Kill Me More Times, I'll Become Invincible-Chapter 378:

You should know that even the brave Feather King Qing Li from the Southwest Province couldn’t quickly conquer a whole province. Wang Songhe’s expansion here is even faster than the Feather King from the Southwest Province.

"So, the ‘South King’ is in Heyang City? Heyang City is where the South King’s palace is?" asked Qiao Mu.

"If the palace is already built, it shouldn’t be difficult to find Wang Songhe."

Heyang City in the past was the biggest city in the whole Nan Province.

It makes sense to say that the South King sees this city as his new capital.

When this was mentioned, bandit Zhang Kui’s expression darkened slightly and his mood visibly became a bit somber.

"The South King, as spoken by the people of Nan Province, is a mysterious figure who can control the weather, and his whereabouts are unpredictable."

"Not to mention ordinary people, even us former bandits can’t reach Brother Wang Songhe at the moment. We don’t know exactly where he is."

"But I believe he must be in the Heyang Prefecture area."

Heyang is the northern bank of Sky Piercing River.

"Well, that’s strange," Qiao Mu pondered.

"Maybe we can start with that trickster from the Qiao family, the so-called Master of Hua Strength, Qiao Jinyin," interjected Bai Qingsi.

Bai Qingsi’s father, Old Huang, became the leader of the guards for Wang Songhe in Yan City over the course of two years, establishing a close relationship.

"What does that have to do with those fraudsters from the underworld?" bandit Zhang Kui asked, still confused.

Bai Qingsi explained, "Master of Hua Strength, Qiao Jinyin, is using the reputation of a member of the Qiao family to cause a stir in Yan City and Heyang City."

"In the past few days, that underworld fraudster Qiao Jinyin has openly announced joining forces with South King, presenting himself as the master of the Qiao family and honored guest of the South King."

"Although it might be a bluff, being known as the ‘Qiao family’s master’ naturally connects him with the South King."

Bai Qingsi’s suggestion was actually driven by a hint of personal interest.

Before, she was exposing scams in Yan City, but ended up exposing the main character Qiao Mu instead, leaving her feeling embarrassed.

She naturally despised con artists like Qiao Jinyin in the martial arts world.

"That makes sense," Qiao Mu replied thoughtfully.

Wang Songhe shouldn’t be avoiding his old subordinates even if he deceives Immortal Gate.

"I should pay a visit to Heyang City privately and meet Wang Songhe," Qiao Mu thought to himself.

According to the old members of Yan City, Wang Songhe was deliberately recruited by Immortal Gate to become the self-proclaimed South King of Nan Province.

But according to the later testimony of the bandit Zhang Kui, the con artist Qiao Jinyin from the Qiao family had become a guest of the South King and joined the rebellion.

It seems like there is more going on here than meets the eye.

While others may have been deceived by Qiao Jinyin, Wang Songhe was a smart man and a former minister of the court. Surely he wouldn’t have fallen for a trick by a martial arts con artist?

"Could it be intentional again?"

"Qiao Jinyin, acting in the name of the Qiao family, called on righteous people from Nan Province to join the South King’s army, while Wang Songhe only needed to pretend to be confused to attract righteous people and strengthen his South King’s army."

Qiao Mu thought to himself in this way.

The long-lived Qiao family, a martial arts family, is now the most mysterious and powerful in the entire Jiu Province. It has produced many superb martial artists and has become a living legend, not just a mere boast to say that they are renowned throughout Jiu Province.

It’s not Qiao Mu being conceited, but the reputation of the Qiao family members has been built through life and death struggles. Especially since the assassination of Emperor Yonghe, the Qiao family members have become a symbol, their influence is extraordinary, and they are sure to attract many righteous people.

"To unravel the twists and turns of this matter, I should go and see for myself. Seeing is believing."

Thinking of visiting Heyang City, Qiao Mu couldn’t help but pat a few fat cats, remembering the rumors about Heyang City.

Qiao Mu, back then, was Public Constable Qiao Pifu.

Speaking of old acquaintances, during the time when he was a constable, there was a woman chief constable surnamed Chen, and a middle-aged Sheriff named Qian Qian Qian.

…………………………….

