82: Chapter 82 Re-battle with Fierce Roar

The four words "Demonic Cult spy" were like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting a tumultuous uproar among the Disciples of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall!

Countless gazes filled with shock, suspicion, and even a hint of instinctive fear fell squarely upon Wang Yu.

"No! You're lying! Our Family has been clean for generations, and we only conduct legitimate business. How could we possibly be Demonic Cult spies?! This is a frame-up!"

Wang Yu's face turned deathly pale, then flushed deep red. He shouted back in agitation, his body trembling slightly from extreme anger and fear.

"Whether it's a frame-up or not, the truth will be revealed once we reach the Yamen! The items found in your Family's shop are ironclad proof! Take him away!"

Constable Lie Ming sneered, too lazy to waste more words, and waved his hand to signal his subordinates to move in and make the arrest.

This time, faced with the heavy label of "Demonic Cult spy," the watching Disciples of the martial arts hall looked at each other. Although they were still indignant, they ultimately dared not openly obstruct the officers as they had before.

After all, if the Wang Family was truly involved with the Demonic Cult, obstructing the officers would be no different from being an accomplice.

However, just as the two officers were about to grab Wang Yu's arms, a figure blocked their path once again.

Lin Tian.

"Wait a moment." Lin Tian's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable strength.

Constable Lie Ming's expression darkened suddenly, the killing intent in his eyes almost solidifying as he stared fixedly at Lin Tian. "Lin Tian, you have repeatedly obstructed me in my investigation. What is your intention? Could it be... that you have some unspeakable dealings with this Wang Yu, or even with the Demonic Cult? Are you trying to shield an accomplice?!"

Facing this malicious accusation, Lin Tian's expression remained unchanged as he said coldly, "Even if the matter concerning the Wang Family is true and Wang Yu is suspected of colluding with the Demonic Cult, such a major case should be handled by the Imperial Guard."

"Have you forgotten? One of the primary duties of the Imperial Guard, as expanded by the Imperial Court, is to eradicate the remnants of the Demonic Cult! When did it become the turn of a mere county Yamen constable to overstep their authority?"

"The Imperial Guard?" Constable Lie Ming acted as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world, his mouth curling into a cruel arc. "You want to steal credit from me? You? Ask the blade in my hand if it agrees first!"

Before the words left his mouth, a fierce light flashed in his eyes. His long saber unsheathed with a "clang," transforming into a sharp black light that whistled through the air, striking down at Lin Tian's head without any fancy tricks!

This strike was ruthless and swift, containing the vigorous Qi and blood of a Second Grade Middle Stage expert along with violent killing intent. It was clearly intended to catch Lin Tian off guard and either severely injure or even kill him in one blow!

"Clang!" A piercing sound of metal clashing exploded! Lin Tian's long saber unsheathed at almost the same moment, precisely blocking overhead and steadily catching the heavy, powerful strike! Sparks flew everywhere!

"Hmph! You've got some skill!" After missing his initial strike, Constable Lie Ming immediately unleashed his blade momentum, sweeping toward Lin Tian like a violent storm!

The flashing blade light enveloped Lin Tian completely.

Lin Tian's eyes were calm, his Perfection-level movement technique flowing naturally. His long saber parried, intercepted, and slashed, using the Basic Blade Technique to respond.

He did not immediately exert his full strength, instead taking the opportunity to observe and test the true strength of Constable Lie Ming after his Breakthrough.

The two exchanged blows, their figures weaving and blades flashing, with gusts of wind scattering everywhere. In an instant, they had traded over ten moves, the clanging sounds making it difficult to determine a winner.

The onlookers were dazzled and terrified by the sight.

"This guy... has his strength increased this much after his Breakthrough?" Lin Tian felt a slight chill in his heart.

Although Constable Lie Ming's blade technique had not reached Major Achievement, his power, speed, and that fearless, ferocious Aura were indeed significantly stronger than before. No wonder he could repel Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang with one strike.

