Chapter 49: Zhou Hao’s Death, Zhou Huai’an’s Fury!

Feeling the murderous intent radiating from Shen Lang’s fist, Zhou Hao tried to defend himself. Yet Shen Lang had long prepared thoroughly to kill him. Although Zhou Hao’s mind reacted in time, his head still collided heavily with Shen Lang’s punch!

Bang—

With the sound of shattering, a thick metallic scent mingled with crimson and white fragments instantly filled the void.

Everyone except Shen Lang was stunned by the scene, especially Zhou Er standing not far away, nearly bursting his eyes out in disbelief.

He never dreamed that Zhou Hao, attempting to kill Shen Lang, would be instantly finished off by a passerby’s single blow.

This was a sign that something serious was about to happen!

Realizing this, Zhou Er glanced fearfully at Shen Lang’s clone and hurriedly fled toward the Zhou family estate.

At this moment, He Renchao also caught on. Swallowing nervously, he trembled as he said, “Brother Lang, big trouble’s coming. I suggest you find a place to hide quickly.”

“It wasn’t me who killed Zhou Hao, why should I hide?” Shen Lang raised an eyebrow.

“I heard from my father that Zhou Huai’an had pinned all his hopes on Zhou Hao. He was killed because of jealousy and rivalry with you.”

“If Zhou Huai’an finds out—”

He Renchao didn’t finish the sentence, but his meaning and worried expression were clear to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang nodded in agreement promptly. “You’re right. I can’t stay in Great Qin for even a day longer. Find me a buyer fast. I’ll give you a bigger cut.”

“No problem, leave it all to me!” He Renchao left, excitement evident on his face.

Watching him go, a playful cold smile curled on Shen Lang’s lips.

Earlier, he had worried that recklessly killing those buyers might bring him deadly trouble. But now, with this clone, Shen Lang felt Guiyun City would be the place of his rise!

With that thought, he walked toward the Prefect’s Mansion, his expression full of sly amusement.

…

Meanwhile, inside the Zhou family’s council hall.

Zhou Huai’an looked at the family elders seated on both sides, his tone calm: “This is the situation. Elders, do you have any opinions?”

Facing Zhou Huai’an’s inquiry, the Grand Elder said gravely, “The Blood Demon Sect is a second-tier power. Compared to the Great Qin Empire’s throne, it offers better value.”

“I agree. After obtaining the artifact, let Zhou Hao use it to advance further within the Blood Demon Sect!”

Upon hearing this, many elders nodded in agreement.

However, the Second Elder frowned and opposed, “Though the Blood Demon Sect is a second-tier power, even if Zhou Hao becomes a core disciple, he can never become the sect leader.”

“If, as the family head says, the artifact can enhance a cultivator’s power fivefold, if Zhou Hao loses it within the Blood Demon Sect, wouldn’t our Zhou family suffer a huge loss?”

His words drew more nods from the elders.

After all, the tug-of-war between the Wu family and Nalan Yanran had already reached 35 million spirit stones.

If the Zhou family wanted to claim the artifact, they would have to pay at least 40 million.

If in the end their investment came to nothing, the Zhou family couldn’t afford such a loss.

As the elders debated, Zhou Huai’an laughed heartily, “Second Elder, you worry too much. My son Hao’er has been gifted and strong since childhood.”

“Even without the artifact’s assistance, he’s a prodigy, a dragon among men.”

“Ordinary cultivators would be honored just to meet him—who would dare to snatch his artifact?”

“Moreover, even if someone tried, with my son’s strength, killing them would be as easy as slaughtering chickens and sheep.”

Hearing this, the Second Elder raised an eyebrow but said, “That may be, but there are always stronger people. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“If Zhou Hao encounters a formidable enemy and cannot protect the artifact, it would be a grave loss.”

“Rest assured!” Zhou Huai’an said confidently, “My son has the potential to ascend to Divine Godhood. With the artifact by his side, even the divine sons and daughters of Haotian Divine Kingdom would be nothing but jokes.”

Seeing Zhou Huai’an speak so assuredly, the Second Elder no longer opposed.

He admired Zhou Hao himself but was merely considering the family’s interests.

“Then I have no objections!”

“Good!”

With all the elders in agreement, Zhou Huai’an nodded with satisfaction. “Bring Hao’er to see me!”

As he finished speaking, the steward beside Zhou Hao immediately took out a communication token to summon him to the council hall.

However, when he tried to send the summons, he realized that a fragment of Zhou Hao’s soul was missing.

Realizing what this meant, Zhou Pingchuan, the steward, was so terrified he could barely hold the token.

Clatter—

At the sharp sound, Zhou Huai’an looked displeased at the steward. “Are you still fit to be a steward?”

“How can you not even hold a communication token steady?”

Under the scolding, Zhou Pingchuan’s face filled with fear.

His right hand trembled as he pointed at the token on the ground, stammering, “Young… young… young master… he…”

“What happened to Hao’er?” Zhou Huai’an’s expression darkened further.

Before Zhou Pingchuan could answer, Zhou Er ran into the council hall in terror, shouting, “Master, it’s bad! Young Master has been killed!”

Boom!

Those words were like a bomb dropped onto calm waters, stunning everyone in the hall.

Zhou Huai’an suddenly stood, furious. “You damned fool, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“Do you want to die?!”

Terrified by the rebuke, Zhou Er pleaded, “Master, I’m not lying. Young Master really was killed with a single punch!”

“Still spreading lies? I’ll kill you myself right now!!!”

Shouting this, Zhou Huai’an raised his hand to strike Zhou Er’s head.

But at that moment, a cry came from outside, “Master, it’s bad! The young master’s soul lamp has gone out!”

Snap—

At the shout, Zhou Huai’an’s hand froze mid-air.

He stared blankly at the family disciple kneeling at the door, holding Zhou Hao’s soul lamp, feeling as if the sky had collapsed.

In the cultivation world, the soul lamp was an essential heirloom for every noble family’s scion.

Family members could gauge the danger faced by their kin through the lamp’s brightness, enabling timely rescue.

But the lamp going out meant its owner was dead.

Though this was the truth, when disaster truly struck his own family, Zhou Huai’an refused to accept it.

He could not comprehend how his precious son, with the potential for Divine Godhood, could have died in Guiyun City—

Right on the Zhou family’s own territory!

Unable to grasp it, Zhou Huai’an's murderous intent grew fiercer.

His blood-red eyes locked onto Zhou Er like a man possessed, his face twisted with fury as he demanded, “Speak! Who killed my son?!”