21: Law enforcement inquiry
The three words 'Law Enforcement Hall' made Ye Chen's eyes narrow slightly. The Law Enforcement Hall of Tianfeng Academy held a transcendent status, specializing in academy discipline and investigating illegal acts. Its power was immense. It was never a small matter when they came knocking.
Ye Chen tidied his clothes and pushed open the courtyard gate with a calm expression.
Outside the gate stood four Disciples dressed in the deep blue attire of the Law Enforcement Hall, their auras capable and their gazes sharp. The leader was tall and thin with a cold face and a sheathed long saber hanging from his waist; his aura was surprisingly at the Kaiyuan Realm Third Level! The other three also possessed cultivation at the first and second levels of the Kaiyuan Realm.
This formation didn't look like a simple inquiry; it looked more like they were there to seize someone.
“I am Ye Chen.” Ye Chen met the leader's gaze, neither humble nor arrogant.
The tall, thin law enforcement Disciple sized Ye Chen up, his gaze scraping over him like a knife, filled with scrutiny and pressure. “I am Chen Feng, a Deacon Disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall. Ye Chen, it has been reported that you are related to the disappearance of several Outer Court Disciples a few days ago and are suspected of harming fellow Disciples. Come with us to the Law Enforcement Hall for an investigation!”
Harming fellow Disciples? Ye Chen sneered inwardly; that was quite a heavy accusation to pin on him. Lin Batian must have used his connections to forcibly link the matter of the Black Wind Stockade to him, perhaps even turning black into white.
“Senior Brother Chen, those words are incorrect,” Ye Chen's tone remained steady. “Regarding the missing Disciples case, I have already reported the details to the Mission Hall's deacon. It was the work of Bandit Cultivators from the Black Wind Stockade, and I have handed over key evidence. As for harming fellow Disciples... I wonder which one you are referring to?”
Chen Feng snorted coldly. “Stop quibbling! Junior Brother Zhao Gan is currently bedridden with heavy injuries; was that not your doing? As for the Black Wind Stockade matter, how can we believe your words alone and an unidentified token? Whether you collaborated with the bandits to harm your fellow Disciples still needs a thorough investigation! Take him away!”
The two law enforcement Disciples behind him immediately stepped forward, intending to seize him.
“Wait!” Ye Chen’s voice deepened. “The matter with Zhao Gan was a public spar on the Martial Arts Stage, personally adjudicated by Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy Zhao Qianjun. How can it be called harming a fellow Disciple? As for the Black Wind Stockade, if I intended to collaborate, why would I take the initiative to report it and walk into a trap? Why is Senior Brother Chen in such a hurry to convict me instead of investigating the Black Wind Stockade first?”
He looked directly at Chen Feng, his gaze as sharp as a sword. “Or rather, is Senior Brother Chen acting under someone's instructions to frame me with a trumped-up charge?”
“Presumptuous!” Chen Feng’s face darkened as his secret thoughts were exposed. His Kaiyuan Realm Third Level Spiritual Pressure erupted, pressing down on Ye Chen like a mountain. “How dare you slander the Law Enforcement Hall! Seize him!”
Sensing Chen Feng's anger, the two law enforcement Disciples no longer hesitated. They reached out to grab Ye Chen’s shoulders, spiritual power flickering at their fingertips, clearly using a grappling technique.
Ye Chen’s eyes turned cold. If he allowed himself to be captured and taken to the Law Enforcement Hall, they would likely find a way to make the truth look like a lie!
Just as the two Disciples' hands were about to touch his shoulders—
“Buzz!”
The Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm spiritual power within Ye Chen’s body suddenly erupted. Instead of retreating, he moved forward, sliding through the gap between the two like a swimming fish. Simultaneously, his hands moved like lightning, precisely locking onto their reaching wrists!
The two Disciples never expected Ye Chen to dare resist, let alone that his speed would be so fast! They felt their wrists go numb as a domineering force instantly surged in, breaking their grappling stance!
“Bang! Bang!”
Two muffled thuds sounded as the two law enforcement Disciples stumbled back, their faces filled with shock and humiliated rage.
“You dare resist the law?!” Chen Feng was both shocked and furious. He hadn't expected Ye Chen’s strength to be so formidable, nor had he expected him to be so audacious as to strike law enforcement Disciples!
“It is not resisting the law, but self-defense.” Ye Chen stood with his hands behind his back. Although his qingfeng sword was not drawn, a sharp Sword Intent vaguely locked onto Chen Feng. “Senior Brother Chen wants to forcibly seize me without distinguishing right from wrong; I cannot comply. If the Law Enforcement Hall truly wishes to investigate, please provide concrete evidence or have a higher-level deacon or Elder personally issue the order. Otherwise, I suspect someone is using the name of the Law Enforcement Hall to carry out a frame-up!”
His voice was loud and clear, spreading to the surroundings and immediately attracting many nearby Disciples. Seeing that Ye Chen had actually pushed back the law enforcement Disciples and was confronting Chen Feng, everyone was in an uproar.
