Cultivating in Different Professions

Chapter 224: Chapter 151: Questioning

They were True Disciples of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect. The people they normally associated with were all influential figures.

After all, the elixirs from their Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect were highly coveted.

Even the Governor of the Taiping Bureau had always been polite to them.

Before he could curse aloud, his senior brother stopped him.

"Captain Wan, words like that could damage the relationship between our two sides."

The leader of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect’s True Disciples said gravely, "Although the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect is one of the Jianghu Sects, we have always been unfailingly loyal to the court. There are even many among the imperial family and nobility who cultivate in our sect.

Moreover, the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect and the Taiping Bureau have always been on good terms.

Not long ago, we even reached an agreement to refine the Blood Strengthening Pill together. I’m sure you’re well aware of this, Captain Wan."

Wan Qing snorted coldly and said nothing.

The Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect indeed had close ties to the court, and many of its disciples went on to serve as officials.

Naturally, Wan Qing also knew about the plan to refine the Blood Strengthening Pill.

He had been following the matter closely, hoping to secure a Blood Strengthening Pill for Su Mu once they were refined.

His original plan had been to help Su Mu obtain both the Nine-Turn Blood Transformation Technique and a Blood Strengthening Pill. That way, he could have forged a tenfold blood exchange expert for the Wuling Taiping Bureau.

In any case, he was old, had no heirs, and couldn’t take his achievements with him to the grave.

But something unexpected happened. The Nine-Turn Blood Transformation Technique was no longer necessary, but the Blood Strengthening Pill was still needed.

For the sake of the Blood Strengthening Pill, he couldn’t afford to completely alienate the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect.

"Our Junior Brother Feng came to Wuling City to search for medicinal ingredients, and your Wuling Taiping Bureau was assigned to assist him. Now he’s dead. It’s not unreasonable for us to ask a few questions, is it?"

Dai Jin said gravely.

He was the third senior brother of his generation of True Disciples in the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect. His cultivation had already broken through the Rebirth Realm to reach the True Essence Realm.

In terms of cultivation alone, he was even stronger than the Governor of the Wuling Taiping Bureau.

"Captain Wan, let’s not even discuss whether the Wuling Taiping Bureau was negligent in its duties. I can’t just let Junior Brother Feng’s corpse be abandoned in the wilderness. We only wish to retrieve his body. Please, Captain Wan, understand our fraternal bond and don’t make things difficult for me."

Dai Jin said.

"The Wuling Taiping Bureau has already submitted a detailed report on this matter and notified the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect."

Wan Qing fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

Regarding Feng Zhengqian’s death, although he brought it upon himself, the Wuling Taiping Bureau still bore some responsibility.

"When your sect’s Envoy Feng came to Wuling, we assigned two of our best Taiping Captains to assist him. We also gathered seven or eight other Taiping Captains to await them outside the city.

However, Envoy Feng never went to the rendezvous point to meet up with the other Taiping Captains, which is how the tragedy occurred."

Wan Qing explained, "The incident occurred because Envoy Feng brought along people from the Wuling Hu Family. And the Wuling Hu Family, as it turns out, are remnants of the Profound Nether Sect. They were raising Corpse Demons on the outskirts of Daxing Mountain, and Envoy Feng discovered what they were doing.

After Envoy Feng was killed, the Wuling Taiping Bureau completely eradicated the Wuling Hu Family.

Frankly, we believe the recent Demon Tide that struck Wuling City might also be the work of the Hu Family’s surviving members, pulling the strings from behind the scenes."

"Are you saying that the reason Junior Brother Feng died is because he brought people from the Hu Family with him?

That he brought it on himself?"

one of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect’s True Disciples demanded angrily.

"I never said that. Of course, you’re free to interpret it that way."

Wan Qing sneered. "As I understand it, Hu Guangshao had already been accepted into your Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect. It was Envoy Feng who took him in.

If Hu Guangshao hadn’t killed Envoy Feng, I’d be starting to wonder what connection you all have with the Profound Nether Sect."

"You—"

The Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect’s True Disciple was seething with rage.

"You have quite the sharp tongue, Captain Wan."

Dai Jin said coldly. "As for your ability to twist the truth, I must admit I’m no match.

If the Taiping Bureau suspects the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect, you’re free to send someone to investigate. But if you think you can just casually slander our good name, Captain Wan, it won’t be that easy.

The Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect is not without its allies at court.

I have a question for you, Captain Wan. Since the Wuling Taiping Bureau had Taiping Captains with my Junior Brother Feng, and my Junior Brother Feng is dead... what about those two Captains? Are their bodies also missing, just like my Junior Brother Feng’s?"