"Hmph, Lin Tian, you're nothing special!" Unable to secure a victory after a long attack, Constable Lie Ming felt anxious, yet he refused to show weakness, sneering mockingly.

Relying on his Breakthrough and the support of a Demonic Pill, he had expected to firmly suppress Lin Tian, but he hadn't expected the other party to block him steadily.

"Is that so?" Lin Tian's eyes turned cold. Just as he was about to hold nothing back and activate his "Wind-Facing Slash" ultimate move to defeat his opponent in one go—

"Lin Tian, stop!"

A low shout, calm yet filled with authority, rang out from behind the crowd.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng pushed through the crowd, his expression grave. His gaze swept over Lin Tian and Constable Lie Ming, finally landing on Lin Tian as he slowly shook his head. "Let them go."

"Revered Master!" Lin Tian frowned and looked at Hall Master Chen Qingfeng.

"Listen to your Revered Master." Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's tone was flat but unquestionable.

Lin Tian took a deep breath, suppressing the Battle Intent and doubts in his heart, and slowly sheathed his blade and stepped back, though his gaze remained coldly locked on Constable Lie Ming.

"Hmph, you're sensible!" Seeing this, Constable Lie Ming snorted triumphantly. He also sheathed his blade, glanced at Lin Tian with disdain, and then waved his hand. "Take them away!"

The officers faced no further obstruction. They escorted away the ashen-faced Wang Yu, who was still muttering in his own defense, along with several shop assistants who had been arrested, and strode off.

They left behind the Disciples of the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, who looked at each other in an oppressive atmosphere.

Once Constable Lie Ming and the others left, the discussions in the training grounds instantly exploded like a boiling pot.

"Is the Wang Family really a Demonic Cult spy? That's impossible, right?"

"Senior Brother Wang is a righteous person, how could he…"

"But Constable Lie Ming spoke with such certainty, and there was evidence…"

"Could it be a frame-up? Constable Lie Ming has a grudge against our martial arts hall!"

"Shh, watch your words! Matters involving the Demonic Cult are no small thing!"

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng seemed not to hear the noisy discussions around him and said to Lin Tian in a deep voice, "Follow me to the study."

Lin Tian nodded and followed Hall Master Chen Qingfeng to the secluded study in the backyard. The door closed, shutting out the clamor of the outside world.

"Revered Master, we shouldn't have let Constable Lie Ming take them away earlier." Lin Tian spoke first, his brows tightly locked. "Wang Yu is my good friend, and I know a bit about his Family; they absolutely cannot be Demonic Cult spies. There must be something fishy about this matter. I fear Constable Lie Ming is settling a personal vendetta, or perhaps... he has other motives."

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng sat down behind the desk, rubbed his temples, and sighed. "How could your Revered Master not know? That boy, Constable Lie Ming, has a twisted heart and acts ruthlessly. If he hadn't held 'conclusive evidence' and been instructed by someone behind the scenes, how would he dare to be so arrogant as to break into my Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall to make arrests?"

"If you had forcibly obstructed him earlier, or even injured him, he could have immediately slapped you with the crime of 'obstructing an investigation and shielding the Demonic Cult.' Even with your Imperial Guard status, you would inevitably be mired in trouble, or even be used by those with ulterior motives to implicate you as well."

He paused, a flash of gravity in his eyes. "Your Revered Master feels that this matter is likely not just aimed at the Wang Family, or Wang Yu personally. The look in Constable Lie Ming's eyes when he looked at you was full of killing intent. Perhaps... it is aimed at you."

Lin Tian felt a chill in his heart; he had long felt the same.

"Or perhaps," Hall Master Chen Qingfeng said slowly, his tone even heavier, "it is aimed at my Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall. Wang Yu is an official Disciple of my martial arts hall. If the name of 'Demonic Cult spy' is confirmed for him, my Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall will not be able to escape the consequences. At best, our reputation will be damaged; at worst, we will be investigated by the government, or even stripped of our status as one of the three major martial arts halls. This is a plan to draw the firewood from under the cauldron."

