He is simply a born killer

In the prefectural office.

Luo Yu felt a headache coming on as he looked at his sister, who appeared to be suffering the greatest injustice in the world.

"How did you sneak out?"

"I... um..."

"Do Father and Mother know?"

"They... of course they do!"

Luo Yao stammered.

Luo Yu frowned.

"Then I’ll write them a letter to confirm."

"Waaah! I almost died, and you’re still scolding me! I don’t want to live anymore! I should’ve just let them kill me! You’re a big meanie too, Brother!"

Luo Yao wailed even louder, her clothes filthy, looking as pitiful as one could imagine.

Luo Yu’s lips twitched.

He could clearly see his sister crying dramatically while peeking through the gaps between her fingers to check if he was feeling sorry for her.

He knew her tricks all too well.

But the disciples of the Blazing Jade Grove beside them quickly chimed in:

"Chief, Junior Sister Luo already knows she was wrong. Let’s not punish her further."

"Whoever dares lay a hand on one of ours must pay the price—or else they’ll think we’re all Confucian gentlemen with no temper!"

"Fear not, Junior Sister. This senior brother has studied the sages’ teachings thoroughly. I’ll have a proper discussion with whoever wronged you."

One of the senior brothers pulled out a thick copy of The Sage’s Teachings.

The book wasn’t just hefty—its edges were reinforced with sharp metal corners.

Most disciples of the Blazing Jade Grove came from noble families. Though they trained in martial arts, they disdained being called mere warriors, considering it crude.

Even fighting wasn’t called fighting—it was "discussing principles."

Usually, The Sage’s Teachings were enough to make the other side see reason.

Luo Yu: "..."

Are you all trying to make the prefecture even more chaotic?

"Prefecture Lord Cui requests an audience."

After the announcement, Prefecture Lord Cui was ushered in.

"It was this prefecture’s negligence that allowed Young Miss Luo to suffer such an ordeal."

"Did you get a clear look at the assailant’s appearance?"

Upon hearing that a disciple of the Blazing Jade Grove had nearly been killed, he was shocked, furious, and deeply apologetic.

"It was Nightghost Liu Heng," Luo Yao said.

The moment the name was spoken, everyone’s expressions turned cold.

No wonder.

The Nightghost Sect had been wiped out by the Blazing Jade Grove for their atrocities—this must be revenge.

"Liu Heng..."

Prefecture Lord Cui glanced at the Scholar’s Brush clutched in Luo Yao’s hand, his eyes flickering briefly.

"I’ve heard of this criminal."

"His techniques are unorthodox, and he usually only appears at night."

"This prefecture will dispatch men to investigate—"

"That won’t be necessary."

Luo Yao shook her head.

"He’s already been beaten to death."

The furious crowd froze.

Then why were you crying so dramatically earlier?

But then it dawned on them—if Nightghost Liu Heng hadn’t died, their junior sister wouldn’t have returned.

The thought sent a chill down their spines.

Junior Sister Luo was doted on by the Grove Master—treated like fragile porcelain. If anything had happened to her, wouldn’t the Grove Master lose his mind?

Prefecture Lord Cui raised an eyebrow.

"Who killed Liu Heng?"

Luo Yao thought for a moment.

"Have you heard of the Northwest Hammer King?"

Huh?

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

They’d heard of titles like "Fist Sage," "Sword Immortal," or "Spear God," but who in the martial world would call themselves "Hammer King"?

It sounded anything but refined.

"I’ve never heard of him either," Luo Yu mused before shaking his head.

"What about the Hard as Iron Gang?"

Everyone: "..."

What kind of genius would come up with a name like that? It had to be made up on the spot.

Clearly, the person hadn’t revealed their true origins.

"What distinguishing features did this person have?"

Prefecture Lord Cui asked thoughtfully.

"He wore a mask shaped like a dragon’s head, and his voice was really nice—like a deep, smooth whisper."

"And when he swung his hammer, it was so cool! He was like a firefly in the darkness—just standing there, he was so striking, so extraordinary..."

Luo Yao’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

Wait, how is a hammer cool? Cool? A hammer?!

The senior brothers couldn’t help but feel a little sour.

Prefecture Lord Cui’s brows furrowed briefly before relaxing.

"If Young Miss Luo wishes to thank her savior, this prefecture will have people keep an eye out for him."

"Okay, okay!" Luo Yao nodded eagerly.

"Don’t go running off again. Since the Prefecture Lord has agreed, don’t go searching on your own."

After warning his sister, Luo Yu turned back to Prefecture Lord Cui.

"Prefecture Lord, while reviewing recent case records, I’ve noticed an increasing number of missing children in the prefecture."

"Since the Nether Trials began, the numbers have grown daily. You should prioritize this matter."

"This young master will also investigate."

Prefecture Lord Cui, who had been walking toward the door, paused. His back still turned, he remained silent for a few breaths before replying:

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master."

......

In a hidden chamber.

Prefecture Lord Cui studied a dossier, deep in thought as he read the names of the Three Evils of Huai Mountain.

The Smiling Arhat had mentioned them—Dragon, Tiger, and Leopard.

The Dragon, who wore a dragon-head mask and wielded a hammer.

This must be the eldest of the Three Evils—Dragon Fiend.

He actually managed to kill Liu Heng, who was at the Mystic Core Realm?

It seemed he had underestimated him.

And...

"Liu Heng... good riddance! Good riddance!"

"All for the sake of a brush—he nearly dragged me down with him!"

Prefecture Lord Cui gnashed his teeth.

Other disciples of the Blazing Jade Grove were one thing—he wouldn’t care how Liu Heng took revenge. But Luo Yao? The Grove Master’s most beloved daughter?

Luo Yushu, Master of the Blazing Jade Grove, was the prized disciple of the great scholar Zhang Shou and had once studied alongside the current emperor. Had he not despised politics, he would have been a high-ranking official by now.

If Luo Yao had really died, and the Scholar’s Brush had ended up in his hands...

Just the thought made his back break out in cold sweat.

"Judge."

A subordinate appeared.

"Have you found Liu Heng’s body?"

"Yes. It had been reduced to ashes. Nothing remained—not even fragments. It was very clean."

The subordinate reported.

"Good. This Dragon Fiend... he’s quite meticulous."

Prefecture Lord Cui sighed in relief, nodding approvingly.

See? He acted without leaving a trace, concealing his identity.

Swift and decisive—killing without hesitation and cleaning up thoroughly afterward, leaving no clues behind.

Not greedy—even with a famed weapon right before him, he still let Luo Yao go unharmed.

Powerful, sharp-minded, and knew when to retreat.

A born assassin!

The only flaw... was probably his weapon.

What kind of assassin uses a hammer?

"Send word to the Smiling Arhat—tell him to pay special attention to the Three Evils of Huai Mountain."

"Yes!"

"Has Jiang Chulong been found?"

"Reporting, Judge—she has. However, Mei Yun is still missing..."

"No matter. Let’s see how long she can hide!"

After giving his orders, Prefecture Lord Cui flipped open the roster again.

Many names had already been crossed out.

Strange.

This Nether Trial—why are the numbers dropping so quickly?

At this rate, the trial might end far sooner than expected...