Chapter 1784 - 1769: A Slip of the Mask?

A day swiftly passed.

As the sun set, it also meant that the three-day deadline in the military order personally signed by Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu was about to expire.

The entire County City of North Sea seemed to grow sullen.

The bustling taverns and brothels that usually came alive at night were unusually quiet today.

However, the streets and alleys, especially those near the Earl’s Mansion of North Sea, were even more crowded.

Many ordinary Martial Artists and common folk gathered in twos and threes nearby, wanting to see what the final outcome would be.

These people were all the common folk of North Sea County, and since the incident of the Demon Clan’s invasion occurred, the news had spread like wildfire, naturally reaching the common folk of County City of North Sea.

As a result, the military order by Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu, which demanded the case be solved within three days or face military law, was no secret.

To be honest, in the years since Ye Zhen took over North Sea County, he vigorously developed commerce and collected trade taxes, but the burden on the common folk was greatly reduced.

At the same time, he repelled the Aquatic Race of North Sea, forcing the Blue-scaled Dragon King to sign an agreement that prohibited the Aquatic Race of North Sea from coming ashore. Moreover, he waged campaigns on all fronts, clearing bandits on land and water within the territory.

He also strongly developed military preparedness, enhancing patrol strength and frequency.

This eradicated the bandits, Water Demons, and sporadic infiltrators from the Demon Clan, who once rampaged through North Sea County.

In just six or seven years, he transformed a poor and desolate county that even merchant caravans were unwilling to enter into a prosperous county where people could live and work in peace.

The population, which was less than ten million before, had exceeded twenty million in just a few years. Moreover, with the stability of North Sea County, refugees from surrounding counties came to settle, allowing the common folk to raise children without worry.

It could be said that over 90% of the citizens of North Sea County did not wish to see Ye Zhen come to harm, let alone being executed by military order.

Hence, the scene before us in the County City of North Sea.

"It seems Ye Zhen has managed to govern North Sea County quite well these past few years?" In the void, Xio Qiangu, leading a large number of troops, looked down at the scene within County City of North Sea.

"My lord, Ye Zhen does indeed have some ability. At this rate, within twenty years, North Sea County will definitely rank among the Upper Counties, comparable to Lower States," said Wei Gang, the West Patrol Right Officer.

"Ha, this is a good thing!"

Xio Qiangu smiled warmly at Wei Gang, "I remember, your most outstanding son has been seasoned on the Human Demon Battlefield nearly enough. By the way, how have your son’s achievements accumulated?"

"Reporting to my lord, thanks to your orders over the years, that brat has also accumulated notable achievements. Awarding him a title of a first or second-class Earl shouldn’t be a problem," Wei Gang responded.

"A first or second-class Earl?"

Xio Qiangu frowned, "Still not enough. Once this matter is resolved, arrange for it carefully, let your son earn another exceptionally glorious achievement, and then petition for his title.

Then, maneuver it, strive to have this North Sea County conferred as your son’s fiefdom. By that time, it would serve as a family treasure!"

Wei Gang was stunned, then overjoyed, kneeling on one knee in the void before Xio Qiangu, "On behalf of my brat—no, on behalf of my Weis family, I thank my lord for his kindness."

"This is what you deserve!" Xio Qiangu directed this to the experts surrounding him belonging to West Patrol, "Wei Gang serves as a model. As long as you achieve merits for me, not just titles, even fiefdoms that could be passed down, I can secure for you."

In just a few words, the accompanying Heavenly Patrol Divine General, Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunter, and Realm King Tributor were thrilled to the point their eyes turned red.

A fiefdom that could be passed down, that is a reward everyone dreams of.

"We are willing to serve unto death for my lord!"

"Willing to serve unto death for my lord!"

Xio Qiangu waved his hand, "Now, follow me to the Earl’s Mansion of North Sea. Remember, as long as I give the order to arrest, no matter who it is, if there is the slightest resistance, execute without mercy!"

"Let’s go!"

With a wave of his hand, Xio Qiangu led nearly a thousand elite troops, brimming with killing intent, emerging from the clouds and charging towards the Earl’s Mansion of North Sea.

This scene instantly made the common folk gathered around the Earl’s Mansion of North Sea anxious.

It also made Ye Zhen’s subordinates gathered in the Earl’s Mansion of North Sea all tense.

Although their superior had told them three hours ago that the matter was resolved and they needn’t worry, they were still incredibly anxious.

This military order required tangible evidence of the Demon Clan’s army movements. How could it easily be resolved with mere words?

"You people of North Sea County are so idle indeed! At such a crucial moment, so many officials are casually gathered in the mansion, it seems you are accustomed to laziness." Just having burst into the mansion, West Patrol Xio Qiangu placed a big label.

Gu Tieqi showed indignance but was about to argue when Ye Zhen stepped out from the main hall at the right moment, softly uttering, leading a group of individuals to greet West Patrol Xio Qiangu with the respect due to a subordinate.

"We have met Lord West Patrol."

Xio Qiangu waved dismissively, "I cannot accept such courtesy from you now."

"Ye Zhen, at this moment, do you have anything to say?" Xio Qiangu was straightforward.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhen appeared puzzled, "Inspector Xio, what do you mean by this?"

"Ye Zhen, do not pretend to be mad and act foolishly. This matter cannot be brushed off by madness or foolishness. The three-day deadline of the Grand Celestial Official’s military order has ended, yet you have no results.

Now, I must comply with the Grand Celestial Official’s military order and take military action against you, to set an example, to avoid further negligence causing public suffering, wreaking havoc upon life!"

