......

Yu Xiao turned his head upon hearing the familiar voice.

He saw Lu Ding gesturing with his head toward the Earth Dragon Immortal in human form, signaling it to hide.

After all, exposing it in public would be somewhat disrespectful to the Rat Demon.

To avoid accidents.

Better hide for now.

The Earth Dragon Immortal vanished.

Only then did Yu Xiao clasp his hands and bow to the descending Lu Ding.

"Grand Duke Lu, Yu Xiao apologizes for my delayed arrival. Please forgive this offense, Grand Guardian."

As these words fell.

The onlookers outside Xiankong Town's 749 Bureau instantly buzzed with discussion.

"Grand Duke Lu??? That name sounds so familiar, like I've heard it somewhere before?"

"I told you not to drink so much yesterday, but you wouldn't listen. You blacked out and forgot the opening story that blind old man told at the tavern last night?"

"Oh!! I remember now, I remember! 'Corpse-Shattering Taishui scorns all directions' - so he's White Ridge's special investigator, Corpse-Shattering Taishui Lu Ding!!"

"Damn, keep your voice down! Are you trying to get yourself killed, calling him by his full name like that!"

"Earlier I was wondering why the Yu Family head from White Ridge would hit his own sister. So Grand Duke Lu was coming."

"Strange, why would such a high-ranking special envoy like Grand Duke Lu come to a small place like ours?"

"Are you stupid? Haven't you heard what Grand Duke Lu did in White Ridge? He cleared out the Luo Family, eliminated the Zeng Family. Following that pattern, for the Grand Guardian to come to our Xiankong Town, he must be targeting the similarly wicked Zhao Family!"

"Damn, the Zhao Family's good days are finally over! I need to watch this carefully!!"

In front of the crowd, facing Lu Ding.

Yu Xiao pointed at the kneeling Yu Qing on the ground: "This poisonous woman Yu Qing sheltered Zhao Shaolin in his harmful deeds and reckless killing! The criminal incidents she covered up are too numerous to record!"

Yesterday.

'Yu Qing is my only sister'

Today.

'This poisonous woman Yu Qing'

Truly unmatched.

Even Lu Ding was stunned hearing this.

He knew Zhao Shaolin's mother was Yu Xiao's sister.

So after killing Zhao Shaolin, he had sent Yu Xiao a message to gauge his attitude.

He never expected that before he could even see Yu Xiao's reply.

The man would come running, arrest his own sister, and come to apologize in person.

Could it be... he was going to stage the same act again?

Then Yu Xiao continued:

"As her former elder brother, I also bear inescapable responsibility."

"Blame my busy schedule! Fortunately, Grand Guardian, your reminder made me recall her evil deeds!"

"Today, I, Yu Xiao, will place righteousness above family!!!"

"Before all fellow cultivators and townsfolk of Xiankong Town, I shall eliminate this great scourge for Xiankong Town!!!"

Gathering energy, he raised his hand and struck down with his palm.

Ignoring the terrified look in Yu Qing's eyes as she heard the final words and was about to beg for mercy.

Her skull suffered a devastating blow - one palm strike, life extinguished, blood flowing from all seven orifices.

From beginning to end.

Yu Xiao showed not the slightest hesitation.

He didn't even know what hesitation meant.

Fully committed to placing righteousness above family, firm in attitude, declaring he and evil cannot coexist!

Presenting his intentionally blood-stained hands, accompanied by slight trembling.

Yu Xiao stood tall and straight: "The elder brother acts as father - I failed to teach her properly. Grand Guardian, Yu Xiao voluntarily requests shackles!"

Before Lu Ding arrived, Yu Xiao had discussed details with his daughter.

What to do after killing Yu Qing.

The optimal solution they arrived at was:

Advance by retreating, voluntarily request shackles.

Willing to accept judgment if judged, willing to accept punishment if punished.

Even if he went to prison, Yu Miaoyin could easily sustain the Yu Family.

Moreover, those arrested by New City would be punished by New City, judged by New City, imprisoned by New City - special zone, special governance, just like that valuable piece of land in a certain port island.

Yu Xiao would only be imprisoned.

Not dead.

As long as he lived, his deterrent power remained.

