Wherever One Looked, Soldiers Appeared

The two "porters" seemed quite familiar with the layout of the Zhen Estate. Like old hands on a familiar road, they skirted the guards, retainers, and family disciples stationed along the way. In the time it took to drink two cups of tea, they had arrived near Riverwave Hall.

They paused, concealing themselves in the shadows along the side of the building rather than rushing inside.

One of the "porters" was Ma Hanjiang, the Small Boat Gang's leader, in disguise. He turned his gaze toward the other man.

Riverwave Hall was currently packed with people and no shortage of experts—an ideal place for the other man to show his hand.

Ma Hanjiang only hoped that once chaos erupted, they could fight swiftly, secure some gains, and immediately withdraw from the Zhen Estate.

In his view, it was enough for this operation to show that the Small Boat Gang would repay every grievance. They absolutely could not be discovered by the county yamen or prefectural yamen. Otherwise, the Small Boat Gang's public foundations would be uprooted entirely. After all, the envoy beside him came from the Twenty-One Paths of Evil Demons' Overturned Boat Faction, one of the publicly acknowledged Nine Hells Ranking—an evil god and a Martial Grandmaster of Subtlety.

The other man raised his conical hat a little higher, revealing a face that seemed to have been soaked in white dye and crimson lips that looked as though they had been cast from the material of a bird's beak.

His bloodthirsty, vicious eyes shifted. Specks of radiance emerged in the air around him, faintly outlining a great eagle with a white head, red beak, and black spots. His hands slid out from his sleeves as well, shaped like tiger claws.

An indescribable vicious aura and killing intent rippled outward, spreading soundlessly through the surroundings and into Riverwave Hall.

Ma Hanjiang hurriedly steadied his mind to resist the influence.

Yet the more he suppressed his emotions, the more unwilling he felt:

Why could the Four Waters Gang set traps for the Small Boat Gang, but the Small Boat Gang could not strike back?

Why could the Zhen Family stir up so much trouble, but the Small Boat Gang could not take sweeping revenge?

Why? Why?

Later, I'll make the Zhen Family's blood flow into rivers!

At the top of the tallest Watchtower, a prefectural yamen constable hurried up. Without pausing to salute, he handed a sheet of paper to Tao Wenshu.

"Sect Master Tao, the Martial Prohibition Bureau in the Flame Capital has sent a reply.

"They've identified three members of the Ding Family!"

Ever since Zheng Zhuxi had informed the prefectural yamen of Ding Songyan's question and her own suspicions the previous night, the authorities had dispatched people to watch the Ding Family members separately. They had also drawn portraits, compared them against wanted lists, and sent reports to the Flame Capital's Martial Prohibition Bureau overnight through three different channels. Ning Prefecture lay next to the Flame Capital, so the reply had arrived today.

This did not mean the authorities had decided that the Ding Family was definitely suspicious. The Zhen Estate was the greater concern. But since Second Brother Ding was involved, every one of those close to him had to be investigated.

After Tao Wenshu accepted the paper, Zheng Zhuxi curiously leaned over to inspect the portrait and read the text below it.

On the first sheet, she saw Ding Shengyi. Yet two feelers covered in blood-colored scales protruded from his temples, and his skin had a reddish cast.

The accompanying description read:

Qiu Chen, disciple of the Moth God Sect in Feng Kingdom. Ranked in the Death-Intent Hell on the Nine Hells Ranking, evaluated as Divination. Forty-five years old. Previously active only in Feng and Yu. In pursuit of the ultimate Moth Species, he turned his fellow disciples into Mothmen and was expelled from the Moth God Sect. He has brought disaster upon one region.

He wanted to turn Moth Father and Moth Mother into Mothmen too, just to see whether there would be better and stronger transformations? As expected of someone on the Nine Hells Ranking... Zheng Zhuxi clicked her tongue in astonishment, feeling that "Ding Shengyi" was even somewhat pure in his devotion.

The Nine Hells Ranking had been established jointly by the foremost prestigious righteous sects. It recorded notorious figures among evil demons and the Outer Dao, making it easier for martial artists to track them or gauge their strength when encountering them.

