Chapter 1799: Chapter 1784: The Patrol Gold Order and Compromise
The Imperial Court of the Great Zhou Dynasty swiftly dealt with those involved in the invasion of the one hundred thousand demon army.
In less than five days, the two Wind Patrol Envoys personally selected by the Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu and approved by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, assumed office with a large number of staff and mountainous pressure.
Regrettably, although these two nailed Wind Patrol Envoys, appointed by Ren Venerate Emperor, have taken office, Inspector Xio Qiangu has neither the time nor the energy to ’entertain’ them.
The invading demon army of one hundred thousand hangs over Inspector Xio Qiangu like a mountain, causing him great headaches and making life unbearable for the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters and Wind Scouts.
Every member of Xio Qiangu’s Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters and Wind Scouts is scattered in all directions, using every means possible to look for traces and hiding places that the demon army might have left.
They searched everywhere, above ground, underground, in mountains, forests, and subterranean rivers, sparing not a single grain of soil.
Even Ye Zhen, the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, had no choice but to dispatch more than half of his people to participate in the search; at the very least, they had to pretend to be doing so.
It has been a month since the Left Assistant Chii Jingshan of the West Patrol was executed.
This unbearable lifestyle for the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters and Wind Scouts under the West Patrol has continued for a month, and everyone’s eyes are as red as a rabbit’s.
In fact, it’s not just the forces of the West Patrol who are suffering; this situation is too widespread.
Apart from the West Patrol, all the states surrounding the troubled Pingzhou and Weizhou have raised their alert levels to the highest.
No one removes armor, horses remain saddled, and all County Soldiers, County Soldiers of each county, State Guards, and local garrisons are in a state of combat readiness, eager to respond at the slightest provocation, fearing that the demon army might suddenly raid them.
This highest level of alert has severely slowed down trade between the states, leading to a shortage of supplies and widespread complaints, yet no one dares to relax.
If that demon army suddenly appeared and slaughtered another county city, who would be responsible?
Who could bear such responsibility?
In addition, large reinforcements sent by the Heavenly Patrol Department, including some Void Hunting Kings and Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters, are all struggling.
Even Dao Realm Experts cannot endure the high-intensity, sleepless search for a month.
Worse still, the situation here even affects the Human-Demon Battlefield.
The Human-Demon Battlefield originally focused on the demon clan’s direction, with a very tense situation, but the rear facing the interior of the dynasty was quite relaxed.
It served as a logistics base, a place for the wounded, and a spot for frontline soldiers to relax and rest.
However, the news of the demon army instantly turned the rear into a frontline, throwing the rear of the Human-Demon Battlefield into chaos as they scrambled to set up defenses.
They constantly guarded against a sudden raid by the demon army.
This situation has even impacted the normal operations of the Human-Demon Battlefield.
Do you think the impact of this matter is significant?
How much pressure lies on Inspector Xio Qiangu?
Snowstorm of documents flies like paper towards the West Patrol every day, leaving Inspector Xio Qiangu with furrowed brows and a few strands of white hair.
At this rate, even if his forces under the West Patrol are not exhausted to death, they will be dragged to death.
Most critically, as calls from court and complaints from the people grow louder, one misstep and the court might re-address the responsibility of the West Patrol for this matter.
If that truly happens, Inspector Xio Qiangu would be in tears.
While losing another one or two Wind Patrol Envoys and confidants isn’t a fatal blow to his massive hidden forces of the West Patrol,
such a scenario would endanger his position in the Xio Family.
The Xio family’s ancestors never hesitate with incompetent Clan Leaders.
Even though he believes himself not incompetent, with so many troublesome issues occurring during his tenure, no matter his capability, several ancestors might consider him incompetent.
At that time, those ancestors might just decide to depose him and choose a new Family Head to replace Xio Qiangu.
In reality, this is the real problem Xio Qiangu is facing and why he is truly anxious.
Conversely, concerning the one hundred thousand demon army, Xio Qiangu already judged they likely left long ago.
However, the issue now is, even if that demon army truly left, he must find some evidence to prove it in order to resolve the current situation.
Only then can he solve the real crisis he is facing!
....
In the County City of North Sea, Ye Zhen, having just inspected the garrison camp, was leisurely strolling down the street with Princess Changle in disguise.
They occasionally ducked into roadside stalls to gorge themselves.
Initially, Princess Changle was reluctant about these roadside stalls.
However, after trying the taste once, she was no longer averse.
Although not exquisite and seemingly unsanitary, it had the charm of a comforting meal.
The favorite of Princess Changle, however, is the jewelry and hair accessories sold at street stalls that are inexpensive, made from common materials, but boast unique designs.
Ye Zhen bought them in bulk, as long as Princess Changle liked them, and then personally crafted replicas using high-grade materials, which delighted Princess Changle.
To be honest, this past month has been quite leisurely for Ye Zhen and Princess Changle.
Every day, they would manage official duties, stroll through the streets, stay updated on the latest happenings, and then retreat into the Mirage Dragon Pearl for intense cultivation to enhance their powers.
