Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!

Chapter 1299: Chapter 980: The Wheel of Fortune Turns (Part 3)

After all, they all make a living by hunting Demon Beasts in Carefree City. Put yourself in their shoes: their hard-earned prey was taken away, and they suffered humiliation. Who wouldn’t be angry?

"I’ve heard that many fellow Daoists have had their prey stolen by this scoundrel. Relying on the fact that his brother is the Commerce Association President, he behaves arrogantly, and no one dares provoke him. Now that Alliance Leader Du of the Demon Realm Alliance is here to uphold justice, whoever has been harmed by him, don’t hold your anger, step forward and speak for yourselves!" Yun Mo raised his arm and called out, gaining the support of many Demon Cultivators.

"I also have a Memory Stone as evidence. Last month, Zhong Yinghui not only took our prey but also injured my friend, who is still recuperating at home with serious injuries!"

"Our prey was also taken. We don’t have a Memory Stone but there are witnesses and physical evidence!"

"And us too!"

"Last year, the mercenaries from the Zhou family shop had their prey snatched by Zhong Yinghui. Upset, they argued, and he killed two of the mercenaries. Zhong Yinggui forcefully suppressed this matter; shouldn’t there be an explanation for that too?"

...

When the wall falls, everyone pushes. Hearing that Zhong Yinghui finally got his comeuppance, many Demon Cultivators hurried back to watch the spectacle and also stepped forward.

Seeing more and more Demon Cultivators seeking justice, suddenly, a mournful cry came from not far away, "Please, seniors, uphold justice for our family!"

A female Demon Cultivator stepped forward, her face haggard and eyes swollen from crying, kneeling on the ground, she wailed: "Last year my husband came to Carefree City to open a shop. He was a small Shopkeeper trading in Demon Cores and Beast Bones.

The other day, he was troubled everywhere while handling matters at the Commerce Association and accidentally bumped into Zhong Yinghui, soiling the corner of his garment. It was a minor issue that a mere Cleaning Technique could solve, but my husband apologized profusely.

He came home and told me that the Zhong brothers are very troublesome, and he feared more difficulties in the future. Who would have thought, shortly after, the Commerce Association sent people to our home to arrest him! They falsely accused my husband of stealing valuable Demon Cores from the association’s warehouse, and without any evidence, they skinned and dismembered him and hung him at the city gate to make an example.

I brought two brothers to the City Lord’s Mansion to seek justice, but along the way, we were intercepted by Zhong Yinghui’s servants. I, being at a slightly higher Realm, was lightly injured; the two brothers are severely injured and barely clinging to life at home. Our store was also raided to compensate for the alleged warehouse loss, and my two children were taken away, with no news to date!"

Du Li gestured for her to rise, speaking coldly, "A few days ago, I ordered a sudden inspection of the warehouses and account books of the Commerce Associations in each city. Perhaps they couldn’t account for embezzled funds and eagerly sought a scapegoat to balance the books? Today, I will thoroughly investigate the Commerce Association of Carefree City. Fellow Daoists, any grievances or disputes can be reported. I, Du Li, will surely give everyone justice!"

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will help find your two children taken by the association. City Lord Gongxi, have someone bring the body hung at the city gate for identification, I want a thorough investigation!"

He looked at Hu Zhile, patiently explaining, "Zhong Yinghui openly violated the rules by forcibly taking Miss Hu’s prey. The evidence is irrefutable, but he is involved in multiple cases, so he needs to be jailed temporarily until all charges are clearly ascertained and resolved. What do you think, Miss?"

"Alliance Leader Du speaks rightly. Compared to his other crimes, seizing our prey seems trivial." Hu Zhile retrieved her Colorful Ribbons and indicated, "These four people are at Alliance Leader Du’s disposal."

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Yun Mo and I often train around Carefree City, and we hear many rumors.

It’s said that Demon Cultivators doing business, if they don’t offer bribes, are often harassed and even excluded by the Commerce Association. The City Lord has no authority over commerce affairs, resulting in power being nominally held. Take this chance to thoroughly investigate whether this is true, ensuring merchants’ rights so prosperity can flourish."

Du Li nodded in agreement, thanking her for the information. Considering the alliance’s audacity backed by the Commerce Association, he thought of discussing with the Alliance Leader to temporarily curtail the association’s powers and potentially identify and deal with loafing parasites if necessary.

However, if this were to happen, a major part of the Demon Realm Alliance’s commerce would come to a halt. With such an entrenched alliance, wouldn’t it be heading towards a path of dissolution?