Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 153 - 153 152 The Unstoppable Rain Extra for Alliance Hierarch seesuny

153: Chapter 152: The Unstoppable Rain [Extra for Alliance Hierarch seesuny] 153: Chapter 152: The Unstoppable Rain [Extra for Alliance Hierarch seesuny] Hou Niao felt somewhat depressed because he might not get to see the scenery after the redirection of the White Ribbon River, which was a regret for him; but he was not worried about the project itself, for whether it was Wang Mian or Fang Yazi, or even other Patrolling brothers, they would carry on the water conservancy project, which was beyond doubt.

Still residing in the small outpost, enjoying the obliging flattery of the three sisters-in-law from the Jiang Family, the women must have heard some unsettling news, knowing that a parting was imminent, so they seemed worried; Hou Niao didn’t spell it out for them, as there was no use in discussing such matters.

Once doubts set in, troubles would ensue without reason.

When the children grew up and came of age, giving them an opportunity would suffice, which was not a difficult thing for him to arrange.

Even if he were not in Yinling, based on the significant deeds he had performed in just over half a year, these Patrolling brothers would grant him some respect.

The rain, in its incessant fluctuation, was weakening day by day.

The manpower was essentially ready, just waiting for the rain to ease up a bit more before starting to fill the river; in the Yinling Wilderness, suitable materials for river-filling were not easy to find, and the stone collection was even more arduous, requiring a significant mobilization.

Fortunately, the shallow waters of the White Ribbon River meant the levees faced limited pressure, and earthworks could provide sufficient support.

Throughout these days, he had put on quite the show as an elder brother, insisting on meditating quietly in the outpost while his two injured younger brothers took over the Patrol.

Neither Wang Mian nor Fang Yazi bore any grudges.

To follow Elder Brother Hou in a Breakthrough to hunt and earn merits was the greatest fortune; what was a little more running back and forth?

What they didn’t know was that Hou Niao simply didn’t want them around, fearing that they might do something impulsive after the arrival of a letter from Jin City.

Wang Mian would be manageable; coming from a Cultivation Family within the Quanzhen Sect, he understood the gravity of situations.

However, Fang Yazi was a hothead who wouldn’t hesitate to act recklessly when confronted with injustice.

Having such a younger brother left him wondering whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Someday in the future, when his identity was revealed and he left Quanzhen to return to the Daoist Sect, he was unsure whether he should take him along.

Would he be willing to follow him?

It was very troubling.

On this day, as dawn broke with the rain intermittently falling and the clouds thin and sparse, he pondered whether they might be able to start work tomorrow?

Suddenly, Jiang Bai’s wife rushed in, a bit flustered, her chest heaving,

“Sir, there are three strangers outside looking for you.

By their attire, they appear to be Upper Cultivators.”

Hou Niao knew it was the expected message, and judging by the timing, it was about right.

As a humble Cultivator practicing Grain Avoidance, he wasn’t worth all the fuss and debate at Mu Shuai’s office.

Composing himself, he put on his official cap, strapped on his sword, strode out, and opened the main gate to welcome the three Upper Envoys.

Even the people of the Jiang residence had never seen such a spectacle; the three sisters-in-law, a bunch of children, and several relatives all crammed into the main room, peering through the window, chattering away.

There wasn’t much family discipline, but the problem was, this wasn’t his family.

The three visitors were all unfamiliar faces.

The leader was a ruddy-faced Cultivator with the skill level of Bridge Connection, tall and imposing.

To his left was a short, stocky old man, muscles bulging as if they might explode at any moment, a practitioner of Grain Avoidance Cultivation.

To his right was a composed female guest, also a practitioner of Grain Avoidance Cultivation.

Behind the three Upper Envoys were two downcast figures, Wang Mian and Fang Yazi, looking as if they had been brought in to listen to the pronouncement together.

The trio clearly had no intention of entering the house, and therefore, there was no chance to offer them tea.

The ruddy-faced Cultivator scanned the courtyard with a sweep of his eyes, getting a clear picture and roughly understanding the nature of the person based on his actions.

Flirtatious and shameless, fond of slaughter, heedless of any restraint… these were typical signs of falling into demonhood.

He bowed slightly and said, “I, Wang Zhongjin, am humbly serving as a Chief at Mu Shuai’s office.

This is fellow Daoist Wu Zhiying, a Colonel of the central army, and this is Gentleman Sang, a Prosecutor at the Capital Commandant’s office.

We have our Sword Talismans here; does Disciple Hou have any objections?”

