Chapter 124: True Master Martial Dao

"Pardon us."

Two government constables stepped forward and nodded at Lu Bai, showing no particular hostility.

In the battle earlier today, Lu Bai, a Martial Artist, had slain a Qi Refiner. For that, they held a measure of respect for him.

Who said that someone in the early stages of the Martial Dao was bound to lose to a Cultivator?

Li Tianxing rushed forward, snatched the leg shackles, and said with a frown, "Handcuffs will suffice."

This was a compromise, with both sides taking a step back.

Chief Clerk Wang snorted coldly but said nothing more.

A heavy pair of Fine Steel Handcuffs was locked onto Lu Bai’s wrists.

Lu Bai’s expression was composed, showing no hint of panic or fear.

"GRRRR!"

Seeing someone acting against Lu Bai, the Black Dog let out a low growl.

Lu Bai glanced at it, shook his head, and said, "You and Ah Ming wait at home."

Ah Ming had no objection.

’There are so many people here. If I made a move, my identity would be exposed, and I’d have to flee and go into hiding.’

Ah Ming leaped up, landing on the Black Dog’s back and lying down.

The Black Dog shook its body, but when it failed to dislodge Ah Ming, it simply ignored him.

’If it weren’t for the fact that Ah Ming had pecked out a Golden Silkworm Gu for Lu Bai, it would never let a rooster sit on its back.’

Lu Bai offered a few more words of comfort to his mother and told Luo Qing and the others to stay at home and not worry. Then, he followed the group, leaving the Luo Family residence.

The pedestrians on the street had not yet dispersed.

"What’s happening? How did Young Hero Lu get arrested?"

"He’s even in handcuffs! It must be a serious crime!"

"This is such a sudden change! He killed Mo Shaohan during the day, at the peak of his fame, and by nightfall he’s under arrest?"

"I heard Boss Jin and Miss Liu are dead. It’s most likely related to this."

Seeing the group of government constables and the city garrison escorting Lu Bai toward the County Government Mansion, the onlookers turned their heads and began discussing in hushed tones.

"Grandfather, what should we do? Brother Xiaolu must have been framed!"

Luo Ben was frantic.

Luo Tianxiong pondered for a moment before saying, "It’s too late tonight. Early tomorrow, I’ll go around and make some inquiries to see what’s going on.

"None of you need to worry. A major case like this will take at least a few days to investigate. Lu Bai will be safe during that time, at the very least. Besides, seeing how calm he was, he didn’t seem worried at all. I believe he’s innocent."

Despite his words, the fact remained that Lu Bai had been arrested.

The family gradually dispersed, but for a long while, none of them could fall asleep.

「Willow Shade Courtyard.」

Yu Daoxuan was guiding Yun Luo in her cultivation when her expression suddenly shifted.

"Aunt, what is it?"

Yun Luo asked curiously.

Yu Daoxuan said, "Lu Bai was taken away by people from the County Government Office."

"Huh?"

Yun Luo said, "Aunt, didn’t you say a member of the Witch Race is hiding in the County Government Office? Will Brother Lu be able to handle it?"

Yu Daoxuan replied, "The Prefect is a True Master Martial Dao. If it came to a fight, Lu Bai is still far too weak."

Yun Luo asked again, "Aunt, are we going to help Brother Lu?"

"There’s no need."

Yu Daoxuan glanced outside and said coolly, "The people in charge from the Evil Extermination Bureau have arrived. This matter falls under their jurisdiction."

「Outside Bluestone City.」

A man and a woman on horseback galloped from the distance, only reining in their mounts to slow down as they approached the city gate.

"The city gate is closed. If you two wish to enter, come back tomorrow morning."

A guard on the city wall noticed the movement below and called out.

Mo Tang glanced up, her brow furrowing slightly.

’The number of garrison soldiers on Bluestone City’s walls is significantly lower than usual. This is illogical.’

"We are Evil Exterminator Guards. Open the gate."

He Liangzhi announced, holding up a token.

"Heh."

