220: The murderous intent suddenly arises!

Her words were like a bolt of lightning, tearing through An Shijing's feigned arrogance, instantly freezing the smile on his face.

Everyone's gaze, including Shangguan Haitang, Jian Jingfeng, and the Three Great Constables, simultaneously focused on Lu Jiuyuan.

Lu Jiuyuan maintained his stance, sword in hand, the Guhong Sword pointing diagonally to the ground. The gentle smile on his face remained unchanged, but in the context of the moment, it appeared exceptionally profound and unfathomable.

An Shijing's heart sank, a chill shooting from his feet to the top of his head.

He realized what Emotionless's words implied: this Lu Jiuyuan was not part of the imperial court system; he came from the Jianghu, a place where grievances were settled swiftly and freely, unbound by laws and regulations.

More importantly, this man's martial arts were unfathomable, and his style of action was even harder to predict!

"Lu... Lu Jiuyuan!" An Shijing shouted, his bravado masking his inner fear, attempting to constrain the other party with previous logic, "You are also a Guest Elder of Number One Estate Under Heaven! Dragon Guard Manor is a pillar of the imperial court, how can you..."

"Guest Elder?" Lu Jiuyuan finally spoke, interrupting him, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness:

"I am merely a temporary resident. When one eats another's food, one helps them resolve their troubles, nothing more. Lord Protector's rules are the rules of Number One Estate Under Heaven, not my rules."

He slowly raised his eyelids, looking calmly at An Shijing, his gaze as if he were looking at an interesting toy, rather than a living person.

"My rules are very simple."

Lu Jiuyuan stepped forward, his pace unhurried, each step seemingly in sync with An Shijing's heartbeat. "You come to kill me, I kill you. It's only natural, why drag in imperial court laws or Chief Minister's close friends?"

"You... you dare!"

An Shijing instinctively took a step back, his Qi and blood churning more violently due to his emotional agitation, and a trace of fresh blood spilled from the corner of his mouth:

"If you kill me, the An Family will not let you go! Chief Minister Yang will not let you go! The Devil Woman will not let you go. In this vast world, you will have nowhere to hide!"

"Heh." Lu Jiuyuan chuckled lightly, already three zhang in front of An Shijing. This distance, for experts of their caliber, was a line between life and death.

"This vast world?" He repeated the phrase, shaking his head. "My refuge is not in the An Family's power, nor in Chief Minister Yang's court, nor within the framework of your so-called 'world'."

His voice was not loud: "My refuge is only in the sword in my hand and the path beneath my feet.

Whoever tries to take it away, I will cut them down. What about the An Family? What about Chief Minister Yang? What about the Devil Woman? If they dare to seek revenge, I will cut them all down."

An Shijing felt a little panicked. He saw not a trace of apprehension or hesitation in Lu Jiuyuan's eyes, only an indifference to life and an absolute confidence in his own strength.

"It seems I am doomed to die?"

"You are indeed doomed to die!"

This time, the sword light was no longer the cold moonlight, but a shadow condensed to the extreme, seemingly capable of devouring all light, crossing the boundaries of space.

An Shijing only felt a chill at his throat; all sounds, all fears, all ambitions, were completely severed in that instant.

He stared with wide eyes, quietly looking forward, the red-robed figure swayed, then fell straight backward.

"Thud."

The corpse hit the ground heavily, kicking up a little dust.

That formidable magnate, An Shijing, who stirred up trouble in the capital and was so arrogant, met his end.

He died swiftly and cleanly, without even leaving a final word.

Lu Jiuyuan sheathed his sword, his movements fluid and natural, as if he had merely done a trivial task. He didn't even look at the corpse on the ground, turning his gaze to Emotionless and the others.

"The rest is your business."

Emotionless nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Lu... for eliminating a menace to the people."

She knew that Lu Jiuyuan was not acting for the sake of "the people" or "the menace," but the outcome was the same.

Iron Hand and Life Chaser stepped forward to examine An Shijing's body, confirming his complete demise.

Cold Blood walked up to Lu Jiuyuan, cupped his fists, and said in a deep voice, "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for saving my life."

Lu Jiuyuan nodded slightly in response.

"Who was that woman I killed?" Lu Jiuyuan looked at Emotionless.

"It was Ji Yaohua, and yet not Ji Yaohua!" Emotionless's voice was clear and cold.

Lu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

Emotionless maneuvered her wheelchair a little closer, moonlight spilling onto her pale face:

"It is well known in the Jianghu that the 'Devil Woman' is the leader of the Four Devils, skilled in charm, disguise, and poison, with mysterious whereabouts and ruthless methods.

The one who died by your sword yesterday was her Personal Disciple, and one of her most capable body doubles.

She inherited the name 'Ji Yaohua' and some of the Devil Woman's methods, but... she did not inherit the Devil Woman's true strength and status."

"Body double?"

Shangguan Haitang frowned upon hearing this. "An Shijing actually valued a body double so much?"

Emotionless looked at An Shijing's corpse on the ground, her eyes complex: "An Shijing is erratic and deranged; he cannot be judged by ordinary standards.

Perhaps for him, this 'Ji Yaohua' was not merely a body double or a tool.

But more importantly, the Devil Woman's purpose in having her infiltrate An Shijing's side was certainly not simple.

An Shijing's counterfeiting of currency and refining of human puppets likely had the Devil Woman's shadow behind them, and may even involve deeper court conspiracies.

Now that An Shijing is dead, the clues seem to be cut off, but it also forces the Devil Woman to reveal herself personally or take more drastic action."

Lu Jiuyuan listened, his expression unchanged, merely stating indifferently: "So that's how it is. Killing the small one to draw out the old one, that saves trouble."

"I have no interest in conspiracies, only in the strong!"

Iron Hand and Life Chaser had already briefly handled the scene and taken An Shijing's corpse away.

"Mr. Lu," Emotionless spoke again, her tone solemn, "While An Shijing's demise is a cause for celebration, the subsequent fallout will undoubtedly be significant.

The An Family will certainly not let it go, Chief Minister Yang may also use this as an excuse, and the Devil Woman is an even greater potential threat.

Although Mr. Lu's martial arts are unparalleled and he fears neither overt attacks nor hidden arrows, overt attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Please be careful in all matters.

Six Doors owes Mr. Lu a huge favor. If there is any need, the Lord Protector's Manor will spare no effort."

Shangguan Haitang also stepped forward, saying solemnly, "Brother Lu, I will report this matter in detail to my foster father.

Number One Estate Under Heaven and even Dragon Guard Manor will be Brother Lu's backing.

If the An Family wishes to oppress others with their power, they will first need to ask my foster father if he agrees."

Lu Jiuyuan merely nodded slightly at their good intentions, saying nothing more.

He looked up at the sky; the moon was at its zenith.

"The show is over, it's time to go back and practice. If there are any experts, they can still find me. Remember, I don't want nameless people to die by my sword."

Having said this, he turned and leisurely walked back into the side courtyard. That thrilling battle just now, and the coming storm, were of no consequence to him!

His demeanor was captivating.

Emotionless watched Lu Jiuyuan's retreating figure disappear through the gate, an indescribable light flashing in her clear, cold eyes.

She softly said to her companions beside her, "Let's go back too; the Lord Protector is still waiting for news.

Although An Shijing is dead, the true twists and turns of the case have only just begun."

The news of An Shijing's demise spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the capital overnight.

The An Family mansion was draped in white overnight, and An Yunshan claimed illness and did not appear, but the suppressed grief and the surging undercurrent of revenge could be felt even through the high walls and deep courtyards.