After hearing Chen Ying's account, Lusheng's brows knitted increasingly tighter. This matter reminded him of the extermination tragedy at Elder Xu's household back at Jiuliu City. The culprit still not found to this day.

He pondered with closed eyes under everyone's attention before slowly opening them once more. "I'll take this case. But I make no guarantees whether resolvable or not. If unsuccessful, I'll return the position within a year."

Chen Ying's eyes revealed hints of helplessness. This matter even made both deputy chiefs hesitate, yet this brat dared accepting it?

"Then it's decided." Gang leader Hong Mingzi loudly laughed. "A newborn calf fears not tigers. Brother Lu, if unable to accomplish this, best give up early. We don't want losing a second Wu San."

Lusheng nodded.

After some discussion, the forces and properties Lusheng would take over were finalized.

Around three hundred trained blades including four personal guards at mastery realm led by Duan Meng'an. Thirty-two regular experts and the remaining just ordinary members.

After Elder Wu disappeared, their branch already suffered immense casualties. Most industries divided up by other home envoys. Only the iron mine and associated properties remained for the most part. Now isolated and weak, please show latitude Young Master."

"How are subordinates mobilized? Codewords? Talismans? Other means?" Lusheng asked.

"This is your tile. Equal to a stamp. We're the Sixth Black Earth Branch. All brothers of this branch must obey your orders when seeing Young Master's tile," Duan Meng'an explained handing over a finely crafted blue bronze tile.

Lusheng accepted it. Craftsmanship was exquisite molded into a fish shape with engraved patterns of grain stalks and pine trees.

On the ride over with Duan Meng'an's explanations, the carriage slowly left Mountain City. Guarded by two columns, they headed straight for the iron mines under the Crimson Whale Society banner.

The skies gradually brightened amidst dense clouds keeping everything gloomy despite broad daylight.

Over half a time period(*) after departing, the carriage rumbled over the muddy yellow earth road. Occasionally passing many abandoned pits lining the path.

These pits resembled artillery bombardment craters. Scattered everywhere east and west. Some over ten meters wide. Others still a few meters across.

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Lusheng narrowed his eyes watching the scenery outside. His expression somewhat gloomy. "Why are there so many holes here?" He sniffed once. Faint scents of putrid decay seemed to drift within the winds as if rotted meat.

Glancing at the passing pits, Duan Meng'an explained, "Replying Young Master. This place was previously a quarry for building stone houses in Mountain City. Later abandoned for unknown reasons leaving these pits."

Lusheng nodded asking, "How much further till the mines?"

"Around halfway there."

"No hurry then. Notify me once arrived." Lusheng casually said.

"Yes." Duan Meng'an solemnly moved closer to the window carefully eyeing their path.

After the pit region, the carriage soon entered gently sloped grassy hills blanketed entirely in small white blossoms.

Compared to the desolate pits, this region pulsed with far greater vitality.

They pressed on across the knolls. Right before noon after traversing the hills, their destination at Crimson Whale Society's mines finally came into view.

A small wooden house village was constructed here for overseers, miners and gang members forming a tiny settlement called Iron Mine Village.

Their convoy targeted this very place.

The churning rumble of wheels jarred Lusheng to alertness from his meditation. He turned towards the window Duan Meng'an gently called out to. "Young Master, Iron Mine Village just ahead."

Lusheng opened his eyes peering outside.

The carriage slowly passed a fortified village enclosed by tall grey walls. Mottled patches of dilapidation were visible on them. Surroundings seemed unoccupied making the place appear desolate and tranquil.

Their convoy needed steering around this village towards another direction.

During the detour process, Lusheng closely observed this walled village. Deadly stillness pervaded the interior with seemingly not a soul inside.

"This is Song Manor." Duan Meng'an involuntarily paled speaking this village's name. A brawny man with beefy looks even felt deep fear and apprehension. Such intense contrasts left extremely profound impressions after Lusheng's glance.

"Song Manor? The one with problems?" He asked.

"Yes Young Master. Elder Wu vanished after investigating this place only to later be found..." Duan Meng'an lowered his head unwilling to glimpse the village. "The brothers in this squad are all recent recruits unclear about matters here. Within our group, only I know this is that same village from back then. Please keep things discreet Young Master."

Lusheng narrowed his eyes continuing observing the slowly passing Song Manor through the windows.

Very quickly, their carriage steered past the manor gates.

The large vermillion gates should've been shut. Yet a tiny crack seems left.

Lusheng peered through discovering some interior scenery from the slit.

Dilapidated courtyards, withered flora in abandoned gardens, leaves blanketing the ground and barren thickets.

Emptily desolate and coldly clear.

"This Song Manor's uninhabited now right?" Lusheng softly asked.

"Previously the eldest son and daughter of the manor's couple lived here. A scholar and his sister. Unknown after everything happened," Duan Meng'an whispered back.

"Doesn't look occupied at all now," Lusheng said while carefully peering inside the crack. Shifting angles exposed more of the interior as their carriage constantly advanced.

Decayed trees.

Ash-grey windows.

Swaying white lanterns amidst winds.

Claw marks marring pillar foundations of structures.

And... A scholar standing atop a small bridge. Disheveled hair and eyes wide open staring at the passing scholar in gray robes.

Lusheng's own eyes rounded out. With his visions, he clearly made out bloodshot eyes and pallid complexion on that scholar's listless face. If not for the opened eyes, he could easily be mistaken for some corpse.