15: Prison Warden, Qin Zhanfeng

Today was his shift.

When he arrived at the Ministry of Punishments, many of his colleagues were already there.

This was the first time he had seen colleagues other than Zhu Gui and Third Elder Gao.

Each of them had an indifferent expression, as if keeping everyone at arm's length.

This was a common characteristic of Executioners, and Shen Tianxing was already used to it.

Fortunately, Third Elder Gao was also there today, providing a familiar face.

"Tianxing, how do you feel? Are you adapting well?"

Most people are unaccustomed to being an Executioner for the first time, and even if Shen Tianxing performed well, he might still experience discomfort afterward.

This was common among Executioners, which was why Third Elder Gao asked.

Feeling Third Elder Gao's concern, Shen Tianxing said, "Uncle Gao, rest assured, there's no discomfort. I can continue with the executions today."

He was currently desperate for experience points and wished they would assign him more.

This concerned the progress of his Cultivation, so he couldn't help but be anxious.

But how could it be that easy?

Even Executioners had to progress gradually; it was impossible to assign a newcomer too many tasks all at once.

Third Elder Gao shook his head and said, "You've just started, no need to rush. The daily tasks are arranged by the higher-ups. Today it's someone else's turn to execute, so you should go back to your room and rest."

Executions didn't happen every day, and there were many Execution Officers in the Hall of Punishments, so they naturally wouldn't assign all the tasks to Shen Tianxing alone.

Typically, after a newcomer's 'first cut,' they would be arranged to rest and ease their tense minds.

Only after gradually performing some ordinary execution tasks would they slowly be given more responsibilities.

Upon hearing this, Shen Tianxing couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Clearly, in their eyes, he was still a newcomer and needed to follow the rules.

This also made him even more eager to enter the Purgatory Division; only by entering the Purgatory Division would he have more opportunities for executions.

"Thank you, Uncle Gao, for the reminder. If anything comes up, just find me."

"Alright, go."

Since he had no tasks, Shen Tianxing naturally seized the time to return to his room to continue Cultivating, while also waiting for news from the prison.

From Third Elder Gao's reaction, it seemed that what he had done yesterday had not reached the Ministry of Punishments, otherwise, everyone's reaction would not have been so calm.

It was also possible that the Purgatory Division's rules were strict, and no news could be spread casually, being suppressed by Wang Hu and others.

Shen Tianxing didn't think too much, returning to his room in the backyard to continue Cultivating... Meanwhile!

Purgatory Division, a courtyard.

Wang Hu, Zhang Kui, and Li Dahai arrived here together.

At the entrance of the residence, stood several guards, stout and burly, with Qi and blood like bears and tigers, exuding a powerful aura, completely different from the Prison Guards at the entrance of the Purgatory Division!

"Sirs, we have come to see the Prison Envoy. Is he in?"

Facing these guards, Wang Hu and the two respectfully bowed and carefully asked.

Don't let their status as first-tier Prison Officials mislead you; these people in front of them were extraordinary. They were the Prison Envoy's personal guards, and each of them had reached the Vajra Realm!

They were not to be offended.

"The Envoy is inside, go in."

They all worked under the same roof, so the guards didn't make things difficult for them. Everyone here was basically familiar with each other and knew Wang Hu's identity.

"Thank you, sirs."

Soon, the three entered the main gate, facing an open main hall.

All eight doors were wide open, and a tall, refined-looking middle-aged man was seated at a desk in the hall, writing.

Before the three could bow, the middle-aged man's voice came from the hall.

"Come in, what do you need me for?"

Their movements had already been noticed by him.

Usually, Wang Hu and these Prison Officials wouldn't come to him unless there was something important.

If they came, it must be to report something.

"Thank you, sir."

Wang Hu and the two still bowed, then slowly walked into the main hall.

The furnishings in the main hall were simple, without much decoration, only the weapon racks placed on both sides were particularly striking.

Within the simple hall, a faint aura of authority emanated.

"Reporting, sir, last night, five Disciples from the Corpse Control Sect were newly sent to our Division. It is reported that they were discovered in a Mass Grave eight hundred li outside the city. How should they be dealt with?"

Wang Hu respectfully reported.

Demon and Monster Cultivators, and Ghost Path Cultivators, rarely appeared near the Imperial City. Even if there was a Mass Grave suitable for Ghost Path Cultivators to Cultivate, they wouldn't easily come.

Their daring to come suggested that things might not be so simple, and such matters had to be reported.

Moreover, Wang Hu and his companions came to report this matter as only one reason.

The main reason was to commend Shen Tianxing.

"Hmm? Corpse Control Sect Disciples? They actually appeared in that Mass Grave?"

Qin Zhanfeng, who had been writing at his desk, paused his brush upon hearing this, then set it down.

He looked up at the three, his eyes filled with authority, mixed with a hint of surprise.

"Were they brought in by the Demon and Monster Division? Has it been investigated why they appeared near the Imperial City?"

As the Prison Envoy, Qin Zhanfeng dared not be careless.

Whether it was a demon, a monster, or a Ghost Path Cultivator, once they approached the Imperial City, most were targeting some unlucky soul within the Purgatory Division.

He couldn't help but be cautious.

Wang Hu shook his head and said, "Sir, you misunderstand. These five were not captured by people from the Demon and Monster Division. As far as I know, it should have been an accident. These five Disciples of the Corpse Control Sect might have ventured here to find Cultivator corpses and refine them into Corpse Puppets."

"Not captured by the Demon and Monster Division?" Qin Zhanfeng was taken aback.

Demon and Monster Cultivators and Ghost Path Cultivators were basically managed by the Demon and Monster Division, while Martial Dao Cultivators were the responsibility of the Martial Suppression Division. In such a situation, if the Martial Suppression Division made a move, the people from the Demon and Monster Division would probably not be pleased.

Thinking about the people from those two Departments getting red in the face and thick in the neck over this, such an amusing incident hadn't happened in a long time.

Wang Hu still had some discernment. Seeing Qin Zhanfeng's expression, he knew that his superior had probably misunderstood again.

"Sir, I didn't make this clear."

"The one who captured these five Corpse Control Sect Disciples was not from the Three Departments, but an Execution Officer from the Ministry of Punishments, Shen Tianxing!"

Hm?

An Execution Officer from the Ministry of Punishments?

Now this was getting interesting!