Jiang Feng, after leaving Mount Shu, was quite displeased with letting Su Xi and others leave.
He knew that with Daoist Master Meng Xu's request, he couldn't directly harm Su Xi. However, having become a master of the Void Refinement stage, he naturally possessed considerable resources.
These resources could elevate someone to great heights, but they could also lead to their eternal damnation. Su Xi was not worth his help, so she could only face the latter outcome.
Therefore, Jiang Feng did not hesitate to take out a signal flare and send out a piercing arrow to summon the person he needed.
Looking at the black-clad man kneeling before him, Jiang Feng coldly commanded, "Now, immediately find people to go down the mountain and bring Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge back."
Ouyang Chu Ge still had some use, so he couldn't be killed yet. However, Su Xi was someone he had no qualms about killing.
Although he couldn't act against Ouyang Chu Ge, he also didn't want to see Ouyang Chu Ge's arrogant demeanor. Naturally, he was prepared to teach him a lesson.
The black-clad man nodded upon hearing Jiang Feng's words and confidently stated, "Sect Master, rest assured, I will complete the mission. Those people won't survive."
With that, he leaped and bounded down the mountain with great speed.
Jiang Feng watched the black-clad man's retreating figure, a smug expression on his face. Wu Dayu was his most prized disciple, not just because of his high cultivation, but more so because of his ruthless methods.
He would torment even a hen before killing and eating it, and even then, he would desecrate its remains. Thus, he had plenty of ways to torture people.
With him dealing with Su Xi, it was impossible for Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge to escape the vicinity of the Five Great Immortal Mountains, and they would suffer greatly.
In the city.
Ouyang Chu Ge, facing Wang Er's doubts, immediately wanted to express his disbelief.
His noble status meant he disdained lying.
He did not believe Wang Er's actions and did not care about Wang Er's feelings.
Su Xi had already anticipated Ouyang Chu Ge's behavior and quickly stopped him, preventing him from speaking.
After preventing Ouyang Chu Ge from spouting nonsense, she looked at Wang Er and said with firm conviction, "Don't worry, we definitely trust you."
Having navigated the martial world for decades, she understood the adage that it's easier to deal with a king than a troublesome subordinate.
Time was of the essence, and there was no need for further complications.
Although Wang Er was currently enjoying his moment of power, the noble status of the man behind him meant he was someone they couldn't afford to offend.
Therefore, if the situation allowed, she did not want any problems to arise.
Seeing that Su Xi had given him an out, Wang Er didn't want to prolong the entanglement. His priority was to secure the spiritual artifact.
With this item, he could go to the city and find some girls for a good time.
This time, he wanted to find twelve girls and indulge himself.
Su Xi, now understanding Wang Er's eagerness to secure the deal, took out the spiritual artifact from her person and handed it to him.
After all, these spiritual artifacts were extorted from others. Even if they were gone now, she felt no heartache. Thus, giving them to Wang Er now meant no loss for her.
After receiving the spiritual artifact, Wang Er's attitude improved considerably. He looked at Su Xi with a softened tone and said, "Follow me, I'll handle your clearance documents. You should know, some money can be saved, but some money is absolutely essential..."
Su Xi paid no heed to Wang Er's lecture, merely nodding perfunctorily.
Since they had received Ma Shan's approval, Wang Er handled matters without any obstruction.
Thus, the group proceeded to the place for processing clearance documents, preparing to complete the final steps.
At this moment, there were many people queuing at the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion. The line stretched as far as the eye could see, and everyone in the queue wore expressions of extreme impatience.
These cultivators were being ordered around and even subjected to all sorts of harsh reprimands by mere mortals, which naturally caused them great dissatisfaction. If not for the importance of the clearance documents, they would have torn these people to shreds long ago.
Wang Er glanced at the people queuing at the entrance, snorted, and said with unconcealed disgust, "A bunch of paupers. Even with clearance documents, they have no future."
Clearance documents could be obtained without payment, but they required a significant investment of time and the completion of numerous tedious procedures. If these people were unwilling to spend money, then no one could be blamed.
What annoyed Wang Er the most was that if these people processed their own documents, it would mean a considerable loss of income for him.
Therefore, Wang Er held no goodwill towards these people.
Su Xi, observing Wang Er's arrogant demeanor, didn't say much and followed him as they bypassed the queue and entered the City Lord's Mansion to the clearance document processing area.
The official processing the clearance documents looked at Wang Er bringing them in and nodded thoughtfully.
They had collaborated many times over the years, and he knew that Su Xi and the other had paid the money. However, seeing the small number of people, he couldn't help but ask, "Only two people this time?"
"That's right, the paupers outside are getting more and more numerous," Wang Er complained helplessly, then handed over the token given by Ma Shan.
The official examined the token, verified its authenticity, and then took two clearance documents from the desk, placing them on the table. "Drip your vital blood on these, and the procedure will be complete."
