Chapter 898: Xianxia Mountain

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Winds of Kyushu

Winds of Kyushu

Kang Yuanqiao had one more thing he hadn't explained to Lu Ye: although the Law Enforcement Division was a powerful institution that few dared to provoke when its members were out and about, much of its work was often unpopular.

Cultivators were mostly accustomed to freedom and often acted without restraint. However, the state's laws were rigid, and it was inevitable that some would inadvertently violate them. In such cases, the Law Enforcement Division was required to intervene.

The process of handling these matters easily offended people, leading to resentment and fear. This was also why the Law Enforcement Division, despite its formidable reputation, struggled with recruitment. Even though Bingzhou had a large number of cultivators, and the division had strict recruitment requirements—a minimum cultivation of True Lake Realm was necessary—they still lacked personnel. This was because Law Enforcement Division cultivators often did unpopular work and were disliked, so few were willing to join voluntarily. If one truly wished to earn military merits, it could easily be done at any frontline pass.

Coupled with a consistently high casualty rate, the Law Enforcement Division's enforcement teams frequently faced personnel shortages. Conscription had thus become a tacit, unwritten rule.

Kang Yuanqiao then spoke with a solemn expression, "Junior Brother Lu, during an enforcement team's mission, there are three prohibitions you must remember. If you violate them, you will not be lightly punished."

"Please tell me, Senior Brother," Lu Ye said, listening intently. "First, you are not permitted to use your status as an enforcement team member to conduct personal affairs or fulfill personal desires."

"Second, you are not permitted to contact outsiders freely during a mission without permission."

"Third, you must not act alone during a mission; at least two people must always be together. Remember these three points well!"

Lu Ye nodded solemnly. "I've noted them."

The other team members smiled slightly. "Of course, Junior Brother, don't be too worried. Everything has a first time; you'll get used to it with more experience."

Lu Ye, thinking he wasn't exactly relaxed himself, casually asked, "What kind of mission will we be carrying out this time?"

The captain smiled and shook his head. "The mission details are only known to the captain; we just follow orders."

For the rest of the time, the True Lake Realm cultivator shared many more important details with Lu Ye. As for the others, they concentrated on their formations, conserving energy, and seemed ready for a major operation.

After everything that needed to be said to Lu Ye was covered, the True Lake Realm cultivator took out an item and handed it to him. "Junior Brother, take some time to refine this."

Lu Ye took it, examined it briefly, and asked suspiciously, "A formation disc?" The item in his hand looked similar to a formation disc, but not quite; it resembled a magical artifact, yet if it was one, it seemed to be missing something.

"This is a Six-Element Spirit-Locking Fetish, a unique spiritual artifact exclusive to the Law Enforcement Division's enforcement teams; it cannot be found elsewhere. When we execute the mission, the six of us will stand in six different positions and activate its power. This will allow us to suppress spiritual energy flow within a certain area, making it effortless to apprehend the target if all goes smoothly."

Lu Ye suddenly realized. No wonder he felt something was missing; it turned out this item was part of a set, with six pieces making one complete set, and each of the six members holding one. Its operating principle was similar to that of a formation; essentially, with each of the six individuals holding a piece, they could deploy a spirit-suppressing grand formation in a very short time.

A cultivator's greatest reliance was their cultivated spiritual power. If spiritual power was suppressed, their cultivation could not be utilized; they would only be physically much stronger than mortals, which naturally made it easier for the enforcement team to carry out their mission.

No wonder they needed to conscript someone. Because there were six such items, six people were required to cooperate; one fewer would not work. Therefore, with Squad Alpha-Three lacking a member, Geng Lingzhou had no choice but to carefully recruit someone to make up the numbers.

"Senior Brother, how high is the cultivation of the person we're targeting?" Lu Ye asked, his expression solemn. This team was not weak, yet they still needed to use such artifacts. Wouldn't the enemy they were about to face be very powerful?

The True Lake Realm cultivator knew what Lu Ye was thinking and offered reassurance. "Generally speaking, the targets we need to deal with are all at the True Lake Realm. So, even in a direct confrontation, we could apprehend them. However, having this artifact in hand makes things much easier and prevents any unnecessary damage."

Lu Ye then understood.

"Junior Brother, go ahead and refine it. Once you can activate its power, I will teach you the method of cooperation."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Refining this Six-Element Spirit-Locking Fetish did not take much time. Lu Ye's spiritual power was pure enough that his refining efficiency was very high for anything. In just half an hour, he had fully refined the Six-Element Spirit-Locking Fetish in his hand. He then asked the captain for instructions on the cooperation method, and soon everything was ready.

The spirit boat carrying Lu Ye flew through the clouds, during which Geng Lingzhou replaced Shangguan Qiu as the pilot, increasing their speed.

They only reached their destination the next day. The spirit boat stopped, and the six individuals stepped out one by one, standing aloft in the air.

Lu Ye looked up and saw numerous pavilions and towers within the complex, clearly an ancient establishment. This suggested that their mission target this time was likely someone from within this legal institution!

"Xianxia Mountain!" exclaimed the True Lake Realm cultivator beside him, who was more experienced. He recognized the place at a glance as a legal establishment named Xianxia Mountain. Across all of Kyushu, Xianxia Mountain wasn't particularly renowned, but in Bingzhou, this legal institution was somewhat famous as a fourth-rank establishment.

