296: First Encounter with a Land Immortal

Whale oil burned in the bronze lamp stand deep within the underground palace, the firelight reflecting on the jade thumb ring on Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip, emitting a cold light.

He had just finished listening to Zhao Gao's report, his fingertips tapping lightly on the sandalwood desk, where the list of damages from the Qingzhou fabric store lay spread out, still smelling of ink—three carts of cloud brocade had been robbed.

Five 'Shadow' group Luowang Assassins had their arms broken, and the palm print of Law Enforcement Elder Xuan Zhen left a dark red bloodstain on the file, looking exactly like the smiles on the faces of those hypocrites from Wanfa Holy Land.

'Is there news from the Marshal of the Unruly?' Jun Xiaoyao's voice was not loud, yet it made the candlelight flicker slightly.

Zhao Gao bowed quickly: 'Replying to the Young Lord, the Marshal of the Unruly has led the elite of The Net to seal off the three main roads outside Qingzhou City. Mr. Li Xunhuan has set an ambush at Ten Mile Slope with the 'Shadow' group, waiting for Xuan Zhen to walk right into the trap.' He paused and added, 'It's just... the Wanfa Holy Land sent more than just Xuan Zhen this time; they are accompanied by three Protectors at the Initial Heaven Human Realm, I fear the Marshal of the Unruly and his men might struggle...'

Jun Xiaoyao did not respond, his gaze falling on the light screen in the center of the summoning array. The spiritual power of the soul settling pearl had not yet completely dissipated. On the light screen, the three characters 'Zhang Sanfeng' glowed with a pale white light, and the status bar below showed 'Arrived in the Qingzhou region, one stick of incense away from Ten Mile Slope.' He swiped his fingertip across the light screen to bring up Zhang Sanfeng's character panel:

[Name: Zhang Sanfeng]

[From: the heaven sword and dragon saber World]

[Realm: Early Earthly Immortal Realm]

[Martial Skill: Tai Chi Fist (Perfection), Tai Chi Sword (Perfection), Pure Yang Limitless Art (Major Achievement)]

[Loyalty: 95%]

[Current Status: Moving at high speed, spiritual power fluctuation is stable]

'No matter,' Jun Xiaoyao said indifferently, 'Let the Marshal of the Unruly proceed according to the original plan. There is no need to prolong the fight; just stall them.'

Zhao Gao replied 'Yes' and was about to withdraw, but was stopped by Jun Xiaoyao.

'Besides the 'Shadow' group, how many of The Net's hidden agents in Qingzhou can be mobilized?'

'Replying to the Young Lord, the 'Thorn' group has twelve people lurking in the Wanfa Holy Land's Qingzhou branch, the 'Bone' group has eight people serving in the Prefect of Qingzhou's office, and additionally, the death squads of the 'Blood' group...' Zhao Gao lowered his voice, 'There are five more who are Disciples who defected from the Wanfa Holy Land years ago; they are very familiar with Xuan Zhen's cultivation Moves.'

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertip on the file of the 'Blood' group: 'Let the 'Blood' group go and dismantle the grain depot of the Wanfa Holy Land. Remember, leave no survivors, and make a big scene. It is best to let Xuan Zhen know that it was done by 'his own people'.'

A flash of understanding crossed Zhao Gao's eyes as he bowed and withdrew. The underground palace returned to silence, with only the runes of the summoning array flowing on the ground, emitting a faint buzzing sound. Jun Xiaoyao stood up and walked to the water mirror. The mirror surface reflected the scene at Ten Mile Slope—

The Marshal of the Unruly was dressed in the attire of a bailiff, leaning against an old locust tree smoking a dry pipe, the copper bowl on the pipe stem glistening with oil. Behind him, Li Xunhuan was leaning against a bluestone, spinning a Flying Dagger with his fingertips, the blade refracting a cold light in the sunlight. Hidden in the surrounding grass were more than twenty dark figures, all Luowang Assassins with steady breathing, obviously well-trained experts.

'They are here,' Li Xunhuan spoke suddenly, the Flying Dagger stopping at his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the mountain road in the distance.

