Six Doors' Roster

Inside the county yamen's main hall, Lord Zhuge's words were like a stone tossed into a still lake, stirring up wave after wave.

As it happened, the many constables of Chun'an County were still officially part of the Six Doors. Lord Zhuge stroked his long beard and swept his gaze over everyone present. "You're simply managed by the local county yamen in your day-to-day work. By the rules, Constable Chen, you and your men are also my subordinates."

His words made the constables exchange bewildered looks, and many of them showed their surprise. They had known only that they drew a government salary, never imagining that they directly belonged to the prestigious Six Doors!

"Lord Zhuge—" Zhuge Qing raised a hand slightly. "Please rise. Since we're all on the same side, we can speak freely."

Chen Qingzhou hurriedly led the constables down onto one knee. "Your subordinates pay their respects, sir!" Their voices carried barely concealed excitement. The Six Doors was a special institution in Great Zhou, answering directly to the emperor and wielding immense authority. Becoming an official member of the Six Doors was the dream of countless martial artists.

He paced to the front of the hall, his expression turning serious. "There are two urgent matters at hand. First, we must track down the bandits from Kyoto who have recently been roaming Chun'an. They're vicious and cunning. At least three of them are Sixth Rank martial artists, and their leader is Fifth Rank. If you discover their whereabouts, report them at once. Do not act rashly."

The constables all drew a sharp breath. Three Sixth Rank martial artists and one Fifth Rank! They were certainly no match for such a force.

"Second." Zhuge Qing's gaze was sharp as lightning. "Keep a close watch on anyone suspicious asking about the Ye Family's survivors in Chun'an County. Pay particular attention to those asking about events from ten years ago or making inquiries about the Ye Family."

"If this mission is completed successfully," Zhuge Qing continued, raising his voice, "the Six Doors will spare no expense on rewards! Secret manuals and spirit pills are only the beginning." He paused, then offered an even more tempting prize. "Anyone who shows exceptional talent will have the chance to transfer to a Six Doors branch in the prefectural seat—or even... the headquarters in Kyoto!"

His words were like cold water poured into a pot of boiling oil. The constables instantly erupted with excitement! The prefectural seat! Kyoto! Those were places they had never even dared to imagine going! More importantly, only there could they obtain better cultivation resources and superior techniques, and truly make a name for themselves in the martial arts world!

Zhuge Qing's gaze drifted over Ye Yun and Yan Xiao Liu. Of everyone present, those two were undoubtedly the likeliest candidates, whether judged by talent, age, or strength. Ye Yun went without saying, while Yan Xiao Liu, though only Ninth Rank, was young and quick-witted—a promising talent.

"Your subordinates will do everything in their power!" Chen Qingzhou called out first, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Zhuge Qing nodded in satisfaction. "Effective immediately, the entire city is under curfew. Double the number of guards at every city gate and thoroughly inspect everyone coming and going. Mufeng, take charge of the city defenses."

The woman named Mufeng clasped her fists and accepted the order, her movements brisk and precise.

"Constable Chen, you know the local situation. Take your men and search every inn, tavern, and horse-and-carriage depot. Focus on outsiders who have checked in recently."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

One order after another was issued in an orderly fashion, and the entire Chun'an County government sprang into efficient action. The constables were all raring to go, as if they'd been injected with chicken blood. This was not only about their futures; it was also their chance to show themselves off in front of a Big Shot from the Six Doors!

Ye Yun was assigned to patrol the western district's residential lanes with Yan Xiao Liu. The arrangement seemed ordinary, but it hid a deeper purpose—the western district was closest to the Ye Family's old residence and was likely a prime area for the bandits to investigate.

For three days straight, all of Chun'an County was turned upside down.

Every inn was carefully searched, and even the most remote homes were not spared. Checkpoints were set up at the city gates, where suspicious people were detained for questioning. They even combed through the beggars' den and found several martial-world spies hiding among the beggars.

Yet the bandits seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. They did catch a few petty thieves asking about the Ye Family's past, but under interrogation, they turned out to be local ruffians hoping to profit from the situation. They had nothing to do with the Youming Sect.

