Green Mountain-Chapter 698 - 554: Brought to Justice

The monks of Chongxing Temple stayed behind closed doors, while danger loomed outside the temple.

The Twelve Signs of the Spy Department seemed to weave a net in the narrow alley, and then the prey walked right into it.

Bai Long stood with his hands behind his back on the bronze incense burner: "It's easy to predict your hiding place and guess your retreat route. Leader Han had great water skills, nicknamed the River Flipping Python. If you go into the water, even a Great Grandmaster in the Divine Realm might not be able to do anything to you. Recently, the water route from Luoma Market Street has to pass through here, so we came to wait for you."

Han Tong tensed his body, slightly adjusting his posture to avoid revealing a flaw. But there were too many Signs present this time; two of the Top Three Signs were here, and no matter how cautious he was, it was futile.

Realizing the inevitable doom today, he finally looked at Bai Long and slowly spoke: "What does the Prime Minister want? Mr. Han can hand over the Cao Guild's account books."

Bai Long said indifferently: "Not enough."

Han Tong spoke again: "Mr. Han can hand over the officials colluding with my Cao Guild over the years, from the Imperial Capital to Jinling, there are at least a hundred."

Bai Long chuckled: "Leader Han is willing to give up everything to save his life. But the Prime Minister wants nothing else, only instructed us to bring you back."

Han Tong squinted slightly: "Does the Prime Minister think taking me means capturing the entire Cao Guild? It's not that simple."

Bai Long casually responded: "The Prime Minister only instructed us to bring Leader Han's life back, whatever he wants to do with your life is none of our business."

Han Tong sneered: "The Eunuch Party is ruining the country."

Jiao Tu sat on the roof with wide eyes: "How could Leader Han say something like that? How many fierce criminals have your Cao Guild sheltered to flee overseas over the years? Your sworn brother Lin Daoqian, once captured over a hundred women in Chaoshan and imprisoned them in a stronghold. When the stronghold was broken, more than two hundred bones were dug up underground. Ultimately, wasn't it you who helped him escape overseas, turning into a pirate?"

"Last year, during the great flood in Henan Province, your Hall Master Wang Chuo deceived over seven hundred women, claiming to go south for a living, with most dying along the way due to abuse, their bones discarded under Wild Dog Ridge. What your Cao Guild transports is not goods, but blood."

Han Tong solemnly replied: "I have already pierced Wang Chuo with three holes and hung him at the Jinling Pier for public display."

Jiao Tu laughed, covering her mouth: "Then what about Zhu Xiao under you? The year before last, he heard somewhere that eating the Purple River Car can enhance virility, for this he killed two women seven months pregnant. How did Leader Han deal with that? Just hung him up and beat him. Of course, I understand that people have ties and distances, but the two women who died, their deaths were in vain."

Yun Yang spoke coldly: "And then there's Hall Master Li Dong from the incense hall in the Imperial Capital, harboring remnants of the Beggar Guild, robbing merchants and dominating their relatives. Last year, at least forty merchants disappeared in the Canal, their fates still unknown."

Han Tong sneered: "How clean is your Spy Department? Are there any of the Twelve Signs without stain? Jiao Tu, Yun Yang massacred the entire Xiao Family in Jinling, twenty-seven in total, even sparing no children; Treasure Monkey caused a bloody storm in Jianghu over the Official Gateway; Corpse Dog dug up ancestral graves, killing the entire family to silence them after being discovered; Jin Zhu forcibly took over during business deals, Bai Long cleans house killing people each year by the hundreds, Heavenly Horse eliminates opponents for the Prime Minister, and you dare to reprimand Mr. Han? A big joke."

Jiao Tu laughed, covering her mouth: "We have our own retribution, no need for Leader Han to worry about it in the inner prison."

Just then, urgent footsteps came from outside the alley.

Everyone turned to look at the sound, it was Chen Ji and Jin Zhu chasing to this place.

In that instant, Han Tong clasped his hands together, and a Buddha's Dharma suddenly appeared. The golden Buddha closed his eyes tightly, chanting scripture quietly before its voice amplified to shake one's lungs and intestines: "The World-Honored One emits various lights from his face, shining like a hundred thousand suns. The Buddhist world vibrates in six ways, and all the dust-like countries in the ten directions appear simultaneously. By the mighty power of the Buddha, all worlds merge into one, where all great Bodhisattvas live in their country, with hands clasped, listening..."

The Buddha's radiance was dazzling, illuminating the night of the Imperial Capital.

Jin Zhu, who had just chased into the alley, exclaimed, too late to close his eyes. Although the brilliance lasted only a moment, it caused him and Chen Ji's eyes to sting fiercely, unable to open them.

Jin Zhu wiped his tearing eyes: "You could have warned me, damn it."

The rest of the Signs seemed well aware of Han Tong's tactics, closing their eyes as the scripture began to chant.

As the brightness dimmed, the Signs opened their eyes to see Han Tong charging towards Heavenly Horse, moving three points faster than before. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Jiao Tu showed no intention of helping, instead taunting from her seat: "Not daring to fight Treasure Monkey, nor facing Lord Bai Long, treating Lord Heavenly Horse as a soft target? Interesting, interesting. Leader Han, you're not skilled at fighting in the Official Gateway, save your effort."