Heyang City used to be the largest city in Nan Province.

However, when Qiao Mu entered the city this time, he found that the streets were quieter than he remembered.

Looking around, Qiao Mu saw many shops and restaurants, but there weren’t many people walking on the streets.

"It seems like there are fewer people in the city," Qiao Mu said, feeling a bit surprised.

There haven’t been any major battles in Nan Province in the past two years.

Wang Songhe is different from the Feather King of Southwest Province.

The Feather King, Qing Li, gained her reputation as a fearless warrior on the battlefield, defeating even great monsters in the mountains and establishing herself as the Feather King.

Wang Songhe, on the other hand, followed the path of immortality and practiced magic.

To become the South King, he conquered cities all the way until taking over Nan Province, relying not on unmatched personal bravery in battles, but on his own strategic skills.

No one could match Wang Songhe in Nan Province, so it quickly fell.

Once inside the city, Qiao Mu found himself unconsciously heading north.

North of Heyang City used to be where the Qiao Family Courtyard was located, later replaced by the Xuantian Sect’s temple.

This was once Qiao Pifu’s place, which was turned to ashes by a fire named Etching Bones Li.

Returning to the old place, Qiao Mu noticed that the Xuantian Temple, which he couldn’t enter even risking his life before, was no more – instead, there was a new temple named Mingqing Temple.

"Just a name change and a new temple?"

Qiao Mu found a window seat in a street-facing inn, sat quietly, and poured himself a pot of wine to drink alone.

Sometimes he would listen to the storyteller in the inn telling stories.

It’s a coincidence that the storyteller is telling a story about the incident of Qiao Pifu who died in a fire at the gate of the ancient temple.

Sometimes he quietly watches the continuous stream of visitors at the temple gate, with no expression on his face.

According to the Immortal Gate’s plan, supporting the South King serves two purposes: firstly, to divide the Jiu Province and weaken the power of the Human Emperor Sword held by the Founding Emperor Yan; secondly, to establish a true Earthly Immortal Kingdom from behind the scenes.

This plan started back in the time of King Qin in Zhong Province.

Qiao Mu may be impulsive, but he is not reckless without using his brain.

The newly established temple is in cahoots with the current South King. If he rushes in without understanding the situation, it could ruin Wang Songhe’s plans.

"But when will the truth about Qiao Pifu’s case be revealed?" Qiao Mu pondered.

"I remember back when I was burned alive, if any storyteller dared to mention it in taverns or teahouses, they would be arrested by the authorities."

Unlike the father and son, Qiao Sen and his son from Yan City who assassinated City Lord Guo.

The enemy Qiao Pifu faced was the Xuantian Sect from Nan Province.

So in the past two years, Qiao Pifu wasn’t considered a good person in Nan Province, and storytellers who say otherwise are making a big mistake.

But in recent months, with the assassination of Emperor Yonghe by a member of the Qiao family, the chaos in Jiu Province, and especially the rebellion led by the South King after taking over Nan Province, the situation has turned around.

Just like the South King who aims to overthrow the Xuantian Sect.

Qiao Pifu of the Qiao family, the constable who was burned alive in front of the temple two years ago, has now become a symbol of resistance against injustice.

Perhaps it is because of this that the con artist Qiao Jinyin managed to thrive in Nan Province, using the reputation of the Qiao family members’ deaths as a cover.

"Actually, the old Qiao Pifu was quite a character. I remember having some pleasant conversations with him," the guests at the tavern conversed.

"Really?"

"Of course! I even had a few drinks with him right here in this tavern."

"By the way, back then Qiao Pifu, I remember he used to be a constable, but later on, in order to pursue the martial path, he took off his constable uniform in the street. Could it be that Sheriff Qian used to be colleagues with Captain Qiao?"

"Indeed." Sheriff Qian’s voice unintentionally raised a lot, feeling that many pairs of eyes in the tavern were looking over, making his emotions even higher.

Lately, Sheriff Qian also liked coming to this tavern.

This tavern was nothing special, the dishes and drinks were just decent.

But there were often storytellers in the tavern, and because it was near the North City Temple, located on the same street where Qiao Pifu was burned to death in the past, so they mainly talked about the adventures of the Qiao family members.

