"You!
"
Steward Sun's expression immediately turned ugly. He looked at the Sword Wielders who were surrounded by a murderous aura and then looked at the Holy Wave Tribe envoy beside him.
His expression changed and he complained in his heart.
In fact, he didn't want to come this time. After all, it was ridiculous to bring the Holy Wave Tribe to the Sword Wielding Palace to capture the Sword Wielders. However, the Marquis had ordered him to satisfy the Holy Wave Tribe envoy, so he could only grit his teeth.
There was a fierce glint in his eyes.
"The Marquis has ordered us to capture Kong Xianglong and the other four!
"
Steward Sima frowned, and the Holy Wave Tribe Blackguard's gloominess disappeared. He smiled slightly, and a deep glint flashed in his eyes.
This time, he came here with the tribe envoy to find trouble with Kong Xianglong and the others. His real mission was to observe the Yao Family.
From the beginning to the end, he had been observing the expressions of all the Yao Family cultivators. He didn't miss a single one and even used a secret technique to verify if they were deliberately acting.
At this moment, the dozens of Yao Family cultivators in the square all complained in their hearts. However, they had no choice but to walk out under the order. They unleashed their cultivation, and their auras rose as they charged toward Xu Qing and the others.
Just as a mutiny was about to happen, a cold snort came from the sky.
"What a disgrace!
"
In the next moment, a power that shook heaven and earth descended from the sky, suppressing all directions.
The entire Commandment Hall shook, and all the cultivators were shocked. The dozens of Yao Family cultivators, especially, were unable to move at all, as if they were being crushed by thousands of mountains.
Then, a figure walked out from the sky.
It was an old man with a thousand Dao revolving in his eyes. It was the sign of the first stage of the Void Returning Realm, the Void Shattering Thousand Dao.
He was wearing the Sword Wielding Daoist robe. As he walked, the sky behind him distorted, and countless illusory figures appeared. They surged into the depths of the sky, causing the entire Sword Wielding Palace to tremble. It was the sign of the second stage of the Void Returning Realm, Myriad Transformations.
When he walked over, illusory scenes of space shattering appeared around him. It was as if worlds were being born around him, and these worlds were like bubbles. They formed in a short period of time, and then shattered in an instant.
This was … the symbol of the third stage of Returning Void, Hundred Million Thoughts Open!
However, there were not many worlds around the old man. He had not truly stepped into the third stage. He could only be said to have taken one step.
But even so, it was still extremely powerful and incomparably shocking. At that moment, as it appeared, the entire Sword Governing Palace fell silent.
Xu Qing immediately recognized that the other party was the Sword Holding Palace's Vice Palace Master who had appeared during the oath of the sword-bearers.
"Greetings, Vice Palace Master!
Warden Sima was the first to cup his fists and bow respectfully.
Xu Qing, Kong Xianglong, and the others also quickly cupped their fists. Soon, all the swordsmen in the surroundings also bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Vice Palace Master!
"
The Vice Palace Lord's face was expressionless as he looked coldly at Steward Sun of the Yao Family.
[Get lost!]
"
Steward Sun's body trembled. He wanted to say something, but he didn't dare. He could only lower his head and bow to the Holy Wave Tribe's black-robed guard. Then, he quickly left with the trembling Yao Family cultivators.
Ignoring the Yao Family, the Vice Palace Lord coldly looked at the Holy Wave Tribe.
"And you. You are the envoy, so I'll give you five minutes to escape as a courtesy of the human race. But if you can't escape back to the Holy Wave Tribe in five minutes, I'll kill you."
"
The Holy Wave Tribe's black-robed guard's expression changed. He instantly flew out and headed straight for the teleportation array in the distance.
After doing that, the Vice Palace Lord looked at Xu Qing and the others and snorted coldly.
"You guys are quite bold. Under the orders of the Palace Lord, the five of you are punished to be imprisoned in the Punishment Division for a month!"
"
"Warden Sima, personally escort them to the Punishment Division!"
"
Xu Qing lowered his head. Shan Hezi and the others sighed and also lowered their heads.
However, Kong Xianglong was no longer trembling. He would only be afraid in front of the Palace Lord. Now, he was just in low spirits. Clearly, he felt that after escaping for so long, he still couldn't escape the fate of being imprisoned.
"Yes, Dharma Decree!"
Warden Sima heard this at that moment.
His expression was solemn as he spoke solemnly.
Naturally, he could tell that the escort here was more of an escort to prevent the Holy Wave Tribe or the Yao Family from attacking.