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

Ye Yun stood atop the city wall, his gaze sweeping over the streets slowly darkening below. His brows furrowed slightly. "Maybe... they never entered the city at all."

"They never entered the city?" Yan Xiao Liu was taken aback. "But it's wilderness for a hundred li in every direction. Where could they hide?"

"Don't forget, Chun'an County has no shortage of abandoned houses and ancient tombs." Ye Yun pondered. "Especially places... with strange legends attached to them."

Yan Xiao Liu suddenly shivered. "Brother Ye, you mean... somewhere like the Ye Family's old residence?"

Ye Yun didn't answer, but his eyes said it all. The Ye Family's old residence had been abandoned ever since the disaster ten years ago. Locals considered it an ill-omened place and normally wouldn't go near it. If the bandits were hiding there, it would indeed be difficult to find them.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from the stairwell. A young constable came running up, panting. "Brother Ye! Sixth Brother! There's... there's been a sighting!"

The two of them perked up. "Take your time. Tell us!"

"It's... it's Old Man Li from the eastern outskirts..." The constable gasped for breath. "He went up the mountain to gather herbs this morning and saw several suspicious people moving around Black Wind Ridge! One of them had a scar on his face, and he looked a lot like the person in the wanted poster!"

Black Wind Ridge! Ye Yun's heart stirred. The terrain there was treacherous, with caves scattered everywhere—a perfect place to hide. More importantly, Black Wind Ridge was close to where the bandits had been wiped out before. There was no way this lot had chosen it by chance!

"Are you sure he didn't mistake him for someone else?" Yan Xiao Liu asked urgently.

"Old Man Li said he got a good look! The man had a scar above his left eyebrow, exactly like the one in the wanted poster! He also heard them say something about waiting three more days for the goods to arrive..."

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

"Absolutely not! It's too dangerous!" Yan Xiao Liu objected. "Lord Zhuge said to report any sightings and not act rashly!"

"Relax. I'm only going to confirm what's happening. I won't spook them." Ye Yun patted his shoulder. "Go!"

Yan Xiao Liu hesitated for a moment, then stamped his foot and ran toward the county yamen. Ye Yun picked three nimble constables, changed into plain clothes, and quietly left the city in the direction of Black Wind Ridge.

Black Wind Ridge lay twenty li east of Chun'an County. It got its name from its rugged peaks and the strange winds that blew there year-round. Jagged rocks and caves covered the area, and rumors claimed wild wolves roamed there. Even hunters generally kept away.

With the night as cover, Ye Yun and the three constables soon reached the spot Old Man Li had described. Sure enough, they found traces of a campfire in a secluded hollow in the hills, along with several fresh footprints.

"At least five people, judging by the footprints." An experienced constable spoke in a low voice. "They're all trained fighters. Look how steady their footing is."

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

Moonlight poured like water over Black Wind Ridge's strange, jagged rocks. Ye Yun focused his gaze and soon spotted a faint flicker of firelight to the southeast. His heart stirred. He darted between the rocks like a wildcat and quickly neared his target.

It was a natural stone cavern, its entrance concealed by vines. Without the firelight shining through, it would have been almost impossible to spot. Ye Yun held his breath and pressed against the stone wall, listening to the faint voices coming from within.

"...Why hasn't Third Brother returned with the goods?" a gruff voice asked.

"What's the hurry? We agreed to meet at midnight," another, softer voice replied. "This is a big deal. I heard there's a tough customer among that batch of goods..."

"Hmph, how tough can he be? Not tougher than our blades," the gruff voice scoffed. "But what about that matter Boss told us to handle..."

"No mistake. There's definitely something important hidden here..."

Just then, an owl hooted in the distance—the warning signal the constables had agreed upon. Someone was coming!

Ye Yun immediately slipped into the shadows. A moment later, three figures crept toward the cavern. One of them carried a heavy bundle on his back.

"The goods are here!" Someone came out of the cavern to meet them.

As the two sides began to exchange the goods, an unexpected change erupted!