Sometimes Sheriff Qian would share the experiences he had working together with Qiao Pifu in the past as a topic of conversation at the table.

"Back then, Captain Qiao and I investigated the ‘Case of Impermanent Monster’ together, fought side by side with him, and even gave him our family’s light skill, ‘Shadow Step.’"

"Is that so?" The guest sitting across from Sheriff Qian looked surprised.

"You must have had a great relationship, huh? To actually give away your family’s martial arts skills."

Sheriff Qian stayed silent for a moment before speaking:

"That’s true. I have investigated cases with Captain Qiao. We even share family martial arts skills. In a way, we have a deep bond, don’t we?"

As he spoke, the guests sitting across the Eight Immortals table looked at him with admiration.

This Sheriff Qian was just an ordinary constable in the city, already nearing forty years old at the age of thirty-seven. He showed clear signs of declining health, with sagging skin, weak energy, a slightly protruding belly, and a thinning crown.

He was unremarkable in appearance and only had average martial arts skills.

Little did they know that he would have any connection with someone like Qiao Pifu.

"Speaking of Sheriff Qian, since you have such a deep bond with Qiao Pifu, with such a favor between you, why not have your child apprentice under Master Qiao Jinyin of the Hua Strength sect, to learn the martial arts of the Qiao family?" The guest chuckled.

"Who in this world knows that the Qiao family’s martial arts are unparalleled, possessing several unimaginable and extraordinary skills?"

"Not to mention the Qiao family’s renowned ‘Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method’ and ‘Human Path Sutra,’ just Master Qiao’s Hua Strength techniques are extremely mysterious."

"Should I let my daughter learn the Qiao family’s martial arts skills?" Sheriff Qian was surprised by this question.

"Yes," the guest began to imagine:

"Even though your child is a girl, she seems to have good martial arts potential. In these troubled times, it wouldn’t hurt to learn some self-defense skills."

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"You make a good point…" Sheriff Qian was almost convinced, but then he suddenly realized:

"But… I, Qian Qian, may be just an ordinary man, but I am not one to seek glory by association with powerful figures."

Sheriff Qian spoke firmly.

Upon hearing this, the guest across from him began to look at him in a new light.

Little did he know… Sheriff Qian had just been boasting after drinking, and his relationship with Qiao Pifu was nothing to brag about.

If there was any debt between them, it was because Sheriff Qian owed Qiao Pifu a favor, not because of a deep friendship.

"Sheriff Qian, appearances can be deceiving…" the guest praised, then continued:

"Although you have great integrity, we must also consider your daughter, right?"

"Let’s not talk about climbing ranks or relying on family connections. By using Qiao Pifu’s fame, we can connect with Qiao Jinyin Master Qiao. If your daughter can become a student of Master Qiao and learn some Qiao family martial arts, she might achieve great success in the future."

After hearing this, Sheriff Qian seemed intrigued.

The guest noticed Sheriff Qian’s reaction and smiled faintly, taking out a brocade box from his pocket and placing it on the table. Inside was a pale red medicinal herb radiating a faint glow.

"This is the Nine Leaves, Nine Grounds Grass, from Qingming Valley," the guest smiled and said.

"It can improve circulation, replenish vital energy, and is a rare elixir for aging martial artists. This herb alone is worth a thousand silver taels. Master Qiao would certainly appreciate it."

A thousand silver taels?

Sheriff Qian was slightly taken aback by this number.

Not just because of its high value, but also because this number means something special to him.

"These types of spiritual medicines are rarely seen outside, and it’s even rarer for us ordinary folks to get our hands on them," the guest continued.

"If this matter succeeds, remember to introduce me to Master Qiao in the future," the guest said briefly before leaving with the brocade box.

Sheriff Qian was the only one left sitting at the table, staring blankly at the brocade box on the table.

By the time he snapped out of his daze, the guest in front of him had already walked far away.

"Captain Qiao has quite a lot of influence…" Sheriff Qian sighed to himself.

Initially just bragging after a few drinks, but the other party took it seriously and actually gave away a spiritual medicine worth a thousand taels.

This number of a thousand taels… with his salary as a constable, he probably couldn’t save up that much in his whole lifetime.