Chapter 286: Put on the Stage

Hua Changxi did not heed Director Gu's words; not only did she not stop, but she also increased her spiritual pressure, making the atmosphere in the square even more oppressive.

Just as Xue Xian was about to be forced to his knees, a squad of Holy Guardians approached.

"No fighting in the square!"

Hua Changxi had never truly intended to do anything serious to these Brocade Guards. Seeing the Holy Guardians come to intervene, she pretended to hesitate for a moment before withdrawing her spiritual pressure.

As soon as the spiritual pressure was lifted, Xue Xian lost his balance and fell directly to the ground, while the other Brocade Guards lay on the ground gasping for breath, still shaken.

Seeing this, the people in the square and the onlookers all wore extremely grave expressions.

This was Hua Changxi's first public display of strength, and it was far beyond anyone's expectations!

Hua Changxi paid no attention to the Brocade Guards; instead, she looked at the group of Holy Guardians before her, addressing the leader: "Are you the Centurion of Qingyao Peak?"

Leng Yan had not expected Hua Changxi to comply so obediently and withdraw her spiritual pressure directly. He had already prepared to 'suppress by force,' to let the mortal cultivators see the might of the Holy Guardians.

Unfortunately, Hua Changxi did not give them that opportunity.

Hearing Hua Changxi's question, Leng Yan was startled for a moment. Considering Hua Changxi's identity, he still cupped his fists and said, "Centurion Leng Yan pays respects to Peak Master Hua."

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Did you come on your own initiative to maintain order in the square, or did you come because someone ordered you?"

Leng Yan clearly had not expected Hua Changxi to ask him this; his eyes flickered.

Of course, he had not come voluntarily. He had been watching the show from afar just now, but Meng Qingyao had given him an order, so he brought his men over.

Hua Changxi did not care whether he responded or not, and continued on her own: "If you came on your own to maintain order in the square—which is not within your duties—then the Holy Guardian Token you wear is not wasted."

"But if you came because someone ordered you, then you should think carefully about whether you can stay in the Holy Pill Hall."

"The Holy Pill Hall is still in a period of dormancy, and its rules are not yet clear, but a holy land will not remain dormant forever."

"Remember, the Holy Guardians exist to maintain the stability of the holy land, not for any individual. Centurion of Qingyao Peak, take care of yourself."

Hearing Hua Changxi's words that struck at the core, Leng Yan's already indifferent expression grew even colder.

He understood the double warning in Hua Changxi's words: the Holy Guardians were the guards of the holy land, with the duty to maintain its peace, not Meng Qingyao's private bodyguards.

Moreover, his duty was to patrol Qingyao Peak, not the square. Coming to the square to issue orders was actually overstepping his authority.

Leng Yan wanted to retort to Hua Changxi, but thinking of what he still had to do, he could only suppress his resentment and said coldly, "Thank you for the reminder, Peak Master Hua. However, I must also say that by fighting in the square, you have also violated the rules of the holy land."

Hua Changxi looked at him; a green light flashed in her right hand, and a thumb-sized Holy Pill appeared.

As soon as the Holy Pill appeared, a suppressing force that directly acted on the soul radiated out. Leng Yan and the Holy Guardians behind him shivered simultaneously, then quickly knelt on one knee.

Hua Changxi looked coldly at the kneeling Holy Guardians: "I think I should have the right to proactively eliminate potential threats that might disrupt the square."

Leng Yan's heart shook—Hua Changxi actually had a high-grade Holy Pill in her hand.

The Holy Pill was a powerful soul weapon that naturally suppressed Holy Guardians wearing the Holy Guardian Token.

Clearly, the Holy Pill Hua Changxi had obtained was far more advanced than those of Meng Qingyao, Gu Xing, and Yan Qianying.

Leng Yan was shocked; the others were even more shocked.

No one had expected that Hua Changxi still had a means to control the Holy Guardians.

Watching the kneeling Holy Guardians, Xia Zhen's expression turned gloomy. Didn't this mean that even if Hua Changxi could not select Holy Guardians through the Nine Trials, she could still control the holy land by controlling the Holy Guardians recruited by Qingyao and others?

Director Gu's eyes flickered fiercely. This Hua Changxi truly lived up to her reputation as the vanguard that the Minister valued to stir up trouble.

This move had simultaneously slapped the faces of the imperial family and the Guardian Clans!

Seeing that the Holy Guardians had submitted, Hua Changxi put away the Holy Pill and looked at Leng Yan: "Centurion Leng, you and your men are the first batch to enter the holy land since the spiritual energy revival. This is your opportunity. If I were you, I would cherish it well."

"You are not needed here to maintain order. Withdraw your men." Having said that, she turned to look at Xue Xian, whose expression had recovered.

Hua Changxi was not a person who liked to be conspicuous. Living in a dangerous cultivation world, she did not want to reveal all the cards in her hand.

But repeatedly lying low had only led to repeated difficulties and obstructions from all sides. She was utterly sick of it.

