The second day.
Early in the morning, Zhang Rongfang arrived at the Ministry of Penalties ahead of schedule.
As soon as he entered the gate, he saw several squad captains standing together, whispering among themselves.
Everyone’s expressions were sowhat solemn.
Xu Kai, the captain of Squad One, was among them.
Upon seeing Zhang Rongfang, Xu Kai waved at him.
"Brother Zhang, over here."
Zhang Rongfang walked over, puzzled.
"What’s going on, Brother Xu? Why is everyone so serious?"
"Be careful with your words in a bit, and stay quiet if you can. A special envoy has co down from above; he’s personally in charge of pursuing the fugitive Huang Yuzhen.
Last night, as soon as the envoy arrived, he took charge from the general squad. From today on, we all have to listen to him."
Xu Kai frowned and paused, "I just ran into him while having breakfast, not soone who’s easy to get along with."
Zhang Rongfang’s heart skipped a beat. He just noticed Zhang Xiangyang’s unusual behavior yesterday, and now he’s stripped of authority?
It seems he wasn’t the only one who noticed sothing wrong yesterday.
"I’ve heard that this Special Envoy Ouyang cos from a significant background—none of the head figures, like Prison Head Minister Xing, dare neglect him.
I saw the prison director himself going out to greet him," a female captain whispered.
"Brother Xu, what major issue is this fugitive Huang Yuzhen involved in? Do you have any news to share?" she continued to ask.
Xu Kai shook his head.
"Not sure, but this envoy is nad Ouyang Jianrong. I asked a few friends, and they said he’s extrely skilled, his martial arts resemble those from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion. I suspect he might have previously been part of the Inspection Departnt."
Zhang Rongfang felt a slight stir in his heart.
The Inspection Departnt, well-known throughout the entire Great Spirit, is quite famous.
Whenever there’s a heavy criminal that local forces cannot capture, or when rebels collude with officials for nefarious purposes, the ultimate action from the governnt is to dispatch the Inspection Departnt.
Being the institution with the most martial experts from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, the Inspection Departnt doesn’t only have the duty of inspecting the world but also chasing down top experts.
It’s said that those who ca out of the Inspection Departnt are almost all experts, equipped with various formidable tools exclusive to the Spirit Court, their prowess is quite remarkable.
Zhang Rongfang was curious.
The Great Spirit highly values craftsn, placing them on the sixth and seventh levels within the ten-tier classification.
And there’s a dedicated departnt set up everywhere, responsible for overseeing the technological progression of craftsn.
In such an environnt, the Inspection Departnt must possess various special equipnt.
"Lord Xu, do you know how one could gain employnt in the Inspection Departnt?"
A captain from Huxi beside Zhang Rongfang asked in a deep voice.
"The requirents for the Inspection Departnt are extrely high, primarily recruiting from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion. Outsiders like us must first find a way to get into the Snow Rainbow Pavilion...." Xu Kai shook his head.
"However, the Snow Rainbow Pavilion usually recruits directly from the military, academies, and learning palaces, and there’s an age requirent as well; rarely do they recruit externally."
Zhang Rongfang, upon hearing this, realized for the first ti that the Great Spirit has academies and learning palaces?
He thought that maybe he could visit such places if given a chance.
Just then, an official ran out from the main hall of the Ministry of Penalties, delivering orders in their direction.
"Captains, new intelligence has just co in: Huang Yuzhen’s whereabouts have been confird outside the city.
Special Envoy Ouyang has ordered that we spare no effort to completely eliminate the fugitive Huang Yuzhen.
Please remain on standby, prepare your equipnt, and await departure!"
"Understood, everyone disperse now, get ready," Xu Kai exhaled deeply.
*
*
*
Northwest of Tan Yang City, in Hundred Silver Valley.
On the sloped terrain of the valley, tall and dense pine trees stood erect like steel needles piercing the ground.
In the black pine forest.
A tall man with dark red hair tied in a ponytail stood silently, his pale yellow eyes fixed on a shadow flickering through the woods ahead.
The man wore silver-black scale armor, holding dark red dual blades.
Behind him, over a dozen agile constables in official uniforms followed.
Though he had more people on his side, there was only one shadow on the opposite side.
Yet the man remained motionless.
"Huang Yuzhen?" he said solemnly.
"Is it necessary to press so hard? I’ve been avoiding bustling places all along just to avoid conflict,"
The shadow turned, revealing a face weathered with age and a full beard.
His eyes were determined, his voice gentle, his physique robust and powerful, with a spine straight as a steel spear.
The contrast between his gentle voice and tough deanor left a morable impression.
"I am Ouyang Jianrong, a special envoy from the court’s Inspection Departnt for apprehension.
Huang Yuzhen, you’ve fled all the way from the capital to here, crossing three provinces, thousands of miles. Aren’t you tired?"
He paused his speech.
"Even if you’re not tired, Miss Jing Ying should be. Why go to such lengths? Just hand over the Chasing Moon Saber and it’s all over!"
"Chasing Moon Saber... this blade is just an ordinary treasure; the manpower and resources you’ve spent chasing us could forge dozens of such swords.
What’s the secret in this saber that compels you to make such a commotion?" Huang Yuzhen asked puzzledly.
"I perform my duties as instructed, knowing nothing else," Ouyang Jianrong said gravely, "Alright, I’ll give you a final count of five. Hand over the Chasing Moon Saber. Otherwise... don’t bla for being ruthless!"
"Five."
"Four."
"Three."
Whiz whiz whiz whiz!!!
In an instant, before the words settled, crossbow arrows shot from the hands of the constables.
The powerful arrows flew towards Huang Yuzhen.
But unfortunately, before they could be fired, they had already lost their target.
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