Imperial City, Heavenly Realm Division
Compared with the past, the atmosphere within the Heavenly Realm Division had grown several degrees more somber. That murderous aura could still be felt even from far away.
In the first chair on the right side of the hall, a bald, burly man said furiously, "Those traitors to humanity from the Black Lotus Cult are becoming more and more brazen."
When he spoke of the Black Lotus Cult, the killing intent in his eyes was completely undisguised.
At that moment, besides him, four other people were present in the hall.
Three men and one woman.
Every one of them radiated a terrifying aura that made the heart tremble.
After he finished speaking.
One of them said, "The Black Lotus Cult has been watching Great Zhou for more than a day or two. His Majesty was injured in the previous battle and has yet to recover fully. What they're doing is merely probing the depth of Great Zhou's foundations."
"Hmph. In the past hundred years, when has the Black Lotus Cult ever been able to do anything to Great Zhou? Even with His Majesty injured, the Heavenly Realm Division isn't made of paper. In the last battle, we killed three of their third-rank elders in succession—enough to cripple them."
"If it were before, killing several third-rank elders would indeed have made the Black Lotus Cult wary. But the situation is different now. While killing those third-rank elders, the Heavenly Realm Division also suffered heavy losses."
"Quite a few high-rank Garrison Commanders have fallen as well."
"On top of that, demons and monsters are running rampant throughout the various regions. Suppressing both sides completely is by no means easy."
The person seated in the very center wore a black robe, his pale face calm from beginning to end.
Nangong Yu.
The Division Chief of the Heavenly Realm Division, and an expert at the half-step Innate Realm.
The bald man who had spoken first was Xie Yun, Minister of the Garrison Department of the Heavenly Realm Division, and a mid-stage first-rank martial artist.
The man with a face cold as frost, a section of chain wrapped around his right hand, was Shen Hanbing, Minister of the Prison Suppression Department of the Heavenly Realm Division, and a mid-stage first-rank martial artist.
The slender man wearing a Smiling Face mask was Su Henian, Minister of the Night Owl Department of the Heavenly Realm Division, and an early-stage first-rank expert.
The last woman was Lin Wantang, Minister of the Inspection Department, and an advanced first-rank martial artist.
Xie Yun said coldly, "The Heavenly Realm Division has existed for more than two hundred years and has slain countless demons, monsters, and human traitors. Even if they want to start a war, we have nothing to fear."
"Great Zhou naturally has no fear of war. But His Majesty has yet to recover. If we wage an all-out war, we may injure a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of our own."
"If everyone in the Heavenly Realm Division dies, who will stop the demons and monsters?"
At that, much of Xie Yun's anger dissipated. "How are your injuries?"
"They're not a major problem. I'll be fully recovered in another month." Nangong Yu's tone held a trace of helplessness. "I never expected the Black Lotus Cult to possess such a powerful existence. For now, he still can't do anything to me."
"The disturbances at present are only temporary."
"As long as His Majesty hasn't reached that point, they won't dare go too far. Otherwise, they won't be able to bear His Majesty's wrath."
As he spoke.
He looked toward the others. "We can't stand idly by while the Black Lotus Cult probes us. Their methods are cruel, and they'll stop at nothing to achieve their grand objective."
"This time, I'll dispatch eighty percent of the Heavenly Realm Division's Garrison Commanders. We must suppress the Black Lotus Cult and the demons' latest probing as quickly as possible."
"As for the Pacification Commissioners and Garrison Commanders stationed throughout the regions, have them remain at their posts. Anyone who discovers members of the Black Lotus Cult or demons and monsters is to kill them directly!"
"By the way, have we received any news from Dantai?"
Su Henian shook his head slightly. "Not yet."
The next moment.
A figure hurried in from outside. Upon seeing the five people, he bowed to them all.
"Earth-rank Garrison Commander Zhou Cang greets all the lords."
