The Prison Admin Department, county government, and Shengxin Residence are all subordinate institutions to the Rakshasa Holy Sect; thus, regardless of where one is in Yongzhou, the three are always located next to each other, and Zhaoyang County is no exception.
Although Zhaoyang County had not appointed a Magistrate before, the Prison Administration Office had already been established, situated to the right side of the county government, right next to the Shengxin Residence on either side.
Hou Yuxiao did not disguise his whereabouts, wearing the same blue clothes from the daytime. As he approached the Prison Admin Department, he was recognized by the guards at the door.
"This is a restricted area of the Prison Admin Department, no outsiders allowed!"
The guard, a martial artist at the Body Opening Ninth Level, was one of the nine men who had arrived with Cheng Yue earlier that day. He recognized Hou Yuxiao but pretended otherwise, adopting an extremely arrogant attitude and directly blocking his way.
After all, coming from the Prefectural City, it's a disgrace that a high-level expert capable of Body Opening Ninth Level could only stand guard at the door, let alone look down on oneself.
Facing such condescension, Hou Yuxiao felt uncomfortable but was not going to get angry over such a trivial matter. He sighed softly and said respectfully with clasped fists, "I am Master Hou of the Hou Family, Hou Yuxiao. I seek an audience with Magistrate Cheng. I hope, brother, that you can introduce me!"
The guard's face fell, clearly intending to make things difficult, just then, Hou Yuxiao discreetly slipped him two ingots, each worth fifty taels of silver.
The guard accepted the silver, and his face immediately broke into a smile.
"Forgive my poor eyesight, it turns out to be Master Hou in person. Please forgive my offense, I will report to the Magistrate right away. Master Hou, please wait a moment!"
Hou Yuxiao sighed softly again, truly money makes the world go round.
Although the expenditure of one hundred taels of silver was somewhat painful, it allowed him to see Cheng Yue, who was flipping through scrolls in the main hall of the Prison Admin Department, in less than a quarter of an hour.
"Hou Yuxiao pays respect to Magistrate Cheng!"
"Master Hou, please rise."
Seeing someone enter, Cheng Yue had already put down the scrolls and signaled Hou Yuxiao to stand up. Suddenly approaching Hou Yuxiao, he inquired, "Master Hou, have you ever heard of the Zhaoyang Blood Demon?"
Hou Yuxiao's expression was startled, and after glancing at the scroll that Cheng Yue had just put down on the desk featuring the words Annals of Zhaoyang County, a hint of realization flashed through his mind. After a moment's hesitation, he began to answer.
"I have read the Annals of Zhaoyang County before, and I am well aware of this matter. Since the Magistrate is testing me, I will humbly share what I know!
It is said that over 1300 years ago, at the end of Wuzong's era, Shenzhou was in chaos, and demons arose everywhere. A great demon named Blood Demon emerged in Zhaoyang County. Legend has it that this Blood Demon was a ten-thousand-year-old locust tree that had gained sentience and feasted on the blood and Qi of martial artists.
At that time, including all the martial artists in Zhaoyang and the neighboring counties, they were all devoured by the Blood Demon. By feeding on blood, the demon advanced and became a Third Rank demon, unruly and unstoppable!"
Cheng Yue nodded, showing a hint of appreciation and gesturing for him to continue.
Hou Yuxiao, though feeling a bit odd, obliged.
"After greatly increasing its strength, the Blood Demon became too reckless. It used its own ten-thousand-year-old blood core as bait to lure more martial artists for devouring.
However, it ended up attracting Mo Yunzi, the world's number one Artifact Refiner at that time. With just a flick of a finger, Mo Yunzi shattered the demon's heart.
Rumor has it Mo Yunzi refined that heart into three Spirit Swords, named Xue Zhao, Xue Yang, and Blood Shadow. Except for the Blood Shadow Sword, which disappeared, the Xueyan Sword and Xue Zhao Sword still rank within the top one hundred on the Spirit Weapon List to this day, and remain well known!"
Hou Yuxiao finished speaking the entire long passage, but before he could catch his breath, Cheng Yue, with his back to him, spoke up.
"Heaven wishes destruction upon those it first makes mad; this Blood Demon originally relied on the territory of Zhaoyang to develop slowly. Perhaps it could have become a First-Class Great Demon, known throughout The World and resounding through Shenzhou.
Ultimately, it was still petty by nature. Gaining a little ability, it looked down upon others. Having received some benefits, it lost all sense of direction, unable to recognize itself anymore. It deserved such a fate for its arrogance.
Master Hou, what do you think, did Cheng get it right... or not?"
.........
Hou Yuxiao's expression changed as he looked up at Cheng Yue, his face betraying a smile that wasn't quite one, and he instantly understood.
This was a warning to himself!
He definitely knew something...
Hou Yuxiao felt Cheng Yue's aura rising gradually and his expression tensed. He gritted his teeth and said, "What does the Magistrate mean by this? I do not understand, please, Your Excellency, speak plainly."
"Still have the nerve to talk back at this point, seeking death!"
Anger flashed across Cheng Yue's face, and he firmly slammed his palm onto Hou Yuxiao's shoulder.
A terrifyingly powerful force, unlike any Hou Yuxiao had ever felt, assaulted him in an instant. His face showed a trace of fear, and like a kite with its string cut, he flew backward and crashed into the wall behind him, creating a huge dent.
The horrifying energy, like a razor blade, continuously ravaged his body. His newly condensed Gang Qi stood no chance against this power, it was utterly ineffective.
Pfft...
After composing himself for three breaths, Hou Yuxiao couldn't suppress his injuries and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Taking aggressive action at the Hour of Hai... what audacity!"
