<h4>Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Huo Xingzhou, I’m Begging You</h4><h4></h4>


    Qiao Xi quickly walked over.


    She bent down to pick up the bunch of eucalyptus flowers in front of Granny Qiao’s gravestone, which looked rtively fresh, only the petals were slightly wilted by the sun.


    It seemed to be a matter of the past two days.


    "Could it be that Grandpa Cheng has returned to the vige? But he would definitely call me if he did," Qiao Xi frowned, not being able to contact Cheng Han for a while now, which had her worried.


    But considering that Cheng Han was no ordinary person, she suppressed her unease.


    Huo Xingzhou and Old Chen exchanged a nce and said, "Maybe a viger put them there, I notice some people in the vige are quite enthusiastic."


    "Right, Young Madam. Look at the blue eucalyptus trees all over the mountains, it’s possible someone picked a couple of bunches."


    In September, the eucalyptus trees were still in bloom, clusters of blue-purple petals flourishing.


    Qiao Xi looked around at the eucalyptus trees, seemingly persuaded by their words.


    She didn’t say much further, offering incense to both Granny Qiao and Ayi, speaking to each for a while.


    "Granny, I’m going to the Imperial Capital soon. I hope you can bless me from heaven toe out on top so that those who harmed you will be punished."


    "Ayi, I once told you that one day I would participate in the Needling Conference, and I’ve done it."


    She was slowly bing the person she wanted to be.


    Huo Xingzhou’s eyes flickered, looking at the gravestone and the boy with the young face on it, andpared with the current Zhong Yi, there indeed was a difference.


    His temperament had undergone drastic changes, and even the same person could give off different feelings.


    Not to mention how one changes from adolescence to adulthood.


    So many years had passed.


    In Qiao Xi’s heart, those who had died were dead. How could there be any possibility of them being alive? That did not exist in her understanding.


    She trusted Cheng Han and Zhong Yi too much, believing them to be the least likely in the world to deceive her. Even her trust in them had surpassed his.


    Deep down, Huo Xingzhou felt a tinge of jealousy.


    A warm little hand took hold of his, "Let’s go down the mountain."


    "Mhm."


    Huo Xingzhou responded, giving Old Chen a meaningful look.


    Old Chen got the message,gging behind and soon leaving.


    ...


    At night.


    The vige finally settled into silence.


    When the moon was high and the night dew heavy, there was a slight disturbance in the Qiao family courtyard. A strange noise seemed toe from nowhere. Qiao Xi was sleeping deeply in bed when the man beside her got up and left.


    "Young Master."


    Old Chen spoke softly, "There’s some noise from the courtyard next door, and I didn’t dare to disturb it."


    Darkness swirled in the depths of Huo Xingzhou’s eyes, "Let’s go take a look."


    To see which ’mouse’ was making holes.


    Old Chen walked ahead, very alert.


    The courtyard next door belonged to Cheng Han, where herbs were still hung out to dry. The courtyard had been cleaned by the vigers, with a path of blue stone bs leading directly to the small building.


    Under the moonlight, there were faint red water stains on the blue stones, only slightly detectable.


    But Old Chen, being cautious, noticed these abnormalities.


    He bent down to wipe it, carefully distinguishing, "It’s blood, warm. The person must have just run in not long ago. The person you asked me to keep an eye on this afternoon, I noticed he had already left the vige. Young Master, step back a bit."


    He couldn’t grasp the current situation and didn’t want to take any risks.


    Old Chen moved forward, breathing slowly. Suddenly, he kicked open the front door; the poor-quality door vibrated intensely twice from the impact.


    After entering the building, an unmistakable smell of blood filled the air.


    The blood on the floor was more evident, spots of bright blood spilled on the cement floor, growing more numerous.


    The trail of blood continued to spread inside.


    There was someone in here.


    Old Chen followed the bloodstains to a wooden cab, locking eyes with Huo Xingzhou.


    The person was inside!


