Chapter 122: Shameless Conduct

Headquarters of the Management Bureau.

Two young cultivators from the Jade Cauldron Sect were engaged in conversation with the Bureau’s Director-General. Facing this high-ranking official of the Huaxia Management Bureau, the two youths from the Jade Cauldron Sect maintained a relaxed demeanor, speaking with complete casualness.

"Director Xu, the reason we are willing to resolve this matter through these channels is that we do not wish to directly violate the rules of the mortal realm. However, this does not mean we cannot do so, or that we would not."

The speaker was a square-jawed youth. He looked earnestly at the silver-haired, scholarly-looking man in his sixties—the Director-General of the Management Bureau, a man who had dedicated his entire life to the organization. He possessed wisdom and tactical skill, knew how to exercise restraint, and could perform maneuvers that would leave simple, kind-hearted people stunned; yet, he also held his own principles and bottom lines.

He had never met Song Yue in person, but that did not stop him from admiring the young man’s drive, passion, justice, and kindness.

Hearing the merciless accusation, his expression remained largely unchanged. He merely smiled faintly and said, "You are being a bit unfair. According to your own claims, our young branch director seems to possess the ability to enter and exit secret realms at will. If so, given how vast this world is, where could he not go? If he truly wanted to run, would he need us to tip him off?"

"Furthermore, I am not clear on what evidence the two of you have gathered, but in the mortal world, everything must be based on evidence. Even a criminal facing a death sentence is granted his due rights."

"For example, the right to defend himself." He looked peacefully at the formidable cultivators from the world of practice. "One cannot convict others based solely on subjective judgment."

The square-jawed youth frowned. "Evidence, we have it, naturally! And as I emphasized, we came here to talk because we didn't want to disrupt the rules of the mortal realm. Otherwise, wouldn't it be simpler to just go and seize the person ourselves?"

"We need you to bring him to us; then, we will naturally present our evidence. If he has truly been wronged, we will certainly provide compensation. But your people—I suspect they have already contacted that young man by now, haven't they? Are you perhaps advising him to go into hiding?"

The youth stared at the old man. "We are not unreasonable people, nor are we the type to act recklessly. But from you, I have felt no such sincerity; I have only seen you shielding your subordinate."

The handsome youth spoke up. "Forget it. We are trying to follow the rules, but they are unwilling to play along. Let us go. We shall find that person in our own way..." He looked at the silver-haired Director-General, his expression indifferent. "We gave you a chance, but you did not cherish it. Therefore, do not blame the cultivation world for viewing the lives of mortals as ants if anything happens hereafter."

The two youths stood up, ready to depart. Though powerful, they dared not run wild in the headquarters of the Management Bureau. If there were one or two places in the mortal realm that made cultivators wary, the Bureau’s headquarters was certainly one of them.

The silver-haired Director-General remained seated, his expression calm as he began to tell a story. "A while ago, the Li family, the largest cultivation family in Huaxia, colluded with the Tiansong Ancestor of the Heavenly Joy Ancient Sect—a top-tier demonic sect—to raise a large number of demonic cultivators for him..."

The two youths paused, turning back to look at the old man.

"During that time, a series of incidents involving demonic cultivators broke out across Huaxia, resulting in the deaths of many innocent people. Even though the news was suppressed, rumors still circulated, causing widespread panic..."

"What are you trying to say?" the square-jawed youth asked, frowning.

The old man ignored him, continuing in a calm, unhurried tone. "Song Yue, whom you view as a thief who plundered your sect's medicinal garden, stepped in to stop them. He killed many of these demonic cultivators and, in doing so, offended the Li family."

The square-jawed youth tried to interrupt, feeling the old man was clearly just stalling for time. However, the handsome youth seemed to grasp something, signaling his companion to be patient and sending a telepathic message: *Rest assured, that brat cannot run far. It won't hurt to wait a moment!*

The silver-haired Director-General’s calm voice continued. "This matter caused great controversy among the high-ranking officials of Huaxia. The Li family's inhuman actions were unforgivable... everyone agreed on that."

"If we had acted rashly against such a massive family—not to mention the support they had from a demonic sect like the Heavenly Joy Ancient Sect—it would have triggered a series of unpredictable and terrifying consequences."

"But in the end, the Li family fell." He looked up at the two youths and smiled. "Although the mortal realm is weak and our current human civilization is still immature, you should never doubt the courage and resolve of the Chinese people."

"When we are truly determined to do something, no one can stop us!"

"Even if there is thunder rolling above our heads, we believe that the lightning will only strike those who have committed evil deeds!"

The Director-General chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Oh, I am getting old. My speech is long-winded, and I always struggle to get to the point. It is this: the Tiansong Ancestor and his disciple from the Heavenly Joy Ancient Sect both descended into the mortal realm, and they are both dead."

These words struck the two youths like a bolt of lightning.

The silver-haired Director-General added a final blow: "The one who killed them is the master of the person you are looking for. You may think the ceiling of the mortal realm is the Infant Transformation stage, but this perception is quite one-sided, shallow, and rash."

