King of Creation
Chapter 595 - 588: Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman

Chapter 595: Chapter 588: Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman

"Liu Hong?"

Even though half of his skull had been removed, the Third Commander Jiao Xi, who arrived first, recognized the man before him as Liu Hong, the captain of his Third Guard Team.

Jiao Xi’s expression immediately tightened.

Hadn’t he sent Liu Hong to handle "that matter"? How did he end up dead within the Main Temple, and who had killed him?

As the commander on duty for the Sun and Moon Divine Sect Main Temple this month, Jiao Xi hurried over when a Blood Skull Warning Token was issued. He wanted to understand what was so significant that it warranted such an alarm.

Clearly, Liu Hong’s death was not significant enough to justify the issuing of a Blood Skull Warning Token. It wouldn’t even be justified if a Hall Master of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect had died, let alone Liu Hong.

Yet, against all expectations, a Punishment Hall Deacon had issued the Blood Skull Warning Token.

Instinctively, Jiao Xi felt something was amiss, and because of that matter, it made him vaguely uneasy.

With extreme anxiety in his heart, Jiao Xi stepped forward to examine Liu Hong’s injuries, but unexpectedly, as soon as he approached, a Punishment Hall Deacon darted in front of him, nearly bumping his face with his nose.

"What are you doing?" Jiao Xi suddenly frowned.

"Before Elder Tus arrives, no one is allowed to touch Liu Hong!" The Punishment Hall Deacon said bluntly.

"Liu Hong is one of my men. Now that he’s dead, am I not even allowed to check the cause of his death?" Jiao Xi shouted angrily and took a step to bypass the Punishment Hall Deacon, intending to examine the cause of Liu Hong’s death.

The blood-cloaked Punishment Hall Deacon scoffed coldly, darted in front of Jiao Xi again, blocking his way, "Until Elder Tus arrives, unless the Sect Hierarch is here in person, no one else may touch Liu Hong’s body!"

"You!"

Jiao Xi was furious. This time, the Punishment Hall Deacon said nothing, but stretched out his hand, handing over a talisman held within his palm.

The talisman was blood-colored, made from fine and rare blood jade, shaped like a crescent moon with a distinct ’punishment’ character engraved in the center!

Seeing this Moon Punishment Talisman, Jiao Xi’s face drastically changed, and he was immediately silenced.

This Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman represented the supreme authority of the Punishment Hall. Unless the Sect Hierarch himself came, anyone within the Sun and Moon Divine Sect had to give way upon seeing this Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman.

"It seems even I cannot inspect it now. We can only wait for Elder Tus to arrive!" Suddenly, a streak of light fell beside Jiao Xi from the sky. It was Grand Commander Jio Yuanxiu of the Sun and Moon Divine Guards, who had also arrived.

Almost simultaneously, Second Commander Chen Changxing, Vice Sect Master Tian Guizhang, Yao Sen, Sunshine Hall Master Shen Cang, Deputy Hall Master Yua Hanjing, Moonlight Hall Master Fengh Qingyue, Head of the Inner Affairs Hall Zhu Ling, and other high-ranking officials of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, along with several dozen members of the sect, arrived at the scene due to the Blood Skull Warning Token.

Upon seeing Liu Hong’s body, everyone showed a curious expression, and someone couldn’t help but step forward, only to be met with the conspicuously presented Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman.

At the sight of this Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman, even Vice Sect Master Tian Guizhang and Yao Sen were startled.

If the Blood Skull Warning Token represented the highest level of alert, then the Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman represented the Punishment Hall’s ultimate authority, and such an artifact would not be used lightly to suppress others.

Moreover, only Punishment Hall Elder Tus De possessed the Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman, which meant that Elder Tus already knew about this matter, but his current whereabouts were unknown.

"Great Commander, who is the commander on duty this month?" Tian Guizhang asked.

"It’s Commander Jiao!"

"Commander Jiao, which captain is on patrol today?" Vice Sect Master Yao Sen quickly followed up with the question, never willing to be outdone in such a gathering of leaders.