The Marshal of the Unruly tapped his pipe bowl and looked up. At the end of the mountain road, a cloud of dust rose as a dozen fast horses galloped over. The old man in the green robe leading them was none other than Xuan Zhen, followed by three gray-robed Protectors, all with Dharma swords hanging from their waists, their spiritual power fluctuations at the Initial Heaven Human Realm level. Most conspicuous was the brocade box held in Xuan Zhen's arms; judging by its size, it was the cloud brocade stolen from the fabric store.

'Law Enforcement Elder Xuan Zhen, you've worked hard on this trip,' the Marshal of the Unruly suddenly stood up and patted the grass dust off his body, 'This humble Daoist has been waiting here for a long time.'

Xuan Zhen reined in his horse, and when he saw the Marshal of the Unruly, a flash of shock and suspicion crossed his eyes: 'Who are you... A bailiff from the Qingzhou government? Are you not afraid of breaking the rules by blocking the path of my Wanfa Holy Land?'

The Marshal of the Unruly chuckled, his pipe pointing at the brocade box in Xuan Zhen's arms: 'Rules? A Law Enforcement Elder of the Wanfa Holy Land robbing a merchant's goods in broad daylight—is this your rule?'

Xuan Zhen's face sank: 'Nonsense! These are tribute items requisitioned by my Holy Land. How dare a lowly bailiff like you question it?' The Protectors behind him had already drawn their blades, the blade light reflecting killing intent.

'Requisitioned?' Li Xunhuan's voice carried a smile as he walked out from behind the bluestone, 'Then I wonder if Law Enforcement Elder Xuan Zhen has the requisition order from the Holy Land? If you cannot produce it, this brocade box must be left behind.'

Xuan Zhen was so angry he laughed: 'Presumptuous! A mere wanderer of the Jianghu, daring to interfere in the affairs of the Holy Land? Take them down for me!'

The three Protectors responded and rushed out, their blade winds fierce, aiming directly at the Marshal of the Unruly and Li Xunhuan. The Marshal of the Unruly swung his pipe, the copper bowl colliding with the wrist of the Protector on the left, while simultaneously lowering his body to avoid the blade edge on the right. His movements were smooth and flowing, actually carrying a bit of the roundness and flexibility of Tai Chi. Li Xunhuan was even more dashing; his Flying Dagger left his hand and turned into a silver thread, forcing the Protector in front to retreat repeatedly. Every strike flew past the opponent's lapel without causing injury, clearly playing with them.

'Interesting,' Xuan Zhen narrowed his eyes. He could see that both were tough opponents, especially the one using the pipe, whose Moves were soft, unpredictable, and unlike the methods of the Righteous Path. He leaped off his horse and struck a palm toward the Marshal of the Unruly's back, the palm wind carrying a scorching heat wave—this was the unique skill of the Wanfa Holy Land, the 'Burning Heaven Palm'.

The Marshal of the Unruly seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, twisting his body violently. The pipe wrapped half a circle around Xuan Zhen's wrist, and at the same time, his left foot kicked off the ground, using the force to float back a few feet, narrowly avoiding the palm wind. 'Law Enforcement Elder Xuan Zhen, bullying the young is not the conduct of a gentleman.'

Xuan Zhen missed his strike and felt even more annoyed. Just as he was about to pursue, he suddenly heard a light cough behind him.

'This old Daoist would like to ask for some pointers, to see how the 'Burning Heaven Palm' of the Wanfa Holy Land compares to the Tai Chi of Wudang.'

Before the words fell, a white figure drifted out from the bamboo forest beside the mountain road, landing silently—it was Zhang Sanfeng. He was wearing a washed-out Daoist robe and leaning on a bamboo staff, looking like an ordinary old Daoist. But the moment Xuan Zhen saw him, his expression changed drastically—that was the suppression originating from the Realm; the opponent's spiritual power was as deep as the abyss, impossible to fathom.

'Land Immortal Realm?' Xuan Zhen exclaimed, subconsciously taking a step back, 'Who is Your Excellency? My Wanfa Holy Land has no grievances with you...'

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly, his bamboo staff tapping lightly on the ground: 'The old Daoist is Zhang Sanfeng. I heard that Law Enforcement Elder Xuan Zhen hurt my Young Lord's people and even snatched things, so I came specifically to ask for an explanation.'

'Zhang Sanfeng?' Xuan Zhen's face turned pale. He had seen this name in the Holy Land's classics years ago; it was the legendary Land Immortal who had lived for nearly a hundred years. He did not expect him to appear here. He forced himself to remain calm: 'A misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding! This brocade box is...'