"Men, arrest all officials of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, from the Wind Patrol Envoy to the squad captains, apprehend them all for military legal proceedings, to be publicly executed!" Xio Qiangu ordered.

As these words fell, Liu Feng, Gu Tieqi, Feng Jiumo, Niu Er, along with a group of Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters and Spirit Scout Leaders, all had drastic changes in their expressions.

Nobody expected Xio Qiangu to be so ruthless as to want slaughter them all.

This is an attempt to uproot their Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy entirely.

With the command given, over a thousand elites belonging to the West Patrol behind Xio Qiangu were about to make a move.

"Stop! I dare anyone to act!"

With a thunderous roar, Ye Zhen’s Purple Spirit Immortal Sword suddenly flew out, Sword Qi radiating in all directions, its Killing Qi suddenly enveloping all the people and horses brought by Xio Qiangu from the West Patrol.

Under the shroud of Killing Qi and Sword Qi from the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword, everyone’s heart trembled, including Wei Gang, as an inexplicable chill rose from within, forcing their previously flickering figures to halt abruptly.

Seeing this, a strange smile appeared at the corner of Xio Qiangu’s mouth. Honestly, he couldn’t wait for Ye Zhen to act this way.

If Ye Zhen was indeed going to resist, it would make things even easier.

He had come fully prepared this time.

His gaze casually swept towards a certain spot in the void, Xio Qiangu’s expression suddenly turned extremely fierce, pointing at Ye Zhen and roaring angrily.

"Ye Zhen, how dare you resist?"

"You are committing rebellion, intending to revolt..."

"Shut up!"

Before Xio Qiangu could finish his angry rebuke, Ye Zhen’s roar, mixed with thunderous tones, completely drowned out Xio Qiangu’s voice and startled the latter into a drastic change of expression.

At the same moment, in a certain spot within the clouds, several subtle Dao Realm auras fluctuated slightly.

"Inspector Xio, do not rush to accuse me unfoundedly!

You want to capture everyone from my Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, from the Envoy down to the squad captains for military law procedures, may I ask for what reason?

Based on what?" Ye Zhen questioned loudly.

Upon hearing this, both Xio Qiangu and Wei Gang, who were stunned by Ye Zhen’s actions, displayed a smile as if looking at an idiot.

"Ye Zhen, are you determined to feign madness? Do you really need to ask?"

Ye Zhen remained serious, "Please clarify, Inspector Xio; otherwise, capturing my subordinates would be considered giving a false order, and I absolutely will not submit without resistance!"

Xio Qiangu’s expression darkened, "Ye Zhen, it’s long been said that you cannot feign madness to get away with this!

The military order personally issued by the Grand Celestial Official to solve the traces of the Demon Clan within three days has expired!"

"Oh, Inspector Xio, you said it was a military order from the Grand Celestial Official? I have completed it already!" Ye Zhen showed a look of sudden realization.

"Completed it?" Xio Qiangu was dumbfounded, then immediately burst into laughter, "Impossible, who are you trying to deceive? If you have truly completed it, show the Military Order Receipt....."

The next moment, Xio Qiangu seemed as if someone had gripped his throat, staring at the Military Order Receipt brandished by Ye Zhen, emblazoned with the Grand Celestial Headquarters’ Seal, eyes bulging as if they would pop out.

Also on the verge of popping out their eyes were the West Patrol Right Officer Wei Gang.

"This is impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!" Xio Qiangu and Wei Gang looked at the Military Order Receipt with disbelief written all over their faces.

"What is impossible?" Ye Zhen naturally followed up with a question.

"Because this...." Just as Xio Qiangu was about to answer, he abruptly realized Ye Zhen was baiting him into speaking, his face changed, and he glared angrily at Ye Zhen!

"Impossible? May I ask, Inspector Xio, are you questioning the authenticity of this Military Order Receipt, or are you doubting the authority of the Grand Celestial Palace?"

"Or is it that the Grand Celestial knows some inside story?" Ye Zhen’s voice, at this moment, was particularly icy.

After pausing for a moment, West Patrol Xio Qiangu then shouted angrily, "You.... Utter nonsense!"

"I want to verify the authenticity of this Military Order Receipt!"

Xio Qiangu snatched the Military Order Receipt from Ye Zhen’s hand, carefully inspecting the Seal on the Receipt, and used his own Seal to apply a Secret Technique to the Receipt, resulting in the Heavenly Eagle Eye Phantasm, representing the Grand Celestial’s Headquarters, suddenly appearing.

"It’s real.... this.... how is this possible?"

In surprise, West Patrol Xio Qiangu urgently ordered, "Immediately contact the Grand Celestial Headquarters to inquire about this matter."

Wei Gang promptly retrieved a dedicated communication small Teleportation Formation to send the inquiry Jade Scroll.

A few breaths later, the small Teleportation Formation transmitted a Response Jade Scroll.

After just a glance, West Patrol Xio Qiangu revealed an expression of extreme astonishment, "How is this possible, this..."

Seeing Xio Qiangu’s look of extreme astonishment, Wei Gang disregarded rank and snatched the Jade Scroll from Xio Qiangu’s hand. With just a glance, he displayed the same shock as Xio Qiangu.

"This is impossible, the Demon Clan clearly...." The voice suddenly cut off.

Yet, Ye Zhen stepped forward, his whole body emanating Killing Qi that instantly locked Wei Gang in place, "Speak, what about the Demon Clan clearly?"