"Is something wrong?" Xie Yun asked softly, his gaze settling on Zhou Cang.
He knew Zhou Cang. He was one of the administrators of the Garrison Department.
If there were no urgent matter, he would never have rushed in so recklessly.
"According to the latest intelligence, a sixth-rank demon appeared in Yandang Mountain in Qingcheng but was slain by a mysterious expert. Fang Xiang, son of the Qingcheng magistrate, colluded with demons and monsters, sacrificing and slaughtering more than a thousand lives. He has now been killed by the trainee Garrison Commander Wei Qing."
"What?"
"How dare he!"
"Beast."
"This is outrageous."
"Damn him..."
Upon hearing this, the people in the hall all changed color, overcome with fury.
Colluding with demons and monsters.
Sacrificing the common people.
Such a monstrous crime could never be forgiven!
"Speak."
Nangong Yu's icy voice instantly lowered the temperature of the entire hall by several degrees.
In an instant.
Zhou Cang felt immense pressure. He took the letter he had previously received from his sleeve and held it up with both hands. "Please review this, Division Chief Nangong."
The next second.
The letter seemed to be supported by an invisible hand and floated before Nangong Yu.
He opened it and skimmed it twice.
Then he passed the letter to the other four.
"You should all take a look as well."
As the letter passed among the four of them.
"What a pity. Fang Youting served as an official in one region and brought blessings to the people, yet he ended up with a son who colluded with demons and monsters and dragged his father into the pit." Xie Yun sighed.
"Colluding with demons and monsters warrants the extermination of nine clans. That is Great Zhou's iron law." Lin Wantang spoke in a deep voice.
"Agreed." Shen Hanbing echoed her.
Su Henian said nothing. Even though Wei Qing had not mentioned the intelligence failure of the Night Owl Guard, he still saw the problem at a glance.
The others also chose not to expose it.
But they were fairly satisfied with the way Wei Qing had handled the matter.
Nangong Yu slowly said, "The extermination of a local official's entire clan still requires His Majesty's approval."
"I'll report the matter truthfully at tomorrow's court session."
"Come to think of it, a trainee Garrison Commander managed to kill two mid-stage eighth-rank humans and monsters in succession. That isn't strength an ordinary trainee Garrison Commander could possess. Are you familiar with this person?"
Zhou Cang cupped his fists and replied, "Reporting to the Division Chief, Wei Qing is Wei Yuan's only son. Half a year ago, he passed the examination and joined the Heavenly Realm Division, becoming a trainee Demon Suppressor. His current strength is at the mid-stage of the eighth rank."
"In terms of talent, he's in no way inferior to his father, Wei Yuan. In fact, he may even be a step stronger."
Nangong Yu nodded slightly. "In that case, his consecutive victories over mid-stage eighth-rank opponents make sense."
"Talent surpassing Wei Yuan's? It seems our Heavenly Realm Division has produced another peerless genius."
Xie Yun thought of something and looked at Zhou Cang. "Right, intelligence came in some time ago saying that there was something strange about the Black Mist Wasteland. Is the nearest Garrison Commander Wei Qing?"
"Yes."
Zhou Cang answered truthfully.
"To break through one major realm and five minor realms in half a year—if he were to fall in Qingcheng, that would be a terrible waste."
Su Henian shook his head slightly, clearly intending to have Wei Qing transferred back.
The people present said nothing aloud, but in their hearts they cursed in unison: That old fox!
First, he had owed someone a favor.
Then, right on its heels, he had immediately found a way to repay it.
Nangong Yu saw this and said with an impassive expression, "A genius is only truly a genius after he has grown."
"Right now, the seals suppressing demons and monsters throughout the various regions are being broken one after another. Although he is only a trainee Garrison Commander..."
"His strength is absolutely no weaker than that of any official Garrison Commander. In fact, among official Garrison Commanders, he would rank near the top."
"Let him stay there and temper himself. If he can return safely, then he'll be worth cultivating."