At the entrance of the Brocade Guard, a Captain delivered the latest news. The thin Centurion standing at the door took it, glanced briefly, and then turned to report to Cai Keji.

"Sir, a message from the spy at Xiaoxiang Villa," the thin Centurion spoke solemnly. "Some Jianghu people delivered a cartload of items to Xiaoxiang Villa, and the Seventh Prince personally received them."

Upon hearing this, Cai Keji stopped what he was doing. He used the silvery sleeve of his Feiyu Clothing to wipe his mouth and looked up at the thin Centurion, his gaze as ferocious as a tiger's. With just one look, the thin Centurion didn't dare to lower his head again. Another Centurion nearby, with a soft-featured yet gloomy face, also kept his head down, his eyes filled with fear.

"Xiaoxiang Villa, huh... a fine place!" Cai Keji licked his lips. "The Seventh Prince just returned today. We Brocade Guards ought to show some respect and not disturb him.

"Didn't they say during the daytime that people under the Seventh Prince caused a commotion at the Tower of Hundred Flowers? Tomorrow morning, let's take those troublemakers in for questioning. We need to see who dares to stir up trouble in the Capital City.

"Oh, right, buy a string of firecrackers to send to the Seventh Prince. Light them at his doorstep and say that I, Cai Keji, am paying to celebrate his return to the Capital City!"

After speaking, he turned his attention back to the delicious fish and meat before him. Feeling that the dishes had turned cold, he ordered, "Today, several people who didn't know any better broke into Xiaoxiang Villa. Chop off their heads too. Send them to the Seventh Prince tomorrow."

Having finished, he rose and dragged his corpulent body outside. The moon hung high, yet his presence was as chilling as that of a fierce tiger or wolf. The two Centurions quickly nodded, agreeing to carry out the orders.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the elderly women who had entered Xiaoxiang Villa earlier that day all met tragic deaths under the Xiu Chun Sabers of the Brocade Guards. Such acts seemed to have become all too common for the ordinary folk. Faced with a deployment of Brocade Guards, they could only hide and watch, not daring to complain in the slightest. Those with children at home covered their mouths tightly, not allowing them to make any noise or cry out.

「Next day.」

The two Centurions, along with a dozen Brocade Guard Captains, headed to Xiaoxiang Villa.

Xu Nian had risen early, planning to have tea at the Pavilion and also intending to assign tasks to the Dung Beetles. However, the sound of pounding at the door directly disrupted his plans.

Xu Nian went to open the door, puzzled. Upon opening it, he saw a group of Brocade Guards standing outside. Two Brocade Guard Centurions at the front were paying their respects to him.

"Centurion Li Hu of the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition Brocade Guard greets the Seventh Prince!"

"Centurion Wang Feng of the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition Brocade Guard greets the Seventh Prince!"

The two spoke in unison, offering a slight bow without any excessive formalities.

Li Hu? Wang Feng? The arrival of two Centurions from the Brocade Guard left Xu Nian even more bewildered.

"Is there an issue?" he asked, looking at the accompanying Brocade Guard Captains. These men all carried cloth bags that were dripping blood, suggesting they contained severed heads!

"Please forgive us, Seventh Prince," Li Hu said expressionlessly. "Yesterday, your men caused trouble at the Tower of Hundred Flowers. Today, we have come especially to take them back for questioning."

It was common knowledge that those who entered the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition would emerge skinned, if not dead. Coming to make arrests so early in the morning was clearly looking for trouble. For two mere Centurions to dare make arrests at Xiaoxiang Villa, someone was clearly backing them.

"Please don't make it difficult for us, Seventh Prince. We are only following orders," Wang Feng said in his gentle yet sinister tone.

"Following orders?" Xu Nian laughed. "Whose orders?"

"To be frank with the Seventh Prince, we are both following the orders of Thousand Households Cai," Wang Feng sneered.

Thousand Households Cai? Could it be that Evil-Subduing Dog Cai Keji? Xu Nian did have a memory of this person; he was indeed one of the ruthless ones in the Brocade Guard.

Before Xu Nian could respond, Wang Feng continued, "That's right, upon learning of the Seventh Prince's return to the Capital City, Thousand Households Cai specially commanded us to come and offer congratulations!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand. The Brocade Guard Captains stepped forward and opened their cloth bags.

With just one look, Xu Nian's pupils abruptly constricted. Severed heads! It was just as he had guessed; the bags contained severed heads. These belonged to the ordinary common people who had visited Xiaoxiang Villa yesterday. How cruel! What a move by Cai Keji! Was this deliberately meant to disgust me?

At that moment, a Brocade Guard Captain walked over, pulled out a long string of firecrackers, and lit them in front of everyone.

CRACKLE! POP! SNAP!

The sound of the firecrackers woke many people. Setting off firecrackers early in the morning was rather inconsiderate. But seeing that it was the Brocade Guards doing it, those who wanted to curse quickly clammed up.

Xu Nian's face was ashen, his eyes devoid of any emotion. This wasn't a celebration; it was blatantly an act of intimidation. A year away, and now every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinks they can cause trouble?

