Time arrived at the sixth day after Qiao Lin broke into the Lord’s mansion.
In the courtyard of the Lord’s Manor, Guo Yan was sitting in the study.
The door of the study opened, and he stared fixedly at the well in the courtyard, with a gloomy expression.
Since that day, City Lord Guo Yan had become increasingly gloomy, his face still as pale as before.
These days, Guo Yan had been thinking a lot, feeling worried and unable to eat or sleep.
Although he hadn’t fought with Qiao Mu seven days ago, he had been so angry about his son’s death that he coughed up blood. His injuries were actually worse, and he hadn’t been resting well these days, so he didn’t look very well.
A white dove with black and red eyes fluttered its wings and flew into the courtyard, landing in front of the study door.
Guo Yan immediately felt happy and walked forward to untie the note tied to the dove, but suddenly a breeze passed behind him.
In the past seven days, he had paid a great price and used the Wuji Association’s network of connections to investigate the Qiao family’s matter. However, he never expected to alarm someone as important as the Star Xuan Envoy.
The Star Xuan Envoy is the leader of the Wuji Association’s internal intelligence network.
In fact, these intelligence agents were not known for their martial prowess. However, the Wuji Association, being the second most powerful martial arts organization in the world, established by a Martial Saint, ensured that its high-ranking members were not weak.
Since its inception, the Wuji Association has dominated most of the sects and martial arts families across the world in a matter of decades, collecting countless martial arts manuals. Its foundation and strength far surpass those of famous sects from the previous era.
Therefore, the Star Xuan Envoy of the Wuji Association cannot be judged by common sense.
"It’s just on the way, you don’t have to think too much." Star Xuan Envoy’s voice was cold, and it was hard to tell if it was male or female.
While it was said not to think too much, Guo Yan couldn’t help but think…
Is the news about the upcoming Great Yan Emperor true? Otherwise, why would someone like Star Xuan Envoy come to such a small town?
Guo Yan once thought optimistically, believing that the emperor’s travel plans wouldn’t be so easily exposed to the Wuji Association. But now, he could only sigh.
"Guo Yan, there’s a preliminary result for the Qiao family you wanted to investigate," but Star Xuan Envoy didn’t care about Guo Yan’s thoughts and continued talking:
"I thought the Qiao family you were looking into would be related to the Heyang City’s Qiao Family, a prominent martial arts clan at the time. That’s why I spent some effort investigating… but the results were disappointing."
"Throughout Nanzhou, there is no trace of the Qiao family you mentioned."
Guo Yan was taken aback.
"What does the envoy mean?" he asked, pursuing for more information.
"There are two possibilities," said Star Xuan Envoy.
"First, this Qiao family may not be a family from Nanzhou but from a faraway place. Otherwise, I would not be completely unaware of such a unique and independent family."
Guo Yan nodded, lost in thought.
Star Xuan Envoy continued, "Second, this Qiao family may just be an insignificant small family, or a common family, or it might not even exist."
"Fake?" Guo Yan was taken aback.
It was completely different from what he had imagined.
He investigated the Qiao family behind Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin primarily to eradicate the roots and completely remove this family that had become his enemy.
However, he had never considered that there could be such a possibility.
"Are you saying that Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin are only pretending to have a so-called Qiao family behind them?" Guo Yan couldn’t help but ask.
"If this Qiao family is just an ordinary family that is not recognized by the Wuji Association, then there is even less reason to worry."
"I knew it, there are no major families in this world that would pass down a motto like ‘die where it fits’."
Thinking about this, his furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
Even though Qiao Lin had scared him with false threats, his mood improved.
It makes sense when you think about it.
If this Qiao family was really some martial arts powerhouse, then Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin wouldn’t have gone to their deaths alone, especially when confronting Qiao Lin who infiltrated the lord’s mansion.
With Qiao Lin’s strength, it was certain death to break into the lord’s mansion. If the Qiao family truly had powerful individuals, why would they let Qiao Lin die alone?
Guo Yan, sitting quietly in the study, received an important message brought by a servant.
"Sir, Qiao Lin’s body has been found!"
"Where was he found? Tell me in detail," Guo Yan stood up suddenly.
Although he knew that Qiao Lin was gravely injured and most likely dead, not seeing the body still caused a trace of worry in his heart.
"It was found in Panshan Town outside the city," the servant explained.
"A physician named Wang from Panshan Town said that Qiao Lin was found unconscious and near death, drifting downstream along the river while his family was washing clothes by the riverbank."
"Out of kindness, the physician brought him home to treat him, but his medical skills were mediocre, and he ended up tormenting Qiao Lin for several days, causing him immense pain, only to ultimately fail to save him."
"Later, upon seeing the wanted portrait issued by Yan City, the physician realized that this person was a wanted criminal who had forcefully entered the lord’s mansion, so he promptly reported to the authorities."
Guo Yan asked, "Where is Qiao Lin’s body?"
"It has been taken outside the manor."
Guo Yan immediately walked out of the lord’s manor, opened the coffin lid, and saw a familiar body. He carefully identified it and nodded.
"It’s not a fake, this is indeed Qiao Lin’s body."
At this moment, he finally felt relieved.
The Star Xuan Envoy of the Wuji Association overcame his fear of the Qiao family.
"Initially, I swore to hang your body, Qiao Lin, at the city gate for ten days to honor my fallen son’s spirit. Though a few days late, it’s not too late."
After finding out about the doctor’s situation, he prepared to fulfill his promise on that day and hang Qiao Lin’s body on the city gate tower of Yan City, exposing it for ten days.