Chapter 957: A Glimmer of Hope

Though Xiao Xinghe seemed uninhibited, his mind was exceptionally meticulous. In just a few words, he deduced several things.

He knew his conscription was clearly due to his junior disciple. He didn't believe his own abilities or talents would have caught the attention of the Law Enforcement Division.

This suggested his junior disciple was highly favored by Division Chief Qian Wudang, who wouldn't otherwise have given him the authority to personally enlist people.

Since his junior disciple was thinking of him, he naturally couldn't be solely concerned with himself.

While it was easy for others to leave Torrential Lake Pass, it would be incredibly difficult for him to extricate himself. If his junior disciple truly had to confront that malicious woman, things would become very troublesome.

Lu Ye said, "Senior Disciple, rest assured. If it truly proves impossible, I won't force it. I'll ask you to be patient here, and I'll find another opportunity to get you out later."

This time, getting Xiao Xinghe transferred depended entirely on whether Torrential Lake Pass would release him. The initiative was completely in Liu Yuemei's hands. If she insisted on not releasing him and showed no respect to Qian Wudang, Lu Ye would have no chance at all.

If that were the case, he wouldn't hesitate to target disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect.

Most cultivators were unruly and often inadvertently violated the Guards' Code. How could Heavenly Origin Sect disciples be an exception?

It was just that many minor infractions went unreported and uninvestigated.

But if they were being watched by the Law Enforcement Division... who hadn't made mistakes? Take Lu Ye himself, for example. He had left Blazing Flame Mountain Pass with Nian Yuexian for two months. If investigated, that would be a charge of dereliction of duty, and even Nian Yuexian wouldn't escape.

Lu Ye felt that after returning this time, he should thoroughly study the Guards' Code. While serving in the Law Enforcement Division in the future, there would inevitably be times he'd need it.

Xiao Xinghe nodded, "Since you say so, Junior Disciple, I'm relieved."

He could see that his junior disciple was not a reckless person. He was worried Lu Ye, being young and hot-headed, might insist on taking him away, which would make the situation uncontrollable.

Thump, thump, thump! The room door vibrated from someone banging on it vigorously outside.

Lu Ye whipped his head around, his gaze instantly turning cold.

Normally, cultivators didn't search for people so rudely. What if someone was in seclusion? Such a disturbance was never good. When the cultivator named Wang came earlier, he had merely gently triggered the restriction to notify Xiao Xinghe of a visitor. Whether Xiao Xinghe chose to see him or not was up to him.

This time, someone was violently banging on the door, clearly with ill intentions.

Judging by their posture, if they weren't somewhat restrained, they would likely have broken in.

Xiao Xinghe reassured him, "Don't be agitated, Junior Disciple."

He got up and opened the door, finding an impatient-looking young man standing outside. He frowned and asked, "Senior Disciple Chen Ke, is something wrong?"

The young man named Chen Ke shot Xiao Xinghe a disdainful glance, then looked past him to survey Lu Ye and Lin Yinxiu inside the room.

"Get out of the way!" Chen Ke raised a hand and pushed Xiao Xinghe aside, his spiritual power surging, revealing his formidable cultivation at the seventh-level True Lake Realm.

He strode directly into the room and looked down at Lu Ye, "Are you from the Law Enforcement Division?"

Lu Ye slowly stood up, meeting his gaze directly, "That's right!"

Chen Ke scoffed softly, "The Pass Lord wants to see you. Follow me."

"Pass Lord Liu?"

"Naturally."

Lu Ye inwardly mused about their incredible speed. He had only been here a short while, yet they already had news.

But it was understandable; this was Torrential Lake Pass, after all, her territory, and she was a Divine Sea Realm cultivator. How could she not detect him?

Che Zixiong had been unwilling to handle Lu Ye's request to conscript Xiao Xinghe and had made an excuse to leave. Now that the person who could handle it had appeared, it perfectly suited Lu Ye's intentions.

"Lead the way!"

Chen Ke's lips curved into a meaningful smile. He turned and left the room, flying off in a certain direction.

Lu Ye and the other two followed closely.

Xiao Xinghe felt uneasy and whispered to Lu Ye, "Junior Disciple, since you've come here for me, you must know about the grudge between Liu Yuemei and our sect. Although you now have the protection of the Law Enforcement Division, you still need to be cautious in front of her. She just suffered the pain of losing her son and is somewhat irrational. It's hard to guarantee she won't do something crazy."

"I understand, Senior Disciple, don't worry," Lu Ye nodded.

Following Chen Ke, they quickly returned to the previous main hall.

Che Zixiong was still nowhere to be found, but a somewhat desolate figure stood in the hall: Liu Yuemei.

Lu Ye had a profound impression of this woman. After all, Li Taibai had nearly been beaten to death by her family just days ago...

However, she probably wouldn't have imagined that Li Taibai, whom she thought was surely dead, was now alive and well, appearing openly before her.

"Pass Lord, I've brought the person," Chen Ke said, cupping his fist.

Liu Yuemei stood silently, but her icy, bone-chilling gaze fixated on Lu Ye. Her eyes suddenly brimmed with boundless hatred and killing intent.

Without any warning, the formidable aura of a Divine Sea Realm Grand Cultivator erupted and spread.

Lu Ye, who had been about to salute, instantly felt mountain-like pressure. His body hunched slightly, and his bones creaked. Although Xiao Xinghe behind him wasn't directly targeted, he was injured and merely groaned from the residual impact.