"I'll accept this generous gift!" Xu Nian said coldly. "Go back and tell Cai Keji that mad dog of his had better fatten up a bit more. Next time we meet, I'll personally take a knife and scrape the flesh off his bones!"

With that, he turned to close the door.

But in the next moment, Li Hu's hand shot out, blocking Xu Nian's attempt to close the door.

"Seventh Prince, please don't make things difficult for us. We're here to arrest someone," Li Hu said with a cold expression. "Yesterday, your subordinates committed offenses. You can't possibly cover for them, can you?"

Getting too big for their boots? Xu Nian's expression grew even uglier. First, the offering of severed heads, then the firecrackers, and now they wanted to barge in. It was clear they had no respect for his status as the Seventh Prince.

"Oh? You're going to arrest someone right in front of me?" Xu Nian stepped back, moving aside. "You'd better think this through. Once you enter the gates of Xiaoxiang Villa, it won't be so easy to leave!"

A chilling smile suddenly appeared on his face. Even under the bright sun, it felt bone-chillingly cold!

Li Hu and Wang Feng instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice pit.

We're going to die! We're absolutely going to die!

The two stood frozen at the door, unsure of what to do. If they failed, they would certainly be punished upon returning. They couldn't bear Cai Keji's methods. But if they set foot in Xiaoxiang Villa, they might very well die right here! What a dilemma!

At this moment, a hearty laugh rang out. Upon hearing it, Wang Feng and Li Hu quickly stepped back and respectfully greeted the newcomer.

Dressed in silver-white Feiyu Clothing, Cai Keji, with his plump belly, walked over.

"Hahahaha, long time no see, Seventh Prince! It's been a year, and your martial skills have become even more exquisite. I am truly impressed," he said with a smile.

"You shouldn't make things difficult for us Brocade Guards either. We all serve His Majesty. Ensuring the safety of the Capital City is our duty. Your men did indeed cause trouble yesterday, injuring quite a few people.

"But rest assured, we are just taking them back to ask some questions. We won't let them lose a single hair.

"You're a man of great mercy, so please don't trouble us further. How about this? I'll set up a banquet at the Dragon and Phoenix Tower another day and personally apologize to Your Highness?"

Watching his insincere face, Xu Nian's eyes grew even colder. Cai Keji sure knows how to play the game. First, he sends his men to create chaos, and now he himself comes to play the good cop. Quite the performance.

Xu Nian smirked coldly. "The door is open. If you, mad dog, dare to come in, be my guest. But... I can't guarantee you'll leave alive.

"Don't forget who I am. I could kill a dog like you and still live a good life. Do you believe me?"

"I believe, of course I believe!" Cai Keji chuckled. "That being said, I won't disturb Your Highness's rest any longer. Remember, you must grace us with your presence at the Dragon and Phoenix Tower another day."

With those words, he turned and left with his men, taking the severed heads with them.

He wasn't a fool. Rumors in the Jianghu suggested that the Seventh Prince had grown strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Qixian and Kong Qingquan. As a Grandmaster Realm Thousand Households himself, even with ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to confront Xu Nian. Today's events were already eighty percent successful. This act was performed for certain audiences. Now that his goal had been achieved, there was no need to proceed. If he angered the Seventh Prince, they'd all meet their end here.

"Sir, are we just going to leave like this?" Li Hu asked, puzzled. This isn't typical behavior for our superior. Everyone knows Cai Keji wouldn't make a move without seeing a clear advantage. Why did he just leave like that today?

"Otherwise, what? Would you like to test your skills against the Prince?" Cai Keji glanced at him and sneered. "I've achieved my goal. There's no need to persist. Didn't you see the Seventh Prince was ready to make his move? If I hadn't come out to play my part, all of you would have had to answer for it inside Xiaoxiang Villa!"

Hearing this, both Li Hu and Wang Feng's expressions changed. Wang Feng asked, frowning, "Does the Seventh Prince truly possess such power?"

"At the opening of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, many witnessed his prowess. It's highly likely this is true," Cai Keji said gravely. "At the Free Heaven Realm, across the entire land, only three could possibly spar with him. There's no need for us to rush to our deaths."

It was better to err on the side of caution. Cai Keji feared death, so he chose to believe Xu Nian possessed such capabilities.

Once they had left, Xu Nian, his face cold, closed the door. He then heard the System's task reminder.

[Task: Clan Annihilation (One).]

[Introduction: The Ten Great Clans are the true cancer of the Great Qian Dynasty. As a prince of Great Qian, you cannot allow their tyranny to continue.]

[Objective: Crush one of the Ten Great Clans—the Cai Family.]

[Time Limit: One month.]

[Reward: Determined by the host's completion degree.]

[Hint: The host may delegate the task to the disciples. The task can be freely split and assigned. The reward is limited to Contribution Points only, and this task's reward cannot exceed One Thousand Contribution Points.]

Clan annihilation? It seems this is a series of tasks. A reward of one thousand Contribution Points per task... completing the entire series would grant ten thousand Contribution Points. Since Cai Keji delivered himself to my doorstep, I'll start with the Cai Family. Li Baiyang's matter can wait...

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