Chapter 29: Chapter 27: The Assertive Inspector Elder

Wang Xinglong and Xu He stared at each other in confusion. ’What is going on?’

"Greetings, Master Yu." The two of them cupped their fists and bowed respectfully to Yu Liang.

In terms of seniority, Yu Liang was a generation above them.

Furthermore, Yu Liang was the Void Sect’s Chief Alchemy Master, a position of extraordinary status. Even many Supreme Elders had to show him deference.

"You can’t touch him!" Seeing that Mo Qi was unharmed, Yu Liang let out a sigh of relief. He then turned to Wang Xinglong and Xu He, his tone serious.

Not only were Wang Xinglong and Xu He stunned, but even Mo Qi himself was dumbfounded.

Of course he knew who Yu Liang was. He often ate the dishes Mo Qi cooked and was a prime example of someone won over by his culinary skills.

Most of the Elixir Pills that had supported Fang Min’s Cultivation over the years came from Yu Liang.

’But even so, that’s hardly enough reason for him to rush over just to back me up.’

"Master Yu, this boy’s sins are grave. He has murdered a fellow sect member and shown no respect for his elders. According to sect rules, he should be taken to the Punishment Hall for interrogation and then publicly punished!"

Wang Xinglong’s expression darkened. His own grandson, Wang Hao, had been killed. Even with Yu Liang intervening, he would not back down.

Moreover, the secrets of the Wailing Abyss were involved.

Xu He also spoke up, "Master Yu, without rules, there can be no order. The sect rules cannot be ignored, and punishments cannot be delayed. Otherwise, how can we answer to the rest of the disciples?"

Yu Liang frowned. Although he was solely focused on Alchemy and never meddled in the Void Sect’s other affairs, it didn’t mean he was ignorant, nor that he lacked emotional intelligence.

After years of interaction, he knew exactly what kind of person Mo Qi was.

’Forget the fact that it’s impossible for him to murder a fellow sect member or disrespect his elders—even if it were true, just for that "Bear and Tiger Fight" dish, I’m determined to protect him today.’

"You say he murdered a fellow sect member. Do you have proof? A witness or physical evidence? Where is it?" Yu Liang asked.

Xu He was at a loss for words. Fang Min and Gu Dong had witnessed Cui Yu’s death with their own eyes.

The problem was, it was impossible to have them come forward and testify.

Who was Yu Liang? The Chief Alchemy Master, with terrifyingly strong Soul Power.

In his presence, Fang Min and Gu Dong wouldn’t be able to hide any secrets.

If the matter of them setting a trap to assassinate Mo Qi was exposed, the game would be up.

As someone in power in the Punishment Hall, Xu He was used to arresting people without evidence. Accustomed to his own arrogance, he was momentarily unsure how to respond and could only seize on the second point.

"He disrespected us, his elders, and talked back."

Yu Liang laughed and said, "Mo Qi is my disciple. In terms of seniority, he’s your peer. Forget just talking back—even if he hit you, it would hardly count as disrespecting his elders!"

Everyone was taken aback by Yu Liang’s domineering words, but this was immediately followed by a question.

’When did Mo Qi become Yu Liang’s disciple?’

Everyone’s gaze focused on Mo Qi.

"Hey, Master," Mo Qi said, waving to Yu Liang.

’Of course I’m not going to deny it now. I’m not an idiot.’

"Impossible! How could he possibly be your disciple!" Wang Xinglong roared, staring at Yu Liang in disbelief.

Yu Liang said coolly, "What, are you questioning me? If I’m not mistaken, Nephew Wang, you’re the one disrespecting your elders right now, aren’t you?"

Wang Xinglong’s expression changed, but he didn’t back down. "Master Yu, don’t try to change the subject. We are talking about Mo Qi. The Punishment Hall is the place that upholds and enforces the sect’s rules. Even if the evidence is currently insufficient, we have the right to have any disciple cooperate with an investigation based on suspicion alone."

