Chapter 286: Placed on the Spotlight

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

Just as Xue Xian was about to be suppressed onto his knees, a squad of Holy Guards approached.

"No fighting in the square!"

Hua Changxi had never intended to actually harm these Embroidered Uniform Guards; seeing the Holy Guards arrive to intervene, she feigned hesitation for a moment before withdrawing her spiritual pressure.

Once the spiritual pressure vanished, Xue Xian lost his balance and collapsed directly onto the ground, while the other Embroidered Uniform Guards lay prone on the earth, gasping heavily with lingering fear.

Seeing this, the faces of everyone in the square, as well as the onlookers, became exceedingly grave.

This was the first time Hua Changxi had openly displayed her strength, and it was far stronger than anyone had anticipated!

Hua Changxi ignored the Embroidered Uniform Guards and instead looked at the group of Holy Guards before her, focusing on their leader: "Are you the Company Commander of Qingyao Peak?"

Leng Yan had not expected Hua Changxi to be so obedient, withdrawing her spiritual pressure directly; he had already prepared for a 'forceful suppression' to show these mortal cultivators the power of their Holy Guards.

Unfortunately, Hua Changxi did not give them that opportunity.

Hearing Hua Changxi's inquiry, Leng Yan was surprised for a moment; considering Hua Changxi's status, he still cupped his fists and said, "Company Commander Leng Yan pays respects to Peak Master Hua."

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Did you come here spontaneously to maintain order in the square, or did you come because you received orders from someone else?"

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

Of course, he had not come voluntarily; just now he had been watching the drama from afar, and it was only after Meng Qingyao issued him an order that he brought his subordinates over.

Hua Changxi did not care whether he responded or not, continuing on her own: "If you are spontaneously maintaining order in a square outside your jurisdiction, then the Holy Guard token you wear is not worn in vain."

"But if you came only because you listened to someone else's orders, then you had better think carefully about whether you can remain in the Dan Sheng Hall forever."

"The Dan Sheng Hall is currently still in a dormant phase, with various rules not yet clear, but the Sacred Land will not remain dormant forever."

"Remember, the Holy Guards exist to maintain the stability of the Sacred Land, not to serve any individual. Company Commander of Qingyao Peak, behave yourself."

Hearing Hua Changxi's words that struck straight at the essence, Leng Yan's already indifferent expression became even more indifferent.

He understood Hua Changxi's dual warning: the Holy Guards are the guardians of the Sacred Land, their duty is to maintain the stability of the Sacred Land, not to be Meng Qingyao's private retinue.

Furthermore, his duty is to patrol Qingyao Peak, not the square; running to the square to issue orders was, in fact, him overstepping his bounds.

Leng Yan wanted to retort to Hua Changxi, but thinking of what he still needed to do, he could only suppress the stifling frustration in his heart and said coldly, "Thank you for Peak Master Hua's guidance; however, this general must also say that by fighting in the square, Peak Master Hua has also violated the rules of the Sacred Land."

Hua Changxi looked at him, green light flashing in her right hand as a Saint Pill the size of a thumb materialized.

As soon as the Saint Pill appeared, a suppressing force acting directly on the soul radiated out; Leng Yan and the Holy Guards behind him shivered simultaneously, then quickly dropped to one knee.

Hua Changxi looked coldly at the kneeling Holy Guards: "I believe I should have the authority to proactively eliminate potential threats that might cause chaos in the square."

Leng Yan was shaken to his core; Hua Changxi actually possessed a high-grade Saint Pill in her hand.

Saint Pills are powerful soul artifacts, exerting a natural suppressing effect on Holy Guards who wear Holy Guard tokens.

Clearly, the Saint Pill Hua Changxi obtained was far superior to those received by Meng Qingyao, Gu Xing, and Yan Qianying.

Leng Yan was shocked, and the others were even more shocked.

No one had expected that Hua Changxi would possess a means to control the Holy Guards.

Looking at the kneeling and submissive Holy Guards, Xia Zhen's face grew even gloomier; did this not mean that even if Hua Changxi could not select Holy Guards from the Nine Passes, she could still control the Sacred Land by commanding the Holy Guards recruited by Qingyao and others?

Director Gu's eyes also flickered intensely; this Hua Changxi truly lived up to being the vanguard the Minister valued for stirring up wind and clouds.

This single move could be said to have slapped the faces of both the imperial family and the Dao-protecting families!

Seeing the Holy Guards had become obedient, Hua Changxi put away the Saint Pill and looked at Leng Yan: "Company Commander Leng, you and your subordinates were the first to enter the Sacred Land after the spiritual energy recovery; this is your fortune, and if I were you, I would cherish this opportunity well."

"Order does not need to be maintained here by you; take your subordinates and withdraw." Having said this, she turned to look at Xue Xian, whose complexion had already recovered.

Hua Changxi was not someone who liked to be high-profile; living in the dangerous world of cultivation, she even less wanted to reveal what cards she held in her hand.

But repeated low-profile behavior had only resulted in difficulties and obstructions from all sides time and again; she was truly fed up with it.

Xue Xian's face was gloomy, but recalling how he had been suppressed by Hua Changxi just now with absolutely no power to fight back, he dared not say anything too provocative at this moment, fearing he would anger Hua Changxi and be suppressed by her spiritual pressure again, which would truly cause him to lose face utterly.