"Thank you, sir." Su Xi smiled, picked up the clearance documents from the table, and handed one to Ouyang Chu Ge.
Although Ouyang Chu Ge was displeased, he said nothing further. He understood the complexities of human relationships, but he didn't want to waste time.
However, since Su Xi had already handled everything, he didn't need to make things difficult.
Just as Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge were about to complete the final ritual, someone suddenly walked in from the entrance. As soon as that person entered, a golden light emanated from their hand.
Accompanying the appearance of the golden light, the clearance documents in Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge's hands instantly turned to ash and scattered on the ground.
???
Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge exchanged glances, utterly clueless as to what had happened.
╮(╯▽╰)╭.
If they hadn't reacted quickly, they would have been burned.
Wang Er and the official processing the clearance documents went pale upon seeing the official uniform worn by the person who had entered.
An Inspector!
They stared at each other, unable to comprehend why an Inspector would be here.
While the Great Xuan Empire's governance was generally lax, it had the position of Inspector, primarily responsible for overseeing whether local officials engaged in any malfeasance, acting as the emperor's eyes.
These Inspectors wielded immense power, possessing the authority to execute without prior consultation and being incredibly united, such that a single move affected the whole. Once entangled with them, one would suffer greatly, if not perish.
Normally, no one would dare to provoke them, let alone want to.
After all, who would willingly shorten their lifespan?
In their small city, Inspectors rarely appeared. The sudden appearance of an Inspector now made Wang Er's legs feel weak.
He was just a commoner and could not afford to offend an Inspector.
The official sitting at his post was even worse off, completely collapsing like a puddle of mud, unable to move.
If today's events were discovered by an Inspector, his future prospects were finished.
Su Xi, witnessing the scene, closed her eyes slightly.
The opportune arrival of this person was clearly no coincidence.
The only explanation was that this person had come for her, intending to act against her.
It seemed someone behind the scenes didn't want her to leave. And the grand display suggested this person held considerable influence.
Understanding this, Su Xi did not act rashly for the moment. She was still unaware of the full situation and intervening carelessly would only implicate her.
Although she was unfamiliar with the official system of the Great Xuan Empire, she had some understanding of officialdom.
The officialdom in her previous world was full of talk about righteousness and morality, but in reality, it was steeped in corruption and deceit.
Inspector Chang Yifan let out a cold snort and walked to the center of the hall, slamming his hand forcefully on the table.
The rosewood table shattered under the immense force, and simultaneously, he bellowed, "How can you act like this, and be worthy of the nation's laws?"
Wang Er wiped the sweat from his forehead and respectfully attempted to explain, "Sir, we... "
However, before Wang Er could finish his sentence, he was brutally interrupted by Chang Yifan, "How dare you, a vulgar boy, speak when I am talking."
With that, Chang Yifan closed his eyes, and a sword-like gaze shot towards Wang Er.
Instantly, Wang Er, without uttering a sound, was reduced to a pile of ashes.
Seeing Wang Er so easily killed, the nearby official adjusted his cap and, trembling, knelt on the ground, unsure of what he should do to preserve his life.
Chang Yifan ignored the official on the ground and turned his gaze to Su Xi.
These two were his targets for this trip, and he could not miss them.
"You two are truly audacious. Having committed wicked deeds, you now face this official and do not kneel. Do you intend to rebel against the court?" Chang Yifan immediately leveled a grave accusation against Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge.
If this heavy accusation were to stick, then killing Su Xi would not only be guiltless but could even earn him a reward. He was quite accustomed to such tactics and employed them with practiced ease.
Ordinary people, upon hearing a charge of rebellion, would surely be terrified and disgrace themselves on the spot.
However, Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge seemed unfazed, as if they had heard nothing, their expressions blank, as if looking at a fool.
As an Inspector, Chang Yifan was accustomed to being held in high esteem wherever he went. He received whatever he wanted, be it money or women.
He had not expected that upon arriving in this small city, he would be ignored.
"I think you are courting death," a cold smirk played on Chang Yifan's lips. He then looked at Su Xi, a bright light once again appearing in his eyes.
This move was one of the most formidable techniques employed by their Inspectors.
Direct assault on the mind!
This technique allowed them to unleash powerful energy from their eyes, engulfing everything in their path. Their eyes were the measure, capable of piercing through all darkness in the world.
Once the darkness within a person's heart was illuminated, that person would be broken, disintegrating from the inside out, requiring no further action from them.
Thus, this technique worked internally, making it immensely powerful.
After all, anyone who could become a cultivator would likely have inner demons to some degree. Their task was to amplify these inner demons infinitely, ultimately crushing the person.
Su Xi, seeing Chang Yifan attack so readily, let out a cold laugh.
That such a bloodthirsty individual could hold an official position indicated that the Great Xuan Empire was not as excellent as legends purported.