Chapter Forty-Five: Reunion with an Old Friend

“……”

Xu Zhe’s eyebrows arched slightly—something felt off.

Was this broken sword playing tricks on him?

“Xu… Xu Tianjiao!”

A shrill scream erupted from the crowd.

Suddenly, the entire gathering boiled over into chaos—shouts and murmurs rippled through the masses.

“It really is Xu Tianjiao!”

“Just this morning, the Dao of Fate released footage of his assassination last night—how is he here in East Qianzhou already?”

“I saw that footage too—amazing, two punches wiped out nearly a hundred ‘Divine Fright’ assassins.”

“Wait, isn’t Tianjiao Valley sealed off? How did he get out?”

“Xu Tianjiao, I’m your fan—could you teach me your skincare secrets?”

Xu Zhe’s appearance shocked countless cultivators; many whipped out their Jade Tablets, snapping photos of him nonstop.

He was taken aback.

Why does everyone recognize me?

He seemed to have underestimated the reach of the Dao of Fate’s broadcast—had he become a celebrity overnight?

Xu Zhe quickly regained his composure.

He didn’t feel particularly uneasy; after all, in the Celestial Heaven Domain, he was well-known.

But there, people regarded him with reverence and awe. Here, the mood was different—like a superstar besieged by fans in the streets.

“Xu Tianjiao, you…”

At that moment, several female constables from the Hall of Wind Enforcement were watching Xu Zhe, their expressions oddly curious.

Are you here to rob the prisoner?

“Ah? Sorry, sorry—this is a misunderstanding. I haven’t refined this flying sword yet, and it slipped out by accident!”

Xu Zhe responded quickly, apologizing with a smile, jogging forward to snatch the bronze sword back into his hand.

“No harm done. Xu Tianjiao, you're new here, we understand. But next time, be careful—East Qianzhou has strict rules.”

The female constables replied with gentle smiles, reminding Xu Zhe of a few local customs.

Many cultivators watched in disbelief.

What is this?

Aren’t the female constables of the Hall of Wind Enforcement known for their world-weary faces and bitter eyes?

They’re smiling?

“Xu Zhe, you scoundrel! Why meddle? If not for you, I wouldn’t have been arrested!”

Suddenly, the man being dragged along the ground jumped up, glaring at Xu Zhe with hatred.

Behind him, an older constable in black swept a cold gaze over Xu Zhe, saying nothing.

“You think I got you arrested?” Xu Zhe was puzzled.

“Don’t play dumb! If not for you…”

The man opened his mouth to continue his tirade.

“Enough!” a female constable yanked the chains, rebuking him.

He stumbled, nearly falling, and after a glance at the constables, dared not retort.

“That’s enough.”

The old constable finally spoke, his face grim. “Hall of Wind Enforcement is at work. All unrelated parties, clear the way.”

Xu Zhe pondered briefly, then slowly stepped aside.

The constables set out, the bound man cooperating, though still glaring venomously at Xu Zhe.

Xu Zhe smiled faintly. “Have you ever been executed in the street?”

The prisoner froze.

The old constable, passing in front of Xu Zhe, was suddenly filled with murderous intent, staring him down.

“Just a joke—to see how deep your hatred for me runs. Though I don’t understand what I did wrong, your animosity is undeniable.” Xu Zhe smiled.

The old constable said nothing, swept Xu Zhe with a cold gaze, and moved on.

The prisoner stopped staring, lowering his head as he walked.

The crowd returned to its lively chatter.

“Class Leader.”

Suddenly, someone called from behind, a hand reaching out from the throng to pat Xu Zhe’s shoulder.

Xu Zhe turned to see a familiar face, bright with excitement and warmth.

“Zhu Chongli?”

Xu Zhe quickly remembered him—a college classmate, with whom he’d shared ordinary moments, perhaps played ball or dined together.

The crowd stirred again.

“Zhu Tianjiao is here too?”

“What are you saying? He should be called Master Zhu.”

