CHAPTER 588: CHAPTER 598: A CHANGE OF FORTUNE

"Department Director Wei..." Mao Wu Mountain Master trembled violently twice. "Oh my heavens, such an esteemed figure, why would he come to our Medicinal Herb Mountain number 106? Could it be that our Medicine Mountain’s harvest is outstanding this year, surpassing all other Medicine Mountains? Is Department Director Wei personally here to commend us?"

Yang Tianbao, this fellow, puffed out his chest with pride, casting his gaze haughtily around him. "Hehe, speaking of which, this year I, Yang, have submitted a full eight thousand-year-old medicinal herbs. Perhaps Department Director Wei has come specifically for me."

Manager Wang He was also unwilling to show weakness, stroking his beard as he took over the conversation. "Hehe, Manager Yang has performed remarkably, handing over eight thousand-year-old medicinal herbs, but Wang is not far behind. I have also submitted five thousand-year-old medicinal herbs and a dozen rare medicinal herbs."

Both men were more proud than the other, both believing that Department Director Wei had come to personally commend them.

"Quick, quick, everyone immediately go to the gate to welcome Department Director Wei!" Mao Wu Mountain Master also couldn’t be bothered to deal with Chu Feng any longer but hurriedly stood up and strode toward the gate.

Not only does Department Director Wei hold a distinguished status, but he also holds an extremely high position in both the Inner and Outer Sects.

Moreover, he is known for his impartiality and being a busy man. It was the first time he had personally visited the lower Medicine Mountains for inspection.

"This is indeed a great honor! I didn’t expect that I, the Mountain Master, would receive it. It seems I’m not far from promotion," Mao Wu Mountain Master excitedly flushed with joy, his face beaming with happiness.

At the same time, there was a hint of nervousness.

After all, Department Director Wei’s fearsome reputation was well-established, known for his firmness and ruthlessness.

The number of cases he had decisively handled were countless. Not to mention the dozens, if not a hundred, high-ranking officials from the Outer and Inner Sects who had fallen at his hands.

As for the lesser figures, they were too numerous to count.

At this moment, the one who appeared the most composed was Chu Feng.

A faint smile emerged from the corners of his mouth. The moment had finally arrived, earlier than he had anticipated.

And he hadn’t expected Department Director Wei to arrive in person.

Chu Feng had done his research on Department Director Wei beforehand and was certain that this was not an issue that Department Director Wei would ignore. If the two strains of mutant Black God Mushrooms were altered into ordinary medicinal herbs, and no one in the Pharmaceutical Department noticed,

It would mean that the Pharmaceutical Department was grossly incompetent.

Chu Feng’s confidence and daring stemmed from his thoroughly calculated plans. Even if no one in the Pharmaceutical Department discovered the truth, Chu Feng had another strategy. He would find an opportunity to present the medicine directly to Elder Zi Xu.

Just the same, he could doom Mao Wu, Administrative Officer Cheng, and others.

"We warmly welcome Department Director Wei and all the distinguished guests!" Mao Wu Mountain Master put on a very low stance.

Bowing and saluting, his face bore a flattery and passionate smile.

Administrative Officer Cheng behaved just like a tail-wagging, fawning dog, with expressions and postures even more obsequious than Mao Wu Mountain Master, nearly licking the ground with his tongue.

"It seems everyone from Medicine Mountain is here! Very good!"

Wei Wuxie, with a solemn expression, devoid of any smile, resembled King Yan who had stepped out of Yama Hall.

"Who here is Mao Wu Mountain Master?"

"I am Mao Wu!" Mao Wu Mountain Master was ecstatic, convinced the visit was indeed for his sake. This made it hard not to ascend to great heights.

"And who is the Chief Clerk?" Wei Wuxie’s cold gaze swept over Mao Wu before he continued to ask.

"It is me!" Master Cheng The Third was quick-witted as well, having already heard of Department Director Wei’s temperament, he did not waste words to avoid provoking any displeasure from him.

