Gao Kai approached Qi Yun and presented his Taixu Jade Order. An Ancient Seal character floated faintly on its surface—Punishment!

"I am Gao Kai of the Punishment Hall’s Third Law Enforcement Team.

Qi Yun, you have been accused of violating sect rules and slaughtering fellow Disciples.

Do you plead guilty?"

Facing the three men from the Law Enforcement Team, Qi Yun showed no signs of panic. On the contrary, he held out his right hand to Gao Kai, his expression indifferent.

"Your evidence?"

"If you didn’t do it, why would anyone accuse you?" the man beside Gao Kai snarled.

Turning to the speaker, Qi Yun said calmly, "In that case, I’m your father."

"What did you say?!" The man’s eyes went wide. He raised a hand to grab Qi Yun, only to be stopped by Gao Kai.

"If I wasn’t your father, why would you claim I am?" Qi Yun retorted, using the man’s own logic against him. The retort left the man speechless, his face turning deathly pale.

As members of the Law Enforcement Team, the body that enforced the laws of the Outer Mansion, they were used to Outer Mansion Disciples avoiding them at all costs.

When had they ever been confronted with such blatant disrespect?

"Then do those three count as evidence?" Gao Kai said, a smirk playing on his lips as he pointed to Zhou Ming and the other two in the distance.

Qi Yun glanced at the three who had managed to survive. His eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

Seeing Qi Yun’s reaction, Gao Kai grew more confident and immediately had his men bring Zhou Ming and the others over.

Upon seeing the Law Enforcement Team, it was as if Zhou Ming and his companions had seen angels. They clung to the arms of two members and refused to let go.

The terror of their brush with death had clearly shattered their Dao Hearts, leaving them with minds consumed by fear and panic.

But as they drew near, they looked up and saw Qi Yun standing there, hands clasped behind his back. The trio, who had only just started to compose themselves, broke down once more.

"It’s him! It’s him! I’m not going any closer, he’ll kill us!"

"Does Junior Brother Qi have anything to say?" Gao Kai asked with a smile, looking at Qi Yun after hearing the trio’s terrified cries.

But hearing this, Qi Yun wore a strange expression and retorted:

"Say what? If they say I’m a murderer, does that make me a murderer? By that logic, if they were to say I’m your..."

"Enough!"

Gao Kai’s face darkened. He quickly raised a hand, cutting Qi Yun off before he could finish his inevitably offensive sentence. His tone turned cold.

"Perform a Soul Search on those three."

"Understood."

With an affirmative reply, the screaming trio of Zhou Ming and his friends were dragged aside for the Soul Search.

Listening to the commotion, Gao Kai fixed his gaze on Qi Yun again. His voice dropped low, laced with an undeniable certainty.

"Junior Brother Qi, the results of a Soul Search cannot be falsified."

"How much Holy Essence did you take?"

Qi Yun’s sudden question made Gao Kai freeze. A flash of alarm flickered in his eyes before he quickly masked it, frowning. "What are you talking about?" he said in a deep voice.

Seeing through Gao Kai’s subconscious reaction, a knowing look appeared in Qi Yun’s eyes. He waved a dismissive hand.

"Nothing. Just making conversation."

"Nonsense," Gao Kai snorted, turning his head away. But inside, his mind was racing with suspicion.

’How could he know...?’

A few minutes later, two Law Enforcement Team members returned. After a furtive glance at Qi Yun, they hurried to Gao Kai’s side and whispered something to him.

After a moment of silence, a slow smile spread across Gao Kai’s face. He cupped his fists toward Qi Yun.

"It seems someone was indeed trying to stir up trouble. Junior Brother Qi, my apologies.

We’re leaving!"

After some insincere pleasantries, Gao Kai waved his hand and took Zhou Ming and the other two away.

With his hands clasped behind him, Qi Yun watched their retreating figures. He idly rubbed his fingertips together, his eyes glinting. In the void behind him, four shadowy figures stirred restlessly, letting out low growls.

’No, not yet.’

He stopped rubbing his fingers. His gaze lingered on Gao Kai’s back for a moment before he turned and walked deeper into the desert.

...

"Senior Brother Gao, are we really just leaving? There’s definitely something wrong with that Qi Yun. His methods were just too clean. These three idiots were crippled without even seeing their attacker!"

On the way back, Su Xiang, who had been on the receiving end of Qi Yun’s sharp tongue, was fuming.

