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Chapter 859: The Heavens Reaching Church

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

Only after 2 more hours, Zhang Tie had seen the young thief who had stolen his money at the end of a remote alley in a residential area in the east of Youzhou City.

When Zhang Tie arrived here, although it was still windy and snowy, the alley had been surrounded by criminal hunters in solemn, black uniforms with crossbows and sabers in hands like ghosts within 100 m, even on the walls and the roofs.

"Tell them to get off the walls and roofs. The new year is coming, don't scare others!" Before entering the alley, Zhang Tie instructed the one beside him.

After hearing Zhang Tie's words, the one on Zhang Tie's side made a hand gesture while those criminal hunters disappeared from the roofs and walls at once.

The one on Zhang Tie' side who waved his hands towards those criminal hunters was an old man, who looked solemn and a bit aggressive. This old man was Zhang Tie's assistant. When Zhang Tie was not in the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province, this assistant took charge of it.

Actually, this assistant had known Zhang Tie in Huaiyuan Prefecture in Waii Sub-continent. At that time, Zhang Tie returned to Zhang's old mansion after promoting to a knight. Coincidentally, Zhang Haitian's eldest wife was celebrating her birthday. Out of jealousy, some unworthy descendants of Zhang family aroused some filthy troubles in the banquet. In order to clarify his innocence, Zhang Tie fetched Zhang Yuanshan, the grand justice of Golden Sea City; by the way, those unworthy descendants of Zhang family were severely punished.

Given Zhang Yuanshan's position in Huaiyuan Prefecture, Huaiyuan Palace arranged for him to be Zhang Tie's assistant and cooperate with Zhang Tie to handle criminal cases.

Compared to Zhang Tie, Zhang Yuanshan was more experienced in criminal justice. Being severe and capable, he was the best supplement to Zhang Tie.

Count Long Wind was good at choosing people for jobs. During the period when Zhang Tie was not in Youzhou City, under the rule of Zhang Yuanshan, the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province ran orderly and no chaos occurred within the scope of the official duty of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province.

Because of this, Zhang Tie was extremely furious about the malicious impeachment of Gobbling Party.

The alley was piled with some sundries such as hencoops, honeycomb briquet and broken cases. Like other places, even though Taixia Country was good enough and Youzhou City was big enough, there were still poor people in this city. Some families lived in brilliant residences and pavilions while some families only crowded in humble abodes. Here was the second kind of residence.

Even big cities like Youzhou City were not full of fresh flowers or sunshine everywhere. There were also people living in dim places.

Those sundries were covered with snow as thick as 3 cm.

The ground in the alley was a bit dirty, which was muddy, thawy snow caused by numerous people's footsteps. They could even see the clear grains left by the soles of the leopard-headed battle boots of those criminal hunters in Youzhou Province on the snow...

The footmarks on the snowfield also implied that many criminal hunters had entered this alley before Zhang Tie's group arrived.

Even the residents in the neighboring residential area could not imagine that so many ferocious criminal hunters from yamuns could gather in such a remote place one day. Few people with a genial look could do a good job in this profession. Because those who looked genial could never frighten those evil and brutal people.

In such a snowy day, the criminal hunters dispatched by the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province were like black vultures with an awe-inspiring inauspicious qi. The residences in the neighborhood had long closed their curtains. Some brave guys dared only throw stealthy glances at them from behind the curtains.

At the end of the alley, Zhang Tie made a turn and caught sight of that young man whom he had met in the early morning.

Like a section of a deserted broken tree stump, that young man's corpse was lying beside some railway sacks of sundries, facing down. His body had almost been covered by snow.

It became silent in the surroundings.

After letting out a sigh, Zhang Tie squatted down in front of that corpse and turned it over.

Given his angular look, he was just 13 or 14 years old. Zhang Tie found his face had turned totally pale. By contrast, the location of his heart had been covered with blood. Due to the cold weather, his blood had been frozen before flowing out. Therefore, a few blood drops were left on the ground beside his corpse.

He was still looking up at the sky with an anguished and amazed look.

Zhang Tie watched this face seriously as he had not imagined that this juvenile whom he had met in the early morning could become an icy corpse. 'It's just a common crime of theft. He would be set free after being put behind the bars for about a year. Why are you so brutal?' Zhang Tie sighed inside.

"This man is called Lu Xiaoshuang. He had been jobless for many years and lost his family. When the Northeast Military Region decided to build Youzhou City, millions of people poured in the territory of Youzhou City. He followed the contingent of builders in and wanted to seek for a chance to survive himself. He was just a beggar and went on errands for people in the city. 2 years ago, a local ruffian called Wang Wu had him in his care and taught him how to be a thief; Lu Xiaoshuang then survived on theft. 2 hours ago, someone saw Wang Wu and Lu Xiaoshuang enter this alley. Finally, Wang Wu left here alone!" Zhang Yuanshan introduced this thief to Zhang Tie, "Wang Wu's corpse was also discovered in his home. He has already committed suicide by taking poison. Besides Lu Xiaoshuang, 7-8 thieves who worked for Wang Wu had been arrested and were being interrogated!"

Zhang Tie just put his hand on Lu Xiaoshuang's face as if he intended to close Lu Xiaoshuang's eyes.

In others' eyes, Zhang Tie's movement was nothing strange but driven by the mercy. Therefore, although Zhang Tie put his hand on Lu Xiaoshuang's forehead for a couple of seconds, he didn't arouse the doubts of those beside him.

Nobody knew what Zhang Tie was "seeing" and "hearing" in his mind.

