Zhishan stood to Chen Dalu's side. Although he was Sixth-Rank Refining Master, he was caught off guard by Zhou Wuji sword strike.
The main reason was that he didn't expect Zhou Wuji to stab Chen Dalu with his sword; there was absolutely no need for it.
Another point is that Zhou Wuji's sword strike came suddenly and swiftly.
Before he could realize something was wrong, the Seven Star Sword had already pierced Chen Dalu's heart.
Zhishan's expression turned somewhat grim. He felt that Zhou Wuji was too easy to kill, having actually killed Chen Dalu in public.
With his keen senses, Sixth-Rank Refining Master immediately noticed something was wrong. Zhou Wuji's sword hadn't penetrated deeply into Chen Dalu's flesh and didn't seem to have truly injured his heart.
Zhou Wuji didn't intend to kill Chen Dalu; this man was too important, and he couldn't bear the responsibility of killing him in public.
This sword strike was aimed directly at Chen Dalu's Gu worm. He didn't know what the worm was called. Under the lock of the Golden Light Incantation, the Gu worm was compressed into a ball and curled up on Chen Dalu's heart.
With his exquisite Swordsmanship, Zhou Wuji wielded the blade with unparalleled precision, piercing the Gu worm's body.
Before the Gu worm could react, Zhou Wuji flicked his sword and pulled it out.
A five-colored snake, enveloped in golden light, danced in the air as Zhou Wuji twirled the Seven Star Sword in his hand.
The Seven Star Sword's inner Law Power was activated, and with a flash of sword light, it pulverized the Gu worms.
The Gu worms were suppressed by the Golden Light Incantation and destroyed by the Law Power, and their life force was immediately extinguished.
Zhou Wuji glanced at the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment and noticed an extra Gu worm, which could be converted into three taels and nine coins of Origin Mystic Essence.
The Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment already contains four Gu worms, among which the Chen Hao worm that was just killed, Chen Hao, can be transformed into three taels and six qian of Origin Mystic Essence.
However, Chen Dalu's mother Gu was only three taels and nine qian, which was not in line with his status as Sixth Rank Gu master!
Zhou Wuji found it strange. He glanced at Chen Dalu, whose eyes were full of fierce anger, but whose aura was quite weak.
The killing of the Gu worms had a significant impact on Chen Dalu, but fortunately, it wouldn't kill him.
Chen Dagou had tried to dig out the Gu worms to survive that time, and Zhou Wuji could be certain that a Gu Master wouldn't die without Gu worms!
Having figured out the relationship between the Gu worms and the Gu Master, Zhou Wuji no longer had any reservations about taking action.
This move not only yielded three taels and nine coins of Origin Mystic Essence for free, but also weakened Chen Dalu's strength—a win-win situation!
The problem was the amount of Gu worms, but he couldn't say much about it...
The three masters, Zhang Shiheng, Zhiyuan, Zhishan, all realized that Chen Dalu was in bad shape, but not dead.
The three experts didn't think much of it, assuming that Zhou Wuji was trying to weaken Chen Dalu's strength.
Zhang Shiheng snorted coldly, Zhiyuan laughed instead, " Wuji has eliminated the Gu worms, which can be considered as reducing trouble for the Admiral."
Outsiders have no idea what changes might occur with the Gu worms of a Sixth Rank Gu master.
After eliminating Chen Dalu's Gu worms, this man was left with only his martial prowess.
The Pacification Office is specifically responsible for suppressing experts from all sides and is very experienced in this area. They would never let Chen Dalu escape.
Zhang Shiheng was in a very bad mood. Zhiyuan to hold a banquet to lure Chen Dalu out, but Chen Dalu took the initiative to become the host, and ended up falling into Zhiyuan's trap.
It's equivalent to him personally eliminating Chen Dalu and cutting off this important ally!
He felt incredibly wronged and resentful the more he thought about it.
Zhang Shiheng couldn't help but frown, "Host, what evidence do you have to show me?"
Zhiyuan nodded to Zhishan, Zhishan took out a jade bead and activated it with his Law Power, projecting the image of the altar within the secret realm into the air.
Everyone on the third floor of Cloud River Tower could see it very clearly: a crude and simple altar with hundreds of heads piled together.
Many of the officers from the Pacification Office who saw these things also had very grim expressions.
Being an official in the Pacification Office is one thing; actually going out to arrest combat criminals is quite another.
