Chapter 13
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Chapter 13: Covering the Sky with One Hand!
Four guards from the Qingzhou Guanxuan surrounding them were momentarily intimidated by Nanling Zhao’s imposing presence and dared not move.
Nanling Zhao led Ye Tianming toward the exit. Feeling her jade-like soft hand holding his, Ye Tianming’s face briefly reddened, but he quickly regained his composure. He instinctively wanted to pull his hand away, but Nanling Zhao held it firmly, so he had no choice but to let it be.
Just as the two exited the Guanxuan Hall, Ji Shi, the headmaster of Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy, along with several academy elders, blocked their path.
Ji Shi stared at Nanling Zhao, “Inspector Zhao, what are you doing?”
Nanling Zhao smiled, “Taking Young Master Ye to the Guanxuan Realm to file a complaint.”
Very direct.
Ji Shi narrowed his eyes, “Inspector Zhao, you’re overstepping your boundaries. This Young Master Ye has passed the Guanxuan Path, and Qingzhou has already initiated the self-examination procedure. This matter falls under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy.”
Nanling Zhao turned to look at Ye Tianming, glancing at the wound on his neck, and asked, “Has anyone from Qingzhou threatened you?”
Ye Tianming immediately nodded, “Yes.”
Nanling Zhao turned back to Ji Shi, “The Guanxuan Sword Master once said that when someone passes the Guanxuan Path, the province must immediately enter self-examination. Yet now, not only has Qingzhou failed to self-examine, but everyone from top to bottom has united to threaten the person involved. Headmaster Ji, I believe Qingzhou is truly rotten to the core.”
Ji Shi calmly replied, “Nanling Zhao, whether Qingzhou is corrupt or not isn’t for you to decide. This young man passed the Guanxuan Path in Qingzhou, so Qingzhou enters self-examination, and his affairs become the business of our Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy. Moreover, our academy has the right to protect his safety.”
As his words fell, Zhou Qing immediately waved his hand, and the Guanxuan guards surrounding Qingzhou closed in.
The boundary guards who had been stationed outside also rushed into the academy.
“I’d like to see who dares!”
Hu Pan, the commander of Panzhou Guanxuan Guards, stepped forward and waved his hand. Thousands of Panzhou Guanxuan Guards immediately descended from the sky.
Liu Yan, the commander of Yongzhou Guanxuan Guards, also waved his hand, and thousands of Yongzhou Guanxuan powerful guards rushed down. In total, over ten thousand Guanxuan guards surrounded and protected Ye Tianming and Nanling Zhao.
Ji Shi glared at Hu Pan and Liu Yan, “Without orders from the Outer Cabinet, Panzhou and Yongzhou Guanxuan Guards have no right to enforce the law in Qingzhou. If I kill you for entering Qingzhou without authorization, even the Outer Cabinet can’t say anything.”
Hu Pan sneered, “Headmaster Ji, we indeed have no right to enforce the law in Qingzhou, but don’t forget that Inspector Zhao is a patrol inspector with the authority to mobilize troops from any region. Following her orders is our duty.”
Ji Shi gave Hu Pan a cold look, then turned to Nanling Zhao, “Nanling Zhao, Qingzhou has the responsibility to protect Young Master Ye, so I cannot let you take him.”
With that, he waved his hand.
Suddenly, dozens of powerful auras emerged from all around. These were top-tier experts carefully cultivated by the academy, with strength far exceeding ordinary local Guanxuan guards.
Nanling Zhao smiled, “Headmaster Ji, are you planning to use force?”
Ji Shi’s expression remained blank, “It’s my duty. I can only offend you, Inspector.”
Nanling Zhao stared at Ji Shi, slowly clenching her right hand.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Elder Yu suddenly stepped forward and said solemnly, “Inspector Zhao, what you’re doing truly violates protocol. Rest assured, this Young Master Ye is absolutely safe in our academy.”
“Safe?”
Nanling Zhao gave him a cold glance, “You drove him to attempt suicide, yet you have the audacity to claim he’s safe here?”
Elder Yu’s expression turned awkward, “Inspector Zhao, this matter involves the Xiao family and many others. By doing this, where does it place the Nanling family?”