"Department Director Wei, you must have come to commend us! I, Yang Tianbao, am one of the managers of this Medicine Mountain, and this year I have turned in eight thousand-year-old medicinal herbs!"

Yang Tianbao, fearful of missing his chance to be noticed, hurriedly introduced himself to Department Director Wei with a smile.

"Indeed! I am here this time to commend a few individuals!" Wei Wuxie nodded slightly.

Hearing Master Wei’s words, Mao Wu and his associates felt their hearts soar. Each of them had joy written all over their faces.

Fang Youming and the others, however, shook their heads and sighed repeatedly, lamenting that the heavens were blind to allow the wicked to prosper.

From now on, with Mao Wu Mountain Master amassing power, their days would likely be even harder.

"Scoundrel Wang He, also one of the Managers, handed over no small number of thousand-year-old medicinal herbs this year!" Wang He’s smile was radiant.

"Where are the Law Enforcement Hall disciples? Seize these four men for me!"

Mao Wu Mountain Master was indifferent just moments ago but suddenly his face was filled with evil qi.

"Ah... What is Master Wei doing? What offense have we committed?" Mao Wu Mountain Master dared not resist, yet the wonderful feeling of plummeting from heaven to hell turned his face instantly pale.

"What offense? Don’t you know what you’ve done yourselves?"

Master Wei was bristling with killing aura.

Mao Wu shuddered violently, his heart skipping a beat. He began to sense that something was very wrong.

Nobody expected the situation to change so swiftly and dramatically.

Fang Youming and the others all broke into smiles.

It seemed that the heavens were not blind after all, sparing them a needless alarm. Master Wei, recognized as the most famous Judge of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, truly lived up to the reputation of ’Qingtian’.

The Law Enforcement Hall experts had already captured Mao Wu and the others, their cultivations suppressed, leaving them powerless to resist.

"Master Wei, spare my life, please! I truly do not know what crime I’ve committed. I beg for clarification!"

Wang He was the first to crumble under pressure, crying and begging for mercy.

"It seems you people will not shed tears until you see the coffin. Truly unrepentant even at death’s door." Wei Wuxie, seeing these men still defiant, grew even more furious. "Bring forth the table! Set up the Punishment Hall right here! I, as Department Director, will make these people die with a clear understanding of their crimes!"

Wei Wuxie’s subordinates immediately entered the Mountain Master Hall and began to look for tables and chairs.

They were to set up a temporary Punishment Hall here.

"If Master Wei’s person of commendation isn’t Mao Wu and his associates, then who could it be?" Fang Youming and Qiu Gong began to speculate about who Master Wei intended to commend.

Who could it be? Who caught Master Wei’s discerning eye?

In the brief moment of everyone’s wild guesses, the Punishment Hall had been set up.

Wei Wuxie sat in front of the case, flanked by the Law Enforcement Hall experts. Immediately, an air of unique solemnity and chilling authority of the Punishment Hall was established.

"Mountain Master Mao Wu, Administrative Officer Cheng The Third, you abused your authority, oppressed dissenters..." Wei Wuxie skipped the trial process entirely and directly read out the charges against the men.

"Injustice! Since I took office as Mountain Master, I’ve always been diligent in my duties, never engaging in the suppression of dissenters. Along with the two Vice Mountain Masters, Fang Youming and Qiu Gong, we’ve worked together to manage the No. 106 Medicine Mountain, always acting fairly and justly."

Mao Wu vehemently denied the accusations.

He would never admit guilt, convinced that charges like suppressing dissenters were baseless and that mere denial would be enough to stymie Wei Wuxie.

"I, too, can vouch for the Mountain Master! There has never been any suppression of dissenters!" Administrative Officer Cheng was full of righteous indignation and also claimed innocence.

"Hmph, birds of a feather, all tarred with the same brush. You still dare to argue here?"

"The accounts are all here, recorded clearly. As for the medicinal herbs collected this year, only thanks to my personal verification did we uncover your heinous crimes. The medicinal herbs under the management of Steward Chu Feng, without exception, all faced suppression."