Xianghan Prefecture lay in the warmer southern region of Cold Plum World.
Thanks to its mild climate, the local population and economy were more developed than in the other prefectures and provinces, and it had more Cultivation Sects as well.
Including Joyful Union Sect, which had just risen to become a Nascent Soul Devilish Sect, there were now two Nascent Soul Devilish Sects in Xianghan Prefecture, and both had ties of some kind to the Cold Plum World Governor.
So whether it was investigating corruption or striking at the Governor's subordinate forces, Xianghan Prefecture was the obvious first choice.
As for whether any Nascent Soul-level righteous sects existed?
Sorry, there was no room for the righteous to survive in Cold Plum World. If there had to be an answer, then the Immortal Officials who governed the various regions were the closest thing.
After all, Immortal Officials were only after money, while Devilish Sects were after lives. The latter were obviously worse.
On the day Su Yuan and his party arrived in Xianghan Prefecture's capital, word that the Heavenly Patrol Envoy had arrived only just reached the local Immortal Officials.
The local Prefect and Immortal Officials of every rank hurried to welcome them, politely inviting Su Yuan into the Prefecture Office.
Inside the Prefecture Office, Su Yuan sat in the seat of honor and swept his gaze over the red- and green-robed officials. Then he glanced at the Subordinate Fourth Rank Prefect in purple robes seated below him to the left and said calmly:
"There's no need for any of you to be nervous. I've made a surprise visit for one reason and one reason only: to go after those Cultivation Families and Sects that don't know how to behave."
"As long as you cooperate and help me earn enough political