Clearly, he was reminding Nanling Zhao that she too had a family. Was it worth offending so many people and powerful factions for the sake of an ordinary person?
Nanling Zhao shook her head slightly, “I joined the Patrol Inspectorate at fourteen, and it’s been five years since. In these five years, I’ve witnessed darkness in this world that many have never seen. Many times, I’ve made compromises, knowing that the law cannot eliminate all evil, and some compromises are better for those involved, but…”
At this point, she gave Ji Shi and the others a cold look, “If I compromise today, this young man from Qingzhou, who has no power, no influence, and no backing, will be driven to death by you. A patrol inspector’s duty is to investigate all injustices in the world. Men, follow me as we fight our way out of Qingzhou.”
With that, she suddenly swept her sleeve, releasing a powerful force that instantly sent several Guanxuan guards flying.
Beside her, Panzhou Commander Hu Pan and Liu Yan were shocked when they heard Nanling Zhao’s command to “fight out of Qingzhou.” Inspector Zhao was serious!
What would be the consequences of a battle between two provinces’ Guanxuan Guards?
But at this moment, they had no other choice but to follow Nanling Zhao’s lead.
A direct confrontation!
“How dare you!”
Ji Shi, who had remained calm until now, was completely caught off guard when Nanling Zhao took action. Both shocked and angry, he quickly ordered, “Protect Young Master Ye. I’ll take full responsibility for anything that happens.”
Hearing Ji Shi’s words, the Qingzhou Guanxuan Guards and boundary guards no longer hesitated and rushed toward Nanling Zhao and her group.
Nanling Zhao, holding Ye Tianming’s hand, forcibly broke through the encirclement with him, heading straight for the sky.
“Stop!”
Just then, an angry shout came from below, followed by a hundred-zhang giant hand reaching up toward the sky, grabbing at Nanling Zhao and Ye Tianming.
It was Ji Shi.
Nanling Zhao quickly pulled Ye Tianming behind her and clenched her five fingers, throwing a punch downward.
Bang!
Ji Shi was forced back several zhang. When he stopped, he looked at Nanling Zhao in shock, “Such a young Divine Realm cultivator…”
Nanling Zhao ignored him and continued to lead Ye Tianming toward the sky.
Seeing this, Ji Shi’s eyes flashed with ferocity. He suddenly waved his sleeve, and a large seal flew out. In an instant, the entire space trembled violently, and powerful auras gathered from all directions, forcibly pushing Nanling Zhao and Ye Tianming back to their original position.
The Qingzhou Headmaster’s Seal!
This seal was bestowed by the Inner Cabinet of the Guanxuan Realm and was a divine-level treasure. When used within Qingzhou territory, its power increased several times over.
Originally, Nanling Zhao and Ji Shi were at the same level, but with the appearance of the Qingzhou Headmaster’s Seal, Nanling Zhao was instantly suppressed.
Ji Shi stared at Nanling Zhao with murderous intent, “Nanling Zhao, according to the rules and laws, Ye Tianming falls under Qingzhou’s jurisdiction. If you continue to interfere, even if I kill you today, neither the Patrol Inspectorate nor your Nanling family can say anything.”
“Kill me?”
Nanling Zhao laughed coldly, “You think you can?”
With that, she suddenly waved her sleeve, and a large seal flew out from it, heading straight for the Qingzhou Headmaster’s Seal. As soon as the two seals made contact, they erupted with two terrifying waves of force, causing the surrounding space to fluctuate.
Ji Shi opened his palm, and the Qingzhou Headmaster’s Seal landed in his hand. He stared at Nanling Zhao, “The Patrol Inspector’s Seal!”
Nanling Zhao opened her palm, revealing the Patrol Inspector’s Seal. Golden light emanated from it, with powerful energy continuously flowing out.
Ji Shi’s expression turned grim, knowing he couldn’t do anything against Nanling Zhao. He looked around with a dark gaze. The moment Nanling Zhao appeared, he had notified the Xiao family, well aware that with the Patrol Inspectorate and the Nanling family behind her, he, as a mere Qingzhou Academy Headmaster, couldn’t suppress her—he could only stall her.
