: The Godly Constable Explains

Zhu Xuanji arrived with a thunderous presence and left with a howling gust, drawing everyone's attention.

As a Golden Core level cultivator, a member of the royal family, and a nationally renowned constable, his every move was closely watched.

Such a conspicuous action naturally stirred up a storm throughout the city.

Countless people were curious and suspicious: What could have happened to make Lord Zhu Xuanji act so boldly?

Soon, rumors began to spread wildly, and Ning Zhuo abruptly entered the public eye.

Although Ning Zhuo was merely a Qi Refining stage cultivator at the third layer, a closer look revealed an extraordinary background.

He possessed mysterious innate talent and had recently begun to make a name for himself, gaining considerable attention.

Not only had he ousted the young clan leader of the Ning main family, but he had also achieved remarkable, stunning results in exploring the Molten Rock Palace.

Even the Ning family's Golden Core ancestor, Ning Jiufan, thought highly of Ning Zhuo, publicly stating that Ning Zhuo had made contributions to the Ning family.

On one side was Zhu Xuanji; on the other was Ning Zhuo.

What could have happened between these two to make Zhu Xuanji act in such a manner?

For a time, the entire city was intensely curious about the inside story.

After returning to his residence, Zhu Xuanji issued an order summoning the three Golden Core ancestors.

The three ancestors were already curious about Zhu Xuanji's behavior and, upon receiving his summons, gladly went to see him.

Soon, they all gathered before Zhu Xuanji.

After their journey to the Fire-Blend Demon Ape nest, their relationship had grown even closer.

They were natural allies with Zhu Xuanji.

The stance of the three cultivation families of Fire Persimmon Immortal City was to ally with the Southern Bean Royal Family to counter the Meng Family!

If Zhu Xuanji of the royal family could become the master of the Molten Rock Palace, then Fire Persimmon Immortal City could maintain its current state.

If the Meng Family gained control of the Molten Rock Palace, their influence would massively encroach upon Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Eventually, the city would become the private territory of the Meng Family. By then, the three families would have no room to survive and would be forced out.

In the reception hall.

Zhu Xuanji, with a solemn expression, scanned the room and said gravely, "Everyone is here."

"I know you all have questions in your hearts."

"Before we discuss matters in detail, please first sign this oath."

As he spoke, Zhu Xuanji took out a scroll from his chest.

The scroll was of high quality, a treasure at the magical artifact level, resembling an imperial decree from the Southern Bean Royal Family.

Unrolling the scroll would reveal an extremely intricate array on its surface. Occasionally, from certain angles of light, one could glimpse dense array patterns flashing briefly.

Even the three Golden Core ancestors were seeing such a high-quality contract treasure for the first time.

Zhu Xuanji continued, "I ask all present to use this scroll publicly and swear that you have no connection whatsoever with the shadowy demonic cultivator."

Upon hearing this, the three Golden Core ancestors were astonished.

Recently, Zhu Xuanji had stopped investigating the bombing of the Immortal Palace.

His focus had shifted to fully exploring the palace to gain more merit and contributions.

Why was the shadowy demonic cultivator suddenly brought up again?

Although they didn't understand Zhu Xuanji's intentions, the three Golden Core ancestors still followed his request, each holding the decree scroll and swearing the oath publicly.

Seeing the oath established, Zhu Xuanji's expression softened slightly.

"Just as I thought."

He slowly put away the decree and said to everyone, "Since none of you have any secret ties with the shadowy demonic cultivator, I will speak plainly."

"The origin of all this is this Blood Path Diagram Plate."

Zhu Xuanji took out the Blood Path Diagram Plate and handed it to everyone for inspection.

This Blood Path Diagram Plate was of high quality, at the magical artifact level, with a smooth surface.

Zheng Shuanggou, the Golden Core cultivator of the Zheng family, was the first to notice something unusual, a trace of shock appearing in his expression.

"A Blood Path Diagram Plate of such high specifications should originally have recorded a true scripture."

"A true scripture?!" Everyone was surprised.

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly, admitting, "Correct."

"This Blood Path Diagram Plate is a mechanism component I extracted from the body of the Mechanism Demon General."

"The Mechanism Demon General itself has no spiritual nature. But with this diagram plate and the true scripture, it can operate the contents of the scripture and execute the techniques."

