Chapter 971: Strong Break-in

"I am Zhou Ze, the External Affairs Elder of the Zhou family," the goatee-bearded old man said with a smile. "May I ask your names?"

"Niu Meng!"

Zhou Ze nodded slightly. "So it's Fellow Daoist Niu. Your demeanor is extraordinary and your aura impressive. May I ask where you are from, and what is your esteemed position?"

"My brother and I are merely rogue cultivators," Lu Ye continued to spout nonsense.

Zhou Ze's smile didn't falter. "I see. It's rare for rogue cultivators of your age to possess such cultivation. Indeed, new talents emerge in every generation! As guests from afar, now that you've come to Dingtian City, would you allow this old man to extend some hospitality as a host?"

Lu Ye narrowed his eyes, looked at him, then seemingly inadvertently glanced around. He said indifferently, "I didn't realize the Zhou family was so hospitable."

Around them, many cultivators had appeared, closely watching the scene. Under Lu Ye's spiritual perception, the movements of these people were naturally unconcealable. Although Xiao Xinghe's perception wasn't as clear, he vaguely sensed their presence and looked vigilant.

Zhou Ze laughed heartily. "My Zhou family has always made friends with heroes from all corners. Fellow Daoist should know that aristocratic families are not like sects; it's not easy to establish a foothold in the Nine Provinces."

Lu Ye nodded slightly. "In that case, we can't refuse to trouble you for a bit."

"Please!" Zhou Ze turned sideways and gestured with his hand.

Both Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe walked with their hands on their sabers, passing by him without glancing sideways.

A short while later, in a large estate within the city, the three figures landed. Zhou Ze led them to a side hall, where host and guests took their seats, and servants brought tea.

Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe sat still and upright. Zhou Ze's face radiated warmth: "This old man is straightforward and doesn't beat around the bush. I've taken the liberty of inviting you two today because I genuinely admire your talent. You are both young and accomplished, and your future prospects are undoubtedly vast. Although my Zhou family is located in a remote area, we particularly enjoy befriending heroes from all directions. I wonder if you two would be willing to serve my Zhou family?"

"My brother and I are merely passing through this place and will depart shortly. Elder, I appreciate your kind offer, but I must decline."

Zhou Ze said, "Although you are from a family, you must also know the hardships of rogue cultivators. If you two are willing to serve my Zhou family, we will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Saying so, he clapped his hands gently.

Immediately, two beautiful young female attendants entered, each carrying a tray. They approached Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe, placed two storage bags from the trays down, bowed respectfully, and then turned and left.

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. "Elder, what is the meaning of this?"

Zhou Ze smiled slightly. "Why don't you two take a look first?"

Lu Ye picked up one storage bag and opened it. Inside, it was filled to the brim with low-grade spirit stones, many spirit pills for cultivation, and even a Dharma artifact-grade treasure.

"The Zhou family is truly generous!" Lu Ye put down the storage bag. Even though he had seen much wealth, he was still surprised by the Zhou family's grand gesture. The contents of the storage bag were substantial, holding immense appeal for any True Lake realm cultivator.

"The Zhou family's generosity depends on the person," Zhou Ze said, stroking his beard. "You two undoubtedly have a great future ahead. Even if you are unwilling to serve the Zhou family today, it's not bad to forge a good relationship. My Zhou family is an aristocratic family, well aware of the drawbacks of family cultivation, and naturally understands that more friends mean more paths."

"That is indeed true," Lu Ye nodded. "Does Xiao Xinghe also agree? It seems what that young Wei Lü said wasn't wrong after all."

"Wei Lü?" Lu Ye frowned, wondering why he suddenly brought up an unfamiliar name at that moment.

"Wei Lü is a disciple of my Zhou family. He currently serves in the Enforcement Hall of the Bingzhou Law Enforcement Bureau, holding the humble position of captain."

Lu Ye chuckled. He now understood why the old man had mentioned Wei Lü. It seemed Zhou Ze was trying to leverage the fact that Wei Lü was also a captain in the Law Enforcement Bureau, implying a connection. The Zhou family's warm hospitality and influence had indeed deterred many law enforcement teams who had come before, causing cases to be dropped. In Bingzhou, with its countless cultivators and numerous aristocratic families, most cases went unpursued, and the Hunting Pavilion was rife with unresolved tasks. A single "Lu Ye" from the Zhou family was apparently not considered significant enough to warrant further pursuit. It seemed even the local Nightingales had been bribed by the Zhou family.

Under such circumstances, how could their Lu Ye ever be brought to justice? Lu Ye picked up his teacup and took a light sip. "Is this how you've been making it difficult for law enforcement officers to carry out their duties in Bingzhou?"

Zhou Ze's smile slowly vanished. He stared at Lu Ye and said, "What are you talking about, Fellow Daoist Niu? This old man doesn't understand."

"Whether you understand or not," Lu Ye put down his teacup, turned, and instructed Xiao Xinghe, "Third Senior Brother, the Zhou family attempted to bribe law enforcement officers who came to handle a case. They've been caught red-handed. Collect the items and report to the Bureau Chief later."

"Understood!" Xiao Xinghe grabbed the two storage bags and tucked them into his robe.

Zhou Ze suddenly stood up. "Fellow Daoist Niu, the road is beneath your feet. Make sure you don't stray too far!"

Lu Ye also slammed the table and stood up, raising the guard token from his waist. "The Law Enforcement Hall of the Law Enforcement Bureau is acting on orders. Anyone who dares to obstruct will be executed without mercy, as per Bingzhou law!"

