Sage of Humanity

"This old man is Zhou Ze, the elder in charge of external affairs for the Zhou family." The goatee-bearded old man spoke with a smile, "May I ask how you two address yourselves?"

"Niu Meng!"

Zhou Ze nodded slightly, "So it's Fellow Daoist Niu. Observing your extraordinary demeanor and uncommon aura, may I inquire where you hail from and where you currently hold office?"

"My brother and I are merely independent cultivators." Lu Ye continued to fabricate stories.

Zhou Ze's smile remained, "I see, among independent cultivators, those of your age with such cultivation are indeed rare talents emerging among the generations! Since you have come as guests to Dingtian City, may I fulfill the host's responsibility?"

Lu Ye squinted at him, then seemingly inadvertently glanced around, and said flatly, "I was not aware the Zhou family is so hospitable."

All around, there were already numerous cultivators closely monitoring the situation here, and under Lu Ye's mental consciousness, their movements were naturally exposed. Although Xiao Xinghe's perception wasn't as clear, he also vaguely sensed something and appeared vigilant.

Zhou Ze laughed heartily, "My Zhou family has always forged wide connections with heroes from all around. Fellow Daoist should know that a noble family is not like a sect, finding footing in the Nine Provinces is not easy."

Lu Ye nodded slightly, "In that case, we must impose upon you a bit."

"Please!" Zhou Ze turned sideways, gesturing with his hand.

Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe both walked by with their hands on their sabers, without looking sideways as they passed by him.

Soon, in a large manor within the city, the three descended. Zhou Ze led them to a side hall, where they sat down as hosts and guests, while attendants served tea.

Lu Ye and his companion sat immobile, while Zhou Ze spoke warmly, "I am a straightforward man, not one for beating around the bush. I invited you two over today because I am sincerely delighted by your talents. You two are young and promising, with a great future ahead. Although my Zhou family is situated in a remote location, we greatly enjoy making connections with heroes from everywhere. Would you two be willing to render your services to my Zhou family?"

"My brother and I are just passing through; we will leave shortly. Elder's goodwill, I appreciate it," Niu Meng replied.

Zhou Ze said, "Fellow Daoist Niu, don't be in a hurry to refuse. Though I am of family birth, I understand the hardships of independent cultivators. If you two are willing to work for my Zhou family, rest assured, we won't treat you poorly."

As he said this, he gently clapped his hands.

Immediately, two beautiful young maids entered from outside, each carrying a tray. They walked up to Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe, placed two storage sacks from the trays before them, respectfully bowed, and then withdrew.

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, "What does the elder mean by this?"

Zhou Ze smiled slightly, "Why don't you two take a look first?"

Lu Ye picked up a storage sack and opened it. It was filled with top-grade Spirit Stones, plenty of elixir pills used for cultivation, and even a magic-artifact class treasure.

"The Zhou family is truly generous!" Lu Ye put down the storage sack in his hand. Even though he was accustomed to seeing wealth, he was still surprised by the Zhou family's generosity. The contents of the storage sack were indeed substantial, and a great draw for any True Lake Realm cultivator.

"The Zhou family's generosity depends on the person," Zhou Ze stroked his beard with his hand, "You two surely have a bright future ahead. Even if you don't join the Zhou family in its service today, forming a good relationship is beneficial. We are a noble family and understand the drawbacks of family cultivation, naturally realizing that more friends mean more paths."

"That's indeed true." Lu Ye nodded.

"Does Fellow Daoist Niu agree? It seems Zhou Kui was right."

"Zhou Kui?" Lu Ye frowned, wondering why this unfamiliar name suddenly came up.

"Zhou Kui is a disciple of the Zhou family, currently serving in the Bingzhou Justice Department's Law Enforcement Hall as a squad leader."

Lu Ye then laughed, realizing that's why this old man suddenly mentioned Zhou Kui, it was an expectation all along.

Being people from the same Justice Department's Law Enforcement Hall, and with Zhou Kui as a squad leader, those who came on duty in the past had to give some face, coupled with the Zhou family's warm hospitality, even tasks previously taken by law enforcement teams came to a halt.

Law enforcement teams' deployments don't always yield results. Throughout Bingzhou, there are numerous cultivators, many violating guard discipline. Most are unreported, unpursued, and countless tasks in the Hunting Pavilion remain unresolved, so what significance is there in someone like Zhou Wang?

Even the Nightingales here have been secretly bribed by the Zhou family.

In such a scenario, how could Zhou Wang face judgment?

Sipping a cup of tea lightly, Lu Ye spoke, "Is this how the Zhou family gets the law enforcement teams that come on duty to retreat?"

The smile on Zhou Ze's face slowly vanished, staring at Lu Ye, "What is Fellow Daoist Niu saying? This old man doesn't understand."

"Whether you understand or not, it matters not to me." Lu Ye placed down the tea cup in his hand and turned to instruct Xiao Xinghe, "Third Senior Brother, the Zhou family intends to bribe the law enforcement team on duty; gather the evidence of people and items, and report back to Lord Department Chief."

"Yes!" Xiao Xinghe grabbed the two storage sacks and stuffed them into his bosom.

