Going Through the Motions

As Li Chen Zhou spoke, four figures emerged from the shadows.

It was none other than the Earthly Fiends Four of the Listening Rain Pavilion: Crippled Foot, Iron Arm Arhat, Soul Severing Blade, and Life Taking Sword.

Li Chen Zhou's gaze swept over them like a blade. Crippled Foot's scarred cheeks twitched slightly, Soul Severing Blade's knuckles gripping the hilt turned white, Iron Arm Arhat's bronze forehead was beaded with sweat, and Life Taking Sword's Adam's apple bobbed. Their gazes briefly met in the air, their backs tense like a pack of beasts scorched by fire.

The four clasped their hands in salute and said, "Greetings, Young Duke. May we inquire as to why the Young Duke has summoned us in this manner?"

"You were the ones who carried out the Chen family massacre, weren't you?" Li Chen Zhou lowered his eyes, playing with the jade pendant at his waist, his thumb stroking the blood-stained纹路 on the mutton-fat white jade.

The four exchanged glances, their vigilance heightened. Soul Severing Blade, the leader, responded, "The Listening Rain Pavilion has no intention of antagonizing the Brocade Guard or the imperial court." Soul Severing Blade forced a smile, and strands of blood oozed from the cracked lines of his lips.

"It's just that the Chen family's business was truly outrageous. We were commissioned by someone to do this." His posture was very low.

"That's right, we hope the Young Duke will be magnanimous and let us off, for the sake of those victimized women." Life Taking Sword's pale cheeks flushed with a sickly red, his voice trembling slightly.

The Listening Rain Pavilion was, after all, a Jianghu organization. If it were truly targeted by the imperial court, with the Brocade Guard's, Eastern Depot's, and Western Depot's powerful intelligence capabilities, destroying the Listening Rain Pavilion would take some effort, but destroying the four of them would be too easy.

"Good that you admit it." With that, Li Chen Zhou took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and threw them over. "This is a private reward for you. Well done."

"Officially, however, I need you to go back and stay in prison for a few days. Will you come with me willingly, or do I need to take action myself?"

Li Chen Zhou's series of actions completely stunned the four.

They looked at each other, unsure of what Li Chen Zhou was up to.

"Young Duke, are you joking?" Iron Arm Arhat said with a simple and honest smile.

Li Chen Zhou's eyes narrowed. "What, do you think I'm joking with you?" With that, he unleashed his full aura.

Seeing Li Chen Zhou release his aura, the four quickly assumed a fighting stance.

Crippled Foot's lame foot ground against the ground, creating a tooth-aching creak as it rubbed against the stone surface. His cloudy eyeballs darted nervously in their sunken sockets. "We just don't want to be enemies with the imperial court. The Young Duke shouldn't treat us like fish on a chopping board."

Li Chen Zhou sneered, "Do you really think you aren't already?"

When dealing with people from the Jianghu, if you don't beat them into submission, they won't compromise.

Li Chen Zhou steadily approached the four, each step increasing the pressure on them.

"In that case, we, the Earthly Fiends Four, will experience the Young Duke's skills."

Iron Arm Arhat, golden Zhenqi covering his arms, leaped forward, striking directly at Li Chen Zhou's face.

With a "thud," the huge iron fist stopped a foot away from Li Chen Zhou's face, and a protective golden bell appeared on Li Chen Zhou's body.

At the point of attack, golden bell patterns and Sanskrit characters flowed, rippling, but Li Chenzhou remained unmoved.

"A little weak," Li Chen Zhou said dismissively.

Immediately following, Crippled Foot attacked from the left, striking directly at his head, his lame foot also stopping a foot away.

"Not even as powerful as that punch."

At the same time, Life Taking Sword suddenly produced a three-foot-long green blade from his sleeve, using the move 'Yellow Springs Beckon' to strike directly at his Qi Sea acupoint.

From above and behind, Soul Severing Blade used a move of cleaving a mountain, the blade energy cutting horizontally at Li Chen Zhou's back.

The four attacked simultaneously, sealing off Li Chen Zhou's retreat from all directions.

But apart from the sound of metal clashing, Li Chen Zhou himself was indeed unscathed.

Seeing that the attack had failed, they were just about to retreat.

Li Chen Zhou roared, "Soul Absorption Art..."

The four were shocked to find that their Zhenqi vanished like a clay ox entering the sea. Crippled Foot's incomplete Yongquan acupoint even transmitted a burning sensation as if being drained.

