Chapter 1208: Yamen Search

"What did you transmit to him?""To add to the mystique."

Five days later, the secret realm opened, and the bustling Quyi County returned to its usual tranquility.

Lu Yang and the other person were too lazy to go to the Four Vaults Secret Realm to watch the commotion. They could see what was happening on West Mountain from their courtyard, as the thick fog surrounding West Mountain couldn't block their vision at all. They saw that the cultivators had their own factions, seemingly with many personal and factional grievances, making things very complicated. It looked as if a fight could break out at the slightest disagreement. However, the cultivators were relatively rational and restrained, choosing to enter the secret realm before engaging in combat. Lu Yang and the other person couldn't see what was happening inside the secret realm, but it didn't matter; they were just watching the spectacle. After all, West Mountain wasn't in their jurisdiction and wasn't their responsibility.

Two more days passed, and the secret realm concluded.

"Chase him! While the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. We've been fighting for half a day, and I can't believe this kid Ji Zhong ended up snatching the prize!""You were clearly targeting me first!" Ji Zhong retorted angrily, agilely dodging the attacks from behind him. He clutched a ripe spiritual fruit in his arms, the most important treasure in the Four Vaults Secret Realm. This spiritual fruit ripened once every hundred years, and consuming it could elevate one's cultivation by a minor realm for those below the Soul Transformation stage. The Azure Dragon Holy Son and others gnashed their teeth; they had come to the Four Vaults Secret Realm precisely for this spiritual fruit!

"How dare a mere rogue cultivator compete with us!"Before the secret realm opened, no one paid attention to Ji Zhong, the rogue cultivator. But after several Soul Transformation cultivators were successively defeated, everyone realized that Ji Zhong was the dark horse, or rather, the threat, of this secret realm. Instead of successfully targeting Ji Zhong, they gave him the opportunity to seize the spiritual fruit. It was only then that someone revealed Ji Zhong's background. Although he was a rogue cultivator, he often had fortuitous encounters, cultivated faster than disciples from major sects, and had several experiences of fighting above his cultivation level. However, those victories were so coincidental that everyone attributed them to luck. Now, those who knew Ji Zhong realized that he had been hiding his true abilities!

"We must catch him!"Ji Zhong quickened his pace, fleeing West Mountain and heading straight for Zhongshan Commandery. However, upon reaching a county town within Zhongshan Commandery's jurisdiction, he realized the problem. It was late at night, and the county town was deserted. His running around made him too conspicuous, and those tracking him would easily spot his trail. "It seems I can only hide in this county town. This should be Quyi County, right?"

Ji Zhong reached a corner and was suddenly bumped by someone. The person seemed to be in a hurry, mumbled an apology, and quickly left. Ji Zhong's heart tightened, and he quickly checked the spiritual fruit. "The spiritual fruit is still here; it seems I was overthinking it."

Ji Zhong found an old, dilapidated inn. The innkeeper was drowsy but was jolted awake by Ji Zhong's sudden appearance."Innkeeper, I need a room. Remember, no matter who asks, don't tell them I'm here!" Ji Zhong threw down ten taels of silver, took the key, and hid in a room upstairs.

The Azure Dragon Holy Son and his group pursued him to Quyi County, frowning deeply. After all, they were in a county town, and taking action there would be troublesome."He's hiding? Search for him!""Don't let the authorities find us; everyone cover their faces!"

"We've been staking out for several nights, how come there isn't a single ghost?" two outdated constables strolled down the street."Never mind, it looks like there won't be any ghosts tonight either. Let's continue checking the inns."

Lu Yang and the other person entered the dilapidated inn. Seeing their uniforms, the innkeeper quickly put on a fawning smile and asked, "Gentlemen, what can I do for you?""You should have heard from your colleagues; we're currently investigating issues with real-name registration for inn stays." This was an order from the commandery, stating that there were many illicit inns in Zhongshan Commandery where one could stay by paying money without registering a name, so all county towns were required to investigate inns. "Bring out today's guest list and let us see if you've complied with the real-name registration requirements."

The innkeeper produced a small booklet, cold sweat breaking out on his back. His establishment wasn't an illicit inn; it had always adhered to real-name registration. But just now, swayed by greed, he had accepted ten taels of silver from a guest for a room without registering them. The guest had also said not to tell anyone he was there, which didn't sound like a good person. Lu Yang noticed the subtle change in the innkeeper's expression and looked at him with a half-smile. "Innkeeper, if you confess now, we'll just give you a verbal reprimand, and that will be the end of it. But if we find something ourselves, you'll have to close down for rectification.""Tell us, is there anyone who hasn't registered according to regulations?"The innkeeper stammered in fear, "Y-yes, there's one.""Where?""Room Earth-One."

