75: The supervisory order has been issued! How dare you act so recklessly?

Commander Luo's words were grandiose, as if he were the Incarnation of justice and the guardian of the Prefecture.

Hearing the words "severe punishment without leniency," Lin Xiaotian's vision went black, and he nearly fainted on the spot. He opened his mouth to plead, but Commander Luo's icy gaze shut him down.

"Commander Luo is brilliant!"

"With Commander Luo upholding justice, we can rest assured!"

The representatives of the aristocratic families bowed their hands, their words filled with genuine admiration, and of course, a hint of schadenfreude, not minding the commotion.

Li Dong saw all of this, and it was as clear as day in his heart.

Commander Luo, that old fox, merely wanted to sacrifice a pawn to save his king, pushing out Lin Yunzhi, that good-for-nothing, to take the blame, so he could distance himself from the Lin family. As for the phrase "no matter who is involved, they will be severely punished without leniency," it was just for show; only a fool would take it seriously.

"Lin Xiaotian!" Inspector Zhou didn't care about any of that. He stepped forward, the Surveillance Order of the Demon Suppression Headquarters, engraved with a ferocious beast, reflecting a chilling glint under the light in the valley. "Your son, Lin Yunzhi, has undeniable evidence of his crimes! I now announce his official arrest! All members of the Lin family, immediately withdraw from the valley and do not obstruct official duties! Otherwise, you will be treated as accomplices and executed without mercy!"

"The Surveillance Order is here, how dare you be so presumptuous?" Inspector Zhou's voice was like a clap of thunder, exploding in Lin Xiaotian's ears.

The Surveillance Order of the Demon Suppression Headquarters represented the supreme surveillance authority within the Demon Suppression system, holding the power to execute first and report later! Let alone a mere Lin family head, even Commander Luo, the Prefecture Commander, would have to yield in certain specific situations.

Lin Xiaotian's eyes were almost spitting fire, and his teeth gnashed loudly. He glared fiercely at Inspector Zhou, then glanced at Lin Yunzhi, who was being held up by two Demon Suppression Guards like a pile of mud. That faint cry of "Father, save me" pierced his heart like a needle.

"Zhou Bapi! You... you are going too far!" He squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.

"Going too far?" Inspector Zhou sneered, "Compared to your son almost making the entire city perish, what are my methods?"

He waved his hand: "Take him away!"

"Father! Father, save me! I don't want to die! Father—!" Lin Yunzhi was dragged away, letting out a pig-like wail, his voice filled with fear and despair.

Lin Xiaotian trembled all over, his fists clenched tightly, his fingernails digging into his flesh. But he ultimately dared not openly defy the Surveillance Order. Around him, representatives from forces like the Wang family and Zhang family watched menacingly, and the Demon Suppression Guards of the Surveillance Division were all radiating Evil Qi. He knew that today, he couldn't save Lin Yunzhi.

"Let's go!" Lin Xiaotian almost spat out these three words, filled with endless humiliation and venom, then turned and led the Lin family members out of the valley in disgrace. His retreating figure was desolate, yet tinged with an unwilling madness.

"Blockade the valley!" Inspector Zhou immediately ordered once the Lin family left. "No one is allowed to enter or exit without permission! Thoroughly search every corner, and register all items related to the Formation! Take Lin Yunzhi and immediately escort him to the Surveillance Division's prison for overnight interrogation!"

"Yes!" The elites of his Surveillance Division behind him responded thunderously and moved quickly, their efficiency remarkable.

The representatives of the Wang family and Zhang family exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of satisfaction in each other's eyes.

"Lord Zhou is indeed decisive, we admire him!" The Wang family representative stepped forward and bowed.

"The Lin family has acted perversely, and now they are reaping what they sowed. If Lord Zhou needs anything, my Wang family will certainly provide strong support!"

The Zhang family representative also quickly stated, "Exactly! The Lin family has been acting arrogantly in Prefecture City for years, it's high time someone took charge! Lord Zhou, count on our Zhang family's help!"

They spoke pleasant words, but their minds were calculating furiously. The Lin family's major stumble this time was a perfect opportunity to kick them when they were down and carve up their assets.

Inspector Zhou saw through these people's thoughts. He merely nodded faintly: "Thank you for your kindness. The Surveillance Division handles cases according to its own procedures. If any of you have clues about other illegal activities of the Lin family, you are welcome to report them to the Surveillance Division at any time."

"Certainly, certainly!" Everyone responded repeatedly.

Luo Yi stood to the side, watching Inspector Zhou methodically direct everything. The smile on his Face remained gentle, but the gloom in his eyes grew thicker. He didn't say much, only gave a slight nod when Inspector Zhou's gaze swept over him, then turned and left with his personal guards.

"Hmph, trying to muddy the waters and push all the blame onto Yunzhi alone?" Inspector Zhou snorted coldly in his heart as he watched Luo Yi's retreating figure. He knew that Luo Yi would never let it go, and the pressure from this Commander would likely come one after another.