It was divided into the Ninefold Nether Hells, with each hell corresponding to a level among evil demons and the Outer Dao. Death-Intent Hell was the sixth hell, representing Divination of the Dayan Realm. Evil-God Hell was the seventh hell, representing Martial Grandmasters of the Law Realm.

"The Ding Family really does have a problem. Second Brother Ding truly had wolves before him and tigers behind him, while his own body was trapped in a demon's den." Zheng Zhuxi could not help sighing.

After reading Ding Shengyi's page, Tao Wenshu turned to the second sheet. It depicted Ding Daniu, but his body was covered in horsehair, he possessed a serpent's tail, and even his feet had become hooves.

Li Zhi, between twenty-two and twenty-five years old. Origin unknown. Possesses the Secret Script of the Ten Celestial Powers. A great bandit of New Yu. Ranked in the Soul-Qi Hell on the Nine Hells Ranking, evaluated as Transcendent. He often kills people at random by the roadside, seeking neither beauty nor wealth. However, he has been discovered several times in brothels and escaped by luck.

"There are already two people from the Nine Hells Ranking in the Ding Family. They're really something..." Zheng Zhuxi shook her head as she read.

To enter the Nine Hells Ranking, one either had to possess formidable strength, be guilty of monstrous crimes, or possess outstanding potential.

Tao Wenshu quickly turned to the third page.

This one depicted Liu Yuzao. Her face was beautiful, with no abnormalities.

Qi Xiaoxiang, between forty and forty-five years old. Origin unknown. Martial arts unknown. Evil deeds not apparent. Three years ago, a riot broke out among the miners of First Mountain. They slaughtered one another, and she was suspected of orchestrating it. More than three hundred people died as a result, and First Mountain Copper had no output for half a year. Since she has only been active in Yu and Gan, her other deeds are unknown. Judging by her appearance, she likely has a cultivation method that conceals her, or someone frequently covers for her.

Tao Wenshu handed the three sheets to Zheng Zhuxi, then looked toward the constable serving as a messenger.

"Inform Prefect Lin that he may personally visit the Zhen Family now. He must delay whatever may happen.

"Immediately replace those watching Qiu Chen, Li Zhi, and Qi Xiaoxiang. They must be at least Transcendent."

Before the constable turned to leave the Watchtower, he used the paper and brush prepared within to write down the two instructions. He then handed the sheet to a Yi Family disciple responsible for routine surveillance.

The Yi Family disciple first wrapped the paper around an arrow shaft and secured it. Then he aimed at the Watchtower in the north of the city, drew his bowstring, and fired the white-feathered arrow.

The arrow shot forward with a whoosh. Even after a hundred zhang, it had not slowed, nor had it caught fire.

It crossed nearly half the city, gradually slowing and descending, yet it flew unerringly into the northern Watchtower and was caught by a palm covered in blue-black scales.

After the prefectural yamen constable descended the Watchtower, Zheng Zhuxi glanced at the two Yi Family disciples engrossed in surveillance and quietly asked her mother, Tao Wenshu, "Mother, why didn't you simply protect Second Brother Ding directly? Why did you still let him enter the Zhen Estate?

"You were clearly already watching the Zhen Estate and the Ding Family members."

Tao Wenshu tilted her head slightly and glanced at Zheng Zhuxi.

"By the time I grasped the full situation, Second Brother Ding had already entered the Zhen Estate.

"As for Prefect Lin and the others, what do you think is more important—the possible whereabouts of Kunlun, or Second Brother Ding?"

This... Zheng Zhuxi froze.

Tao Wenshu spoke gently, though there was obvious instruction in her voice.

"If you truly wanted to save Second Brother Ding, you should have found another reason last night to report to the county yamen and prefectural yamen, rather than laying Second Brother Ding's question bare before them. You had to make them take it seriously, but not too seriously. Do not think that everyone is like you, believing that human lives outweigh all else.

"Your heart is sincere, you rush to the public good and uphold justice, and you pity the poor and protect the weak. Mother is very pleased. But there are methods to doing things. You cannot think that if you are well and I am well, then everyone will be well. You are still too young and lack experience in the martial world. Only by suffering more lessons will you avoid taking a great loss in the future."