"The Mechanism Demon General is confirmed to have combat power at the Golden Core level, meaning the demonic true scripture on this diagram plate is at least Golden Core level as well."

Hearing this, everyone felt greatly excited.

Ning Jiufan stroked his beard and said, "The Three Sects Master lived a life full of unusual hardships and peculiarities, cultivating three different techniques—a rare feat in history. It wouldn't be strange for him to leave behind some demonic technique."

The Zhou family's Golden Core ancestor said, "I've long heard of the so-called Three Sects Supreme Methods. The Three Sects Master left behind a legacy of mechanisms in the Molten Rock Palace, the most valuable of which is the Three Sects Supreme Methods. Besides the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, there are two other techniques, corresponding to the three dantians of the human body."

"Cultivating all three techniques simultaneously allows for the foundation establishment of the three dantians."

"Now that the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art has emerged, perhaps the demonic technique on this Blood Path Diagram Plate is also one of the Three Sects Supreme Methods?"

Zhu Xuanji nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"My thoughts align with yours."

"I am also very curious about the content of the true scripture once recorded on this Blood Path Diagram Plate."

"If I can obtain it, I might be able to catch a glimpse of the Three Sects Supreme Methods and verify whether this rumor is true."

"Additionally, if I recover the true scripture, it would greatly benefit the merit and contributions I receive when submitting the Mechanism Demon General."

"So, I used the Tracing to the Origin Art on this Blood Path Diagram Plate."

"I obtained a crucial clue—in the past, a young ape accidentally came into contact with the damaged Mechanism Demon General."

"Upon touching it, the demonic true scripture actively transferred itself into the young ape's body."

"I wanted to retrieve the true scripture but didn't know what the young ape looks like now."

"So, seven days ago, I secretly sent a letter to the Southern Bean Royal Family seeking help."

"The royal family's cultivators assisted me in deducing the young ape's appearance as an adult and in old age."

"With this image clue, I can enlist the help of the Fire-Blend Demon Ape tribe in the Fire Persimmon Mountain to investigate and search for me."

At this point, Zhu Xuanji couldn't help but look at Ning Jiufan.

Ning Jiufan's face darkened slightly; he immediately understood Zhu Xuanji's meaning.

Since their last exploration of the Fire Persimmon Mountain depths, he had become a guest of honor, highly welcomed by the largest Fire-Blend Demon Ape tribe.

If he出面, bringing this image clue to seek help, the Fire-Blend Demon Ape tribe would most likely assist.

Relying solely on verbal communication, the intelligence of the Fire-Blend Demon Ape tribe might make it difficult for them to understand clearly.

But with this image, they would have a clear and unambiguous subject for investigation.

Zhu Xuanji continued, "Today, I received a reply from the royal family."

"Thus, I learned what the young ape looks like as an adult and in old age."

"The result surprised me—this young ape turned out to be Yuan Dasheng!"

"Yuan Dasheng?" The Golden Core ancestors looked at each other; they hadn't heard of this insignificant figure.

Ning Jiufan asked, "Since Lord Zhu recognizes him, where is this ape now?"

"Yuan Dasheng!" The Zhou family's Golden Core ancestor frowned, a strange expression on his face. "He's already dead."

The other Golden Core ancestors all turned to look at him.

So, the Zhou family's Golden Core ancestor detailed the series of events that had occurred during the Fire Persimmon Festival.

At that time, the shadowy demonic cultivator was nowhere to be found. The City Lord's Manor led the Golden Core ancestors in a thorough search but failed to locate the demonic cultivator, causing the entire upper echelon of Fire Persimmon Immortal City to lose face.

The Zhou family's Golden Core ancestor suspected that Yuan Dasheng's corpse might be hiding someone, so he went with Fei Si and Zhu Xuanji to the Ape Head Gang to investigate.

Upon arrival, they learned that Yuan Dasheng was already dead, so they proceeded to the Flying Disc Mechanism Workshop to confirm Yuan Dasheng's corpse.

"So, Yuan Dasheng's corpse ultimately ended up in Ning Zhuo's hands?" Ning Jiufan was stunned.

Zheng Shuanggou then said with sudden realization, "So that's it! After learning it was Yuan Dasheng, Lord Zhu immediately went to find Ning Zhuo to retrieve the true scripture."