Lowering his head as if he was gazing at Lu Xiaoshuang; however, nobody could notice Zhang Tie's glittering, exotic eye light.

After Zhang Yuanshan finished his words, Zhang Tie's fingers slightly trembled. Closely after that, he moved his hand away from Lu Xiaoshuang's face, when the latter's eyes were closed.

Zhang Tie picked himself up before sighing once again with emotions, "Buy a good coffin using the gold coins that he had stolen from me and bury him. Stop interrogating the other thieves. They're just poor people without any reliance. Have people send them to the Righteous Palace in Youzhou City and instruct them with knowledge; Confiscate Wang Wu's family property for public use. Send all the money to the Righteous Palace. Additionally, spare 100,000 gold coins from my compensation this year and send them to the Righteous Palace of Youzhou City too so that the Righteous Palace could have more homeless juveniles and beggars in. Prevent them from being misled by evil people anymore!"

After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Zhang Yuanshan instantly cupped his hands and bowed towards Zhang Tie, "Benevolent Lord!"

It could be said that all the homeless juveniles and beggars across Youzhou City would survive themselves with the 100,000 gold coins donated by Zhang Tie. 100,000 gold coins was not a small figure. Even though they were deposited in the bank, their interests could also afford over 1,000 orphans and beggars each year.

The Righteous Palace of Youzhou City had just been in place lately after Huaiyuan Palace won the competition for the position of provincial governor of Youzhou Province. Of course, as it started from scratch, it could not take many people into its care. Before Youzhou promoted to an established province, there was no Righteous Palace in Youzhou City.

Zhang Tie revealed a smile as if he had forgotten about this "trifle", "Well, let's go back. Take a round across Youzhou City with me. As the new year is coming, we'd better guarantee a peaceful year for the commoners in Youzhou City!"

...

After knowing that the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province was going to leave, a fierce criminal hunter from the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province and the officials from yamuns left with him too. Of course, the orders that Zhang Tie had issued would be executed by someone else.

In over 1 hour, Zhang Tie truly took a round across Youzhou City with those officials and a criminal hunter from the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province facing the heavy wind and snow. Although they were not awe-inspiring enough to arouse a general turmoil like lions in streets, they also scared commoners away.

During the past few hours, Youzhou City had finished a temporary yet sharp "crackdown of evil forces" before the new year festival. As a result, over 100 ruffians who preyed upon people and fattened themselves had to celebrate the new year in the cells. These b*stards were domineering in front of commoners yet were as docile as rats in front of cats facing these criminal hunters and officials from the yamuns.

After taking a round in Youzhou City, Zhang Tie had returned to the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province.

When the others left, Zhang Yuanshan moved closer with a bit more solemn look, "Lord, whatever happened today was a bit weird!"

After rolling his eyes, Zhang Tie revealed a faint smile, "Yup, the moment we wanted to find them, they had been killed. It seems that someone was leaking message from the yamuns. If they keep doing this, even trifles would deteriorate into big events. After the new year, you'd better screen them carefully. Although some officials in the Provincial Court are closely related to people from all walks of life, it's not good if the human relationship is too complex. We'd better dismiss some of them!"

Although Zhang Yuanshan wanted to see something more, Zhang Tie had waved his hand, "No more words. As the new year is coming; don't make our fellows depressed!"

After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Zhang Yuanshan swallowed his words back before bowing towards Zhang Tie and intended to leave. As an experienced person, especially in forbidding agencies like the Provincial Court, he clearly knew what he should speak and do as the assistant of Zhang Tie. Although this event was a bit weird, now that the dean of the Provincial Court didn't want to continue to investigate it in the spring festival, he didn't need to think too much about that. After all, only 2 trivial people had died.

"Ahh, is there any people on duty in the Provincial Court during the spring festival?" Zhang Tie casually asked when he found Zhang Yuanshan was going to leave.

"I will be on duty in the Provincial Court during the spring festival. The officials in the other yamuns would also be on duty by shift."

"That's fine. The deacons and disciples in the Provincial Court from Huaiyuan Palace would better not come back during the spring festival. They should practice more and be familiar with their services. So many forces are gazing at Huaiyuan Palace. If we don't work hard, people will laugh at us. In major agencies like Provincial Court, deacons and disciples of Huaiyuan Palace should make greater achievements!"

"Yes, sir. I will make an arrangement soon!" Zhang Yuanshan received the order.

Zhang Tie nodded as he said with a self-mockery expression,"Today, I planned to show my face to those who had not seen me in the Provincial Court in case of being spoken ill of by them; I've not imagined about such boring things. Alright, I will go back to Jinwu City..."

Although Zhang Tie dared order the disciples and deacons of Huaiyuan Palace to stay in the Provincial Court during the spring festival, nobody dared order Zhang Tie to do the same. Even Zhang Taixuan dared not say such words to Zhang Tie.

...

After half an hour, Zhang Tie left Youzhou City by airship under the gazes of the officials from the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province.

After traveling to Youzhou City, Zhang Tie made the officials in the Provincial Court cheer up; besides, the number of thefts across Youzhou City would greatly reduce for sure during the new year festival.

Watching Zhang Tie boarding the airship, someone in the Youzhou City let out a sigh of relief.

In the airship, Zhang Tie's eyes flickered and revealed a bit cold light as he saw Youzhou City diminishing under his foot. At the same time, he pursed his mouth tightly.

His subordinates told him that his purse and gold coins had been discovered and even showed them to him. The purse and the gold coins inside it were both real; even the quantity of the gold coins remained unchanged; however, Zhang Tie knew that those gold coins didn't belong to him as the gold coins that he had marked with tracing tentacles were still in a place in Youzhou City.

