Chapter 406: Rules of Protection and the Mysterious Star Gate

Under Wen Meng's watch, Xu Jin uncovered Su Mingbo's path to promotion at the relief institute.

Should he laugh at this fool's stupidity?

Or his excessive cleverness?

When Xu Jin first left two hundred taels of silver to have him care for the eight disabled children, he even specifically mentioned he would return in half a year—to remind him, to warn him.

Yet this fool paid it no mind whatsoever.

Because at the time he gave that instruction, Xu Jin's cultivation base was only Mealcloud Fourth Layer.

Mealcloud Realm cultivators were a dime a dozen in Jinshan County.

It carried not the slightest deterrent.

The very next day after Xu Jin and his group departed, this fool used the two hundred taels to buy lavish gifts and presented them to his uncle.

Naturally, he gained his uncle's favor; then, when the demonic incident in Heshui County triggered a major purge of officials, he seized the opportunity to rise.

After his uncle gave a word, he was promoted to the third-ranking official of Heshui County—the County Deputy.

It was only because his cultivation was insufficient to meet the rigid requirement.

Otherwise, he might have even become the second-ranking official—the County Commandant.

And that wasn't all.

In his first year in office, this fool amassed considerable wealth, exchanged it for various cultivation resources, and forcibly pushed his cultivation to Star Casting Late Stage.

According to his plan, after another one or two years of embezzlement, he would buy some celestial treasures and breakthrough to Third Stage Star Refining.

Any kind of breakthrough to Third Stage Star Refining would satisfy one of the rigid promotion requirements.

At that point, with his uncle's influence, not only could he become County Commandant, but even County Magistrate was within reach.

At that point, he would gain even more.

As for the eight children who had been mutilated and harvested, he had long forgotten them—not only abandoning them to the next caretaker of the relief institute.

Since the County Deputy oversaw finances and supplies, this fool directly cut half the monthly grain and silver allocated to the relief institute.

Not much—just ten taels of silver and five hundred catties of rice per month—he Jie ed half of it.

The Jie ed portion naturally ended up in his own pocket.

He never stole anything large.

Above him were the County Magistrate and County Commandant—he couldn't touch the big sums.

He stole only the small amounts, taking a cut wherever his authority extended.

Bit by bit, he accumulated a personal fortune of over ten thousand taels.

"So you didn't hear a single word I said!"

After interrogation, Xu Jin, his fury nearly bursting his lungs, woke the fool and, with excruciating slowness, broke and tore off his other leg.

During this, Su Mingbo fainted three times, each time revived by Xu Jin.

The tortured Su Mingbo was nearly driven mad: "You—you wait! When my uncle arrives, I'll grind you to dust and scatter your bones!"

Xu Jin sneered.

He used the same method to break and tear off the fool's right arm.

A thousand cuts and ten thousand slices would not quench Xu Jin's burning rage.

This fool was too greedy!

Two hundred taels—you could have stolen one hundred and spent the other hundred on those eight children, and it wouldn't have come to this.

Even if you stole one hundred fifty and spent only fifty, it would have been acceptable!

But this fool stole it all!

After his promotion, he further slashed the relief institute's daily provisions.

As for who his uncle was, Xu Jin had already extracted the answer.

It was somewhat unexpected.

Another familiar face!

And indeed, someone holding a high position—in Jinshan County!

Knowing who it was, Xu Jin wasn't in a hurry—he waited calmly.

While waiting, he continued to torture Su Mingbo.

Two qing later, a streak of starlight suddenly descended from the heavens into Heshui County, landing before Su Mingbo's mansion; the moment it touched ground, the figure stepped forward, his entire body shimmering with starlight.

From afar, seeing Xu Jin's back, he abruptly halted and warned sharply: "Sir, do you know that inflicting private punishment on a Chen Guo official is a grave crime—a capital offense?"

