I retorted with a laugh born of fury, "I'd like to know, whose crime am I admitting to, and whose law am I submitting to?"

Shen Zhengzhen seemed to anticipate my question: "The crime, naturally, is that of privately releasing a demon! The law, of course, is the law of the sect!"

"If you are willing to confess, the sect can not only spare your life, but also give you wealth beyond your imagination. Of course, you will have to cooperate with the sect in some matters."

Shen Zhengzhen continued without waiting for me to speak, "Of course, you also have the right to refuse. However, I can tell you that if you refuse the sect, you will still have to confess and submit to the law. However, that process will definitely be very unpleasant."

My face darkened slightly. "Is Aoxue Sect not afraid of criticism from the world of術道 (Shu Dao – the esoteric arts)?"

"Criticism? Hahaha..." Shen Zhengzhen laughed loudly, "How could the sect be afraid of mere verbal attacks? In the eyes of the sect, the criticism of people in the 術道 (Shu Dao) is nothing more than the impotent barking of a domestic dog!"

Shen Zhengzhen said, "You can try spreading my words today throughout the 術道 (Shu Dao) and see if anyone stands up to confront Aoxue Sect head-on?"

Shen Zhengzhen walked back and forth in the room with his hands clasped behind his back. "Li Po, I think you still haven't figured something out."

"That is, you are not fighting against just Aoxue Sect, but against the entire宗门 (Zong Men – sects)."

"The宗门 (Zong Men) will not allow insubordination to occur, so you must die."

After saying this, Shen Zhengzhen turned to leave without caring about my reaction. "Three days later, an investigation team composed of the four major sects of the Northeast will arrive. Aoxue Sect hopes you can make the right decision."

After Shen Zhengzhen left, I simply said, "Continue to gather information on Aoxue Sect." I acted as if nothing had happened, and went about my business as usual.

Late that night, I opened my eyes in bed and quietly released a paper crane folded with a tracking talisman, sneaking out of the manor through the window.

I followed the trail all the way to the Aoxue Sect's base. The farmhouse they had rented was still lit up. The disciples guarding the entrance didn't even notice that I, a descendant of a notorious 江洋大盗 (Jiang Yang Da Dao – notorious bandit), had quietly entered the courtyard. I slipped onto the roof of the Aoxue Sect's building with almost no effort.

In the Northeast, the old平房 (ping fang – single-story houses) used to have exposed beams, and few people bothered with suspended ceilings. Nowadays, however, every house has a suspended ceiling, making the space between the ceiling and the roof beams a perfect hiding place.

I quietly removed a few roof tiles, used my bone-shrinking skill to squeeze through the gap, and lay on the roof beam, cutting open the wallpaper on the ceiling to look into the room below.

Only Shen Zhengzhen and the Elder of External Affairs were in the room. Shen Zhengzhen sat at the table, while the Elder of External Affairs waited on him cautiously. "Elder Shen, the criticism from the 術道 (Shu Dao) against the sect is overwhelming this time. What if that Li fellow stubbornly refuses to confess..."

Shen Zhengzhen sneered, "What if he refuses to confess?"

"The 術道 (Shu Dao) has become increasingly restless in recent years, especially after the incident with the so-called reincarnation of the 貪狼 (Tan Lang – Greed Wolf Star). The entire 術道 (Shu Dao) is searching for the 貪狼 (Tan Lang)?"

"What are they looking for the 貪狼 (Tan Lang) for? When the three stars align, chaos will descend. The 貪狼 (Tan Lang) cannot disrupt the world, but it can disrupt the martial world. The sect will not allow such a thing to happen."

"Someone will naturally handle the 貪狼 (Tan Lang) issue. What our Aoxue Sect needs to do this time is to nip in the bud any opposition to the宗门 (Zong Men) from those術士 (Shu Shi – esoteric practitioners)."

"Therefore, Li Po must die! The Two Realms Hall must also be destroyed."

"If the heads of Li Po and the people from the Two Realms Hall are not enough to suppress the 術道 (Shu Dao), then add the Zhao family and daughter, and the 術道 (Shu Dao) of Liaodong. Anyone who has anything to do with Li Po, not a single one can be spared."

The Elder of External Affairs was first delighted, but then worried, "That Li Po is a Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren! This subordinate has heard that Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren all have ghosts and gods of the underworld as their ancestral masters. What if..."

Shen Zhengzhen laughed, "Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren are merely descendants who have obtained the inheritance of ghosts and gods in the mortal realm! Which sect doesn't have a Dao lineage? If we're really talking about ancestral masters, which sect's ancestor isn't superior to those from the underworld?"

"Moreover, the Ten Yama Envoys do not interfere in mortal disputes. That was the rule they established with the 術道 (Shu Dao) back then. They wouldn't do anything that would damage their reputation."

The Elder of External Affairs was puzzled. "Since the sect has already decided this, why send an investigation team? Isn't this... isn't this..."

The Elder of External Affairs wanted to say "superfluous," but didn't dare to say it out loud.

Shen Zhengzhen laughed, "We are doing this so that the 術道 (Shu Dao) can see. Those術士 (Shu Shi), if the宗门 (Zong Men) says they are guilty, then they are guilty. If the宗门 (Zong Men) wants to deal with them, then it must deal with them."

"When the宗门 (Zong Men) is happy, it might still put on a show. But when we don't even want to put on a show anymore, those術士 (Shu Shi) won't even have a chance to beg for mercy. Understand?"

"Understood, understood!" As the Elder of External Affairs nodded repeatedly, I had quietly drawn my knife.

But the Elder of External Affairs said at this moment, "Elder, what do you mean when you say someone is taking care of the 貪狼 (Tan Lang) issue?"

Shen Zhengzhen said, "Well! You've come to the right person to ask about this. The major sects in the martial world are all searching for the whereabouts of the 貪狼 (Tan Lang). Our sect is naturally also involved, and we've made some progress."

"This matter involves sect secrets, so that's all I know."