Other families wouldn't dare move against the Yu Family.

Trading temporary suffering for future glory - this deal was worth making!

Lu Ding watched the entire process without moving.

"Brilliant, truly brilliant. Yu Xiao, oh Yu Xiao, I really underestimated you."

Click.

The shackles locked shut.

Fu Xinghe, who had been inputting Reshaper information at Xiankong Town's 749 Bureau, personally placed the shackles on Yu Xiao. Pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses, complemented by his administrative jacket.

Fu Xinghe's aura of refined scoundrel radiated intensely.

This was when his appearance was needed.

He continued from where Lu Ding left off.

"Family Head Yu, the law shows no mercy."

Yu Xiao looked directly at Fu Xinghe: "Yu Xiao pleads guilty."

Simultaneous smiles curled at the corners of both their mouths.

Fu Xinghe smiled because Yu Xiao had delivered himself right to their doorstep, perfectly allowing them to punish all his past crimes along with this one.

You said you plead guilty yourself.

Can't blame others for that.

As for how many crimes, or how long ago they were committed - don't worry about that, you said you plead guilty, and the bodycam recorded everything.

Yu Xiao, meanwhile, thought his plan had succeeded, believing even if imprisoned, he would soon be released. Unaware that his move had perfectly fallen into Fu Xinghe's counter-scheme, he still thought he had gained.

Wait to rot in prison, you're no good either.

Lu Ding looked at Yu Xiao who thought himself clever and felt like laughing.

If Yu Xiao had thought of this method himself, then he... was truly wise yet appearing 'foolish'.

If someone else helped him, then that person had some skill.

While pondering this.

A wailing sound shattered the scene's harmony.

"Madam!!!!!"

This shout made Lu Ding frown.

Why did he find this voice so irritating?

Three figures descended from the sky.

Zhao Feng emerged fastest among them, rushing forward to throw himself onto Yu Qing's corpse.

Crying so mournfully it would sadden listeners and move hearers to tears.

"Madam... we've loved each other for decades, how could you leave like this........"

His fine robes stained with fresh blood.

Zhao Feng was practically bursting with joy inside. With signs of soon embracing Shen Qixue's influence, and if Chen Yan joined the Path of Dry Bones 749, he would be embracing two powerful connections.

How glorious his future would be was unimaginable.

On such a happy day.

His domineering first wife who had always pressured him was also dead.

This was simply double happiness!!!

Promotion, wealth, and dead wife - he had two of the three characteristics of a heartless social climber's second spring.

How could he not be happy?

Oh right, he still had a son. Zhao Feng didn't like Yu Qing, but he liked Zhao Shaolin.

Although this son was somewhat rotten, he had talent, with potential definitely higher than his father's.

And he resembled his uncle Yu Xiao.

He truly disliked Yu Xiao, but also truly admired him.

Yu Xiao's successful precedent made him firmly believe that a son resembling Yu Xiao would surely become a formidable figure in the future!

Looking up, tears and mucus streaming, face full of grief as he looked at Yu Xiao: "Brother-in-law, why, why exactly!!!"

When acting, commit fully to the role.

He didn't care about the reasons.

Anyway, no matter how bad today's situation got, with Chen Yan and Shen Qixue here, he wouldn't die.

As long as he didn't die, everything else was minor problems.

Yu Xiao looked at him coldly, saying nothing.

The task his daughter arranged was to kill his sister - everything else was not his concern.

At this moment, Lu Ding withdrew his gaze from Chen Yan. Back at Iron Stone Cave, he had been thinking about confronting Chen Yan directly.

Then, upon returning, the chain reaction set off by Yu Xiao had brought Chen Yan here.

No hurry, matters should be handled one by one - your turn will come soon.

Stepping forward, Lu Ding took over the scene transition.

Speaking in a somewhat regretful tone: "Family Head Zhao, condolences. I know you're very sad about your wife's death, but don't be sad just yet."

"If you're too sad now, I'm afraid you won't withstand the blow."

Holding the corpse, Zhao Feng followed up somewhat confused: "What blow?"

Just thinking about what he was about to say made the smile on Lu Ding's face gradually spread uncontrollably.

"Your son's dead too, hahahahahahaha......."