Chapter 198: Yang Si's Apology!

"Division Master!"

"Division Master!"

As Fu Lingyuan carried the barely alive Xiao Zhanggong into the Xiao family residence,

the Xiao family guards and clan elders who had been fiercely resisting collapsed completely, with many immediately dropping their weapons and surrendering, submitting to capture.

Even the few direct descendants of the Xiao family were utterly defeated under Yang Si's fierce assault.

"Well done!"

In the Xiao family's reception hall, Fu Lingyuan sat arrogantly in the seat of honor, her gaze falling on Qin Shuo as she said with satisfaction:

"First at the Songyang Prefecture City Lord's Mansion, now at the Xiao family—Captain Qin's skill in searching for demons is truly impressive."

"Division Master flatters me!" Qin Shuo returned the salute humbly.

"Captain Qin need not be modest!

In this inner city search, the other three households and the City Lord's Mansion found nothing,

only the Xiao family revealed traces of demons—indeed, one of the Ghost Mother Nine Sons, the Wood Charm Spirit. This is a great achievement!"

Fu Lingyuan waved her hand, her phoenix eyes brimming with a smile, and continued:

"According to the Demon Suppression Division's rules, in this raid on the Xiao family, Captain Qin may prioritize selecting three treasures, value no object!

Furthermore, the Earth Origin Great Pill previously promised to you by this division will be delivered to your residence in three days."

"Oh?"

Qin Shuo's eyes lit up, and he immediately clasped his fists: "Thank you, Division Master!"

Leaving aside how the Xiao family's three treasures are, as long as he obtains the Earth Origin Great Pill, his strength can advance another level.

Relying on the Dragon Elephant Divine Ability, Gonggong Fist, and Divine Tread, among many other methods,

Qin Shuo's true combat power now rivals that of a martial artist who has achieved Perfection in Refining Organs; even an ordinary Perfection in Refining Organs practitioner could be matched.

But if facing someone like Xiao Zhanggong, who has condensed the True Gang Furnace and half-stepped into the Grandmaster threshold, the gap remains significant.

Don't look at his earlier back-and-forth fight with Xiao Zhanggong, seeming not to fall behind—at that time, the opponent had already been severely wounded by Nie Jinfeng, with strength below fifty percent.

Otherwise, even if he teamed up with Yang Si, he might not be a match for this Xiao family patriarch.

"Division Master, the captives have been brought back!"

As the two spoke, Yang Si strode into the hall with long steps, clasping his fists and saying:

"Division Master, aside from the Xiao family's second son Xiao Yinglin and two Refining Organs elders, all 132 members of the Xiao family have been apprehended, awaiting your judgment."

"Xiao Yinglin escaped?"

Fu Lingyuan's brows rose slightly as she ordered:

"Contact the Divine Catcher Division and Zhenwu Hall, have them post bounty notices, and ensure the three are captured.

As for the others, all shall be imprisoned in the Demon Suppression Division's great jail for thorough interrogation.

Anyone involved in raising demons shall be beheaded publicly to deter the petty and wicked."

"And the Xiao family patriarch?"

Yang Si's gaze fell upon Xiao Zhanggong lying on the ground like a dead dog, breath faint, his eyelid twitching involuntarily.

"This Division Master Fu still handles things as violently as ever."

"Had I not previously seen Xiao Zhanggong's splendid brocade robe, I might not have recognized the person on the ground."

"Ten days from now, together with all involved parties of the Xiao family, we shall execute them!"

Fu Lingyuan's phoenix eyes held killing intent, her voice cold as she looked at Xiao Zhanggong, her gaze filled with murderous intent.

Clearly, this petite, decisive female Division Master harbors an unimaginable hostility toward those who collude with demons.

"Ten days?"

Qin Shuo's heart stirred slightly.

Given the Demon Suppression Division's interrogation methods, distinguishing those who raised demons would likely take no more than three days.

Yet this Division Master Fu has set the execution for ten days later.

Could it be... she intends to fish?

Thinking this, Qin Shuo couldn't help but glance again at his direct superior.

The outside world says this Division Master Fu is decisive in killing, crude and brutal in action—summed up in one word: reckless!

But from these days of contact, Qin Shuo has found this to be completely untrue.

This seemingly blunt and carefree female Division Master is clearly meticulous beneath her roughness, her actions orderly, and she deeply understands military strategy.

"Yes!"