“No, word is the Four Provinces Assembly just issued an appointment, promoting Master Zhu to Chief Inspector of East Qian, in charge of the Qi Ming case. We should call him Chief Zhu.”

Low voices sounded as people greeted Zhu Chongli.

He smiled and nodded, then sent a message to Xu Zhe: “Class Leader, this isn’t a good place to talk. I’m having tea upstairs—let’s chat there.”

He pointed to an inn by the street.

Xu Zhe nodded.

The two made their way through the crowd and ascended to the second floor.

The upper level had been cleared out, spacious and guarded by several uniformed men.

Zhu Chongli’s arrival prompted respectful greetings—“Sir”—and the guards stepped aside.

On a wooden table sat a few pastries and a half-finished cup of hot tea.

Xu Zhe smiled.

Clearly, Zhu Chongli had seen him from above and came down specially to greet him.

“Class Leader, true to form! The last to awaken, but still outshining everyone else.”

As they sat, Zhu Chongli joked.

“Not at all,” Xu Zhe replied with a smile.

“But why are you in East Qianzhou? Looking for Li Chungang?” Zhu Chongli poured him tea and asked.

Xu Zhe was surprised at the abrupt shift—complimenting him one moment, changing topics the next.

“I came to East Qianzhou by coincidence,” Xu Zhe replied.

“No wonder you’re traveling alone. If Li Chungang were with you, the Mo clan would definitely restrain themselves—he’s strong now.” Zhu Chongli said, enlightened.

“No need to worry; the Mo clan isn’t a threat.”

Xu Zhe smiled lightly, unconcerned about the so-called Mo clan’s pursuit order.

His main purpose in coming to East Qianzhou was to find people from the Rooster Hall and obtain the “Lunar Fire Lotus” technique.

Zhu Chongli paused, thinking for a moment before realizing.

“Wait, Class Leader, you mean you came here not for Li Chungang, and didn’t prepare any self-defense measures?”

He looked shocked.

Lowering his voice, he said, “Class Leader, this world isn’t what it used to be. The Mo clan is powerful; don’t underestimate them. I saw your record of defeating ‘Divine Fright’ assassins, but they were Foundation Stage killers. While some were Golden Core, the restrictions in Tianjiao Valley forced them down to Foundation Stage.”

He wore a bitter expression. “With my abilities, I probably couldn’t protect you. I really think you should find Li Chungang.”

“No worries, there’s no need to fret about my safety for now. But…” Xu Zhe smiled, “I heard you’re investigating the Qi Ming case? Is there a connection between Qi Ming and the man just arrested?”

“Qi Ming…”

Zhu Chongli sighed, then summarized the situation.

Qi Ming had been dispatched by the Four Provinces Assembly to guard Tianhe City, bringing ten thousand condemned criminals as blood sacrifices to strengthen the seal.

But Qi Ming self-destructed in Tianhe City, losing several thousand inmates. The Dao of Fate exposed this online, causing a stir, as many of those prisoners had complicated backgrounds.

Moreover, Qi Ming hailed from the Northern Province, so the other three provinces pressed for a thorough investigation into the missing prisoners.

“So that’s it. No wonder the man blamed me for his arrest—I saved people in Tianhe City, leading to the Dao of Fate’s disciples releasing the footage.”

Xu Zhe now understood, and asked Zhu Chongli, “So where did Qi Ming send those prisoners?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be here worrying over tea.”

Zhu Chongli forced a smile, sipping his tea. “The investigation is mostly for show; all useful clues have been wiped. The man arrested, Lu Xiong, is the son of a veteran constable in the Hall of Wind Enforcement—just a small fry, unlikely to yield anything important.”

“I see.”

“Let’s drop that. By the way, Class Leader, wasn’t Tianjiao Valley sealed? How did you get out?”

“I found a secret passage.”

“A secret passage…” Zhu Chongli was momentarily surprised, then nodded, not pressing further, and took another sip.

He looked at Xu Zhe again, his expression grave. “Class Leader, there are things I can’t tell you, and I… I want to help you, but I probably can’t sway the Mo clan. You should find Li Chungang, or the Jade Pool Sanctuary, or even the Vermilion Bird Army to negotiate with the Mo clan. Alone in East Qianzhou, you’re in real danger.”

