"Good! That beast finally got what was coming to him!"
Li Yunjing and Ma Xingyuan exchanged a glance, each catching a trace of schadenfreude in the other's eyes.
"Sir, I wouldn't dare..."
Yang Chun managed to say with difficulty.
Cracks had appeared in his skull. This Law Enforcement Hall officer was far too ruthless.
Yang Chun was feeling a little desperate now.
How could this have happened?
Why would people from the Law Enforcement Hall target a nobody like him, an ant among ants?
"Take him away! Yang Chun is the ringleader. He must be interrogated thoroughly. I want to see who dares to form little cliques within the sect and make the place a stinking mess!"
The white-haired old Daoist swept his cold gaze over the crowd before speaking.
At his words, Yang Chun went ice-cold all over.
He wasn't a fool. He knew exactly what the Law Enforcement Hall officer wanted!
Hm? This man doesn't seem to have come for Yang Chun. Is he unhappy with the Ten Thousand Laws Society behind him?
A flash of insight lit Li Yunjing's eyes. He immediately understood what was going on.
The Law Enforcement Hall usually never bothered with the menial disciples. It rarely even interfered in the affairs of the Outer Disciples.
This time, they had made such a grand show of things. They definitely hadn't come for Yang Chun.
If they weren't here for Yang Chun, then they had to be after the people behind him.
It seemed there was going to be a good show within the sect.
He just didn't know whether this was the sect's overall will or another little clique using the Law Enforcement Hall's name to suppress the Ten Thousand Laws Society.
Either way, this accidental move had worked out well for Li Yunjing and Ma Xingyuan.
At least Yang Chun wouldn't be getting out anytime soon, so they definitely wouldn't have to pay protection fees.
Many of the onlookers also looked delighted.
Quite a few of them had been victims, too.
If the Law Enforcement Hall really did root out this scourge, it would be wonderful news for all of them!
No one wanted to hand over the contribution points they had earned through hard work.
After arresting Yang Chun, the white-haired old Daoist didn't leave.
He simply took over the center of the hall and began explaining the sect rules and laws anew to the thousands of Menial and Outer Disciples.
Li Yunjing understood the whole performance now. The old Daoist was waiting for a high-ranking member of the Ten Thousand Laws Society to show up!
If no one came forward, the Society would lose face. Who would want to follow them after that?
Li Yunjing was even happier at the sight. He hadn't expected to witness such a spectacle just by coming out to eat.
Half an hour later, a young man in a bright yellow Dao Robe walked in leisurely, his hands clasped behind his back.
A dozen or so Inner Disciples in green Dao Robes followed behind him.
When the man spotted the white-haired old Daoist, a shadow crossed his eyes. He stepped forward and gave a slight cupped-fist salute.
The young man's expression was solemn as he said, "Old Daoist Zhong, what's going on here? This is such a minor matter. Why did you, an officer of the Law Enforcement Hall, have to come in person?"
The young man had an honest appearance and regular features.
Anyone seeing him for the first time would take an instant liking to him and think he was someone trustworthy.
No one would have guessed that he was a high-ranking member of the Ten Thousand Laws Society, in the business of exploiting lower-level cultivators.
Li Yunjing cursed inwardly, What a hypocrite! So this man is the real culprit!
"Wei Henian! You're a True Disciple. Why have you come all the way to the Menial Hall? Don't tell me you have something to do with this?"
Old Daoist Zhong said coldly.
He made no attempt to show Wei Henian any respect.
"Oh? Old Daoist Zhong, we're both in the know. Why pretend otherwise? Are you really going to get involved in certain matters? You should know this may not end well for you."
Wei Henian raised an eyebrow, then spoke coldly.
"Heh! What am I getting involved in? I'm just enforcing the law impartially. I came today because Yang Chun and the others got into a public brawl!"
The white-haired old Daoist with the surname Zhong didn't back down. His reply was sinister.
"So you're saying this can't be settled peacefully?"
Seeing that Old Daoist Zhong was ready to tear off the mask, Wei Henian's expression turned icy as he asked.
No one had ever dared to speak to him like this. Was Old Daoist Zhong looking to die?
"Heh! This old Daoist wouldn't know. I'm only here to interrogate Yang Chun and find out who's pulling the strings. As for anything else, I won't concern myself with it. If anyone else gets implicated in the future, the bigwigs of the Law Enforcement Hall will decide what to do."
Old Daoist Zhong gave a cold, noncommittal laugh.
Wei Henian's icy demeanor didn't scare him in the least.
"Interesting! Very interesting!"
Wei Henian laughed, his anger turning to laughter. His smile was dazzling.
Only after a long while did he stop laughing. He looked calmly at the white-haired Old Daoist Zhong and said in a low voice, "This little matter doesn't seem likely to affect me. Have you considered the consequences?"
Without waiting for the old Daoist to respond, Wei Henian continued, "You're old. The affairs of the future clearly aren't something you can take part in. You've offended me. Do you really want to die badly?"
"You... are you threatening me?"
Old Daoist Zhong's expression changed. He rolled his triangular eyes and shouted angrily.
Wei Henian's words had clearly struck a deep nerve.
He had lost his potential. This was as far as he would ever get; he had no chance of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.
Wei Henian was different. He was like the rising sun, with a bright future ahead of him.
Under normal circumstances, Old Daoist Zhong wouldn't dare offend a True Disciple like him.
True Disciples didn't hold as much power as some of the sect's officers.
But they all had bright futures.
Most True Disciples of the Divine Firmament Dao Sect could advance to the Golden Core Realm. At the very least, they would become elders within the sect.
The more outstanding True Disciples even had to compete with one another for the positions of Sect Leader and Vice Sect Leader.
Wei Henian wasn't one of the very top True Disciples, but he wasn't at the bottom, either.
Honestly, Old Daoist Zhong was still a little wary of him.
If someone hadn't offered him a reward too good to refuse, he really wouldn't have wanted to wade into this mess.
At that moment, Old Daoist Zhong was intimidated by Wei Henian. He was genuinely a little afraid.
A villain like him had feared nothing in his prime!
But he had only a few decades left to live. Now he had to think about his family and children.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, another sound came from outside. The sharp cracks of a series of slaps rang out.
Everyone's gaze was drawn to the doorway.
Even Wei Henian looked over, wanting to see who dared to oppose him.
Before long, a young man appeared.
He wore a golden robe and held a jade fan in one hand. His face was gaunt, and his narrow eyes were half-lidded as he looked at Wei Henian with amusement.
Before you continue