But now, no one from the Xiao family had appeared, which irritated him.
Nanling Zhao suddenly pointed at the Patrol Inspector’s Seal, and a golden light burst forth, filled with countless dense golden symbols. Like a violent storm, they rushed toward Ji Shi, the powerful force within the symbols instantly sending him reeling backward.
Nanling Zhao didn’t continue her attack. She grabbed Ye Tianming, turned, and leaped up, instantly reaching thousands of zhang away.
This was the first time Ye Tianming had been so high above the ground. He was clearly nervous and instinctively wrapped his arms around Nanling Zhao’s waist, his face turning pale.
Nanling Zhao turned to look at Ye Tianming, “You’re taking advantage of me.”
Ye Tianming quickly let go and explained, “Miss Zhao, I…”
Nanling Zhao suddenly smiled brightly, “It’s fine, I forgive you. Hold on to me.”
Ye Tianming felt relieved. He still held Nanling Zhao’s waist but not as tightly as before, just clutching her robe. However, Nanling Zhao suddenly took the initiative to wrap her arm around his waist. Ye Tianming turned to look at her and saw her staring into the distance, her beautiful face bearing a solemn expression.
Just then, several hundred zhang in front of them, space suddenly split open, and several shadows rushed out. The leader, holding a black spear, thrust it fiercely toward Nanling Zhao and Ye Tianming.
The spear’s momentum was terrifying. Ye Tianming felt as if a mountain was pressing on his chest, making it impossible to breathe.
Nanling Zhao’s eyes flashed with cold light. Holding the Patrol Inspector’s Seal, she slammed it forward. A golden light of symbols surged forth, instantly forcing the black-robed figures to retreat.
Nanling Zhao stared at the group of black-robed figures and smiled, “The Xiao family, you’re truly desperate, daring to ambush a patrol inspector.”
The lead black-robed figure rasped, “What Xiao family? We don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Nanling Zhao didn’t want to waste words and was about to attack, but at that moment, the surrounding space began to tremble. Then, dozens of black-robed figures appeared. These figures were all at least at the Divine Realm level, and several had concealed their true auras and realms.
The lead black-robed figure stared at Nanling Zhao, “Nanling Zhao, our target is the person behind you. You are free to leave at any time.”
Nanling Zhao remained silent.
“Miss Zhao.”
Ye Tianming suddenly said, “Let me face this myself.”
Nanling Zhao turned to look at Ye Tianming. He continued, “I’ve already implicated Inspector Fang earlier, and now I’m implicating you. I feel very guilty.”
Nanling Zhao shook her head, “Don’t think that way. You haven’t implicated anyone, neither Fang Xiao nor me. We’re protecting not just you, Ye Tianming, but also justice in this world. In other words, allowing you to suffer such injustice is what should make people like me ashamed.”
She turned to look at the group of black-robed figures and smiled, “I, Nanling Zhao, want to see today if the Xiao family can truly cover the sky with one hand.”
The lead black-robed figure said, “Nanling Zhao, why bother? As far as we know, this person has no relation to you. Why get involved in this whirlpool for him? If you won’t think of yourself, at least think of your Nanling clan. If you leave today, consider it a favor we owe to the Nanling family.”
Nanling Zhao laughed, “In today’s world, many things go wrong because of various ‘favors.’ For the sake of your Xiao family ancestors, I advise you: the Xiao family can still turn back now.”
After a moment of silence, the lead black-robed figure said, “What Xiao family? We don’t understand.”
Nanling Zhao narrowed her eyes, “It seems you intend to silence us.”
The black-robed figure said, “How would we dare kill a patrol inspector?”
As he spoke, he looked at Ye Tianming beside Nanling Zhao. He opened his palm, and a light screen rose from it, showing an image of the Ye family home.
At that moment, on the roof of the Ye family house stood more than a dozen black-robed figures, looking down at all the Ye clan members below.
The black-robed figure said, “Ye Tianming, if you leave with Inspector Nanling Zhao, your entire Ye family will be immediately exterminated, down to the last chicken and dog.”