Many of the officials in the Pacification Office were pampered and used their positions to Pacification Office and demand bribes; they had never witnessed such a cruel and bloody scene.
In comparison, the numerous corpses lying haphazardly on the ground seemed insignificant.
Although Zhang Shiheng was filled with anger, he calmed down at this moment.
The Daoist Water Mirror Technique is quite famous. Of course, what the Water Mirror Technique presents may also be some kind of illusion.
But he believed that Zhiyuan wasn't that stupid, and that what he saw must be true.
Zhiyuan said that the blood sacrifice of hundreds of people was nothing just from saying it, but the actual scene he witnessed was very shocking.
Zhang Shiheng glanced coldly at Chen Dalu. This guy really brought this on himself; he deserves it!
Chen Dalu was still quite lucid at this moment, but when he saw the image projected by the Water Mirror Technique, his face immediately turned ashen.
He won't die from losing to Zhiyuan, nor will he die from having the Five Dragons Mother Gu dug out; but he's definitely going to die if the blood sacrifice is exposed!
With things having come to this, Zhang Shiheng had nothing more to say and could only lead his men to escort Chen Dalu away.
As for the Five Dragons Gang members who died, although Zhou Wuji was ruthless, he could not be held accountable for it.
After all, these guys were extremely wicked, and killing them on the spot was a great relief!
Even if the matter is reported, Zhou Wuji might still be commended by his superiors.
Zhang Shiheng said, "I'll have to trouble you, Master, to come to the Pacification Office office and rewrite the case file."
With such a serious incident, all witness testimonies must be recorded, including the entire cause and effect of the incident, and a detailed record must be made into a special case file.
Zhiyuan Zhang Shiheng didn't say it, he would still prepare the case file and submit it to the Heavenly Master's Manor.
After the Pacification Office personnel had all left, Zhiyuan said to Zhou Wuji, "Although these people have committed heinous crimes, you shouldn't have put yourself in such danger. Someone else will deal with them."
Zhou Wuji knew the host meant well, so he nodded and obediently accepted the instruction.
Zhiyuan Zhou Wuji's obedient and polite demeanor, Zhi Yuan sighed inwardly. This kid had brains and talent, but his methods were too ruthless.
Although Daoism does not prohibit killing, the fact that someone like Zhou Wuji would draw a sword and certain death would ultimately draw criticism.
Although he wanted to use Zhou Wuji's sword, he didn't want Zhou Wuji to kill too many people.
Zhiyuan gave him further advice before calling over Daoist Yiding and instructing him to lead a group of people to deal with the numerous corpses.
Capturing Chen Dalu solved a major problem.
However, the Five Dragons Gang also had thousands of boatmen, whose livelihoods were intertwined with that of countless others.
Handling this matter properly will be by no means easy.
If the Five Dragons Gang is truly driven to riot or even rebellion, Zhang Shiheng will certainly bear heavy responsibility, but he will not be able to escape it either.
Zhiyuan said to Daoist Yiping and Zhou Wuji, "You two will come with me to the Pacification Office office later."
Zhishan said from the side, "You did very well in this assessment. I will report it to the Heavenly Master's Manor."
"Once the Heavenly Master's Manor verifies and approves your application, you'll receive your ordination certificate in two months."
Zhou Wuji bowed deeply and thanked Zhiyuan for Zhiyuan presiding and also thanked Zhishan.
The Pacification Office's yamen was located in the west of the city, with a very imposing stone archway at the entrance bearing the three large characters: Pacification Office.
The words "Impartial and incorruptible" and "Clear and discerning" are written on the left and right sides respectively.
Beyond the archway lies a vast, interconnected compound, likely containing not only government offices but also numerous residences.
There are hardly any idlers here; everyone coming and going is neatly dressed, either an official or a merchant, and you won't see any poor people at all.
Zhou Wuji looked around, trying his best to remember the layout of the surrounding buildings.
The Zhang Household is being aggressive; they might need to come here on business in the future, so it's always good to remember the surrounding environment and terrain.
His Divine Sense grew stronger and stronger, and he also gained some knowledge of architectural layouts. In the short time it took him to ride his horse around, he also gained a general understanding of the surrounding environment.
The people from the Pacification Office treated Zhou Wuji very politely. One of their guards even accompanied Zhou Wuji, reminding him of the format requirements for writing case files, and so on.
