In the residence of City Lord.
In the main hall.
The Qingzhou City Lord looked at the man in front of him respectfully.
The man was seven feet tall and was clad in a white robe, with his hair combed suavely. He was extremely handsome, but he covered his eyes with a strip of white cloth.
He was Sikong Jiantian, the genius whom the younger generation of Qingzhou admired. He was also the only sword Dao cultivator in three years who entered the Ten Nations Academy.
Sikong Jiantian’s current status was far more authoritative than the Qingzhou City Lord, and even the royals had to be respectful towards him. In the world of immortal cultivation, his abilities were supreme.
Be it the imperial court or the sect, one would be able to be above all as long as their personal abilities surpassed everything.
“Fellow Daoist Sikong, what brings you here to the City Lord residence?”
The Qingzhou City Lord looked at Sikong Jiantian, extremely polite with his words.
“The traces of the Fiendcelestial Cult are obvious, and I have come here to conduct an investigation. The Fiendcelestial Cult is trying to assassinate the talents of Jin Nation to revive and establish their dominance and power in the Ten Nations. Have there been any changes in Qingzhou city?”
Sikong Jiantian’s tone was calm, and his expression couldn’t be seen because his eyes were covered.
“Fiendcelestial Cult? Have they already appeared?”
However, the Qingzhou City Lord could not help but look surprised, as if he was hearing this news for the first time.
“City Lord, please drop the act. Since you said that you’re here on orders, you must have already gotten hold of the news.”
Sikong Jiantian continued.
“Fellow Daoist Sikong, whose orders did I receive? I really don’t know.”
The Qingzhou City Lord still looked like he was clueless.
After he said that, Sikong Jiantian did not get angry at all. He simply took out a token.
The token was octagonal and made of iron, and the words ‘Heavenly Supervisory’ were written.
The Qingzhou City Lord’s expression instantly changed drastically, and he bowed at Sikong Jiantian with great respect.
“Greetings, Lord.”
The Qingzhou City Lord, Chen Zheng, looked extremely respectful, even more so than before. Previously, he was respectful because of the identity of Sikong Jiantian, but now, he was respectful because he was his subordinate.
He really did not expect that Sikong Jiantian, who was in front of him, had actually joined the Great Xia Dynasty Heavenly Supervisory.
Indeed, it was the Great Xia Dynasty Heavenly Supervisory.
It was an important institution of the Grand Xia Dynasty that was above the Ten Nations.
The so-called Heavenly Supervisory Court actually monitored heaven and earth on behalf of Heaven. Besides, they had the authority to act before reporting, and the lower levels would control the livelihood of farmers and agricultural businesses while the higher authorities would manage the court officials.
Besides, once the orders were given, the immortal sects of Great Xia Dynasty would have to cooperate fully, and those who did not comply would face the death penalty. That was the terror of the Heavenly Supervisory.
However, the Heavenly Supervisory was not something that ordinary people could enter. Only talented elites would have the chance to be spotted by the Heavenly Supervisory. However, even then, they might not be given a position.
That was also the reason for the drastic change in Chen Zheng’s expression when he saw the token.
In the Ten Nations, there was a saying that roughly meant that one would rather join the Heavenly Supervisory than become the king of a nation.
To Chen Zheng, the Heavenly Supervisory was extremely far from him. In fact, he was worlds apart.
Even the crown prince of Jin Nation could not compare to the most ordinary envoys of the Heavenly Supervisory.
After putting away the token, Sikong Jiantian did not put on airs just because he was from the Heavenly Supervisory. Instead, he acted as per normal.
“You can say it now, right?”
Sikong Jiantian asked.
“Lord Sikong, a few months ago, the Jin Nation imperial court has issued a notice of the deployment of 3,000 elite cavalries who will be ambushed in Qingzhou Ancient City. However, due to the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet, there are a lot of people in the ancient city and it’s difficult to investigate one by one. Currently, there are no traces of the Fiendcelestial Cult yet.”
The Qingzhou City Lord answered truthfully.
“Still no traces found yet?”
Sikong Jiantian sounded a little puzzled, but after thinking about it, he continued, “That’s true, the Fiendcelestial Cult is very smart. They should have long found out about your department, and I reckon they are going to take action either during the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet or when it comes to an end.”
“City Lord, you still have to take control these days. If you’re outside the city, it’d be fine. But if you get into a fight in the city, you probably will not be able to keep your status as the City Lord if any talent dies.”
Sikong Jiantian said calmly.
After he said that, Chen Zheng immediately replied.
“I will protect the juniors of Qingzhou even if I have to die. I won’t let the beasts of the Fiendcelestial Cult get their way. However, since you’re here this time, I doubt the Fiendcelestial Cult would dare to launch a sudden attack. After all, you are famous in the Ten Nations, who would dare to go against you?”
Chen Zheng was also sucking up to Sikong Jiantian by saying that.
However, Sikong Jiantian laughed lightly, as if he was enjoying the bootlicking. He soon shook his head.
“No, the Fiendcelestial Cult will definitely launch a surprise attack in Qingzhou precisely because I’m here. Their plan is to assassinate geniuses, so as to assert their dominance in the Ten Nations. If they kill plenty of ordinary geniuses, it will be meaningless. But if they assassinate me, it will be different. I’m a Sword Dao genius who is famous in the Ten Nations. If I die at the hands of the Fiendcelestial Cult…”
Sikong Jiantian did not continue, but Chen Zheng understood what he meant.
Chen Zheng immediately said respectfully, “I didn’t expect you to risk your life and use yourself as a bait to lure the Fiendcelestial Cult. I’m really impressed!”
“Oh, no, Lord, you taking the risk personally is akin to the Buddha cutting his flesh to feed it to the vultures. Lord Sikong, you’re so noble.”
“I’ll have someone set up a banquet to honor your act of nobility.”
Chen Zheng was bootlicking seriously and his words were extremely mushy, making one feel extremely… uneasy.
However, Sikong Jiantian shook his head.
“That’s not necessary. Also, you don’t have to think that well of me, I’m just following orders. I’m not that noble.”
“Okay, since I’ve already found out about the situation, I’ll leave now.”
Sikong Jiantian wasn’t pretentious at all as he said his true thoughts without hiding or pretending.
“Take care, Lord Sikong.”
“By the way, Lord Sikong, your participation in the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet this time is just a front, right?”
Chen Zheng personally sent Sikong Jiantian away, but in the end, he got a little curious and asked Sikong Jiantian about the matter.
“Sort of, but not necessarily. I’ve been studying a new sword technique lately, and I plan to test the strength of the juniors in Qingzhou. However, you can rest assured that I know my limits and I won’t bully them.”
“By the way, City Lord, don’t tell anyone of my identity. Otherwise, it will cause unnecessary problems.”
Sikong Jiantian was very polite.
On the other hand, Chen Zheng nodded, surprised and flattered.
Just like that, the second day arrived in the blink of an eye.
On the following day.
The Qingzhou Ancient City was already lively.
Ye Ping, who hadn’t slept at all last night, also picked up his Green Moon flying sword and headed to the Sword Dao Meet alone.
Su Changyu’s turn was scheduled for seven in the morning, and he planned to get some rest so he told Ye Ping to go alone.
At this moment, the venue of the Sword Dao Meet was already crowded with people.