After Lu Xiaoshuang submitted the gold coins, those gold coins had long been shifted among them for two rounds.

Those people were strictly organized at a high efficiency.

After following Wang Wu for so many years, Lu Xiaoshuang had known something more or less.

Especially before his death...

In the last moment, Lu Xiaoshuang saw Wang Wu's face which suddenly turned grim, closely followed by a sharp pain.

When Lu Xiaoshuang fell down, he heard another strange voice talking with Wang Wu——

"5 days later, we will do great things in Youzhou Province. Remember to not make any mistake at this critical moment. Zhang Mushen is called Lion of Youzhou Province. A new broom sweeps clean. As the Provincial Court's prison has a lot of means to investigate you; we have to prepare for that. I feel sorry for you. Just tell me what you want to say now!"

"I hope Heavens Reaching Ancestor to descend to the world. This disciple expects to be the lad cupping flowers on the Ancestor's side..." A panting and frenzied voice sounded.

"Fine, I will tell the Heavens Reaching Ancestor. Here's the Brain Shattering Pill gifted by the altar head. Take it and you will get relieved without any pain..."

"Thanks, Law Protector Zuo, please pass on the message to the altar head that Wang Wu could not propose a toast to him in his "Washing Hands Ceremony" on the first day of the lunar new year...

"I know, you can leave now..."

Only after a short dialogue between Wang Wu and the other strange voice, Lu Xiaoshuang's consciousness had entered into total darkness with unwillingness...

Zhang Tie knew that Brain Shattering Pill was a rank poison. Compared to common poisons, Brain Shattering Pill could not only destroy one's vitality rapidly but also destroy one's brain structure, causing one's brain to die at the fastest speed. This was the fastest way to die. After one took that pill and died, nobody else could get any message from his brain anymore.

In Waii Sub-continent, those who took Brain Shattering Pills were all dauntless fighters or spies. Once being caught, they would commit suicide by taking Brain Shattering Pills. Additionally, the performance of Brain Shattering Pill was no different than that of "powerful rat poison". Unless making brain anatomy, it was hard to identify what they had committed suicide with.

Therefore, in order to not frighten the tiger, Zhang Tie even didn't check Wang Wu's corpse; he just handled this thing in a distant way...

Zhang Tie had not imagined that his casual movement could have him involved in the plot of the Heavens Reaching Church.

The big things mentioned by the strange person from Heavens Reaching Church referred to riot and rebel for sure.

Zhang Tie didn't know whether it was his fortune or the misfortune of Heavens Reaching Church...

'Someone must be keeping an eye on my movements from time and then in Youzhou City...'

Therefore, Zhang Tie just ignored the crime scene so as to make his enemy reassured...

However, Zhang Tie felt a bit chilly when he realized that the Heavens Reaching Church could control his subordinates like Wang Wu to sacrifice himself for the sake of the church at the critical moment...

Chapter 860: A Back Thrust

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

This family reunion dinner was the most boisterous one in the late decade.

Besides safe reunion, Zhang family's undertakings were flourishing; plus so many kids, Zhang Tie's father and mother were very happy.

It would be the first day of the 900th year of black iron calendar next day, the beginning of a new century.

In the next year, Zhang Tie's family would build Jinwu City, their first private city in Youzhou Province, Taixia Country and lay a foundation for their descendants. This was also a new century for Zhang Tie's family.

Therefore, this family reunion dinner became pretty boisterous.

Before dinner, the cheers and laughter in the dining hall had started.

Sitting in the dining hall, Zhang Tie's mother and father were giving heavy red packets to each servant, maid and guard. After taking the heavy red packets, all the servants and guards of Zhang family spirited up and did things more swiftly.

Zhang Yang and Zhang Tie had already had their wives and concubines give the red packets to their servants this noon. The two side mansions were both cheerful and festive.

At the table, when they talked about the Jinwu City that they were going to build next year, everyone became highly spirited; especially Zhang Tie's father. After knowing that he would be the mayor of Jinwu City, Zhang Ping almost returned to his youthhood and became more energetic. As a result, he kept talking at dinner.

Watching their father's excited look, Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang exchanged a glance with each other before revealing a tacit smile.

'It seems that I've made a wise decision to have dad be the mayor of Jinwu City.'

When it gradually turned dark, they could hear cracking drumbeats from other houses across Golden Light City. Those kids couldn't stand the lure and immediately rushed into the courtyard to beat drums.

According to the custom in Taixia Country, people needed to beat drums in the new year's eve. Therefore, to beat drums in new year festival became kids' favorite activity.

"Have you got enough money to build the city? If not, I've got some case-dough, you can...take it away!" Zhang Tie's father became a bit drunk.

After hearing Zhang Ping's words, before Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang made a response, Zhang Tie's mom had raised her eyebrows while asking in a tender voice on Zhang Ping's side, "How many case-dough have you saved?"

"About 500,000-600,000 gold coins...erm..." Zhang Ping suddenly realized that he had fallen into the trap. He immediately turned around and watched her glassy-eyed look while quivering all over a bit before crying inside, 'Sh*t, I'm over...'

"Well, well, well, Zhang Ping, how dare you save so much case-dough these years? If you were not drunk today, how long did you prepare to cover it in front of me? What do you plan to use this money for? To find another younger mother for Linda, Beverly and Fiona? Where's the deposit book?"