Lu Ye wasn't entirely sure if such a specific rule existed, and he didn't particularly care about the intricacies of Bingzhou law. However, the enforcement team's duty was to confront those who broke the rules. That Lu Ye had caused harm to many mortals in his fight, treating human lives as worthless. Such a cultivator could not be tolerated.

Since he had accepted the mission, he naturally had to complete it.

Zhou Ze clearly knew their identities long ago. He had merely pretended to be unaware because Lu Ye had claimed to be the rogue cultivator Niu Meng.

Although Lu Ye could have continued to act subtly, he wasn't prepared to waste too much time here. To achieve a swift resolution, he had to make his intentions clear.

Looking at the guard token in Lu Ye's hand, the expression on Zhou Ze's face changed several times. He never expected the attitude of these newcomers to be so unyielding.

Previously, two other Law Enforcement Hall teams had come, but Zhou Ze had defused them using similar methods, ensuring his family's Lu Ye remained unharmed.

No matter what, cultivators were still human. The law enforcement cultivators who came would consider not only the Zhou family's reputation but also Zhou Ze's personal influence.

Lu Ye had no idea who Wei Lü was. He hadn't been in the Law Enforcement Bureau for long and only knew a few people from the C-Squad.

With a shout, Lu Ye confidently headed out of the main hall. He took out his tracking disk, confirmed the location, and swept directly towards the depths of the Zhou family compound, with Xiao Xinghe close behind him.

That Lu Ye... was indeed deep within the estate.

The Nightingales might not have been lying about not seeing Lu Ye's whereabouts in the past year. The Zhou family knew that their Lu Ye had committed a terrible act, so they had hidden him deep within their compound. If he didn't actively show himself, the Nightingales wouldn't have been able to spot him.

However, the Nightingales definitely knew Lu Ye's location.

As they proceeded, they encountered many Zhou family cultivators along the way. These individuals had clearly received orders and knew the consequences of openly obstructing Law Enforcement Bureau officers from carrying out their duties. They did not directly hinder Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe, but instead followed closely, watching them like tigers.

Within moments, the number of Zhou family cultivators following them had grown to nearly a hundred. More Zhou family cultivators, hearing the commotion, rushed over from all directions, and their numbers continued to increase.

Only when they reached a small courtyard did a multitude of cultivators finally block their path.

Lu Ye stopped, his aura surging, and he roared, "The Law Enforcement Hall is on duty! Who dares to obstruct us?!"

From just two people, a mighty aura of a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses erupted.

Many Zhou family cultivators immediately showed looks of difficulty.

The Zhou family naturally wouldn't pay much attention to just two True Lake realm cultivators. However, Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe were members of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Law Enforcement Bureau, which put them in a difficult position.

What they faced at that moment was not just Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe, but the full might of the Law Enforcement Bureau behind them.

Zhou Ze arrived, soaring through the air, and landed in front of Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe. His expression was solemn. "Gentlemen, this is a forbidden area of my Zhou family. Please do not trespass. We have no objection to you carrying out your duties and will naturally cooperate, but if you dare to trespass into this forbidden area, my Zhou family will not allow it."

Lu Ye stared at him and said coldly, "If you want us not to trespass, you can. Hand over the Lu Ye you're hiding, and we'll leave with him!"

"That Lu Ye is no longer in the Zhou family."

"I have reliable information that Lu Ye is hiding inside."

"This old man says he's not here, but you say he is. Then I ask you to provide evidence. Otherwise, my Zhou family's forbidden area is not somewhere just anyone can trespass!"

"This is the evidence!" Lu Ye raised his hand and flung out the tracking disk he had secretly hidden in his sleeve.

Zhou Ze took it, his face changed, clearly recognizing the tracking disk.

He never expected the Law Enforcement Bureau to be so extravagant in their missions, actually using a tracking disk to apprehend someone. This was unprecedented.

"Get out of the way!" Lu Ye took a step and charged into the courtyard.

"Stop them!" Seeing that Lu Ye was truly going to force his way in, Zhou Ze became furious and roared.

Immediately, a person flew out, a sword thrust towards Lu Ye, their aura formidable. The attacker clearly possessed a cultivation of the True Lake First Stage.

"How dare you!" Lu Ye's eyes blazed with anger. His Mountain-Shattering Saber flashed out of its sheath, and he swung it.

Saber and sword clashed, accompanied by a muffled groan, and blood splattered.

The eyes of many Zhou family cultivators were filled with shock, for in that single exchange, it was the Zhou family's First Stage cultivator who was sent flying.

That moment of stunned surprise caused many Zhou family cultivators to freeze in place.

Lu Ye's steps didn't falter. Alone, with his saber, he surged forward like a wave, cutting through obstacles. Along his path, the Zhou family cultivators blocking his way scrambled to avoid him.

Xiao Xinghe followed closely behind, his long saber also unleashing sharp flashes of light, supporting Lu Ye on his right and left.

"Surround them!" Zhou Ze roared.

They could only surround them. Even if Lu Ye attacked without mercy, the Zhou family dared not injure or kill him and Xiao Xinghe. If they did, the Law Enforcement Bureau would surely settle scores later, and even a third-rank family like the Zhou family could not withstand the bureau's wrath.

In an instant, many Zhou family cultivators surrounded them, completely engulfing Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe.

Zhou Ze was still shouting angrily, "Excuse us, gentlemen, but this is a forbidden area of my Zhou family, and trespassing is indeed forbidden. Regarding today's matter, my Zhou family will naturally give an explanation to the Law Enforcement Bureau later. Please, both of you, retreat quickly."