“It’s fine, I…”

“No, Class Leader, listen to me. This world is harsh and deep. The Four Provinces differ from Tianjiao Valley—strong cultivators abound. Foundation Stage you can handle, but what if Golden Core or even Nascent Soul assassins come?”

Zhu Chongli was agitated.

Xu Zhe paused—why was Zhu more anxious than he was?

“If I said that even Golden Core or Nascent Soul assassins wouldn’t trouble me, would you believe it?” Xu Zhe smiled.

“What does my belief matter? Those people are mad. If you stop Nascent Soul, they’ll escalate—then Out of Body, then Divine Soul. Can you handle that?”

As he spoke, Zhu Chongli’s tightly held teacup cracked in his hand.

Xu Zhe’s smile vanished, frowning. “Who are you talking about?”

Zhu Chongli snapped back to himself, realizing he’d said too much, forcing a dry smile. “Ha, it’s nothing. I was just making a point.”

He fell silent, then continued, “Class Leader, heed my advice. We know you have some fortune, powerful physical arts, but before you truly grow strong, you must protect your life first.”

Xu Zhe thought for a moment, then simply nodded.

“I understand.”

He took a new teacup from the table, poured hot tea, and placed it before Zhu Chongli. “Flowing water does not compete for precedence, but for endurance.”

Zhu Chongli was startled.

“Let’s have tea, no more talk.”

Xu Zhe pointed to the cup, smiling again.

He knew Zhu Chongli meant well, and that he’d likely endured something traumatic.

But since Zhu didn’t want to discuss it, Xu Zhe wouldn’t press.

As for the Mo clan and the assassins, Xu Zhe genuinely wasn’t concerned, even if he was only at the Foundation Stage.

With all the means he’d mastered during ten thousand years in the Celestial Heaven Domain, he was confident in his survival.

Yet his pride wouldn’t allow him to rely on those survival tricks.

That’s why he’d left Tianjiao Valley to seek the Rooster Hall.

“Boom!”

Suddenly, an explosive sound echoed outside the inn.

From the noise, it seemed a fight was underway, not far off.

“Someone’s trying to kill Lu Xiong? How?”

Zhu Chongli scanned with his spiritual sense, his face changing as he sprang up. “Class Leader, if you have nowhere to go, you can stay at my Taiyi Sect for now. Once I finish this, we’ll have a proper talk.”

With that, Zhu Chongli left a token, then smashed through the window, transforming into a shadow as he rushed away.

Several guards followed in pursuit.

“Peak Nascent Soul.” Xu Zhe watched Zhu Chongli’s departing figure, picked up the sect master’s token, and smiled. “Not bad, Zhu Chongli.”

A moment later, Xu Zhe left the inn, his expression odd.

Zhu Chongli ran off without paying!

Luckily, the inn accepted facial recognition—the proprietress, a charming lady, enthusiastically took a photo with Xu Zhe and waived the bill.

“Ah, people are so fickle.”

Xu Zhe shrugged, hands in his sleeves, head lowered as he headed for a nearby alley.

Before leaving, the Rooster Hall members had given him a detailed map. Once he crossed the tunnel into East Qianzhou, he could follow their directions to the Rooster Hall headquarters.

Xu Zhe hid in the alley, memorizing the route, then wrapped a cloth around his face and set out.

After about half an hour, winding through several alleys, he reached a new bustling avenue.

According to the map, the Rooster Hall headquarters was at the center of this street.

“Strange…” Xu Zhe eyed the lively avenue with suspicion.

Hadn’t Zhang Lin and the others said the Twelve Halls were all lying low?

Why was the Rooster Hall so brazen, placing its headquarters right in the heart of a busy thoroughfare?

When Xu Zhe reached the exact location, he was stunned.

It was a storefront, with several long queues at the entrance, bustling with people.

Looking up, the sign read: “Family Chicken Shop.”

…

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