"There’s a little beggar over there, Brother Ye, hurry!"
After spotting a target, Princess Changle would pull Ye Zhen along, racing towards them, and after careful inspection, she would give a soft command, "Take them down!"
Immediately, a Sacrificial Guard from the Barbarian Spirit Hall, Ren Kong, would appear, scaring the little beggar into shrieks.
Actually, Princess Changle meant well.
She intended to send all these little beggars to the imperial estates within her fief, offering them a way to survive. But these little beggars were difficult to communicate with, forcing her to employ violence.
"There’s sugar art figures over there, Brother Ye, hurry...." These sugar art figures were Princess Changle’s favorite—they were something she loved to look at but never ate...
As Ye Zhen was rushing over, a talisman communication descended from the sky. One glance at it, and Ye Zhen’s expression became peculiar.
"West Patrol Inspector Xio Qiangu is here in person!"
This was the report from Liuu Feng, yet Ye Zhen was vexed; last month, West Patrol Inspector Xio Qiangu had visited intending to kill him, but ended up facing a setback from Princess Changle.
What could he be doing here this time?
However, Ye Zhen couldn’t avoid meeting this West Patrol Inspector, due to the matter of the hundred thousand demon clan army; Xio Qiangu issued a strict directive to all Wind Patrol Envoys last month.
The personnel under West Patrol Inspector, from top to bottom, were not to engage in seclusion, breakthroughs, or travels and were to command and remain on standby within their territories.
This was an authoritative order from senior West Patrol Inspector, which Ye Zhen couldn’t defy.
Yet, it seemed that dealing with West Patrol Inspector wouldn’t be an issue.
So Ye Zhen continued shopping with Princess Changle, buying and eating for a full two hours before returning to the newly reconstructed Government Office of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.
Ye Zhen initially thought West Patrol Inspector Xio Qiangu might be raging, but unexpectedly, the office was exceptionally quiet.
West Patrol Inspector Xio Qiangu was sipping tea leisurely.
Upon seeing Ye Zhen appear, Liuu Feng approached with a bitter face, "Sir, why are you just arriving now? We’ve refilled the tea eighteen times."
Ye Zhen gestured towards Xio Qiangu, "He hasn’t troubled you, has he?"
Upon hearing this, Liuu Feng’s face also showed a strange expression, "Not really, ever since he arrived, he’s been doing just this."
"Ye Zhen, there’s something I wish to discuss with you!" Seeing Ye Zhen return, West Patrol Inspector Xio Qiangu placed down the teacup and spoke.
"A private talk." Xio Qiangu added.
"Oh?" Ye Zhen raised an eyebrow, "A private talk? Could it be that Inspector Xio wants to make a move again?"
Upon hearing Ye Zhen say this, Xio Qiangu swiftly used his fingers like swords, and with a flash of Spirit Light, he touched upon key acupoints around his body, each acupoint harboring spirit power resembling dragons and tigers.
"Our Xio Family’s secret Dragon-Tiger Spirit Sealing Technique, even when applied to Dao Realm experts, holds immense power. I know the Forbidden-Breaking method, but to breach the mystic seal quickly requires about the time of a breath; is that sufficient?" Xio Qiangu said with burning eyes.
This stirred Ye Zhen’s gaze; Xio Qiangu’s display seemed full of sincerity.
The time of a breath is more than enough for Ye Zhen to escape, it seems Xio Qiangu genuinely intends to negotiate.
A few breaths later, Ye Zhen dismissed those nearby, and with Xio Qiangu, laid heavy seals, their vast Divine Sense simultaneously emanated, guarding against any form of eavesdropping.
"Ye Zhen, I want to propose a transaction!" said Xio Qiangu directly.
"A transaction? I fear I cannot afford it." Ye Zhen replied sarcastically, puzzled.
Xio Qiangu wasn’t annoyed at all, "I need a piece of evidence! Evidence that the hundred thousand demon clan army has departed.
Furthermore, from this moment on, I can officially acknowledge the independence of your Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, and from now forth, refrain from targeting your Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.
You walk your path of prosperity, I’ll walk my narrow bridge; neither will provoke nor become enemies."
As Ye Zhen listened, his eyes slowly squinted; upon Xio Qiangu’s finish, he remained silent, simply watching Ye Zhen, waiting for his response.
After a long pause, Ye Zhen suddenly smiled, "I don’t have that evidence. Besides, words alone hold no proof." Ye Zhen spoke with deliberate precision, open to negotiations yet avoiding giving grounds.
"I offer you a Patrol Gold Order, holding this order signifies engagement in top-secret tasks solely accountable to the patrol responsible, bypassing any orders from subordinates
Even the patrol holder may defy a superior’s command." Upon saying this, West Patrol Inspector Xio Qiangu paused, "You may be aware of the Gold Order within the Heavenly Patrol Department."
Ye Zhen nodded, "I know, and I accept your explanation, but it’s insufficient; it’s missing some benefits."
"What do you want?" Xio Qiangu inquired.