    Huo Xingzhou gave a slight nod, and Old Chen swiftly opened the cab.


    A sharp knife fell onto his chest, while Old Chen’s hand pressed against the other’s Taiyang Acupoint.


    The young man was gasping for air, his shirt almostpletely stained red with blood.


    A thick scent of blood rushed towards them.


    His delicate face bore an unusual cold sharpness and hostility, and those affectionate eyes momentarily shed with murderous intent, which slightly receded upon recognizing the visitors.


    "What a coincidence, President Huo. I hope you’re well..."


    His voice, reminiscent of a clear mountain stream, carried a hint of huskiness.


    Huo Xingzhou approached him and said indifferently, "While I am well, it looks like you’re about to be in big trouble."


    Zhong Yi swallowedboriously, his throat as dry and ufortable as if it had been scoured by sand. He had run for his life for who knows how long before finally reaching this vige.


    He had hoped to hide in a familiar ce and find some of Grandpa Cheng’s herbs to stop the bleeding.


    But he had not anticipated Huo Xingzhou’s men to be so perceptive, catching himpletely off guard.


    However, that was also good. At least it wasn’t those who were after his life.


    Huo Xingzhou being here was a good thing.


    Zhong Yi retracted his dagger and sat down at the square table in front of him, his voice weak. "I’ve run into some trouble."


    Huo Xingzhouzily lifted his eyelids and asked casually, "Why is Young Master Zhong here?"


    The pale face of Zhong Yi was ghostly white: "Running for my life, just passing through."


    Huo Xingzhou’s handsome face held a faint smile: "Quite the coincidence, just passing through here. Shouldn’t you be in Haicheng? Passing through a vige hundreds of kilometers away from the center of Haicheng City?"


    Zhong Yi, moving his frail body, sat next to him and said, "The world is really small, I didn’t expect to encounter President Huo here. Why are you here, should you not be in the bustling city center of Haicheng?"


    "Apanying my wife to pay respects to a deceased friend, I heard today is his death anniversary," Huo Xingzhou said with a strong undercurrent of mockery, ncing at Zhong Yi, "It seems it’s about to really be his death anniversary now."


    Zhong Yi’s face turned pale, wishing he could curse out loud!


    What death anniversary?


    Was Huo Xingzhou cursing him?


    "What are you talking about, President Huo? I don’t quite understand."


    "Oh? If you can’t understand, then let it be."


    Huo Xingzhou spoke indifferently, "It’s gettingte, would Young Master Zhong please leave promptly. This is my wife’s master’s house, and we cannot amodate strangers. You won’t be held ountable for the mess you’ve made here. Old Chen, see our guest out."


    He intended to kick Zhong Yi out!


    Zhong Yi’s eyes widened with astonishment: "Huo Xingzhou, there are people outside trying to kill me! I’ll die if I go out now!"


    Zhong Lingxiao had gone to great lengths, hiring skilled people for the job.


    He had barely managed to escape with his life, and now Huo Xingzhou actually wanted to throw him out. If other vigers spotted him, Zhong Lingxiao’s men would eventually track him down.


    Huo Xingzhou looked at him with disdain: "What’s that got to do with me?"


    Old Chen approached Zhong Yi with a smile, "Young Master Zhong, please, we wouldn’t want you to dirty Grandpa Cheng’s home."


    "Hey! Huo Xingzhou! What good would my death do you?"


    Zhong Yi, unable to contain his desperation, clutched at his chest, coughing violently, "Cough, cough, don’t push people too far. Without me, what will you do about your coboration with the Zhong Family? How will the Future City project proceed?"


    Huo Xingzhou said, "Is Young Master Zhong asking for my help?"


    Zhong Yi, swallowing his pride, said, "I am asking you."


    "Is this how Young Master Zhong asks for help? It doesn’t seem very sincere to me."


    "Then what do you want? If you don’t stop my bleeding soon, I’ll bleed out!"


    Zhong Yi’s eyes reddened, his breathing unsteady.