Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

With their business concluded, the three rode their fast horses and headed straight back to the Jing Tian Department in Tiandu.

...

Inside the Tiandu inner city, at the headquarters of the Mingjing Department.

At this moment, in a courtyard within the Mingjing Department, a first-rank Holder of Mirrors Zhu Ting sat at the head of the main hall looking over documents, when suddenly, a clerk walked in and said in a low voice, "Sir, Yan Hua and Cheng Song are requesting an audience."

Without lifting his head, Zhu Ting ordered, "Let the two of them in."

"Yes."

Soon, Yan Hua and Cheng Song were brought in. As soon as they saw Zhu Ting, they knelt on one knee and said with clasped fists in a serious tone, "We implore you, sir, to uphold justice for the two of us."

Zhu Ting looked up, his brow slightly furrowed, "What\'s the matter? Weren\'t you two on a mission to Liyang Mansion? What happened?"

The case at the Beiyuan County Commandant\'s Mansion was precisely Zhu Ting\'s responsibility.

Yan Hua said with a stern face, "Sir, we were acting on your orders to deal with the case at the Beiyuan County Commandant\'s Mansion and to carry out a search seizure. Three people from the Jing Tian Department were also with us during the investigation, but they acted arrogantly and unfriendly. Moreover, they hindered our work and resorted to physical confrontation, injuring many of our brothers.

We had no choice but to come back and seek justice from you, sir."

"Sir, the members of the Jing Tian Department were overly arrogant. They not only interfered in our case, but they even dared to harm others. After our repeated but futile admonishments, we had no other choice but to return and request you to decide what is to be done," Cheng Song said with a pretense of helplessness. The two of them glossed over and narrated the events one more time.

In their account, the entire incident originated from provocations by Gu Chen\'s trio while they were conducting the search seizure, as they attempted to sneak away with benefits and were rejected, which led to resentment and then resulted in physical harm.

"Such a thing occurred?" Zhu Ting\'s thick eyebrows lifted, and an angry expression crossed his face.

Among the first-rank Holders of Mirrors in the Mingjing Department, his temper was relatively volatile, which was why Yan Hua and Cheng Song sought him out directly upon their return.

The two saw Zhu Ting\'s reaction and felt a surge of joy in their hearts, quickly adding, "Sir, this matter is absolutely true. If you doubt us, you can go out and see for yourself; the brothers under us are injured, every last one. Their blows were far from light, and relying on the Jing Tian Department\'s support, they simply did not take us, the Mingjing Department, seriously at all."

With a fierce glare, Zhu Ting stared at Yan Hua and Cheng Song and demanded angrily, "You two just watched your men getting beaten up?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Hua and Cheng Song looked embarrassed and said, "We did fight back, but…"

Before they could finish, Zhu Ting already understood. He glanced at Yan Hua and Cheng Song and said sternly, "You couldn\'t beat them?"

"Yes…" Yan Hua and Cheng Song said sheepishly. It wasn\'t something to be proud of. Moreover, feeling embarrassed and scorned by Zhu Ting, they placed all the blame on Gu Chen\'s head.

"Hmph!"

Zhu Ting snorted coldly, "The Jing Tian Department is getting bolder and bolder. Not content with overseeing martial forces, they now dare to extend their reach into my Mingjing Department and attack my men. They really think with His Majesty in seclusion, no one can handle the Jing Tian Department?"

Although relations between the Jing Tian Department and Mingjing Department had not been significantly strained, there were some disputes over certain issues. After all, as two of the most important institutions in Da Xia, there were bound to be conflicts of interest.

Thus, within the Mingjing Department, there were some who were dissatisfied with the Jing Tian Department, among whom was Zhu Ting.

The Jing Tian Department monitored the world while the Mingjing Department was responsible for overseeing officials. Although both had their respective duties, in Da Xia, more resources were tilted towards the Jing Tian Department. By comparison, the Mingjing Department received fewer resources annually.

Some within the Mingjing Department felt that the Jing Tian Department was nothing more than a group of warriors who only knew how to fight and kill. What the Jing Tian Department could do, the Mingjing Department could also do, but not everything within the Mingjing Department\'s capabilities could be handled by the Jing Tian Department.

This was another point of contention between the two sides, although not a serious one. Both sides had typically shown restraint, but now, due to the words of Yan Hua and Cheng Song, it had become a touchpoint with Zhu Ting.

"Where are those three now?" Zhu Ting asked with a dark face.

Yan Hua hurriedly answered, "They should be on their way back."

Zhu Ting said coldly, "For the next few days, you two will watch the gates of Tiandu. Once you see those three returning, bring them directly to me at the Mingjing Department."

Yan Hua hesitated, "Sir, if they resist…"

"Do you think they will dare?" Zhu Ting asked expressionlessly. "Once they return to Tiandu, if they still dare to be so arrogant, I will personally capture them and have them executed on the spot!"

"Understood!" Overjoyed by Zhu Ting\'s words, Yan Hua and Cheng Song complied.

...

Meanwhile, to return to Tiandu as quickly as possible, Gu Chen\'s trio had not rested along the way. With their surging inner energy, they made it back from Liyang Mansion\'s Beiyuan County in less than two days.

Just as they reached the main gate of Tiandu and before they had a chance to enter the city, they saw a group of people rushing out, led by Yan Hua and Cheng Song.

"Seize them!" ordered Yan Hua, waving his hand, and immediately seven or eight third-rank Holders of Mirrors surged forward.

This scene drew the attention of countless passersby at the Tiandu gate.

Noticing Yan Hua and Cheng Song, Song Yu and Wang Yan\'s expressions changed, sensing trouble brewing.

"We are Metropolitan Procurators from Da Xia\'s Jing Tian Department. By what right do you detain us?" Song Yu demanded in a stern voice.

With a metallic ring, Yan Hua drew his long sword from his waist and stepped forward. Pointing the blade at Song Yu, he said with a cold smile, "I\'m here to detain you. What will you do about it?"

Cheng Song followed beside Yan Hua, his eyes playfully fixed on Gu Chen. He was eager to see if Gu Chen would dare to make a move.

Gu Chen\'s eyebrows furrowed as he said, "Let the two of them go, and I will come with you."

Song Yu\'s expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "No, you can\'t go with them."

If Gu Chen left with these men, he would undoubtedly be taken to the dungeons of the Mingjing Department. Once there, Gu Chen\'s safety would be uncertain; who knows what means Yan Hua and Cheng Song would use to torment him.

"None of you will leave today!" Yan Hua bellowed. "What are you waiting for? Apprehend all three of them immediately!"

Click!

The third-rank Holders of Mirrors, with their shackles at the ready, promptly clamped down on Gu Chen and his companions. Gu Chen did not resist. Yan Hua and Cheng Song dared to act here, clearly prepared, just waiting for him to make a move.

This played right into their hands.

"I demand to see the Commandant! You have no right to detain us!" Song Yu said, his face cold, but he also did not dare to resist.

"Hmph!"

Yan Hua and Cheng Song both snorted coldly, paying no heed as they led Gu Chen and his companions away like criminals.