Heavenly Horse's face was as calm as water, drawing his bow and arrow, a series of Meteor Arrow Rain flew towards Han Tong's face in the narrow alley.

But they were too close; as soon as he drew the bow, Han Tong predicted the direction the arrow would shoot, managing to maneuver in the alley to dodge the Meteor Arrow Rain one by one.

Beams of light swept past Han Tong, closing the distance between him and Heavenly Horse.

Heavenly Horse backed away, maintaining a three-step distance from Han Tong. With each step back, he shot an arrow, yet still couldn't hit Han Tong.

In the next moment, Heavenly Horse drew another arrow, but the arrows suddenly shattered into fragments upon release, pouring like fine spring rain throughout the alley, leaving Han Tong unable to evade.

Han Tong clasped his hands together, and the Buddha's Dharma behind him similarly clasped its hands.

Dong!

The copper bell tolled loudly!

Invisible ripples blew away the dust in the alley, creating a storm of sand and stones. Jin Zhu and Chen Ji raised their arms to shield their faces, while their clothes flapped wildly in the wind.

The ripples from the copper bell swept the arrow rain back towards Heavenly Horse, the powerful waves throwing him out of the alley, flying backward.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Han Tong dashed forward, intending to break through the siege from the opening.

But just as he reached the mouth of the alley, Bai Long's voice came from behind, smiling, "Leader Han, leaving so soon?"

Han Tong cautiously turned back, but in the darkness, Bai Long remained standing calmly on the bronze incense burner, showing no intention of moving.

Before he could comprehend Bai Long's intentions, a figure appeared outside the alley, extending both hands from a black large cloak, pressing both pinky fingers heavily onto his shoulder sockets.

Xuan Snake.

Little Celestial Five Declines.

The Heavenly Person's Five Declines refers to the appearance of deterioration when a person is about to die, divided into the Little Five Declines and the Great Five Declines. The Great Five Declines include filthy clothes, wilting hair on the head, sweating underarms, a foul-smelling body, and no pleasure in one's seat; the Little Five Declines include the absence of music, dim body light, bathing water clinging to the body, an unattainable state, and a weak body with fleeting sight.

As Xuan Snake's two pinky fingers pressed onto Han Tong's shoulder sockets, his vision went dark, unable to see anything, and his body weakened.

At the same time, Xuan Snake experienced the same effects, staggering backward.

If the opponent's realm was lower than his, using the official gateway technique wouldn't have such a severe backlash, but Han Tong was also a Seeking Dao Realm Official, so whatever Xuan Snake did to Han Tong, the Little Celestial Five Declines technique did to him.

Both of them went blind, with no remedy or solution within three days.

Han Tong went berserk, trying to drag Xuan Snake down with him, but Xuan Snake had anticipated this, retreating immediately after striking, crashing into the wall without pause.

In the darkness, Han Tong felt a rushing wind coming from behind him, and a hoarse voice under the wooden monkey mask of Treasure Monkey said, "Leader Han, better rest. Tomorrow morning, you'll be taken to the palace to see the Emperor."

With these words, Han Tong was struck heavily, a tremendous force hitting his chest, pinning him against the wall, knocking him unconscious.

Chongxing Temple finally quieted down.

Jin Zhu, wiping away unstoppable tears, walked over, looking down at the fallen Han Tong, "It took two years, but we finally caught this old rascal. Not easy. Lord Bai Long, for this battle, Chen Ji deserves the highest credit. He's been promoted to Hai Dongqing for over six months; shouldn't we talk to the Prime Minister about promoting him to the zodiac?"

Yun Yang stood on the eaves with arms crossed, "The zodiac positions are full. Who do you plan to replace?"

Jin Zhu replied leisurely, "Whoever's the most anxious, replace them."

Yun Yang's face darkened, remaining silent.

Bai Long raised a hand to stop the conversation, "Jiao Tu, Yun Yang, take Xuan Snake back to the Eagle House Office."

However, Xuan Snake propped himself up against the wall, "No need. My people are nearby; they can take me."

Jiao Tu laughed sweetly, "Lord Xuan Snake, are you worried we'll take advantage of you? No need for such precautions. We're dear colleagues, after all."

Xuan Snake coldly chuckled, "No need to pretend. If you two were in trouble, I wouldn't miss the opportunity. If I'm in trouble, I won't give you the chance."

He leaned against the wall, eyes closed, took out a copper whistle, and blew it. Moments later, a dozen spies rushed into the alley to carry him off.

Jiao Tu and Yun Yang exchanged a glance, then leaped over Chongxing Temple's golden roof and chased after him, their intentions unknown.

Bai Long paid no mind, turning to look at Treasure Monkey, Jin Zhu, and Heavenly Horse, "Escort Han Tong into the inner prison. Tomorrow morning, take him to the palace for trial. Remember, tonight none of you can let Han Tong out of your sight. If anything happens to Han Tong, all three of you will be demoted to Sparrow Rank."

Jin Zhu clasped his hands, "Rest assured, Lord Bai Long."

Bai Long waved a sleeve, "Go."

Once everyone had left, only Chen Ji and Bai Long remained in the alley.

Chen Ji stepped forward to ask, "My lord, now that Han Tong's life has been given back to the Prime Minister, how will the Prime Minister repay Princess Bai Li's freedom?"

Bai Long replied meaningfully, "Don't rush, you will know tomorrow."