"All we have to do is take him back for a Soul Search, and the truth will be revealed!"

"You want to take him back for a Soul Search?"

Hearing this, Gao Kai shot Su Xiang a cold glance.

"What is the only criterion for being Imprisoned in the Hall of Punishment?"

Su Xiang flinched under Gao Kai’s stare. He ground his teeth in frustration and muttered:

"To be caught in the act!"

"And you still want to perform a Soul Search?

Do you think the Holy Sect is some court of perfect justice?!

We are of the Demon Dao. Who among us has clean hands?

Remember, the Punishment Hall’s duty is to uphold the rules and keep the Disciples in line.

It’s not here to be your fucking champion of justice and right every wrong!"

The tirade made Su Xiang’s scalp tingle. He lowered his head, not daring to argue, and just mumbled his agreement.

"So what do we do now...?"

"We go back to the Punishment Hall and report to the captain." Gao Kai frowned at Zhou Ming and his companions, then clicked his tongue in annoyance.

’If I’d known Qi Yun would be such a handful, I never would’ve taken that Holy Essence from those people.’

’Now... I’m afraid this has seriously backfired.’

...

Returning from the Ninefold Hall, Qi Yun, dressed in a simple cloth robe, walked slowly down the straight but rather deserted main street of the Seventh Outer Mansion.

Compared to a month ago, the street was noticeably emptier, exuding an air of inexplicable desolation.

’It’s so deserted...’ Qi Yun shook his head slightly and sighed to himself.

When he was still thirty or fifty meters from his private courtyard, Qi Yun saw a figure waiting at his gate.

"You’re finally back."

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Li Chong slowly turned. His handsome, dashing face, framed by frost-white temples, exuded an indescribable air of nobility.

"And you are?" Qi Yun narrowed his eyes, studying the man and confirming that he’d never seen him before.

"Li Chong, Captain of the Punishment Hall’s Third Law Enforcement Team."

"Are you here to arrest me, too?"

Qi Yun frowned slightly, remembering his encounter with Gao Kai at the Ninefold Hall.

"No. I just wanted to talk with you, Junior Brother. If that’s all right? If it’s inconvenient, never mind," Li Chong said in a mild tone.

Qi Yun was silent for a moment, his gaze resting on Li Chong’s face for a few seconds. He finally stepped forward and pushed open the courtyard gate.

"Senior Brother Li, please, come in."

Inside the courtyard, Qi Yun poured a steaming cup of tea for Li Chong, then sat down across from him and got straight to the point.

"I am but a Junior Cultivator who joined the sect just over a year ago. What could I have possibly done to deserve a personal visit from Senior Brother Li?"

"A Junior Cultivator?" Li Chong took a small sip of tea and smiled. "I have never seen a ’Junior Cultivator’ capable of slaughtering the population of an Outer Mansion until it was reduced by half."

The hand raising the teacup paused, but Qi Yun’s expression remained unchanged.

"I’m not sure I understand what Senior Brother Li is saying."

"Junior Brother, you’re a smart man. Let’s not waste any more time sounding each other out.

I came today simply to deliver a message."

Li Chong set down his cup. He dipped his right index finger into the clear tea and began to write slowly on the smooth surface of the stone table.

"This has gone on long enough, don’t you think? Do you really intend to slaughter every last person in the Seventh Outer Mansion?"

Glancing at the words Li Chong had written on the table, Qi Yun kept his hands steady on his teacup, his expression serene.

"I have never initiated a conflict. It was self-defense."

"I will give the order. No one will bother you again, Junior Brother," Li Chong continued, his finger still moving, adding new words beside the first.

"I am a man of principle. I can let a kindness go unreturned, but a grudge must always be repaid," Qi Yun answered earnestly.

"Hahaha! Excellent. ’A grudge must always be repaid.’" Instead of becoming angry, Li Chong let out a low, satisfied laugh, as if he was extremely pleased with this answer.

He stood up and gave Qi Yun a slight bow with cupped fists.

"In that case, it is settled.

I have official duties to attend to, so I will not intrude any longer. Don’t trouble yourself seeing me out, Junior Brother."

With that, he shot Qi Yun a meaningful glance, turned, and strode away without a hint of hesitation.

After Li Chong left, Qi Yun sat in silence for a long time. It was half an hour before he rose and went back inside his house.

On the stone table, two lines of tea-stained words were slowly drying, yet still faintly legible:

Join forces for revenge!

Ambush and kill Yue Rong!

...