm showed no signs of abating with time; if anything, it grew more intense.

It even spread to regions adjacent to Guangping.

Countless people trembled in fear.

As the one who had inadvertently triggered this massive upheaval, Wang Chen remained in the residence provided by Duan Yongfeng, spending his days in seclusion, wholly dedicated to his martial arts practice.

Though his task was complete, the depth of his involvement meant he could not leave Guangping County without further orders from above.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

One morning, as Wang Chen practiced the Exterminating Demon Spear Technique in the small courtyard, a knock suddenly echoed from the courtyard gate. A respectful voice called from outside: “Is Qiandu Daren present? The Zhong family from Guangping has come to pay a visit.”

The Zhong family from Guangping?

Wang Chen was momentarily taken aback.

He had no connections here and was unfamiliar with the Zhong family of Guangping. The house he was staying in had been arranged by Duan Yongfeng, so it puzzled him how they had found him.

After a moment’s thought, Wang Chen set aside his spear and went to open the door.

Standing before him were three individuals. In the center was a middle-aged man clad in a brocade robe, exuding an air of authority. To his sides stood a strikingly beautiful woman and a white-haired elder carrying a box.

Hmm?

Wang Chen did not recognize the middle-aged man or the white-haired elder.

But the beautiful woman was familiar—she was none other than Zhong Yingyao, the woman he had encountered at the Baisheng gambling house!

However, the Zhong Yingyao he had seen that day was bold and fierce, radiating an untamed energy, while the woman before him now resembled a frightened rabbit, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with a pitiful vulnerability.

This made Wang Chen wonder if they were the same person!

The contrast was too stark.

Wang Chen couldn’t help but take another glance.

This action was noticed by the middle-aged man, who immediately brightened up and hurriedly bowed, saying, “Lord Wang, I am Zhong Zhenshan, the family head of the Zhong family from Guangping. Please forgive my presumptuous visit today.”

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Wang Chen, his demeanor extremely humble.

Zhong Yingyao and the white-haired elder also followed suit with their bows.

“No need for such formalities,”

Wang Chen said lightly, “Come in and let’s talk.”

Although Wang Chen was unclear about their intentions, it was evident that they were not here as adversaries.

After leading the guests into the living room, Wang Chen gestured for them to sit and then got straight to the point, “Family Head Zhong, what brings you to me?”

His household had no maids, so he skipped the usual tea-serving ritual.

Zhong Zhenshan, having just sat down, hesitated for a moment before nodding to the white-haired elder standing beside him.

The elder promptly placed the box he was carrying onto the table.

Zhong Zhenshan swallowed hard and cautiously said, “Lord Wang, my daughter was ignorant and offended you a few days ago at the Peony Pavilion. It is entirely my fault for not educating her properly; it truly deserves the gravest punishment!”

He opened the box, revealing it was filled with gold, silver, and jewels, dazzling and colorful.

“This is my humble gift of apology; I hope you can be magnanimous, my lord!”

Wang Chen remained silent, merely reaching to pick up some jewels and then putting them down, feeling quite peculiar.

He had completely forgotten about Zhong Yingyao and hadn’t thought much of it at the time, so how could he have held on to any resentment?

He had not expected the head of the Zhong family would personally come to apologize with his daughter.

There must be a reason behind this!

Considering the recent large-scale searches by the Blood Guard from the Da Wei Yamen, Wang Chen began to understand the situation a bit better.

Seeing him silent, Zhong Zhenshan gritted his teeth and added, “I’ve heard that you are in seclusion here and have no close companions. How about allowing my daughter to serve you, doing chores like cleaning and making your bed?”

Zhong Yingyao’s pretty face flushed crimson, highlighting her already beautiful features.

To be fair, while she wasn’t a stunning beauty, her looks and figure were quite admirable, and one wondered how Zhong Zhenshan had raised such a daughter, so different from the usual aristocratic girls!

At this point, Zhong Zhenshan’s intention was clear.

He clearly wanted to make friends with Wang Chen by offering his daughter, likely because the Zhong family had encountered trouble and had no choice but to resort to this method to escape their predicament.

And Zhong Zhenshan was surely using his connection with Duan Yongfeng.

Wang Chen’s mindset raced, piecing together the context of the situation, and spoke, “I will accept this gift of apology, but please take your daughter back; I do not need anyone to serve me.”

He meant no harm to the Zhong family; accepting the gift was merely to put them at ease and prevent further complications.

As for Zhong Yingyao, it was a polite decline.

Zhong Zhenshan clearly did not expect Wang Chen to accept the money but not the beautiful daughter he offered.

He was taken aback but did not dare voice any opposition, quickly smiling and replying, “Of course.”

Wang Chen smiled and said, “I will mention this to Zongqi Duan.”

Wang Chen could not guarantee anything, but as long as the Zhong family was not involved in treacherous deeds, he could certainly speak a good word for them.

Now, Wang Chen also held that level of influence!

Zhong Zhenshan was overjoyed, quickly standing to bow, “Thank you, my lord!”

Meanwhile, Zhong Yingyao shot a complex look at Wang Chen, her eyes carrying a hint of sadness.