Chapter 388: Interrogation of the Demon King’s Hidden Merits

Seeing this, the task hall attendant, filled with trepidation, quickly scurried over. He bowed silently, then obediently stood behind his elder. He didn't dare to even breathe.

He hadn't expected that a Vice Pavilion Master would personally oversee the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's merit point tally. This showed the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's immense importance placed on merit points. But on second thought, it was understandable. Each of these merit points could be exchanged for valuables from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's treasury. They weren't tallying merit points; they were tallying the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's money. Was it any wonder they took it so seriously?

What made the attendant somewhat gleeful was this: it seemed the Vice Pavilion Master had heard Jiang Fan was about to write a complaint letter. He seemed to have strong opinions about it and looked ready to reprimand Jiang Fan. The attendant sneered inwardly, thinking Jiang Fan presumed too much by attempting to write a complaint letter. It was as if he could already see Jiang Fan being reprimanded.

Jiang Fan heard someone call out to him. He turned his head, a look of surprise crossing his face. He immediately put down his pen, cupped his hands, and respectfully greeted Vice Pavilion Master You, introducing himself as Jiang Fan of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Vice Pavilion Master You repeated the name, surprised. He immediately looked surprised and asked how it was that Jiang Fan was there. Jiang Fan smiled and explained he was there to undertake a first-tier mission.

"First-tier?" You Youzi was secretly astonished. It hadn't been long since they last met, yet Jiang Fan had already grown to be capable of undertaking a first-tier mission. Truly worthy of being the junior he had favored. Once the Heavenly Secret Pavilion began recruiting disciples, he resolved to ensure that such an exceptionally promising disciple would be brought under his wing.

"What mission is it?" You Youzi wanted to see for himself. He picked up the jade slip from the table, scanned it, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. Interrogating a demon king? He noted that this mission was not easy to complete. He mentioned that at least ten people had previously taken on this mission, and all had failed. He advised caution, explaining that mission failure rates would affect one's merit ranking.

Jiang Fan was taken aback, wondering if failure truly affected ranking. You Youzi asked in surprise if Jiang Fan had not been warned before accepting a first-tier mission. He explained that to prevent certain disciples from monopolizing high-merit missions without seriously undertaking them, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion had established rules long ago. He clarified that if a first-tier mission failed, half of its assigned merit points would be deducted.

Jiang Fan gasped. In other words, if the mission wasn't completed, he wouldn't earn any merit points and would even have to pay back half? He wondered if his strength was so overwhelming that it gave Liu Wenchen and others the false impression he wouldn't fail, which was why they hadn't bothered to inform him of such an important detail. He offered a wry smile, then cupped his hands and thanked Vice Pavilion Master You for the reminder. However, he added, since he had accepted the mission, he naturally had some confidence.

Seeing this, You Youzi stopped trying to dissuade him, nodding with a smile and telling him to proceed. He added that he looked forward to seeing Jiang Fan's name on the merit ranking after the tally.

Jiang Fan hesitated for a moment. He asked Vice Pavilion Master You to wait, requesting that he take his complaint letter back to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion once he finished writing it.

You Youzi's mouth twitched. He had almost forgotten that he had intended to lecture Jiang Fan about the impropriety of writing complaint letters. But since it was Jiang Fan making the complaint, he mused, could it really be called an improper trend? No, he decided, it was an act of justice, a brave exposure of wrongdoing, a model example of standing up to authority.

He declared that with a Vice Pavilion Master present, there was no need for a complaint letter. You Youzi, radiating authority without anger, stated that whatever the problem, he would resolve it on the spot. He was, after all, one of the four Vice Pavilion Masters. Aside from major issues affecting the Nine Sects' lands, which required consultation with the Pavilion Master, he could handle all other matters himself.

Jiang Fan's eyes lit up. Why write a complaint letter when a direct accusation on the spot would be far more efficient? He immediately gave a brief account of what had happened to him.

After listening, You Youzi's face grew stern. He had initially thought it was a trivial matter. Only after hearing the full account did he realize that the Giant Sect attendant had dared to obstruct someone from undertaking a first-tier mission. Every mission issued by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion concerned the entire war between humans and demons, especially first-tier missions. They even concerned the direction of the battlefield! Such matters were absolutely not to be trifled with! The mission to interrogate the demon king had already failed more than ten times, with no progress for a long time. Even the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master had been alerted and had personally inquired about the mission's status. If no one completed it soon, the mission would be withdrawn, and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion would then dispatch its own specialists to conduct the interrogation. What You Youzi never expected was that for such a crucial mission, the Giant Sect was not actively seeking someone to complete it. Instead, they were hindering others and refusing to cooperate with its execution!

