389: Chapter 1 The Wind Arrives 389: Chapter 1 The Wind Arrives The Imperial City has been anything but peaceful lately.
Ten days have passed since Lord Relegated Immortal escorted the Northern Hunt party back to Great Chu, summoning all his strength and using his Yang God Divine Skills to transport all the Cloud Ships to the Imperial City North Suburb.
For a full ten days.
Qiantian Palace, Baihua Valley, the Taoist sects…
all across the territory of the Great Chu Dynasty that participated in this Northern Hunt, holy lands, sects—they were all shaken, each dispatching famous elders to the Imperial City to welcome back their disciples.
The news of the tragedy of the Northern Hunt had already spread back to Great Chu, stirring up a storm of unrest.
And it wasn’t just Great Chu that was buzzing about it.
Even the Da Li Dynasty to the east was paying close attention to the “outcome” of this Northern Hunt.
In past years, the return of the Cloud Ships was a time for tallying up the spoils of war.
The Great Chu Royal Family would rank the hunting achievements of various powers by the number and grade of the demons they hunted, selecting the leader…
Fangyuan Square had released news that the upcoming Heavenly Pride List would consider the performance of the various talents during this Northern Hunt.
But now, what ranking could there be?
On the day the Cloud Ships landed, the majority of cultivators waiting in the North Suburb wore solemn expressions and were anxious at heart, all aware that this Northern Hunt had resulted in enormous casualties.
Compared to the major sects and noble families, many other participants came from smaller sect powers.
The young ones sent to join the Northern Hunt were all cream of the crop, the best among hundreds.
This Northern Hunt, who knew how many had met their doom.
After the Cloud Ships landed, the Imperial City Department took over the scene and didn’t release anyone immediately.
Instead, they first sealed off the Cloud Ships, allowing only those waiting in the area to recognize each other from a distance through protective formations.
The representatives of various sects stepped forward to check.
Most showed mournful expressions, feeling utterly disheartened.
After taking control of the Cloud Ships, the Imperial City Department’s actions were not just for inventory, statistics, and reporting.
They were also conducting “reviews” on the “returnees.”
Soon, shocking news that stunned everyone circulated.
This Northern Hunt.
More than half of the young cultivators had died in the ambush of Chiling City!
Of every ten who went, only a mere three or four returned.
Prince Jiang Qihu had gone on a killing spree; even the three Yin God Realm supervisors of the Cloud Ships had not returned with the vessels…
Three top talents had thus fallen.
Tai Shang House’s disciples Fang Hang, Prince Jiangning Xie Sheng, and the Qin Family’s young prince, Qin Wanyang!
The backgrounds, families, and strengths of these three were absolutely top-tier in the Northern Hunt, equipped with countless life-saving measures and message-transmitting magic artifacts.
In theory, they were the most likely to survive until the end…
Unfortunately, the path of cultivation is often unpredictable.
The Ruyi Dao of Emperor Qi’s Heavenly Realm wrapped around the Black Evil, completely cutting off any chance of communicating with the outside world using magic artifacts.
None of these three heroes managed to send out a message until their deaths.
However, after the death of the three talents was revealed, an even more explosive piece of news followed—
This Northern Hunt’s heavy losses were due to Prince Jiang Qihu of Chiling City “happening” to come near Lanshan Mountain.
The downfall of most was attributed to the Demon Race’s ambush.
However, some inside the Cloud Ship revealed.
The deaths of these three human race heroes were not at the hands of the demon race!
The instigator…
Was none other than Xie Zhen, the rising star of Da Sui Sword Palace, now the master of the Xuanshui Cave Heaven.
The surviving cultivators who had returned with the Cloud Ship all needed to pass the “examination” of the Imperial City Department, even masters like the senior brother of the Martial Sect and the fairy of Yuqing Pavilion.
The examination process was extremely secretive.
The identity of the informant was as yet uncertain, but that no longer mattered.
The moment this news was released, it quickly detonated across the Imperial City and the entire Great Chu—
Countless people were shocked!
Did Xie Zhen really kill Fang Hang, Xie Sheng, and Qin Wanyang?
Most of the shock stemmed from disbelief in Xie Zhen’s strength…
Although in the previous Xuanshui Tournament, Xie Zhen had defeated Xie Sheng, that competition did not measure actual combat capability, but rather comprehension of Sword Dao.
