Chapter 125: Stepping on the Azure Bird, Cloaked in Crimson Robe!

【N】 "Halt! Demon Suppression Division escorting prisoners—idlers, clear the way!"

【N】 On the official road to Songyang Prefecture City.

【N】 He Mingjing gripped his sword hilt with one hand and clutched the Demon Suppression Division token with the other, his voice cold and stern.

【N】 "Captain He, what a mighty air of authority."

【N】 The leading black-clad knight seized the reins, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth,

【N】 "I am Yujing An, Deputy Helm Master of the Songyang Prefecture branch of Zhenwu Hall.

【N】 I have received word that Black Water City Lord Xue Chengkong privately hoarded the city-defending heavy weapon, the Divine Arm Crossbow, intending rebellion.

【N】 Now, I must take all those in the City Lord's Mansion who know of this back to Zhenwu Hall for investigation."

【N】 Divine Arm Crossbow, a major killer in the military.

【N】 Although the Great Li governs the world through sects, delegating local military power to the great sects that aided in founding the nation, political authority has always remained in the hands of the court.

【N】 From State Lords down to County Magistrates, all are appointed by the court, governing their regions and overseeing the people's livelihood.

【N】 Even city lords, though appointed by sects, must still report to the court for examination and approval, and may only assume office after receiving permission.

【N】 Likewise, regarding the allocation of sect military armaments, the court likewise enforces strict regulations—weapons like the Divine Arm Crossbow, which are major killers, are not permitted for cities below prefectural level.

【N】 Otherwise, they shall be punished for rebellion.

【N】 Xue Chengkong privately purchased the Divine Arm Crossbow and placed it within the City Lord's Mansion—this in itself violates regulations.

【N】 Zhenwu Hall has seized upon this point, intending to use it to intervene in Xue Chengkong's collusion with demons.

【N】 Once a person falls into Zhenwu Hall's hands, when they are tried and when they are released is entirely up to them.

【N】 This is the agreement reached between Zhenwu Hall and Wind Thunder Valley.

【N】 Zhenwu Hall helps resolve the accomplices of Black Water City, preventing them from falling into the hands of the Demon Suppression Division, thus becoming a pretext for the Demon Suppression Division to target Wind Thunder Valley.

【N】 Meanwhile, Wind Thunder Valley aids Zhenwu Hall in seizing the Dragon Elephant Relic—each side gets what they need, and they strike a deal immediately.

【N】 "Don't even think about it!"

【N】 He Mingjing's face darkened: "Disciple of Wind Thunder Valley, Xue Chengkong, colluding with demons, intending to slaughter the city and refine pills—this is the greatest crime under heaven."

【N】 "No matter what other court laws he may have violated, he must first be examined and sentenced by my Demon Suppression Division before any further accountability."

【N】 "Now, all of you, move aside!"

【N】 "Otherwise, all will be treated as accomplices of demons."

【N】 "Hah!"

【N】 Yujing An let out a cold laugh and said: "Although the Demon Suppression Division has the right to pursue and exterminate demons across the world, Zhenwu Hall also bears the responsibility of monitoring all sects in the martial world."

【N】 "Although Xue Chengkong's collusion with demons deserves death, does his suspected rebellion not require investigation?"

【N】 "Or, in Captain He's view, is rebellion a minor matter, not worth mentioning?"

【N】 He Mingjing's expression shifted—he had not expected this Deputy Helm Master of Zhenwu Hall to speak so sharply.

【N】 Colluding with demons is naturally a first-rate grave sin, but rebellion and treason are likewise major taboos of the court.

【N】 As the Son of Heaven's Sword, Zhenwu Hall monitors all myriad sects under heaven.

【N】 Its greatest function is to intimidate the sects, prevent local powers from maintaining armies and acting independently, and stop rebellion and treason.

【N】 For a dynasty, nothing is more important than the eternal consolidation of imperial authority.

【N】 Even if it involves the survival of humanity and the demonic calamity, before the stability of imperial authority, it must first step aside.

【N】 Do not be swayed by the fine words above—colluding with demons makes the Son of Heaven and commoners equally guilty, thus granting the Demon Suppression Division great authority.

【N】 But when it comes to actual implementation and enforcement, upholding the eternal consolidation of imperial authority will forever be the first principle.

【N】 Throughout all dynasties and ages, none have been otherwise!

【N】 But these prisoners behind him are important bargaining chips in the game between the Division Master and Wind Thunder Valley—how could he possibly surrender them lightly?

【N】 He Mingjing pressed his sword hilt and said nothing, but the firm resolve in his eyes had already given the answer.

【N】 Seeing He Mingjing unmoved, Yujing An spoke in a flat tone:

【N】 "Since Captain He is unwilling to voluntarily hand over these rebels, then I shall have no choice but to offend."

【N】 Clang!

【N】 As his words fell, over a dozen black-clad knights behind him drew their swords in unison.

【N】 These black-clad knights stared coldly, awaiting only Yujing An's command to launch their charge.

【N】 Cry!

【N】 Suddenly, a sharp, resonant cry tore from the high heavens, piercing metal and splitting stone, as if a divine sword cleaved the firmament, descending straight toward the ground.

【N】 "What is this sound?"

【N】 Yujing An's expression changed as he lifted his gaze to the heavens.

【N】 "Go!"

【N】 At a single glance, Yujing An's spirit shuddered violently; he backhanded a whip strike hard against the horse's rump.

【N】 Neigh—!

【N】 The black steed cried out in pain, raised its head and let out a long neigh, then broke into a frantic gallop, mane flying as it sped away.

【N】 The other black-clad knights likewise turned their steeds and followed the Deputy Helm Master, fleeing in a mad dash.

【N】 However, they had not gone far.