According to Kyushu Heavenly Secret's assessment of institutional ranks, a fourth-rank legal establishment would have at least twenty cultivators at the True Lake Realm or higher. As for Divine Sea Realm cultivators, they certainly wouldn't have any.

Because if Xianxia Mountain had a Divine Sea Realm cultivator presiding over it, it wouldn't be fourth-rank, but third-rank. The deployment of an enforcement team at the True Lake Realm level indicated that the target this time must be a high-ranking individual within Xianxia Mountain, most likely an Elder or similar figure.

As for the specific person, only Geng Lingzhou, the team leader, knew. Lu Ye's only curiosity was why the target of this mission had been singled out by the Law Enforcement Division. Had they violated some law, or were they secretly an agent of the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge?

"Down," Geng Lingzhou commanded with a wave of his hand. The group descended and moved silently through the mountains.

After walking a short distance further, they came upon a thatched cottage. In front of the cottage, a solemn-faced old man was quietly waiting, presumably having arranged to meet Geng Lingzhou.

The team circled around and advanced.

"Junior Brother Geng!" The old man cupped his fists.

Geng Lingzhou returned the gesture. "Kang Yuanqiao, it's been a long time." The old man was indeed the sect master of Xianxia Mountain, Kang Yuanqiao. This time, Squad Alpha-Three was there to apprehend someone from Xianxia Mountain, so it was natural to greet the sect master. Without his permission and cooperation, not only would apprehending the person be impossible, but even entering Xianxia Mountain would be an issue.

Kang Yuanqiao smiled bitterly. "It's been years since we last met, Junior Brother Geng, and you're still as impressive as ever."

"And Senior Brother Kang, you're still robust and energetic," Geng Lingzhou replied.

"No, not anymore. I have no hope of reaching the Divine Sea Realm in this lifetime. But Junior Brother Geng, with a bit more effort, you might still have a chance."

A flicker of gloom crossed Geng Lingzhou's eyes. He was well aware of his own talent; without a significant fortuitous encounter, he would likely stop here in this life. The chasm-like barrier from True Lake to Divine Sea had made countless heroes throughout history shed tears of despair. Geng Lingzhou was no extraordinary prodigy; how could he be an exception?

Shaking off the melancholy in his heart, Geng Lingzhou straightened his face. "Let's not speak of trivial matters. Kang Yuanqiao, you should know our purpose."

Kang Yuanqiao's gaze swept over the five individuals behind Geng Lingzhou, and his expression turned bitter. "Who is it?" How could Kang Yuanqiao not recognize the enforcement team from the Law Enforcement Division?

Precisely because he recognized them, his heart was bitter. After receiving Geng Lingzhou's message, he had racked his brains but couldn't figure out who Geng Lingzhou's target was this time. The few True Lake Realm cultivators remaining in the mountain were all older generations who had made significant contributions to the law. How could such people be targeted by the Law Enforcement Division?

If it was merely a violation of the law, that would be one thing. Honestly, most cultivators in the state guard had, to varying degrees, violated the law at some point.

Though the law was like a mountain, principles of law often didn't deviate from human nature. If it was just a minor violation, it wouldn't be a big deal. The fear was that it wasn't just a simple violation of the law.

Geng Lingzhou didn't speak but merely mouthed a few words to Kang Yuanqiao.

Sect Master Kang's face drastically changed. "How could it be him?!"

Among the few senior figures remaining in the mountain, he had thought long and hard. While others might have violated the law, this particular person was the least likely. Yet, he never expected that the name he inferred from Geng Lingzhou's lip movements belonged to this very individual. But if it wasn't a violation of the law, then...

Kang Yuanqiao suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. "What's the reason?"

"Kang Yuanqiao, you should know the Law Enforcement Division's rules. Please don't ask too many questions." Geng Lingzhou's expression was unyielding and impartial.

"Alas," Kang Yuanqiao sighed heavily. "If I were to say that this might be a mistake, you all probably wouldn't..."

Geng Lingzhou interrupted him. "Kang Yuanqiao, please don't harbor any illusions. You should know the Law Enforcement Division's style of operation. Over the years, how many of those targeted by the division were truly innocent? Without irrefutable evidence, the Law Enforcement Division would not take such drastic action."

Because once the Law Enforcement Division acted, nothing would become something, and it could easily ruin a person's reputation. Therefore, the Law Enforcement Division's enforcement teams would not easily deploy. But once they did, it meant they had already obtained irrefutable evidence.

Sect Master Kang's expression seemed to age significantly in an instant. He stood silently for a long time before finally speaking, "Follow me."

"Thank you, Kang Yuanqiao." Geng Lingzhou's gaze sharpened. "However, I must ask you to prioritize the bigger picture. I know you have a deep personal friendship with that person, but Kang Yuanqiao, please don't forget, you are not only that person's friend and senior brother, but also the Sect Master of Xianxia Mountain!"

"I understand," Sect Master Kang said, his expression grim. "No need for Junior Brother to remind me."

He turned and led the way.

Along the way, they didn't encounter a single Xianxia Mountain disciple. It seemed no one in the entire Xianxia Mountain had noticed a team of six suddenly visiting today.

They continued for several more miles until they approached the valley ahead. In front of the thatched cottage in that valley, an old man fishing from a lone boat in the lake suddenly trembled, and his fishing rod fell into the water.

He sighed heavily, his face filled with bitterness. What was destined to come, had finally arrived!

It's the last day of the month, and I have nothing else to do. By the way, please give me a monthly vote. Every time, I'm just short of reaching two thousand monthly votes.

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