Mu Qingqing nodded.
...
Holy City, Heaven Spirit Layer, Xin Family Mansion.
Many young disciples of the Xin family were gathered in the training grounds at this time.
The gazes of these young juniors were all focused on an open space.
Nearly thirty corpses were neatly laid out on the ground.
Their deaths were gruesome, their eyes wide open, their hands and feet torn off alive, and a strong smell of blood swept through the entire training ground.
These thirty corpses were all disciples of the Xin family, and this was already the tenth batch of victims this month.
The summoned Xin family juniors discussed amongst themselves.
"What should we do? The murderer who harmed our Xin family members hasn't been caught yet. Soon, the next target of the murderer might be us."
"This detestable thief is too arrogant, daring to provoke our Xin family."
"I heard that it's not just the Xin family; even the other three great families have had their clansmen killed. It must be the work of this thief."
"It's said that the four great families joined forces to capture this thief, but he still managed to escape."
"Escaped! Then what should we do? Will I still be killed by that thief?"
"There's nothing we can do. Even the Family Head has sent out several Saint Emperors, but they still can't find that thief, making us all anxious."
...
Due to the recent incidents of family disciples being murdered, everyone in the Xin family was restless.
Especially these young juniors, who were frightened every night, unable to sleep well, fearing they would become victims.
Everyone was deeply worried about this situation, as everyone fears death.
A woman stood beside this batch of corpses, looking at their tragic state with a blank expression, as if she had long been accustomed to such scenes.
This woman was dressed in an elegant, plain green robe, as refined and beautiful as a lotus emerging from water.
Her eyebrows were like paintings, her skin as white as snow, and her cold, frosty face and exquisite features made her look like a detached celestial maiden, her slightly closed eyes as if indifferent to everything around her.
This woman was Xin Huanyan.
Everyone had a very good impression of this direct descendant.
Many young disciples of the Xin family regarded Xin Huanyan as a goddess, constantly pursuing her.
Unfortunately, Xin Huanyan had a cold personality, rarely smiled, and always maintained a distant and aloof demeanor towards others.
"Miss, the Family Head said that only collateral descendants need to attend this gathering. You, Miss, have noble status and do not need to come to the training ground in person," the maidservant beside Xin Huanyan reminded her softly.
"Yuxiu, you don't need to say more. The Xin family is in a state of panic because of this mysterious thief. As a member of the Xin family, I must take this matter seriously."
Xin Huanyan's tone was cold, but her attitude was resolute.
"But the Family Head said..."
The maid Yuxiu still wanted to persuade Xin Huanyan.
At this moment, the voice of the Family Head, Xin Li, rang out, "Yan'er, what are you doing?"
"Family Head!"
Xin Li's sudden appearance startled everyone present, who quickly and respectfully called out.
Xin Li ignored the collateral disciples and walked directly in front of Xin Huanyan, reprimanding her, "Yan'er, didn't I tell you that I will handle the murderer who harmed the family members? You just need to prepare well for your marriage to the young master of the Changyang family, Changyang Gushuo."
"But Family Head, I don't think this is the right time for a marriage alliance between our two families. If that thief is not eliminated, the younger generation of the four great families will never have peace."
Xin Huanyan's expression was calm as she calmly objected.
Xin Li, that old fox, had always wanted to take this opportunity to win over Xin Huanyan and marry her to Changyang Gushuo, thus gaining the support of the Changyang family.
Seeing Xin Huanyan's constant refusal, Xin Li felt a surge of impatience but could not show it.
So Xin Li resorted to emotional appeals, putting on a mournful and heavy expression, and slowly said, "Yan'er, do you know that arranging your marriage with Changyang Gushuo was your father Xin Yaoquan's dying wish? Do you want your father to rest in peace in the underworld?"
"But..."
Mentioning her father, Xin Huanyan's resolve wavered.
Xin Li seized this opportunity and continued, "Yan'er, I promise you. If you agree to marry the young master of the Changyang family, your Uncle promises to capture your parents' murderer, Xin Ci, and bring him back to the Xin family to be executed in front of you!"
Xin Huanyan fell silent. After a long pause, she reluctantly replied, "Alright, I'll listen to you, Family Head."
Afterward, Xin Huanyan said to the maidservant beside her, "Yuxiu, let's go."
"Yes, Miss."
Yuxiu accompanied Xin Huanyan as she left the training ground.
Seeing Xin Huanyan depart, Xin Li's expression immediately changed, and he cursed inwardly, "What an ungrateful brat!"
He had murdered Xin Yaoquan years ago and successfully seized the position of Xin Family Head. He had then silenced everyone who knew the truth of the matter.
Xin Huanyan was just an infant in swaddling clothes at the time and did not understand the truth.
So Xin Li deliberately brainwashed her, making Xin Huanyan mistakenly believe that Xin Ci was the murderer of her parents, which made it easier to control her.
The marriage alliance between the Xin family and the Changyang family was extremely important now, and no mistakes could be made.
"Xin Jie!"
Xin Li immediately called out to a young man.
"Your subordinate is here. Family Head, what are your orders?"
"Continue as before. Keep a close watch on Xin Huanyan's every move, and report any unusual situations to me!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
Xin Jie replied briefly and immediately retreated.
...
Six months later
Holy City, Earth Citizen Layer, Jiuzhou Chamber of Commerce Branch.
After half a year of waiting, in a forging room, Luo Fei finally succeeded in crafting Mu Qingqing's weapon.
However, the appearance of this weapon was very strange. Even after Luo Fei had made it, he couldn't understand why it was designed this way.
A middle-aged man stood beside Luo Fei. He was
Luo Fei's master and the Saint-ranked array master of the Jiuzhou Chamber of Commerce, Ji Qiu.
Ji Qiu stared at the weapon crafted by Luo Fei with confusion.
What kind of weapon is this?
Is it used to smash people, like a sledgehammer?
Ji Qiu examined it carefully for a long time but couldn't figure out how to hold this weapon.
Although his disciple always made peculiar gadgets, this weapon was truly unheard of.
"What strange thing have you made now, you brat?"
Ji Qiu couldn't help but ask Luo Fei.
Luo Fei stood tall and proud, his face full of smugness. "Heh heh, Master, you wouldn't understand this."
"You brat, don't play coy with me. I've never understood the things you usually make. Hurry up and tell me what kind of weapon this is!" Ji Qiu tapped Luo Fei's head and urged him.
"Heh heh, Master, this weapon is called a sniper rifle!"
"Sniper rifle? What a strange name. Why did you come up with this name?"
"I didn't come up with it. The name 'sniper rifle' was written on the blueprints provided by my boss. I'm also curious why it's called that."
Luo Fei also didn't know the meaning of the name "sniper rifle."