Lin Tian's expression changed. "Will it implicate the martial arts hall?"

"We must be on guard," Hall Master Chen Qingfeng said. "Now the enemy is in the dark and we are in the light. Behind Constable Lie Ming stands the County Yamen, and perhaps even Magistrate Zhou Wenhai, who lost the 'red blood vermilion fruit' and harbors resentment toward both the Imperial Guard and you. We cannot sit and wait for death."

He looked at Lin Tian, his gaze sharp. "Return to the Imperial Guard immediately and report this matter. It would be best to let the Imperial Guard intervene in this case legitimately! Only then can we grasp the initiative, know the progress of the case, and prevent the County Yamen from covering up the truth, forcing false confessions, or even splashing dirty water on my Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall!"

"Take Senior Sister Chen Yu with you. She is also an Imperial Guard, and being a woman, some things might be easier to say. Remember, you must emphasize that this case involves the Demonic Cult, which is the duty of the Imperial Guard, and that the case may have far-reaching implications, requiring the Imperial Guard to lead!"

"This Disciple understands!" Lin Tian nodded heavily. His Revered Master's considerations were thorough; at present, only by borrowing the power of the Imperial Guard could they break the deadlock.

Lin Tian did not delay any further, leaving the martial arts hall immediately and heading straight to the Jinyiwei Company Office.

He found Senior Sister Chen Yu and quickly recounted what had happened at the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall. Upon hearing this, Senior Sister Chen Yu's face also paled; she had not expected things to develop to such a point.

The two did not dare to delay and immediately requested to see Squad Leader Zhao, who was responsible for daily affairs.

"Demonic Cult spy? The Wang Family?" After listening to Lin Tian's account, Squad Leader Zhao's expression changed suddenly.

Matters of the Demonic Cult were no small thing, especially in a vital border town like Heishan City. If the Demonic Cult had truly infiltrated, the consequences would be unimaginable. "Wait here, this official will report to the Centurion immediately!"

Not long after, Squad Leader Zhao returned in a hurry, his expression grave. "The Centurion has ordered: regarding matters of the Demonic Cult, it is better to believe they exist than to assume they do not! The Imperial Guard must intervene in this case! I, Zhao, will personally lead men to the West City County Yamen to assist in the investigation! No, to lead the investigation! Lin Tian, Senior Sister Chen Yu, you two will come with me! Select ten more skilled hands and set off immediately!"

"Yes!" Lin Tian and Senior Sister Chen Yu were invigorated.

Soon, Squad Leader Zhao had assembled his men. Twelve Imperial Guards, including Lin Tian and Senior Sister Chen Yu, dressed in black light armor or flying fish robes with long sabers at their waists, surged straight toward the West City County Yamen under the lead of Squad Leader Zhao like a black flood, their Aura murderous and solemn.

The sudden arrival of the Imperial Guard caught the West City County Yamen off guard.

Upon hearing the report, Magistrate Zhou Wenhai's expression immediately turned gloomy. The Wang Family "Demonic Cult spy" case was a major case within his jurisdiction. If he handled it well, it would be a great achievement, enough to offset his previous error of losing the red blood vermilion fruit, and perhaps even allow him to climb higher.

How could he allow others to get their hands on it, especially the Imperial Guard, where Lin Tian—with whom he had long-standing grievances and who was suspected of having "stolen" the red blood vermilion fruit—belonged?

"Squad Leader Zhao has graced us with his presence. May I ask what brings you here?" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai suppressed his displeasure and received them in the second hall. His tone was polite enough, but the dissatisfaction between his brows was obvious.

Squad Leader Zhao cupped his hands, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, even carrying the cold rigidity unique to the Imperial Guard. "Magistrate Zhou, this official has come under orders. I heard that your county has uncovered a serious case suspected of collusion with the Demonic Cult, involving the Wang Family. According to Imperial Court law and the authority of the Imperial Guard, for all serious cases involving the Demonic Cult, treason, or seditious rumors, the Imperial Guard has the power to supervise, assist, and even lead the investigation."

