Dragging Others into the Water
If Yin Yunze had a worse temper, he really would have taken their heads and sent them to the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau.
Even the commander of the Demon Pursuit Guard who favored Zhou Changqing would most likely not seek revenge for them.
After all, they are the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau, not the God-Slaying Bureau.
Facing a County Princess of Qingping, who is also Principal Third Rank, and a Commander, who is also Principal Third Rank official, he does not have much of an advantage in terms of the Dynastic Karmic Luck.
Not to mention, as the Incense God, Yin Yunze also has other Incense God who are in the same camp as her.
Yin Yunze was wary of the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau and dared not kill any of their people.
Similarly, if the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau, being mortals, were to kill a deity, they would be violating the taboos of the other deities.
For a few mortals who offended the gods, you would kill a third-rank County Princess of Qingping today?
So tomorrow, is it possible to kill another second-rank duke god for the sake of a few mortals?
Will it be possible to kill even a first-rank royal deity in the future?
To be honest, you actually wanted to kill a god of the Emperor level, right?
Even the most fair and just god, how could his subordinates be completely without any flaws?
The key to maintaining peace between the divine and mortal courts was that mortals remained mortals, and gods remained gods.
Perhaps among the gods, for the sake of their followers' authority, they secretly fought like Yin Yunze and the County City God, even to the point of tearing each other apart.
But if any mortal tries to offend them, these gods, who are mortal enemies, will shake hands and make peace, and beat the mortal to death first.
A dog dares to bite people! If we don't kill it and eat it, are we going to keep it for the New Year?!
Of course, similarly, as gods, they cannot interfere too much in the affairs of mortal officials.
Yin Yunze's previous actions had actually come very close to crossing this red line.
However, since no one died, and Yin Yunze was only asking the officials to cooperate.
The disaster relief supplies were not allocated from the government office, but were paid for by Yin Yunze himself, so they did not actually cross the line.
For this reason, the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau's attitude towards deities is mostly one of goodwill.
After all, many times, having a local bigwig like a god to help can reduce a lot of trouble.
The reason the Demon Pursuit Guard Commander sent Zhou Changqing this time was because he discovered that Yin Yunze, a County Princess of Qingping, had appeared in Anqing Prefecture, and wanted to befriend her.
The original intention was to make friends with Zhou Changqing, but how did things turn into enmity?
First, they went to someone else's territory and tried to kill their little demon.
Then someone politely tells you to stop, but you don't listen and insist on hitting them.
So, they didn't do anything to you, yet you killed the Avatar of the County Princess of Qingping without any reason?
Is this something a normal person would do?!
With such evidence, even the head of the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau would have to say, "He deserves to die!"
Even if the worst-case scenario occurs.
Yin Yunze felt that even killing them wouldn't be enough to quell his anger, and the commander of the Demon Pursuit Guard might just use Zhou Changqing's relatives to appease Yin Yunze's rage.
This is what we call prioritizing the overall situation.
It was precisely because he realized that the three of them might become sacrifices for the greater good that Zhou Changqing hurriedly took out the imperial edict.
After all, they had heard along the way that Yin Yunze did not like killing people.
With this good news of the imperial edict, Yin Yunze should be able to let them go.
In fact, Zhou Changqing's guess was not wrong.
If the county princess's dress wasn't that bright red phoenix coronet and embroidered quilt with mandarin duck patterns, Yin Yunze probably wouldn't have cared.
However, Yin Yunze was somewhat annoyed.
"Now, let's talk about how you killed my clone!"
Upon hearing Yin Yunze bring up the matter again, Zhou Changqing's heart sank.
It seems that this Primordial Lady of the Azure Heavens is not as kind as rumored!
"This is all due to my poor leadership!"
With his head bowed, Zhou Changqing said in a deep voice, "I am willing to cut off my own arm. Please forgive our sins, Your Highness!"
Upon hearing Zhou Changqing's words, Yin Yunze couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Seriously?! Was it really necessary to go to such lengths?"
After all, it was just an insignificant Avatar to him, and Yin Yunze didn't really intend for them to repay him with blood.
