The Six Doors' Staffing

Inside the Chun'an County yamen hall, Lord Zhuge's words were like pebbles dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

Actually, the constables of Chun'an County were officially under the Six Doors organization. Lord Zhuge stroked his long beard, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. They were merely attached to the local county yamen for daily management. By the rules, Constable Chen and the others were also subordinates of Zhuge Qing.

This statement caused the constables present to exchange bewildered glances, many showing surprise. They only knew they were employed by the government, but had never imagined they were directly under the command of the renowned Six Doors!

Chen Qingzhou quickly led the constables to kneel on one knee. "Your humble servant pays respects to you, my lord!" His voice carried undisguised excitement. It was known that the Six Doors was a special organization in the Great Zhou Dynasty, directly obeying the emperor, and possessing immense power. Becoming a formal member of the Six Doors was the dream of countless martial artists.

Lord Zhuge—Zhuge Qing—raised his hand slightly. "Rise, all of you. Since we are all on the same side, some things can be said more openly."

He paced to the front of the hall, his expression turning serious. "There are currently two urgent matters. First, investigate the bandits from the capital who have recently been active in Chun'an territory. This group is ferocious and cunning, with at least three sixth-rank martial artists and a fifth-rank leader. You are only to report their whereabouts if discovered; do not engage them rashly."

The constables gasped. Three sixth-rank and one fifth-rank! Such a force was indeed beyond their ability to handle.

Second, Zhuge Qing's gaze was sharp as he instructed, "Closely monitor any suspicious individuals inquiring about the survivors of the Ye Family in Chun'an County. Especially those asking about events from ten years ago or inquiring about the Ye Family."

"If this mission is completed successfully, the Six Doors will not be stingy with rewards!" Zhuge Qing's voice rose slightly. "Martial arts manuals and spiritual elixirs are a given." He paused, then threw out an even more tempting offer. "For those who show exceptional talent, there will be opportunities to be transferred to the Six Doors branch in the prefectural capital, or even... the capital headquarters!"

This statement was like cold water poured into a hot oil pan, instantly causing all the constables to boil with excitement! The prefectural capital! The capital! These were places they dared not even dream of! More importantly, only there could they obtain better cultivation resources and more advanced techniques, truly achieving something in the martial path!

Zhuge Qing's gaze swept subtly over Ye Yun and Yan Xiao Liu. Among those present, in terms of talent, age, and strength, these two undoubtedly had the best chance. Ye Yun went without saying. Although Yan Xiao Liu was only ninth-rank, he was young and sharp, a promising talent.

"We will do our utmost!" Chen Qingzhou shouted, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Zhuge Qing nodded with satisfaction. "Effective immediately, the entire city will be on high alert. Double the manpower at all city gates to strictly interrogate all travelers." Mufeng, you will lead your people in charge of city defense."

The woman named Mufeng cupped her fist and accepted the order, her movements clean and efficient.

"Constable Chen, you are familiar with the local situation. Lead your men to search all inns, taverns, and post stations, with a focus on recently arrived outsiders."

"Your command is my duty!"

Order after order was issued methodically, and the official machinery of Chun'an County began to operate efficiently. The constables were all eager, as if injected with adrenaline—this was not only about their future prospects but also an opportunity to impress the Six Doors' big shots!

Ye Yun was assigned to a team with Yan Xiao Liu, responsible for patrolling the alleys in the West District. This arrangement seemed ordinary but was actually subtly significant—the West District was closest to the old Ye Family residence, a likely area of focus for any ill-intentioned individuals.

For three consecutive days, the entire Chun'an County was turned upside down.

All inns were meticulously searched, and even the most remote residences were not spared. Checkpoints were set up at the city gates, and suspicious individuals were detained. Even the beggar dens were combed through, uncovering a few jianghu spies mixed in.

However, the bandits seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. On the other hand, they did catch a few petty criminals inquiring about the Ye Family's past. Upon interrogation, they turned out to be local ruffians trying to take advantage of the situation, with no connection to the Youming Sect.

"This is truly bizarre." On the evening of the fourth day, Yan Xiao Liu rubbed his aching legs and complained. "Did those people sprout wings and fly away?"