"This case is of great importance, and I fear there may be remnants of the Demonic Cult hiding. To prevent any mistakes, the Centurion has specially ordered this official to come and try this case together with your county. We must get to the bottom of it and ferret out all the monsters and demons!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "lead," his tone strong and leaving no room for negotiation.

Magistrate Zhou Wenhai's expression changed, and he forced a smile. "Squad Leader Zhao, you speak too seriously. Although this case involves the Demonic Cult, it was solved independently by my West City County Yamen. The witnesses and physical evidence are all present, and the case is clear. There is no need to trouble the brothers of the Imperial Guard…"

"Magistrate Zhou!" Squad Leader Zhao interrupted directly, his gaze like lightning. "Matters of the Demonic Cult concern the foundation of the state and the safety of Heishan City; how can they be compared to ordinary criminal cases? As it is the duty of the Imperial Guard, I dare not be the slightest bit negligent!"

"The Imperial Guard will definitely handle this case! The Centurion's order is here. I ask Magistrate Zhou to make things convenient and hand over all case files, suspects, and evidence to this official for inspection! If there is any obstruction, do not blame this official for being impolite!"

Behind him, Lin Tian, Senior Sister Chen Yu, and the other Imperial Guards took a step forward in unison, their hands on their hilts. Although the blades remained sheathed, that frigid, murderous Aura already permeated the room, causing the hearts of the Yamen clerks in the hall to constrict.

Magistrate Zhou Wenhai's face turned red and then white, his chest heaving violently. Although he was the leader of a county, when facing the powerful Imperial Guard—especially with the backing of Centurion Shen Lian—he dared not openly confront them.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and squeezed a few words through his teeth: "Since that is the case... let it be as Squad Leader Zhao says. Men, hand over all files, suspects, and evidence related to the Wang Family case to these officers of the Imperial Guard!"

"Many thanks for your cooperation, Magistrate Zhou." Squad Leader Zhao cupped his hands indifferently, then said to Lin Tian and the others, "Receive the case files, interrogate the relevant suspects, and inspect the evidence! Be careful; there must be no omissions!"

"Yes!"

Amidst the complex, unwilling, and even fearful gazes of the Yamen staff, the Imperial Guard quickly took over the case.

Lin Tian obtained the case files immediately and saw those so-called "Demonic Cult evidence"—those strange herbs with dark red blood streaks and bone fragments carved with twisted runes.

He sensed carefully and could indeed detect a trace of a cold, evil Aura, which had similarities to some of the methods of the Demonic Cult as rumored.

"A frame-up…" A cold light flashed in Lin Tian's eyes. If the Wang Family were truly Demonic Cult spies, how could they be so careless as to leave such obvious evidence in their own shop?

This looked more like someone had left it intentionally to frame the Wang Family. And this person was very likely Constable Lie Ming! Perhaps even the mysterious black-robed Demonic Cult envoy behind him had provided the "props"!

Constable Lie Ming's Breakthrough, the sudden framing of the Wang Family, the Demonic Cult evidence... everything seemed to be linked together. Lin Tian vaguely felt that an invisible, large net was tightening in a certain direction.

And Constable Lie Ming was merely a pawn in this net, perhaps even a lure.

Constable Lie Ming stood in the corner of the Yamen duty room, watching coldly as the Imperial Guard forcefully intervened and took over the case.

Far from having any displeasure on his face, a barely perceptible, twisted, and satisfied arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

"The Imperial Guard... has delivered themselves to my doorstep... Hahaha!" He laughed wildly in his heart. "The plan is even smoother than expected! Centurion Shen Lian, Lin Tian... none of you will escape!"

He seemed to already see it: when he "inadvertently" "leaked" the "clue" pointing to "Tingtao Villa" outside the city, the Imperial Guard, especially Centurion Shen Lian, would personally lead a team to investigate, and then... fall into the death trap carefully laid by the Demonic Cult!

When that time came, Lin Tian, that major threat, would also perish along with them!

"Just wait... very soon, you will all pay the price!"