Zhu Xuanji nodded: "But I didn't get it back. Ning Zhuo told me he knew nothing about it."

The three Golden Core ancestors exchanged glances.

The Zhou family's Golden Core ancestor pondered and said, "Lord Zhu possesses the Heavenly Fund Gold Eyes and numerous truth-detecting spells. None of us can conceal lies from him."

"Ning Zhuo is merely a lowly Qi Refining third layer cultivator. If he says he knows nothing, it should be true."

"Then, where did the true scripture go?"

Zheng Shuanggou said, full of doubt, "Yes, if the true scripture isn't on Ning Zhuo, where is it?"

Zhu Xuanji said at this point, "This is the main reason I called you here and had you publicly sign the oath."

Having said that, Zhu Xuanji held the contract decree and swore publicly, "What I say next may not be the complete truth, but it is largely based on my personal experiences, without any falsehood."

After saying this, Zhu Xuanji took a deep breath and began to speak slowly.

"We all know that Ning Zhuo is the inventor of the Mechanism Blaze Ape. He once presented an incomplete version to Chen Cha, the master of the Flying Disc Workshop, for advice. Chen Cha was recruited by Fei Si. After that consultation, Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo reached an agreement for Chen Cha's workshop to produce and sell the mechanism apes."

"Not long after, the shadowy demonic cultivator attempted to approach the Molten Rock Palace and was discovered by Fellow Daoist Zheng Shuanggou. A fierce battle ensued. During the fight, a Blaze Ape carrying a large amount of fire essence bombed the palace, causing the Molten Rock Palace to emerge prematurely, with the bell of law transmission resonating throughout the city."

"Fellow Daoist Zheng Shuanggou personally rescued Ning Zhuo and other Ning family cultivators. Shortly after, the shadowy demonic cultivator appeared near the dungeon. Chi Dun attacked, attempting to capture them, but the demonic cultivator fled into the Fire Persimmon Grove. Fei Si出面, protecting the grove and stopping Chi Dun from pursuing further."

"I began investigating the mechanism apes but found these constructs were ubiquitous in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, selling very well. I also investigated the sales channels for fire essence and found no records of large-scale purchases in the market."

"While I was stuck with no leads, Chi Dun persuaded me, and Fei Si invited me to take action against the shadowy demonic cultivator during the Fire Persimmon Festival. I agreed."

"At the Fire Persimmon Festival... all of you present participated and saw Yuan Dasheng of the Ape Head Gang attacked by over a dozen Mechanism Blaze Apes. The attack was unsuccessful."

"But afterwards, while picking fire persimmons, Yuan Dasheng made a strange mistake, triggering a terrifying explosion. During the explosion, I observed through my Gold Eyes that Yuan Dasheng attempted to use a demonic technique to protect himself but forcefully suppressed it, seemingly unwilling to implicate the son of his former master."

"Moved by his loyalty, I publicly appeared and ordered Fei Si to open the formation. Fei Si was initially unwilling but eventually opened the passage under my insistence. I entered and provided treatment to Yuan Dasheng. The latter gained a slim chance of survival, falling into a coma, and was later carried back to the gang's base by the Ape Head Gang members."

"Fei Si gave his waist token to Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo, carrying the token, went deep into the Ape Head Gang base and persuaded Yuan Er with words to let Yuan Dasheng die without aid. Yuan Dasheng ultimately succumbed to his severe injuries, and Ning Zhuo took his corpse away."

"We searched the Fire Persimmon Grove for the shadowy demonic cultivator but found no trace. Fellow Daoist Zhou suspected someone might be hiding in Yuan Dasheng's corpse, so he went with Fei Si and me to investigate."

"We first went to the Ape Head Gang base, learned that Yuan Dasheng was dead and his corpse taken by Ning Zhuo, then immediately went to Chen Cha's mechanism workshop. When we arrived, Yuan Dasheng's vital blood had already been extracted from his body."

Gasp...

The three Golden Core ancestors all drew sharp breaths.

They understood now!

"It's the City Lord's Manor?!" Zheng Shuanggou said with an expression of disbelief. "So, the shadowy demonic cultivator is from the City Lord's Manor? They bombed the Immortal Palace? But why?"

Zheng Shuanggou looked puzzled: "Before this, the Meng Family had secretly allied with my Zheng Family and the Zhou Family, reaching a private agreement and making plans."

(End of )