Chapter 24: A Visit from Sister-in-Law!

[Ding, congratulations to the host for upgrading the Nine-Turn Profound Art to the third stage!]

The next morning.

Shen Lang heard the notification sound echoing in his mind and slowly opened his eyes. After Nalan Yanran left yesterday, he had recycled the remaining one hundred and fifty spirit stones and invested them all into upgrading his Nine-Turn Profound Art. To his surprise, the process of reaching the third stage had taken the entire night.

Now that the upgrade was finally complete, Shen Lang couldn't wait to feel the changes in his body. After all, the third stage of the Nine-Turn Profound Art was equivalent to the standard Golden Core stage. He wanted to test if he could fly before heading outside to meet Nalan Yanran and depart for Guiyun City.

However, just as he stepped out of his room, he saw a stunning beauty standing in his courtyard, her face filled with worry. Shen Lang couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, is there something you need so early in the morning?"

Facing his inquiry, Ziyuan's eyes brimmed with concern. "Didn't I tell you that you don't need to avenge your elder brother? Why won't you listen?"

Avenge his brother? Shen Lang was slightly confused. But soon, he recalled that his predecessor's elder brother, Shen Chen, had indeed died in Guiyun City. He narrowed his eyes immediately. "Sister-in-law, are you afraid I will follow in my brother's footsteps?"

Ziyuan gritted her teeth. "The Zhou family is not someone you can contend with! Quickly, go petition the Emperor to change your assignment! Otherwise..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear to anyone.

Shen Lang narrowed his eyes again and asked in a low voice, "What is the background of this Zhou family that makes you think I can't handle them?"

"Are you unaware of the Eight Folk Kings?"

The Eight Folk Kings? Shen Lang was taken aback. Since transmigrating into this world, he had been struggling just to survive and hadn't spent much time studying the distribution of power. He instinctively asked, "Are the Eight Folk Kings really that formidable?"

"You really are still as reckless and naive as ever!" Ziyuan said, the worry in her eyes deepening.

Shen Lang adopted a serious expression. "Sister-in-law, would you mind filling me in?"

"Sigh..."

Ziyuan sighed helplessly. "The Eight Folk Kings refer to the eight recognized great clans of the Great Qin Empire. They are the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang families. Each of these clans possesses experts at the Soul Formation stage. Their power is terrifyingly immense!"

After hearing her explanation, Shen Lang really wanted to curse. He had chosen Guiyun City randomly between two cities, never imagining it would be such a massive pit. However, thinking of how the Shen family had treated him over the past few days, he felt he had to do something for them. Besides, the larger the Zhou family's assets, the more lucrative the "spoils" would be if he took them down. He might even strike it rich in one go.

With this in mind, Shen Lang said solemnly, "Going to Guiyun City to collect taxes is a matter of national importance for the Great Qin; I have no way back. But don't worry, sister-in-law, I'm not that easy to deal with anymore! Trust me, within three years, I will make the entire Zhou family kneel before you and repent!"

"You..." Ziyuan instinctively wanted to ask if he was just boasting, but the words died in her throat as she was stunned by the powerful aura emanating from him. Especially his resolute gaze—it made Ziyuan feel as if the man before her had truly become a different person.

After a long silence, she trembled and said, "If you can't do it, don't take risks!"

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I haven't even seen your legs yet, how could I possibly die?"

Seeing Shen Lang return to his flippant ways, Ziyuan's face fell. "I am your sister-in-law!"

"Hehe, if you don't tell and I don't tell, who would know?"

"You..." Ziyuan raised her hand, about to strike, but Shen Lang laughed loudly and leaped out of the courtyard. Watching him traverse over ten meters in the air with a single burst of strength, Ziyuan's pupils contracted sharply. She murmured in shock, "How has his physical strength already reached the Golden Core stage?"

...

At the same time, in the luxurious estate of the Zhou family in Guiyun City, the family head, Zhou Huaian, looked at the messenger before him and spoke softly, "Lord Zhao is suddenly sending our Zhou family so many gifts; what exactly does this mean?"

Facing the question, He Xiufei swayed the feather fan in his hand and said, "I ask the Zhou family to kill one person!"

"Oh?" Zhou Huaian tapped his fingers on the table, amused. "Lord Zhao is asking our Zhou family to kill again? Who is it this time?"

"Still a member of the Shen family—Shen Lang, the younger brother of Shen Chen," He Xiufei said in a grave tone.

"Shen Lang?" Upon hearing the name, Zhou Huaian raised an eyebrow. "The same Shen Lang who created the Martial God Palace and demanded that all citizens cultivate?"

"Correct!" He Xiufei nodded sternly. "Kill him, and this is just the down payment; there will be heavy rewards to follow!"

"Heh, does Lord Zhao take our Zhou family for fools?" Zhou Huaian narrowed his eyes.

"Why do you say that?" He Xiufei countered.

"Everyone knows by now that Shen Lang has become a favorite of the Great Emperor Shenxiao. Your Zhao clan is trying to use some laughable resources to make us bear the brunt of the Great Emperor's wrath. If that isn't treating us like fools, what is?"

Seeing that Zhou Huaian was not easily swayed, He Xiufei narrowed his eyes. "Family Head Zhou, you are mistaken in saying that!"

"Oh?" Zhou Huaian sneered. "Where am I mistaken?"

He Xiufei remained unyielding. "If Shen Lang lives, it is indeed troublesome for the Zhao clan. But if he lives, the one who will face the greatest trouble is your Zhou family! Don't forget, his brother, Shen Chen, died right here in Guiyun City! And now, Shen Lang has come with an imperial mandate to collect taxes. Tell me, how can such a coincidence exist in this world?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huaian's face turned ashen. "The order to kill Shen Chen came from your Zhao clan."

He Xiufei admitted it bluntly. "It is true that the Zhao clan gave the order, but the one who authorized you to carry out this deed was the late monarch! His soul has already been scattered; do you think Shen Lang will seek revenge on a dead man, or on your Zhou family? Let me remind you, that boy once suggested to the Great Emperor Shenxiao that the Zhao clan be wiped out. Tell me, what will happen if he decides to take revenge on your Zhou family?"

Hearing this, Zhou Huaian's expression changed completely. He realized he had underestimated Shen Lang. If Shen Lang truly seized the opportunity, he would undoubtedly drive the Zhou family to their doom.

Thinking of this, Zhou Huaian narrowed his eyes and asked, "Do you have any good suggestions?"

Seeing that even the head of the Zhou family needed his counsel, He Xiufei proudly swayed his feather fan. "Guiyun City borders the Myriad Demon Forest. Since it is inconvenient for you to act personally, you can simply have the demon race do it! After all, if he dies at the hands of the demons, even the Great Emperor Shenxiao will be helpless to intervene, don't you agree?"

Hearing this, a flash of coldness appeared in Zhou Huaian's eyes. "I will contact the demon race immediately and finish off that wretched dog!"