Pei Zongyue stood in the middle of the saber scar, rain plastering the hem of his deep-purple uniform against his legs.
Without wasting words, he took a black-and-gold Command Token from his robes and raised it above his head. The word "Judgment" was engraved on its face, and the back bore a mark left personally by the Chief Inspector.
Everyone along the street stared at that Command Token.
Pei Zongyue spoke slowly, but every word rang clear:
"A verbal order from the Chief Inspector."
"Pacification Guard Commander Yi Yang and Nether Spring Office Deputy Chief Inspector Yan Wuyuan led their forces in destroying the Nine Evil Sect's century-old stronghold at Clearwind Ridge, killing five Incense Masters, eight Altar Masters, and over forty sect members, and rescuing dozens of abducted civilians."
"An investigation has confirmed that Wu Jiu, Wu Family Ancestor, was an Incense Master of the Nine Evil Sect. The Wu Family's collusion with the evil sect is established beyond doubt."
"This achievement has served the realm. All subsequent operations to purge the Wu Family, interrogate its members, and confiscate its property shall be placed entirely under the authority of Pacification Guard Commander Yi Yang."
"No one may interfere."
After delivering that final sentence, Pei Zongyue tucked the Command Token back into his robes.
Full authority.
No one could interfere.
Those two statements slapped Xiao Zhengyan across the face more decisively than Yi Yang's saber strike.
Xiao Zhengyan stood in the rain, his tiger-like eyes fixed on Pei Zongyue's profile for three breaths. His right hand clenched and relaxed at his side, then relaxed and clenched again.
The Evil Punishment Office Patrol Guards exchanged looks. None dared move. With the Chief Inspector's order laid before them, no one present had an official hat sturdy enough to withstand it.
At last,