Above the Jiuzhou, within the various sects both large and small, there exists an institution responsible for overseeing the enforcement of the sect’s rules. These institutions have different names, and within the Tianlang Sect, it is aptly named the Xingyu Department.
The Xingyu Department’s main headquarters is located at the center of the sect’s inner territory, and its building is slightly taller than the surrounding structures. It is said this symbolizes the supreme authority of the sect’s rules.
Without rules, nothing can be achieved. The human race across Jiuzhou seems to strongly uphold this belief. In most sects, the sect’s rules occupy a highly revered position, and at times, even the sect leader cannot interfere with its operations.
At this moment, the usually deserted Xingyu Department of the Tianlang Sect is filled with many people, all chattering anxiously. Most of their gazes are fixed on a young man standing upright in the center of the grand hall, beneath a plaque inscribed with the four characters “Zheng Da Guang Ming” (meaning “Upright, Great, and Bright”).
“Li Tan, kneel down immediately!”
Bang! The man sitting beneath the plaque slams the wooden mallet on the table.
He is Elder Zheng Kaishan, the powerful head of the Xingyu Department, and also the same man who secretly met with the hooded figure in the woods two nights ago, reporting matters concerning Li Tan.
At present, his dignified face hides a hint of barely perceptible confusion. He simply cannot figure out why the organization would issue an order to kill Li Tan at all costs, an order that makes absolutely no sense.
“Li Tan, just kneel down already. This is the rule.”
On the left side of the hall, Zhang Chenghuan, seated in a chair, anxiously pleads. Beside him, Zhang Zhi silently observes Zheng Kaishan, pondering what ulterior motives this man might have, having completely ignored his pleas and brought Li Tan here.
“Li Tan, you’re being too reckless. Kneel down now!”
Beside Li Tan, Su Zhengyi angrily shouts, his eyes glaring furiously.
“Heh.” Li Tan lifts his head to look at Zheng Kaishan. His expression is obscured by the backlight, but the disdain is unmistakable. “I only kneel to three: Heaven, Earth, and my parents. What are you to compare with them?”
Zheng Kaishan roars, “Nonsense! Guards, make him kneel!”
“Yes!”
Two enforcers rush forward and swing their long staffs forcefully at Li Tan’s knees.
With such force, an average person’s legs would be crippled instantly, and even a Houtian cultivator would struggle to stand for days.
How ruthless, Li Tan’s expressionless face reveals a hint of anger. Instantly, he activates Moye Steps, dashing behind the two enforcers and striking both simultaneously with his palms. The two enforcers cry out in pain and collapse to the ground.
How could these disciples at the peak of Houtian cultivation be so easily defeated? And what was that footwork just now? Zheng Kaishan is greatly startled but shows no sign of it on his face. He slams the wooden mallet again: “Audacious! You are—”
The word “you” is left hanging as Zhang Zhi, who had remained silent, interrupts him.
“Li Tan is a second-star alchemist of the Alchemy Pavilion. According to the rules, he is exempt from kneeling.”
This declaration immediately sparks a wave of astonished murmurs. Many widen their eyes in shock, staring at Li Tan like a monster.
He can’t be more than twenty years old, yet he is already a second-star alchemist under twenty. What an abnormal existence! Even the word “genius” seems insufficient to describe him. A few beads of sweat appear on Zheng Kaishan’s forehead. If not for the organization’s strict orders, he would have postponed the trial immediately under the pretext of this revelation, then apologize profusely and let the matter drop.
He is no fool. He knows full well what a second-star alchemist under twenty and a Xiantian cultivator represent.
Even so, he dares not defy the organization’s orders even slightly, and can only press on stubbornly: “Indeed, there is such a regulation. Then kneeling will be waived. Let us continue.”
Upon hearing the word “continue,” Zhang Zhi’s eyes reflect more confusion. He wonders why Zheng Kaishan still dares to provoke Li Tan at this point. However, without knowledge of the hooded figure’s existence, he cannot hope to find the answer.
