Lu Chen Enters the Capital! The World Erupts!

The Imperial City.

Dragon aura converged here, and prosperity flourished.

All manner of commerce flowed through its streets, Jianghu experts gathered within, and every few steps, one could see people sparring. The martial spirit and the bustle of everyday life had both reached their peak.

This was Lu Chen's first time entering the Imperial City.

There was no helping it. For the sake of those criminals in the Heavenly Prison, he had to come in person.

While still on the road, he had already learned the general situation within the Heavenly Prison from the two deputy chiefs of the Pacification Bureau.

The Imperial City's Heavenly Prison was divided into nine levels.

Several hundred prisoners were held within.

The farther down one went, the more formidable the prisoners' origins became. To the point that even the imperial dynasty did not dare kill them lightly, and could only imprison them until their sentences expired, at which time they would naturally be released.

"What kind of nonsense is this? Isn't your court being far too frivolous?"

Lu Chen frowned.

They had already been thrown into the Heavenly Prison, yet they still did not dare kill them?

They even had to let them out again later?

"You cannot blame the court for this. Some people have extremely deep backgrounds and far-reaching connections. Many of them are tied by countless threads to reclusive families. To placate those reclusive families, the court can only resort to this measure. Anyone connected to a reclusive family is arrested but not killed—just for show. Once the time is up, they are released. As for the direct bloodlines of those reclusive families, no one would even dare touch them."

Deputy Chief Zhou Yun spoke with a bitter smile:

"For instance, some time ago, we captured a flower-plucking bandit. In three months, that thief raped and murdered forty-six young women. Six Doors and the Pacification Bureau had to act together before we could capture him. Later, we learned that he had some connection to the Donghai Chu Family—he was a collateral disciple who had fled the Donghai Chu Family. But so what if he was merely a collateral disciple? The Imperial Family could only imprison him and did not dare truly execute him, because no one could guarantee that the Donghai Chu Family would not come demanding him afterward.

"If they came to demand him later, what could the court use to compensate them?

"So there are far too many people like this flower-plucking bandit. Most of them are imprisoned on the sixth level and below."

"What kind of trash court is this, to be dark to such an extent?"

Lu Chen's expression turned ugly. "So ordinary people who commit crimes are executed outright, while those with even the slightest background can commit crimes and no one dares touch them. No wonder your court has fallen to this state. Even if those reclusive families do not move against you in the future, the countless people of the Jianghu will come charging in and wipe you out."

"Th-this..."

Zhou Yun and Wang Yue both wore awkward smiles, not knowing how to respond.

Who did not understand such reasoning?

But the crucial question was, what could the imperial dynasty do now?

Since ancient times, the great families stood like iron, while imperial dynasties flowed like water!

Whenever an imperial dynasty neared its end, it was because it lacked experts on the Heaven Rankings and could no longer deter those reclusive families.

This was precisely the situation Great Yu now faced!

How could the emperor not be afraid?

"Enough. Take me to the Heavenly Prison. I want to see exactly what is going on."

Lu Chen's tone was cold.

Raping and murdering young women?

There was no need to think about it—the Merit Points for such a person would definitely be high.

So what if he had ties to the Donghai Chu Family?

Lu Chen had even cut down members of the Chu Family's direct line, let alone collateral branches!

He would use real means to tell them.

Those the court did not dare touch, he dared!

Those the court did not dare kill, he would kill!

With him, it did not matter whether one came from a reclusive family or was a prince of the imperial dynasty. Once they fell into his hands, there was only one road ahead: death.

Just as Lu Chen was making his way through the streets and alleys toward the Heavenly Prison, a piece of gossip spread through the entire Imperial City without wings.

It directly stirred up a tremendous uproar.

Numerous factions, martial halls, and experts hidden within the Imperial City were all greatly shocked.

Lu Chen had entered the capital!

Those four short words shook countless hearts.

Countless people erupted with excitement.

During this time, Lu Chen had drawn all eyes. There was practically no one who had not heard of him. He was a true man of the hour.

"Heartless Blade Lu Chen has entered the capital? What is he here for?"

