Black Mountain Government Office!
Liu Tieyi stepped forward.
He glanced at Chen Zhenwu, contemplating his words:
"Department Head, Jiang Zhou hails from 'Cyan Stone Lane,' a chaotic place with average morals, often experiencing theft and robbery. This Official Order was left at home unattended and was inevitably stolen. It's not something that can be helped."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhou clung to it as if grasping at a lifeline, quickly agreeing, frowning with a hint of resentment towards Chen Wu:
"Yes!"
"I have little interaction with this person. Perhaps during the festivities held by my family due to my promotion, in a moment of negligence, this person took advantage of the opportunity and stole this order."
"Please understand, Department Head, Jiang Zhou is completely unaware of this matter!"
The situation had escalated to a point where anyone keenly observing knew what was truly happening.
Chen Wu made muffled sounds, staring at Jiang Zhou wide-eyed, filled with incredulity. Were it not for the gag in his mouth, he would have cursed outright.
Meanwhile, Chen Zhenwu narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Liu Tieyi, chuckling a couple of times, just as he intended to rise.
Suddenly,
A crisp voice echoed throughout the government office:
"Since both parties have their own explanations, why not have a fight to see who wins or loses?"
"In this world, justice lies in the strength of fists, not in endless twists and turns."
"The downside of the government offices and city administrations is the need to adhere to rules for everything."
"How about this, I'll be the arbiter and have the two of them sign a 'Life and Death Contract,' and whoever loses will have no ground. Agreed?"
A young girl, no older than eighteen or nineteen, carrying an air of boldness between her brows, swaggered through the main entrance of the Black Mountain Government Office, straight up to Chen Zhenwu.
Then, she slammed a copper 'Demon Hunting Order' on the table, with a 'thud,' capturing everyone's attention.
"Miss Xie? I thought you were returning to the Demon Hunting Department for duty." Chen Zhenwu's eyes narrowed, seemingly recognizing the young girl.
The girl addressed as 'Miss Xie' sat down rudely, took some fruits from the plate on the side, munching as she murmured in reply:
"I was about to leave... but then I noticed something was happening, didn't expect to witness quite a show..."
Amid her vague words, her eyes, filled with keen interest, fell upon Jixia:
"You, yes, you."
"I, as part of the 'Black Mountain Demon Hunting Department,' with eyes like fire that discern right from wrong, favor your words over the others."
"But since both are 'constables' and have entered the Martial Artist path, for fairness sake..."
She elongated her tone:
"Defeat him, show me your fists, and I will rule in your favor!"
"Anyone who disagrees can come to the Inner City Demon Hunting Department and find me, Xie Wutong!"
Demon Hunting Department!
With responsibilities to 'slay demons and dispel evils'!
Locally...
Even with a position that surpasses the government office, military department, often held by 'Guardians'!
A Copper Seal Patrol of the Demon Hunting Department, even at the lowest level.
Yet their status vaguely overshadows an 'Squad Leader' in the Outer City!
Moreover, these people usually have profound backgrounds, often coming from the Prefecture City for gaining experience.
Chen Zhenwu fell silent.
Liu Tieyi also fell silent.
At the same time, Jixia smiled.
As Department Head and Squad Leader, their demeanor towards the young girl carried a certain level of restraint within this system, even if their official rank was higher, the influence she represented behind the scenes couldn't be ignored.
But Jixia was different, he unhesitatingly lifted his head, meeting the girl's starry eyes in a gaze:
"Do you really mean that?"
Xie Wutong smiled brightly:
"The last toll of the Bell of Black Mountain City was twenty-three years ago. That person has already left this marginal small city, now standing as a 'Great Innate,' a renowned Guardian of the Demon Hunting Department."
"Your fists resound 'six times,' I see greater potential in you."
"The reason I ask you to show your fists isn't out of disbelief, but because I, as the arbiter, wish to see your true potential."
Jiang Zhou, upon hearing, wanted to say something.
But when the young girl turned to look at him, the smile vanished, leaving only a blank face as she stared:
"You better give it your all."
"Or else..."
"Your life for the rest of your days will be spent in prison."
Her words turned Jiang Zhou's face red as pig liver, but he couldn't utter a word.
Hadn't he seen even the Department Head and Squad Leader conceding to her without a word!
Before Jiang Zhou could react,
Jixia nodded, with no hesitation, given the response...