A garrison soldier on the wall scoffed. "It’s pitch-black out here. Who can see that token? Besides, your faces are unfamiliar, and you aren’t wearing the uniforms of the Evil Exterminator Guard. What kind of Evil Exterminator Guards are you?"

Another guard shouted sternly, "Are you two aware that impersonating a Court official is a capital offense in our dynasty!"

Mo Tang remained silent. She slowly rose, her entire body levitating into the air.

As the garrison watched, she ascended to the height of the city wall. With an authoritative gaze, she walked on air until she stood before the guards.

"A T-True Master Martial Dao!"

The guards’ faces went pale with shock.

This ability to ride the wind was a power possessed only by a True Master Martial Dao!

Mo Tang tossed the token in her hand to the guards on the wall and asked coolly, "Can you see clearly now?"

One of them caught the token and looked at it closely.

One side bore two words: "Evil Extermination."

The other side bore three words: "Morning Bell Ringer!"

HISS!

A Morning Bell Ringer from the Evil Extermination Bureau was here!

Within the Wu Dynasty’s Evil Extermination Bureau were the three positions of Morning Bell Ringer, Jiaorui Envoy, and Mountain Monarch Envoy. Their official rank and cultivation level increased in that order, and each had distinct attire.

These titles were taken from three great supreme-yang Demon Beasts—the rooster, the buck, and the fierce tiger—whose yang-aligned bloodlines were a natural counter to evil.

The Commander of the Wu Dynasty’s Evil Extermination Bureau in Jing State was a Morning Bell Ringer.

"L-Let them pass!"

A guard hastily shouted, ordering the men below to open the gate.

He Liangzhi watched his boss’s display with a pang of envy, muttering, ’Actually, you could just fly me up with you next time...’

Mo Tang surveyed her surroundings and asked, "Where did the garrison go? Why are there so few men here?"

A guard replied, "There’s been a major case in Bluestone City. The suspect is vicious, and the Prefect was worried he might escape, so he mobilized a large number of garrison soldiers for the arrest."

"Oh?"

Mo Tang asked, "What case? How many suspects are there, and what are their cultivation levels?"

"I don’t know the specifics of the case."

The guard said, "There’s only one suspect. He’s actually become quite famous in Bluestone City recently. He’s in the Inner Strength Realm."

Mo Tang frowned. "Is a single Inner Martial Artist worth mobilizing such a large force?"

"You may not be aware, my lady."

The guard continued, "This person isn’t old. His name is Lu Bai, but his methods are ruthless and exceptionally vicious. People call him the Black Hand Young Hero."

"Lu Bai?"

Having entered the city and climbed the wall, He Liangzhi couldn’t help but startle slightly upon hearing the name.

’Lu Bai was the very person they had come here to keep a close eye on.’

Another guard added, "Just recently, this Lu Bai fought a Ninth-Level Qi Refiner from the Xuanjian Sect to the death on the Martial Arts Discussion Platform. The battle was incredibly brutal."

"Oh?"

He Liangzhi was somewhat surprised. "For an Inner Martial Artist to be able to fight a Ninth-Level Qi Refiner to such a brutal extent... this person certainly has some skill."

"You are mistaken, sir."

The guard said, "The fight lasted less than ten breaths. The Ninth-Level Qi Refiner was beheaded by Lu Bai!"

He Liangzhi froze.

’An Inner Martial Artist killed a Ninth-Level Qi Refiner in a one-on-one fight?’

"Ah!"

This time, even Mo Tang let out a soft cry of surprise.

Recalling the scene, the guard was still filled with awe. "My lords, you should have seen it. That Ninth-Level Qi Refiner was no match for Lu Bai at all. He was controlling a Flying Sword, but he couldn’t even touch the hem of Lu Bai’s clothes."

"Let’s go. To the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Mo Tang didn’t linger. She called He Liangzhi down from the wall, and they headed straight for the Evil Extermination Bureau.

The moment the two of them arrived at the Evil Extermination Bureau, they realized something was wrong.

The Evil Extermination Bureau was deserted, save for a few servants doing miscellaneous tasks and the guards on duty.

It wasn’t even midnight, yet they hadn’t seen a single Evil Exterminator Guard on their entire walk over.