Hou Niao took the three Sword Talismans, inspecting each one, as it was procedure, not just trusting anyone claiming to be someone; otherwise, an imposter could pass on false messages, making others ridicule him for being blind and foolish.

After examining the Sword Talismans of the three individuals, he passed over his own.

“No objections.

Yinling Patrolling Hou Niao greets the three Upper Envoys.”

Wang Zhongjin cleared his throat lightly, “In that case, here is a decree from Mu Shuai’s office regarding the extermination of the giant rat clan at Guan Suqiu.

This is the final judgment.”

Hou Niao was somewhat at a loss for words, “No need to return to the city to report my duties?

The intermediate process was very complex…”

Wang Zhongjin was decisive, “With the Yinling spy’s message, there’s no need for such redundancy.

Do you have any objections?”

Hou Niao sighed, “If that’s the case, I have no objections.”

Wang Zhongjin unfolded the edict, “Hereby, Hou Niao, a patrolling master of our Daoist Sect from the Yinling Wilderness, has acted recklessly and caused trouble; he has wantonly killed members of the Demon Clan with cruel methods, solely based on unfounded charges without verification or reporting, disregarding the consequences and committing the acts of exterminating a clan and wiping out their foundation.

He should be punished for taking matters into his own hands.

Furthermore, considering that the diversion of the White Ribbon River is indeed beneficial to the well-being of the people of several fortresses, it is beneficial to the people; the uncontrollable nature of weather and rainfall, though reckless, has excusable elements.

Therefore, the decision of the three bureaus is declared as follows.”

He paused, glancing at the calm-faced person before him, feeling irritable.

How could someone who looks so ordinary be so audacious?

Unfortunately, with many restrictions binding them, the Mu Shuai Office could not do as it pleased.

“Hou Niao, your rank of patrolling master shall be reduced to patrol, all of your provisions are to be halved, and the resources acquired by you are to be confiscated; you are to continue to stay in Yinling to redeem your crimes through good deeds.

Any disputes arising from the destruction of the mouse clan shall be within your responsibilities; you may not be promoted for three years, nor return to the city for five years.

Wang Mian and Fang Yazi, as accomplices, failed to discourage him; thus, their gains shall also be confiscated and recorded, to serve as evidence for future evaluations.”

Putting down the edict, he looked directly at the guilty cultivator, “Do you plead guilty and accept the punishment?”

Hou Niao met his gaze just as directly, “I do not plead guilty, but I accept the punishment.”

Wang Zhongjin snorted coldly, “What is this supposed to mean?

Are you challenging the authority of Jin City’s three bureaus?”

Hou Niao was an experienced officer in law enforcement, so these responses came naturally to him, “Accepting the punishment is the duty of a disciple; I do not plead guilty because it is a matter of principle.

I abide by the decision of the three bureaus, but I reserve the right to appeal at any time.”

Stubborn as a mule, Wang Zhongjin scorned inwardly, “The edict as shown, states the confiscation of the assets you gained from this endeavor.

Do you have any objections to that?”

Hou Niao spread his hands, “No objections, but the problem is we didn’t seize anything.

That was a mouse hole, not the Dragon King Palace; just a bunch of junk, not even worth picking up.”

Wang Zhongjin’s anger surged, “Do you realize that not reporting what you’ve found is also a grave offense within the Quanzhen Sect?”

Hou Niao retorted sarcastically, “I am also aware that exaggerating the truth and deceiving both superiors and subordinates is a crime within the Sect.

All the things are still in the mouse hole.

If the Upper Envoy doesn’t believe it, he can go and see for himself.”

Wang Zhongjin’s eyes turned icy, was he playing dead to avoid the boiling water?

He had seen many cultivators like him in the Mu Shuai Office and there were ways to deal with them!

“According to the Quanzhen Sect’s laws, when the confiscation of a guilty cultivator’s property is not sufficient, offerings can make up for it.

If you do not hand them over, you shall be deprived of five years’ worth of offerings!”

Hou Niao remained indifferent; he hadn’t seen any offerings in half a year anyway.

“Whatever!”

Wang Zhongjin punched the air, the frustration was unbearable.

He turned to look at the other two, “And what about you two?

Will you hand over what you’ve got, or face a penalty offering?

I must remind you; everyone knows that Ksitigarbha Palace has no treasures.

How can it compare to the offerings within the Sect?

But the key point here is the attitude!”

Wang Mian spread his hands, “I am a person with a phobia; I do not touch anything related to mice.”

Fang Yazi was even more straightforward, “We seized nothing, but I still have my life; do you want that?”