189: Chapter 189 Interrogation

Huang Jinglong was momentarily stunned by the counter-question instead of getting the answer he wanted, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Hiss."

The sound of sharp intakes of breath echoed through the hall.

Don't be fooled by Yellow Ox's kind and peaceful appearance; in reality, he was ruthless and decisive when he took action.

Any Cultivator with a bit of cultivation knew Huang Jinglong's origins: he started as a Robber Cultivator and was once notorious for terrorizing a whole region.

But so what? As his cultivation improved, fewer people hunted him, while more and more followed him. Later, he seized Huangniu Mountain, dubbed himself Yellow Ox, and received the respect of thousands.

As for that dirty, dark history, it had long since vanished like smoke, never to be mentioned again.

Most people present knew Yellow Ox's true temperament, so they naturally felt a chill in their hearts.

They groaned inwardly.

"Is this Fellow Daoist Xu really some old monster hiding his cultivation? How does he dare to provoke Yellow Ox so publicly?"

"If you're going to clash with him, don't do it here! If you two start fighting, what will happen to the innocent?"

"This Xu Changsheng clearly only has a Foundation Establishment cultivation, yet he talks so big."

The surrounding Cultivators all had their own hidden agendas, which Huang Jinglong naturally didn't know; in just an instant, his expression returned to normal.

With a gentle smile, he changed the subject: "Since Young Friend Xu doesn't wish to speak of it, then the matter of the grudge will be set aside for now."

"Hiss."

The air grew stagnant once more.

The crowd felt both relief and confusion.

Their relief came from finally confirming that Xu Changsheng was indeed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; he couldn't change the existing system of the Immortal City, so they didn't need to bow and scrape to flatter him.

Their confusion stemmed from Xu Changsheng's performance last night—how he had single-handedly defeated that female Golden Core demonic Cultivator—and the fact that Yellow Ox was speaking to him so politely.

Huang Jinglong continued, "Does Young Friend know why this old man summoned you to the City Lord's Manor?"

Xu Changsheng waved his hand, keeping a wary eye, and said with feigned indifference:

"Oh, last night was a small matter, but it coincidentally saved your Yellow Ox Immortal City, rescuing the Immortal City from the brink of collapse. What reward does Senior intend to give this Junior?"

Only by amplifying his contribution could he obtain sufficient compensation and foolproof protection.

However, Huang Jinglong's response was beyond his expectations.

"None."

Huang Jinglong seemed to see through Xu Changsheng's bluster instantly, and his tone suddenly became cold and sharp.

"Fellow Daoist Xu seems to have misunderstood this old man's intentions."

"What? Not a reward?"

Xu Changsheng's heart slowly sank. Huang Jinglong and Jin Chuan knew best what happened last night; if he hadn't acted, they would definitely have faced dire consequences.

"Of course not. This old man summoned you here to have Fellow Daoist compensate for the losses from the destruction of the Immortal City's Zhaiyue Tower, Tianxing Tower, and numerous civilian residences last night."

"Deliberately damaging the pavilions and halls of the Immortal City—Young Friend Xu, do you plead guilty?!"

Xu Changsheng was first stunned, then a flash of disbelief crossed his eyes. Not only did Huang Jinglong not thank him, but he even wanted to punish him?

Forcing himself to calm down, he squared his shoulders and looked directly at Huang Jinglong on the dais, his voice rhythmic and forceful:

"This Xu not only intercepted Gu Lingye personally but also severely wounded her. Even if Immortal Master Huang doesn't give this Junior a reward, why blame this Junior for the aftershocks of the fight?"

"What crime have I committed?! If I hadn't acted, would you be sitting up there so comfortably making sarcastic remarks? You'd probably be lying down by now."

"Absurd!"

"Such blatant arrogance!"

Huang Jinglong only frowned, but the people below had already become his mouthpieces, voicing their indignation on his behalf.

"Silence!"

Jin Chuan stepped forward to quiet the crowd.

He looked toward Xu Changsheng, guilt in his eyes. His lips moved slightly, but in the end, no words came out, and he kept his hands behind his back.

Huang Jinglong remained expressionless: "This old man naturally saw what happened last night, but for Fellow Daoist to claim credit based on that is a bit naive."

Xu Changsheng's brow furrowed, knowing the core of the matter was coming.

"The strike you blocked, my Immortal City's Formation could have blocked as well."

He immediately retorted: "Heh, then consider that strike as this Junior's act of self-preservation. Senior's Formation might have blocked it,"

"But that concentrated beam strike would surely have punched a hole in it, and your pavilions and halls would have collapsed all the same."

"Fellow Daoist Xu can rest assured on that; this old man had already made full preparations. Therefore, Fellow Daoist's first move can, at most, be considered neither a merit nor a fault."

Xu Changsheng was almost laughing from anger. Since this Yellow Ox was lying through his teeth and turning white into black, there was no need to waste any more breath here.

He felt the urge to leave; he still needed to think carefully about how to deal with Gu Lingye's immense wrath later.

Heaven knows when the matter of the scandalous photos would reach The North.

Cupping his hands: "Since Senior does not recognize this Junior's act of self-preservation, then this Junior has nothing more to say. I shall take my leave."

He then took a step back, intending to turn around.

Just then, the surrounding space suddenly froze.

"Why the rush, Fellow Daoist? This old man still has questions to ask Fellow Daoist."

In an instant, his whole body tightened, and his legs felt as if they were filled with molten lead, impossible to lift.

Forced to stay put, he looked up, without much fear: "Why didn't Senior say so earlier? If you had, this Junior wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave."

Huang Jinglong withdrew his pressure.

Xu Changsheng could move freely again. He brushed the dust off his Daoist robe and muttered to himself: "This Junior hasn't even washed the dishes from last night's meal yet."

Huang Jinglong's voice deepened: "I want to know if the Protection Talisman Fellow Daoist used to damage the Immortal City last night is still on your person. It is evidence of a crime and must be handed over to the Immortal City for safekeeping."

"What?! Impossible!"

Xu Changsheng immediately rejected the demand, shaking his head vigorously. Although the Protection Talisman had lost all its spiritual light and was useless, he had no intention of making his trump cards public.

Dissatisfied voices immediately rose around him.

"Just take it out. Yellow Ox wanting to see it is an honor for you; don't be ungrateful."

"Xu Changsheng, you've been disrespectful to the Immortal Master all along. It's only because of the Immortal Master's good temper that you haven't been subdued already."

Whether to echo Huang Jinglong's interrogation to flatter him or out of pure curiosity about Xu Changsheng's methods, everyone's gaze was fixed on Xu Changsheng.

Huang Jinglong stood up, his pressure swirling with the cool breeze blowing in from outside the hall: "If Fellow Daoist does not produce it, this old man will have no way to give an account to the many Fellow Daoists present."

Xu Changsheng sneered inwardly.

It was Huang Jinglong who brought up wanting to see the Protection Talisman, and the people around him chimed in, yet now it had become a means for him to exert pressure. No wonder he could become a leader.

He chuckled: "Since Senior wants to see it, what's the harm in showing it to you?"

With that, he took the shattered Protection Talisman out of his Storage Pouch, placed it on his palm, and held it up.

Most people craned their necks, intending to get a good look; after all, this was the means by which Xu Changsheng could elevate his major Realm.

However, when they saw that pile of wood chips devoid of any spiritual Qi, everyone was stunned.