Nangong Ping's Dao Heart is Shattered

At the same time.

Jiang Huihui's figure darted through the mountain forest, her head lowered as she followed the bloodstains on the withered leaves.

Finally, she discovered a corpse.

Jiang Huihui rushed over immediately—the body belonged to the man who had attempted to assassinate Xu Mu earlier.

But now, the man's death was horrifying.

His right arm, along with the flesh from his shoulder and waist, had been torn away.

From the side, his ribs were exposed.

His eyes were filled with terror and despair.

For an ordinary person, such a sight would likely haunt their nightmares.

But Jiang Huihui had seen her fair share of gruesome scenes.

"Something's off."

She noticed that the skin on the man's face and neck didn’t match.

Kneeling down for a closer look, she realized the seemingly ordinary-looking man was wearing a lifelike mask.

She peeled it off, revealing a dark-skinned man with two scars on his face.

"Could this be…?"

She quickly took a photo with her phone and uploaded it to the Sanitation Department.

Soon, a message came through, and Jiang Huihui's expression turned grave. "Rank Eight on the Death List—Black Hand."

According to the records, Black Hand had reached the mid-stage of Gang Qi five years ago.

Who could have killed a killer of this caliber?

Jiang Huihui immediately called the Sanitation Department and relayed the location.

...

Nangong Family’s mountain peak.

Nangong Ping looked as though he had aged over a decade. Once, he had believed himself the mastermind, with the Xu Family merely a pawn in his game.

But today, he realized just how severely he had underestimated the Xu Family’s strength.

Who would have thought that Xu Mu, the prodigal son, would end up becoming a disciple of the sect? Sometimes, fate truly played a cruel joke.

"Who is Nangong Ping?"

A woman’s voice reached Nangong Ping’s ears.

He turned sharply toward the group of black-robed figures who had appeared.

"That’s me! Who are you?"

Nangong Ping glared at them.

Zhang Que retreated silently, taking a seat in a nearby chair.

Xu Mu and the others also returned to their seats.

All eyes in the room turned toward the black-robed figures.

Xu Mu’s perception pierced through the robes, allowing him to see the person inside.

His eyes widened in surprise—it was Liang Yi from the Eternal Life Research Institute.

He didn’t understand why Liang Yi was seeking out Nangong Ping, so he decided to observe first.

"A year ago, did the Cleaners approach you to purchase a piece of land?"

Liang Yi’s tone was indifferent.

"Who are you? Why should I answer you?"

Nangong Ping’s face darkened. Though he had just been humiliated by the sect, that was a matter of pride.

As the head of a hidden family, his self-respect was still intact.

Liang Yi waved her hand lightly, and a tall black-robed figure stepped forward from behind her.

The figure reached out to grab Nangong Ping.

Nangong Ping’s eyes flashed with fury—he needed a fight to reclaim his dignity.

Otherwise, where would his reputation stand in the future?

He channeled the Qi within his body, pushing it to its limits, causing faint light to emanate from his pores.

With a roar, he threw a punch at the black-robed figure’s fist.

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed through the air as the ground beneath their feet cracked and collapsed.

Crack!

The black robe covering the tall man’s arm was torn apart by the sheer force.

When Nangong Ping saw the exposed arm, his eyes widened in disbelief.

The man’s arm wasn’t covered in human skin—it was smooth and slick, resembling that of a fish or a snake.

Tiny pores were visible across its surface.

Zap!

Suddenly, arcs of electricity surged from the man’s arm, sparks flickering ominously.

Nangong Ping stiffened as if struck by lightning.

At that moment, the man’s other hand seized Nangong Ping’s face and slammed him into the ground.

The onlookers were stunned into silence.

What was happening?

Was this really the head of a hidden family?

To an outsider, it might have looked like an old man being bullied by a gang of kids—anyone could push him around.

Xu Shou’s expression darkened.

Xu Mu, however, remained unfazed. The Eternal Life Research Institute’s experiments were well-documented in the original plot.

In their pursuit of immortality, they conducted countless human experiments.

One of their methods involved implanting cells from other creatures into humans.

The Punishment Division, in particular, favored electric eels.

By transplanting their electrogenic organs, they could grant subjects the ability to discharge electricity.

The success rate? A mere ten percent—meaning nine out of ten subjects died.

"Answer my question, or I will wipe out the Nangong Family."

Liang Yi’s voice cut through the tension.

Nangong Ping felt his Dao heart shatter. The head of a hidden family, humiliated repeatedly on his own birthday.

Yet, what could he do? Refuse and die?

In his eyes, only those with nothing to lose would choose martyrdom.

He had too much to lose—his family, his wealth. He wasn’t foolish enough to throw it all away.

"A year ago… the Cleaners did buy a piece of land from me."

Nangong Ping nodded hastily.

Over thirty years ago, he had purchased a vast stretch of mountainous land at the border between Yang City and Jiang City.

His original plan had been to relocate the Nangong Family there, expanding their influence into Jiang City while avoiding direct competition with the Dai Family in Yang City.

But over the next three decades, Yang City’s economy surpassed even the provincial capital, Jiang City, rendering his plan obsolete.

Since the land wasn’t costing him anything, he left it untouched.

Then, a year ago, the Cleaners suddenly approached him, claiming the area might be used for a road.

Nangong Ping saw no reason to refuse and sold it as a favor.

"Where is this place? Give me the exact location."

Liang Yi’s voice remained calm.

"At the border of Jiang City and Yang City, three kilometers east of Pear Tree Village, deep in the mountains."

Though he had no idea what was happening, Nangong Ping answered truthfully.

Liang Yi pulled out her phone, checked the map briefly, then nodded. "Let’s go."

The man pinning Nangong Ping down finally released him and followed Liang Yi as they departed.

"Father! Are you alright?"

Nangong Hua hurried over to help Nangong Ping up.

"I’m fine. What a spectacle on such a joyous occasion."

Despite the fury burning inside him, Nangong Ping forced a smile. "Everyone, the banquet will now begin. Please excuse me while I change."

Xu Mu couldn’t help but admire Nangong Ping’s composure.

If he had lashed out and canceled the banquet, it would have only made him look weaker.

As Nangong Ping left, the crowd of businessmen surged toward Xu Shou.

None of them were fools—with Xu Mu now a sect disciple, who would dare oppose the Xu Family?

Xu Shou had intended to engage with them, but he noticed Zhang Que slipping away.

He tapped Xu Ningbing’s shoulder, instructing her to handle the guests, then hurried after Zhang Que.

Seeing this, Xu Mu immediately intercepted Xu Shou.

He had no intention of letting his father converse with that villain.

"Senior Brother Zhang dislikes interacting with outsiders. It’s best not to disturb him," he lied smoothly.

"It’s fine. Just a quick word."

Xu Shou brushed past him and quickened his pace.

Xu Mu followed closely, ready to intervene if necessary.