Hou Yuxiao was suppressing his injuries when he heard Cheng Yue's words, and his pupils suddenly contracted violently, a hint of chill flashing through his heart.
He knows this too? Then he must have heard everything I set up in the main hall just now!
"This afternoon at Shengxin Residence, I clearly stated that during this time, you're not allowed to take any action on your own. No sooner had my front foot uttered the command than your back foot began to cause trouble.
You think that Hou Yuling, that bitch, can deal with me with just a fiery mane? In front of me, your Hou Clan is nothing but a jumping clown, at most, just a slightly stronger clown compared to Tan Gang and Tie Budong.
Who gave you the courage to defy me, hmm?"
Upon hearing Cheng Yue insult Hou Yuling with the word "bitch," a glint of cold light flashed momentarily in the lowered eyes of Hou Yuxiao, and after lifting his head, his expression was filled with fear and panic, the very picture of one caught and exposed by Cheng Yue.
After what seemed like a long consideration, Hou Yuxiao finally spoke as if he had thought of something.
"Magistrate, your insightful judgment is acknowledged. Although I did act defiantly, as you have said, Zhaoyang is indeed facing troubles. The four local powers govern their own affairs; how can they cooperate properly with you?
"Mr. Hou has some old grievances with those three families. If I can wipe them out tonight once and for all, I will ensure that all the martial artists in Zhaoyang County are at your disposal. From now on, the Hou Clan is willing to serve you, toil like a dog or horse!"
When Cheng Yue heard Hou Yuxiao say this, his expression immediately sharpened, and he asked in a low voice, "What do you know?"
Hou Yuxiao momentarily revealed an expression of "astonishment" and shook his head, "I do not understand what you mean, Magistrate?"
"I am asking you, where did you get that fiery mane?"
Hou Yuxiao's heart gave a jerk; he had not expected Cheng Yue to bring this up, and now he realized that the image of a love-struck fool that Hou Yuling had been misled by during the day was just an act by Cheng Yue.
Although his mind was racing, Hou Yuxiao was even more careful not to hesitate with his words, fearing he might give himself away, he quickly showed a wronged expression, saying, "What do you mean, sir? I came across the fiery mane by chance on the official road. Thinking it was a wild horse, my younger sister took it from me to gift to you, knowing you appreciate good horses. Could there be something wrong with that fiery mane?"
Cheng Yue stared at Hou Yuxiao for a dozen breaths, and seeing his Open Body Ten Layers Peak cultivation, eventually shook his head as the suspicion that had just risen in his heart subsided.
"Since you know that Zhaoyang is facing troubles, then do not cause me any."
"I am in need of people right now. If you obediently submit to me, after this matter is settled, I do not mind providing support to your Hou Family. But if you dare to harbor a double heart, do not blame me for being ruthless!"
Cheng Yue snorted coldly, his palm facing the air, and with a smack against the wall Hou Yuxiao had just bumped into, the entire wall thunderously shattered.
Hou Yuxiao's body trembled on cue, showing a fearful expression as he quickly kneeled and said, "Rest assured, Magistrate, I will withdraw my men right now and ensure that nothing will happen tonight."
"As long as you know, get lost!"
Cheng Yue waved his hand dismissively, supremely confident that after his warning, Hou Yuxiao would not dare to make another move.
.........
As he left the gates of the Prison Administration Office, the look of fear on Hou Yuxiao's face instantly turned to malevolence. Looking at the palm seal Cheng Yue had just imprinted on his shoulder, and feeling the aura of Cheng Yue at his brow's Divine Lotus, the corners of his lips curved slightly.
"I've been worrying about how to blend into the second floor of Shengxin Residence, and now the opportunity has come!"
Glancing back at Shengxin Residence, Hou Yuxiao chose not to go immediately but first returned to the Hou Mansion.
Outside the main hall of the Hou Mansion, under the lead of Hou Yucheng and the others, thirty people from the Upper Hou Sect's Kui Sector and a total of 112 from the Lower Hou Sect, all dressed in nightclothes, stood in the martial arts field, ready for action, the atmosphere intensely grim.
Seeing Hou Yuxiao's return, Hou Yujie stepped forward and whispered, "I've hinted to Old Fifth; there will be no one in the mansion after Xu hour tonight. With how things have been going with Tian Honglu recently, he surely won't miss this good opportunity to let them go."
Hearing this, the last bit of worry in Hou Yuxiao's eyes relaxed, and he looked up at the sky.
Only two minutes were left until Xu hour, and the moon in the sky became more luminous, casting a beautiful silver glow over all the buildings in Zhaoyang County, giving them a tragically beautiful appearance.
In front of everyone, Hou Yuxiao took out the silver token he had been carrying since returning from Tianling County, and after channeling the sparse black Gang Qi from his body into it, the token emitted a dazzling light.
"Elder Tong, County Lord Ren Feng is not in the city, and only the newly-appointed Magistrate Cheng Yue is present. We can take action now!"
Seeing Hou Yuxiao speak to the token made everyone momentarily confused, not understanding why he was talking to an object.
"Understood!"
The next second, the token unexpectedly emitted a domineering reply.
Hou Yuxiao put the token away and turned to look at everyone. Without explanation, he just showed a strange smile.
A cold breeze swept through, and with Hou Yuxiao's smile, everyone suddenly shivered. Without waiting for them to speak, his eerie voice reached everyone's ears.
"On a moonless and windy night, it's early enough to kill..."
And so, the Hour of Hai arrived!
In less than ten breaths, the two groups totaling 145 people had all vanished from Hou Yuxiao's sight.
After everyone had left, Hou Yuxiao stood in the same spot, pondering for a long time before seemingly making a decision. With a leap, he headed toward the direction of Shengxin Residence.