Xu Jin didn't turn around, his voice cold: "Deputy Mountain Head Feng, I didn't expect you still had any regard for Chen Guo's laws.

How truly unusual!"

"Who are you?"

Upon hearing his name revealed, Feng Shu, newly arrived as Deputy Mountain Head of Jinshan Dao Academy, changed expression.

Xu Jin spun around like a whirlwind, holding Su Mingbo—limbs torn away—and sneered: "Deputy Mountain Head Feng, long time no see!"

"You—!"

Seeing Su Mingbo's horrific state, Feng Shu's face darkened with fury—but the next instant, he recognized Xu Jin.

"You—you're Xu Jin! But you're dead!"

"You—"

"Since Deputy Mountain Head Feng still holds Chen Guo's laws in esteem, today I shall apply Chen Guo's law to you—so no one can accuse me of murdering the innocent!" Xu Jin declared.

"Xu Jin, whether or not I've broken the law is not your place to judge!" Though he'd heard of Xu Jin's reputation before his death, at this moment, Feng Shu gained a measure of confidence: "But you—you inflicted private punishment on a Chen Guo official!"

"Hmph!"

Boom!

Xu Jin had no patience for words—the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain shot instantly from his hand, aiming to capture Deputy Mountain Head Feng Shu alive.

Seeing Xu Jin act, Feng Shu summoned starlight around his body to resist.

But the next instant, beneath the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain, his star force and protective starlight melted like snow poured over boiling water.

In an instant, the Heavenly Gang Thunder Chain bound Feng Shu tightly.

Even this was Xu Jin holding back—he deliberately restrained the chain's power.

Otherwise, Deputy Mountain Head Feng Shu would already be ash!

Su Mingbo froze.

He was utterly stunned.

This was his great savior.

How could it be…

Deputy Mountain Head Feng Shu was equally stunned.

He'd heard of Xu Jin's exploits—his combat prowess was formidable.

But he himself was a veteran cultivator at Fourth Stage, Ninth Layer peak.

He'd anticipated defeat—but never imagined he'd be captured without even a single move!

This gap instantly filled Deputy Mountain Head Feng Shu with boundless despair!

If the power gap were small, he might still have had a chance to turn things around!

But if the gap was too great, then…

In his understanding, strength was merely a reflection of background.

How had Xu Jin become so terrifying in just half a year?

"Xu Jin, I am Deputy Mountain Head of Chen Guo's Jinshan Dao Academy. What you're doing means war with the entire Chen Guo Dao Academy."

Slap!

Xu Jin directly slapped the Deputy Supervisor's token across Feng Shu's face, leaving a branded mark—and silenced him completely.

His heart sank without end.

Deputy Supervisor? How could his rank be so high?

What kind of miracle had this fool experienced?

"Deputy Mountain Head Feng, since you keep invoking Chen Guo's laws, let Chen Guo's laws judge you! I'll take you back to Jinshan Dao Academy." Xu Jin said, then, one hand gripping the captured Deputy Mountain Head Feng Shu, the other gripping Su Mingbo—limbs severed—and ascended into the stars, flying toward Jinshan Dao Academy.

To be honest, Xu Jin had neither much affection nor much hatred for Deputy Mountain Head Feng Shu.

Back in the academy, their interactions were minimal—he'd merely felt Feng Shu was slightly bureaucratic.

He never imagined the man had raised such a beast of an nephew!

And one he'd personally promoted!

He hadn't killed him immediately because Xu Jin still upheld the rules.

He didn't want to break the rules himself.

Killing a high-ranking academy official based on personal whim was Xu Jin leading the destruction of the rules.

Trampling Chen Guo's law.

For beings of great power—like Xu Jin, like the Grand Master—once the law and rules are trampled, the impact is negligible.

But for ordinary people, it is catastrophic.

Law and rules are the true protectors of ordinary people.

Xu Jin didn't want to destroy the protector of ordinary people while trying to protect them.