Upon hearing this, Jiao Xi’s expression suddenly turned rather ugly, "It was precisely Captain Liu Hong of the A Team."

Yao Sen’s face suddenly showed a trace of sorrow, "Tonight’s patrol was Liu Hong, yet Captain Liu Hong of the A Team has died here. It seems there must have been an enemy invasion."

With that, Vice Sect Master Yao Sen’s true intention came to light: establishing a narrative before Elder Tus arrived!

Without a doubt, since Liu Hong, the captain of the Third Guard, had died no matter how it happened, Third Commander Jiao Xi would definitely be held responsible.

And since Jiao Xi was a staunch supporter and capable subordinate of Vice Sect Master Yao Sen, Yao Sen had to protect him.

Hearing this, Tian Guizhang was not convinced, "If there was an enemy invasion, then why didn’t Liu Hong issue any warning? Liu Hong had the Cultivation of the Fourth Stage of the Vein Forging Realm. It’s unlikely there was an enemy invasion!"

While countering, Jiao Xi thought about what Ye Zhen had previously mentioned, an opportunity to deal with Jiao Xi. Could this be the opportunity Ye Zhen was referring to?

But no matter how he considered it, it didn’t seem likely.

Firstly, this matter appeared irrelevant to Ye Zhen, and besides, the death of a captain was not enough to remove Jiao Xi.

However, what puzzled Tian Guizhang even more was how the death of a captain could cause such a huge commotion. It had not only triggered a Blood Skull Warning Token but also brought forth the Punishment Hall’s Crescent Moon Punishment Talisman?

"Hmph, Vice Sect Master Tian, then tell us, if it’s not an enemy invasion, what is it? It’s not as if he carved off his own skull,"

said Yao Sen, glancing sharply at Jiao Xi, "Commander Jiao, aren’t you going to immediately contact all the guards to check for any losses or signs of enemy invasion?"

"Oh, right, I will inquire immediately. I was so worried that I nearly forgot about it!" Jiao Xi quickly responded. Yao Sen’s words, especially about signs of an enemy invasion, were crucial.

Since the Third Guard was under his jurisdiction, even if there were no signs of enemy invasion, with a few talisman communications, he could concoct some.

As long as there were signs of foreign invasion, today’s incident could be downplayed and dismissed, and Jiao Xi would be unharmed.

In his panic just now, Jiao Xi had forgotten this possibility.

At that moment, driven by Divine Sense, Jiao Xi took out a Talisman Communication, ready to release it.

Just then, a brilliant light suddenly descended from the sky, "Commander Jiao, no need to inquire further. I have already inspected everything, all critical places are intact, and there are no signs of foreign invasion!"

A massive blood-red cloak descended from the sky, even faintly emanating a scent of blood, causing the gathered high-ranking members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect to step back in unison. It was Punishment Hall Elder, Tus De, who had arrived.

The words of Tus De took Jiao Xi by surprise, unintentionally causing his gaze to become somewhat frantic.

If it wasn’t a foreign invasion, then what was Liu Hong’s death about?

Jiao Xi tried to understand something from Punishment Hall Elder Tus De’s face, but Elder Tus only gave him a glance before turning away.

Nobody noticed that just as Punishment Hall Elder Tus De looked his way, two Punishment Hall Deacons clad in blood-red cloaks had silently stationed themselves behind Jiao Xi, and Jiao Xi was oblivious!

"Everyone, I was slightly delayed by some matters, but you should first have a look at this!" As he spoke, Punishment Hall Elder Tus De handed over a stack of Jade Talismans, his fingers lightly rubbing them, sending them flying accurately towards the gathered high-ranking officials of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.

Jiao Xi also reached out to catch one, but his hand grasped nothing.

Instantly, Jiao Xi’s face turned pale.

Everyone had one, but he did not, which definitely suggested a problem!

Suddenly, Divine Sense flying, all the high-ranking members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect were inspecting the content of the Jade Talismans. Just one glance was enough to turn everyone’s expression ugly, especially Grand Commander Jio Yuanxiu!

