302: Chapter 296 Bold Demon!

Five longswords, shrouded in glowing mist, traced arcs through the air, striking at the woman's vital points from different directions.

The woman only seemed to realize what was happening now. Looking around and sensing the dire situation, she didn't lash out but instead slumped onto the ground.

"You godforsaken Prodigys! You godforsaken Imperial Court!"

"You colluded to harm my daughter, and now you want to silence me too!"

Her performance was incredibly vivid; she covered her face and wept, tears streaming down her cheeks in what seemed like a genuine outpouring of emotion.

The scattering crowd heard her and turned their heads, their gazes shifting hesitantly between the stage and the people below.

Seeing this, Luo Xiling grew anxious. "She's the Prodigy! Don't believe her, run!"

The people weren't stupid.

One was telling them to flee for their lives, while the other was crying—and crying so heart-wrenchingly that it made one instinctively believe her. But how could someone worried about their own life be a bad person?

Thus, the paused crowd began to move again.

The woman slumped on the ground didn't change her expression, and her tears continued to flow, yet a flicker of panic appeared in her eyes.

She was certainly no match for the five of them; Ye Ming had analyzed this, and the facts bore it out.

Otherwise, why would she bother trying to exploit the rule that newcomers on trials cannot harm mortals without cause to restrict their movements?

The only path to survival for the woman was to trick the crowd into surrounding her and then escape in the chaos.

Now that the crowd was being urged away by Luo Xiling, how could she not be anxious?

"Run then! Run!" the woman resumed her act. "You might escape today, but let's see if you can escape tomorrow!"

Thanks to the recent incompetent performance of the Government Officials, the townsfolk had long since lost trust in them.

Coupled with long-term oppression, the people had formed a stereotypical image of the local Government Officials as "preying upon the commoners."

This seductive lie from the woman struck a nerve with exceptional effect. The townsfolk's feet felt as heavy as lead, and they could no longer move.

They slowly turned back, their eyes filled with hatred for their rulers.

Retreating to the back, Ye Ming knew things were taking a bad turn and hurriedly urged the five: "What are you dazing for? Strike now!"

Luo Xiling shook off her indecision and, along with the other four, poured her full strength into her flying sword to pierce the woman.

The townsfolk had fled some distance; though they were now walking back, their movements were slow.

By the time they arrived, the woman would likely already be long dead.

So, she scrambled up, feigning terror, and screamed as she ran toward the crowd.

"In your dreams!" Luo Xiling's eyes widened. Her hand gestures changed rapidly, and the moon bright sword intercepted the woman like a bolt of lightning.

The cold light reflected from the blade flashed across the woman's face. She visibly froze for a moment, bewildered that such a sword didn't seem like something a new disciple should possess.

Combat changes in the blink of an eye; how could she afford to be distracted?

In that brief moment of daze, the other four flying swords finally arrived, piercing through the woman's vitals from behind.

Despite suffering such heavy injuries, she didn't collapse immediately. She struggled through the pain, trying to bypass the moon bright sword.

Luo Xiling naturally wouldn't allow it, controlling the moon bright sword to stab directly into her chest.

The woman gritted her teeth, seemingly prepared for a desperate final struggle, but the moon bright sword was too fast. Just as she moved, the longsword passed through her chest, leaving a transparent hole.

Blood gushed out, dousing the agitated crowd like a bucket of cold water.

So this was death.

They were terrified. The courage that had just risen within them shattered, and they instinctively retreated.

Suddenly, someone noticed that the woman's corpse, which had fallen backward, was undergoing a transformation.

It looked as if something living was struggling inside the corpse. The skin bulged and recessed everywhere until it reached its limit and burst open entirely.

Everyone hurriedly covered their faces. After a long while without hearing any movement, they lowered their hands.

On the ground, a large insect with a hole in its chest lay on its side in a pool of blood.

"A Prodigy!"

Although the large insect was clearly dead, the people were still frightened and turned to run for the street entrance as if their lives depended on it.

The crowd was congested. With everyone pushing forward so chaotically, it was inevitable that some would trip and be trampled by countless feet.

Luo Xiling, who had been immersed in the joy of completing the mission, suddenly became anxious: "Don't push! People are being trampled to death!"

"The Prodigy is dead! There's no need to be afraid!"

Amidst the panicked shouting, her faint voice was completely useless.

She searched every corner of her mind but couldn't think of a solution. Her sword manuals didn't include any voice-amplifying techniques, so she could only watch in helpless frustration.

After a long time, the townsfolk finally finished fleeing. The execution grounds suddenly fell silent, as if the preceding scene had been a mere illusion.

But the dozens of townsfolk lying on the ground, their fates unknown, proved that everything was real.

Luo Xiling jumped down from the execution platform and patted their faces one by one with a look of hope, but there was no response.

Half an hour later.

She walked back to the platform with her head hanging low: "Not a single one left..."

Ye Ming smiled and patted her head. "It's alright, you did your best."