"Although there are many cultivators in this world who do not view themselves as human—considering themselves high and mighty immortals—there are still many powerful beings who emerged from the mortal realm who have not forgotten their roots."

"The Heavenly Joy Ancient Sect may have some skill to have survived in the cultivation world, but..." He looked at them. "Don't you have other things to attend to? My temple is small and cannot accommodate you any longer. Walk slowly; I will not see you out."

The two high-level cultivators from the Jade Cauldron Sect walked out of the headquarters in silence. Once outside, the square-jawed youth growled, "He dared to threaten us!"

The handsome youth’s eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly calmed down. "He wasn't lying. Something truly major happened at the Heavenly Joy Ancient Sect. A group of people suddenly attacked them, killing many and injuring Tiansong, who was already low on longevity."

"I heard about that, but could the root be in the mortal realm?" the square-jawed youth frowned.

The handsome youth nodded. "It seems so. Otherwise, how could these mortals have known?"

"Then what do we do now?" the square-jawed youth asked, frustrated. "Are we to let this mortal keep the medicinal treasures that belong to us?"

"Does the mortal realm not speak of evidence?" the handsome youth said coldly. "What if we don't leave them any evidence at all?"

The square-jawed youth looked at him. "Find that person and take him away directly!"

They were furious. They had assumed that with their status, even if these mortals were unhappy, they would have to swallow their pride and hand the man over. What was evidence? Once they had him, they could use their methods to interrogate him and recover the treasures—wouldn't they have all the evidence they needed then? They never expected the old man to delay them and then issue a direct threat. They were not fools; they understood the implied threat in his calm tone.

They decided to head to Hangzhou immediately to find the young man themselves. However, they knew that Huaxia was vast; for two array masters like them to find one person quickly would be difficult. Otherwise, they wouldn't have lowered themselves to ask the Bureau for help.

The square-jawed youth suddenly said, "Doesn't he have a family?"

The handsome youth frowned slightly. The Jade Cauldron Sect was considered a righteous sect in the cultivation world—at least, they considered themselves as such. Using family as a bargaining chip was beneath them.

The square-jawed youth looked at him. "What time do you think it is? Are you still worried about such things? If we go back with only a pile of common herbs and report that the precious treasures are lost, how do you think the sect will view us?"

The handsome youth hesitated, but the square-jawed youth snapped, "If you won't go, I will! I'll take the responsibility myself! I refuse to believe we can't handle a mere mortal!"

The handsome youth sighed. "Fine. But only this once. It is best to avoid such things. If you get used to it, it will eventually backfire on you."

The square-jawed youth nodded. "Of course. After all, we have families too."

He then pulled out a communicator and contacted the Three-Headed Dragon organization. Facing the demands of "immortals" regarding their shared enemy, the organization was highly cooperative. They quickly sent over the information on Song Yue’s mother and sister. Having previously investigated Song Yue, they also thoughtfully included information on others connected to him, such as the Elite Martial Arts Academy and the daughters of the Qian and Wen families.

The two youths were satisfied. They decided to target the mother and sister first. Control them, and Song Yue would have nowhere to run—unless he was a man who abandoned his own kin. But according to the files, he was not that kind of person.

"See?" the square-jawed youth said while riding in a driverless taxi. "Isn't this simple? We shouldn't have gone to that damned Management Bureau in the first place!"

Song Yue was currently downstairs at his company, preparing to see his mother and sister. Those two powerful cultivators made him wary. While he wasn't exactly terrified, he didn't want to face them head-on. From that brief glance, he had captured enough information to know they weren't ordinary cultivators. They were likely high-level experts who had sealed part of their cultivation to stay under the heavenly laws of the mortal realm. He could perhaps handle one, but two? He wasn't that reckless.

He had no intention of taking his family away; they were busy and had responsibilities. He only wanted to check on them and leave behind some pills he had refined. Giving his family enough resources was something he could do now.

The receptionist, who knew Song Yue well, greeted him enthusiastically. She informed him that the President and CEO were in a meeting. "I can take you to the President's office to wait."

Song Yue was about to respond when he suddenly felt a prickle of intuition. He turned around, shocked to see a driverless taxi pull up and two men in long robes step out, exuding an aura of "keep away."

He was surprised they had found this place, but even more furious. He realized he had been too young—he had underestimated the malice of human nature. With the Three-Headed Dragon involved, it was no surprise they had found the location. But that two high-level cultivators would use such base, shameful tactics to force him out was an eye-opener.

To them, mortals were truly just ants. They were cold-blooded, ruthless, and shameless—devoid of humanity.

*To hell with the "righteous sects" of the cultivation world!*

He smiled at the receptionist. "Go ahead and get back to work. I've run into a couple of acquaintances; I'll go have a chat with them and be right back."

He walked outside. Since he had encountered them, there was no reason to hide. He was actually relieved he hadn't left yet. If they hadn't found him, what might they have done to his mother and sister? The thought made his blood boil.

He began to calculate the odds of taking them both down. The chances were slim, but he was prepared to try.