On the contrary, he intended to make the protector of ordinary people utterly powerful.

He was a strong one—but he was still human, not a beast.

Xu Jin moved with extreme speed, arriving at Jinshan Dao Academy in less than half a quarter-hour.

The instant he landed, a fifth-rank aura surged skyward—it was Supervisor Tian Zhang!

Seeing Xu Jin and the man he carried, Tian Zhang froze in shock.

"Supervisor Tian, inform Director Cao that the Deputy Superintendent of the National Dao Academy has arrived with urgent business!" said Xu Jin.

"Yes." Tian Zhang bowed and immediately sent a starlight message. "Deputy Superintendent Xu, the Academy Head says he needs a moment—he's currently handling an emergency outside."

"An emergency?" Xu Jin frowned. "Does he need support?"

An emergency requiring Director Cao Chun, who had reached the fifth rank, to handle personally could not be simple.

"The Academy Head says no support is needed yet—he'll return within an hour," said Tian Zhang.

"Very well. Who is the current Superintendent of Jinshan Dao Academy?"

"The current Superintendent is Zeng Shuo, formerly head of the External Affairs Hall," said Tian Zhang.

Xu Jin heard this and recognized an old acquaintance—one with personal ties.

"Bring him here. You and he will begin interrogating Feng Shu," said Xu Jin.

"Interrogate? May I ask what crime Deputy Academy Head Feng Shu has committed?" asked Tian Zhang.

Xu Jin gave a rough summary; Tian Zhang was both shocked and enraged.

"He embezzled funds from the Relief Institute? How could such a person even be promoted!" Tian Zhang's fury made his hair stand on end; he immediately turned to summon others.

Supervisor Tian Zhang's temperament had never changed.

He loathed evil with unyielding hatred!

Half a quarter-hour later, Superintendent Zeng Shuo arrived.

Seeing Xu Jin again, Zeng Shuo's face lit up with delight.

This former head of the External Affairs Hall, who had once shown Xu Jin kindness, remained as broad-shouldered and genial as ever.

After brief pleasantries, they began interrogating Deputy Academy Head Feng Shu.

Before the interrogation even started, Feng Shu had already prepared his defense!

Had he ever broken laws or violated discipline?

Yes—he had.

After former Superintendent Cao Chun was promoted to Academy Head, Feng Shu, stuck in his position as Deputy, found his cultivation stagnant and his breakthroughs impossible. He sank into self-destruction.

He began meddling in everything.

With his status, his cultivation, and his seniority, many things became absurdly easy to manipulate.

But evidence!

Without evidence, what could they do to him?

Many of his deeds left no trace.

Feng Shu had resolved to say nothing, no matter what.

What could they possibly do to him?

Under Xu Jin's supervision, Superintendent Zeng Shuo began interrogating related matters.

But Feng Shu stubbornly refused to speak.

He kept repeating, "I know nothing!"

"I didn't do it!"

After watching for a long while, Xu Jin suddenly sneered, "Deputy Academy Head Feng, you think if you stay silent, I can't touch you?"

"I didn't do it—how am I supposed to speak?" Feng Shu sneered back.

"Superintendent Zeng, do you have a Recording Jade Tablet?" asked Xu Jin.

"Yes," said Zeng Shuo.

Recording Jade Tablets were rare and costly; ordinary people didn't own them, but the Superintendent's office always kept one—for preserving evidence.

"Activate it."

"Yes."

Below the hall, Deputy Academy Head Feng Shu sneered. What did a Recording Jade Tablet matter?

If he said nothing, it would capture nothing!

But the next instant, Feng Shu felt his head grow heavy and slipped into unconsciousness.

"Superintendent Zeng, I'm using Star Art to control him. Ask him anything—he'll answer truthfully under this state."

"Understood."

The next instant, Zeng Shuo casually asked a question—and Feng Shu answered immediately.

This sight shocked both Zeng Shuo and Tian Zhang—could such a technique even exist?