Yang Si clasped his fists in acceptance, then turned to Qin Shuo and said with a simple, honest smile:

"The Xiao family, as a wealthy and powerful clan, has many hidden chambers and secret storerooms. Captain Qin, skilled in the Qi Gazing Search Technique, why not search together? This way, Yang Mou won't miss anything due to clumsy eyes."

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Qin Shuo was first startled, then chuckled: "Good, then let's go together."

Originally, as the commander-in-chief of this military operation, conducting raids was naturally beneath him to do personally.

But doing so, he would also lose the opportunity to casually take advantage.

Raiding homes has always been a lucrative assignment.

Thus, those who can usually participate in raids are almost always close aides of the person in charge.

This way, some good things can be seized in advance.

But now, Qin Shuo is a lone man with no connections, and it would be improper to personally conduct a search in front of Fu Lingyuan—his hands have long been itching unbearably.

Yang Si clearly saw through this, so he gave him a step up in front of Fu Lingyuan.

The two of them left the Xiao family hall together.

After they had gone far enough, he quickened his pace, stepped in front of Qin Shuo, and bowed with clasped fists, saying:

"Captain Qin, I, Yang Si, have offended you greatly today; I hope Captain Qin will be magnanimous and not hold it against a rough man like me."

After the battle at the Xiao family, he finally came to a clear understanding of the gap between himself and this youth before him.

In terms of background, the other side has Nie Jinfeng, a Martial Arts Grandmaster, as their backing; within Yunzhou City, they can walk sideways.

In terms of strength, the other side can single-handedly restrain Xiao Zhanggong and eliminate the hidden assassins of the Xiao family,

just this alone, he reckons he cannot do.

In a direct confrontation, Yang Si does not fear this youth who is not yet twenty.

But the other side's endless array of methods also fills him with equal apprehension.

Imperial Air Technique, Blade Nurturing Technique, Buddhist Supernatural Power, Superior Archery, Shifting Method...

Mastery of any one of these techniques would be enough to dominate a region in the martial world, but to be proficient in all is somewhat terrifying.

Most importantly, the other side's methods for searching out demons are more proficient than his own, as an old hand who has spent over a decade in the Demon Suppression Division; this inevitably fills him with admiration.

At this moment, Yang Si somewhat understands the feelings of Chen Ao, Qi Shengzhao, and others when they faced Division Master Fu Lingyuan back then.

Background, strength, and job competence—completely overwhelming!

The dominance of a genius is often this terrifying!

Thus, even before heading to the Xiao family hall, he had already figured it out: he absolutely cannot oppose such a heaven-defying evildoer,

and since the grudge between the two is not yet deep, he should resolve it if possible; if not, he will keep his distance in the future.

"Captain Yang, you are diligent in your duties—where does any offense come from?"

Qin Shuo smiled but not smiled, feigning incomprehension.

He naturally understands Yang Si's thoughts.

But he is no saint; he cannot go from being isolated and bullied one second, with people waiting to laugh at him, to the next second having the trouble resolved and the other side admitting fault, and then forgive without any resentment.

Doing wrong always entails a price.

If apologies were useful, this world would have long been at peace.

"Captain Qin, Yang Si is a rough man and cannot speak eloquently.

How about this: the reward for this search of the Xiao family, I, Yang Si, will take not a single coin, and hand it all over to Captain Qin for disposition—this will be my small compensation.

If Captain Qin still feels unsatisfied, you may strike me now; I, Yang Si, will not fight back."

Yang Si lowered his posture greatly, his tone very sincere, obviously having made up his mind to ease relations with Qin Shuo.

"Really?"

Qin Shuo raised his hand, slightly clenched his fist, and curled the corner of his mouth into a cold smile.

"Eh..."

Yang Si stared at the fist with a faint golden glow, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably, but he ultimately suppressed the urge to regret and forced out three words:

"Don't hit the face..."

Pa!

The golden palm descended like a mountain.

Yang Si's heart tightened; he forcibly suppressed the urge to let his True Essence surge outward to protect his body, and truly took this palm.

But the next second, he widened his eyes in astonishment, just in time to see the palm that had landed on his shoulder, the golden light gradually receding to reveal the distinct joints of its fair, natural color.

"Captain Qin..."

Yang Si was full of confusion and astonishment.

But Qin Shuo had already brushed past him, and his calm, unruffled voice sounded in his ear:

"Come on! Let's go see Captain Yang's compensation and see if it can quell Qin's anger."