Zhang Tie's mom watched Zhang Ping with an aggressive look while stretching out her hand. At the sight of her majestic look, the mayor of Jinwu City in the future instantly turned pale and dared not look straight into her eyes. He then answered in an embarrassed way, "Erm...erm...it's just a bit pin money!"

"Pin money? You could buy hundreds of beautiful female slaves with these pin money! Give me the passbook! You can ask pin money from me!"

After hearing this, Zhang Ping instantly became disappointed like a cock who had lost a battle...

After throwing a glance at each other, Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang sighed inside and could only wish good luck to their dad, 'Besides being too strict to dad's pin money, mom is always good.' Since they were in Blackhot City, Zhang Tie's father's money had always been in the hand of Zhang Tie's mother. After saving some case-dough these years, he suddenly revealed it after being drunk due to the overexcitement. How poor was Zhang Ping!

"Ahem...ahem...we don't need your money, dad and mom. Jinwu Business Group has sufficient capital for building Jinwu City. Even if there's any problem, I will work out a solution with Zhang Tie too. Am I right?" Zhang Yang threw a glance at Zhang Tie.

"Hmm, right, right..." Zhang Tie replied in a blurry way.

Actually, Zhang Tie had been a bit regretful about buying another patch of land in Youzhou City. 'Zanggu Plateau is too large, the cost of which has already surpassed my remaining deposit in Golden Roc Bank. I still lack tens of millions of gold coins. I could only borrow them from Golden Roc Bank. If my parents know that I've bought such a useless patch of land at such a high price, they would feel very pitiful about that.'

'Although I have so much money in Castle of Black Iron, I could not take them out of the air in the bank or in front of others. Therefore, I need a public reason to gain space teleportation equipment.

Zhang Tie had already seen space teleportation equipment on Commander Cheng's body. However, given Commander Cheng's status, Zhang Tie knew that space teleportation equipment was in short supply even in Taixia Country, which could not be enjoyed by common knights.

...

After entering the new year, the whole family went to bed.

Before leaving the dining hall, Zhang Tie passed a secret message to Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang threw a glance at Zhang Tie before nodding silently.

After sending Linda, Beverly, Fiona and his kids back to his private mansion and watching his sons falling asleep, Zhang Tie left some words to Linda, Beverly and Fiona before changing a set of relatively common clothes and leaving his private mansion. He then came to the garden of Zhang's mansion.

At this moment, only two lanterns were lit in the garden. It was tranquil in the garden except for the drumbeats from distance.

Zhang Yang had long been waiting over there.

"It's so late, what do you want to negotiate with me here?" Zhang Yang asked Zhang Tie out of curiosity.

Zhang Tie put it straight. He told Zhang Yang that he found the trace of Heavens Reaching Church in Youzhou City two days ago. As it was of great importance, Zhang Tie used secret voice transmitting skill in case of being eavesdropped.

After hearing Zhang Tie's message, Zhang Yang changed his face. He had also heard that the Heavens Reaching Church was staging an armed rebellion in a province of Taixia Country. The members of Heavens Reaching Church were all lunatics, they could even overthrow a sub-continent. Therefore their hidden strength was very terrifying.

"Now that I know it, I have to go back to exert my full efforts so that the commoners in Youzhou Province could face less trouble. I will not face any danger and won't flaunt my superiority. When I cannot handle it, I will notice Count Long Wind and Commander Cheng. Therefore, you don't need to worry about my safety. However, I don't know about the scale of the Heavens Reaching Church's riot and whether the riot would influence Golden Light City. Elder brother, you just stay at home; Elder Muyuan will also stay at home in Golden Light City these days. If there's something wrong, you can seek for Elder Muyuan's favor. If dad and mom ask you about my whereabouts, just tell them that I needed to go out for public affairs for a few days. Remember to not make them worry about me!"

Zhang Yang nodded with a solemn look.

Watching Zhang Yang's response, Zhang Tie cut the crap, "See you then!"

Closely after that, Zhang Yang felt dazzled as he found that Zhang Tie had disappeared. He looked up and found no trace of Zhang Tie in the dark sky. He then moved his eyes to the ground and saw no footmark in the snowfield either.

'Is this what a knight is supposed to be?' Zhang Yang felt complex inside before taking in a deep breath. After checking those invisible sentries in the mansion, Zhang Yang then returned to his private mansion.

...

In a short moment, Zhang Tie had already arrived at the wild outside Golden Light City. He landed in a open land. Closely after that, he started to stride towards Youzhou City at a terrifying speed of 100 m per step like a black shadow, which could even match the flying speed of common knights. Additionally, his moving method was more hidden...

'It's too eye-catching if I just fly towards Youzhou City; however, there would be no problem if I strode towards Youzhou City after activating my Kuafu Bloodline. After all, almost all the people across Youzhou Province have seen that I've awakened Kuafu Bloodline after the competition for the position of provincial governor of Youzhou Province.'

Even now, Zhang Tie was still rigorous in thinking.

As the scenes flashed back on his sides, Zhang Tie put on the disguising face mask that Donder had gifted to him.

Zhang Tie had not used this face mask for many years. However, It was suitable this time.

...

After 6 hours, a Hua youth with a faintly sick look slowly arrived at a city gate in the north of Youzhou City with a common iron-sheath longsword in hand...

Nobody across Youzhou City could imagine that the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province who had just left 2 days ago could make a nice back thrust by returning to Youzhou City silently once again...

Chapter 861: The Master Artisan

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

As it was the first day of the new year, there was almost nobody on the streets across Youzhou City in such an early morning.

The guards were still sticking to their posts. When Zhang Tie approached the city gate, that soldier just threw a glance at him before allowing him in.