Xue Xian's expression was gloomy, but recalling how he had been suppressed with no power to fight back just now, he did not dare to say anything provocative, fearing that if he angered Hua Changxi and she suppressed him again with her spiritual pressure, he would lose face completely.

Hua Changxi looked at Xue Xian: "Director Xue, the influx of cultivators from all over into the capital could threaten public security. I failed to consider this before, and I should indeed bear some responsibility."

"Go ahead. What is the purpose of your making such a big show to come find me this time?"

Xue Xian looked over and saw Hua Changxi calmly discussing the matter of cultivators entering the capital with him again, and he felt like vomiting blood.

At this moment, how could he not realize that the scene Hua Changxi had just stirred up was meant to establish her authority in front of everyone—over him, his men, and oh, the Guardian Saint Guard too.

Her purpose was to tell the imperial family, the Dao-protecting families, and all other factions that Hua Changxi was not someone to be trifled with.

Suppressing his shame and resentment, Xue Xian said, "Peak Master Hua, at least you admit that cultivators entering the capital will threaten public order here."

"I came this time with only one goal: to maintain stability in the capital..."

Hua Changxi couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense and cut him off directly: "Just tell me straight—what do you want me to do?"

Xue Xian said, "...Once cultivators from all over begin entering the capital, if fights break out among them, Peak Master Hua will have to take responsibility for that."

Hua Changxi almost laughed at that. Of the cultivators in the capital, seventy to eighty percent were trained by the imperial family and the powerful. When cultivators from elsewhere entered, who said the ones starting fights would definitely be those coming to sign up?

Speaking so ambiguously, trying to pin the responsibility for all cultivator conflicts on her—these people still, out of habit, thought she was easy to bully!

Though anger burned inside her, Hua Changxi kept her face calm: "What exactly do you want me to be responsible for?"

Xue Xian studied her expressionless face. "If a cultivator fight causes harm to commoners, Peak Master Hua will bear all the losses."

Of course, whether the cultivators were from out of town, how far the battle spread, and the determination of the losses would all be decided by the imperial court.

"Additionally, to prevent cultivators from wreaking havoc in the capital, it would be best if Peak Master Hua accompanied the Imperial Guard on patrols through every street, so you can stop disputes in advance."

Worried that Hua Changxi might refuse, Xue Xian used a few provoking words: "With someone as powerful as Peak Master Hua on the scene, you're sure to intimidate all the cultivators."

"As long as the cultivators make no trouble and the capital remains peaceful, you can both recruit apprentices without delay and ensure the people live in peace. That way, the capital's citizens will all be grateful to you."

Hua Changxi had no more energy to guess what scheme the imperial family was hatching. She had only one thought: if she agreed, not only would she have to bleed and cut flesh, but she'd also have to spend her energy—where would she find time to refine pills, train her body, and practice her sword!

Hua Changxi looked at Xue Xian with cold indifference. "If I'm not misunderstanding, you want me to maintain public order in the capital?"

Xue Xian's expression flickered. "That's one way to put it." Seeing Hua Changxi's face darken, he smiled. "What, Peak Master Hua doesn't want to?"

With so many people watching, Hua Changxi would have to agree even if she didn't want to.

Director Gu also sighed—Hua Changxi had already been put on the spot.

Hua Changxi suddenly laughed. "Which brilliant mind came up with this plan? You—no, I should say, the master behind you—are you sure you want me to maintain the capital's public order?"

Seeing her reaction, Xue Xian instinctively frowned.

Even Director Gu, standing nearby, looked at Hua Changxi in confusion—this reaction wasn't right.

Hua Changxi looked at Xue Xian. "Go back and ask your master—are you sure you want me to step forward and maintain the capital's public order?"

She paused, her face showing disgust.

"You people just love to stir up trouble and whip up storms on a calm sea. Clinging to a little power, you not only enjoy manipulating others' fates but also delight in provoking all kinds of incidents."

"But you may decide how an incident starts—you can't decide how it unfolds or how it ends."

"Summoning a god is easy; sending it away is hard. If I really take on the task of maintaining the capital's public order, many things are going to change."

Hearing this, both Xue Xian and Director Gu changed color.

Both understood the implication in Hua Changxi's words, and a great shock arose in their hearts.

Simply put, they could sense that Hua Changxi was not joking. But they couldn't figure out where she got the audacity to say such a thing.

Could it be that she still had power at her disposal that they didn't know about?

At this point, Xue Xian truly wavered and didn't dare to commit to anything on the spot.

Before coming, though he had taken this mission seriously, he hadn't thought he might fail. Now the course of events was completely beyond his control.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Hua Changxi continued, "Go back and ask carefully. I'll wait for your answer. If you still want me to maintain the capital's public order, I'll take it on."

Though she didn't want to mobilize the Vermilion Bird Army, she couldn't really watch cultivators from all over the country enter the capital and bring danger to ordinary people.

"If you change your mind, then gather the people from the four holy grounds and have a proper discussion about how to resolve the potential unrest caused by cultivators entering the capital."