Lu Yang and the other person arrived at Room Earth-One. There was no light in the room, making it seem unoccupied."Is anyone in there? Open the door."No one responded."It's the yamen conducting a room inspection," Lu Yang emphasized their identity.No one responded.

Meng Jingzhou, growing impatient, simply pushed open the door and grabbed Ji Zhong, who was about to climb out the window to escape."So, you're the one who didn't register with your real name?"Ji Zhong looked shocked. He didn't want to cause trouble and was preparing to flee, but how could a mere constable catch him? He was a Soul Transformation stage cultivator!

Meng Jingzhou dragged Ji Zhong back into the room. Lu Yang took out paper, lit a candle, and began taking notes at the table."Name?""Ji Zhong.""Show your identification.""Here.""What's your cultivation level?""Early Soul Transformation stage.""Do you know that not registering with your real name is illegal?""Yes, I do.""And you still did it?""I possess a valuable treasure, and I've been pursued ever since I left the Four Vaults Secret Realm..."

Seeing Lu Yang and the other person go upstairs without intending to hold him accountable, the innkeeper breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, a burly man leading several others burst into the inn. The innkeeper trembled at the sight of the burly man; he had seen him on the street a few days prior. It was the Azure Dragon Holy Son of the Four Symbols Sect. The Azure Dragon Holy Son slammed the table, his dragon-like eyes making the innkeeper tremble with fear."Innkeeper, I have a question. Did anyone check in here recently and tell you not to tell anyone they were here?"The innkeeper was too frightened to speak, only daring to nod in response."He's indeed here," the Azure Dragon Holy Son chuckled. "That rascal Ji Zhong's aura concealment technique is truly remarkable; even divine sense couldn't locate him.""Which room is he in?""Room Earth-One.""Are there others in the room?""Th-there should be two other people inside."The Azure Dragon Holy Son snorted coldly, "I knew he had accomplices!" But it didn't matter if he had accomplices; they had more people.

The Azure Dragon Holy Son led his followers aggressively to the second floor and kicked open the door to Room Earth-One."Ji Zhong, I advise you to hand over the item willingly!"Inside the room, Ji Zhong was sitting properly and honestly, while two constables were taking notes. This scene completely caught the Azure Dragon Holy Son off guard. Especially when one of the constables stood up and sneered, "Oh, robbing someone right in front of us?" Constable Meng stretched his wrists and ankles. He hadn't seen such arrogant people in a long time. The Azure Dragon Holy Son didn't want any involvement with government officials and tried to escape, but before he could even turn around, Constable Meng pinned him to the ground and tied him up. His followers were also tied up with him.

"It seems you were telling the truth, hiding anonymously in the inn to evade people, so we won't pursue any charges regarding that," Lu Yang said. "Continue. Who else is pursuing you?" Lu Yang continued taking notes diligently. Now, Ji Zhong's status had changed to that of a victim."There's also someone from the Tinghai Sect..."Just then, the door was kicked open again. The newcomer was equally aggressive. "Azure Dragon, I heard you were here. How could I let you get ahead of me? The spiritual fruit is mine!" Those also pursuing Ji Zhong noticed the Azure Dragon Holy Son's strange behavior. He had entered the dilapidated inn so long ago and hadn't come out, so Ji Zhong must be inside!"He's the Senior Disciple Brother of the Tinghai Sect," Ji Zhong identified him on the spot. Lu Yang nodded and wrote it down.Meng Jingzhou got up, tied up the Tinghai Sect's Senior Disciple Brother, closed the door, and returned to his place."Anyone else?""There's also the closed-door disciple of the Asura Sect Master..."The door was kicked open again. "Ji Zhong, hand over the spiritual fruit!""Is that him?""Yes."

Soon, the arrogant cultivators who came to snatch the spiritual fruit were tied up one by one by Meng Jingzhou, filling the entire room. Meng Jingzhou shook his head helplessly at this scene. So many robbers; taking notes for each one would take a very long time.

"Review the transcript. Is everything as you said? Tell me if there are any errors."Ji Zhong's mind was completely blank. This turn of events truly left him unable to react. How were all the arrogant cultivators who were chasing him arrested? These were all peerless talents, who had displayed their unique abilities in the Four Vaults Secret Realm and were all favorites to win, yet they couldn't withstand a single move from the constables! He dizzily checked the transcript and dizzily said, "No errors.""Then sign at the bottom of each page, and on the last page, write 'I have reviewed the above transcript, and it matches what I said.' You'll also need to press your handprint where you sign, and for the seam seal.""All right."

After signing and pressing his handprint, Ji Zhong took out the spiritual fruit from his person, but his expression suddenly changed drastically. It was a fake spiritual fruit! The spiritual fruit had been swapped! It was the person who had bumped into him earlier! He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sirs, my spiritual fruit is missing. Can I report it?"