Jiuhuang City, the residence of Old Snow Eagle.

The atmosphere was somewhat tense. Even Transcendent Realm experts like Xiao Jian Daoist and the Grand Elder felt an uncomfortable undercurrent. After listening to Lin Suqing's account, they had gone to the back courtyard to meet the unfortunate individuals. Throughout this, Wu Wang's expression remained calm, so calm it was as if nothing significant had occurred.

Xiao Deng and the Eavesdropper Mouse subconsciously kept a distance of a hundred feet from Wu Wang. Immortal Mu had reined in his previously jocular demeanor; he stood in a corner hugging his Short Sword, his small frame radiating a sharp aura, evidently struggling to contain his anger. The Sleep God had also risen from his couch and was strolling in a distant pavilion, appearing to merely watch the scene unfold. Old Snow Eagle and Sanxian Daoist were also stirred by this matter. Although they stayed by Wu Wang's side, following him as he moved, they dared not breathe too loudly. Sanxian Daoist, whose cultivation was slightly lower, could clearly feel the intermittent oppressive aura surrounding Wu Wang at that moment. The situation seemed poised for a significant turn.

Lin Suqing led Wu Wang over and said to the women, "Ladies, have no fear. This is our Young Master, who also holds a position in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. If you have suffered any injustice, please speak out. Our Young Master will certainly stand up for you."

In a warm chamber in the back courtyard, the women, holding two children, knelt before Wu Wang. Their faces were deathly pale as they tremulously cried out, "My Lord, we have no grievances! We truly have no grievances, My Lord! My Lord, we merely thought… thought that there would be better opportunities in the Southeastern Region, so we came here to make a living. We bear no grudges against the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, absolutely none at all!"

Wu Wang forced an awkward smile. He stooped slightly and helped the women up with his immortal power. "You needn't be so alarmed," he said with a smile. "My name is Wu Wangzi. You may have heard of me; I'm the 'Little Golden Dragon' of the Human Domain. And beside me... Xiaolan? Xiaolan?"

"I'm here." Fairy Ling's voice came from outside the window. The window opened, and she smiled warmly, giving a slight nod to the women. "Ling Xiaolan, Disciple of the Xuan Nu Sect, at your service," she said.

The women's expressions shifted as they looked at Wu Wang with uncertainty and disbelief.

Wu Wang continued with a smile, "Ladies, you really need not be afraid of me. I heard you encountered some trouble, and I'm here to help. You must know, the Human Domain is vast, and the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion has many branches. While the Human Domain is generally stable, there are inevitably those with malicious hearts and insatiable greed. If you tell me your grievances, and I have the power to redress them, I will not stand idly by. Rest assured, in the Human Domain, only a few individuals can overawe me. Surely, you still trust our Emperor, don't you?"

The women exchanged glances, still insisting they had no grievances. After about an hour of reassurance, they finally began to open up. Some sighed, others wept. One of them, more resilient, started to tell Wu Wang about their experiences. Worried that Wu Wang wouldn't believe her, she recounted everything in meticulous detail: the year and month the Immortal Soldier had delivered the condolence Spirit Stones to her home, how long they had stayed at a particular branch of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, whom they met, what was said, and even the specifics of every meal. As they had some cultivation, they gradually steadied their spiritual minds and continuously added more details about their ordeal.

「An hour later.」

Everyone walked out of the warm chamber. Wu Wang was the last to emerge. He was smiling and backing away as he told them, "Please rest well here. If you do not wish to return to the Human Domain, I will arrange for someone to help you settle and establish households here. I have already sent people to search for the bodies of your fellow travelers."

As the wooden door closed, Wu Wang's smile vanished, and he slowly straightened up. A Barrier of immortal power had completely sealed off the area.

"Is what they said true?" Wu Wang suddenly asked.

Xiao Jian Daoist said in a low voice, "Wu Wang, may I handle this matter? It would be somewhat inappropriate for you to intervene personally."

"Is what they said true?" Wu Wang repeated, his expression suddenly turning grotesque.

"Master, their inner thoughts are consistent with their words," Ming Snake, who was beside him, said. "Having been an Evil God for so long, I would not misjudge such a matter."

