"White Sun Sect? Survivors? Wrongfully accused..."

Lu Zhongping’s mind flashed with this thought, but seeing the cold iron armor under that cyan Daoist robe, he swallowed back his words.

These were the "Bearers of the Tripod" raised by the Cyan Register Daoist Official.

They were the Dragon Court’s elite forbidden army, each a hardened warrior of countless battles.

Tempered with Secret Techniques over their limbs, locking their Qi blood to nourish their bones.

Each day wearing fine steel treasure armor weighing hundreds of pounds, and adorned with various Magical Robes and Magic Talismans, their battle prowess was comparable to a Grandmaster at the beginning of the Four Practices.

The Cyan Register Daoist Official stationed at the County City often only had one allocated.

Even the Purple Register Daoist Official of the Prefecture City only had three to five as attendants and guards.

Usually used to guard and escort!

After all, before becoming a Ghost Immortal, one cannot discard their physical body nor damage it.

And now, this stern-faced Bearer of the Tripod suddenly appeared in the mansion, having already captured the family early on, must have obtained solid evidence beforehand.

"Could it be, the Four Reversals Demon Sect slipped up? Let the Daoist Official discover? But I clearly purchased a Protective Talisman..."

Lu Zhongping was in turmoil, sweat beads large on his forehead, behaving nervously.

"Nothing to say, then it’s a guilty plea and law submission."

The Bearer of the Tripod said slowly.

He unhurriedly tossed a blood-red long token from his sleeve, which plunged into the ground with a clang.

Clatter!

The entire mansion suddenly shook, with fiery light rising all around, almost illuminating half the night sky.

Threads of flame surged, like a sea bowl overturned, enveloping the vast five-compound courtyard.

"Yuanyang Temple’s ’Seven Returns Nine Revolutions Samadhi Fire Technique’!"

Lu Zhongping’s face changed drastically. Ten years ago, after Mao Family’s annihilation by Ninghai Zen, that Master of Yuanyang Temple Chongxu Zi also unleashed a "Fire Dragon Shield" to ensure none escaped.

Soon, uniform heavy footsteps resounded, squads of armored warriors entered one after another, searching each room to check if anyone was hiding.

Accompanied by a wind-driving water-blue Daoist robe, also a Bearer of the Tripod:

"The Lu family has acquired many properties in the city, over thirty villas and outer residences, all suppressed with troops, and will be checked one by one later.

As for those outlying rooms and branches outside the city, Lord Daoist Official commanded me to rush there by night and catch them all."

Two Bearers of the Tripod?

One cyan, one blue.

Representing Yuanyang Temple and Zhi Xin Temple respectively.

"Still have urgent matters, I’ll take my leave first."

The Bearer of the Tripod in the water-blue Daoist robe slightly bowed, not looking at Master Lu, collapsed on the ground, holding documents stamped with the Golden Seal of Zhi Xin Temple, and flew away on the wind.

Seeing such an array, Lu Zhongping felt cold all over, knowing the prospects were grim, his legs gave out directly kneeling:

"I beg for mercy from the two Daoist Officials! Spare my family! I, Mr. Lu, have never colluded with the White Sun Sect rebels... truly wronged!"

This Master Lu’s every word was genuine, without the least bit of deceit.

He indeed had no dealings with the White Sun Sect’s survivors.

Wasn’t Mr. Zhou Er part of the Four Reversals Demon Sect?

When did he get involved with the White Sun Sect?

Note this, both ranked top on Dragon Court’s capture document.

Yet the Four Reversals Sect at most falls into the category of "Evil Demon Heterodox Sects," while the White Sun Sect is undeniably "rebels and traitors."

If only involved with Evil Demon Heterodox Sects, there’s still room for maneuver, possibly scapegoating the outlying rooms to avoid bringing calamity to the whole clan.

But if colluding with the White Sun Sect, it implies plotting rebellion, implicating in grave crimes!

The Bearer of the Tripod from Yuanyang Temple squinted his eyes:

"Wronged? Are you implying the two Lord Daoist Officials framed you?"

Lu Zhongping shook all over, trembling like a sieve, the usual arrogant and domineering Master now powerless against such a dire situation compared to ordinary folk.

"No! No! Yet I, Mr. Lu, truly don’t know any White Sun Sect survivors! Please, your honor, investigate!"

The Bearer of the Tripod raised an eyebrow, displeased:

"Ironclad proof, yet still lying! Zhou Fuchen only today accompanied you in and out of He Mansion’s spirit hall, going to pay respects and incense!

He rode in a carriage with you and was arranged to stay at the Long Lake Villa for rest, and you claim not to know him? Master Lu, you’re forgetting too much!"

Zhou Fuchen?

Mr. Zhou Er!

Wasn’t he part of the Four Reversals Demon Sect?

Why... did he become a White Sun Sect survivor?

Lu Zhongping was left bewildered, even somewhat dazed.

He numbly raised his head, trying to glean meaning from the Bearer of the Tripod’s face.

"Quite the act!"

The Bearer of the Tripod sneered; if not for him being part of the Thirteen High Gates, why waste words, just arrest him and await autumn execution.

"Did you think hanging the title of a Guest Minister of some Eight Pillars of the Realm’s son on Zhou Fuchen would deter Daoist Official investigation? Too much underestimation of Dragon Court’s authority!

This person was originally a loose cultivator, adept in Alchemy, catching the eye of Eight Pillars’ nobles, hired as a Guest Scholar.

Declared closed door cultivation years ago, never heard from again.

Actually devoted to the Four Reversals Sect, a Tributor of the Dharma Guardian Evil Deity’s Meat Vajra.

But those were all smokescreens!"

The Bearer of the Tripod with a flick of his sleeve released a thread of Mr. Zhou Er’s Divine Soul Thoughts, containing starry brilliance shining brightly.

"Zhou Fuchen had long been secretly absorbed by the White Sun Sect, infiltrated the Four Reversals Demon Sect as an insider! His fundamental Cultivation Technique practiced was the White Sun Sect’s supreme classic ’Future No-Life Star Atlas’!

Not taught except to Left and Right Protectors, Future Daoist!

Luckily, Daoist Xuanji discerned acutely, Dharma Eye like a torch, else it’d be difficult to uncover his true nature!

Master Lu, do you have anything left to say?"

Regret trusting Zhou Fuchen!