Xie Zhen’s victory over Prince Jiangning had been with the aid of the Sword Intent of Lotus River.
This was the official statement made public by the Jiangning Xie Family to save face.
Xie Xuanyi naturally couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Everyone else took it as the truth.
Furthermore, according to the files in Fangyuan Square, Xie Zhen’s strength was only at the Initial Cave Heaven.
Xie Sheng and Fang Hang were at Perfect Cave Heaven.
The Heavenly Pride List ranked these two as strong contenders for the top three!
Just like that…
dead?
Killed by Xie Zhen alone?
As the news spread, it sparked a massive uproar.
The Pavilion Master of Tai Shang House immediately left the Taoist Sect and headed for the Imperial City.
Traveling with him was also the Xie Family Head, Xie Zhisu.
However.
Xie Zhen was not among those who had returned on the Cloud Ship.
These two prominent figures rushed to the Imperial City with great momentum, only to be met with disappointment.
…
…
“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize, but until the review is complete, please stay here for the time being.”
In a residence of the North Suburb of the Imperial City.
The people of Baihua Valley were housed here.
A dozen Iron Cavalry were stationed outside, and the leader, wearing an Iron Face mask, spoke with an indifferent voice, stopping a disciple with his sword scabbard.
“Review, review, review…
It has already been ten days of review!
How much longer must this detention last?!”
A Baihua Valley Sword Cultivator exclaimed with underlying anger.
From the moment they came down from the Cloud Ship, they had been brought here…
If it were ordinary Loose Cultivators, that might have been okay, but they represented Baihua Valley, one of the top major sects in Qing State.
“This is a Holy Decree, not solely targeting Baihua Valley.
Once everything concludes, the Imperial City Department will surely release everyone,”
Iron Face responded impassively.
The female disciple bit her lip, feeling helpless.
“Iron Sir, please do not be angry.”
At that moment, a conciliatory voice came from outside the courtyard.
It was Lu Yuan.
These past few days, the cultivators returned from the Northern Hunt by Marshal Relegated Immortal were all subjected to a Divine Soul examination by the Imperial City Department.
On one hand, the Great Chu Royal Family wanted to restore the truth behind the “Northern Hunt” as much as possible.
On the other hand, they wanted to ensure that the surviving young cultivators of the Human Race had not been bewitched by the Demon Art of Chiling City and had no Divine Soul Seeds planted.
The Divine Soul examination was originally straightforward.
But the young cultivators who participated in the Northern Hunt were all promising talents.
That made things not so straightforward.
If the Imperial City Department handled things rudely, caring only about getting it over with, it might inadvertently damage the Divine Souls.
If they wanted to interrogate meticulously and examine carefully, it would be an enormously daunting task.
Thus, it dragged on for a full ten days.
“My junior sisters are young and impatient, unfamiliar with the rules.”
Lu Yuan had just finished her second interrogation; she quickly intercepted between the two, smiling as she explained, “I’ve long heard of the Special Enforcement Officer ‘Iron Eyes.’ Your magnanimity is well-known, please don’t stoop to her level.”
The Chief of the Imperial City Department, Yuan Jimo, and his deputy, Jiang Qihu.
Both were figures of considerable renown.
Besides them, there were nine other Special Enforcement Officers, not lacking in vigor or status.
They were originally known as the Imperial City Nine Tigers, but since the deputy’s name also contained the character for ‘tiger’, they were collectively referred to as the Imperial City Ten Tigers.
Iron Eyes was one of those ten.
These nine Special Enforcement Officers all possessed the peak strength of Grotto Heaven or higher.
Special Enforcement Officers, although different by only one character from Special Envoys, had entirely distinct scopes of authority.
In terms of status, Special Enforcement Officers ranked lower, nearly bound to the Imperial City, ready to follow the dispatch of the Chief and Deputy at any time.
Special Envoys were the exact opposite; they were not required to obey orders from the Chief of the Imperial City Department and served directly under the Great Chu Imperial Family, mostly executing missions in outer regions.
Correspondingly, one stood in the sunlight, the other in the shadows.
This was why Lu Yuan was so polite to the iron-faced man before her.
The Special Enforcement Officer stepped forward to seal off the residence.