Zheng Zhuxi's mind was in chaos. At times, she felt, How could they do this? At others, she was filled with regret and guilt.

Tao Wenshu continued, both comforting and admonishing her.

"Do you think Prefect Lin and the others are simply wrong, that they are indifferent to Second Brother Ding's danger?

"But have you considered that if this truly concerns the whereabouts of Kunlun, and the wicked people of the evil path obtain it and enter the Celestial Emperor's palace, the world may very well fall into chaos in the future, and all living beings may suffer devastation.

"Before they have absolute certainty, Prefect Lin and the others do not want to alert the enemy. They do not want to force the Zhen Estate and those wicked people of the evil path into leaping over the wall in desperation. That would not only risk the leak of information about Kunlun, but would also very likely implicate innocent people in the city."

Zheng Zhuxi wanted to argue, but found herself unable to form the words.

She herself felt that her mother's words made some sense.

But was it truly right to stand by and watch an innocent person fall into danger?

Tao Wenshu said softly, "Xixi, many matters and many choices are not black and white, not simply right or wrong. More often, they are gray, containing both right and wrong.

"Train well in martial arts. Only when your martial arts are strong can you put the Dao in your heart into practice. Only then, after understanding the complexity of the world, will you still be willing to shine a candle upon the long night."

As she spoke, Tao Wenshu turned to look toward the south of the city.

"Within an hour, the Yi Family head will arrive aboard a colored ship-carriage. The Chongwu Sect's Gold-and-Silver Twin Swords will be the same.

"In another half day, Senior Tian of the Divine Firmament Sect may arrive as well.

"As long as we can delay things a little longer, those evil demons and followers of the Outer Dao will not be able to raise any storms. The longer we delay, the less danger Second Brother Ding will face. Then saving him will be as easy as turning over one's hand."

The Divine Firmament Sect was located in Night Prefecture, west of Ning Prefecture. Its supreme elder, Tian Shuyu, was one of Great Zhao's three Transcendent Ones.

From last night until now, the Dingjiang Prefecture authorities appeared to have done nothing, yet they had quietly laid down a net that covered heaven and earth.

Zheng Zhuxi's eyes shifted slightly as she sank into thought in confusion.

Within Riverwave Hall of the Zhen Estate.

Old Master Zhen, Zhen Qianfan, placed his right hand on the wooden box containing huai fruit. He first looked at Su Chongxiao of the Celestial Maiden Sect, then toward Ren Youyang of the True Spirit Sect, and said in a low voice, "That promise is not complicated, nor does it involve anything else.

"If the Zhen Estate faces danger within three days, I hope you will lend aid once. So long as it does not endanger your own lives. If nothing happens over those three days, the promise will be considered fulfilled.

"I wonder who can accept this promise?"

Hearing this, Ren Youyang's face darkened, and his pair of canine ears stood high.

The guard behind him, Meng Qingze, was inexplicably enraged, a surge of resentment rising within him.

Meng Qingze, whose face bore strange patterns along the sides, cultivated the True Spirit Karma-Rank Scripture, one of the True Spirit Sect's two fundamental cultivation methods.

This cultivation method offered three choices, corresponding to three different paths. The first was the Useless Divine Art, the second was Spirit Invocation Possession, and the third was Ghost Indwelling. Meng Qingze had chosen the last.

Influenced by evil ghosts, he was often steeped in heavy yin energy, his murderous intent difficult to restrain. He had no choice but to chant scriptures and worship gods daily, suppressing his desires to maintain balance.

At this moment, he felt a chill surge up from the depths of his heart. Evil ghosts whispered constantly into his ears, telling him to kill everyone he found displeasing and drink deeply of hot blood.

Why am I the only one who has to suffer this torment?

Why do those who choose Spirit Invocation Possession, those who cultivate the "Chapter of the Dao Following Nature," not need to endure this?

Why?

His killing intent condensed. Meng Qingze suddenly turned sideways and struck at the fellow disciple beside him, Qin Li, who cultivated the Spirit Invocation Method.

A trace of ghostly green stained his palm. It vanished strangely midway, then appeared just as strangely before Qin Li's chest and slammed into it.