Chapter 534: Qingqiu Ancestor's Maid

The members of the Extreme Fire Sect suddenly descended Mount Shen and arrived at Zhu Lang Pavilion.

Their actions were direct and forceful; they openly surrounded Zhu Lang Pavilion, and all people entering or leaving had to submit to inspection by the Extreme Fire Sect.

The proprietress, Yin Xu, was naturally alerted. She hurried downstairs and stood in front of Qiu Ben at the entrance. With a smile masking her anger, she tried her best to sound polite, saying, "What esteemed guests dare to directly surround my Zhu Lang Pavilion? Could you be from the Royal Court?"

"Proprietress, we meet again." Xi Quan, the Extreme Fire Sect's chief representative in Yaoshan City, reappeared. He stepped forward to introduce Qiu Ben, "This is Qiu Ben, the Hall Master of our Extreme Fire Sect's Martial Hall."

Yin Xu was slightly surprised, having not expected the Hall Master of the Extreme Fire Sect's Martial Hall to come in person. She immediately bowed in礼, "So it is Hall Master Qiu. I have long heard of your esteemed name. I did not know you would grace us with your presence, Yin Xu..."

"Enough," Qiu Ben interrupted, having no time to waste on this woman's pleasantries. He directly asked, "Take me to the two guests in the best room on the top floor."

Yin Xu's heart sank. She looked at the display of force before her. "Hall Master Qiu, such a display to find someone will surely disturb our other guests and make it impossible for my humble establishment to conduct business. Perhaps you could withdraw your men first?"

Qiu Ben gazed at her coldly, unmoved.

Withdraw the men? How could that be? If he withdrew his men, would those two slip away?

Suddenly, he darted up. Like a phantom, he circled Zhu Lang Pavilion and reached the top floor. He pinpointed Shi Chun's room, then smashed the window, enlarged the opening, and burst inside.

A portion of his accompanying personnel also flew up to follow.

Yin Xu's face changed dramatically. This was no different from destroying her business. Zhu Lang Pavilion's true reputation here was its impregnability, that no one dared cause trouble.

What made her even more anxious was that Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were no longer in the room.

She could no longer hold back. She also leaped up with her people and pursued them.

When she entered through the broken window upstairs, she found the Extreme Fire Sect members rummaging through everything, making a chaotic mess.

Shi Chun and his companion were nowhere to be found in the room.

After seeing his disciples shake their heads, an invisible wave of spiritual power emanated from Qiu Ben. It instantly covered the entire Zhu Lang Pavilion area, from top to bottom. No one's movements could escape his senses.

After securing the entire area, he shouted, "Gather everyone! Search from the top floor down, floor by floor!"

"Yes." The disciples acknowledged the order and quickly left to execute it.

Yin Xu could no longer control the anger on her face. "Hall Master Qiu, aren't you going too far? My Zhu Lang Pavilion has a foundation in Yaoshan City, and we are not without backing. Don't push your luck!"

Qiu Ben squinted at her coldly, and said indifferently, "Are you referring to the Western Emperor? If I don't find the people today, do you believe that even if I kill you, this little demon, he wouldn't say much?"

Yin Xu retorted angrily, "Do you think my Qingqiu Fox Clan is easy to bully?"

Qiu Ben sneered, "A mere harlot flaunting her looks. If I give you face, you're the proprietress here; if I don't, you're just the Western Emperor's plaything. And you dare to invoke 'Qingqiu'? Do you think Qingqiu knows you're disgracing them like this?"

These words immediately made Yin Xu's face flush then turn pale, leaving her speechless. They had also struck a raw nerve. What had she been trying to gain by flattering Wang Ping? Simply recognition!

Some choices are made when one is starving. After satisfying her basic needs, she wished to put back on the clothes she had shed. However, it was too late to turn back, and she realized that not everyone could put them back on.

Her clan did not recognize her, and her man regarded her as a mere plaything.

To be publicly humiliated in such a way was like having her facade of respectability ripped away in public. It was the first time she had encountered such public humiliation since establishing herself here.

In shame and indignation, she clenched her fists. However, she knew she was no match for him if she tried to fight. Her meager strength was probably no different from that of an ant in his eyes.

Second Steward Tian Shen, standing nearby, was also filled with grief and indignation, but he dared not speak out.

The Extreme Fire Sect disciples still present suppressed their smiles. Their different positions meant it had nothing to do with right or wrong, or morality.

Qiu Ben ignored the indignation from their side. He added disdainfully, "Forget you, even if the current clan leader of Qingqiu were here, they would still have to give my Extreme Fire Sect some respect!"

Just then, several more figures arrived in a hurry.

Lou Xiu, the Inspector of Yaoshan City's Imperial Court, had rushed over with his men upon hearing the news. Accompanying him was Poyuan, the Mountain Patrol of Mount Shen.