"Everyone, disperse. Don't be noisy. Remember that you are all swordsmen!"
"
After saying that, the Vice Palace Lord left with a cold face.
Warden Sima raised his head and looked at Kong Xianglong and the others. He walked over and glanced at them one by one. His gaze landed on Xu Qing as he slowly spoke.
"First and foremost, I am a warden of the Sword Palace. Secondly, I am a cultivator of the Taisi Immortal Sect."
Outsiders would need to ponder over Warden Sima's words to understand the meaning behind them.
However, as the person involved, Xu Qing immediately understood. Hence, he cupped his fists and bowed. However, he still didn't fully believe it. He still needed to verify it.
"Let's go. I'll send you to the Punishment Division."
Warden Sima led the way.
Kong Xianglong sighed at Xu Qing. Shan Hezi and Wang Chen blinked their eyes, leaned closer to Xu Qing, and spoke softly.
"Xu Qing, we'll rely on you to return to your home."
"Alright."
Xu Qing nodded silently. Everyone sighed and followed Warden Sima out of the Sword Palace.
When they were heading to the Punishment Division, there was a circular altar building in the middle of the county capital.
The altar was very big, but it was empty in the middle.
There were three main palaces inside. They were black, red, and white. There were many side palaces in the surroundings.
The three main palaces were covered with tiles of different colors. They looked extraordinary and unique.
However, this place was strange. It seemed to exist in the altar, but in reality, it didn't exist.
This was because when one stood in the palaces and looked out, they wouldn't see the county capital. Instead, they would see nothingness. There was nothing.
In the nothingness, only the palaces existed.
At this moment, there were three people in the white palace.
Two people were sitting opposite each other and playing chess. One person stood in the middle and stared at the board.
The person playing chess was the Palace Lord of the Sword Palace. Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged scholar wearing a brocade robe.
This person had a fair complexion and had a faint feminine aura. He was currently smiling as he placed a black chess piece on the chessboard. He even poked the chess piece with his finger.
"Palace Lord, you're too aggressive. If you're not careful, you'll become an arrogant dragon that can't return.
"
"There was a saying in the Sword Palace that was correct."
The Palace Lord looked at the chessboard and said indifferently.
"What saying?"
The scholar in brocade robe asked with a smile.
"Lord Marquis, poke your head!"
The Palace Lord was expressionless as he looked coldly at the scholar in brocade robe.
This scholar in brocade robe was the head of the Yao family, this generation's Marquis Yao.
He didn't get angry when he heard that. Instead, he laughed. Then, he stood up and cupped his fists at the person watching them play chess.
"County Governor, the game is set. There's no need to continue.
The Holy Wave Tribe has sent a friend to visit. I'll take my leave first to receive them. "
"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yao Hou left, and his figure seemed to be bleak and revealed a wisp of loneliness within the darkness of the void.
The person watching them play chess was an old man wearing a coarse robe. He didn't look impressive, and his expression was gentle. He didn't have any pressure or aura. When he heard that, he smiled and nodded.
He was the County Governor of Fenghai County.
"County Governor, I still don't trust him."
The Palace Lord said calmly as he watched Marquis Yao leave.
"Brother Liang Xiu."
The County Governor smiled and sat opposite the Palace Lord. He said softly as he tidied up the chessboard.
"I know that you deliberately played the arrogant dragon in the chess game just now to remind Yao Tianyan not to turn his act into reality. In the end, you became the arrogant dragon."
"
"But you were the one who focused on killing, while Brother Tianyan focused on combining forces. Both of you were like fire and water. This was a top secret plan that the three of us came up with back then."
""
"All these years, outsiders have been cursing the Yao family. They're saying that they're shameless, that they're brainless, that they're a traitor, that they're married to outsiders, that they're arrogant and despotic, and that the entire family is worse than pigs and dogs."
""
"Only a handful of people in the Yao family know about this plan. Even if they know, they can't say anything. They can only endure it bitterly. Yao Tianyan … he was a talented prodigy whose name shook the imperial capital. Now, he's willing to bear this infamy.
""
"Everything is because of my incompetence. Because Fenghai County is unstable. Because of the decline of the human race, I have no choice but to play this game."
""
The Sword Holding Palace Lord was silent. After a while, he looked up into the distance and spoke in a low voice.
"County Governor, you don't have to belittle yourself. If not for your painstaking management, Fenghai County, which is far away from the human race and in the Holy Wave Tribe, would have been swallowed by the Holy Wave Tribe long ago."