As for Li Tan now, he is almost certain that this man is connected to the hooded figure. His gaze also carries some confusion. He understands that Zheng Kaishan’s relentless pursuit of him is due to the hooded figure’s orders, but he cannot fathom why the hooded figure is targeting him so intensely. Could it be that in such a short time, they discovered that the previous hooded figure was killed by him?
That’s too absurd. The real reason the hooded figure is targeting him is actually quite shocking. It’s normal for Li Tan not to understand, after all, what organization would investigate someone else who is only slightly notable and seemingly completely unrelated based on the death of one of their members?
“Su Zhengyi, tell us what you know.”
Zheng Kaishan commands.
Su Zhengyi recounts in detail the events between himself and Li Tan, embellishing them along the way. Finally, he shouts loudly: “This person may be part of the Alchemy Pavilion, but his background is unknown. No matter how you try to justify it, willingly becoming a servant disciple makes no sense. I suspect he is a spy sent by a rival faction!”
“Li Tan, do you have anything to say in response to Su Zhengyi’s accusations?”
Zheng Kaishan stares intently.
Li Tan replies: “Nothing.”
“So you admit to everything he said?”
“No.”
“Then what objections do you have?”
Li Tan says calmly: “The matter of my identity has already been discussed with Sect Leader Zhang Zhi. I can vouch for myself as not being a spy with my position as an Alchemy Pavilion alchemist.”
Zhang Zhi nods. “I can confirm that Li Tan’s identity poses no issues.”
Zheng Kaishan asks: “Then how do you explain the matter of being a servant disciple?”
Li Tan replies: “Personal interest.”
“Explain yourself more clearly!”
“That’s already clear enough.”
Regarding this point, a vague answer could suffice, but if pressed further, Li Tan would actually have no way to respond.
“Sorry, that cannot be accepted as a reason. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, I have the authority to deal with you for the crime of rebellion!”
Zheng Kaishan slams the wooden mallet for the third time.
Zhang Chenghuan objects: “Elder Zheng, although Li Tan cannot explain this, to convict him of rebellion based solely on this seems excessive.”
Zheng Kaishan falls silent for a moment before saying: “Rebellion is not an ordinary crime; it concerns the survival of the Tianlang Sect, and we cannot afford any negligence. We cannot ignore even the slightest possibility.”
Zhang Chenghuan helplessly looks to his father.
Zhang Zhi frowns: “While that may be true, to condemn someone to death based on a single suspicion is going too far.”
Zheng Kaishan falls silent again, his expression slightly reluctant: “As the sect leader says. Then, as a compromise, how about we expel Li Tan from the sect?”
Zhang Zhi frowns even more deeply but says nothing further. He has no reason to object and can only cast a guilty glance at Li Tan.
Li Tan gives him a faint smile in return, his gaze shifting toward Zheng Kaishan. In truth, he isn’t looking at Zheng Kaishan himself, but rather at the hooded figure behind him.
Zheng Kaishan’s “compromise” is probably the actual task assigned by the hooded figure.
If he remains within the Tianlang Sect, the hooded figure won’t be able to target him directly in the short term. But if he is expelled, things will be different.
The moment he steps out, there will likely be experts at the Zongshi level following him. At his current strength, it would be extremely difficult to deal with them. Most importantly, once expelled, he will be under constant surveillance, making escape impossible. Even if he manages to defeat the first wave of pursuers, a second wave will soon follow, and the assassins’ strength will definitely be even greater.
His identity must have been pinpointed already! Now Li Tan’s understanding of the hooded figure’s terrifying power has risen to a new level.
For the reasons mentioned above, Li Tan absolutely cannot leave at this time, but the current situation is entirely leaning toward Zheng Kaishan’s side.
Is there no other way?
Li Tan gently grabs the jade pendant on his waist inscribed with the character “Zuo” (left).
Using this might be overkill, but he has no other choice now.
Li Tan removes the jade pendant, but just as he is about to raise it, a deep male voice suddenly echoes from outside the hall.
“Haha, what’s going on here? So lively!”
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