Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

News of the assassination spread like wildfire throughout Pingyang County overnight.

The next morning, Pingyang County was in an uproar.

The news that Liu Ruyan, the chief constable of the Six Doors, had been assassinated and was critically injured was like a bombshell that exploded over the city, shaking every faction.

But what made all parties even more eager was another piece of news: Liu Ruyan possessed a Heavenly Origin Treasure Herb, which, when consumed, could allow cultivators below the Grandmaster level to break through to a higher realm.

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned red.

Lu Zhennan, commander of the Zhenfu Division, personally went to the Six Doors.

His face was ashen the whole way, and he ignored everyone who spoke to him. Upon arriving at the Six Doors, he went straight to Liu Ruyan's hospital room. He saw Liu Ruyan lying on the bed, her face deathly pale—her fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

The heads of the three major families also sent gifts of condolence. The Li family's thousand-year-old ginseng, the Wang family's top-grade Ganoderma lucidum, and the Zhao family's wound medicine—each more valuable and rarer than the last.

But the trusted confidants sent by each faction were secretly inquiring: Was the Heavenly Origin Medicine still safe? Where was it stored? How was the Six Doors' defense?

Lei Potian of the Mad Saber Sect, Zhao Tieyi of the Iron Sword Sect, Jin Buhuan of the Wanbao Trading Company, Zhou Tieshan of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, Ma Rulong of the Weiyuan Escort Agency... all sorts of forces sent people.

But everyone knew that the visit was a pretense; their real purpose was to gather information.

How badly was Liu Ruyan injured? How will the Six Doors retaliate next? Is the White Lotus Sect still in Pingyang County? Where is the Heavenly Origin Medicine hidden? Is there an opportunity to strike? These are the questions they are truly concerned about.

Inside the Six Doors' service hall, Constable Liu, his eyes red and veins throbbing on his forehead, said to Lu Zhennan:

"Lord Lu, the White Lotus Sect is plotting a rebellion! They've used a treacherous method against Captain Liu, who possesses the Heavenly Essence Medicine! To assassinate a high-ranking official in broad daylight—what's the difference between this and rebellion? Please, Your Excellency, uphold justice for the Six Doors!"

Lu Zhennan's expression was grave, his brows furrowed in a tight knot: "How is Chief Constable Liu now?"

"His life is saved, but he'll need at least three months to recover." Officer Liu's eyes were even redder. "Three months—three months will delay everything! That precious herb is still in our hands, and the White Lotus Sect certainly won't let it go. Other forces... I'm afraid they've got their eyes on it too."

Lu Zhennan's heart sank.

Liu Ruyan was the pillar of the Six Doors in Pingyang County. With her downfall, the Six Doors were essentially crippled, losing its left and right arms. And that Heavenly Origin Treasure Herb was like a piece of fat meat thrown into a pack of wolves, everyone wanting a bite.

"Pass on my orders." Lu Zhennan stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "The Zhenfu Division will fully cooperate with the Six Doors to apprehend the remnants of the White Lotus Sect. Anyone providing clues will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold. Anyone harboring or protecting them will be punished the same as the White Lotus Sect members! Furthermore—the Tianyuan Precious Medicine will be heavily guarded by the Zhenfu Division; no one is allowed to approach it. Anyone who dares to covet the medicine will be killed without exception!"

"yes!"

Lu Zhennan strode out of the Six Doors and looked up at the sky.

The sky was overcast and the dark clouds hung low—as if it were about to rain or collapse.

The city of Pingyang is likely about to undergo a major upheaval.

Just as Lu Zhennan left the Six Doors, the White Lotus Sect branch was already deserted.

Liu San Niang, along with a few trusted confidants, withdrew from Pingyang County under the cover of night.

They headed east, towards Guangling Prefecture. The statue of the White Lotus Mother was still there in the branch headquarters, and the incense in the censer was still burning—but everyone had vanished.

The Left Protector, riding behind Liu San Niang, couldn't help but ask, "Master, are we just leaving like this? We haven't even gotten the Heavenly Essence Medicine yet..."

Liu San Niang didn't turn around. Her voice drifted in the night wind: "Liu Ruyan isn't dead, so the precious medicine must be hidden even more tightly. The Zhenfu Division has already intervened; forcibly seizing it now is tantamount to suicide. Let's go. Let's go now. It's not too late to come back when the main headquarters sends even stronger experts."

