Rogue 010

Master, what should we do? a disciple asked.

The sect leader narrowed his eyes. Since ancient times, good and evil cannot coexist. Wait here; I will go meet him.

Regarding his arrival, Zuo Qianqiu merely glanced up, paused for a brief moment, and then instructed his subordinates to attend to him.

The sect leader had come specifically to pick a fight. He was confident that his martial arts had reached a new level, while Zuo Qianqiu had not improved for years and would no longer be his match. However, the other party completely ignored his simple verbal provocations.

Even the demonic cult disciple who introduced the goods to him kept a smiling face the entire time, making him feel rather awkward.

Glancing back at the numerous disciples outside the shop, he finally stopped looking for excuses and kicked a nearby table flying. Fortunately, Zuo Qianqiu was prepared. With a flash, he steadily caught the airborne table, though unfortunately, the medicinal herbs on it were scattered across the floor.

The bustling trading company instantly fell silent, and everyone looked at him in bewilderment.

Being stared at by so many people made Yan Yiliu somewhat smug. Audacious demonic cult, to actually hide in the busy market! You have all been fooled! They belong to the demonic cult!

The scene he expected did not occur. Instead, the crowd collectively let out a dismissive scoff.

At first, no one knew the background of the Four Seas Trading Company. But as time passed, the commoners all learned that the Zhetian Cult was behind it. In the past, their understanding of the Zhetian Cult came from the mouths of storytellers, painting them as villains who committed all kinds of atrocities. However, ever since they found out that the man who smilingly balanced the books every day was a high-ranking official of the Zhetian Cult, the people lost their previous wariness.

This is the demonic cult? You are saying this old man is from the demonic cult?

Magistrate Fang even personally wrote a plaque for him. Could this really be a demonic cult?

No matter how bad the demonic cult's reputation was, with Fang Zhiyi taking their side, who would think the demonic cult were the bad guys?

Yan Yiliu felt a bit humiliated. Believing that everyone was currently deceived, he simply waved his hand grandly. Today, my Twin Blades Sect will settle things with you once and for all! Despicable demonic cult!

The disciples who had long been prepared swarmed in, and the customers fled at the sight. But to Yan Yiliu's surprise, Zuo Qianqiu also turned and ran, and the cult members in the shop scattered in all directions.

Naturally, he could not let this demon escape, so he pursued closely all the way, until... he saw Zuo Qianqiu rush into the county government office.

Yan Yiliu laughed out of sheer anger. A dignified demonic cult—bah, a shameless demonic cult actually reported to the authorities! If word got out, it would be an absolute disgrace!

He was not afraid of the imperial court or the local authorities. The officials of the Western Shu Kingdom only knew how to line their pockets; they would never bother with a place like Yang City.

But soon, a squad of soldiers rushed out from the county office.

Yan Yiliu stood with his hands behind his back, allowing the soldiers to form a perimeter around him. He was confident in his skills, knowing that even without a weapon, he could easily slaughter his way through this loose encirclement.

That was until a young man walked out of the main gate.

Twin Blades Sect, Yan Yiliu, is it? the young man said in a relaxed tone.

What if I am? The imperial court and the martial underworld have always stayed out of each other's affairs. Now that my Twin Blades Sect is eradicating demonic cultists, you actually dare to harbor them. Aren't you afraid of being cursed by the people of the world? Yan Yiliu's face was stern.

No, no, no, no. I do not know of any demonic cult. As you can see, I am not a man of the martial underworld, so I simply want to reason with you. They paid their taxes, so naturally, they can do business here. As far as I know, your Twin Blades Sect also has shops in Yang City, do you not?

Yan Yiliu looked at the young man in confusion and did not answer.

Whether you are people of the martial underworld or commoners, once you enter Yang City, you must follow the rules. Fighting and killing all day long makes it impossible to live a normal life.

Yan Yiliu raised his hand to cut off Fang Zhiyi's words. Cut the nonsense. Hand over the demonic cult remnants, and I will leave!

Fang Zhiyi shook his head. You did not understand my meaning. He narrowed his eyes. As long as they are in Yang City, do not cause trouble, and pay their taxes on time, they are citizens of Western Shu. When a citizen is being chased and killed, reporting to the authorities is the most reasonable action. Since he has reported it, I naturally cannot ignore it.

You... Yan Yiliu took a step forward, causing the soldiers at the scene to tense up.

Fang Zhiyi did not retreat; instead, he took a step forward to meet him. What? Could it be that Sect Leader Yan wishes to kill me? He spread his arms. This official certainly cannot defeat you in a fight. You are more than welcome to kill me.

Hiding in the shadows, Wang Ergou was about to rush out but was firmly held back by Zuo Qianqiu.

Yan Yiliu hesitated. Just then, the Flying Fire Sect and his own disciples hurried over. Seeing the mighty crowd of his own people, Yan Yiliu regained his resolve.

But Fang Zhiyi did not yield, maintaining his previous demeanor. As the magistrate and parent official of Yang City, it is only natural for me to protect the citizens. Everyone, tell me, is that not so?

Only then did Yan Yiliu realize that, at some point, a large number of commoners had gathered around, alongside the soldiers and his allies. Hearing Fang Zhiyi's words, they shouted in unison, The Magistrate is heroic! The Magistrate is heroic!

Yan Yiliu found himself in an awkward position. With so many people watching, he could neither attack nor stand down.

Do you really want to lose your life for harboring the demonic cult? he could only threaten once more.

Fang Zhiyi suddenly lowered his voice. Sect Leader Yan... murdering an imperial official in broad daylight is no longer a matter of the martial underworld. You must know, your fighting and killing is at most considered banditry, and it is certainly not easy for the local soldiers to apprehend you. But if I die here, it becomes a rebellion. Do you really think the hundreds of thousands of border troops are just for show?

Or perhaps, Sect Leader Yan, you can kill everyone here? Fang Zhiyi waved his hand casually. Yan Yiliu inexplicably felt a chill; the commoners were glaring at them with anger.

Fine! Zuo Qianqiu, listen well! My Twin Blades Sect will not rest until you are dead! He had backed down, but he still had to deliver his parting threats.

Watching these martial artists leave unwillingly, the commoners erupted into cheers. It was the first time they had seen these high-flying heroes suffer a defeat. Fang Zhiyi smugly bowed to the crowd.

Yan Yiliu was bursting with anger. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? To be forced back by a mere county magistrate—if word got out, his reputation would be ruined! It was especially unbearable seeing the contempt in the eyes of the Flying Fire Sect members who had arrived with him.

But he discovered a loophole.

The demonic cult is actually colluding with corrupt imperial officials! Men, spread this news! I want to see if the demonic cult can still show their faces after this!

News within the martial underworld had its own channels of dissemination, and such rumors were particularly thrilling.

For a time, cries of crusade against the demonic cult echoed endlessly throughout the martial underworld. However, this brought misery to the cult leader and others at the Zhetian Cult's headquarters. They looked at each other in dismay, completely dumbfounded by the news. The branch had always paid its dues on time, and their reports were completely normal. How did they end up colluding with the imperial court?

I mean, it is fine if you insult us for being a demonic cult, but if you say we are colluding with the imperial court, that is a direct insult to us!