Heavenly Demon Palace, Tianmo Peak
Mo Lie, Palace Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace, had just received a report from the Black-Robed Guards. The group known as "Tianya Haijiao" had withdrawn their personnel monitoring the outskirts of the Heavenly Demon Palace.
"Hmph! Have they given up hope because Mo Yue hasn't returned, or is there some other change?"
A Black-Robed Guard beside him replied, "Someone brought half a map to 'Tianya Haijiao' and asked them to complete the pursuit. The map seems to be the reward."
"I am the Palace Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace. Not just anyone can spy on us. A low-tier organization dares to come knocking. Arrange for all who watched the Heavenly Demon Palace to be killed."
"Yes, Palace Master."
After "Tianya Haijiao" received news that the recalled personnel were intercepted and killed halfway, Jue Zūnshàng flew into a rage but eventually held back.
After all, their opponent was the head of the demon sect. If they fought to the death, only they would suffer. For now, killing the watchers was only a warning.
Heavenly Sword Sect, Law Enforcement Hall
Jian Dan arrived punctually at the Law Enforcement Hall today. The jade slips on the desk had significantly decreased, leaving only routine reports.
Qi Hua had been on duty at the Law Enforcement Hall for three days and had basically gotten a handle on the daily affairs. On her first day, when she wore the sect's standard white robe to report, Jian Dan had glanced curiously. Qi Hua immediately adjusted her robe, bowed respectfully, and asked,
"Zūnshàng, is there anything improper about Qi Hua?"
"Not at all. I'm just used to seeing you in the red robe. This white robe suits you well, giving you a heroic air."
"Thank you for the compliment, Zūnshàng."
After this small exchange, Qi Hua immersed herself in daily law enforcement duties.
"Zūnshàng, Jian Po Zūnzhě from the 'Punishment' Hall requests an audience!"
"Let her in."
"Yes!" Qi Hua turned to invite Jian Po Zūnzhě into the hall.
Jian Po, also wearing the sect's standard robe, entered gracefully and saluted Jian Dan.
"'Punishment' Hall's Jian Po pays respects, Zūnshàng!"
"Sit, no need for such formality. It's been a while since we last met at Black Wind Ravine."
Jian Dan smiled warmly.
"Zūnshàng still remembers me. It's my honor," Jian Po replied.
"Do you have news to report today?"
"Yes! The Fu family's main line has been completely dealt with. The collateral branches involved with evil cultivators or harm to the sect have also been handled."
"Good. Don't leave any loose ends."
"Yes, rest assured, Zūnshàng. The 'Punishment' Hall is known for having no survivors. Also, one of the main line Zūnzhǔ revealed the location of a powerful legacy estate in exchange for his life. This is the map."
Jian Po handed a jade slip to Qi Hua beside Jian Dan. Qi Hua checked it carefully, then passed it to Jian Dan.
Jian Dan scanned the jade slip with his divine sense. His brow furrowed. The powerful legacy estate was located deep in the sea near Cloud Sea Sect. This gave Jian Dan pause.
Jian Po noticed Jian Lu Zūnzhǔ's expression but could only say, "When we were exterminating him, the 'Punishment' Hall searched his soul. The information matched what he said. This news should be reliable."
"Understood. Since the estate is near Cloud Sea Sect, if our sect acts, it will surely alert them. I'll consider whether to send someone to scout first."
"It's up to you, Zūnshàng."
"This mission was well done. Please give my regards to your master."
Jian Dan wiped his storage bracelet. A pot of spirit wine and a brocade box appeared on the desk.
"The spirit wine is homemade, for your master to try. The brocade box is my gift to you."
Jian Po gratefully accepted the gifts and left the hall, returning to the 'Punishment' Hall. Later, Jian Po opened the box to find a three-thousand-year-old Yan fruit. She clicked her tongue, impressed by the generosity. She turned to present the wine and box to her master Jian Tuo for appraisal.
"Since it was given, accept it happily. This wine smells good. You'll accompany me in tasting it."
Only then did Jian Po relax and store the gifts in her bracelet.
Less than an hour after Jian Po left, Jian Sheng hurried into the hall.
"Zūnshàng, the two Golden Core teams have been found. They are trapped in the Ziyu Mountain Range. This is the latest news from the 'Tracking' Hall."
Jian Dan scanned the jade slip. The message was read. It seemed the evil cultivators had already stretched their hands into Heavenly Sword Sect.
"Send a message to Jian Gui. Let him and Yue Liang go rescue them. The 'Tracking' Hall will assist."
"Yes, I'll go at once."
"Wait."
Jian Dan called out to Jian Sheng just as he was about to leave.
"Tell Jian Gui to find the root cause of where our sect's cultivators are trapped, even if it means digging three feet underground."
"Yes."
Jian Dan tossed the jade slip onto the desk, rubbing his temples, then said to Qi Hua,
"Take my hall master token and summon a 'War' Hall team. Half Divine Soul and half Void Refinement cultivators. Have them depart immediately for Yaoguang City. Before they leave, I want to see the team leader."
Jian Dan handed over his "War" Hall master token to Qi Hua. She respectfully accepted and went to issue the order.
In a short time, Qi Hua returned with a burly Void Refinement cultivator.
"'War' Hall's Tianyue squad, ready for orders."
"No need for formalities. This team will assist in rescuing the trapped cultivators in Yaoguang City. Afterward, they will patrol the seven major cities under Heavenly Sword Sect jurisdiction. I will not tolerate another incident like Yaoguang City."
"Yes, Hall Master! Understood."
"Jian Gui will be part of your squad to help complete the mission."
"Understood. We will depart immediately."
With these arrangements settled, Jian Sheng returned with news.
"Zūnshàng, I have some interesting news."
Jian Dan, ready to rest for a moment, asked, "What news? Tell me."
"The 'Tianya Haijiao' spies sent to watch Heavenly Demon Palace were all exterminated."
"That is being polite. It was just a warning."
"Indeed, as you said, 'Tianya Haijiao' held back their anger, but the pursuit of Du Yanran has restarted."
Jian Dan smiled and said,
"Du Yanran's trick of watching the fight from the sidelines has been exposed. She also caused them to lose so many people. Naturally, someone has to be the scapegoat."
"True. She even leaked that the other half of the map is with Mo Yue Zūnzhǔ."
Coughing slightly, Jian Dan didn't mind and asked,
"How is her luck? How many heavenly materials and earthly treasures have your men recovered?"
"With us and the Hua family watching her, she has no protector now. She's wandering, evading pursuit, her opportunities are pitiful. Every time, either we or the Hua family get there first. The treasures will never fall into Du Yanran's hands."
"Good. Keep watching her closely. She's skilled at using those around her and has unusual luck. Even with constant suppression, she still finds good things. But don't squeeze her too hard. Let her have a few treasures occasionally."
"Yes, I understand."
"Tomorrow, I want to meet with several 'War' Hall team leaders. Besides Tianyue squad, notify the others to come to the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Yes."
Jian Sheng exchanged a glance with Jian Wu nearby. They lowered their heads in tacit agreement. It looked like Zūnshàng was freeing up time to reorganize the 'War' Hall.