A Moonless, Windy Night

Elder Song nodded slightly. "If we're hiring, then hire people who are truly capable. The academy can afford the cost."

Elder Zhuang added coolly, "We need to thoroughly investigate the character of anyone we bring back. Don't invite wolves into the sheep pen."

Chen Xuan nodded. "I'll keep an eye on them."

Mu En finally spoke. "Lin'er, briefly explain the key figures in the proposal to the elders."

Xian Lin'er acknowledged him, rose to her feet, and clearly laid out several core figures.

Which areas required how many Soul Tools, and what level of equipment each batch of students would need.

How many additional instructors the Outer Court would need after classes began, and how many phases the Inquisitorial Legion's equipment deployment would require.

She did not speak quickly, but every figure was precise, leaving no room for criticism.

Qian Duoduo also gathered his courage and added a few words, focusing on the current manpower shortage and the three-year training plan.

After they finished, Yan Shaozhe finally spoke slowly.

"Mu En, esteemed elders, the Martial Soul Department is willing to cooperate with the Soul Tool Department's proposal in principle.

"We will coordinate the Outer Court curriculum. As for graduation assessments, as long as the Sea God Pavilion makes its decision, the Martial Soul Department will not hold things back."

He paused, and his tone shifted.

"But I also have a bottom line. The Soul Tool Department can develop, certainly.

"But it cannot do so by squeezing the Martial Soul Department's normal teaching. Shrek's foundation is still martial souls.

"The two departments can be given equal importance, but neither can be neglected."

Chen Xuan looked at him, his tone neither warm nor cold. "Don't worry. The Martial Soul Department won't lose a single share of what it deserves.

"It's just that some resources need to be redistributed. Even if it pains you, you'll have to endure it."

Yan Shaozhe smiled and nodded. "Elder Xuan is right. I'll yield what should be yielded."

Yet the hand resting on his knee had slowly clenched into a fist.

Chen Xuan saw it but said nothing more. He had applied the pressure that needed to be applied. The rest depended on what Yan Shaozhe chose to do.

Mu En set down his teacup and said softly, "Enough. Xuanzi will handle the Inquisitorial Legion.

"Lin'er and Shaozhe, see to the Soul Tool Department's proposal. Submit the implementation details within three days."

He looked at Elder Lin. "Huiqun, keep a closer watch on the audit.

"As long as there is concrete evidence, deal with it immediately once the investigation is complete. No matter who is involved, show no leniency."

Lin Huiqun immediately agreed.

Upon hearing this, the last trace of Chen Xuan's concern faded away.

Mu En had publicly given him the clearest possible stance: investigate, then act. No delays, no protection.

Mu En gave everyone one last look, his tone calm. "Dismissed. Those with work to do, go do it."

Everyone rose, bowed, and filed out of the meeting hall.

Chen Xuan left last. As he passed Mu En, he paused and said quietly, "Mu En, thank you for today."

Mu En's eyes were half-closed, as though he were already sleepy. He merely gave a soft hum.

Chen Xuan did not disturb him further and strode out.

Outside the Sea God Pavilion, the sun was shining brightly.

He stood on the steps, rolled his shoulders, and suddenly smiled.

"Now it's time to get serious."

That night, Chen Xuan had originally thought those people would at least wait a while. Even if they did not bow their heads and admit their mistakes, they would at least put on an act for a few days, or pull some strings to tentatively plead for mercy. Yet he never expected Elder Lin's people to come looking for him before night had fully fallen.

"Elder Xuan, they've moved. More than one group."

Chen Xuan was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.

"Well, well. I thought they could hold out for a few more days. The meeting only just ended, and they're already running that very night. Fine. They've got even more nerve than I thought."

He threw on an outer robe, a flash of cold light passing through his eyes.

"Since they don't want to leave with dignity, then they can forget about dignity."

That night, Shrek City saw no rain, yet the cold was biting.

Several Sea God Pavilion elders moved almost at the same time.

Chen Xuan took command in the northern district. Elder Song went east. Elder Lin's people had long since planted hidden sentries at several city gates, waiting for their prey to walk into the trap. Yan Shaozhe had already returned to the Martial Soul Department, but when he received word, he did not refuse. He personally led several trusted subordinates to West Street.

They did not make a grand display, nor did they alarm the ordinary citizens. The night provided the best cover.

In the northern district, three black-robed figures mingled among a merchant caravan traveling at night and headed toward the city gate.

They suppressed their Soul Power to an extremely low level, and their steps were unhurried. They looked no different from ordinary travelers.

Yet seven or eight attendants disguised as shop clerks followed behind them, all carrying cargo crates. Hidden beneath the crates were account books and Soul Tool components that had not yet been disposed of.

Chen Xuan stood atop a roof, looking down at them from above.

"There are quite a few of you." He raised a brow. "You even want to empty out your entire households? You really think highly of yourselves."

His figure flashed, and he landed in the middle of the alley entrance, blocking their path.

Moonlight shone over his grizzled hair, as though it had coated the old man in a layer of frost.

"Where are you going?" Chen Xuan asked, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his tone as casual as if he were making small talk.

The leading black-robed man stiffened all over before forcing a smile. "Elder Xuan, we're only taking a trip..."

"Drop the act." Chen Xuan interrupted him. "You aren't the only group taking a trip tonight.

"What, are all of you rushing out to announce someone's death to the outside world?"

The black-robed man was Han Tai, a deacon at one of the Inquisitorial Legion's northern district branches. His Soul Power was formidable; he had already reached the level of a Titled Douluo.

Seeing that things had gone wrong, he barked at the people behind him, "Scatter!"

The seven or eight people behind him had barely begun to move when Chen Xuan took a step forward.

Ninety-eighth-rank Soul Power crushed down upon them like an entire mountain collapsing.

Han Tai's face turned deathly pale. He tried to resist, but his knees gave way, and he was forced to his knees.

The attendants behind him fared even worse. Some were pressed flat against the ground on the spot, unable to lift even a finger.

The cargo crates slammed onto the ground, spilling account books and Soul Tool parts across the street.

"Han Tai." Chen Xuan slowly paced over and looked down at him.

"You're an old hand in the Inquisitorial Legion. When you first joined, you even called me Elder Xuan.

"And now look at you. You're quite quick when it comes to running away."

Han Tai's face was ashen, his lips trembling, but in the end, he could not say a word.

Chen Xuan no longer looked at him and said coldly, "Take them all away. Seal the crates. Not a single item is to go missing."

Almost identical scenes played out in the east and west of the city.

On Elder Song's side, someone tried to climb over the city wall.

That person was also at the Titled Douluo level and had considerable influence within the Inquisitorial Legion.

Yet before he could clear the wall, Elder Song struck him down from midair with an invisible lash of Soul Power. He crashed heavily onto the ground and fainted on the spot.

Leaning on her wooden staff, Elder Song walked over and glanced down at him. "Take him away. Lock him up for now. Don't let him die. Death would be too easy for him."

Yan Shaozhe led his people to surround a residence on West Street. When those inside realized the situation had turned against them, they actually tried to burn the evidence.

Yan Shaozhe gave them no chance. The moment his Bright Phoenix martial soul appeared, a blazing pressure engulfed the entire street.

Within three moves, all those who tried to resist had their Soul Power stripped away and were pinned to the ground, unable to move.