He advanced swiftly like a meteor, as if a star falling from the sky, three steps ahead, fists ready, body crouched low without any pause,
directly 'boom,' charging at Jiang Zhou!
With backing in place, isn't now the time for fists to fly?
The young man, with no 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment' in his mortal body.
Charged at an opponent who had undergone a medicinal bath cleansing three days ago, though not quite 'Golden Flesh and Jade Veins,' yet showing some form of a Half-Step Martial Artist, throwing his punch!
Jiang Zhou's eyes widened, seeing the approaching storm, he only managed to cross his arms over his chest, trying to block Jixia's punch, meanwhile his arms showed a layer of gleaming jade-like color.
This was the initial sign of forming 'Golden Flesh and Jade Veins'!
Just a few more months of hard training and it would be fully achieved!
"Mastery of martial arts, mastery of martial arts... How exactly did he achieve it!"
"My two blades clearly crippled him, how did he recover so quickly?"
Jiang Zhou was deeply troubled, completely bewildered.
At that moment, the fist, like a cannonball, slammed into the arms he crossed over his chest!
Bang!!
The fist scattered starlight!
"Ah!!"
Crack.
A sharp sound of bones cracking.
Chen Zhenwu suddenly sat up from his chair.
"A master's punch!"
"Indeed there is mentorship involved!"
Xie Wutong's eyes gleamed, especially as he watched the sparkling starlight on Jixia's fist, murmuring to himself in a voice only he could hear:
"Meteor Chasing Moon Fist Scripture, Falling Star Style?"
"The punching just now, with the ringing of the 'bell' six times, is indeed this school of martial arts, unmistakable, unmistakable..."
At that moment, Jiang Zhou's arms were dented, his face twisted, the pain nearly breaking him, made his eyes bulge with rage:
"You...!"
He still couldn't believe how Jixia broke through his 'Golden Flesh and Jade Veins' skill, but there was no time left for him to ponder as a large shadow loomed forward...
The youth opened his fist, turning it into a palm, covering Jiang's head, then...
Grabbing him by the hair, he mercilessly slammed him to the ground!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!!
The floor of the Government Office was made of top-quality stone.
But with these few hits, it cracked open!
And the constable in blue, who was to take office full of ambition today...
Was now lying face down in blood, nearly on his last breath.
Jixia opened his palm, eyes indifferent.
"Well done, marvelous!"
Xie Wutong, sitting on a chair with her slender, straight legs swinging, brightened upon seeing this, and suddenly jumped down from the chair:
"You've won,"
"Then..."
"It's confirmed he's guilty!"
"According to Great Zhao Law, conspiring against an official is punishable by imprisonment, stripping of official status, never to rise again!"
Jiang Zhou, though not yet completely unconscious.
Hearing these words, he was instantly plunged into despair, passing out entirely.
At that moment, just before he lost consciousness, he had only one thought.
That was, truly biased!
"Additionally..."
"Hmm..."
Xie Wutong tilted her head, pondering:
"Since I'm the main witness here, and you've won, naturally I should reward you with something."
Her eyes twinkled as she gave Jixia a deep look, then clapped her hands:
"Got it!"
"You haven't entered 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment', missing a Foundation Establishment's cultivation secret technique."
"I happen to have a scroll of Foundation Establishment's 'Golden Lock Jade Technique', slightly better than the Black Mountain Government Office's 'Dragon Subduing and Tiger Suppressing Skill', so I'll leave it for you to comprehend."
"Remember not to show it to others."
"Otherwise..."
"It's 'technique theft', and you know the consequences."
Xie Wutong produces a 'Jade Scroll' from somewhere, tossing it to Jixia.
Chen Zhenwu's face showed shock next to them.
Meanwhile, Liu Tieyi frowned tightly.
He leaned towards Chen Zhenwu, probing:
"Department Head, is this Demon Hunting Department lady surnamed Xie, perhaps..."
"The one from Wutong Prefecture above Black Mountain City?"
Chen Zhenwu turned back, looking unemotionally at his subordinate, the squad leader:
"In this small territory, also within the Demon Hunting Department, and so young, able to so generously bring out a first-level scroll of a 'famous school'."
"Can another 'Xie' be carved out with a single stroke?"
At once, Liu Tieyi's heart trembled.
Looking at Jixia, his gaze was shocked yet complex:
"I see..."
"Then it appears that we absolutely cannot afford to offend this 'Lord Ji' in the future."