In Taixia Country, the ceremony of "washing hands in gold basin" was very solemn, which indicated that the main characters were going to exit that industry by washing their hands in a gold basin in the public. Generally, two kinds of people would hold such a ceremony: first, the important figures of non-governmental organizations in Taixia Country, who held such a ceremony so as to declare to the public that they were going to make a clean break with his past; second, some senior professionals in Taixia Country such as master swordsmith, rune equipment maker and appraisers who held such a ceremony so as to express that they would not return to their former careers from then on.

Both the first and the second kinds of people had a commonplace, namely, they were both big, respectable figures in local areas or in certain industries. Trivial people didn't need to hold such a ceremony at all; as they could leave as long as they wanted and nobody would remember them.

Wang Wu was the local snake, a rascal who was familiar with Youzhou City. Of course, that altar head who would hold the "washing hands in a gold basin" ceremony, timely got hang of Zhang Tie movements and could have Law Protector Zuo gift Brain Shattering Pill to Wang Wu was in Youzhou City; otherwise, if he was in another prefecture, his subordinates could not make any response to Zhang Tie's movements so fast.

As it was the first day of the 900th year of the black iron calendar, we had to say today was a good day for holding the "washing hands in a gold basin" ceremony.

...

Like taking a casual walk, Zhang Tie was loitering on the streets of Youzhou City while the map of Youzhou City occurred to his mind. While some areas were gradually moved out of the map in his mind, Zhang Tie selected the optimal routine in his mind and continued to loiter in the remaining areas.

Although Youzhou City was large, its urban planning was very methodical. Except for the jia farmlands, the locations of government agencies, the residential areas of commoners, the industrial and commercial areas, few were left.

It had stopped snowing. A small part of a smile had appeared in the sky, which indicated a nice weather.

After loitering in Youzhou City for over 2 hours, Zhang Tie knew that he finally arrived at his destination.

It was less than 10 miles away from Huaiyuan Mansion, which was close to the Fengyang Lake in Youzhou City. The bank of the lake was planted with 7 miles' willows, which looked pretty nice. This was the habitation of rich people across Youzhou City. What attracted Zhang Tie's eyes was an extremely remarkable manor and courtyard in this habitation, which covered about 470,000 square meters. The high, vermilion wall of the manor occupied 1/3 of the street outside.

As it was the first day of the lunar new year, many stores didn't open today. However, a lot of vehicles and servants in tidy uniforms had been busy receiving guests outside the manor. Some airships directly landed at the airport behind the manor. After someone got off it, it flew off.

This was the most boisterous place across Youzhou City today.

"As master will wash his hand in a gold basin today, about 1,000 influential figures would arrive here today. We'd better be spirited up. Don't make any trouble. After today, Steward Zuo said he would award each of us 3 gold coins." A person in the uniform of steward shouted at the side door outside the manor while guiding those servants to carry the food ingredients into the kitchen of the main mansion from the side door. Of course, the guests could not just watch the performance here, they had to enjoy food and drinks here, "Did Jiang Si's group come back? I told them to take fresh venison from Linjia Village."

"Not yet."

"Take some people to find them. Hurry, the cooks are waiting for it. Venison and deer blood are required for two dishes tonight!"

"Yes, sir!"

After hearing this, Zhang Tie turned around and entered a teahouse on one side.

Like hotels and pubs, this teahouse still ran in the new year festival. There were also many people inside it when Zhang Tie entered.

Gathering around a circle in the courtyard in the teahouse, those people were having tea water, desserts, melon seeds, peanuts and listening to a man in a madarin jacket over a gown telling a story vividly with a fan in hand in front of a small square table. In the expression of Taixia Country, they were not listening to a story, but pingshu.

The roof of the courtyard was half sealed. Although it was precious to light and air, it didn't leak rain or snow; there were still some vigorous green plants in the courtyard, making it a special scenery.

Of course, many people were also watching the grand occasion in the manor. Some were whispering or discussing the event in the manor which was not far from here with low exclamations.

"Welcome, welcome, come in!"

The moment Zhang Tie entered the teahouse, an argute lad had walked towards him and greeted Zhang Tie with a big smile.

Zhang Tie flicked a silver coin towards him.

"Give me a tranquil private room. I don't wanna be bothered. By the way, bring me your best tea water and pastries!"

The lad immediately caught the silver coin before turning around and shouting, "VIP in No. 17 Heavens private room, Floor 3!"

Zhang Tie directly went upstairs to the 3rd floor while another lad greeted him at the end of the staircase and led him directly to a private room which was a bit farther than the courtyard. After opening the door of the private room for Zhang Tie, he invited Zhang Tie in.

This private room covered over 20 square meters while being matched with soft seats and a teapoy. There was also a window inside, from where Zhang Tie could watch the manor in the opposite. Zhang Tie was very satisfied with this room.

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

"Bring me the best tea water and pastries!" To be honest, as it was Zhang Tie's first time to enter such an entertainment venue in Taixia Country; therefore, Zhang Tie didn't know what to order.

"Okay, sir, I find you're new here, you might not know the price of this private room; being different from those seats outside, you need to pay 50 more copper coins per hour here. You can stay here until we close it for the night. As "honesty and integrity management" is our service ideology, we don't cheat any customer!"

"Good, no problem, you can leave!"