Ye Yun stood on the city wall, his gaze sweeping over the darkening streets, his brow furrowed. "Perhaps... they never entered the city at all."

"Never entered the city?" Yan Xiao Liu was taken aback. "But the surrounding hundred miles are all wilderness, where could they hide?"

"Don't forget," Ye Yun mused, "Chun'an County has no shortage of abandoned houses and ancient tombs. Especially those... places with special legends."

Yan Xiao Liu suddenly shivered. "Brother Ye, are you implying... like your old Ye Family residence?"

Ye Yun didn't answer, but his eyes said it all. The old Ye Family residence had been abandoned since the great calamity ten years ago. Locals considered it an unlucky place and usually avoided it. If the bandits were hiding there, they would indeed be difficult to find.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the staircase. A young constable ran up, panting. "Brother Ye! Sixth Brother! There's... there's a discovery!"

The two men's spirits lifted. "Speak slowly!"

"It's... it's Old Man Li from the eastern suburbs..." the constable gasped. "This morning, I went to the mountains to gather herbs and saw several suspicious individuals active in the Black Wind Ridge area! One of them has a scar on his face, very similar to the wanted poster!"

"Black Wind Ridge!" Ye Yun's heart stirred. The terrain there was treacherous, with numerous caves, making it an excellent hiding place. More importantly, Black Wind Ridge was not far from the location of the previous bandit suppression operation. It was no accident that this group chose that place!

"Are you sure you saw correctly?" Yan Xiao Liu asked urgently.

"Old Man Li said he saw it clearly! That person has a scar above his left eyebrow, exactly like on the wanted poster! He also overheard those people saying something about the goods not having arrived yet and to wait three more days..."

Ye Yun immediately said, "Xiao Liu, go report to Lord Zhuge. I'll take some men to Black Wind Ridge to keep watch!"

"No! It's too dangerous!" Yan Xiao Liu objected. "Lord Zhuge said, if you discover their whereabouts, you only need to report it, not engage them rashly!"

"Don't worry, I'm just going to confirm the situation, not alert the enemy," Ye Yun patted his shoulder. "Hurry!"

Yan Xiao Liu hesitated for a moment, then stomped his foot and ran towards the county yamen. Ye Yun selected three agile constables, changed into plain clothes, and quietly slipped out of the city towards Black Wind Ridge.

Black Wind Ridge, located twenty li east of Chun'an County, was named for its steep terrain and the constant strange winds. The area was full of rugged rocks and numerous caves, and it was said that wild wolves roamed there, making even hunters reluctant to approach.

Ye Yun and his three companions, using the cover of night, quickly reached the location described by Old Man Li. They indeed found traces of a bonfire in a hidden mountain hollow, along with several fresh footprints.

"Judging by the footprints, there are at least five people," a seasoned constable whispered. "They are all skilled practitioners, with steady stances."

Ye Yun nodded, signaling everyone to spread out and scout. He himself used his Lightness Skill, silently leaping onto a high cliff from where he could overlook the entire hollow.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the rugged rocks of Black Wind Ridge. Ye Yun focused his vision and soon spotted a faint flicker of firelight to the southeast. His heart stirred, and he darted between the rocks like a civet cat, quickly approaching the target.

It was a naturally formed stone cave, its entrance concealed by vines. If not for the firelight escaping, it would have been impossible to find. Ye Yun held his breath, pressed close to the rock wall, and faintly heard conversations from within.

"...Why hasn't the third one returned with the goods yet?" a hoarse voice asked.

"What's the hurry? The handover is set for midnight," another effeminate voice replied. "This is a big deal. I heard there are some tough items in that batch of goods."

"Hmph, how much tougher can they be than our brothers' blades?" the hoarse voice scoffed. "As for what the boss mentioned..."

"No mistake. Something important must be hidden here..."

Just then, a sharp cry of an owl suddenly sounded from the distance—this was the agreed-upon warning signal from the constables! Someone was coming!

Ye Yun immediately melted into the shadows. Moments later, three dark figures stealthily approached the stone cave, one of them carrying a heavy package on his back.

"The goods have arrived!" people inside the cave greeted them.

As the two sides were in the process of handover, a sudden change occurred!