Zhou Wuji understood that this was a gesture of Zhiyuan. If he were alone here, the Pacification Office would never have been so polite to him.
Zhiyuan was very experienced. He checked Zhou Wuji's written testimony and made him revise some inappropriate parts to avoid leaving any incriminating evidence.
Zhiyuan allow Zhou Wuji to sign and put his fingerprint on the document.
Zhiyuan did not want to stay at the Pacification Office, and immediately took Zhou Wuji back to the Lower Court after finishing his business.
Zhiyuan instructed Zhou Wuji, " The Pacification Office will handle the rest. You should stay in the Lower Court and avoid going out to prevent trouble."
Zhou Wuji nodded in agreement.
He really wanted to visit Old Dragon Island.
Those guys from the Five Dragons Gang deserve to die. His sword is fast, so he's perfect for this job.
He wasn't after the reward of the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment...
The Five Dragons Gang has been operating for decades, accumulating a fortune beyond measure!
What a pity, this windfall is bound to fall into the hands of the Pacification Office...
Zhiyuan was still worried, and he said earnestly, "You stole the show today. Not to mention others, even Zhang Shiheng doesn't like you."
He knew that Zhou Wuji's Swordsmanship was superb, but today he witnessed Zhou Wuji kill a group of experts from the Five Dragons Gang and even break Chen Dalu's mother Gu with his sword in front of Zhang Shiheng, which still shocked him greatly.
Such ruthless and decisive methods are far too sharp and ruthless.
Even Zhang Shiheng was likely wary of Wuji, let alone the other officials from the Pacification Office present.
The methods Pacification Office are extraordinary; we must be extremely cautious.
The Five Dragons Gang affair involves many vested interests, and Zhou Wuji, unaware of the implications, has become involved. He might not even know how he died.
Zhou Wuji knew that Zhiyuan meant well, so he sincerely said, "I will stay in the Flying Profound Hall and not go anywhere else. I will not cause any trouble for myself."
Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It's good that you understand the principle. Once you pass the test, just relax and wait to get your ordination certificate."
Seeing that Zhiyuan was in a good mood, Zhou Wuji couldn't help but ask, "Abbot, I've heard that the Yuheng Lineage's Swordsmanship is incredibly profound. Is there any opportunity for me to learn it?"
Zhiyuan pondered for a moment and then sighed softly, " The Secret Method of each lineage are not passed on to outsiders. If you want to learn the Secret Method of another lineage, you either need to become True Disciple of the sect leader or make great contributions to the sect..."
Zhiyuan also abhorred the infighting among the seven factions, which was almost the root cause of the decline of the Northern Pole Sect.
Human talents are divided into different categories; some are good at swordsmanship, some at alchemy, and some at talisman making.
Each of the seven branches of the Northern Pole Sect has its own Secret Method, which could have been taught according to individual aptitude.
Internal strife forces people to choose only one lineage's Secret Method. By the time they discover their true talents, they are no longer able to learn the Secret Method of other lineages.
In the beginning, with a wealth of talent, these problems were not a big deal.
As time went on, the drawbacks of this problem became increasingly serious, leading to a decline in the number of talented individuals in the sect.
However, the conflicts between the seven factions have a long history and cannot be changed by a few people.
Zhiyuan had a better understanding of his own limitations; as a Fifth Rank scripture teacher, he had no say in the Upper Court.
The drawbacks of the infighting within the Seven Families were beyond his control. The situation was complex and couldn't be explained in a few words, let alone to a junior Wuji.
Zhiyuan mumbled a few words and left quickly.
When Zhou Wuji returned to the Flying Profound Hall, Shangxing and Yang Tie Ying hurriedly came to greet him. Shangxing, with his sweet tongue, immediately flattered him, saying, "I heard that Uncle defeated the Five Dragons Gang's experts at Cloud River Tower, scaring the Pacification Office so much that they almost wet their pants!"
"In this battle, my martial uncle greatly enhanced the prestige of our Lower Court and let outsiders know that my martial uncle's swordsmanship is unparalleled..."
Zhou Wuji laughed heartily. Although the child's flattery was direct, he found it quite effective.
Yang Tie Ying also wanted to praise his master, but he was tongue-tied and a little embarrassed. His face flushed, and he managed to squeeze out, "Master is awesome!"
Zhou Wuji burst into laughter...