"Mm, I understand," Wu Wang responded, and then silence fell. He seemed somewhat dazed, his gaze drifting over the courtyard's arrangement—the rockery, the pavilion, the low walls, and the figures passing in the distance. Icicles on the eaves melted, dripping into a shallow puddle with a soft DING-DONG. A few bamboo plants swayed in the breeze, their leaves rustling. The touch of vibrant green against the muted surroundings suddenly seemed jarring.

"Brother Dao," Wu Wang suddenly asked, "what do you think? So many Yan Emperor orders have been distributed throughout the Human Domain. Shouldn't the position of Human Emperor have been predetermined long ago?"

Xiao Jian Daoist was taken aback, somewhat puzzled.

Ling Xiaolan approached from the side. Watching Wu Wang, she whispered, "Judging from what the Elders in the sect have said, there is indeed a backup candidate."

"That's good." Wu Wang nodded. "Brother Dao, you're familiar with the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Take Ming Snake and apprehend everyone connected to this matter."

Xiao Jian Daoist sighed lightly and chuckled. "I truly am wary of you. Since your mind is made up, as your elder brother, I can't say much more. Don't worry, not a single person will slip through."

"Master," Ming Snake said, "two True Immortals arrived in Jiuhuang City earlier. They seem to be searching for these mothers and children and haven't gone far."

"Capture them and bring them back. Until I arrive, no one is to make contact with them," Wu Wang ordered. A streak of Liu Guang flew from his sleeve and landed in Ming Snake's hand; it was the Vice Pavilion Master Token he had received less than half a year ago. Ming Snake put the Token away, bowed low to Wu Wang, and then sped directly towards the grand formation outside Jiuhuang City.

Xiao Jian Daoist immediately followed, his expression shifting rapidly, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth and curse a few "shameless scoundrels."

"Young Master," Lin Suqing said anxiously from the side in a low voice, "did I... did I cause trouble for you?"

"What trouble? On the contrary, it's good you brought these issues to light," Wu Wang replied with a gentle smile, his tone calm. "We return to the Human Domain today. Senior Sanxian, please come with me. I will personally escort you back later and will certainly not force you to do anything."

Sanxian Daoist pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly in agreement. "You should weigh everything carefully before acting; don't be hasty," he advised. "It wasn't easy for you to reach your current position."

"Mm, thank you for the reminder, Senior," Wu Wang said, cupping his hands in salute before turning to glance inside the house. It was as if he heard a child's voice inside softly asking something, but there was only silence in return. He could only step forward and leave.

The child's question had been, "Mom, are they bad people too?"

「Two days later, at the Third Branch of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion in the Southeastern Region.」

The branch was located in a large city. For the past two days, Immortal Soldiers had been rushing about continuously as individuals connected to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion were captured and taken to this branch, stirring chaos throughout the city. Rumors began to spread like wildfire. Some claimed that the last main hall of the Ten Evils Hall had been discovered there. Others speculated that the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was undergoing a power shift, with a new faction settling scores with an old one. Inevitably, 'insider information' also circulated, with convincing analyses speculating who had offended whom, leading to far-reaching consequences.

Many Cultivators rushed over upon hearing the news, eager to witness the excitement. A large number of powerful experts from the Human Domain also secretly arrived, many of whom had some connection to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

In front of the branch's main hall, hundreds of people were bound with Immortal Ropes, grouped into three clusters. The atmosphere was solemn. A large contingent of Immortal Soldiers had cordoned off the open ground before the hall, making it impenetrable.

In mid-air, Xiao Jian Daoist, dressed in dark blue robes with his hands clasped behind his back, stood quietly. His long hair occasionally fluttered in the wind. The pressure of his Dao Realm, which surpassed the Transcendent Realm, coalesced into an aura that practically screamed, 'Stay Away!'

Before the main hall's entrance, the Evil God Ming Snake, dressed in a black skirt with gold patterns, sat composedly in a round-backed armchair. Her elongated eyes were filled with icy coldness, and no Immortal Soldier dared venture within a hundred feet of her.

"Report—" A streak of light shot through the air, transforming into a messenger Immortal Soldier. He saluted and called out, "Vice Pavilion Master Wu Wangzi's ship is now less than three hundred li away!"