"Who knows? The Human Rankings were just updated. Heartless Blade Lu Chen is ranked twenty-eighth on the Human Rankings, with the comment: A genius unmatched since ancient times! An anomaly intolerable to Heaven's Dao!"

"From first place on the Qilin Rankings to twenty-eighth on the Human Rankings in less than a month—who could believe talent like that?"

"Exactly. He is a true monster. I heard the Pacification Bureau surrounded a reclusive family before because of Lu Chen."

"I knew it already..."

"Tell me, do you think anyone will go challenge Lu Chen to a spar this time?"

Countless people buzzed with discussion.

Twenty-eighth on the Human Rankings!

And unquestionably one of the figures at the heart of the storm!

Even exchanging merely one or two moves with him would be enough to make their names ring far and wide!

If they were lucky enough to hold out for twenty or thirty moves, they could boast to the world that they had fought Young Hero Lu to a standstill, neither gaining the upper hand...

Wouldn't that make them famous overnight?

An opportunity like this was truly once in a thousand years.

Yet news swiftly spread soon after.

"The master of Three Yang Martial Hall went to spar with Young Hero Lu and was sent flying with a single slash. Young Hero Lu said that anyone who wanted to spar with him had to at least defeat Wang Yue, the Pacification Bureau's deputy director!"

An uproar erupted!

The crowd was thrown into complete shock.

"Defeat Deputy Director Wang Yue? Isn't that far too arrogant? Could he really be stronger than the Pacification Bureau's deputy director?"

"Exactly. Even if he's a little stronger than the master of Three Yang Martial Hall, how can he possibly compare to the Pacification Bureau's deputy director? That's the imperial court's sharpest weapon!"

"Every deputy director of the Pacification Bureau is close to completing the True Qi Hidden Realm. This Lu Chen is way too insane!"

Many refused to accept it.

But immediately afterward, another piece of news arrived from afar.

"Big news, big news! Heartless Blade Lu Chen has become the chief director of the Pacification Bureau, commanding Pacification Bureaus and Six Doors throughout the realm..."

"Fuck!"

"What did you say? Chief director of the Pacification Bureau?"

"Zhang San, are you fucking drunk?"

"You're the one who's drunk. It's absolutely true—the news has already spread through the Pacification Bureau. Lu Chen has officially become its chief director. He has the authority to execute officials first and report afterward, and Young Hero Lu reached the great completion of the True Qi Hidden Realm long ago..."

Another uproar broke out!

The entire capital city boiled over completely.

People from every walk of life, along with all major factions, were left staring wide-eyed in shock.

They knew Lu Chen was strong, but since when had he become this strong?

Great completion of the True Qi Hidden Realm?

Even in their dreams, they wouldn't dare dream something this outrageous!

This had to be bullshit!

"No wonder the imperial court has been trying so hard to win Lu Chen over. His talent is monstrous even among monsters. So long as he doesn't die, his future will be limitless. The imperial court is paving the road for him in advance!"

Someone hit the nail on the head, laying bare the deeper meaning behind it.

"That makes sense!"

Everyone sucked in cold breaths.

No wonder Lu Chen had just said that anyone who wished to spar with him must first defeat a deputy director of the Pacification Bureau...

So he had already become the chief director!

And he was at the great completion of the True Qi Hidden Realm!

Who would still dare challenge him now?

Unless they were experts at the very top of the Human Rankings!

But would those experts seek out Lu Chen? That was hard to say.

"What the hell is wrong with these people who keep running over to spar? Have they always been this bold?"

Lu Chen walked on, frowning.

A mere seventh level of the True Qi Hidden Realm had come before him—a second-level Spirit Hidden Realm cultivator—and spouted nonsense, even saying he would give Lu Chen two moves?

What kind of joke was that?

Lu Chen did not waste a word. With a single slash, he sent the man flying dozens of meters away.

Fortunately, no one else dared step forward afterward.

At his side, Zhou Yun and Wang Yue broke out in cold sweats. They hurriedly went on guard, terrified that some other fool might run over seeking a spar.