This meant that the inspection of the Cloud Ship cultivators had received a clear and official command.
“Clang!”
Iron Eyes showed no reaction to these flattering words but chose to sheathe his sword and leave without making a big deal of it.
Lu Yuan hurried into the residence.
“Senior sister… How did the examination go?”
One junior sister cautiously asked, “You’ve already cooperated with the investigations twice these past few days.”
“I am unharmed.”
Lu Yuan shook her head wistfully, “It’s Yuan Yi… The Imperial City Department has taken her into complete custody.
The Yuans are desperate to close the case, now she and a few others have been detained to be personally interrogated by Yuan Jimo.”
“…”
Several disciples from Baihua Valley looked at each other, at a loss for words.
…
…
“Miss Yuan.
You are just an ordinary disciple of Baihua Valley.”
“Yes.”
“You were only taken under Ye Qinglian’s command three years ago.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve known Xie Zhen for less than a year, right?”
“Yes.”
Under the dim light, the scent of sandalwood swayed.
Yuan Jimo stopped perusing the case file and frowned at the girl before him, speaking in a low tone, “After saying so much, you should understand my meaning.”
There was a mahogany chair in front of him.
But Yuan Yi chose to sit on the ground amidst the disorderly grass and leaves, her white clothing slightly dirty but her demeanor still proud and aloof.
“Your Master, Ye Qinglian, is merely the Young Valley Master of Baihua Valley.”
Yuan Jimo spoke solemnly, “The ones demanding accountability this time include the Pavilion Master of Tai Shang House, the Family Head of the Xie Family, and the Qin Family.”
Yuan Yi certainly understood Yuan Jimo’s implications.
The Taoist sects, the Xie Family, the Qin Family…
any of them were mightier than Baihua Valley.
Even her own Master would not dare to offend them.
And how could she resist by herself?
“The Imperial City Department has seen many snippets about Xie Zhen in your Divine Soul.”
Yuan Jimo struggled to maintain a gentle tone, “You were one of the people who had the most contact with him during the Northern Hunt.
I have left a chair and tea here; you can choose to sit comfortably and leisurely recall the details of the Northern Hunt.
Or you can choose to leave comfortably; why insist on the worst outcome?”
“…”
Yuan Yi looked up, gazing at Yuan Jimo earnestly.
She had been detained here for several days already.
As long as she was willing to accuse Xie Zhen.
She could soon leave, and Baihua Valley could be completely disassociated from this incident.
“What about them?”
Yuan Yi asked softly.
“Them?”
Yuan Jimo was momentarily taken aback before realizing she was referring to the others who had been “invited” here.
“They’re different from you.”
Yuan Jimo smiled, “They have Qiantian Palace, Yuqing Pavilion, and Martial Sects behind them.
They can remain silent without consequence.
The Pavilion Master of Tai Shang House has already arrived in the Imperial City, and I must provide an account.”
“They are no different from me.”
Yuan Yi shook her head.
She said calmly, “All cultivators must first understand their hearts before cultivating.
Although my cultivation is modest, I have never spoken deceitfully.
I have already recounted the details of the Northern Hunt; I did not personally witness Xie Zhen kill anyone, so I cannot stand up and provide false testimony to the Imperial City Department.”
“You’re truly…
beyond help.”
Yuan Jimo’s tone suddenly turned harsh; he lost his patience, stood up, and looked down coldly at the girl sitting on the rush mat: “The Pavilion Master of Tai Shang House just wants an answer.
If you cooperate with the Imperial City Department, what’s the harm in giving one?
After causing such a disaster, do you think Xie Zhen will return to the Imperial City?
As long as you’re willing to step forward, no one has to be a victim.
This account…
the Pavilion Master will slowly settle with Xie Zhen.”
“So, this is why you were in such a hurry to detain me.”
A breeze blew through the gloomy Forbidden Room.
Yuan Yi looked up, her eyes shining brighter and even carrying a hint of a smile.
“I heard the Pavilion Master of Tai Shang House is an unreasonable madman who fiercely protects his own.
You’re afraid he’ll hold you accountable for not investigating thoroughly, so you want to put me in the spotlight, present evidence, and splash the dirty water on Xie Zhen first.”
The young girl said with mocking scorn, “It turns out that even the Chief of the Imperial City Department has things to fear.”