The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 790 - 437: The Homicide Triggered by a Single XX_2

With Elder He’s faction present, naturally, there was also support for Jiumo. Soon, two groups confronted each other, and the situation quickly escalated to a tense standoff. It was unclear who made the first move, but a massive brawl eventually broke out outside the Immortal Plant Garden, involving over three hundred people.

This incident was immediately reported to the two Sect Leaders. Langya was not in the Prefecture today, and for some reason, Jiumo was hiding in her courtyard and did not appear. With both Sect Leaders not providing instructions, their subordinates had to act on their own.

When members of Thorny Hall and Qingming Hall arrived at the scene, Elder He’s faction had the greater momentum, so naturally, more of them stood till the end. It was clear they had won; without a second word, Thorny Hall restrained several of the most aggressive individuals with Locking Power Chains and dragged them back to the dungeon for imprisonment. It wasn’t that they were being biased, but most of Jiumo sect’s men were already down on the ground, needing healing before they could be interrogated further.

However, such actions immediately gave the impression of unjust law enforcement. Why were only those who supported Elder He taken away? Within just a few hours, a storm of public opinion swept through the Hidden Stream, and impulsive demons blocked the Law Enforcement Guards of Thorny Hall, preventing them from passing.

What followed? Bloodshed followed. Faced with the violent enforcement of Thorny Hall, the ordinary demon crowds were no match in strength. However, the harsher the enforcement, the higher their spirits rebounded. After barely managing to throw the prisoners into the dungeon, people arrived to hold Thorny Hall accountable. This time, they had to pay attention, as the visitor was Colonel Chi Bihu, the consistently victorious officer throughout the recent month and a capable aide of Elder He.

The military acts swiftly and decisively, and with Chi Bihu being a confidant of Elder He and well aware of his intentions, he was determined to escalate the situation and forcefully demanded the release of the prisoners from Thorny Hall. If a law enforcement institution was forced to back down and release prisoners due to pressure, it would completely undermine their authority. Even though dealing with this situation was tricky, Thorny Hall stiffened their necks, holding back their anger: "No release!"

Chi Bihu was waiting for just that response. Upon hearing it, he waved his hand grandly, and the victorious troops stepped up to block the door. They didn’t surround the whole Thorny Hall or restrict others from entering or exiting, they simply stood at the entrance like door gods, refusing to leave. This area was central to Hidden Stream, and countless demons passing by daily were dumbstruck by this spectacle, then began inquiring about what had happened.

The Bashe Forest is vast, and how could the events of the past few hours spread through Hidden Stream so quickly? Therefore, most people were still surprised by this scene and had to ask around before they found out that their quiet lives had suddenly been filled with so much gossip.

When Jiumo finally emerged from her courtyard, the situation had already developed to such an extent. She understood the full context and knew she was innocent and not at fault, but considering the enraged public, if she let Thorny Hall enforce the law impartially, it could likely lead to riots; but if she released the prisoners on the spot, her credibility would be undermined. Moreover, this situation could not be dragged out, waiting for negotiations in the distance to end before Elder He returned to discuss it with her would imply acknowledging Elder He’s position in the sect was not less than hers!

She convened her subordinates for a long discussion without finding a good solution. Finally, Jiumo made a decision: under the pretext of "admonition," she continued to detain the more than twenty rioters in Thorny Hall, publicly declaring that these people were not imprisoned but were detained for disrespecting their superiors and obstructing law enforcement, and must undergo Thorny Hall’s reprimand for 36 hours, after which they would be released.

The same incident, attributed with different reasons, produces different outcomes. Jiumo found such a dignified reason, and even Chi Bihu couldn’t object. The Sect Leader admonishing disciples is a common occurrence in Immortal Sects and Demon Sects, what reasons could there be to obstruct this?

Just when the matter seemed to be resolved and was about to pass, Jiumo sighed deeply, and a new crisis broke out.

The instigating Bear Demon, suddenly died violently in the dungeon!

And this news was also transmitted immediately, almost concurrently as Jiumo receiving the report, many demons outside Thorny Hall heard about it. The just calmed dispute flared up again, exploding like oil added to fire.

It is said that Jiumo’s face turned pale at that moment, her chest heaving unstoppably, and a surge of energy smashed the council hall’s door, before she gritted her teeth and ordered a thorough investigation. She was not foolish, guessing immediately that there must be Elder He’s insider in Thorny Hall who had killed the Bear Demon and spread the news—You said it was just an "admonition"? Why would someone die in prison? Just this point could destroy the pretext she had carefully created, completely ruining it.

Most importantly, she was out of time, as Elder He could return at any moment. But releasing the prisoners from the dungeon now was also too late, it would only lead to more contemptuous looks from the demon crowd.

At this moment, due to the smooth progress of the negotiations, Elder He and his party returned.

"Are you saying, after this incident occurred, Jiumo locked herself in her courtyard and didn’t come out?" Elder He sensitively grasped the crux.

Yaozi said: "Exactly! It’s reported that people went to present their complaints twice, and each time they were turned away by her Maid, who claimed the master was unwell and would make an announcement later."

"Unwell?" Elder He laughed, his aging face blooming like a chrysanthemum, "Of course, she would feel unwell... She must have thought it was just ordinary provocation and trouble. This timing of injury, how very convenient!"

This was yet another series of unexpected events clashing together, and it was the outcome Elder He most wanted to see. For him, the final battle had already arrived. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to visit qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets, Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)