Lin Yinxiu reacted the least. Her cultivation was higher than both of theirs, and she wasn't targeted like Lu Ye, but even she turned pale in the face of a Divine Sea Realm Grand Cultivator's power.

Time seemed to slow considerably. Lu Ye endured immense pressure, the creaking of his bones inside him grew more frequent, and his body continued to hunch.

Although he knew nothing good would come from meeting Liu Yuemei, Lu Ye hadn't expected the woman to be this deranged. It seemed, as his third senior disciple had said, that the initial pain of losing her son had made her irrational. She was clearly trying to force him to kneel.

How could Lu Ye kneel to her? Even with mountain-like pressure, he stood his ground!

He was, after all, a member of the Law Enforcement Division, here on official duty, representing them. He presumed Liu Yuemei wouldn't dare go too far; otherwise, she would be openly disrespecting Qian Wudang.

Bearing the pressure, Lu Ye spoke with difficulty, almost syllable by syllable:

"Lu Yiye of the Law Enforcement Division, accompanied by team member Lin Yinxiu, greets Pass Lord Liu!"

The moment he finished speaking, the overwhelming pressure suddenly vanished.

This sudden reversal caused Lu Ye's blood and qi to surge in his chest, and a mouthful of rebellious blood rushed up his throat, almost making him vomit.

Xiao Xinghe beside him was in a similar state. He grunted, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, clearly aggravating his injuries.

Lu Ye abruptly looked up, his gaze like a sword as he stared at Liu Yuemei. With the taste of blood in his mouth, he said, "I have long heard of Pass Lord Liu's esteemed name. Seeing you today, Pass Lord Liu's authority is indeed like a mountain, truly awe-inspiring. This humble subordinate has learned a lesson!"

"Hmph!" Liu Yuemei softly snorted. She turned and calmly sat in the chair behind the table, saying, "I, too, have long heard of your name."

"This humble subordinate is deeply honored that Pass Lord has remembered me."

"Indeed, I remember you very well," Liu Yuemei sneered softly, her expression icy and bone-chilling. She made no attempt to hide her animosity towards Lu Ye. "So, why have you come this time?"

"By order of Division Chief Qian Wudang, I have come to your pass to conscript Xiao Xinghe into the Law Enforcement Division. This is the writ issued by the Division Chief." Lu Ye stepped forward a few paces and presented the writ signed by Qian Wudang.

Liu Yuemei remained seated, making no move to accept it.

Since she knew Lu Ye had arrived at Torrential Lake Pass, how could she not know his purpose and preparations? Her previous question was simply pointless.

Separated by only three feet, Liu Yuemei stared into Lu Ye's eyes and said faintly, "The esteemed Law Enforcement Division, with its countless strong cultivators, would actually take an unaccomplished fellow from my pass?"

Lu Ye retrieved the writ and said, "That is the Division Chief's consideration. This humble subordinate is merely carrying out orders."

At a time like this, it was certainly not wrong to push the responsibility onto Qian Wudang.

"Then go back and tell Division Chief Qian that my Torrential Lake Pass is currently short-staffed. Xiao Xinghe performed remarkably in the recent battle, and I intend to promote him. I appreciate Division Chief Qian's kindness, but I must decline."

"Understood!" Lu Ye replied, cupping his fist. "Then, this humble subordinate will take his leave!"

With that, he turned and began to leave.

Lin Yinxiu looked bewildered and quickly followed him.

Behind the table, Liu Yuemei couldn't help but be startled. She clearly hadn't expected Lu Ye to leave so decisively.

She had thought Lu Ye would have some other preparations or methods to make her release the person.

Just as Lu Ye was about to lead Lin Yinxiu out of the main hall, Liu Yuemei's voice came from behind him: "Wait."

Lu Ye stopped, letting out a soft breath, and his tense expression relaxed slightly.

Things were progressing... quite smoothly.

He had been afraid the woman wouldn't call him back. If she hadn't, the conscription of Xiao Xinghe would have been impossible to proceed with. As long as she called him, there was a glimmer of hope.

It was just a glimmer of hope. Lu Ye couldn't be sure if things would continue as he planned, as there were too many variables in such matters.

To conscript Xiao Xinghe, he didn't actually need to come in person. He now had Lin Yinxiu under his command, who could have easily handled it.

Due to Liu Yuemei, coming in person would make things very complicated. Yet, he still came himself, because only by making things complicated would there be a chance to conscript Xiao Xinghe.

Otherwise, sending Lin Yinxiu would have been a waste of effort; Liu Yuemei would absolutely not have released anyone.

"Does Pass Lord Liu have any further instructions?" Lu Ye turned around and asked.

The previously cold-faced Liu Yuemei now showed a smile, though it appeared somewhat sinister and terrifying. "I have heard the esteemed name of Lu Yiye from the Jade Blood Sect many times. I am also aware of your numerous achievements on the Spirit Creek Battlefield and Cloud River Battlefield. Wouldn't it be a pity to have such a talent remain in the Law Enforcement Division? Lu Yiye, I intend to transfer you to this pass to serve and kill enemies. What do you think?"

He had come to conscript Xiao Xinghe, but Liu Yuemei was now trying to conscript him instead. It was truly comical.

As for Liu Yuemei's intention in conscripting him, Lu Ye could guess it with his toes.

His expression remained calm, but he was delighted internally.

The fish... had taken the bait.