The Left Protector remained silent for a moment, then asked, "What about the White Lotus Sect's territory in Pingyang County...?"

"I don't want it anymore." Liu San Niang's tone was so calm that it didn't seem like she was giving up the business she had built up over many years. "Life is more important than territory. The precious medicine is more important than territory."

The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the night air, gradually fading into the distance.

The headquarters of the Mad Blade Sect.

Lei Potian remained silent for a long time after listening to Lei Zhendong's report.

Leaning back in the tiger-skin chair, he tapped his fingers on the armrest repeatedly—"tap, tap, tap."

Suddenly he laughed.

"That woman, Liu San Niang, is truly ruthless." The laughter was tinged with schadenfreude. "She dared to assassinate the chief constable of the Six Doors—she actually dared to do something like that. It's a pity she didn't kill Liu Ruyan; now the Six Doors will be at odds with her to the death."

"Brother, the White Lotus Sect has retreated. What do we do now?" Lei Zhendong asked. "The Iron Sword Sect is already mobilizing people. It's said they're sending three elders at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm from their headquarters in Guangling Prefecture. Also—that Heavenly Origin Treasure Herb, should we…?"

Lei Potian raised his hand, interrupting him.

"There's no rush regarding the precious medicine." Lei Potian's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Liu Ruyan isn't dead yet, and the precious medicine is still in the hands of the Six Doors. The Zhenfu Division has already intervened; trying to seize it now would be suicide. But—what if the Six Doors can't defend it? What if the Iron Sword Sect and the Mad Saber Sect are locked in a fierce battle, and the Six Doors are too preoccupied to care about anything else?"

Lei Zhendong's eyes lit up: "What you mean, brother?"

"First, stabilize the Iron Sword Sect." Lei Potian stood up, walked to the map hanging on the wall, and pointed to the location of the North City Wharf and the Six Doors with his finger. "Negotiations are one thing, but secretly send people to keep an eye on the Six Doors."

The White Lotus Sect wants the precious herb, the Iron Sword Sect wants it too, and those old foxes from the three major families want it even more—whoever gets that herb will be able to do whatever they want in Pingyang County. The Mad Blade Sect can't fall behind.

"yes!"

"Also, send someone to Qinghe City to investigate the Azure Dragon Society further." Lei Potian narrowed his eyes. "Meng Xinghun rejected my offer of enlistment, which means he has greater ambitions. This kind of person either doesn't act at all, or when he does, it's a thunderous strike. We have to be wary of him."

Lei Zhendong accepted the order and left.

Lei Potian stood alone in front of the map, staring at the location of the Six Doors, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

If he could get his hands on the Heavenly Origin Treasure Medicine, he could break through from the mid-stage of the Divine Meridian Realm to the peak of the late stage in one fell swoop. At that time, there would be few in the entire Pingyang County who could suppress him.

Iron Sword Sect Branch, Council Hall.

Zhao Tieyi's injuries had not fully healed, and his chest was wrapped in thick bandages. He sat in a grand chair listening to Zhou Wenhai's report.

"Master, the Mad Blade Sect has sent people here, saying they want to negotiate."

"Negotiation?" Zhao Tieyi sneered. "That madman Lei Potian knows how to negotiate? He's probably afraid of our three elders at headquarters."

"That's not all." Zhou Wenhai lowered his voice, "You've heard about the Heavenly Origin Treasure Medicine, haven't you?"

Zhao Tieyi's gaze sharpened: "Of course I've heard. A precious herb that can help one break through a major cultivation level—who wouldn't want it?"

"The Mad Blade Sect wants it, the White Lotus Sect wants it, and the three major families want it too. Right now, the Six Doors are holding out with the troops of the Suppression Division, but the Suppression Division can't hold out indefinitely." Zhou Wenhai paused, "If we could transfer a few more experts from the headquarters, we could take advantage of the chaos..."

Zhao Tieyi raised his hand to interrupt him, and pondered for a moment.

"Negotiations are possible, territory is conceded, but the Heavenly Origin Medicine—" A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, "...must be obtained. Lei Potian wants to negotiate with me, perfect. During the negotiations, make him think I only want the North City Wharf, so he lowers his guard. Secretly, have people keep a close watch on the Six Doors."

"clear."

"And one more thing," Zhao Tieyi added, "send another generous gift to the Azure Dragon Society. Meng Xinghun is no simple man; even if we can't win him over, we can't let him side with the Mad Blade Sect."

