CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: NO FREE RIDES

PM, Martial Arts Association Headquarters, Linjiang City.

Though it was late into the night, the building was still ablaze with lights. Due to a major incident in the Lingyun Grotto Heaven, everyone in the Martial Arts Association was forced to cancel their leave and return to work overtime.

The captain of the third enforcement team, Hee Zhongyang, and the vice-captain, Luo Jun, rushed back, barely catching their breath before urgently questioning the guard on duty.

"Where is the person?"

"Already secured."

"What about the item?"

"Couldn’t find it."

Hee Zhongyang’s brows furrowed angrily upon hearing this and he shouted, "What do you mean you couldn’t find it?"

"Captain... there were only two eyewitnesses on the scene, and we’ve thoroughly examined Blood Crow’s body, no trace of the Divine Sword Jade Scroll."

"How is that possible? I don’t believe it!"

Clearly unable to accept this outcome, weeks ago, the Lingyun Grotto Heaven experienced unusual activity, only now learning that Heart Evil Stream members had been secretly active. They infiltrated the depths of the Secret Realm, using unknown means to unlock the ruins of the Divine Feather Sword Sect, bringing out the suspected high-tier martial technique inheritance from the Divine Sword Jade Scroll!

Though it was unclear what martial arts secret techniques the scroll contained, it was certain to be high-tier without exception!

"Aren’t there still eyewitnesses? Search them!"

"Ah? Captain, that would be against procedure."

"Laughable, this is the Martial Arts Association, my word is the procedure!"

......

In the interrogation room, Ye Qingzhou yawned, "I’ve already told you everything I need to. Can I leave now?"

Boom~

The interrogation room door was forcefully pushed open, Hee Zhongyang sneered, "Leave? Without handing over the item, you’re not going anywhere!"

Ye Qingzhou remained expressionless, sitting still, "Item? What item?"

Xu Yuebing, sitting beside him, tried to maintain composure but was too nervous to even breathe.

Hee Zhongyang stared sharply at Ye Qingzhou, his Martial Arts True Qi more overpowering than Inner Breath, pressing down like a mountain, attempting to crush Ye Qingzhou’s spirit, "Playing dumb with me? I advise you to hand it over, it’s not something you can own, don’t bring disaster upon yourself!"

"I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

"Search him for me!"

Just as Hee Zhongyang gave the order, Luo Jun stepped forward to stop him, "Calm down, we’ve verified both their identities, the young man is Ye Qingzhou, his father, Ye Xiangyang, was part of our enforcement team before he went missing. The girl’s identity is unusual too, her surname is Xu, she’s Xu Yunxi’s sister. I advise you not to act recklessly, or facing an invisible sword Qi won’t be pleasant."

"Laughable, am I supposed to fear Xu Yunxi?"

"Oh, really?"

A clear voice like a celestial sound instantly dropping the surrounding temperature, chilling winds blew in.

Xu Yunxi entered, holding a frozen captive in one hand, her cold gaze falling on Hee Zhongyang, invisible Sword Qi silently cutting his face with several bloody lines, "Dare you touch anyone from the Xu family?"

Hee Zhongyang, who had just boasted about not being afraid, now retreated in shock upon seeing Xu Yunxi, his manner switching to fierce yet timid, "Xu Yunxi! What do you think you’re doing? This is the Martial Arts Association!"

"If this weren’t the Martial Arts Association, you’d already be dead."

"These two, I guarantee their protection."

Xu Yunxi was surrounded by a cold moonlight, pale and ethereal, yet everyone in the martial world of Linjiang City knew her famed "Moonlight on the Cold River".

She wasn’t enveloped in moonlight but rather the Shining Moon Sword Light, which, when fully unleashed, could freeze even rivers!

The Linjiang City Martial Arts Association had seven enforcement teams, and Xu Yunxi was undeniably the strongest among the captains.

Confronted with Xu Yunxi’s dominance, Hee Zhongyang had no choice but to leave with his men in defeat.

"Sis!"

"Are you alright?"

"Mm."

Upon seeing Xu Yunxi, Xu Yuebing found her backbone, relaxing instantly and recounting the events truthfully to Xu Yunxi.

Of course, she didn’t mention a word about the whereabouts of the Divine Sword Jade Scroll.

"Thank you for saving my sister."

Xu Yunxi’s bright eyes landed with interest on Ye Qingzhou. Seeing the Flying Frost Sword at his waist, her gaze softened, "You’re Ye Xiangyang’s son?"

"You knew my father?"

"We met a few times. It’s a pity, he was once the most promising martial arts talent in Linjiang City. The Martial Arts Association even planned to train him intensively, having him participate in the New Martial Arts Star Program, but then that accident happened. By the way, you should be careful of Hee Zhongyang."

"Why?"

"Back when exploring the Profound Nether Grotto Heaven, Hee Zhongyang was also present, and he sent out the distress signal. In the end, he only suffered minor injuries, while your father was seriously injured during rescue, his prospects ruined. After this, Linjiang City’s Martial Arts Association had to give up on your father and focused on training Hee Zhongyang instead."

If he were hot-headed, he might be shouting "I want revenge" now.

But Ye Qingzhou had no emotional attachment to his father, Ye Xiangyang, so he didn’t fall for Xu Yunxi’s trap. Instead, he looked at her with a half-smile, "Are you trying to incite me against Hee Zhongyang?"

Xu Yunxi was taken aback by Ye Qingzhou’s unexpected response.

"You suspect I’m lying?"

"Not exactly, what you said was probably true, but the world isn’t just filled with lies to deceive people. Holding back certain truths can also lead impulsive people to make wrong judgments. Hee Zhongyang might have been involved, but back then, did he really have the capability to orchestrate such a scheme? Frankly, he might just be a pawn, someone else doesn’t want to see my father’s rise."

"Interesting."

Initially, Xu Yunxi regarded Ye Qingzhou as an uninformed youth, but now she saw him in a different light.

"Like father, like son. I personally verified Blood Crow’s corpse, decisive action, one sword to behead. The martial arts talent you show far exceeds your father Ye Xiangyang. So, are you interested in marrying into our Xu family?"

"Sis!"

Before Ye Qingzhou could answer, Xu Yuebing protested, blushing as she stepped forward, "I don’t agree!"

She then gave Ye Qingzhou a fierce glare, warning him not to say something foolish.

Ye Qingzhou shrugged, not really caring. To him, there’s nothing wrong with relying on someone else; many people would love the opportunity yet don’t have the chance.

"Actually, I can help you deal with Hee Zhongyang."

Ye Qingzhou’s words left Xu Yunxi surprised, "Didn’t you realize I was trying to use you?"

"You were aiming for a free ride before, of course I refused, but if you offer compensation, that’s different. Moreover, Hee Zhongyang harbors hostility towards me, no matter the reason, I’m not letting him off."

"State your terms."

"Bone Forging Secret Technique."

The condition Ye Qingzhou put forth was no small demand, but Xu Yunxi only pondered briefly before nodding in agreement, "Okay, you’ve slain Blood Crow, who carried a bounty from Divine Gang Dao on his back. Coupled with Ye Xiangyang’s past contributions to the Martial Arts Association, your background check won’t be a problem, and I can utilize my connections to help you apply for the Bone Forging Secret Technique."