Hearing his comfort, Luo Xiling's slumped back suddenly straightened, and her eyes sparkled. "As long as we did our best, it's not our fault?"

"No, points will be deducted."

Her expression turned blank. She seemingly hadn't expected that the usually serious Ye Ming would also tease her.

She wanted to express her anger, but she was interrupted by the approaching County Magistrate and the Head Constable.

The County Magistrate, wearing his official hat and robes, approached with a slight bow. "Head Constable Xing has explained everything to me. You have worked hard, honored sirs."

Eliminating Prodigys and being revered was exactly what Luo Xiling had long looked forward to.

Now that it was finally happening, she didn't even care about the gloom of losing points. She was about to offer some humble remarks with a grin, but then felt that such behavior didn't suit an immortal's air, so she straightened her face:

"Slaying demons is our duty; we must uphold it, and there is no need for praise."

The County Magistrate was taken aback, thinking to himself, *I wasn't planning on praising you anyway.*

*Aren't you a secret department of the Imperial Court? If I spread the word everywhere, wouldn't I be seeking my own death?*

Though he felt confused, a higher rank could crush a man, let alone these six whose ranks were unknown but surely vastly superior. He didn't dare ask more and said with a forced smile:

"You are dedicated to the country without seeking fame or fortune. I shall certainly take you as a role model to emulate."

Luo Xiling was so delighted she could barely keep the corners of her mouth down. Worried she would embarrass herself, Ye Ming stepped forward to smooth things over: "Now that the Prodigy has been eliminated, we have other official duties. We shall take our leave now."

"Wait—" The County Magistrate blocked their path and said warmly, "It is rare for you honored sirs to visit this place. How could I not be allowed to show some hospitality?"

"A banquet has been prepared at Jinxiang Tower. Honored sirs, please?"

Ye Ming originally wanted to decline, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luo Xiling's face practically screaming "I want to go, I want to go." Combined with his own unresolved doubts, he simply agreed.

The County Magistrate ordered the Head Constable to clean up the mess at the scene, then led the way. The group arrived at the most prosperous restaurant in Jinshui Town—Jinxiang Tower.

It seemed to be a place of entertainment.

On the second-floor balcony, gaudily dressed girls waved their long sleeves to attract customers. Every guest entering was greeted by a scantily clad girl who escorted them to their seats.

As the highest local official, the restaurant naturally didn't dare neglect the County Magistrate.

As soon as the seven of them crossed the threshold, a middle-aged madam hurried over, waving her round fan.

After a round of flattering words, they were led into an elegant private room.

Soon, a woman arrived carrying a zither. The madam enthusiastically called in a row of girls and several handsome young men for the group to choose from.

Luo Xiling was greatly amazed; she never expected that Jinxiang Tower's services would be so diverse.

After a couple of glances, she boredly waved the men away. The madam hurried to her side to ask if she was dissatisfied with this lot, as she had more in stock.

"She and I don't need any."

Hearing her say this, the madam felt relieved.

Then Luo Xiling turned to stare at Ye Ming, who was a bit bewildered: "What are you doing?"

"Keeping a close eye on you for Sister Xiao Miao."

"Go away." Ye Ming had no hobby for visiting brothels. He rebuked her and said no more.

As for the three young disciples, they seemed never to have seen such a spectacle; their faces flushed red, and they were all quite nervous.

The County Magistrate wanted to provide an out and choose for the three, but Ye Ming spoke up to stop him: "We have discipline to maintain."

The Mountain Gate didn't have a hard rule, but the group were also employees of the Special Investigation Bureau, belonging to the official staff of China. Having all taken oaths, they naturally couldn't violate discipline.

Since everyone sat alone, the County Magistrate didn't dare stand out and waved the girls and the madam away.

Once the fragrant food was served, they ate their fill to the elegant and leisurely sounds of the zither.

Later, the County Magistrate wanted to invite them to tour the local sights, but Ye Ming refused on the grounds that they still had important matters to attend to.

Leaving the restaurant, the County Magistrate returned to the yamen to handle the aftermath of the Prodigy case, while Ye Ming led the others on a stroll around Jinshui Town.

It wasn't aimless.

He had obtained the list of recent victims from the Head Constable and visited them one by one, also asking neighbors about the victims to ensure the answers were truthful.

Walking out of a victim's home, Ye Ming flipped through the register, deciding where to go next.

Luo Xiling, with her hands behind her back, leaned over from his side to look at a name on the page: "The Prodigy is already dead, what else is there to investigate?"

"Hmm..." Ye Ming gave a vague response, not clearing her doubt.

He didn't know if he was right or wrong now. The Mountain Gate's new disciple manual didn't specify whether they could intervene in matters outside the mission.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Ye Ming saw Luo Xiling staring at him curiously and said, "I suspect there is another hidden Prodigy in Jinshui Town."

"It seems... to have been here for a long time. It probably never committed any evil, which is why it was never exposed."

"Ah?!" The five of them looked at him in shock. "Another one?!"