He exclaimed with stern authority, "How dare you!" You Youzi's gaze bore down with authority as he spoke in a deep voice. Not to mention the attendant, even the elder accompanying him trembled in fear. The elder immediately turned and kicked the attendant, making him fall to his knees. The elder demanded to know who had given him the audacity to obstruct a first-tier mission. He accused the attendant of having a death wish.

The attendant, terrified, stammered a response to Vice Pavilion Master You. He confessed that it was Jin Zhongming who had ordered him to temporarily prevent anyone from undertaking the mission.

"Jin Zhongming?" You Youzi repeated the name, surprised. He furrowed his brow. Even he, in the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, had heard this name before. He was a prodigy of the Nine Sects' lands, second only to Xia Chaoge, and the current Chief Disciple of the Giant Sect. One of the Vice Pavilion Masters had already specifically stated a desire to take him as a disciple.

Jiang Fan also showed a surprised expression. Jin Zhongming's reputation preceded him. Being in the Nine Sects, it was impossible for him not to have heard of Jin Zhongming. No wonder the attendant had made things difficult. Jin Zhongming's status was no lower than that of some Giant Sect elders, and the attendant present would not dare to defy his words.

You Youzi looked at Jiang Fan and asked if he still wished to undertake the mission. His tone was not as fierce as before, because he wanted to consider Jiang Fan's well-being. As a Vice Pavilion Master, he could certainly enforce the execution of this mission without issue; even the Vice Pavilion Master backing Jin Zhongming would have nothing to say. The problem was, he would just leave afterward, but Jiang Fan would have incurred Jin Zhongming's wrath. Before the beast tide ended, Jiang Fan would likely have to remain within the Giant Sect's territory. If he were to be retaliated against by Jin Zhongming...

To You Youzi's surprise, however, Jiang Fan countered with a question: "Vice Pavilion Master You, why do you say that?" He looked puzzled. He wondered if You Youzi himself feared Jin Zhongming. You Youzi kindly warned him that as far as he knew, Jin Zhongming had a rather bad temper.

Jiang Fan realized You Youzi was concerned about him being bullied. He chuckled and replied that none of the Giant Sect members had good tempers, and he had even offended their Sect Master. He added, "What does a mere chief disciple amount to?"

You Youzi clicked his tongue. You Youzi was taken aback; Jiang Fan was just a junior disciple! How had he managed to provoke the Giant Sect Master as well? However, he admired Jiang Fan even more. As a martial artist, without a bit of spirit, one couldn't go far. Since Jiang Fan had put it that way, he declared he would accompany him. He also expressed a desire to witness for himself how stubborn this demon king truly was.

You Youzi nodded slightly. Having spoken, he cast a cold gaze upon the kneeling attendant and demanded, "Are you not going to lead the way?" The attendant, terrified, repeatedly stammered his agreement. He hastily led You Youzi and Jiang Fan towards the Giant Sect's prison. Meanwhile, the elder, sensing that things were amiss, rushed to the Sect Master's hall.

At this moment, the Giant Sect Master, Kong Yuanba, was smiling, entertaining an elderly woman seated in the main seat. Her hair was snowy white, yet her skin was rosy and luminous, like that of someone in their thirties. Her eyes, filled with the wisdom of age, were incredibly deep. Kong Yuanba deferentially addressed the woman as Vice Pavilion Master Gu, thanking her for alerting them to the important secrets the demon king held. He added that this advantage had almost been snatched away by outsiders. Kong Yuanba repeatedly cupped his hands, showing immense gratitude.

The woman before him was no ordinary person. She was Gu Huaxi, one of the four Vice Pavilion Masters of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. She was also the Vice Pavilion Master who had specifically expressed a desire to take Jin Zhongming as a disciple. Her visit was specifically to inform the Giant Sect that the mission to interrogate the demon king held immense merit. If Jin Zhongming acquired it, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion would surely grant a substantial reward.

Gu Huaxi lightly nodded her chin, acknowledging that her action was a violation of rules. She noted that if it became known, she would surely be criticized. Kong Yuanba understood immediately and hastily assured Vice Pavilion Master Gu that they had no knowledge of her visit to the Giant Sect. Seeing his understanding, Gu Huaxi felt slightly relieved. She instructed him to inform Jin Zhongming to return to the sect as soon as possible to deal with the demon king. She added that she could only help him this much. With that, she took her leave.

But just then, the elder rushed in to report that a disciple from the Azure Cloud Sect had gone to interrogate the demon king. Kong Yuanba frowned and demanded to know who had allowed it. He reminded the elder that Jin Zhongming had sent a message to the Task Hall, temporarily preventing anyone from undertaking the mission and instructing them to wait for his return. Furthermore, he added, it was an Azure Cloud Sect disciple. Annoyance flashed in his eyes.