"Understood." Xiao Jian Daoist waved his hand slightly, and the Immortal Soldier bowed and retreated. He smiled with a sense of relief.

After all, Wu Wangzi had given some of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's higher-ups a chance. If he had returned on the day of the incident, there would have been no room for leeway. But what puzzled Xiao Jian Daoist was that even at such a crucial moment, those few higher-ups had yet to decide on a scapegoat. Instead, they were singularly focused on trying to leverage his influence to save people.

Did they really think Wu Wangzi, being familiar with the internal politics and social intricacies of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, was someone who would handle this smoothly? Perhaps, in their eyes, the matter wasn't that serious.

But the seriousness of the issue was evident from his master, Master Liu's reaction. Master Liu had been back for two days, during which time Xiao Jian had arrested numerous officials from various Benevolent Emperor Pavilion branches, yet his master hadn't asked a single question. Just half a day ago, people had even come asking why Master Liu was nowhere to be found.

「Another hour passed.」

Wu Wangzi's towering ship slowly sailed into the city's grand array.

Eventually, some could no longer sit still and approached Xiao Jian Daoist again. This time, it was a Vice Pavilion Master, Wang Jian, accompanied by two senior deacons, who came forward to plead with him.

Vice Pavilion Master Wang Jian spoke in a low voice, "Xiao Jian, this matter should be dealt with privately. If word gets out, it will be a tremendous blow to the prestige of our Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

"I am only carrying out Vice Pavilion Master Wu Wangzi's orders," Xiao Jian said firmly. "He has already entered the city. Perhaps you should talk to him."

"This..." Wang Jian frowned deeply. "Vice Pavilion Master Wu Wangzi is young and impetuous. Many matters cannot be discussed openly. But Xiao Jian, you've been with the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion for a long time..."

"Apologies, but I cultivate the Sword Dao." Xiao Jian slightly lifted his chin, and a clear sword hum emanated from within him. "When faced with injustice, I draw my sword for the people."

"You!" Wang Jian's expression changed as he revealed his Dao Realm's aura.

Xiao Jian, however, simply shook his head with a smile, toying with Wu Wangzi's Token in his hand, as if to say, We are both Vice Pavilion Masters; our orders counteract each other.

Just then, the sound of a gong echoed throughout the city. From the northern sky, several Flying Shuttles approached, and the city's protective array closed behind them. Figures flew out of the Flying Shuttles, descending straight into the area.

They were Servants from the Punishment Hall, along with over a dozen senior deacons from the Punishment Hall. As soon as they landed, they picked up the roster Xiao Jian Daoist had prepared and began calling out names. Without waiting for the apprehended individuals to respond, Servants stepped forward and escorted them to the side. Soon, the three initial groups were divided into twelve, with each senior deacon interrogating one group. The scene became exceptionally bustling.

Wang Jian watched from above with an incredibly complex gaze, unsure of what to say. The Vice Pavilion Master then leaned in towards Xiao Jian Daoist and whispered, "Xiao Jian, I'll be frank with you. If this investigation continues like this, the entire leadership in the Southeastern Region might need to be replaced.

"The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion is unprepared for this. How do you expect others to react? How will those who serve the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion feel?

"Setting other things aside, even if these people below have done some wrong, they have also made contributions to the Human Domain. To arrest and interrogate them on a whim like this—isn't that sowing the seeds of turmoil?"

Xiao Jian Daoist hummed softly and said, "Well, Vice Pavilion Master Wu Wangzi has returned. You should discuss it with him."

Wang Jian's brow was deeply furrowed. He wanted to say more to Xiao Jian, but Xiao Jian had already turned and strode through the air, heading straight for the towering ship.

The towering ship came to a halt, hovering above the city's tall buildings. First, two rows of Immortal Soldiers flew out from within, followed by over a dozen figures who appeared, standing by the railing. Many sharp-eyed Cultivators had already spotted Ling Xiaolan, and whispers of 'Tianyan Saintess' rippled through the crowd.

The young Daoist standing in the center turned to say something to the person beside him. He then vaulted over the railing and descended directly. His long hair fluttered in the wind, his expression exceedingly stern. His well-fitted black robe was solemn and authoritative, and beneath his calm eyes, hidden sparks seemed to smolder. Just as he was about to land on a tall building, his figure suddenly shot forward, streaking through the air, past layers of pavilions, and into the area before the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's branch hall.