A sword light, like thunder from the heavens, suddenly slashed out from the darkness! The porter, caught off guard, was split in two before he could even scream! The dropped packages scattered, revealing glittering jewelry inside.

"Six Gates investigation! Surrender now!" Zhuge Qing's voice boomed like thunder!

Almost simultaneously, Mufeng and other Six Gates experts appeared from all directions, instantly surrounding the cave. Little Fatty, along with constables from Chun'an County, formed a second cordon on the outer perimeter, the torches illuminating the entire mountain hollow as bright as day.

"We've fallen into a trap!" the bandit leader—the scarred man—roared. "Brothers, fight to the death!"

A fierce battle erupted instantly! Though outnumbered, the bandits fought with reckless abandon, their attacks vicious. The scarred man, in particular, wielded his ghost-head saber with incredible ferocity, managing to block Mufeng's dual sabers!

Ye Yun watched clearly from the shadows. This scarred man's cultivation was definitely beyond the sixth rank! At least peak fifth rank! And his saber technique... it actually carried the shadow of military martial arts!

Just then, another change occurred! A black shadow, like a phantom, shot out from the depths of the cave, heading straight for Zhuge Qing! Before he even arrived, his sharp palm wind had already pressed down the surrounding vegetation!

"Youming Sect scum!" Zhuge Qing sneered, twirling his sword into a flourish. Purple lightning crackled. "I've been waiting for you!"

The two experts instantly clashed, sword energy and palm wind colliding, kicking up dust and stones. The others also found their opponents, and the mountain hollow plunged into chaos.

Ye Yun was about to join the fray when he suddenly felt something. He turned his head towards the depths of the cave—there seemed to be something else there...

He silently infiltrated the cave. The deeper he went, the more alarmed he became. The interior of the cave was a hidden world, transformed into a temporary stronghold. The deepest part even had an altar, upon which sat a ferocious ghost-faced statue—the very symbol of the Youming Sect!

Beneath the altar was a hidden compartment containing several secret letters. As Ye Yun reached for them, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end!

"Kid, curiosity killed the cat," a chilling voice came from behind him.

Ye Yun spun around abruptly. A black-robed figure had appeared at the cave entrance at some point, his entire face hidden in the shadow of his hood, only a pair of blood-red eyes exceptionally striking.

"Youming Sect elder?" Ye Yun tightened his grip on his saber, circulating his Gangqi (Essence Qi) to its limit.

The black-robed figure let out an owl-like laugh. "Clever. Too bad... clever people don't live long!"

Before he finished speaking, he transformed into a black mist and lunged! His speed far surpassed Prefect Zhou's earlier!

At the brink of death, Ye Yun became exceptionally calm. The moves from the True Martial Secret Manual flashed through his mind, finally settling on a saber technique called Slaying Youming—a move specifically designed to counter sinister arts!

Ye Yun let out a roar, his long saber cleaving out with a brilliant golden light! Where the saber light passed, the black mist dissipated rapidly as if encountering its nemesis!

The black-robed figure cried out in surprise and hastily retreated. His hood was blown off by the saber wind, revealing a face as pale as paper. Most terrifyingly, a vertical eye grew right in the center of his forehead!

"Three-Eyed Clan!" Ye Yun's heart trembled. This was a legendary ancient race, said to be long extinct. He never expected there to be survivors, and what's more, they had joined the Youming Sect!

"Kid, you're seeking death!" the Three-Eyed Elder roared in fury. The vertical eye on his forehead suddenly opened, shooting out a beam of blood-red light!

Ye Yun felt his soul shake violently, as if it were being torn from his body! In a moment of crisis, he swung his saber, barely blocking the blood-red light!

The Three-Eyed Elder was both shocked and delighted. "Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique... as expected of a Ye Family remnant."

As he was about to strike again, Zhuge Qing's voice suddenly came from outside: "Friend inside, need some help?"

The Three-Eyed Elder's expression changed. He glared fiercely at Ye Yun. "Kid, we'll meet again!"

With that, he transformed into a cloud of black mist and vanished directly into the cave wall!

Ye Yun let out a long sigh of relief, only then realizing his back was drenched in cold sweat. He quickly examined the secret letters in the hidden compartment, his shock growing with each one—these letters actually involved a shocking conspiracy!