Seeing the broken window, Lou Xiu hesitated and asked, "What is going on here?"

Some decisions were made by Qiu Ben on the spot. Qiu Ben's position and rank within the Extreme Fire Sect granted him the authority to make immediate decisions. This situation was akin to acting first and reporting later. Thus, Lou Xiu had not received any prior insider information.

Yin Xu immediately cupped her fist towards him and said, "Inspector Lou, someone has forcibly entered a guest room in my Zhu Lang Pavilion and openly used private force to surround my establishment. I ask Inspector Lou to preside over this matter."

These words gave Lou Xiu a headache. After all, he was a local official; how could he not intervene when someone openly violated the law? He immediately cupped his fist to Qiu Ben and said, "You must be Hall Master Qiu of the Extreme Fire Sect? What you are doing is indeed a bit excessive."

Qiu Ben calmly said, "So it's the Inspector of Yaoshan City. You've come at a good time; I was just about to report a crime. The two guests in this room stole a treasure from my Extreme Fire Sect and are also suspected of murdering our disciples. Fearing they would escape with the treasure and that there wouldn't be enough time, I didn't report it to the authorities first. Whatever losses are incurred, my Extreme Fire Sect will compensate at market price and accept any penalties!"

Lou Xiu sighed, "Hall Master Qiu, one matter is one matter. Your open use of private force to surround an establishment within the city is truly inappropriate. Please withdraw your men first."

Qiu Ben replied, "Inspector Lou, let's be flexible. The Extreme Fire Sect can assist Inspector Lou in investigating the case, what do you say?"

Lou Xiu paused, then gave a wry smile. "That's not appropriate, is it? After all, so many people downstairs witnessed this."

As soon as he said this, Qiu Ben's face immediately changed. "An inspector of a small city, at your level – even the lowest-ranking official from my Extreme Fire Sect in the Royal Court would outrank you. You cannot make decisions on this matter; you should await orders from higher authorities."

Lou Xiu's expression froze. He dared not say anything more, only offering Yin Xu a helpless look.

After all, this was Yaoshan City, and within the sphere of influence of Mount Shen. Poyuan, who was standing by, felt it was inappropriate to remain silent. He spoke up, "Hall Master Qiu, please know when to stop. Let's not make things difficult for everyone."

He was reminding the other party that Mount Shen's reputation was at stake. The Phoenix Clan would not tolerate the Extreme Fire Sect's insolence!

Qiu Ben was somewhat more polite to him, nodding slightly as he said, "Patrol Poyuan, rest assured, I won't make things difficult for you. I am not acting on my own accord; the Extreme Fire Sect will provide a satisfactory explanation to the Phoenix Clan. Our superiors are already communicating. You can simply wait for news."

Since that was the case, Poyuan no longer said anything.

However, Lou Xiu still had to inquire as per usual procedure, there was no choice. It was partly due to his duty, and partly because he wanted to clarify the situation.

How could Qiu Ben tell him the truth? He blamed the loss of the great treasure, the 'Great Sun Golden Ring', on Wang Ping and his associates. The gravity of this excuse was enough to ensure strict control over all entrances and exits to the Xùn Gate of Juku Island.

Coupled with the other party's forceful and aggressive stance, Lou Xiu immediately understood that Shi Chun and his group would likely find it impossible to escape this time, even if they grew wings.

He naturally knew this was a false accusation.

He also knew that Shi Chun and his companion had been cooped up in Zhu Lang Pavilion and hadn't left.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt something was amiss. He looked around. "Weren't they supposed to have been in the room all along? Where are they?"

After a thorough search, an Extreme Fire Sect disciple reported that every nook and cranny, high and low, had been searched. Even other guests' room doors had been forcibly kicked open and searched. The two targets had not been found, confirming they were not in Zhu Lang Pavilion.

Hearing the report, Qiu Ben's face darkened. He turned and stared at Yin Xu, approaching her step by step. "Where are they? Where are those two?"

Under his intimidating aura, Yin Xu nervously backed away. "Guests are free to come and go; how can I control that?"

*Slap!* A crisp, loud smack.

Yin Xu fell to the ground at the sound. Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and her hair flew loose. She was somewhat stunned by the blow.

"Sister Hong!" Tian Shen, both shocked and furious, rushed forward.

"Hm?" Qiu Ben turned and glared. An invisible surge of power erupted.

Tian Shen instantly spat out a mouthful of blood, falling backward. He was sent flying, crashed through a wall with a loud bang, and plunged from the high building.

Lou Xiu was speechless. To commit such violence right in front of him, an enforcement officer, truly showed no regard for him at all.

Of course, his gaze towards Yin Xu was also unfriendly. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were actually not in Zhu Lang Pavilion?

Shaking her head, Yin Xu, having recovered her wits, had no time to worry about the fate of the flung-out Tian Shen. Seeing Qiu Ben approaching step by step, she became afraid. She frantically scrambled backward, kicking her legs.