"Yes, it's just..." Ye Ming scratched his head in frustration. "Logically, Prodigys must be executed, but if it doesn't harm people... I don't know how the Mountain Gate usually handles this situation."

After thinking hard for a long time, he felt that there were reasons both to kill and not to kill.

Not to kill.

Immortal Xu had said, "Those who bring chaos to the human race are Prodigys." If it hasn't brought chaos, then it doesn't count as a Prodigy?

To kill.

Not bringing chaos now doesn't guarantee it won't in the future.

"Those who are not of our kin are sure to have different hearts." To nip the problem in the bud and prevent the townsfolk of Jinshui Town from being harmed in advance.

The latter seemed forced, even a bit overbearing.

But if one were a resident of Jinshui Town, living in a high-risk environment where they could be snatched away by a Prodigy at any time, who would care about justice?

As long as the threat could be eliminated, no one would care if a Prodigy was wrongly accused.

Most importantly, Ye Ming felt that the Prodigy hiding in the shadows was likely wanted for crimes committed elsewhere and was forced to hide in the remote Jinshui Town for refuge.

Then, not doing evil here wasn't because it was kind, but because it was afraid of word getting out and being tracked down.

Roughly understanding Ye Ming's dilemma, Luo Xiling patted her chest: "Leave it to me."

"You have a way?"

"I don't have a way."

"Then why are you boasting?"

"Master has a way!"

Luo Xiling proudly pulled out a jade pendant token: "This one of mine is different from the mass-distributed ones. Master gave it to me personally. Besides representing my identity, it can also contact Master in emergencies."

Under the envious gazes of the four new disciples, she tilted her head back proudly and gripped the jade pendant.

"What business do you have with your Master?" Immortal Xu's voice rang out from the air around them.

"Master, it's like this, we..."

Luo Xiling prattled on, explaining the whole situation, and then stared at the jade pendant along with the other five, waiting for an answer.

"For your first trial, decide everything yourselves."

The faint light flickering on the jade pendant faded away. The six of them stood frozen until a cold wind swept past, making them shiver back to their senses.

"It's over, what do we do now?" She made a crying face.

The girl put her arm around her shoulder to comfort her: "It's okay, Senior Sister. Brother Ye will definitely think of something."

"It's not that! Master ignored me, I've lost all face!"

The girl, feeling like she had wasted her emotions, let go with a wooden expression, barely resisting the urge to complain. No wonder Brother Zhao always teased Senior Sister for being a fool!

Ye Ming sighed. "Immortal Xu is unwilling to give a hint. This is troublesome."

"Why?" one of the young disciples asked in confusion. "At most, we just won't bother with it."

"It's not like that."

"Hmm... among the point-deduction items, there's one that says if a dereliction of duty leads to mortal casualties, points will be severely deducted."

"Now that we are certain there's a Prodigy in Jinshui Town, if this falls under our responsibility and we ignore it, any future harm it causes will be on us."

"But if we do intervene and the Prodigy kills people indiscriminately because it's driven into a corner, we'll have to take the blame."

"Then what do we do?!"

They all grew anxious, as losing points clearly meant a loss.

Ye Ming pondered for a moment. "Let's finish questioning the victims on the register first."

Understanding the importance of the matter, the five of them were no longer careless. Each transformed into a senior micro-expression expert, focusing intently on every detail of the respondents' expressions.

It was as if they could glimpse unknown secrets from them.

Unfortunately, they failed to obtain any useful information even after visiting every household.

Regarding Ye Ming's question of "What time did your daughter go missing?", except for the middle-aged woman who lost her daughter right under their noses, the responses were strikingly consistent—the Chou hour.

That is, the period from one to three in the morning.

And the specific identity information of the missing persons was also similar.

Sixteen years old, tall, beautiful, with a lively personality, and so on.

By the time they walked out of the last house, it was already dark.

Ye Ming stood by the roadside hesitating for a good while before deciding to stay in Jinshui Town for the night, intending to search around tomorrow to try and find clues.

If they still found nothing tomorrow, he planned to set off back to the Mountain Gate.

Because the overall score of the trial was affected by the mission completion time.

Dawdling here for too long would lead to a poor evaluation, and the rewards might shrink significantly.

Although the mission rewards had nothing to do with Ye Ming—Immortal Xu had clarified this beforehand—Luo Xiling and the other four were his subordinates, and he didn't want their interests to be harmed.

The six of them delayed no further and headed to the inn.

Since they had been thrown into jail during their previous investigation, they hadn't checked out of their rooms, so there was no need to book again. They just paid the room fee and went back to rest.

The next day.

Just as the sky began to turn fish-belly white, the six of them were awakened from their deep sleep by the sound of chaotic footsteps downstairs.

Bang—

Ye Ming's door was kicked open. The County Magistrate and the Head Constable entered one after the other, with constables filing in behind them.

"Audacious Prodigys! How dare you impersonate Imperial officials? Surrender now!"