Chapter 1271: Changes After the Event (Part 2)

Chapter 1271: Chapter 1271: Changes After the Event (Part 2)

"Is it truly this severe?" Pei Yan exclaimed in bewilderment upon hearing Zhao Yuanhu say this.

Zhao Yuanhu nodded repeatedly in response, "Yes, alas! Pain is one thing, but the humiliation is even more significant. Any normal person being whipped in public would feel their dignity shattered. What’s more, these high-ranking, privileged elders of the Heavenly Dao and Asura Dao, being flogged in front of all the disciples is particularly shameful. Moreover, those Precepts Elders really strike with no mercy at all. When Xia Yu and I arrived, seven elders had already fainted from the combination of pain and exhaustion. Even so, the Executioners did not stop; they dragged the unconscious elders aside, administered simple treatment to awaken them, and then brought them back to continue the punishment. Only after receiving all three hundred lashes were they allowed to be taken away by their disciples. I heard that even during the recovery phase, their powers are sealed, only allowed to use ordinary ointments for simple healing, letting them endure the agony of the whip wounds until they naturally heal."

"Heh heh heh, it seems the Five Residences are really terrified by the Spirit Lord’s move this time, sparing no expense!" Pei Yan sneered mockingly.

Just then, the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs came from outside the door. Hearing this, Zhao Yuanhu quickly broke free from Pei Yan’s embrace. Seeing her embarrassed look, Pei Yan did not press further, put on his coat, and without waiting for the person outside to knock, he opened the door and walked out.

Jiang Feiyang withdrew the hand he had raised to knock on the door. Seeing Pei Yan emerge, he smiled and said, "The Embroidered Robe Envoy is here, waiting outside to see you."

"Who?" Pei Yan asked as he buttoned his coat.

Sneaking a glance inside the room at Zhao Yuanhu, whose face was flushed, Jiang Feiyang chuckled mischievously. After getting a light slap on the back of his head from Pei Yan, he turned back and replied, "Who else could it be but Xiang Zixiong?"

"Oh, Commander-in-Chief Mao still refuses to see me?" Pei Yan expressed surprise and some discontent upon hearing it was Xiang Zixiong.

"He can’t come! That Commander is accompanying the Sect Leader of the Five Residences to meet Spirit Lord Lin in the palace, and he hasn’t come out yet," Jiang Feiyang explained on behalf of Xiang Zixiong.

"I see."

"Oh, right! Another thing! Hu Jiu asked me to tell you that the person you want to meet has arrived. He asked when you want to see her?" Jiang Feiyang suddenly remembered Hu Jiu’s instructions and added.

"That was fast! Where is she?" Pei Yan was delighted to hear this and asked eagerly.

"I don’t know, Hu Jiu was all secretive, and he didn’t tell me when I asked. Who exactly do you want to meet?" Jiang Feiyang shook his head and looked at Pei Yan in confusion.

"Keeping it discreet is better! You’ll find out in a few days. Let’s go meet this Xiang Zixiong first." As they spoke, the two had already descended the stairs and turned into the main hall, where Xiang Zixiong, recently seated under guidance, quickly stood up again upon seeing Pei Yan arrive, ready to pay his respects. But Pei Yan waved him off, saying, "No need for formalities. Sit and talk. I haven’t eaten since sleeping till now. Hasn’t Commander Xiang had a busy day like me? Have you eaten? If you don’t mind, join me for a bite?"

"I ate before coming!" Cultivators like Xiang Zixiong at this level could already fast, avoiding mortal food, needing only a bit of food imbued with Spiritual Qi every three months to maintain normal life. Xiang Zixiong couldn’t quite understand why a master like Pei Yan still needed to eat. To him, consuming ordinary food lacking any Spiritual Qi had no benefit. Apart from viewing it as Pei Yan’s peculiar personal preference, Xiang Zixiong could think of no other reason. Therefore, even though he hadn’t eaten before arriving, he claimed to have eaten to politely decline Pei Yan’s offer.

"Ah, that’s fine then! I won’t be polite either! Tell me, what did you find out?" Seeing Xiang Zixiong decline, Pei Yan didn’t insist further, sat down at his place, and directly inquired.

"Answering you, Sir, throughout today we’ve checked many areas. I’m not sure which ones you’re interested in."

Pei Yan pondered for a moment. Although he did not hold much hope, he still asked, "Start by telling me about those various sects from yesterday that weren’t part of the Immortal Mansion. Did you find any issues?"

"These individuals underwent a preliminary screening with Mr. Mei and your assistance. We verified their claimed identities and affiliations with their sects. Except for two persons who couldn’t explain their origins and were identified as Loose Cultivators seeking refuge at the Immortal Palace due to grudges with other sects, the others’ identities were mostly confirmed. We additionally conducted some magical checks to confirm no disguises were being worn. Your Director Mei had already provided photos of each person for identification to your retainers and those who were attacked last time, but no suspicious individuals were found! We are now conducting checks on their cultivation techniques to see if there are traces of practicing the Hongjun Sword Furnace methods." At this, Xiang Zixiong paused, observed Pei Yan’s reaction, and upon seeing his patient listening, continued, "I believe further checking these individuals won’t reveal major issues."

"Hmm, checking thoroughly is still better! If there truly are no problems, let them leave after recording everything." Pei Yan nodded, then stood and accepted the tray his sister Pei Jin brought over. Taking a piece of fried pork, he asked, "Then tell me about those two sects! Let’s start with the White Deer Institute."

"Sir, the White Deer Institute has been quite cooperative! They sent both the elders who secretly released people and those freed to the Embroidered Robe Envoy for our interrogation, and we checked the records of the Ten-Eyed Well, finding little discrepancy with their statements."

"Can I see the records?" Pei Yan unexpectedly asked while eating.

"Certainly! Mr. Mei was also present during the interrogation, and he recorded the process with your Magical Artifact. Mr. Mei is still at the Town Government Office aiding the investigation. Knowing this topic would surely be of interest to you, he entrusted me with this device to pass on to you," Xiang Zixiong said as he produced a phone from his sleeve, given by Mei Simiao for Pei Yan, handing it over with respect.

Accepting the phone, Pei Yan used his abilities to access and play the video, continuing to eat while commenting, "Don’t stop! Continue explaining the relationship between this elder and the person sent away. What makes them so eager to take such a considerable risk to send someone away at this critical moment?"

"Sir, the elder from the White Deer Institute is surnamed Zong, and there’s indeed an issue with the person he sent away. Our investigation discovered the three were thieves wanted by various sects."

"Thieves?" Pei Yan paused the video, perplexed, and looked up at Xiang Zixiong, "You have thieves in the Daoist Plane!"

"Sir, you jest. Thieves arise wherever greed exists," Xiang Zixiong responded.

Pei Yan smacked his lips in agreement, "True! Greed, huh! All are susceptible to it, just the objects desired vary with one’s realm. Even Immortals aren’t immune to worldly desires! I’m curious, what do thieves in the cultivation world steal?"

"Answering Sir, these three are notorious and steal anything, leading to their wanted status by various sects."