I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 67 Digging three feet into the ground
"Master Fang, our people found Chen Er's body in the ancient well in the southeast corner of the Chen Mansion..." A slightly plump man in his forties with a crew cut came to report.

Two younger brothers followed behind him, each carrying Chen Er's body in his hands.

With Fang Baiyu's rich experience, he immediately realized that Chen Er had been dead for a long time.

Then the Chen Er I saw in the hall before... was fake.

When the incident happened, Chen Er helped Chen Da to the backyard... Now Chen Da is dead, and Chen Er and Xianbao have disappeared...

Fang Baiyu immediately figured it out: "We've been tricked by the Plum Blossom Monster... damn Plum Blossom Monster!"

In an instant, Fang Baiyu's whole body was filled with murderous aura, like a ferocious tiger about to go crazy.

"Ziwen, how many casualties are there outside?"

Wang Ziwen, the buzz-cut man, bowed and said, "Liu Xiangzhu died tragically, and Li Xiangzhu's legs were cut off. Wei Dian was also seriously injured, and Zhang Hengshui is missing. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to recover his strength. Seven other deacons died in the battle, and the entire hall is facing reconstruction. Since the establishment of Baiyu Hall, we have never suffered such a heavy loss. I am afraid that the higher-ups will hold us accountable."

Bang!
Fang Baiyu could no longer contain his anger, and suddenly punched the stone pillar of the pavilion next to him. The stone pillar suddenly turned into powder, and the pavilion supported by four corners was missing a corner, and it collapsed immediately, splashing a large amount of dust and causing the ground to shake.

The treasure was clearly right before his eyes, and he had the opportunity to snatch it directly from Chen Da. However, because so many of his men were present at the time, he wanted to save face and wanted to complete the transaction with Chen Da smoothly, and then take the treasure away in a dignified manner. He didn't expect Chen Da to play tricks.

Unexpectedly, because of this one thought, he missed the magical treasure.

If Chen Da had not died, and he had confirmed that the magic treasure was real, he would have obtained it even if it meant destroying the Chen Mansion.

But unfortunately, Chen Da died... and the fairy treasure disappeared.

He had caused the sect to suffer such a heavy loss, leaving many core positions vacant and requiring reconstruction. He also had to face severe accountability from the Tiger and Wolf Sect. It was even possible that he would be temporarily removed from his position as sect leader.

If he could obtain the immortal treasure, Fang Baiyu would feel that it would all be worth it.

That is the magical treasure of the ancestor of the Corpse Refining Hall.

After being stunned for a long time, Fang Baiyu suppressed his anger and asked, "Ziwen, do you have any way to save this situation?"

Wang Ziwen is one of the two deputy hall masters of Baiyu Hall. She was once a successful candidate in both civil and military examinations. She has a great background and is highly trusted by Fang Baiyu.

Even facing such a dire situation, Wang Ziwen remained calm and had clear thoughts:

"The most urgent thing is to find a way for our own people to fill the vacancies of the incense master and deacon before the people from the Examination Hall come to hold them accountable. This way, even if Hall Master Fang is reprimanded or dismissed, we can still maintain control of the hall and then slowly make plans later."

After weighing the pros and cons, Fang Baiyu expressed his approval. "That's excellent. You should quickly consult with the various incense masters and draw up a list of talents as soon as possible. Then, determine the criteria for selection and promote capable people as soon as possible to fill the vacancies. As for the reason, just say that the demons from the Corpse Refining Hall have repeatedly invaded our hall. We are anxious to suppress these bandits and have no time to report them."

Wang Ziwen cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Master. Leave it to me now."

Fang Baiyu nodded, then sternly instructed, "Also, go and warn the incense masters and deacons at the front courtyard ancestral hall not to reveal what happened tonight."

"Yes."

Fang Baiyu issued a second order, "You will personally help me do a secret task - kill all the Chen family members who remain in the Chen Mansion. Blame it on the Plum Blossom Monster. This way, we will have the pretext to suppress the bandits."

"Please rest assured, Master. I will definitely get it done!"

At this moment, Fang Baiyu suddenly thought of something, "Oh right, you just said Zhang Hengshui is missing?" "Yes." Wang Ziwen suddenly thought of something, "Could it be that Zhang Hengshui discovered the Plum Blossom Monster disguised as Chen Er? And then he went after the Plum Blossom Monster..."

A ruthless look flashed in Fang Baiyu's eyes. "That's most likely the case. Zhang Hengshui didn't report anything when he discovered something unusual, which shows he's planning to keep the treasure for himself. Go find him. Dig deep to find Zhang Hengshui!"

……

Xie An returned to the woods near the back door of Chen's mansion and went straight to Zhang Lin who was looking after the horses.

"Brother, how is the situation over there?" Zhang Lin hurried over to ask when he saw Xie An.

Xie An had just asked him to look after the horses while he went to stake out the area opposite the back door. Zhang Lin had no objection to this; after all, his position was much safer by comparison. Instead, he felt grateful to Xie An.

Xie An didn't answer, but asked directly: "What about you?"

He had just rushed back and didn't know the situation in Chen's house, so he couldn't answer.

"There's nothing happening over here." Zhang Lin shook his head, then added, "But the sounds of fighting in the backyard of the Chen Mansion have stopped. The battle must be over. I don't know who won or lost. Judging from the sounds just now, the battle must have been very brutal. Luckily, my brother brought me outside to stake out, otherwise... I really don't dare to think."

"We are brothers, there's no need to be so formal." Xie An replied with a smile. His heart was relieved, as it seemed he hadn't rushed back too late and wouldn't leave anything behind.

"Let's go to the back door of the Chen Mansion. Wei Xiangzhu and the others should be coming out soon."

As soon as the two arrived at the back door of Chen's house, the door opened.

Xie An was horrified to see several wounded deacons and incense masters carrying the bloody corpse out of the door...

There is no need to describe how tragic the battle just now was.

Zhang Lin was shocked by this scene and couldn't help but glance at Xie An beside him. He felt that it was a wise decision to follow his elder brother's advice. He felt that this elder brother was really extraordinary.

However, Xie An didn't pay attention to the look in Zhang Lin's eyes. He just stared at the front and found that Lin Yun was supporting the seriously injured Wei Dian and walking at the back of the crowd.

Xie An hurriedly took Zhang Lin over.

"Master Wei, what's wrong with you?"

Although Wei Dian was wearing a bamboo hat and coughing non-stop, he asked in a slightly accusing tone, "Where have you been?"

Xie An bowed and said, "I just heard a fierce battle inside, so I took away the bandits' horses to prevent them from escaping after their defeat and cut off their retreat."

cough cough cough.

Wei Dian didn't know if he was choked by Xie An's words or what, but he coughed several times before saying, "You are quite clever. I will give you credit for this when I report to the hall master."

Xie An expressed his gratitude and then asked, "Master Wei, do you need us to go in and help clean up the mess?"

Thinking about the many people who died there and the many things to do to clean up the mess, Xie An knew how to get things done.

"Hall Master Fang has issued an order forbidding outsiders from approaching." Wei Dian flatly rejected the order. "This time, the hall suffered heavy losses. Xiangzhu Liu was killed in battle, and Xiangzhu Li had both legs severed. Seven deacons were also killed. Many positions in the hall are vacant... This may not be a bad opportunity for us. Go back and take care of the black market, and await the hall master's next move. If necessary, I will have Lin Yun notify you!"

(End of this chapter)