A streak of sword light burst from the darkness like a thunderbolt from the heavens! The man carrying the bundle was struck first. He didn't even have time to scream before he was cleaved in two! The bundle hit the ground and split open, spilling glittering gold jewelry.

"Six Doors business! Surrender!" Zhuge Qing's voice boomed like thunder!

At almost the same moment, Mufeng and the other Six Doors experts appeared from every direction, surrounding the cavern in an instant. Little Fatty led Chun'an County's constables into a second encirclement on the outskirts, their torches lighting the entire hollow as bright as day.

"We've been tricked!" the bandit leader—the scar-faced man—roared. "Brothers, fight!"

The battle erupted in an instant! Though outnumbered, the bandits fought fearlessly and struck ruthlessly. The scar-faced man in particular swung his ghost-head saber with such force that he managed to hold off Mufeng's twin blades!

Ye Yun watched closely from the shadows. The scar-faced man's cultivation was definitely higher than Sixth Rank—at least at the peak of Fifth Rank! And his saber technique... it even bore traces of military martial arts!

Just then, another unforeseen change occurred! A shadow shot out from deep within the cavern like a ghost, charging straight at Zhuge Qing! Before the figure even arrived, its fierce palm wind had already flattened the grass and trees around it!

"You filthy wretch from the Youming Sect!" Zhuge Qing sneered. He flourished his long sword, purple lightning coiling around it. "I've been waiting for you!"

The two experts clashed in an instant. Sword Qi and palm strikes crashed against each other, sending sand and stones flying. Everyone else found their own opponents, and the entire hollow plunged into chaos.

Ye Yun was about to join the fight when he suddenly sensed something. He turned toward the depths of the cavern. There's something else in there...

He crept silently into the cavern. The farther in he went, the more alarmed he became. The interior of the cavern opened into a vast hidden space that had been converted into a temporary base. At the very back stood an altar bearing a fierce, grotesque mask—the emblem of the Youming Sect!

A hidden compartment beneath the altar held several sealed letters. Ye Yun was about to examine them when the hair on the back of his neck stood on end!

"Curiosity killed the cat, boy." A cold voice came from behind him.

Ye Yun spun around. A black-robed figure had appeared in the entrance without him noticing. The entire face was hidden in the shadow of the hood, save for a pair of strikingly blood-red eyes.

"An elder of the Youming Sect?" Ye Yun gripped his saber, channeling his inner force to the utmost.

The black-robed man laughed like a night owl. "Clever. Too bad... clever people don't live long!"

Before the last word left his mouth, he turned into a streak of black smoke and lunged! He was far faster than Prefect Zhou had been!

At this life-or-death moment, Ye Yun was astonishingly calm. Techniques from the True Martial Secret Manual flashed through his mind, before settling on a saber move called Slaying Youming—a technique designed specifically to counter sinister arts!

Ye Yun let out a fierce shout and swung his long saber, its blade blazing with golden light! As the light swept past, the black smoke rapidly dispersed as if it had met its natural enemy!

The black-robed man cried out in shock and hurriedly retreated. The wind from the blade swept off his hood, revealing a face as pale as paper. Most horrifying of all, a third eye grew right in the middle of his forehead!

The Three-Eyed Clan! Ye Yun's heart shook violently. They were an ancient people of legend, said to have gone extinct long ago. He'd never imagined there were any survivors—and that one had even joined the Youming Sect!

"Boy, you're asking for death!" Enraged and humiliated, the Three-Eyed elder suddenly opened the vertical eye in his forehead and shot out a beam of bloody light!

Ye Yun felt his soul shudder violently, as if it were about to be torn from his body! In his moment of peril, he swung his saber and barely managed to hold back the bloody light!

The Three-Eyed elder was both shocked and delighted. "The Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique... So you're a Ye Family remnant after all."

He was about to strike again when Zhuge Qing's long cry suddenly rang out from outside. "Friend inside, need a hand?"

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

With that, he turned into a mass of black mist and disappeared, merging directly into the stone wall!

Ye Yun let out a long breath. Only then did he realize his back was soaked in cold sweat. He quickly checked the letters in the hidden compartment. The more he read, the more alarmed he became—the letters revealed a shocking conspiracy!