"I’ve already told you. Envoy Feng was ambushed and killed by Hu Guangshao. The two Taiping Captains did everything in their power to save him but failed due to the sheer number of Corpse Demons. They barely escaped with their own lives.

Afterward, they led a team to eliminate all the Corpse Demons the Hu Family had been raising, avenging Envoy Feng in a manner of speaking."

Wan Qing said.

"So, my Junior Brother Feng and the other disciples from the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect are all dead, but your Taiping Captains from the Wuling Taiping Bureau all survived?"

Dai Jin sneered. "Everyone present that day is dead except for your two Taiping Captains. Even the Hu Family was wiped out, leaving no witnesses. So tell me, Captain Wan, should I believe you or not?"

"What are you implying? That I’m lying to you?"

Wan Qing’s expression darkened as he spoke coldly.

"You might not be lying to us, Captain Wan, but I’m afraid you’ve been lied to."

Dai Jin said bluntly.

"If you have something to say, say it plainly. There’s no need for sarcasm."

Wan Qing said, his face stone-cold, "I’m not senile yet."

"Captain Wan, bring out the two Taiping Captains from that day. I have a few questions for them."

Dai Jin continued, "I find it very strange. My Junior Brother Feng was a Ninefold Blood Exchange Martial Artist, and yet he died. What two Taiping Captains could possibly be stronger than him to have survived unscathed?"

"The Taiping Captains of my Taiping Bureau aren’t coddled like your Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect’s True Disciples. They spend their years in the mountains, slaying demons. When faced with danger, their ability to adapt is naturally stronger."

Wan Qing said, "I’ve explained the situation clearly. Whether you believe me is your business. You can leave now.

If you wish to investigate the Taiping Captains of my Taiping Bureau, that’s fine. As long as the court issues an order, I will naturally cooperate.

Otherwise, you country bumpkins have no right to question the Taiping Captains of my Taiping Bureau!"

"Show them out!"

Wan Qing slammed his hand on the table and barked.

"I knew you’d say that, Captain Wan."

Dai Jin roared with laughter. "Even if you don’t tell me, I already know who those two Taiping Captains were.

One is named Luo Anning, daughter of the Wuling City Lord, Luo Yuxuan. The other is named Su Mu. Although I’m not clear on his origins, I’ve heard that Wuling City was able to fend off the Tier Five Demon Tide this time because he used the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow to kill three Tier Three Demons.

As far as I know, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow was the Sect’s Profound Weapon of the old Fragrance Sect, and it cannot be wielded by anyone who isn’t a Ninefold Blood Exchange Martial Artist.

How could an ordinary Taiping Captain possess a Nine Times Blood Exchange Technique?

He was responsible for protecting my Junior Brother Feng, yet my Junior Brother Feng died while he survived. My Junior Brother Feng cultivated the Nine Times Blood Exchange Technique, and this Captain Su of yours *also* cultivates the Nine Times Blood Exchange Technique.

Quite a coincidence, wouldn’t you say, Captain Wan?"

"Show them out!"

Wan Qing didn’t answer, merely bellowing the command again.

"Not so fast."

Dai Jin’s sneer never faltered. "Take a look at this before you say another word, Captain Wan!"

SLAM!

Dai Jin slapped a token onto the table.

Wan Qing’s gaze was drawn to it instinctively.

"My apologies. I’m not the ’country bumpkin’ you just mentioned, Captain Wan. I am a newly appointed Inspector of the Da Xuan Inspection Bureau!"

Dai Jin said, "The Inspection Bureau carries out the Emperor’s will, overseeing all officials. And the Taiping Bureau is not above the law."

"Absurd! Since when does Da Xuan have an Inspection Bureau!"

Wan Qing barked, his brows furrowed.

"There wasn’t one before, it’s true. But there is now."

Dai Jin said, "Wuling City is remote, so you haven’t received the news yet. However, my identity as an Inspector is genuine. With your discerning eye, Captain Wan, you should be able to tell that this gold token is impossible to forge."

Wan Qing stared at the gold token, his expression grim. It indeed bore the special insignia of the court, crafted in the same style as the Taiping Bureau’s own tokens, making it nearly impossible to fake.

Besides, this was not something Dai Jin could possibly fake.

"The nets of justice are cast wide, and nothing escapes them. The murder of a True Disciple of my Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect, the plot to steal the Hundred Herbs Blood Exchange Method... the Wuling Taiping Bureau will not be able to cover this up."

Dai Jin said coldly. "Go! Bring the suspects, Su Mu and Luo Anning, before the court!"

With a flick of his robes, he brazenly took the seat that belonged to Governor Zhao Poni.

The other True Disciples from the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect roared their assent and rushed out of the hall with vicious grins.

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