Chapter 931: Taking Hostages

It is as if another Inspection Envoy stands behind me, this mysterious Envoy eyeing the region greedily, intending to lay claim to it.

However, the incumbent Inspection Envoy keeps the region tightly under control, giving the other no opportunity at all.

Thus, to reap the region's benefits, there is only one way: overthrow the current Inspection Envoy.

At present, the Inspection Envoy in Immortal City has lost many troops, and even the Ten Thousand Beast Villa that cooperated with him has been exposed for colluding with the demon clan. In this situation, the Immortal Alliance will certainly not let him go easily.

Even if they do not capture him outright, they will still charge him with a dereliction offense, then transfer him away from here to another post. And at that moment, the forces behind Lin Qingli find an opening!

They can seize the chance to step forward, take over the region, and reap huge benefits.

Lin Qingli realizes this, and looks at Yan Buji with an even more complicated gaze.

Yan Buji squints and looks at Lin Qingli: "You still don't know what you should do now?"

"You… you mean I should go straight to those forces in Immortal City and demand bribes? Only then can they be at ease." Lin Qingli widened their eyes, their face full of disbelief.

Yan Buji looks at Lin Qingli, a cold smile curling his mouth: "No, the current Inspection Envoy hasn't left yet; it's not that easy to use a phantom title to make them defect. Moreover, they don't know who stands behind you, so how could they readily give you favors?"

Lin Qingli's complexion grew even sicker; they felt as if Yan Buji had toyed with them, letting them say all the flattering words, and now wondered what they should actually do.

Yan Buji seemed to see through Lin Qingli's thoughts and continued coldly: "If you weren't so foolish that you can't even figure out such a trivial matter, why are you now scrambling for favors? From the start, if you force a demand, they won't dare refuse; they'll even smile and hand it over. But now it's too late for words; at this point you can only find a pretext to make them obediently pay."

Lin Qingli's eyes brightened at the words and hurriedly asked: "Then what should be done?"

"Take, for example, the Flying Sea Gorge area; it's said the battle there was a loss. As Chief of the Demon Extermination Office, don't you have the authority to investigate those defeated cultivators, to see whether they contributed? Or perhaps to wade in the murky waters, or …"

"Colluding with the demon clan?!" Lin Qingli's eyes lit up, following Yan Buji's line of thought, and they instantly understood how to wield their authority!

Yan Buji nodded: "Now that you know, why aren't you doing it?!"

Humiliated by Yan Buji's words, Lin Qingli held back their anger, said little, and turned to leave.

"Just scoop up a quick gain and you can leave." Yan Buji sneered.

Presumably Lin Qingli wouldn't dare to betray; if they had any sense, they wouldn't be spun around by him.

After returning to the Demon Extermination Office, Lin Qingli immediately ordered the office's investigators to go investigate the cultivators who fled back from the Flying Sea Strait.

Because Immortal City is not far from the Flying Sea Strait, and since the previous frontline loss, the Strait has become almost the last barrier for Immortal City; if the demon clan were to break through it, there would be little on this continent that could stop the demon army.

Most of the cultivators defending the Flying Sea Strait are also from local forces. Lin Qingli acted swiftly, capturing many, and immediately provoked the displeasure of many Elders within the Immortal Alliance.

Some Elders came forward and asked Lin Qingli: "Chief Lin, what do you mean? Why arbitrarily seize my sect's cultivators?!"

"Indeed, Chief Lin, they are fighting desperately on the front, and the unfavorable battle isn't really their fault; why this?"

Lin Qingli snorted: "Everyone, be honest—how many sects send disciples to the front merely as a formality, never even slaying a single demon beast? Take, for example, a disciple of an Elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect; the battle report from the front states that the area he was guarding was suddenly overrun by demon beasts, even though that spot was heavily defended by the Immortal Alliance. That front‑line defeat directly impacted the entire battle at the Flying Sea Strait!"

The Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect's face changed, and he whispered: "Chief Lin, why so harsh? My first time on a battlefield, this battle is unlike ordinary duels, and he was also following orders from above…"

"Oh?" Lin Qingli smiled, tossing a jade slip: "Elder, perhaps you should examine carefully whether the command on the Immortal Alliance's battlefield is at fault, or if there's some other reason."

The Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect looked puzzled; although he knew his disciple's abilities were limited, he was also certain the disciple could not possibly defect to the demon clan.

But after glancing at the jade slip, he was instantly horrified and hurriedly denied: "That's impossible!"

"Whether it's possible or not isn't up to you or me. This battle report came from the front, and it clearly states that disciples from various sects frequently disobey orders! Could it be that your supervision is lax, making the disciples think the front is merely a formality?!"

Lin Qingli's words rang out like a thunderclap, frightening the Immortal Alliance Elders present into silence.

Someone muttered softly: "But the front's battle report could also be one‑sided…."

"Then these Elders might as well just say the Chief forged it, right?" Lin Qingli said calmly: "Or perhaps we bring it before the Inspection Envoy and have him judge its authenticity?"

"No, no, no…" the Immortal Alliance Elders broke out in a cold sweat.

The Flying Sea Strait battle went poorly, and those among them who have connections with certain cultivators stationed at the front naturally do not want this huge pot placed on their shoulders.

Moreover, Lin Qingli's betrayal of the Inspection Envoy, and daring to say such words in front of them, clearly shows they are unafraid of investigation; even an Inspection Envoy could not tamper with the battle report, as that would violate Immortal Alliance regulations!

The Elders, seeing Lin Qingli so adamant, clenched their teeth and asked: "Then what must Chief Lin do to release the captives?!"

"Releasing them isn't hard; as long as the investigation shows they have no collusion with the demon clan, it's fine. However, capital crimes are inevitable, and lesser crimes cannot be escaped. If the frontline loss is due to one's own fault, the Demon Extermination Office will submit those individuals' cases to the Immortal Alliance, letting the Judicial Office adjudicate!"

"No, no!!"

"Chief Lin, that's excessive; the Judicial Office deals only with the great traitors who collude with the demon clan. Though we disciples have minor faults, our crimes don't reach that level."

"Indeed, Chief Lin, we ask you to show some leniency!"

The Elders around them felt uneasy; Lin Qingli, who had been quiet these past days, suddenly caused such a stir—could there really be someone behind them, ready to act?!

Lin Qingli looked at them calmly: "No need. You may return first; if any issues arise later, the Chief will inform you."