Zhou Ze abruptly stood up, "Fellow Daoist Niu, the path is beneath your feet, do not walk a narrow path!"

Lu Ye also stood up, raising the guard token at his waist, "The Justice Department's Law Enforcement Hall is executing a task, anyone who obstructs shall be killed without mercy according to guard discipline!"

Lu Ye wasn't sure if guard discipline included such a rule; he's not familiar with it. But the work of the law enforcement team is to offend people. Zhou Wang's brawl affected numerous mortals, treating human lives as trivial—how could such a cultivator be allowed to get away?

Since Lu Ye accepted the task, he was determined to fulfill it.

Zhou Ze clearly knew their identity long ago, but he feigned ignorance because he claimed to be the independent cultivator Niu Meng.

Although Lu Ye could still maneuver, he did not plan to waste much time here. If he wanted a quick resolution, he must lay everything on the table.

Looking at the guard token in Lu Ye's hand, Zhou Ze's expression shifted several times; he never expected the visitor's stance to be so unyielding this time.

Previously, there were also two law enforcement teams that came, but Zhou Ze managed to resolve them with similar tactics, ensuring Zhou Wang was unharmed.

No matter what, cultivators are also human. Those cultivators who came to enforce the law had to consider the Zhou family's face or Zhou Kui's face.

Lu Ye had no knowledge of Zhou Kui. He hadn't been in the Justice Department for long and only knew the members of the A-3 squad.

With a shout, Lu Ye headed straight outside, walked out of the main hall, took out the tracking disc, confirmed its direction, and rushed deep into the Zhou family estate with Xiao Xinghe following closely.

There Zhou Wang... was hidden deep within the manor.

Nightingale, not having seen Zhou Wang's whereabouts for the past year, might not be lying. The Zhou family knew of Zhou Wang's crimes, so they concealed him internally. If he did not show himself, Nightingale would never see him.

But Nightingale definitely knew Zhou Wang's location.

As they went, they encountered many Zhou family cultivators along the way. These people had clearly received orders, knowing the consequences of openly obstructing Justice Department officials. They did not trouble Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe but followed them with a watchful gaze.

In no time, nearly a hundred Zhou family cultivators were following them, with more coming from all directions, gradually increasing in numbers.

Until they reached a small courtyard, numerous cultivators finally blocked their path ahead.

Lu Ye paused, his aura surged, and he shouted fiercely, "Law Enforcement Hall is on duty, who dares to obstruct!"

The shout from the two carried the momentum of thousands of troops.

Many Zhou family cultivators showed a difficult expression immediately.

Just two True Lake Realm cultivators would not be feared by the Zhou family, but Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe were members of the Justice Department's Law Enforcement Hall, posing a dilemma.

They were facing not only Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe but also the Justice Department behind them.

Zhou Ze soared and landed in front of Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe, his expression solemn: "Gentlemen, this is the forbidden land of our Zhou family, please do not trespass. We have no objection to your duties here and will cooperate, but if you dare to trespass the forbidden land, our Zhou family will not allow it."

Lu Ye stared at him, and replied coldly, "If you don't want us to intrude, hand over Zhou Wang, and I'll take him away!"

"Zhou Wang is no longer with the Zhou family."

"I received definite news that Zhou Wang is hiding inside."

"I say no, you say yes, then you must present evidence; otherwise, our Zhou family's forbidden land is not open to everyone!"

"This is the evidence!" Lu Ye raised his hand and threw out the tracking disc hidden in his sleeve.

Zhou Ze caught it, his face changed, clearly recognizing the tracking disc.

He never expected the Justice Department to be so extravagant in executing tasks, actually using a tracking disc to catch someone, an unprecedented event.

"Out of the way!" Lu Ye stepped forward, intending to charge into the courtyard.

"Block them!" Seeing Lu Ye truly intend to force his way in, Zhou Ze shouted angrily.

Immediately, someone flew out, thrusting a sword at Lu Ye, imposing and forceful, with True Lake Level 7 cultivation.

"Bold!" Lu Ye glared, drew the Boulder Mountain Saber, and slashed.

Sword and saber clashed, accompanied by a muffled groan, blood splattered in the air.

Shock filled the eyes of many Zhou family cultivators as the one sent flying was the Zhou family's Level 7 cultivator.

This moment of astonishment left numerous Zhou family cultivators frozen on the spot.

Lu Ye's steps continued uninterrupted, slashing forward through the waves, the Zhou family cultivators blocking ahead promptly retreated.

Xiao Xinghe closely followed, his long saber emitting brilliant flashes, aiding Lu Ye from both sides.

"Surround them!" Zhou Ze shouted in anger.

They could only encircle them. Even if Lu Ye's attack was harsh, the Zhou family dared not harm or kill Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe here. Otherwise, the Justice Department would seek vengeance, and the Zhou family, even as a 3rd grade family, wouldn't withstand its wrath.

In an instant, numerous Zhou family cultivators surrounded them, encasing Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe tightly.

Zhou Ze continued to shout angrily, "Apologies to you both, this is our Zhou family's forbidden land, truly cannot be trespassed. Today's events will be accounted for with the Justice Department in the future. I ask you both to leave swiftly."