Wanbao Trading Company, inner hall.

Jin Buhuan sat behind a desk piled high with account books, his plump fingers twirling a golden melon seed as he listened to the steward's report with narrowed eyes.

"The Six Doors were attacked, Liu Ruyan was seriously injured, but the Heavenly Origin Medicine is still available."

Jin Buhuan tossed the golden melon seeds back into the box, making a crisp sound.

"A precious medicine..." he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with the shrewdness typical of a merchant. "If I could get my hands on this, I could resell it to those old monsters who have been in seclusion for years, and it would be worth at least 500,000 taels of gold. If I were to use it myself... heh, my cultivation level should have broken through long ago."

"Boss, should we make a move?"

"What are you going to do?" Jin Buhuan rolled his eyes at him. "Wanbao Trading Company is a place for doing business, not a place for fighting and killing in the martial arts world."

But—business has its ways. You spread the word that Wanbao Trading Company is willing to pay a high price for Tianyuanbao Medicine. Whoever gets it, we sell it to. We don't get our hands dirty, we only get the money.”

"Great job!" the manager exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up.

Jin Buhuan smiled smugly, but after the smile faded, a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

This precious medicinal herb is likely to cause rivers of blood to flow in Pingyang County.

The heads of Zhenyuan Escort Agency, Weiyuan Escort Agency, and the three major families were all making the same plans in their respective residences.

Everyone is waiting.

Wait for the Six Doors to reveal a flaw, wait for the Garrison Command to lower its guard, and wait for an opportunity to strike.

The study in the Meng residence.

Meng Xinghun sat at the table, a map of Pingyang County spread out before him. He dipped a brush in cinnabar and made new markings on the map—

The location of the White Lotus Sect branch was marked with a vermilion circle containing the character "撤" (withdraw).

At the location of the six doors, the character "伤" (injury) was drawn, and next to it, the character "药" (medicine) was added.

Two arrows were drawn between the Mad Saber Sect and the Iron Sword Sect, facing each other, and marked with the words "Mechanical Fight".

Three major families, two major escort agencies, and Wanbao Trading Company—they all wrote the words "Peeping at Medicine".

"The chessboard has changed," Meng Xinghun murmured, putting down his brush.

Han Tang stood to the side, glanced at the map, and whispered, "Master, regarding the Heavenly Origin Medicine, should we...?"

"No." Meng Xinghun shook his head, his voice soft but firm. "The White Lotus Sect wants it, the Mad Saber Sect wants it, the Iron Sword Sect wants it, the three major families want it, and even the Wanbao Trading Company is eyeing it. With so many people watching, whoever makes the first move will die."

"So we're just going to stand by and watch?"

"Just watch." Meng Xinghun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. Now is not the time for the fisherman to step in. Let them bite first, let them bite until they are both bleeding and exhausted—that will be the time for the Azure Dragon Society to make its move."

Han Tang nodded thoughtfully.

Meng Xinghun put down his teacup, his gaze falling on the location of the Six Doors on the map, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

The Heavenly Origin Medicine... is indeed a good thing. But good things don't necessarily have to be snatched away.

Sometimes, it's easier to wait until someone else gets their hands on it and then take the person and the medicine together.

Qinghe City, Zhenfu Branch Office.

It was late at night. Dongfang Weiwo sat by the window of the duty room, holding a letter in his hand.

The letter was sent by someone sent by Meng Xinghun.

It used a specially made cipher from the Azure Dragon Society—on the surface, it was an ordinary family letter, but after being treated with a special potion, the true information emerged between the lines:

"The Mad Saber Sect and the Iron Sword Sect clashed at the docks. The White Lotus Sect's assassination attempt on Liu Ruyan failed, leaving her severely injured. The White Lotus Sect's branch has withdrawn. The Heavenly Origin Treasure Medicine has appeared in the world, attracting covetous eyes from various forces. Lei Potian's attempt to win over the Azure Dragon Society has failed. The Iron Sword Sect is currently transferring three peak Profound Gang Realm elders from Guangling Prefecture."

Dongfang Wei held the letter close to the lamplight. The flame licked the corner of the paper, causing it to curl, blacken, and turn to ash. The ash fell to the ground and was scattered by the night wind blowing in through the window cracks—leaving no trace.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and pondered in his mind.

Tianyuan Treasure Medicine...