A moment later, Li Chen Zhou's powerful internal force exploded, sending everyone flying out. Their bodies hit the bluestone road, kicking up dust.

Li Chen Zhou did not make another move.

After a moment, the four got up, clasped their hands, and bowed their heads. "Thank you, Young Duke, for showing mercy." Although it seemed imposing, they had only suffered some superficial injuries.

But the sense of powerlessness in the face of Li Chen Zhou went deep into their hearts.

"Can you come with me now?" Li Chen Zhou asked peacefully, satisfied with the four's attitude.

"Just for a few days?" the swordsman asked cautiously.

"You did a good thing, but it's against the law. Is there a problem with coming back to prison with me for a few days?" Li Chen Zhou asked.

Crippled Foot touched the silver notes that Li Chen Zhou had given him earlier, still with lingering fear.

"Don't worry, this money isn't for buying your lives—after three days in prison, go investigate someone for me."

Hearing this, the four were overjoyed. They had thought they would have to pay a heavy price, and even prepared to fight to the death if Li Chen Zhou pressed them too hard. They didn't expect to receive money. They quickly shook their heads. "No problem, no problem. We will await the Young Duke's instructions."

Li Chen Zhou thought, as expected, they are much more obedient after being beaten into submission. "Then let's go."

The group followed Li Chen Zhou back to the Brocade Guard Captain's office.

Back at the Brocade Guard Captain's office.

Li Chen Zhou saw that the Bookworm was on duty, so he instructed, "Clean up a few guest rooms and put them in prison. Give them good food and drink these few days, don't mistreat them, and let them get lost after three days."

Hearing Li Chen Zhou's instructions, the four were overjoyed. Li Chen Zhou had not lied to them. Being imprisoned in the Brocade Guard's guest rooms meant they could get a good night's sleep these few days.

The Bookworm looked at the four dusty figures, his face full of question marks: "Who are these people?"

Li Chen Zhou responded, "The perpetrator of the Chen family massacre."

Upon hearing Li Chen Zhou's introduction, the Bookworm understood.

Just going through the motions, the task was considered complete.

"Gentlemen, please follow me."

As the group entered the Captain's office, a message echoed in Li Chen Zhou's mind:

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the investigation into the Chen family massacre and bringing the culprit to justice. Reward: 10 years of cultivation."

Li Chen Zhou turned and headed towards the Imperial Prison. Gu Wen was personally appointed by the Emperor as a Tanhua, so if he didn't get something out of him tonight, it would be difficult to explain tomorrow.

Stepping through the gates of the Imperial Prison, Yan San, wiping sweat, emerged from the shadows, the instruments of torture in his hand still dripping with blood. Yan San, who had always been cheerful before, looked rather grim this time.

Seeing the unpleasant look on his face, Li Chen Zhou asked, "What's wrong?"

Yan San's expression was rather unsightly. He said awkwardly, "Not enough time. This kid's bones are harder than the iron locks in the Ministry of Justice Prison... haven't managed to get anything out of him yet."

Seeing Li Chen Zhou's grave expression, as if he were afraid of ruining his reputation, he quickly added, "But give me a little time, and I can definitely pry open this kid's mouth."

Li Chen Zhou said with a solemn expression, "No need, there's no time. I'll do it myself."

"You? Can you do it?" Yan San asked with a face full of doubt.

Li Chen Zhou didn't say much and walked straight into the Imperial Prison.

Under Yan San's guidance, he quickly arrived at Gu Wen's cell.

"Still going to resist?" Li Chen Zhou asked in an icy voice.

Gu Wen, covered in blood and wounds, raised his eyelids and saw that the man was Li Chen Zhou.

A miserable smile appeared on his blood-stained face. "The Young Duke has arrived."

"Gu is but a humble scholar. I don't know why the Young Duke is pressing me so hard?"

"Whether you're just a scholar or not, we'll find out soon enough."

Host: Li Chen Zhou

Martial Arts Realm: Sixth Rank Late Stage (Masterful) (71/90)

Techniques: Thirteen Guardian Golden Bell Shield (Mastery), Three Abyssal Slashes (Mastery), Thousand Faces (Mastery), Soaring Illusionary Steps (Mastery), Hell Soul Exchange Scripture (Mastery), Soul Absorption Art (Mastery)

Divine Technique Attribute Unlocked: 10%

Internal Energy Cultivation: 71 years (Calculated based on an ordinary person practicing basic techniques for one year)

Lifespan: 32 years

Weapon: Blood Demon Blade