Chapter 390: Showing Off One's Skills Before an Expert

However, one cannot characterize a situation based solely on speculation and judgment. The fact that the branch sect has not arrived to greet us suggests there might be other issues at play.

As for the exact reason, verifying it is actually quite simple: we just need to go and see.

Senior Immortal Zixuan raised her head, looking towards the Prefectural City in the sky. Although the branch sect hadn't appeared and couldn't guide them, making it difficult to ascend, such a minor obstacle was not hard for Zixuan to resolve. The old woman Wuye, standing beside her, also showed a hint of coldness in her eyes. Most of the others were deep in thought, many secretly glancing at Xu Qing and the Captain.

Chen Tinghao and his companion also noticed something was amiss. After a brief inquiry, Chen Tinghao immediately spoke.

“Senior Zixuan, fellow Daoist Xu Qing, fellow Daoist Er Niu, has something happened to your Eight Sect Alliance branch sect? I will inquire about it shortly. However, if it's just about gaining entry to the city, we can help.” He then immediately took out a jade slip to send a message.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing and the Captain bowed to Chen Tinghao, expressing their gratitude.

Senior Immortal Zixuan nodded slightly. If unnecessary, she didn't want to use her connections in the Prefectural City on her first day, especially for a trivial matter like entering the city.

Moreover, and most importantly, this was the Prefectural City, teeming with powerful cultivators. Here, they couldn't act as freely as they did in Yinghuang Province.

Everything had to be handled with greater caution in this place, especially at this moment of their arrival.

Therefore, she first needed to figure out what had happened to the Eight Sect Alliance's branch sect.

Thus, with Chen Tinghao's help, three streaks of brilliant light soon flew out from the Prefectural City above, transforming into three individuals.

These three wore dark brown standard robes and had lightning glowing around them, clearly indicating they were fellow disciples of Chen Tinghao's sect.

However, they didn't look like Sword Holders.

After exchanging greetings upon their arrival, Chen Tinghao introduced them, and Xu Qing learned that these three were disciples of the Primordial Thunder Vein, serving as Prefectural Patrols.

After hearing Chen Tinghao introduce Xu Qing and the Captain as newly promoted Sword Holders, the three became noticeably more polite, their expressions showing respect. They then escorted the Eight Sect Alliance group as they ascended into the sky, heading directly for the Prefectural City.

This scene once again gave the observant Xu Qing a clear understanding of the Sword Holders' status.

At the same time, he instinctively looked towards the Prefectural City, which was getting closer and closer.

From afar, the city appeared circular and immensely vast. It was surrounded by high walls, and countless rune markings shimmered within, creating waves of terrifying pressure.

Especially upon closer approach, this pressure was astonishing, sweeping over them as if to verify their identity for entry into the prefecture.

With Chen Tinghao and the three Prefectural Patrols vouching for them, Xu Qing and his group encountered no obstacles during the entry verification process and successfully stepped into the Prefectural City.

As they stepped inside, a magnificent city clearly appeared before Xu Qing's eyes.

Although the Prefectural City was vast, it was orderly. Long streets crisscrossed everywhere, and numerous buildings, constructed with green jade bricks and topped with purple-red roofs, naturally exuded a sense of solemnity while also feeling vibrant.

Furthermore, spiritual trees adorned the city, scattered throughout many corners and along the long streets, giving the solemn atmosphere a touch of elegance.

Moreover, a rich spiritual energy constantly emanated from every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree, enveloping the surroundings and making the entire Prefectural City feel light and ethereal.

Within it, ordinary mortals were few, but cultivators were numerous. Looking around, the streets buzzed with activity, lively and bustling.

In particular, the architecture here appeared grand from afar yet exquisite up close. There were numerous courtyards with elaborate gateways, and even the smaller homes exuded a delicate craftsmanship.

Whether in terms of scale or design, they were incomparable to the cities of the Eight Sect Alliance. The difference in their respective foundations was evident.

However, two aspects of this Prefectural City impressed Xu Qing the most.

Firstly, because the Prefectural City floated in front of the Ancient Emperor Xuanyou's statue's chest, the first thing one saw when looking up was the remnants of the deity's face – not the sun, but the sculpted head of Ancient Emperor Xuanyou.

