Chapter 31: The Machinery of the State, Suppressing Lawlessness

Jiangting City, in front of the government office.

Su Yi stood at the corner across the street, scanning his surroundings. The government office was located in the city’s central district, where bustling carriages and crowds painted a scene of prosperity. Noticing a tavern nearby, Su Yi quickly formulated a plan.

After a short while, a man exited the tavern, crossed the busy street, and headed straight for the entrance of the government office.

“Greetings, sirs,” the newcomer said, cupping his hands respectfully to the soldiers standing guard.

“Who are you, and what brings you to the government office?” the lead soldier demanded, but then paused, squinting suspiciously. “Wait, aren’t you the tavern keeper from across the street?”

“That’s me,” the man replied.

“If you’re the keeper, why aren’t you minding your business? What are you doing here?”

“To be honest, sir, a generous guest just visited the tavern and asked me to come to the government office to report a murder. Realizing the gravity of the matter, I didn’t dare delay and left everything behind to come here at once.”

“A murder?” The soldier’s expression turned stern. “Keeper, such things are not to be joked about! Where is this guest now?”

“I don’t know,” the keeper shook his head. “After instructing me, the guest turned and left. When I sent a servant to follow, he had already vanished.”

“Tell me more about this murder. I’ll decide whether to send someone to investigate.” The soldier found the situation odd and didn’t dare make any hasty judgments.

“Sir, the guest said the murder involved over a hundred lives found two nights ago. He claimed it was the work of a martial sect called the Demonic Origin Sect, who committed the massacre while cultivating a forbidden art.”

“What did you say!” The soldier’s face darkened, and he immediately seized the tavern keeper’s arm. “Come with me at once to see the Magistrate.”

Inside the main hall of the government office, the Magistrate of Jiangting, already troubled by the dozen murders from two nights prior, listened as the soldier reported and then questioned the tavern keeper. “The guest claimed that the Demonic Origin Sect was responsible. Did he offer any evidence?”

“Sir, the guest said that the sect members are currently hiding in a residence facing the great banyan tree on Houxi Street in Xingping Ward. All you need do is send guards to investigate, and the truth will be revealed.”

“Furthermore, the guest explained that the massacre was committed to practice a demonic technique called the Whale-Devouring Method, which allows one to absorb others’ inner power. That’s why the Demonic Origin Sect slaughtered the innocent. He also advised that if you invite the master from Tianyin Temple to inspect the corpses, traces of this technique will surely be found.”

Though unfamiliar with the intricacies of the martial world, the Magistrate was well aware of Tianyin Temple’s reputation. He often accompanied his family to offer incense there, knowing that Tianyin Temple was a renowned subordinate monastery of Xuansong Mountain.

Pacing the hall, the Magistrate finally made his decision. “Quickly, summon Master Jingru of Tianyin Temple.”

Less than half an hour later, an elderly monk with kindly features and a bright yellow robe entered the government office, accompanied by a disciple.

“Master.”

“This humble monk greets the Magistrate,” Master Jingru intoned, bowing. After the formalities, the Magistrate explained the situation.

“This case involves over a hundred lives and cannot be taken lightly. I dared not delay and have asked you for your help. Please, examine the bodies carefully so I may answer to my superiors.”

After some polite words, Master Jingru and his disciple, accompanied by the office’s coroner, went to inspect the corpses.

Upon their return, the Magistrate asked anxiously, “Master Jingru, what were your findings?”

Master Jingru’s expression was grave. “Sir, after examining more than a dozen bodies, I found that their conditions matched precisely the signs described in our temple’s records for victims of demonic martial arts. It can be confirmed that these people were indeed slain by members of the Demonic Origin Sect.”

The Magistrate’s face reddened with anger. “So, the Demonic Origin Sect—these fiends have lost all conscience, slaughtering so many without the slightest regard for our laws.”

At this moment, the tavern keeper stepped forward and said, “Sir, and Master, the guest also instructed me to tell you: if the master’s examination proves the Demonic Origin Sect responsible, then you must exercise extreme caution in apprehending them. The fiends hiding in that residence are exceptionally powerful, and several elders of the sect are rumored to be there with many disciples. The guest recommends you quickly muster the city guard to surround the residence tightly, then use armored crossbowmen to storm the place, ensuring none of the fiends escape.”

“What? Even several elders of the Demonic Origin Sect are inside?” Even Master Jingru was visibly shaken. As one of Tianyin Temple’s senior monks, he knew well that while the sect had been quiet for a century, its strength was formidable. Any who could claim the title of elder were without exception top experts in the martial world—comparable to the heads of the Prajna Hall at Tianyin Temple, of whom there were only a few.

“Sir, if the messenger’s information is true, these fiends are indeed formidable. Surrounding them with a strong force is wise, but to avoid needless casualties among the soldiers, I am willing to lead the monks of Tianyin Temple myself to eradicate this evil and bring peace to the city, avenging the souls of the innocents they slaughtered.”

The thought that such fiends had appeared to ravage the world, and that the senior members of the demonic sect might be present, made Master Jingru’s hair bristle with righteous fury.

“Very well, Master, since you are willing, I accept your offer. Someone, go and summon Lord Wang of the City Guards for a council.”

“Sir, the Demonic Origin Sect is notorious for their cunning. Jiangting is one of the great cities of the realm; I fear they have been operating here in secret for years. The selection of troops must be handled with utmost care to prevent leaks. Time is of the essence. I will return to the temple at once to gather the monks. Please, do not allow a single oversight.”

Hearing Master Jingru’s warning, the Magistrate, who had harbored some doubts before, straightened and clasped his hands. “Thank you, Master, for your advice. I will not forget it.”

———

Jiangting City, Southern Sky Escort Agency.

As the foremost escort firm in Jiangting, the Southern Sky Escort Agency had been rooted in this ancient city for nearly two centuries. Now, its branches stretched across the land, business thriving like never before. The chief escort, Old Master Guan Shan, was famed for his mastery of the iron whip; friends and foes alike from the surrounding provinces’ greenwood circles trembled at his name. On the weapon ranking scroll, he was listed as high as ninety-eighth.