However, Yin Yunze's frowning expression was misunderstood by Zhao Yuanlang and Zhou Hongxia, who were secretly watching.
"Princess!" Having made up his mind, Zhao Yuanlang gritted his teeth and said, "It was I who injured Your Highness's body. I am willing to sever both of my arms. Please, Your Highness—"
"Hiss----Why did it double?"
Somewhat speechless, Yin Yunze subconsciously glanced at Zhou Hongxia.
Then, Yin Yunze saw that after receiving Yin Yunze's gaze, Zhou Hongxia decisively picked up a long sword and held it to her neck.
"Princess, please forgive my father and senior brother!" Although her arms trembled and tears streamed down her face, Zhou Hongxia said firmly, "This whole affair started because of me, and I will atone with my death!"
"Xia'er!"
"Junior Sister!"
Upon hearing Zhou Hongxia's words, Zhou Changqing and Zhao Yuanlang immediately turned around anxiously.
But then Zhou Hongxia saw that she had already slit her throat with her longsword.
A red line split open from Zhou Hongxia's neck, and blood gushed out immediately.
"Xia'er!"
Zhou Changqing immediately disregarded Yin Yunze and rushed over, covering Zhou Hongxia's wound with his hand.
"Daddy—I'm sorry! I'll never be willful again—"
Looking at Zhou Changqing, tears streamed down Zhou Hongxia's face.
Unable to resist, Zhou Hongxia grabbed Zhou Changqing and said in a tearful voice, "Father, I'm so scared, I don't want to die—"
However, at this moment, Zhou Hongxia felt a chill running through her body, especially around the wound on her neck.
"County Princess?"
However, from Zhou Changqing's perspective, he saw that Zhou Hongxia's wound was covered in ice, which had frozen the wound.
Zhou Changqing naturally knew that it was Yin Yunze, who held the Authority over Frost and Snow, who had done this.
Looking at Yin Yunze, Zhou Changqing, tears streaming down his face, also felt a glimmer of hope. "What happened to you—?"
"Why----"
Looking helplessly at the three of them, Yin Yunze said irritably, "I only said I wanted to talk about you killing my Avatar, I didn't say I wanted you all to die! You two are making it sound like I'm the bad guy!"
As he spoke, Yin Yunze threw several Heal Wounds and Cure Illness at Zhou Hongxia's neck.
Before long, the cut healed.
With the power over healing that Yin Yunze currently holds, she can bring any ordinary mortal back to life as long as they still have a breath left.
"How dare I! How dare I!"
Upon seeing this, Zhou Changqing was overjoyed and quickly said, "This humble official has never thought the county magistrate was a bad person—"
After all, from the very beginning, Zhou Changqing didn't treat Yin Yunze as a human being.
Those fox ears and those nine tails—they don't seem to have anything to do with humans at all.
This County Princess of Qingping is clearly a demon god!
Frowning slightly, Yin Yunze felt that Zhou Changqing's gaze, though seemingly perfectly normal, somehow made her somewhat uncomfortable.
However, at this point, Yin Yunze couldn't say anything that might cause a misunderstanding.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness!"
Having just returned from the brink of death, Zhou Hongxia didn't even dare wipe the blood off her body, and quickly bowed her head to express her gratitude.
"Since you have atoned with your death, then the matter of our Avatar is now settled."
Since the other party has already committed suicide to atone for their sins, Yin Yunze really can't hold onto it any longer.
So, after scanning the room, Yin Yunze returned his gaze to Zhou Changqing and said with a smile, "Old Zhou, let's talk about the medical expenses for your daughter's treatment."
"----?"
Hearing Yin Yunze say this, Zhou Hongxia and Zhao Yuanlang couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.
Zhou Changqing, however, quickly realized what was happening and bowed his head, saying, "What are your orders, County Princess?"
Seeing that Zhou Changqing finally understood his meaning, Yin Yunze nodded and said, "First of all, I want your method of controlling the Dynastic Karmic Luck!"
"I'm so sorry----"
Hearing Yin Yunze's words, Zhou Changqing shook his head with difficulty and said, "Princess, the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau has regulations that this method of Dynastic Karmic Luck must not be passed on to others—we are all bound by restrictions—please forgive me, I cannot do it!"
