Imperial City, Heavenly Realm Division
Compared with ordinary days, the atmosphere within the Heavenly Realm Division was several degrees more solemn. Even from far away, one could still sense that air of slaughter.
Seated in the first chair on the right was a bald, burly man. He said furiously, "Those Black Lotus Cult bastards, those traitors to humanity, have been growing more and more brazen lately."
When the Black Lotus Cult was mentioned, the killing intent in his eyes was completely undisguised.
At this moment, aside from him, four others were present in the great hall.
Three men and one woman.
Each of them carried a terrifying aura that struck fear into the heart.
Once he finished speaking.
One of them said, "The Black Lotus Cult has had its eyes on Great Zhou for more than a day or two. His Majesty was injured in the last great war and has yet to recover. What they are doing now is merely testing the depth of Great Zhou's foundations.
"Hmph. Over the past hundred years, when has the Black Lotus Cult ever been able to do anything to Great Zhou? Even if His Majesty is injured, the Heavenly Realm Division is no pushover. In the last war alone, we slew three of their third-rank elders. That was enough to leave them battered and broken."
"If it were in the past, killing several third-rank elders would indeed have made the Black Lotus Cult wary. But the situation is different now. While we killed several third-rank elders, the Heavenly Realm Division also suffered considerable losses."
"Quite a few high-ranking Guardian Envoys have fallen as well."
"On top of that, demons are causing havoc across the land. Suppressing both sides at once will be no easy matter."
The man seated at the center wore a black robe. His pale face had remained calm from beginning to end.
Nangong Yu.
Director of the Heavenly Realm Division, a half-step Innate Realm expert.
The bald man who had spoken first was Xie Yun, head of the Heavenly Realm Division's Guardian Department, a first-rank middle-stage martial artist.
The man with a face as cold as frost and a length of chain wrapped around his right hand was Shen Hanbing, head of the Heavenly Realm Division's Prison Suppression Department, a first-rank middle-stage martial artist.
The tall, slender man wearing a smiling mask was Su Henian, head of the Heavenly Realm Division's Night Owl Department, a first-rank initial-stage expert.
The final woman was Lin Wantang, head of the Inspection Department, a first-rank high-stage martial artist.
Xie Yun said coldly, "The Heavenly Realm Division has existed for more than two hundred years. We have slain countless demons and traitors to humanity. Even if they want war, we do not fear them."
"Great Zhou naturally does not fear war. But His Majesty's injuries have not yet healed. If all-out war breaks out now, we may wound the enemy by a thousand, but lose eight hundred ourselves."
"If everyone in the Heavenly Realm Division dies, who will stand against the demons?"
At those words, much of Xie Yun's anger subsided. "How are your injuries?"
"It is nothing serious. Another month, and I will be fully recovered." Nangong Yu's tone carried a trace of helplessness. "I never expected the Black Lotus Cult to possess such a powerful existence. For now, he cannot do anything to me."
"The current unrest is only temporary."
"As long as His Majesty has not reached that point, they will not dare go too far. Otherwise, they will not be able to bear His Majesty's wrath."
As he spoke.
He looked at the others. "We cannot stand by and watch this probing by the Black Lotus Cult. The Black Lotus Cult's methods are cruel, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their aims."
"This time, I will dispatch eighty percent of the Heavenly Realm Division's Guardian Envoys. We must suppress this probing by the Black Lotus Cult and the demons as quickly as possible."
"As for the Pacification Commissioners and Guardian Envoys stationed throughout the regions, they are to remain where they are. The moment they discover any Black Lotus Cult members or demons, kill them on sight!"
"By the way, has Tantai sent back any news?"
Su Henian shook his head slightly. "Not yet."
The next moment.
A figure hurried in from outside. Upon seeing the five of them, he bowed deeply in salute.
"Earth-rank Warden Zhou Cang greets you, my lords."
"What is it?" Xie Yun's gaze fell on Zhou Cang as he asked softly.
He knew Zhou Cang. He was an administrator in the Guardian Department.
If it were not urgent, Zhou Cang would not have barged in so rashly.
"According to the latest intelligence, a Sixth-rank Demon appeared at Yandang Mountain in Qingcheng and was eliminated by a mysterious expert. Fang Xiang, the son of Qingcheng's Magistrate, colluded with demons and used sacrifices to slaughter more than a thousand lives. He has now been killed by Intern Warden Wei Qing."
"What?"
"Outrageous!"
"Beast!"
"This is intolerable!"
"Damn it..."
The expressions of everyone in the great hall changed dramatically at the news, and fury surged through them.
Colluding with demons.
Sacrificing the common people.
This was a crime that towered to the heavens, one that could never be forgiven!
"Continue."
Nangong Yu's icy voice instantly caused the temperature in the entire great hall to drop several degrees.
In an instant.
Zhou Cang felt an immense pressure. He took out the letter he had received earlier from his sleeve and held it up with both hands. "Please examine it, Director Nangong."
The next second.
The letter seemed to be lifted by an invisible hand and floated before Nangong Yu.
He opened the letter and skimmed it twice.
Then he passed it on to the other four.
"You should all take a look as well."
As the letter passed between the four of them.
"What a pity. Fang Youting governed one region and brought blessings to its people, yet he produced a father-dragging son who colluded with demons." Xie Yun sighed.
"Colluding with demons warrants the extermination of nine clans. That is an iron law of Great Zhou," Lin Wantang said gravely.
"I agree," Shen Hanbing echoed.
Su Henian said nothing. Even though Wei Qing had not mentioned the Night Owl Guard's intelligence lapse.
He still saw the problem at a glance.
The others did not expose it either.
But they were rather satisfied with Wei Qing's handling of the matter.
Nangong Yu slowly said, "Confiscating a local official's property and exterminating his clan still requires His Majesty's approval."
"At court tomorrow, I will report the matter truthfully."
"Speaking of which, for an Intern Warden to kill two eighth-rank middle-stage humans and demon beasts in succession, that strength is not something an ordinary Intern Warden could possess. Are you familiar with this person?"
Zhou Cang cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Director, Wei Qing is Wei Yuan's only son. Half a year ago, he passed the assessment and joined the Heavenly Realm Division, becoming an intern demon-suppressing envoy. He is currently at the eighth-rank middle stage."
"In terms of talent, he is not the least bit inferior to his father, Wei Yuan. He may even surpass him."
Nangong Yu nodded slightly. "In that case, killing eighth-rank middle-stage opponents in succession does make sense."
"His talent is even greater than Wei Yuan's. It seems our Heavenly Realm Division has produced another peerless genius."
Thinking of something, Xie Yun looked at Zhou Cang. "Right, intelligence came in some time ago that there was an anomaly in the Black Mist Wasteland. Is the nearest Guardian Envoy Wei Qing?"
"Yes."
Zhou Cang answered truthfully.
"Breaking through one major realm and five minor realms in half a year—if he were to perish in Qingcheng, that would be far too great a pity."
Su Henian shook his head slightly, clearly intending to transfer Wei Qing back.
Though no one present said it aloud, they all cursed inwardly in unison: Old fox!
He had just incurred a favor.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he was already looking to make it up.
Seeing this, Nangong Yu remained calm. "A genius who grows up is a true genius."
"Demonic seals are being broken one after another across the land. Although he is only an Intern Warden."
"His strength is not inferior to any official Guardian Envoy's. He would even rank among the best of the official Guardian Envoys."
"Let him stay there and temper himself. Only if he can return safely will he be worth cultivating."
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