A confidant quickly walked to Inspector Zhou's side and whispered, "My Lord, Commander Luo just sent a message, saying that this incident has a negative impact and hopes that we... 'prioritize the overall situation' and quickly investigate Lin Yunzhi's 'personal crimes,' without involving too many people, so as not to shake the Prefecture's Foundation."

"Shake the Foundation? I think he's afraid the fire will burn him!" Inspector Zhou's voice was low but carried a hint of chill. "Pass on my words: the Surveillance Division handles cases based only on evidence, not on anyone's personal Face! Tell Commander Luo to manage his own people!"

"Yes!" The confidant responded with a solemn expression.

The matter in the valley temporarily concluded, and Li Dong was taken away by the Demon Suppression Division's medical team that arrived shortly after. He had indeed expended a great deal of energy; the life-and-death struggle with Lin Yunzhi, especially enduring the opponent's Blood Burning Secret Art, had put a considerable strain on his body. However, he was in good spirits, one might even say a little excited. After all, personally resolving the big trouble of Lin Yunzhi and incidentally harming the Lin family felt pretty good.

In the medical team's carriage, Li Dong closed his eyes to meditate, appearing calm, but in reality, his spiritual sense had already quietly spread out.

"Interesting, there are even spies in the Demon Suppression Division's medical team." He sensed a few faint, almost imperceptible prying Qi, which, although extremely well hidden, could not escape his current perception.

"Are they loyalists of the Lin family? Or Commander Luo's people? Or... both?" A barely noticeable curve appeared at the corner of Li Dong's mouth. It seemed this water was even murkier than he had imagined.

Upon returning to the temporary residence assigned to him by the Demon Suppression Division, just after tending to his wounds and changing into clean clothes, someone announced that Inspector Zhou had sent someone to visit him.

It was one of Inspector Zhou's trusted aides, a lean and capable middle-aged man.

"Young Hero Li, Lord Zhou is busy with official duties and cannot get away for the moment, so he specifically ordered me to come and visit you." The man's attitude was very polite. He first presented some Medicinal Pills for healing, then conveyed Lord Zhou's gratitude and praise.

"Lord Zhou is too kind, it was just my duty," Li Dong responded calmly.

The man's tone shifted, and his expression became a little more serious: "Young Hero Li, Lord Zhou also asked me to relay a message. The matter of Lin Yunzhi might just be the tip of the iceberg. The Lin family has been entrenched in the Prefecture for many years, deeply rooted, and the forces behind them are likely far beyond what we see. It might even... be connected to certain figures in the capital."

"The capital?" Li Dong's heart stirred. This conjecture coincided with his own.

"Lord Zhou said that this time you lifted the lid, but you also put yourself in the eye of the storm. You must be careful; some people will do anything for their own benefit." After saying that, the man gave Li Dong a deep look.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Zhou, I will be careful." Li Dong nodded. It seemed this Inspector Zhou was a clear-headed person and a worthy partner for cooperation.

After the man left, Li Dong pondered for a moment, then took out a specially made Jade Slip from his storage ring. This Jade Slip contained the deeper information he had previously analyzed about the "demon-attracting incense" plan, including detailed data on the secret warehouse, financial transactions, and some obscure clues pointing to certain figures in the capital. This was the real thing that could deliver a fatal blow to the Lin family, and even to Commander Luo.

He had originally planned to wait for a more suitable time, but now it seemed that Inspector Zhou's determination and predicament made him feel he could deliver this "big gift" in advance.

"I hope this Lord Zhou can withstand the pressure and make this fire burn even brighter," Li Dong murmured to himself, then sent out the Jade Slip through a very secret channel.

At the same time, the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division and even the entire Prefecture City were completely shaken by the malicious incident of Lin Yunzhi setting up a large demon attracting Formation outside the city, attempting to destroy the Prefecture.

"Have you heard? That eldest young master of the Lin family, Lin Yunzhi, went mad! He actually tried to lure demons to slaughter the city!"

"My heavens! Is that true? Then we almost..."

"It's true! It's said that a young Cultivator named Li Dong stopped him! All by himself!"

"Li Dong? Which Li Dong? Could it be the one who caused a big stir in the market a while ago?"

"Exactly! It's said that he alone crippled Lin Yunzhi and destroyed the entire grand Formation! He's practically a Heavenly God descended!"

"So powerful! This is our Prefecture's hero!"

The story of Li Dong single-handedly exposing part of the Lin family's crimes, preventing a demonic riot, and saving the Prefecture from peril, spread like wildfire throughout Prefecture City. Various versions of the story circulated in taverns, teahouses, and on the streets, becoming more legendary with each retelling.

For a time, the name "Li Dong" rose to prominence in Prefecture City, his fame unparalleled.

Meanwhile, Li Dong, at the center of the storm, was in his room, silently operating his Cultivation Technique to recover his expended spiritual Qi, while also contemplating his next steps. He knew that Lin Xiaotian and Commander Luo would never give up. A greater storm was brewing.