'Whether it is a misunderstanding is not for the old Daoist to decide.' Zhang Sanfeng flicked his bamboo staff, and a gentle yet irresistible force rolled toward the brocade box in Xuan Zhen's arms. Xuan Zhen wanted to dodge but found himself as if stuck in a quagmire, his limbs moving half a beat slower, watching helplessly as the brocade box flew out of his hand toward Zhang Sanfeng.

'As for hurting people...' Zhang Sanfeng opened the brocade box, glanced at the cloud brocade inside, and said indifferently, 'My Disciple said that the Luowang Assassins had their arms broken. Law Enforcement Elder Xuan Zhen, tell me, should I break both of your arms, or will you cripple your own cultivation?'

The three Protectors behind Xuan Zhen saw this and wanted to step forward to help, but were pinned down by Li Xunhuan's Flying Dagger. The Marshal of the Unruly whistled, and the Luowang Assassins in the grass appeared one after another, their crossbows pointed directly at the three men's throats.

'You dare!' Xuan Zhen shouted with a fierce expression but a cowardly heart, 'I am the Law Enforcement Elder of the Wanfa Holy Land. If you touch a single hair on me, the Holy Land will never forgive you!'

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and tapped his bamboo staff on the ground again. This time, Xuan Zhen felt a dense force surging in, the bones in his arms feeling like they were being pierced by countless fine needles. He was in such pain that cold sweat poured down, yet he could not make a sound.

'Holy Land?' Zhang Sanfeng's voice remained gentle but carried an unquestionable majesty, 'This old Daoist has lived for nearly a hundred years and has seen many Holy Lands, but I have never seen one that dares to be presumptuous in front of me.' He looked at Xuan Zhen, 'I will ask one last time: cripple yourself, or shall the old Daoist do it?'

Xuan Zhen looked at the indifference in Zhang Sanfeng's eyes and finally realized that the other party was not joking. He knew that if he did not bow his head today, let alone his cultivation, he might not even be able to keep his life. He raised his trembling hand, channeled his remaining spiritual power, and struck toward his own Dantian. With a 'puff' sound, a mouthful of blood sprayed out, and his aura withered instantly—he had actually crippled his own cultivation.

'Very good.' Zhang Sanfeng waved his bamboo staff, and the brocade box flew to the Marshal of the Unruly, 'Bring the goods back, and hand the people over to The Net for disposal.'

The Marshal of the Unruly caught the brocade box and gave a look to the 'Shadow' group. The assassins immediately stepped forward and tied up the limp Xuan Zhen and the three Protectors tightly.

Zhang Sanfeng looked at Li Xunhuan and smiled: 'Little Lis Flying Dagger, it is indeed well-deserved.'

Li Xunhuan put away the Flying Dagger and bowed: 'Daoist Zhang, you are too kind.'

'The old Daoist must go back to report,' Zhang Sanfeng looked toward the direction of the underground palace, tapped his bamboo staff on the ground, and his figure merged into the bamboo forest, leaving behind only one sentence, 'Tell the Young Lord, the matter in Qingzhou is settled.'

The Marshal of the Unruly looked at the direction where Zhang Sanfeng disappeared and said to Li Xunhuan: 'Is this the Land Immortal Realm? No wonder the Young Lord was not panicked at all.'

Li Xunhuan smiled and spun the Flying Dagger on his fingertips: 'With such a figure in Beyond Heaven, I am afraid the Jianghu will change in the future.'

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched the scene of Xuan Zhen being escorted to The Net's dungeon and tapped his fingertip lightly on the summoning array. On the light screen, Zhang Sanfeng's loyalty quietly rose to 96%. He picked up the secret report Zhao Gao had just sent, which stated that the 'Blood' group had burned the grain depot of the Wanfa Holy Land's Qingzhou branch, leaving behind Xuan Zhen's personal seal at the scene.

'Very good.' Jun Xiaoyao threw the secret report into the candlelight, the flames licking the paper and illuminating the cold light in his eyes, 'The next step is to let the Wanfa Holy Land know what price they must pay for touching my people in Beyond Heaven.'

The runes of the underground palace continued to flow, and the countdown for the next summoning had already begun to tick.

And outside Qingzhou City, the shadows of The Net were quietly spreading, like an invisible net, slowly tightening.