After the lad left the private room for a short while, he took in a pot of tea and some plates of pastries. After arranging all of these items on the teapoy, he asked whether Zhang Tie needed any other service or not. Watching Zhang Tie nodding his head, he left the room while closing the door for Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie picked a piece of tea cake and ate it. At the same time, he listened to the discussions of those people in the teahouse. When he ate one plate of tea cakes, he almost got the information that he needed. Zhang Tie finally learned about the background of the "altar head of Heavens Reaching Church" who was going to wash his hands in a gold basin here today.

The altar head surnamed Jiang. Everyone called him Master Jiang. This person was famous in Youzhou Province, even in the entire Northeast Military Region.

Master Jiang's ancestors were all blacksmiths. He started to help his father in the smithy when he was only 8 years old and showed a very high talent for casting. His experience was amazing. He became an artisan apprentice at 12, an artisan at 16, when his casting skills exceeded that of his father; when he was 20 years old, he had promoted to a copper hammer artisan. In the next 100-odd years, Master Jiang constantly promoted to a silver hammer artisan, a gold hammer artisan, a mithril artisan and a secret runes artisan. Master Jiang had promoted to a master artisan 4 decades ago.

If one person could promote to a master artisan, he would be famous wherever he was, even in Taixia Country.

Before promoting to a master artisan, Master Jiang had taken the office of deputy director of the Provincial Construction Administration in Tongzhou Province. After promoting to a master artisan, Master Jiang took the office of director general of the Provincial Construction Administration. He worked 2 decades in this position before applying for resignation and gaining his freedom once again.

Master Jiang didn't stop cultivating these years after he resigned. As a result, his reputation grew louder. He used to produce elite rune products. As Master Jiang was excelled at casting weapons, especially at casting swords, his mansion was frequently visted by people who invited him to cast weapons for them. Therefore, Master Jiang had established deep human relationships over the past years; additionally, his reputation grew louder and spread farther.

Master Jiang's old home was in Youzhou Province. After Youzhou became established, Master Jiang moved to Youzhou Province and settled down there.

The great part of the industry in the craftsmen's street in Youzhou City belonged to Master Jiang, his apprentices or his apprentices' apprentices. This indicated Master Jiang's influence in Youzhou City.

When Master Jiang was celebrating his 149th birthday last year, he declared to wash his hands in a gold basin and would not touch tools that were used to cast rune equipment this year. He wanted to improve his health physically and mentally and sense the natural laws so as to make further progress in casting rune equipment.

The day arrived today when the entire Jiang Mansion became busy.

Master Artisan——even Zhang Clan which was famous for casting rune equipment in Waii Sub-continent only had one Master Artisan!

After knowing this guy's background, Zhang Tie became excited immediately as he knew that he caught a big fish...

Chapter 862: Another Breakthrough

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

At 10 am, more and more people entered Jiang Mansion while the street outside the mansion became more boisterous. Jiang Mansion's subordinates, stewards and Master Jiang's apprentices were welcoming and seeing off guests outside the manor. What was more boisterous was the airport behind the manor where so many airships landed and flew off, transporting influential figures from afar.

When Zhang Tie was thinking about finding the breakthrough, a tall, thin man with long and thin eyes in cyan long gown walked out of the gate while a lot of stewards and disciples outside the gate of Jiang Mansion hurriedly bowed towards him, "Steward Zuo!"

The man just nodded in a reserved way, "Jiang Ping, Jiang Sheng, Master Jiang summoned you. The CEO Gu of Bailian Palace of Gaozhou Province has arrived, Master Jiang wants to introduce him to you!"

After hearing Steward Zuo's words, the other disciples of Master Jiang who were welcoming guests outside the gate threw "admiring" looks at two of them. After taking a deep breath, Jiang Ping and Jiang Sheng both followed Steward Zuo in with high spirits.

It was normal for influential figures like Master Jiang to introduce his excellent apprentices to others when he washed his hands in a gold basin.

Master Jiang lost his wife at a young age. Due to deep affection between them, he was severely stricken by it. He became very depressed for a long time. Later on, Master Jiang put all of his efforts into studying about rune equipment. Over these years, he didn't marry any woman. Therefore, he didn't have any posterity. All of his apprentices were his adopted children who followed his family name.

The spoony experience of Master Jiang also became a much-told tale in his life. Of course, someone felt pitiful about Master Jiang.

Although the distance between Steward Zuo and the teahouse was over 100 m, with his strong knight's consciousness, Zhang Tie could hear each of his words clearly.

This voice was the same as that Lu Xiaoshuang had heard before death.

Zhang Tie knew that Steward Zuo was his target.

Watching Steward Zuo entering the mansion once again, Zhang Tie's eyes glittered. Closely after that, he disappeared from the private room. At the same time, a tiny beetle appeared in the room and flew towards afar.

It was pretty tranquil in the private room; additionally, those people outside could not see what happened inside the private room. He found that nobody was paying attention to him; therefore, he entered Castle of Black Iron and called his incarnation out of there.

After a few hours, when the lad opened the door and wanted to ask whether Zhang Tie needed to add tea and pastries, he found nobody was inside except for a gold coin on the table. Scratching his head, the lad became confused as he had not seen anyone exiting the private room at all. However, when he noticed the open window and the weapon in Zhang Tie's hand, he understood something, 'It turns out that the young man is a powerhouse...'

The Stewards Zuo didn't find that he had been followed by a white, trivial beetle when he entered the Jiang Mansion once again.

Jiang Mansion today was indeed much more boisterous than that outside.

There was a temporary canopy on a patch of open land in Jiang Mansion, which covered at least 200 tables. There was a very solemn hathpace in the middle of those tables, which held a 1-m high stone table. A gilded basin full of water was placed on the stone table.

