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"Appointing official positions for martial arts sects? Is this appeasement, or a trap?"

Zhang Yuchun asked with a frown. Due to Wu Baoyu's matter, he was full of suspicion regarding the current Emperor's actions; he did not believe the Emperor was benevolent.

The Emperor had only resolved the great chaos under heaven because this chaos threatened his imperial authority. Otherwise, why would it have persisted for so many years?

Li Qingqiu also felt this matter was not good. Liu Fanzhou was unaware of the Emperor's pursuit of immortality and the actions he was taking for it. He waved his hand and said, "That's the Emperor. If he wants to scheme against the martial arts sects, does he need to go to such great lengths? He could simply send troops to suppress them under the guise of crushing bandits. Who among the martial artists hasn't killed anyone? If they were truly to be judged by law, most would face the death penalty. Moreover, gathering so many martial arts experts in the imperial palace would also put His Majesty at risk."

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun exchanged a glance, knowing they wouldn't be able to convince Liu Fanzhou on this matter.

"Is it a forced conscription, or will they go voluntarily?" Zhang Yuchun continued to ask.

Liu Fanzhou chuckled, "Naturally, it's voluntary. Forced conscription would truly indicate a problem. However, the imperial city is far away. To compete for this official position, it's a race to see who gets the news earlier and who departs first."

Li Qingqiu nodded

Li Sifeng and his group traveled the land, righting wrongs. Wherever they went, they generously shared their wealth, and within half a year, the Qingxiao Sect's reputation for chivalry and benevolence began to spread. Finally, people started coming to the mountain to seek discipleship.

This was a good omen. When did a renowned sect ever personally descend the mountain to recruit disciples?

However, Li Qingqiu wasn't happy. His heart was with Jiang Zhaoxia.

Logically, Jiang Zhaoxia, at the fifth level of the Yangyuan Realm, should not be easily defeated by the Heavenly Saber Sect. Yet, the martial world was treacherous, and people's hearts were unpredictable. He couldn't help but worry.

Speaking of which, although Jiang Zhaoxia was strong, he always seemed to get injured.

Li Qingqiu's mind raced with anxious thoughts. Suddenly, his gaze swept in a certain direction. He saw a group of yamen runners walking on the mountain path, heading towards the mountain gate.

Two people led the yamen runners. One was Feng Dai, the County Magistrate of Black Stone County. The other wore brocade robes and a saber at his waist. He had a dignified appearance, an imposing presence, and an aura far stronger than Feng Dai and the others. Feng Dai kept looking back, clearly indicating this person held significant status.

Seeing this, Li Qingqiu turned and leisurely walked down the mountain.

The new courtyard was crowded with people. Besides over a dozen Qingxiao Sect disciples watching the spectacle, there were also many common folk. They had all brought their children to seek discipleship. A total of ten young disciples were there to be apprenticed.

"Elder Zhang, people from the court have arrived!"

Yuan Qi strode into the courtyard and said softly beside Zhang Yuchun.

Zhang Yuchun held considerable authority, and the disciples were accustomed to seeking him out when issues arose. Hearing that people from the court had arrived, he didn't panic. Instead, he instructed, "Yuan Qi, take them to settle in. For now, accept them as registered disciples."

"Yes!"

Yuan Qi immediately turned and led a large group of people out of the new courtyard in a surging mass. As soon as they exited, they saw Feng Dai and his group approaching.

The common folk loved a good spectacle. Seeing a group of officials arrive, they all stopped, wanting to see what was happening. If the Qingxiao Sect had committed a crime, they wouldn't dare let their children become disciples.

Zhang Yuchun stood up, walked around the table, and looked at Feng Dai and his group entering the courtyard. He immediately raised his hands in greeting.

"I am Zhang Yuchun, the Elder in charge of administration for the Qingxiao Sect. May I ask why you esteemed sirs have come?" Zhang Yuchun asked, neither subservient nor arrogant.

Feng Dai smiled and introduced, "This is Lord Jia from the Heavenly Protection Guard of the Imperial City. He is here to convey the Emperor's decree."

The Emperor's decree?

Zhang Yuchun was surprised. The disciples in the courtyard were curious. What could possibly warrant the Emperor's attention?

The brocade-clad man named Jia Yi placed one hand on his saber hilt and the other behind his back. He sized up Zhang Yuchun and asked, "Where is the Sect Master of the Qingxiao Sect?"

Zhang Yuchun replied, "My Senior Brother is in closed-door cultivation. Even I do not know his exact location."

Jia Yi snorted coldly. "Your Qingxiao Sect is truly amusing. The Sect Master is cultivating, yet you, so young, hold power. Fine, I won't waste words. His Majesty has decreed that all sect masters in the martial world are to enter the Central Heavens to meet him. Those who perform exceptionally may be granted official positions and renown. The Sect Master of the Qingxiao Sect must arrive at the Imperial City before next spring."

Seeing that Jia Yi couldn't even be bothered to produce the imperial edict, Feng Dai knew his attitude towards the Qingxiao Sect. This was also why he had insisted on coming.

The matter concerning Wu Baoyu made Feng Dai worry that the Qingxiao Sect might clash with those from the court.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuchun frowned and asked, "Must he go? But I heard others say this is not a mandatory matter."

Jia Yi's eyes sharpened, and he retorted, "Who did you hear this from?"

"A friend from the martial world. He also heard it from someone else."

"Am I not speaking clearly enough for you?"

Jia Yi said sternly. He suddenly raised his hand and thrust it towards Zhang Yuchun from a distance. His inner energy erupted, forming a powerful suction force that pulled at Zhang Yuchun.

Caught off guard by Jia Yi's sudden move, Zhang Yuchun stumbled forward two steps, but he managed to steady himself in time.

Facing the powerful suction, Zhang Yuchun's sect robe billowed violently, and his hair whipped around his face. He frowned at Jia Yi. Dust swirled around them, and the Qingxiao Sect disciples quickly moved aside, blocking the entrance to the new courtyard.

Jia Yi's expression shifted slightly. He hadn't expected Zhang Yuchun to be able to withstand his Demon Capturing Skill.