"Lord Lu, the Heavenly Prison is up ahead!"

Zhou Yun suddenly raised a hand and pointed forward.

"Mm."

Lu Chen raised his head and strode forward.

A massive structure of gray-black marble stood silently ahead, towering and majestic, heavy beyond measure, exuding an indescribable pressure.

There was only a narrow little door at the entrance.

Experts stood packed on both sides of it.

"This is Lu Chen, the newly appointed Director of the Pacification Bureau. He has come specifically to inspect Heavenly Prison. Have your supervisor come out!"

Wang Yue's tone turned cold as he looked toward the jailers guarding the gate.

The jailers' expressions changed, and they hurriedly looked at Lu Chen.

The new chief director?

So young?

They did not dare refuse and immediately rushed inside.

"Let's go in and take a look first."

Lu Chen had no desire to waste time and walked straight over.

Zhou Yun and Wang Yue hurried after him.

The real Heavenly Prison was even narrower and more cramped than Lu Chen had imagined.

Beyond the little door was a dim tunnel leading underground.

Torches burned on either side, casting flickering, murky green light throughout the tunnel.

Wave after wave of shrill screams drifted continuously from deeper within.

"I'm innocent! Let me out!"

"Waaah... Everyone knows I'm blind, yet you're framing a blind man for peeping at state secrets..."

"Let me go! My father is the Director of the Pacification Bureau! If you arrest me, he'll kill every last one of you..."

"Let me go! I've been wronged!"

Tap, tap, tap...

A series of dull footsteps suddenly sounded slowly from the depths of the dark tunnel.

Under the dark green light, a slender figure could be seen approaching at an unhurried pace.

He was an old man who looked to be around sixty or seventy. Tall and lean, he wore a white robe, with white hair and beard, sharp eyes, and a long treasured sword in hand. His entire person was like a heavenly sword that could leave its sheath at any moment.

His aura was imposing!

"Level Two Sword Intent?"

Lu Chen's eyes showed a flicker of surprise as he looked at the old man.

There were still experts within the imperial dynasty.

Even this small Heavenly Prison had such a figure standing guard over it.

"Lord Lu, he is Li Cangjian, the guardian of Heavenly Prison, second level of the Spirit Hidden Realm..."

Wang Yue murmured gravely at his side.

Li Cangjian's gaze was indifferent as he walked over step by step.

He had long since learned that the chief director of the Pacification Bureau had been replaced.

In his eyes, Lu Chen was simply unworthy of regard.

So what if he was a genius? So what if he had the Sky Sword Sect behind him?

The position of Director of the Pacification Bureau was no child's play.

Once one assumed that office, one had to shoulder immense responsibility. It was not something that ought to be traded away for benefits.

Thus, from the bottom of his heart, he rejected Lu Chen and disliked him.

But since Lu Chen had been sent by the imperial dynasty, he would still observe the proper etiquette between superior and subordinate.

"Your subordinate, Li Cangjian, greets Lord Lu."

Li Cangjian's voice was aged. He cupped his hands in salute, then slightly raised his cold eyes to assess Lu Chen. "May I ask what brings Lord Lu here?"

"You refuse to accept me?"

Lu Chen watched the old man before him.

The old man's rejection was practically written all over his face.

"Your subordinate would not dare!"

"Draw your sword. Let me see your true strength."

Lu Chen said.

Wang Yue and Zhou Yun both changed expression, hurriedly looking toward Lu Chen.

"Lord Lu, Li Cangjian has practiced the sword for many years... The treasured sword in his case has not left its sheath for thirty years..."

Zhou Yun swiftly transmitted his voice, explaining with grave seriousness.

Li Cangjian had not originally been called that. He had changed his name later.

The sword art he cultivated was called the Sword Concealment Art. The longer the sword was concealed, the more powerful its Sword Qi became. He had concealed it for thirty years—no one knew just how formidable his Sword Qi had grown. Only then had he renamed himself Li Cangjian.

"I said, draw your sword!"

Lu Chen fixed his gaze on the old man, unmoved by anyone else, and spoke again.