""
"I understand what you're saying. I also know that it's harder for him than it is for me. I know even more about his sacrifice. But I'm worried that some people in the Yao family will really become arrogant."
""
"Even if the leader has the human race in his heart, he can't turn back. He has to forget his original intentions, just like the Grand Duke of the Holy Wave Tribe."
""
The County Governor was silent for a long time.
After a while, he said softly, "Even you, an insider, have doubts. This means that he's not far from completely deceiving the Holy Wave Tribe."
""
Dusk had passed, and the sky was dark. Fortunately, the bright moon hung high in the sky. Moonlight shone on the world, and it also fell outside the deep pit of the Disciplinary Officer.
After escorting Xu Qing and the others here, Manager Sima left.
Kong Xianglong looked at the familiar Punishment Warden and let out a long sigh. Shan Hezi and the others were also dejected. Only Xu Qing walked at the front and greeted a few prison guards who came to take over. He watched as they coldly chained up Shan Hezi and the others.
But here … he didn't.
A jailer he was familiar with even gave Xu Qing a shackle and asked him to help.
Therefore, Kong Xianglong's shackle was personally put on by Xu Qing.
"It's indeed different …" Kong Xianglong and the others looked at this scene eagerly. They noticed that when the jailers spoke to Xu Qing, they would smile as if they were one of their own.
But to them, they were all expressionless.
Therefore, everyone looked envious.
Old Li was also among the jailers. After looking at Kong Xianglong and the others, he whispered to Xu Qing.
"I heard about what happened outside the Disciplinary Hall today. Let's go. Your cells are ready."
""
As Old Li spoke, he winked at Xu Qing and led the way.
Just like that, Xu Qing and the others escorted Kong Xianglong and the others into the Disciplinary Officer's office.
They went all the way to District D10. The moment they pushed open the door of the cell, Xu Qing saw the layout inside and smiled.
Although District D10 was still a cell, there were a total of thirty jars of wine inside. There was also a lot of food that could only be bought with Spirit Stones outside.
There were even five cages that had been specially made, with the praying mats that were needed for cross-legged meditation in them.
Although it was still simple, it was much, much better than those prisoners.
When Kong Xianglong and the others saw this, their spirits were lifted and they looked at the cold-faced jailers.
Old Li said indifferently.
"We heard about what happened to you. You were punished and imprisoned. As jailers, we naturally have to guard you. But as sword bearers, everyone thinks that you did a good job.
You killed the right people! "
""
"Treat this place like your own home. Just take this month as a break. If you need anything, just tell Xu Qing. Xu Qing, you can't leave Ding One, Three, and Two unguarded. You can open the prison door yourself. Don't forget to be on duty later."
""
After that, Old Li and the others looked at Xu Qing and the others with serious expressions.
"Finally, we still have to say that you killed the right people!"
After that, all the jailers took out their command swords and saluted Xu Qing and the others.
After that, the jailers turned and left.
District D10 immediately quieted down.
Xu Qing silently walked to the jars of wine. With a wave of his hand, four jars flew to Kong Xianglong and the others. After each of them caught one, they looked at each other and laughed.
"Cheers!"
Kong Xianglong's laughter grew louder and louder as he took a big gulp.
Xu Qing also laughed and took a big gulp.
Then, he helped everyone remove the shackles on their bodies. It was fine to use them outside, but there was no need to use them here.
Just like that, time passed. The five of them were locked together and it was as if they had returned to the day when they killed the black-robed guards of the Holy Billow Race. Now that they were no longer strangers, they had many topics to talk about.
Shan Hezi and Wang Chen often bickered.
Night Spirit stayed by Kong Xianglong's side every day. Even a blind person could sense that she liked Kong Xianglong.
As for Xu Qing, he would occasionally walk out of the cell and visit District D132.
Apart from not being able to leave the Punishment Department and not being able to go on missions, Xu Qing was no different from usual.
Every time Xu Qing left District D10, he was very calm. As the guard of District D132, he couldn't ignore him. That would be dereliction of duty.
Xu Qing felt that he definitely couldn't do something like dereliction of duty.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
For mortals, being locked up for half a month might be boring. However, for cultivators, a single seclusion might last longer than that. Especially when there was wine and meat and they could occasionally chat and laugh with each other, their days were rather comfortable.
On this day, Xu Qing returned from his shift. The moment he stepped into District D10, he felt that something was amiss.
District D10 was way too quiet today.
…
He didn't starve to death today and continued to tremble. He wanted to let everyone know that he was safe …