Chapter 431 - 413: Inspection Bureau vs. Public Security Bureau

The Public Security Bureau, Headquarters.

Pang Xuan walked shoulder-to-shoulder with a tall woman, followed by a dozen or so experts from the Inner City’s Inspection Bureau.

The woman was strikingly beautiful, with a cold and glamorous aura. Most eye-catching was her tall, buxom figure, clad in smooth silk that outlined her exquisite curves, sparking the imagination.

But not a single one of the Captains from the Public Security Bureau who passed by dared to spare her a second glance.

Because this woman was none other than the Great Commander of the Inner City’s Inspection Bureau, Liu Longyu.

She walked beside Pang Xuan, chatting and laughing, clearly his equal in rank.

The Inspection Bureau subordinates behind her were all experts of the Muscle Forging Realm. The strength of this group was enough to crush everyone present.

"Mansion Master Pang, I was personally appointed by Pavilion Master Zhao to make this trip to the Outer City. I hope you’ll bear with me."

Liu Longyu’s attitude lacked its usual imperiousness. She was, after all, famously aggressive and fiery in the Inner City, so her current demeanor took Pang Xuan by surprise.

However, he knew the purpose of their visit, so his expression was grim.

"Commander Liu, I am not worthy of a title that puts me on par with Pavilion Master Zhao. This way, please!"

Seeing Pang Xuan’s attitude, Liu Longyu’s expression stiffened for a moment.

When had she, the esteemed head of the Liu family and Great Commander of the Inspection Bureau, ever been so thoroughly snubbed?

But then she remembered that the entire point of this trip was to put the Public Security Bureau in its place. It was only natural they wouldn’t give her a warm welcome.

’The worst part is that I’m the one stuck leading this rotten mission!’

The thought only made her angrier, causing the already magnificent peaks of her chest to heave dramatically.

Previously, her drunken mount had crashed into the carriage of the first lady, Mrs. Bai, and she was nearly mistaken for an assassin. The mountain of trouble that followed had left her overwhelmed.

Although the misunderstanding was eventually cleared up, Pavilion Master Zhao and the others had pushed this wretched task onto her to appease everyone.

’Damn it. That little thief who got my mount drunk... if I ever get my hands on you, I’ll make you regret it!’

Shortly after the group entered the main hall, Su Yu and the other Great Commanders arrived one by one.

The moment Su Yu stepped into the hall, he felt a sharp gaze on him. He looked over and saw a woman in red, her hair tied in two pigtails.

The woman was beautiful, but her delicate nose was scrunched up as she glared at Su Yu with her large, almond-shaped eyes, looking thoroughly incensed.

It was Chen Ling from the Inner City’s Inspection Bureau!

The last time Su Yu had been in the Inner City, he had taken the bell from her wrist. It was still in his Sumeru Mustard Seed.

Su Yu remained expressionless. He ignored her and calmly took his seat among the Great Commanders.

As the Great Commanders took their seats, all eyes from the Inspection Bureau’s contingent immediately turned to them.

"So these are the Great Commanders of the Outer City’s Public Security Bureau? Ha, so weak. I don’t know the others, but I recognize that fatty, Li Jingxuan."

"He’s just at Jiao Tendon Realm Perfection, and he gets to be a Great Commander? How come I have the same strength but can only be a Captain!"

The speaker seemed to lower his voice, but with the high cultivation of the Martial Artists in the hall, his words were heard clearly by everyone.

Li Jingxuan’s face instantly tightened, and his eyes filled with killing intent as he looked over.

The one who spoke was a man in his thirties with a round, bearded face—Tiemu Chuan of the Inner City’s Tiemu family!

A thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately understood. ’The Inspection Bureau’s visit is clearly meant to stir up trouble. They probably want to suppress the Public Security Bureau’s momentum and then take the opportunity to announce *that* matter.’

’But of all the Great Commanders, why single me out for provocation?’

’It’s likely Tiemu Chuan jumped at the chance himself, aiming the first spear at me.’

’When did I ever offend him?’