Numerous servants and maids were penetrating through those dining tables while a team of strong guards was standing against the hathpace while holding swords.

This was where Master Jiang would wash his hands tonight; by then, all the 200-odd tables would be occupied.

Steward Zuo was also very busy.

As Master Zuo was talking with his VIPs kindly in the mansion, all the affairs across Jiang Mansion would be managed by Steward Zuo. Thankfully, Steward Zuo had been familiar with all the procedures. He kept his eyes on Master Jiang and his subordinate stewards, who would attend to their own duties. Therefore, all the affairs across Jiang Mansion ran in the order.

Zhang Tie just gazed at Steward Zuo. Although Steward Zuo was busy, Zhang Tie believed that he would have a chance sooner or later. It only took him 1-2 minutes to extract all the messages and secrets from the brain of Steward Zuo without arousing the attention of others.

As there was no knight in Jiang Mansion, Zhang Tie became totally reassured.

As a person who could cultivate alone in a tower of time for 15 years, he was patient enough to wait.

Steward Zuo walked around Jiang Mansion and constantly handled various affairs followed by Zhang Tie.

After 2 hours, it was almost 12 am. After receiving the report of a subordinate steward that the lunch had been prepared well in the dining hall, Steward Zuo entered a parlor and invited Master Jiang and those VIPs who had arrived here earlier to have lunch in the dining hall.

When Steward Jiang entered the parlor of the inner mansion, Zhang Tie was resting on a plum blossom in the garden outside the parlor.

A faint forthright laughter and the voices of talks with someone drifted from the parlor. After half a minute, Zhang Tie saw a genial, old man with white hair and whisker in plain robe leaving the parlor with some people who also looked noble for the dining hall.

'This old man is Master Jiang. Given his look, who could imagine that he's the altar head of Heavens Reaching Church?'

'You could not identify a person from his face.' Zhang Tie sighed with emotion inside.

As not too many people have arrived this morning, they had lunch in the dining hall instead of the venue where Master Jiang was going to wash his hands in a gold basin. The venue would turn boisterous in the evening.

At lunch, Steward Zuo just stood not far from behind Master Jiang and waited for his order at any time. The table was full of dainties. However, Master Jiang only ate a vegetarian diet.

When someone asked out of curiosity, Master Jiang sighed with a pitiful look. Steward Zuo answered on one side, "Mrs. liked to eat a vegetarian diet before; since Mrs. passed away, Master Jiang had started to eat the vegetarian diet and didn't kill living beings anymore!"

"Master Jiang is really the No. 1 spoony man in the world!"

"Master Jiang is too merciful!"

All the guests at present praised him in unison.

Hearing this praise outside the dining hall, Zhang Tie became speechless at once...

In the brief report from the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province, Zhang Tie learned that Heavens Reaching Church coerced commons to rise in revolt in Ganzhou Province. Those commoners who refused to follow their orders would be chopped off their heads together with their family members. Finally, when the Heavens Reaching Church in Ganzhou Province was cracked down, almost 1 million people were wounded or killed. 'How could such an old d**chebag be praised as merciful? F*ck...'

At this moment, Zhang Tie felt that all the reputations in the secular world were nothing but a sh*t.

When he recalled his master Zhao Yuan, who was blamed by all the commoners across the world, Zhang Tie realized that something must be hidden inside.

'Even the old d**chebag of Heavens Reaching Church could be praised when he didn't expose his real status, how could those be sworn by the public be heinous?'

...

This lunch lasted about 1 hour. After lunch, Steward Zuo left Master Jiang and hurriedly walked towards a tranquil place in the manor. Zhang Tie knew that his chance finally arrived.

People had to take a pee or sh*t. After the entire morning, this guy should take his pee. Zhang Tie didn't believe that this guy would be followed by a lot of people when he was taking a pee or directly solved it in the public.

Zhang Tie was right, Steward Zuo was indeed heading for the washroom.

As a lot of servants were in the Jiang Mansion, even the washroom of management was separated from that of servants. The washroom that Steward Zuo entered was more advanced and tranquil where he would not be bothered by others.

At the sight of this scene, Zhang Tie realized the thing would proceed even faster than he had imagined.

After taking a pee, Steward Zuo quivered twice. The moment he had put his mummy into his trousers, Steward Zuo had faintly frowned. He turned around and saw a pair of eyes. From then on, he could not move his eyes away anymore...

Zhang Tie slowly put his hand onto the forehead of Steward Zuo...

The breakthrough that Zhang Tie made in the Dragon Cave not only promoted him to the rarest and most powerful profession among knights but also advanced his Soul Capture Skill to a realm that Zhang Tie had not imagined. In this realm, Zhang Tie made another breakthrough to the secret methods in the Soul Capture Skill and directly entered the supreme realm.

After 2 minutes, Steward Zuo walked out of the washroom like nothing had happened and continued to do his work. He didn't look abnormal at all; he had already totally forgotten about what happened in the washroom just now...

He just took a pee, nothing strange at all!

...

10 minutes later, the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province...

After feeling that one more person appeared in the room, Zhang Yuanshan who was lowering his head and reading a document immediately raised his head while his qi turned aggressive...

"Argh, chief justice!" Zhang Yuanshan was shocked by Zhang Tie.

However, what shocked him more was Zhang Tie's words.

"Heavens Reaching Church will rise in revolt in the Northeast Military Region, it's time for the Provincial Court to render meritorious service in Youzhou Province..."

Chapter 863: Making Trouble

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

At night, the Jiang Mansion was filled with human voices. All the guests had almost arrived.