Chen Feng’s face was ashen. He indeed lacked solid evidence to seize him and was mostly acting on someone's 'hints' to apply pressure. He had intended to use his position to suppress Ye Chen and take him away, but he hadn't expected to hit a brick wall. With everyone watching, if he used force and failed to take Ye Chen down cleanly, he would inevitably gain a reputation for incompetence or even abuse of power.
Just as the two sides were at a standstill, a gentle yet undeniably majestic voice rang out:
“What is all this noise about?”
The crowd parted as a refined middle-aged scholar in a moon-white robe walked forward slowly. His aura was unfathomable, far beyond Chen Feng's; he was surprisingly a Linghai Realm Elder!
Upon seeing this person, Chen Feng’s expression changed. He quickly withdrew his Spiritual Pressure and bowed respectfully. “Disciple Chen Feng greets Elder Liu!”
The surrounding Disciples also bowed one after another. “Greetings, Elder Liu!”
The newcomer was indeed a powerful Elder of the Outer Court Law Enforcement Hall, Liu Qingfeng, who was known for his fairness.
Liu Qingfeng’s gaze swept across the scene, finally landing on Ye Chen. A trace of imperceptible surprise flashed in his eyes. “You are Ye Chen?”
“Disciple Ye Chen greets Elder Liu.” Ye Chen bowed, neither humble nor arrogant.
“I am already aware of what just happened.” Liu Qingfeng spoke calmly, his tone peaceful yet carrying an invisible pressure. “Chen Feng, you were ordered to investigate the missing Disciples case. Do you have any concrete evidence pointing to Ye Chen?”
Sweat appeared on Chen Feng’s forehead as he stammered, “Reporting to Elder, there is no direct evidence yet, but this boy's movements are suspicious, and he is linked to the matter of Zhao Gan’s heavy injuries, so...”
“If there is no concrete evidence, you must not act rashly,” Liu Qingfeng interrupted. “The Law Enforcement Hall acts based on evidence. How can we seize people based on mere conjecture?”
“Yes, this Disciple was wrong.” Chen Feng quickly lowered his head.
Liu Qingfeng looked at Ye Chen again. “Ye Chen, the matter of you reporting the Black Wind Stockade has already been recorded by the Mission Hall. Your spar with Zhao Gan on the Martial Arts Stage also complied with the academy rules. This matter shall be dropped for now.”
“Thank you for your clear judgment, Elder.” Ye Chen cupped his hands.
Liu Qingfeng nodded slightly, but then his tone shifted. “However, the Black Wind Stockade is a significant threat and has harmed our academy disciples; this matter must be thoroughly investigated. Ye Chen, since you have fought the bandits and are familiar with their methods and stronghold, the Law Enforcement Hall intends to organize a team to wipe out the Black Wind Stockade. Are you willing to serve as a guide and redeem yourself through service?”
Redeem himself through service? Ye Chen understood that this was a graceful exit provided by Elder Liu, as well as a form of protection by bringing him temporarily under the Law Enforcement Hall's watch. Participating in the suppression would prove his innocence and allow him to use the Law Enforcement Hall's power to deal with Lin Batian's hidden schemes.
“This Disciple is willing!” Ye Chen agreed without hesitation. He also wanted to completely uproot the cancer that was the Black Wind Stockade and perhaps find more evidence pointing toward Lin Batian.
“Very well.” Liu Qingfeng nodded with satisfaction. “Three days from now at dawn, assemble at the Law Enforcement Hall plaza. Chen Feng, you will lead this suppression mission. Ye Chen will accompany you as a Special Consultant. You must ensure his safety, and you are to capture or kill the bandit leader 'Hei Sha' to uncover the truth!”
“This Disciple accepts the order!” Although Chen Feng was unwilling, he didn't dare disobey the Elder's command and could only comply. He gritted his teeth inwardly, his gaze toward Ye Chen becoming even colder. Once they reached the Black Wind Stockade, far from the academy, who could say what 'accidents' might happen?
Liu Qingfeng gave a few more instructions and then departed gracefully.
The onlookers gradually dispersed, but the news of the conflict between Ye Chen and the Law Enforcement Hall, as well as his upcoming participation in the suppression of the Black Wind Stockade, quickly spread through the Outer Court.
Chen Feng gave Ye Chen a cold glance before turning to leave with the three law enforcement Disciples.
Ye Chen watched their departing figures, his gaze deep.
The trip to the Black Wind Stockade would likely not be peaceful. Chen Feng's hostility was clear; he needed to be extra vigilant.
However, there was opportunity within the crisis. Perhaps this suppression would not only solve the trouble of the Black Wind Stockade but also provide him with the chance to Breakthrough to the Kaiyuan Realm!
He returned to his courtyard, closed the door, and began preparing for the action three days later.
Strength was always the most reliable guarantee.