"Tsk."
Yin Yunze was not surprised by this.
After all, if it were really possible to find just any person from the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau to extract the method of the Dynastic Karmic Luck.
So, a 700-year-old fourth-rank City God wouldn't be completely without any trace of his former self.
Could it be that the old City God has a method he wouldn't bother using?
Furthermore, if this method were so easy to come up with, Yin Yunze wouldn't have been able to obtain the position of the third-rank County Princess of Qingping so easily.
It is estimated that even if Yin Yunze kills them and searches their souls, he will most likely find nothing and will instead incur the suspicion of the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau.
Killing three agents who offended Yin Yunze and thinking about exposing the very foundation of the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau are two different things.
With that in mind, Yin Yunze decisively changed his request. "Then, you'll help me with something next!"
"What is it?"
Although he knew he had little right to refuse, Zhou Changqing couldn't help but ask.
"That's good news!"
Looking at Zhou Changqing, Yin Yunze smiled and narrowed his eyes slightly, saying, "I need your help to solve the drought here!"
Now that dealing with the Tomb of Prince Jing has become something Yin Yunze has no choice but to do.
So what Yin Yunze needs to do now is to find a few more scapegoats to share the blame.
Although Zhou Changqing and the other two might just be cheerleaders in this whole affair.
However, their identity as Supernatural Pursuit Bureau is enough.
Isn't the head of the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau supposed to be in charge?
Yin Yunze is determined to drag his people down with him!
The question is, does Zhou Changqing know anything about the secrets surrounding the Tomb of Prince Jing?
Is that so?
Zhou Changqing nodded in response and said solemnly, "Since it is for the benefit of the people, it is my duty! However, Your Highness, I wonder what role we, your humble servants, can play in this?"
We'll discuss that later.
Yin Yunze had other plans, so he didn't give Zhou Changqing a chance to back out and immediately said, "Alright, since you've agreed, then come find me at the Qingnü Temple in Clear Creek Village!"
"Yes!"
Zhou Changqing had no choice but to agree.
"Hmm! By the way, the lesser demons here are all my subordinates. If they have committed no crime, they must not be harmed lightly!"
After giving his final instructions, Yin Yunze vanished from before the three of them, enveloped in lightning.
"Father!"
Seeing Yin Yunze leave, Zhou Hongxia looked at Zhou Changqing with a very complicated expression.
"Okay, it's alright now!"
Reaching out to stroke Zhou Hongxia's hair, Zhou Changqing naturally couldn't bring himself to scold his daughter, whom he had lost and then found again. "However, you should also understand that your father can't always protect you! You need to understand that when you're out and about, your identity as a member of the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau isn't always useful!"
"I understand!" Zhou Hongxia nodded firmly upon hearing this, saying, "Hongxia will definitely not make such a mistake again."
"That's good!"
After offering a word of comfort to Zhou Hongxia, Zhou Changqing looked at Zhao Yuanlang, who was also feeling guilty, and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "It's all over now. Although there were some twists and turns, we might actually turn this into a blessing in disguise. By helping the County Princess of Qingping with her work, we can improve our relationship with her."
"By the way, Yuanlang, I remember you're also from Clear Creek Village, right?"
Looking at Zhao Yuanlang, Zhou Changqing asked again.
The reason I brought Zhao Yuanlang, my apprentice, along was not only because he was truly talented, but also because he was a local from Clear Creek Village.
"Yes!"
Hearing Zhou Changqing's words, Zhao Yuanlang's expression softened somewhat. "After my brother was demoted, he returned to the village with my sister-in-law and my niece. Although my brother—but perhaps my sister-in-law has some connection with this County Princess of Qingping— "
Zhou Changqing's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he casually added, "If that's the case, we might have to rely on your sister-in-law's connections to ease the tension between us and County Princess of Qingping!"
"This... I guess it probably won't work."
Zhao Yuanlang wasn't sure about this either, and said softly, "My sister-in-law has a gentle temperament, I guess—speaking of which, since I joined the Supernatural Pursuit Bureau and haven't been heard from for so long, the villagers probably all thought I was dead—"
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