As he spoke, he shot a look at Xu He.

Xu He understood and said righteously, "That’s right. We currently suspect Mo Qi is connected to the murder of an Inner Sect Disciple and need to take him back for investigation. Master Yu, although your status is venerable, you cannot interfere with the Punishment Hall’s law enforcement."

Before Yu Liang could speak, Wang Xinglong added, "Master Yu, we’ve spoken with you for this long out of respect. Otherwise, if we wanted to take Mo Qi away by force, you wouldn’t be able to stop us."

Yu Liang was so angry he laughed. "What, you’re planning to snatch my disciple right in front of me?"

Wang Xinglong and Xu He exchanged a look, then cupped their fists. "Forgive us for the offense, Master Yu."

Seeing that Wang Xinglong and Xu He were about to make a move, Yu Liang was both anxious and furious.

Although his seniority was high and his Cultivation was slightly superior, he was, after all, just an Alchemy Master. He had barely cultivated any Martial Techniques and didn’t know how to fight.

Just as Wang Xinglong had said, if they acted forcefully, Yu Liang couldn’t stop them.

"If you dare to make a move, I guarantee that from this moment on, you can forget about getting any Elixirs from me—not even a single Elixir Pill," Yu Liang threatened furiously.

In the past, Wang Xinglong and Xu He would never have dared to offend Yu Liang like this.

But Mo Qi held the secrets of the Wailing Abyss. Compared to that, a few Elixirs were nothing.

"I’d like to see who dares make a move!" Just then, an angry roar came from the main peak of the Void Sect, the location of the sect entrance examination hall.

A monstrous pressure rolled in, weighing down on everyone’s hearts like ten thousand mountains.

Whether it was Wang Xinglong and Xu He, or the many powerful experts hidden in the shadows, everyone’s expression changed, showing a mix of shock, joy, surprise, and disbelief.

A burly, middle-aged man appeared before them, standing in mid-air.

"You... No, this is impossible!" Wang Xinglong looked as if he had seen a ghost, utterly terrified as he looked at the middle-aged man in the sky.

"Your vitality dried up years ago, and your potential was exhausted! How could you possibly break through?"

Xu He was also aghast, his eyes filled with alarm, his thoughts unreadable.

Yu Liang was stunned for a moment, then a smile spread across his face. "So it’s you, Second Brat. Not bad. I didn’t expect that after all these years, you’d be the first to take that step."

The middle-aged man was none other than the Inspector Elder, who had gone into seclusion to cultivate after eating the "Bear and Tiger Fight." He had successfully broken through to a new Great Realm, doubling his lifespan. As a result, he had shed his elderly appearance and reverted to his prime.

"Yang Ming greets Master Yu." The Inspector Elder bowed respectfully to Yu Liang, then turned to Mo Qi with a grateful smile.

"Greetings, Inspector Elder." Mo Qi cupped his fist in salute.

Yang Ming quickly descended and stopped Mo Qi’s gesture.

"No need for formalities. If anything, I’m the one who owes you a massive favor. Besides, you’ve already become Master Yu’s disciple, so from now on, we are martial brothers. As your senior, I’ll take the liberty of calling you Junior Brother."

’Great. My status as Yu Liang’s disciple is now set in stone.’

Mo Qi was inwardly against it, but in this situation, he couldn’t possibly explain anything and could only bite the bullet and go along with it.

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

"Hahaha, excellent! Junior Brother, wait here for me a moment." Yang Ming was very happy.

The moment he turned his head, his smile vanished, replaced by overflowing killing intent.

"Third and Fourth, enough talk. Come and fight!"

Yang Ming shot into the air, pointing at Wang Xinglong and Xu He to challenge them to a battle.

Wang Xinglong’s and Xu He’s expressions turned incredibly ugly. They and Yang Ming had the same master, and before, the three of them had similar Cultivation levels.

