Chapter 149 Conflict

Meanwhile, at a high-level meeting of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

"After my own personal audit, there are thousands of demons imprisoned across the nine Towers of Demon Suppression in the capital."

"But in reality, at least five hundred are missing. Where did they go? Are you not prepared to give me an explanation?"

Xiao Qingzhu slammed the data in her hand onto the table, her cold gaze sweeping over the high-ranking members of the Demon Suppression Bureau present.

Among them were many Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators, and the white-haired old man sitting at the head of the table was even at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, possessing immense strength that overwhelmed the rest.

He was effectively the head of the Demon Suppression Bureau, and many matters required his consent before they could be implemented.

Facing the gazes of everyone, Elder Tang slowly opened his eyes; a scar on the corner of his right eye was extremely striking.

"Your Highness, this old man does not know what Your Majesty intended by sending you here, but there are some things you should not ask about. It is better for you, and better for us."

Bang!

Xiao Qingzhu furrowed her brows and slammed her hands down on the table violently.

"Since I am in this position, then the whereabouts of these demons must all be clarified!"

"Even one missing is an act of irresponsibility towards the people of the world!"

Demons are not mere villains; even if criminals in the dungeon were released, they could cause great harm to many innocent people.

Not to mention those vicious, heinous demons!

Xiao Qingzhu herself had fought against demons and knew deep down how terrifying they were.

To say that ordinary people had no power to resist when facing them was not an exaggeration at all!

At the head of the table, Elder Tang frowned, his expression displeased.

Xiao Qingzhu did not back down either, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.

For a moment, both sides were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere was tense to the extreme.

"The Towers of Demon Suppression are not nursing homes. It is normal for demons to die or be injured inside. Perhaps it is just the negligence of the subordinates who failed to report it."

"Furthermore, many members of the Demon Suppression Bureau are Mortals without any Qi, so considering their own safety, is it not normal that they cannot confirm whether the demons are alive or dead for a while?"

"Not everyone is like the people under Your Highness's command; they killed quite a few demons today without any explanation."

"This matter has already broken the rules, and it makes things very difficult for us!"

Beside him, a bald old monk spoke up.

He answered extremely smoothly, even shifting the blame back onto Xiao Qingzhu.

"Every demon imprisoned here is not innocent; killing them is just killing them."

"I can accept that they died in their cells, but I cannot accept them disappearing without rhyme or reason!"

"And another thing... what exactly are you covering up? You wouldn't be in cahoots with certain demons, would you?"

Xiao Qingzhu's words remained sharp.

However, as soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room changed abruptly, and everyone fell silent.

Elder Tang squinted his eyes, stared at Xiao Qingzhu for a while, and spoke slowly.

"Your Highness, the waters of the Demon Suppression Bureau... are very deep! You cannot handle them!"

"This old man suggests that you voluntarily resign and go back to being your carefree Your Highness; do not get involved in these matters anymore."

"Let us mind our own business, that is better for everyone!"

Hearing this, Xiao Qingzhu's delicate brows furrowed even deeper.

Sure enough, the thing she worried about most had happened.

As the saying goes, there is collusion between officials and merchants, but here it seemed to have turned into collusion between officials and demons!

The reactions of the high-level officials present confirmed her inner suspicions.

[Has the Demon Suppression Bureau truly... become this corrupt and fallen to such depths?]

[Is this still the Demon Suppression Bureau I once knew, the one that took the duty of exterminating all demons in the world as its mission, and which countless righteous people aspired to join?]

Xiao Qingzhu was filled with disappointment.