Hua Changxi looked at Xue Xian: "Lord Xue, the influx of cultivators from various regions into the capital poses a threat to the capital's public security; this is something I failed to consider before, and for this, I indeed should bear some responsibility."

"Speak then; what is your purpose in coming to find me with such a grand display this time?"

Xue Xian raised his eyes to look over; seeing Hua Changxi calmly discussing the matter of cultivators entering the capital again, he felt like spitting blood.

At this moment, how could he not know that the scene Hua Changxi had just created was intended to make an example of him and his subordinates before the crowd, oh, and to include the Holy Guards as well.

The purpose was to tell the imperial family, the Dao-protecting families, and all factions that she, Hua Changxi, was not someone easy to bully.

Suppressing the shame and resentment in his heart, Xue Xian said: "Peak Master Hua, as long as you are willing to admit that cultivators entering the capital will threaten the capital's public security, that is good enough."

"The sole purpose of this official's visit today is to maintain the stability of the capital..."

Too lazy to listen to his nonsense, Hua Changxi interrupted directly: "Just say straight out what you want me to do."

Xue Xian: "...After cultivators from various regions begin entering the capital, if any conflicts among cultivators occur, Peak Master Hua must bear responsibility for them."

Hua Changxi wanted to laugh; cultivators in the capital, seventy or eighty percent were cultivated by the imperial family and the nobility; after cultivators from various regions entered the capital, was it certain that those erupting into conflict would be the cultivators who came to register?

Speaking so ambiguously, attempting to make her bear responsibility for all cultivator conflicts, these people still took it for granted that she was easy to bully!

Though angry in her heart, Hua Changxi remained calm on her face: "How do you want me to bear responsibility?"

Xue Xian looked at Hua Changxi, who showed little emotional fluctuation: "If conflicts among cultivators affect the common people, Peak Master Hua shall bear all losses."

As for whether the cultivators were from outside the region, how large the scope of the battle's impact was, and the determination of losses, naturally, these would be adjudicated by the court.

"Additionally, to prevent cultivators from causing chaos in the capital, Peak Master Hua had best accompany the Embroidered Uniform Guards in patrolling the various streets of the capital to stop disputes in advance."

Worried that Hua Changxi would not agree, Xue Xian spoke a few provoking words: "With Peak Master Hua's such formidable strength, if you appear in person, you can surely deter all cultivators."

"As long as the cultivators do not cause trouble and the capital remains stable and peaceful, it will neither delay your recruitment of apprentices nor ensure the common people live and work in peace and contentment; in this way, the common people of the capital will all thank you."

Hua Changxi was too lazy to guess what conspiracy the imperial family might have; she had only one thought: if she agreed, not only would she have to bleed and cut flesh, but she would also have to sacrifice her energy; where would she find time to refine pills, temper her body, and practice swordsmanship!

Hua Changxi looked indifferently at Xue Xian: "If I have not misunderstood, you want me to maintain the public security of the capital?"

Xue Xian's expression changed slightly: "Peak Master Hua understanding it this way is not wrong." Seeing Hua Changxi's face darken, he smiled, "What, is Peak Master Hua unwilling?"

With so many people watching, Hua Changxi had to agree whether she wanted to or not.

Director Gu also sighed; Hua Changxi had already been placed on the spotlight.

Hua Changxi suddenly laughed: "Which great genius came up with this idea? You—no, rather, your master behind the scenes—are you truly certain you want me to maintain public order in Jingcheng?"

Seeing her reaction, Xue Xian instinctively furrowed his brows.

Even Director Gu beside him looked at Hua Changxi in confusion; this reaction was not quite right.

Hua Changxi looked at Xue Xian: "Go back and ask your master if he is truly certain he wants me to step forward and maintain public order in Jingcheng."

She paused, her face showing disgust.

"People like you love to stir up trouble where none exists and churn wind and rain; relying on a bit of power, you not only enjoy manipulating others' fates but also love inciting all sorts of incidents."

"Yet, while you can decide the start of an incident, the direction and outcome of events are not for you to decide."

"It is easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. If I truly take on this matter of maintaining public order in Jingcheng, then many things will have to change."

Hearing these words, both Xue Xian and Director Gu changed color.

Both understood the underlying meaning in Hua Changxi's words, and turbulent waves rose in their hearts.

For no other reason than they could feel Hua Changxi was not joking; yet they could not fathom where she derived the confidence to speak so.

Could it be that she held some power unknown to them?

At this moment, Xue Xian truly wavered, daring not to immediately agree to anything.

Before coming, although he had taken this mission very seriously, he had never thought he would fail to complete it; now, the course of events was entirely beyond his control.

Seeing him remain silent, Hua Changxi continued: "Go back and ask carefully; I await your reply. If the answer is still for me to maintain public order in Jingcheng, then I shall accept it."

Although she did not wish to deploy the Zhu Que Army, she could not simply stand by and watch cultivators from various regions enter the capital and bring danger to ordinary people.

"If you regret this, then gather the people from the Four Sacred Lands together and discuss properly how to resolve the potential unrest that may arise from cultivators entering the capital from various regions."