’It’s most likely because I helped Su Yu annihilate the Huyan Family!’

As he pieced this together, his heart sank. He wasn’t afraid of facing Tiemu Chuan in a fight.

What he feared was that they were targeting Younger Brother Su!

"Tiemu Chuan, shouldn’t you be at Third Young Master Zhao’s residence, waiting on him hand and foot? What are you doing here in the Outer City?"

Li Jingxuan boomed without a trace of politeness.

At these words, Tiemu Chuan’s face flushed crimson, and uncontrollable rage flashed in his eyes.

The fact that he was a bootlicker for Third Young Master Zhao of the Zhao Family was an open secret, but no one had ever dared to call him out on it to his face!

This was trampling his dignity into the dirt!

"Li Jingxuan, you... you’re courting death!"

Tiemu Chuan gritted his teeth, his hand resting on the hilt of his Treasure Saber.

Li Jingxuan snorted with disdain, picked up the teacup on the table, and began to sip it slowly.

Just as the atmosphere grew taut with tension, a soft, effeminate voice spoke up.

"Commander Li, our visitors have come from afar. It’s not right for you to be so provocative toward our brothers from the Inner City’s Inspection Bureau."

Zhao Long Ge rebuked him bluntly.

Li Jingxuan frowned. Although Zhao Long Ge held the title of Vice Mansion Master of the Public Security Bureau, it was more of a nominal position. He rarely ever showed up at the bureau and spent most of his time in the Inner City.

’Why is he here today of all days!’

"Alright, we are all working for Black Stone City. Let’s not damage our harmony. What do you say, Commander Liu?"

Liu Longyu yawned, looking bored. "Mansion Master Pang is absolutely right. Everyone’s here, so let’s get down to business."

"Please, speak!"

"Today, I have come bearing an order from the City Lord’s Mansion to announce a matter. In three days, the Inspection Bureau and the Public Security Bureau will hold a martial arts tournament. It will be the best of three matches!"

"If the Inspection Bureau wins, in one month, all personnel of the Public Security Bureau will be demoted by one rank and absorbed into the City Lord’s Mansion. If the Public Security Bureau wins, your ranks will remain unchanged. Furthermore, all Great Commanders will be rewarded with three thousand Black Stone points!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

Su Yu’s mind raced.

’It seems the previous plan—to have the Public Security Bureau personnel merge with the Inner City while keeping their ranks—was rejected.’

His gaze shifted to Pang Xuan. He saw that the Mansion Master’s face had darkened, but he remained silent. Su Yu instantly understood. This was undoubtedly the result of a political game played by higher-ups.

’This matter can only be obeyed!’

’But if we really have to face the Inspection Bureau, what chance does the Public Security Bureau even have?’

’This Liu Longyu, a Great Commander, has the strength of at least the Profound Bone Realm. If she were to fight, the Public Security Bureau would have no way to win.’

"Commander Liu, is the Inspection Bureau trying to overwhelm us with sheer power? If you intend to participate, I don’t think we need to compete at all. We might as well just admit defeat."

Ye Xiaohong flicked his sleeve and spoke, his face filled with anger.

Liu Longyu was unconcerned, smiling as she replied, "We in Black Stone City have always done things by the book. There’s still some basic fairness. Don’t worry, the competition in three days will be held right here at your Public Security Bureau. The only people from the Inspection Bureau who will participate are the ones I brought with me today, and I will not be fighting."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course! With Mansion Master Pang here, how could I be joking?"

...

After arranging accommodations for the members of the Inspection Bureau, Pang Xuan had the Great Commanders stay behind.

His gaze swept over each of them as he said in a heavy tone, "This matter is settled, so there is no need for further questions. What we will discuss now is how to ensure our victory!"

"If we win, everyone will naturally benefit. If we lose, it will be because your strength was insufficient. You’ll have no one to blame but yourselves."

Seeing Pang Xuan’s non-negotiable stance, everyone understood that this matter was beyond their control.

That being the case, their only option was to secure a win.

"For the tournament in three days, who among you will fight?"