Cultivators exclaimed the name "Golden Dragon," and all the Immortal Soldiers before the hall cried out in unison, "Greetings, Vice Pavilion Master!"

The Evil God Ming Snake had already risen and stood to one side as Wu Wangzi settled comfortably into the wooden chair.

"Interrogate."

It was but a single word, yet it seemed to hold an inexplicable force.

The Servants and other personnel of the Punishment Hall moved even more swiftly, employing the myriad 'techniques' recently developed by the hall. Methods such as 'Individual Interrogation Chambers,' 'Divine Soul Monitoring Lie-Detection Artifacts,' and 'Spiritual Mind Shock Spells'—though not outright torture—were remarkably effective.

「Four hours later, night had fallen deeply, and the area before the branch's main hall was brightly lit.」

A few deacons from the Punishment Hall approached Wu Wang together and stammered, "Hall Master, it's possible that people from the Main Pavilion are involved in this..."

"Investigate," Wu Wang stated, his face expressionless. His tone was light, yet it permitted no rebuttal. The deacons exchanged glances, each understanding the gravity, and hurried away.

「As dawn broke, roosters crowed incessantly.」

Many Immortal Soldiers were drowsy. The all-night interrogation finally concluded. A stack of Jade Talismans was placed before Wu Wang. He carefully reviewed them, then raised a hand to rub his temples.

Wu Wang said, "Who is Mi Zhong? Bring him out."

Immediately, an Immortal Soldier came forward, dragging a trembling elder—a Heavenly Immortal Realm cultivator—down the steps of the main hall. The elder raised his head to glance at Wu Wang, then quickly lowered it again, crying out, "Vice Pavilion Master! I've been wronged, Vice Pavilion Master!"

"The widows of the soldiers who died in battle over the East Sea—did you send people to harm them?"

"No, no such thing, Vice Pavilion Master! Vice Pavilion Master, don't listen to the slander of malicious tongues!"

"Ming Snake."

"Yes, Master."

Ming Snake raised her hand and with a light shake, two True Immortals dressed in black, barely alive, tumbled down beside the old man. The elder named Mi Zhong was now drenched in cold sweat.

"Was it you who harmed them?"

"Vice Pavilion Master, I—I was only momentarily confused! Someone came to me asking for a favor. I was worried about tarnishing the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's reputation, so I... I resorted to that ill-advised plan!"

"Someone came asking you for this favor?" Wu Wang murmured softly. He slowly stood up and, with a beckoning gesture, took a longsword from a nearby Immortal Soldier. His body then pulsed with Divine Power as starlight converged around him. An imposing presence, no less than that of a peak Heavenly Immortal Realm expert, slowly emanated from him. Mi Zhong's Primordial Spirit had already been restrained.

"In other words, the person who approached you, who dared to ask this of you, must be someone you know well, correct?" Wu Wang's tone was casual, as if discussing trivialities. "So these people see you as their protector, treating you, a Pavilion Master of such stature, with the reverence they would show their own parents. And yet, you claim it wasn't you who harmed those widows—women who should be praised and respected throughout the Human Domain?"

"Vice Pavilion Master, I... I... What are you going to do?!" Mi Zhong looked up sharply, suddenly crying out. He saw Wu Wang's fearsome glare—his eyes were bulging and bloodshot, and the longsword in his hand pulsed with Divine Light.

Mi Zhong said, his voice tight, "I at least hold the official rank of Seventh Grade..."

Wu Wang took a step forward.

"Wu Wangzi!" someone nearby shouted angrily. "How dare you act so recklessly!"

Ming Snake's delicate brows rose. Ripples appeared in the fabric of Heaven and Earth, instantly suppressing the Vice Pavilion Master who was about to erupt.

Wu Wang raised the longsword. Starlight solidified into chains, binding Mi Zhong in place. One chain hooked the corner of the old man's mouth, yanking his head back.

Wu Wang spoke indifferently, "I am the bad guy."

The blade flashed down.

A head flew into the air, blood spurting several meters high.

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