【N】 Again, a lofty, piercing cry split the heavens, descending like a divine sword.

【N】 Cry!

【N】 The first bird's cry still echoed in the distant sky, but this second cry had already arrived above their heads.

【N】 Whoosh-la-la!

【N】 Wild winds swept across, sand and stones flying along the official road.

Everyone dismounted, and the horses were startled, all neighing wildly and nearly throwing their riders off.

"Fu Lingyuan!"

You Jing'an's face changed drastically; he exerted force with both legs, forcibly pressing down the nearly upright black horse.

"Division Master Fu, we are merely following orders—why make things difficult for us?"

Above the vast sky, a colossal green bird that blotted out the sun and clouds swept across, unseen rider, only a cold shout heard descending:

"Go tell Lu Dingzhou—he's colluding with Wind Thunder Valley, I'm too lazy to bother, but if he dares interfere again in my Demon Suppression Division's case, I'll chop off his dog head."

As the shout fell, a torrent of heavenly wind swept down like mountains and seas overturning toward the ground.

It blew the black-clad riders off their horses, men and steeds tumbling to the ground in frantic flight.

You Jing'an's face turned ashen; with his strength, he naturally could not be blown over by the hurricane stirred by the green giant bird.

Yet he felt a surge of rage, utterly stifled.

However, this madwoman even makes our Hall Master wary threefold—how could I provoke her? I can only hold my nose and ride away.

Midway, he couldn't help but turn back to look toward the midair.

Only to see that on the green giant bird with a wingspan of over twenty meters, a large red cloak fluttered, and beneath it, a petite figure in cyan armor and red robes with civil-military sleeves.

In her hand, she gripped a halberd about a zhang long—Phoenix Wing Gilded Halberd.

"Scram!"

A violent shout—mountains trembled.

You Jing'an's vision darkened, nearly falling from his horse.

His black mount was no better—frightened, it neighed once, legs went limp, and with a plop, it collapsed to the ground.

"Ah!"

You Jing'an, slow to react, fell from his horse, heart filled with shock and fear; though burning with anger, he could only leave in disarray.

……

"Surname Qin, don't be arrogant!"

Deep within the Song Mansion, Song and Fang family experts emerged in single file, surrounding Qin Shuo in the courtyard.

"Old dog Song, aren't you waiting for me? Now I'm here—release my martial sister."

Qin Shuo sat astride his horse, his icy gaze sweeping over Song Ci and the others.

His powerful aura caused the experts of both Fang and Song families to freeze, shock and alarm rising in their eyes.

"Tongmai Peak!"

Song Ci and Fang Yongping exclaimed in unison, their gaze toward Qin Shuo filled with dread.

"Releasing your martial sister is possible—but you must first hand over the Buddha Bone Sheli."

At this moment, Song Tianlin stepped forward from behind the crowd, knife pressed to Song Yan's throat, shouting sternly: "Surname Qin, if you want your martial sister to live, hand over the Buddha Bone Sheli—otherwise, I'll end her life now."

"Hah! You're still her third uncle, and you dare say such things?" Qin Shuo sneered.

"Cut the nonsense—will you hand it over or not?"

Song Tianlin pressed the knife at Song Yan's neck inward; instantly, a bead of blood welled, trickling down the gleaming blade.

Song Yan's mouth was stuffed with a handkerchief—she could not speak, only shaking her head desperately, emitting muffled whimpers, using her eyes to signal Qin Shuo: ignore me, leave quickly.

Besides, she kept thrusting her neck toward Song Tianlin's blade, trying to end herself, not to become Qin Shuo's burden.

But Song Tianlin always maintained control, leaving her powerless, only able to groan weakly.

"Martial sister, rest easy—a bunch of pig-dog old fogeys can't threaten me."

Qin Shuo comforted Song Yan, then turned his gaze to Song Ci: "If I hand over the Buddha Bone Sheli, will you truly release my martial sister?"

"Of course."

Song Ci's eyes flickered with surprise, yet he still nodded firmly.

What does that mean?

Could this brat really intend to trade the Buddha Bone Sheli for Song Yan?

Doesn't he fear losing his supernatural power, being surrounded and killed by us?

Ah—he has now reached Tongmai Peak; naturally, he's confident he can escape our grasp.

Too bad—the Wind Thunder Valley figure arrived at the prefectural city today at noon; they now have no rear worries.

Whether surname Qin hands over the Buddha Bone Sheli or not, he is destined not to leave the prefectural city alive.

Thinking this, Song Ci continued in a deep voice: "Song Yan is after all Song family blood—if you hand over the Buddha Bone Sheli, we will release her immediately."

"Good!"

To everyone's surprise, Qin Shuo agreed readily.

Only seen: he reached into his robe and pulled out—a segment of pale gold finger bone instantly appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Buddha Bone Sheli."

Gazing at the finger bone, seemingly forged from molten gold, the Song and Fang retinues' breathing grew heavy.

Saint Relic Bone, Buddhist Sheli.

So this is the medium for cultivating Buddhist Supernatural Power—surname Qin's reliance for subduing and slaying the Xiaoyue Yaowang.

From that entirely golden finger bone, Song Ci even sensed a faint trace of Vajra Zen intent.

He immediately confirmed: this is undoubtedly the Buddha Bone Sheli.

"I'll count to three—you push Song Yan over, I'll toss the Buddha Bone Sheli over—how about that?" Qin Shuo proposed.

"Good."

Song Ci hesitated not at all, immediately nodding in agreement.

He never imagined everything would go so smoothly.

As long as the Buddha Bone Relic is taken, Qin Shuo, whose cultivation is only at Tongmai Peak, will not be worth fearing.

"Three"

"Two"

"One"

……