Its divine aura, its eyes overlooking all living beings, and the hint of compassion in its expression were clearly reflected in the eyes of every resident of the Prefectural City.

Secondly, after stepping into this Prefectural City, Xu Qing had a feeling as if he stood at the peak of Fenghai Prefecture. It was as if his body, his soul, and indeed everything about him, subtly merged with Fenghai Prefecture the moment he entered the city.

This feeling was incredibly strange; Xu Qing had never experienced anything similar in any other city he had visited before.

And yet, this place was clearly the most ordinary structure in Fenghai Prefecture.

“That is the power of destiny,” Senior Immortal Zixuan said softly.

“As the capital of a prefecture and the core of the entire Fenghai Prefecture, this place gathers Fenghai Prefecture's destiny. Although the concept of destiny is ethereal, it truly exists.”

“However, it mostly converges upon the orthodox lineages of various clans; sects and other forces find it difficult to possess.”

Xu Qing pondered upon hearing this.

As they proceeded, Chen Tinghao introduced the Prefectural City.

“The entire Prefectural City is divided into nine rings and seventy-seven districts. As for the specifics, you will naturally learn more later.”

Because they needed to reach the branch sect quickly, Chen Tinghao didn't describe the details to Xu Qing and the others along the way. Instead, after learning the branch sect's address, he led them there at the fastest possible speed.

The Eight Sect Alliance's branch sect was located in the southwestern part of the Prefectural City, within District 59.

Its location was secluded but close to the core area. From the outside, it appeared to be a decent courtyard, with glimpses of rockeries and flowing water inside, giving it a delicate charm.

However, there were no branch sect disciples present now, and the courtyard gate was sealed with black talismans.

Seeing the seal, the disciples of the Eight Sect Alliance all looked grim. Zixuan's gaze swept over the seal, and expressionlessly, she took out a jade slip, beginning to inquire with her acquaintances in the Prefectural City.

This seal clearly indicated everything.

Something had indeed happened to the branch sect.

“Zhang Siyun?” Xu Qing's gaze swept from the seal to the Captain. The Captain and Xu Qing exchanged glances, their eyes slowly narrowing.

Both he and Xu Qing came from the Bounty Hunter Division, so they were no strangers to seals. They had even used similar items in the past.

Therefore, they knew very well that sealing a residence usually meant the matter hadn't been thoroughly investigated yet, preventing outsiders from entering and interfering, and awaiting handling by the relevant authorities.

Encountering such an incident on their first visit to the Prefectural City suggested a high likelihood of being targeted. As for who was behind it… Xu Qing thought that Zhang Siyun had the strongest motive and ability.

After all, Zhang Siyun was specially recruited, which was enough to indicate his background in the Prefectural City.

Chen Tinghao, standing nearby, frowned upon seeing the seal, taking out a jade slip to help with inquiries. His three fellow disciples did the same.

The Prefectural City was too large, so unless it was something within one's own jurisdiction, not everyone knew about matters in other areas.

However, as local residents of the Prefectural City, they quickly obtained an answer through their inquiries.

“Seven days ago, this branch sect was taken away by the Palace of Regulations on suspicion of usurpation, and they are currently being interrogated,” Chen Tinghao said, raising an eyebrow and looking at Xu Qing and the others.

At this moment, Senior Immortal Zixuan had also learned the answer from her contacts, but it was more detailed.

“The order was issued by Yao Yunci, head of the Third Division of the Palace of Regulations. The crime of usurpation can be major or minor; this matter is clearly deliberate. Xu Qing, what is the surname of the newly promoted Sword Holder from the Grand Minister Immortal Sect this time?”

“It’s Zhang, Zhang Siyun!” Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

“Do you have any conflicts with him?” Zixuan asked.

“Yes,” Xu Qing nodded.

“Then it must be him. I found out from a friend that this Yao Yunci is a member of the Yao family. Her marriage into the Grand Minister Immortal Sect years ago displeased the Yao family. Her Dao companion’s surname is Zhang, and they have a son.” A cold glint flashed in Senior Immortal Zixuan’s eyes.

“So, the target of the usurpation charge isn’t the branch sect, but Xu Qing!” the Five Peaks Crone said hoarsely.