The interrogation lasted more than half an hour.

The more they questioned, the more horrified they became.

Even Xu Jin had initially assumed Feng Shu merely took bribes and promoted relatives.

But he hadn't expected Feng Shu to confess he had repeatedly provided intelligence to the Celestial Sun Star Temple.

The embezzlement and bribery cases were countless!

Over a hundred personnel cases had been deliberately suppressed or promoted by him!

Horrifying!

After more than half an hour, the interrogation ended, and Feng Shu awoke from his slumber.

Feng Shu was puzzled—he felt as if he'd had a dream, but couldn't recall a single detail.

"Deputy Superintendent Xu, Superintendent Zeng, I've committed no illegal acts. You'd better release me at once, or I'll file an impeachment directly to the Grand Master!" Feng Shu declared confidently.

"Impeach?"

Zeng Shuo sneered. "You confessed yourself—take a look."

Zeng Shuo projected the Recording Jade Tablet's footage directly before Feng Shu.

After only a few breaths, Feng Shu was drenched in sweat and collapsed to the ground.

"According to Chen Guo law, this Su Mingbo should be executed by lingchi and his family confiscated."

"Feng Shu's punishment requires an official decree from the National Dao Academy, but based on his confessed crimes, he must be beheaded after confiscation."

"Submit the report."

"We still need the Academy Head to sign and seal it."

Director Cao Chun had not returned; Xu Jin had no desire to look at the monster Su Mingbo, so he wandered the academy grounds, searching for the aura that had marked his father's grave.

After circling once, he found the source of the aura.

Another familiar face!

Qian Xiaohu!

The younger brother he had taken in years ago.

Now at the peak of Casting Star cultivation.

Reuniting with his old brother, Xu Jin's initial joy gave way to discomfort.

Qian Xiaohu was timid and subservient before him.

It made sense: last year they had both ignited their stars; Qian Xiaohu had only reached the peak of Casting Star.

But Xu Jin now stood on equal footing with the Academy Head—even surpassed him.

To return to their old relationship was impossible.

Yet Qian Xiaohu had risked his life to erect a grave for Xu Jin's father when Xu Family Village was slaughtered—he was loyal and righteous.

They chatted briefly.

Xu Jin left behind a Three-Refined Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Core Pill, a vial of Three-Refined Superior Spirit-Enhancing Pill, and a vial of Three-Refined Superior Star-Refining Pill—items he had kept unused in his Numinous Space.

He had stored them in a corner for years; now they were perfect for Qian Xiaohu.

They would boost his cultivation dramatically, giving him a real chance to break into the fourth rank.

That was all he could do.

Further help would bring disaster, not blessing.

"Deputy Superintendent Xu, the Academy Head has returned!" said Tian Zhang.

"Xiaohu, train hard. Every year, take time to repair the grave at Xu Family Village."

"Jin-ge, don't worry—I won't forget!" Qian Xiaohu said, voice trembling with emotion.

When Xu Jin reached the academy's main hall, Director Cao Chun had already reviewed the Recording Jade Tablet, stamped the interrogation results with his seal, and sent them to the National Dao Academy—awaiting their official reply.

Seeing Xu Jin, though they shared personal ties, he first addressed official matters.

"Deputy Superintendent Xu, forgive me—deep within Daqing Mountain, a suspected star gate entrance suddenly appeared. I feared it might be an alien star gate descending, so I went personally to investigate and returned late," said Director Cao Chun.

This caught Xu Jin's attention. "A suspected star gate entrance—confirmed? Is it a Star Realm star gate?"

"Not yet certain! It resembles one, yet doesn't fully match!"

No alien beings have emerged!

But all those who entered to explore have gone missing!

I've already reported to the National Dao Academy requesting support," said Director Cao Chun.

As he spoke, Xu Jin's Star-Picking Token suddenly trembled.

(End of Chapter)