But Yang Ming was much older than them. His vitality had dried up and his potential was exhausted, making it impossible for him to break through further on his Martial Dao path.

This was also why Wang Xinglong and Xu He had looked down on Yang Ming.

But now, not only had Yang Ming’s body returned to its Peak state, but he had also crossed the chasm that had blocked them for a hundred years.

At their level of Cultivation, forget about a Great Realm; even the gap between minor Realms was immense.

It was no exaggeration to say that the current Yang Ming could easily suppress both of them with one hand.

’What’s the point of fighting? Are we just asking for a beating?’

Just because Wang Xinglong and Xu He didn’t make a move didn’t mean Yang Ming wouldn’t.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yang Ming spread his arms, and a massive Grotto Heaven suddenly materialized behind his head. Brilliant light spilled out from within the Grotto Heaven, and clouds formed from condensed Spiritual Energy radiated an immense might.

When this Grotto Heaven appeared, Wang Xinglong and Xu He completely lost all will to resist.

"He actually broke through that barrier!"

"What do we do, Third Senior Brother?" Xu He wanted to retreat. Yang Ming had broken through to a new Realm, reaching an entirely new level.

Forget them; from now on, not even the Sect Leader, Yun Xuzi, would be qualified to give Yang Ming orders.

"Split up!"

Wang Xinglong shot a resentful glance at Mo Qi, then turned and fled.

Xu He fled in the opposite direction. However, they had barely begun to escape when an irresistible force locked them in place.

"Still trying to run? Hmph!" Yang Ming snorted coldly and made a pressing-down motion with his hand.

Instantly, Wang Xinglong and Xu He felt as if the sky was collapsing. Their legs buckled involuntarily, and they fell to their knees.

"Yang Ming, a warrior can be killed but not humiliated! Don’t push me too far!" Wang Xinglong struggled with all his might, but the gap between them was too vast. No matter how he circulated his True Essence, he couldn’t budge an inch.

Yang Ming descended from the sky and kicked Wang Xinglong to the ground. The Grotto Heaven behind his head descended, drawing closer and closer to Wang Xinglong.

The immense pressure robbed Wang Xinglong of even the ability to kneel; he was slammed flat on the ground. The bones throughout his body made CRACKING sounds as his flesh burst open, sending up mists of blood.

Wang Xinglong wanted to say something defiant, but he couldn’t even open his mouth or move his tongue.

Xu He, off to the side, was in no better state, sprawled wretchedly on the ground and covered in blood.

Mo Qi couldn’t help but marvel. ’This is insane! Just by summoning a Grotto Heaven, he crushed Wang Xinglong and Xu He with its aura alone, leaving them completely helpless.’

What he didn’t know was that what radiated from the Grotto Heaven was not a mere aura, but something far more powerful and profound: a Mental Realm!

Yang Ming stepped on Wang Xinglong’s face but looked at Xu He and asked, "I’ll give you another chance to choose your words. Tell everyone, does Mo Qi need to go to the Punishment Hall for investigation?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu He felt the pressure on him lighten, and he regained control of his body.

His eyes filled with terror, and he quickly shook his head, saying, "No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t."

Yang Ming stroked his chin, seemingly unsatisfied. "Your perfunctory answer makes me think you’re only saying that because you’re being forced to."

Xu He rolled his eyes countless times in his mind. ’Could you be any more shameless? Of course I’m being forced!’

Of course, he wouldn’t dare say this out loud even if he had ten times the courage.

"No, no, no, I’m definitely not being forced."

"But you said earlier that an Inner Sect Disciple died a tragic death. What was his name again? Oh, right, Cui Yu." Yang Ming said slowly, feigning contemplation. "Who would you say the murderer is?"

Xu He felt like crying. As the Sovereign of the Punishment Hall, he was always the one judging others. He had never been so utterly humiliated.

The crucial part was that he had to submit. After all, might makes right.