“Their timing is a bit rushed. Seven days, that’s just when the interrogation is about to wrap up. Little A Qing, back when we were in the Bounty Hunter Division, if we were preparing to do similar work, how would you approach it?”

The Captain said softly from beside him. Xu Qing looked up, gazing into the distance, and spoke faintly.

“Lie in wait, set up the trap, and kill with one strike.”

“Precisely. If we weren't in a strong position, we wouldn't need such calculations; we'd just arrest them directly. Unless there's some apprehension, but with such haste, without more elaborate planning or widespread nets, they fear alerting us. They’re waiting for an opportunity for a fatal blow, anticipating our swift retaliation, wanting to uproot us entirely.”

The Captain licked his lips.

“If they're this rushed, there’s only one goal: to frame us. So they first arrest a group of people as leverage, then wait for the target to appear, take them away directly under the guise of cooperating with an investigation, and at the same time, speak more arrogantly to provoke anger, leading to resistance to arrest. The Bounty Hunter Division often does this sort of thing because it’s too crude.”

“Why go through all this trouble?” Wu Jianwu asked blankly, not quite understanding. Ning Yan, standing nearby, secretly shot him a disdainful look upon hearing this.

“It’s to make a mountain out of a molehill, to lure someone into a trap. With a little packaging, they can directly issue a warrant. Otherwise, it would just be a slow process,” the Captain said with a cold voice, looking at Xu Qing.

“Little A Qing, how do you plan to resolve this matter?”

“This matter is very easy to resolve,” Xu Qing said calmly.

“Exactly, resolving it is simple. We need to think about how to retaliate.”

“Just use their methods, with a slight modification, and it’ll be done.”

“Interesting. They dared to scheme against us two from the Bounty Hunter Division!” The Captain chuckled upon hearing this.

The words of the two made everyone around them gasp.

Chen Tinghao was among them, his gaze towards Xu Qing and the Captain carrying a deeper meaning.

Zixuan, meanwhile, showed appreciation in her eyes, and the Five Peaks Crone beside her also smiled.

“Zhang Siyun’s mother should be sending people now,” Xu Qing said, looking into the distance. After his words, two figures swiftly emerged from the street he was gazing at.

Before they even arrived, a strong murderous intent intensely spread, enveloping the area.

“They’re here,” a faint light flashed in the Captain’s eyes. The two figures rapidly approached from a distance, appearing before everyone in an instant. They wore blue Daoist robes with black cloaks, similar to those of the Sword Holding Palace but with a greater emphasis on a sense of order. Their expressions were grim, and ignoring the presence of Immortal Zixuan, their gaze swept around upon approaching and landed directly on Xu Qing.

“Are you Xu Qing?”

“We are disciples of the Palace of Regulations. Following our interrogation of the Eight Sect Alliance branch sect, Xu Qing is suspected of usurpation. The Palace of Regulations summons Xu Qing to accept investigation. Should you resist, the Palace of Regulations holds the right to execute. Should you refuse to cooperate, the Palace of Regulations holds the right to compel. Any outsiders who interfere with the Palace of Regulations' enforcement will be suppressed without exception.”

The two, whose cultivation was at the Six Palace Golden Core stage, spoke indifferently, their voices deliberately spreading in all directions, making many passersby in the vicinity hear them.

Afterward, they did not immediately apprehend Xu Qing. Instead, their gaze fell upon the other disciples of the Eight Sect Alliance, especially lingering on Immortal Zixuan for a few extra glances, as if giving them time to react and respond.

At this moment, Chen Tinghao and the other disciples of the Eight Sect Alliance looked towards Xu Qing and the Captain, finding that this scene was exactly as they had predicted.

Xu Qing had worked in the Bounty Hunter Division for three years, rising from an ordinary member to the director of the Seventh Peak's Bounty Hunter Division. He was intimately familiar with all the intricacies involved. The Captain had been there even longer.

Seeing the opponents speak in such a manner, Xu Qing cupped his fist towards Senior Immortal Zixuan.

“Senior, this disciple can handle this matter; there’s no need to worry.”

Xu Qing then cupped his fists towards the Five Peaks Crone and Chen Tinghao, finally glancing at the Captain, before stepping forward towards the two Palace of Regulations disciples.