By sunrise, Green Jade City was no longer calm.

The news spread like wildfire — "Young Master Dong Ming and the feared assassin Shadow Fang, dead and burned to the bone in a nameless valley!" Gossip filled every teahouse, market street, and cultivation hall.

Because of the Dong family soldiers, the names of Mo Han and the Han family reached the ears of the common people.

Some whispered that the murderer was Mo Han of the Han family. Others claimed it was a feud between assassins. But one thing was certain — the Dong family was moving to take revenge.

In the central square of the Dong family compound, three hundred palace-armored soldiers stood in perfect formation, their spears gleaming under the early morning light. Orders were barked out like the clanging of war drums.

"The young master Dong Ming is dead. We all failed to protect him. But at least we will take revenge. The Green Jade City must realise what happens if anyone dares to mess with the Dong family.

As far as we know, the murderer is definitely Mo Han from the Eastern Han family. We have already sent word to the Han family, demanding justice and the surrender of Mo Han.

But that brat might still be inside our city. Search every street, every inn, every gate! If Mo Han draws breath in Jade City, bring me his head!"

"Yes, Patriarch!" the soldiers roared.

"Let's bring justice!" the leader of the palace soldiers, Dong Ding, shouted loudly as he led the soldiers to search for Mo Han.

Yet the old patriarch, Dong Xian himself, did not remain behind the doors to wait for news.

A luxurious war chariot pulled by three white horses raced through the busy streets of Green Jade City. Inside, Dong Xian sat with Lianhua, his face like carved stone, eyes locked forward. His aura leaked out in waves — cold, oppressive, making even seasoned cultivators step aside in silence.

He tightly held the diamond-headed spear, his expression like that of a beast.

They did not head for the city gates. Instead, the war chariot stopped before the grand, towering gates of the Khan Family Auction House.

The guards stiffened the moment they saw him.

"P-Patriarch Dong—"

"Move." His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of killing intent that made the guards' knees weaken. They scrambled aside, bowing deeply.

Dong Xian stepped down from the carriage, his dark robe sweeping the marble floor, his granddaughter trailing behind him. The air inside the auction house seemed to drop several degrees as his presence swept through the hall.

A steward rushed forward, sweating despite the cold aura.

"Patriarch Dong, to what do we owe—"

"Spare me the pleasantries," Dong Xian cut in, his voice razor-sharp. "Yesterday, during your biannual auction, there was a man in private room number seven… Mo Han. I will have his purchase records. I will have his companions' descriptions. I need the person who saw his face. And I will have them now."

The steward's lips trembled. "Of… of course, Patriarch. At once." He signaled urgently to his clerks and rushed inside.

But just after a few steps, the clerk froze — because he saw Lady Soya walking out calmly, an authoritative look on her face.

"Old Patriarch Dong Xian, welcome to the Khan Family Auction House. Please, tell me your reason for this sudden visit," Soya asked in a polite tone.

"Soya," the patriarch shouted angrily, "Don't beat around the bush. I know you've heard the news of my grandson Dong Ming's death."

"So?!" Soya put on a confused face.

The old patriarch gritted his teeth in frustration after seeing Soya Khan's innocent act.

"I want details about Mo Han. That brat from the Han family is the killer of my grandson. Yesterday, he attended your auction from Private Room Number Seven. I know you colluded with him to raise the price of your mysterious items during the auction. So stop your drama and give me the details about Mo Han. Otherwise, you will face the fury of this old Xian."

The old patriarch gave a stern warning while pointing his diamond-headed spear toward Soya Khan. The auction house servants and clerks began trembling in fear after seeing the fury on Dong Xian's face.

But there was no hint of fear on Soya's face. An amusing smirk appeared at the corner of her lips.

"Old Dong, you seem to forget where you're standing. You might be a big head in this remote Green Jade City, but my Khan family is several times more powerful than your little Dong family. Do I need to remind you of the connections we have all over this realm?" Soya questioned back with authority.

But the anger on Dong Xian's face only deepened after hearing the threatening note in Soya Khan's voice.

"Little lady, don't try to intimidate me with your family name. My grandson is dead, and I want details about the murderer. You might be powerful in the outside world, but right now, you're standing before me — Dong Xian, Master-rank cultivator." The old patriarch spoke with a dreadful look.

Soya Khan's eyes turned cold at the direct threat. Staring into his eyes, she opened her mouth and called a single name loudly:

"Jaggu…"

Before she even finished, a burly man appeared behind her with a heavy mace on his shoulder.

The old patriarch's heart almost stopped when he saw the burly man glaring at him with murderous intent.

"A Grandmaster…" Lianhua muttered weakly as she took a step back.

"Old Dong Xian, were you saying something?" Soya asked with an amused smile.

The old patriarch trembled in frustration, unable to meet Soya Khan's gaze.

"My grandson Dong Ming is dead. That's why I acted in rage. Please forgive my rude behaviour," the old patriarch said in a weak tone, swallowing all his pride.

In the cultivation world, right or wrong is not decided by truth — power and cultivation decide everything. Even the Dong family had to bend the knee before a Grandmaster, as they did not have one themselves. The current patriarch of the Dong family, Dong Tian, was in closed cultivation, striving to break through to Grandmaster rank.

"Old Xian, you clearly know the reason for your grandson's death. Stop blaming others for the mistake you made. The Han family's young master Mo Han is not a small fish. If you still try to take revenge… this matter might lead to the downfall of your Dong family. I'm saying this for your own good."

Soya Khan's lecturing tone left no room for argument as she walked back inside.

The old patriarch fell to his knees as sadness filled his heart.

"I shouldn't have sent you… Ming-ge…" For the first time, tears rolled down the old man's cheeks.