Qiu Ben pressed, "When did they leave?"

Yin Xu raised a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth. She shook her head and said, "I truly don't know..."

She stopped speaking, backing against the wall, with nowhere left to retreat.

Qiu Ben placed a foot on her ample chest. He looked down at her with disdain and said, "We know a thing or two about Zhu Lang Pavilion. For guests staying here, especially important ones, do you really expect me to believe you don't know when they left?"

His twisting toe gradually pressed down harder. The meaning was clear: if she didn't confess honestly, he would crush her to death.

Yin Xu tried to push his leg away with both hands, but couldn't. Her face was contorted in pain, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She had thought that by following the Western Emperor, even if she gained nothing else, she would at least be safe.

Only now did she realize that being the Western Emperor's woman was useless.

Seeing her chest about to burst and struggling to breathe, for self-preservation, she suddenly shrieked hysterically, "I once served our Fox Clan Ancestor in Qingqiu as a maid! It's easy for you to kill me today, but not so easy to silence everyone! My lowly life is worth it if it means bringing down the entire Extreme Fire Sect with me!"

At these words, the scene suddenly fell silent.

Who the Qingqiu Ancestor was, any demon cultivator who wasn't utterly ignorant would know a little about them. They were absolutely one of the most terrifying existences in the demon world.

Lou Xiu's mouth twitched slightly, and he looked at Yin Xu with some surprise. This woman had actually served as the Qingqiu Ancestor's maid? Why had he never heard of it?

Qiu Ben's foot, which had been pressing down harder, paused its momentum. Hesitation appeared in his eyes as he looked at Yin Xu.

He had also never heard of this woman serving as the Qingqiu Ancestor's maid. How could a maid of the Qingqiu Ancestor fall into such a state, becoming the Western Emperor's lover? Could the Qingqiu Fox Clan accept this?

Of course, none of this was the most important thing. What was important was that the Qingqiu Ancestor was a true grand demon, utterly demonic in nature, rumored to be bloodthirsty, and notoriously capricious and difficult to provoke.

In short, the Extreme Fire Sect could not afford to offend the Qingqiu Ancestor.

Rumor had it that the Qingqiu Ancestor had been in slumber for countless years, so where would a maid come from? Qiu Ben suspected the woman was lying.

But she had already invoked the name of the Qingqiu Ancestor. Whether it was true or false, if he continued, word would get out that he disregarded the Qingqiu Ancestor.

Of course, he also knew that if the woman was indeed lying, she would have to pay the price later. How could the Qingqiu Fox Clan allow someone to run amok and deceive others under the Ancestor's name? They would certainly come to clear their own house.

Although he didn't know if it was true or false, there was certainly no need to take risks for such a vile woman.

Realizing this, he slowly lifted his foot. He let out a cold snort and said, "If it's found that you were involved in this matter, my Extreme Fire Sect will naturally seek an explanation from your Qingqiu Fox Clan!"

This was a warning to Yin Xu to weigh the consequences of lying.

With that, he turned and flicked his sleeve, shouting, "Withdraw!"

There was no need to find an excuse to smooth things over. He simply took his people and flew directly out through the broken window.

Lou Xiu and Poyuan exchanged glances. After the latter shook his head helplessly, he also flew away.

Lou Xiu, however, stepped forward and helped Yin Xu up. He sighed, "I can't do anything about this. Proprietress, take care. I'll handle the aftermath. Alas!"

He gathered his men and left, shaking his head.

Soon, someone else rushed up. Covered in blood and staggering, it was Tian Shen, who had been knocked down earlier.

Also arriving was Chief Steward Hu Gongxian, looking somewhat elderly. He had rushed up with a group of people.

Seeing Yin Xu's disheveled state, they all exclaimed, "Sister Hong!"

"Are you alright?"

Everyone asked with concern and moved to help her up. But Yin Xu waved her sleeve and said, "I'm fine. All of you go attend to your duties."

However, the others continued with their words of concern, still surrounding her.

She suddenly shrieked, "Get out!"

Everyone was startled, then exchanged glances and withdrew.

The door closed. Yin Xu leaned weakly against the wall, rubbing her sore chest. The wind from the shattered opening poured in, tousling her blood-stained hair. She turned her head to look at the howling void, and suddenly she laughed, tears welling up in her eyes.

She hadn't expected that all the so-called connections she had cultivated for so long would prove less effective in a crucial moment than a mere mention of the Ancestor's name.

In truth, she had never served as the Ancestor's maid. She had never even seen the Ancestor's true form. It had merely been an act of desperation to save her life.

It wasn't exactly a lie born of panic. She had some basis and reason for it.

She had sided with Wang Ping. If the Qingqiu Fox Clan were to investigate later, Wang Ping should speak up for her, right?