Chapter 105: The Shi Family or the Zhou Family?

“Is that for real? Are there really such things as bloodline martial artists?”
“Yeah, this is the first time I’ve heard of it too—people with special bloodlines?”
“Hah, you just don’t know. That’s because you’re ignorant. Bloodline martial artists have existed since ancient times. Outwardly, they’re no different from us, but their blood is unusual—sometimes tinged green, sometimes yellowish, and a few even shine like gold!”
“They all have one thing in common: their martial arts progress is incredibly fast, and once mastered, their strength is extraordinary. I once met a bloodline martial artist in the capital—when enraged, he could transform into a beast! His combat power and destructive force were ridiculous. Even those a whole level above him weren’t his match!”
“Are you serious? Isn’t that a bit much? Transforming into a beast? You haven’t been watching too many movies, have you?”
“Being ignorant isn’t your fault, but flaunting your ignorance everywhere is. The world is vast, and there are countless things you don’t know.”
“So, if bloodline martial artists really exist, does that mean some people are born stronger than us?”
“Of course. If you want to become a bloodline martial artist, you have to pray you’re born into the right family. Still, even if you have the bloodline, whether you can actually use its power is another matter. There’s such a thing as bloodline concentration—if it’s weak, it doesn’t do much. Likewise, not all descendants inherit the bloodline, it’s a matter of chance.”
“I envy them. If only I had inherited a bloodline!”
“...”

On forums, in chat groups, and in real life, debates erupted around Su Jingxing’s revelation of the “bloodline martial artist.”

After all, those born with a bloodline develop martial skills three, five, or even ten times faster than ordinary people. Even with a weak bloodline, they learn other things more quickly too. To ordinary people, it’s like being born with cheat codes. No one could help but be jealous.

Most of all, bloodline inheritance doesn’t care about wealth or status. Some live in poverty, but if their ancestors were bloodline martial artists, they might still awaken that power. Once activated, they could soar to greatness overnight.

Many secretly resolved to draw a little of their own blood and see if they had inherited any special abilities.

As for what Su Jingxing had noted in his article—that some bloodline martial artists had severe flaws and major drawbacks—few paid it any heed.

Su Jingxing had expected as much.

A single article about bloodline martial artists would only fuel envy for their power, not consideration of their flaws. But when paired with another revelation—about the hidden threat to girls born at certain “yin” dates and times—the effect was entirely different.

Gu Duo and more than a hundred others had been kidnapped and held in a secret base, where one was killed at intervals. The authorities had made this public, and many were concerned, but it hadn’t caused an uproar. After all, trafficking happened every year, in every city.

But paired with Su Jingxing’s exposé, the story changed.

Birthdates!

Every one of Gu Duo’s group had been born during “yin” years, months, days, and hours. Clearly, their captors had selected them deliberately. What was the purpose of killing them? Su Jingxing hadn’t explained, but with a little guidance—and a reminder of bloodline martial artists’ flaws—the city was instantly in an uproar.

“Damn, this has to be premeditated!”
“Obviously. Bloodline martial artists have defects, so they kidnap girls born at those specific times, kill them, and use them to fix their flaws. The methods are always the same: rape, drinking blood, soaking in medicinal concoctions, that sort of thing.”
“You’re not serious! Rape? There were over thirty minors among those kidnapped, and more than a dozen under the age of ten. Are these bloodline martial artists even human?”
“Human? They’re worse than beasts! My sister was also born at one of those ‘yin’ dates. She disappeared thirteen years ago and was never seen again. We knew she’d probably been murdered, but never imagined she’d be turned into ‘supplements’ for someone else! Aaaagh!”
“...”
“...”
“As much as I wish it weren’t true, this time I believe it. There are hidden bloodline families in our city. They abduct women born at those ‘yin’ times and use them as supplements to rid themselves of defects. So, girls with those birthdates must be extra careful!”
“Exactly! If it weren’t for this exposé, I never would have realized my cousin was born at one of those times. She and her parents had no idea!”
“Who would ever think of such a thing? But now I’m curious—which family in the city has inherited a bloodline? If we find out, we can all stand against them!”

“Heh, there are plenty of martial families in the city, but only a few have the power to quietly abduct over a hundred people and maintain a secret base!”
“You mean the Shi family in the west, the Li family in the east and central districts, the Zhou and Wang families in the south, and the Qi family in the north—the five great martial families?”
“...”
“...”
“Ahem, I’m not defending anyone here, just sharing some facts. The Li family, which dominates the east and central districts and is widely known as the city’s top family, traces its rise back three hundred years. Their ancestor, Li Nongtang, reached the position of Left Prime Minister at the seventh realm. For great merit, he was granted the ‘Seven Tribulations Reincarnation Manual’ by Emperor Yu. That made them a martial family, though the manual was so profound and difficult that four generations failed to master it. It wasn’t until the fifth generation that a genius appeared and reached the third realm using the manual.”
“So, of the five great families, the Li family can be ruled out—they don’t have inherited bloodlines.”
“In that case, the Qi family can be ruled out too. Everyone knows their strength comes from battle beasts—they own three spirit beasts and have tamed hundreds, even thousands of wild ones!”
“The Wang family’s out as well. They only rose to power in the last twenty years. The head, Boss Wang, may have many lovers but has no children, and has publicly stated she’ll never have any. Her rise is due to the mysterious Blackwater Pearl and her apprenticeship at Hundred Flowers Valley.”
“Hah, so that leaves only the Shi family in the west and the Zhou family in the south?”
“Right. So, was it the Shi family or the Zhou family who kidnapped those girls to cure their bloodline flaws?”
“Whoa, you’re brave to say that. Aren’t you afraid the Shi and Zhou families will come after you? We don’t have any evidence it was either of them.”
“What’s to fear? My brother-in-law is Li Shengkai, a direct descendant of the Li family!”
“...You’re impressive!”
“...”