And the others finally understood why today’s incident over the death of a captain had caused such an uproar!

The Defense Map!

They actually saw the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s Defense Map for this month within the Jade Talismans!

If it fell into enemy hands, it could allow silent and deadly entry into the Sun and Moon Divine Sect Main Temple.

Yet, the Defense Map should not have appeared in the hands of Punishment Hall Elder Tus De.

Each month, during the rotation patrol, the commander on duty would create the Defense Map and submit it to him, the Great Commander, for filing. The defense for the month would then be implemented according to the plan.

Besides the Defense Map filed by him, the Great Commander, no commander on duty was allowed to keep a private copy of the Defense Map to prevent its leakage.

Yet now, half a Defense Map had appeared.

"May I ask, Elder Tus, where did this half of the Defense Map come from?" Great Commander Jio Yuanxiu asked.

Hearing this, Punishment Hall Elder Tus De suddenly scoffed coldly, "Commander-in-Chief Jio, I was about to ask you the same question! How could the Divine Sect’s Defense Map be leaked?"

"This, I truly do not know. My copy of the Defense Map is still well sealed; I haven’t even looked at it myself!"

Hearing the words ’Defense Map’, Jiao Xi’s eyes filled with increasing tension, because he knew the source of this Defense Map very well.

"This half of the Defense Map that I just distributed to all of you was found on the body of Liu Hong! Look, these two green Jade Talismans record a very detailed half of the Defense Map!"

Saying this, Punishment Hall Elder Tus De looked at Third Commander Jiao Xi, "Commander Jiao, how do you explain this?"

Jiao Xi nervously swallowed, firmly shaking his head, "I do not know; at the beginning of the month, I filed the Defense Map and arranged the defenses, and I have not recorded any more Defense Map Jade Talismans since then!"

"Moreover, I am well aware of the Divine Sect’s rules; by no means would I reveal the Defense Map!"

Punishment Hall Elder Tus De scoffed coldly, "Could it be that I am the one who leaked the Defense Map? Bring me Jiao Xi!"

Instantly, the two previously silent Punishment Hall Deacons who had approached behind Jiao Xi pounced, but Jiao Xi, being sensible, knew resistance was futile.

If he dared to resist, the blame for today would certainly fall on him!

"Elder Tus, this is a misunderstanding, I am wronged!"

Punishment Hall Elder Tus De continued to scoff relentlessly, his demeanor terrifying Jiao Xi to his core, as he was all too aware of the horrors of the Punishment Hall! Once inside, even a Fourth Stage of Vein Forging expert could not hope to keep any secrets!

"Whether you’re wronged or not, you’ll understand once you’re in the Punishment Hall!" Tus De suddenly turned his gaze towards Great Commander Jio Yuanxiu, "Great Commander, please accompany me, I need to inspect that sealed filed copy of the Defense Map!"

Before Jio Yuanxiu could react, Tus De’s gaze shifted to Second Commander Chen Changxing, "Commander Chen, the defense duties of the Divine Sect for this month are to be immediately taken over by you. Rearrange the defenses at once! Also, temporarily manage the Third Guard of the Divine Guards!"

"No, Elder Tus, I truly am wronged, I absolutely did not leak the defense information, absolutely not, I dare swear a Divine Soul Oath!" Jiao Xi pleaded while seeking help with his gaze from Vice Sect Master Yao Sen.

But facing Jiao Xi’s pleading gaze, Yao Sen turned a blind eye! Not only could he not save him, but at this point, he dared not get involved in this matter of leaking Main Temple defenses, an issue that threatened the very survival of the Divine Sect. Anyone involved would be unlucky!

Even if he was not involved now, if something were indeed to be investigated and found, his position as Vice Sect Master might be affected.

"Take him away!" shouted Punishment Hall Elder Tus!

"Wait!" A female voice suddenly erupted! (To be continued. If you like this work, please head to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)