C17 [token]

A flicker of frustration crossed Qin Ming's face. He hadn't anticipated the man in black's resolve; with no escape in sight, the man had resorted to taking his own life with poison.

The blame rested on Qin Ming's shoulders for not foreseeing the poison concealed within the man's teeth.

Thankfully, the Qin Family was safe for now, but it was only a matter of time before the organization would come knocking again.

Qin Ming set to work examining the body of the man in black, searching for any leads.

"What's this?" He discovered a token on the man's person.

The token was brass-colored, resembling gold yet distinct from it. "Copper" was inscribed on one side, with a fiery red scorpion emblazoned on the other.

"This must be the organization's identity token. With this, I'll be able to track down this enigmatic group more effectively in the future."

Qin Ming proceeded to remove the man's clothing and continued his examination.

The lethal potency of the poison in the man's palm had made a lasting impression on Qin Ming. He was determined to uncover how the man in black had activated the toxic palm.

Qin Ming was certain it wasn't due to the man's internal energy; such a deadly poison couldn't possibly stem from that.

A fiery red scorpion tattoo on the man's back caught Qin Ming's attention.

Upon inspection, Qin Ming confirmed that the poison originated from the tattoo. But with the man in black dead, the secret of how he wielded the poison palm through the tattoo died with him.

As night descended upon Liu City, a sense of urgency permeated the City Lord's Mansion.

"Master, there's been a terrible incident!" An elder burst into the City Lord's bedroom, his voice echoing with alarm.

This elder, the steward of the City Lord's Mansion, managed all its affairs.

"Come in. What's the matter that has you so agitated?" the middle-aged City Lord inquired as he dressed.

The steward entered, finding the City Lord getting dressed and a woman in bed, her bare shoulders peeking from the covers. He stood by the door, head bowed.

"Master, the Zhao Family has been wiped out! Over five hundred souls, gone!"

"What?" The City Lord's composure shattered, surprise etching his features as he hurriedly dressed.

"Who could have decimated the Zhao Family?"

"We don't know. By the time we discovered the Zhao Family's fate, they had been dead for some time, and the killer left no trace," the steward reported.

The City Lord's brow furrowed. "Whoever did this must be a formidable expert. The Zhao Family patriarch was a Grand Martial Master. Though only at the second tier, his prowess was not to be underestimated.

"Is the Zhao Family patriarch dead?"

"Dead! They're all dead!" The steward's voice shook. "The entire Zhao Family, even their dogs, perished."

The news sent a wave of panic through the City Lord. If a Grand Martial Master Stage Martial Cultivator had fallen, his own safety was in jeopardy.

His abrupt movements roused the woman in bed.

"Master, where are you off to? Stay with me. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow," she cooed, her usual charm having once kept the City Lord by her side for longer hours.

"Get out of my way." The City Lord struck the woman across the face with a backhand slap, rose to his feet, and strode toward the door.

Despite her beauty, the woman was a fool. How could he be in the mood to lie with her at a time like this?

The elderly butler kept pace with the City Lord, both of them hastening to the Zhao Family residence.