Most of these guests came from Gaozhou Province, Mozhou Province, Tongzhou Province, Qiongzhou Province, Yanzhou Province, Huizhou Province and Chaozhou Province. Over 2/3 of the almost 2000 guests came here by airship. After receiving the invitation, many people had set off a month ago.

Besides Master Jiang's old friends, even those who had invited Master Jiang to make rune equipment for them had arrived. A few of them were of the same trade as Master Jiang. What Zhang Tie had not imagined was that even the Provincial Construction Administration of Tongzhou Province had dispatched an official to witness Master Jiang's ceremony with one gift. What a great respect it was!

A master artisan's powerful influence and human relationship were clearly manifested at this moment.

After leaving Jiang Mansion a few hours ago, Zhang Tie finally arrived at Jiang Mansion once again in a disguised look half an hour ahead of the ceremony.

This time, he directly swaggered inside without using his incarnation.

Finding that Zhang Tie was strange in average dress and came with no gift, a steward frowned as he immediately blocked Zhang Tie.

"Brother, may I know your name and your purpose here?"

Zhang Tie blinked his eyes and replied, "Won't Master Jiang wash his hands in a gold basin today? I also came here to join in the fun and witness that!"

"You've met our Master Jiang? Brother?" That steward watched Zhang Tie with a dubious look.

"Only once. Master Jiang looked kind; he's even a vegetarian!" Zhang Tie answered seriously.

'It seems that he has indeed met Master Jiang.' The steward murmured as he waved his hand. Two servants then walked over here, one with a roll, the other with a tray.

The roll had been filled with names of guests. After throwing a glance at it, Zhang Tie picked the pen and jostled down his name "Zhang Tie" on it.

At the sight of Zhang Tie's scrawl which looked like an ox's dung in blossoms, the steward even wanted to slap his face.

After the signature, Zhang Tie wanted to enter; however, he found the other guy who was cupping the tray and staring at him.

"Ahem...ahem..." The steward coughed twice after composing himself, "According to the regulation, all the friends who come to witness Master Jiang wash his hands should present a gift, which represents their admiration to Master Jiang, regardless of its value!"

"I see, I see..." Zhang Tie nodded while smiling like a rat genius with narrow eyes. At the same time, he stretched out his hands and fumbled over his upper coat for a while. After that, with a crash, he threw his "ritual" into that tray.

Watching the three copper coins circling around the tray, the steward opened his mouth which could almost hold an egg as he frowned. All the servants of Jiang Mansion outside the gate were glaring at Zhang Tie as if they were ready to drive Zhang Tie away the moment the steward issued the order.

"May I come in? I think Master Jiang would not blame me for such a little gift. No matter what, it's my sincerity!"

After gazing at Zhang Tie for a couple of seconds, the steward took in a deep breath before waving his hand with a glassy-eyed look, "Take this guest to the 11th average table!"

After hearing the steward's order, a servant invited Zhang Tie in with a reluctant look

Watching Zhang Tie moving away, a servant on one side couldn't stand to ask, "Steward Wu, the b*stard obviously came here for free food, why not drive him away?"

"If we didn't let such a sophisticated person in, he might make some trouble. If such a toad climbed onto your foot, he would be disgusting even if he did not bite you. We'd better not provoke him. Even though our dog doesn't lack these copper coins. Just let him in. Those average tables are especially set for such people from all walks of life. Just hope him to speak high of Master Jiang after having the food!" Steward Wu said. After throwing a glance at the 3 copper coins in the tray, he directly threw them into the grass of the parterre beside the gate. After that, he gazed at the two ox dungs on the roll for quite a while before recognizing that they were "Zhang Tie".

'It sounds a bit familiar; I remember that Zhang Mushen the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province is called Zhang Tie...'

'I've not imagined that such a rascal dare share the same name with the dean of Provincial Court of Youzhou Province.' Steward Wu ridiculed inside, 'It's really a humiliation to this name...'

However, he could never imagine that the one who had just dropped 3 copper coins in the tray was Zhang Tie the dean of Provincial Court of Youzhou Province.

When he recalled the two words "Zhang Tie", Steward Wu couldn't stand to look at them on the roll once again. This time, he felt the other signatures were repressed on the page and became inconsistent and abrupt. What a weird feeling!

Although being not a knight, Steward Wu couldn't taste the realm of knights. As Zhang Tie was here to make trouble; therefore, his signature carried his spirit and awareness no matter how ugly it was. Although it was a casual scrawl, the spiritual realm that the words contained had destroyed the brilliant qi field on the roll. Because of this, Steward Wu felt the entire page becoming weird.

However, Steward Wu had two servants to pay special attention to "Zhang Tie" silently. As long as "Zhang Tie" made any excessive movement, they should drive him away at once.

Although being far away from Steward Wu, Zhang Tie could still hear clearly what Steward Wu ordered the two servants to do.

Zhang Tie revealed a faint smile...

On such an occasion, the so-called average tables were in the most remote places which were specially set for those who came to join in the fun from Youzhou City.

Those at the average tables were all small figures compared to those guests being invited. They could make the banquet more boisterous.

If Wang Wu didn't die, he might have been at an average table.

Those who sat on the average tables were from all walks of life who liked to join in the fun. Although they had certain social statuses, their statuses were dwarfed on such an occasion. Therefore, they could only stay at the average tables.

When Zhang Tie arrived there, he saw those guys in brilliant clothes sitting seriously at those average tables who were watching that hathpace where a gold basin was placed on it and those figures at those main tables beside that hathpace. Additionally, they were whispering to each other. Although being tough, they had to disguise to be reserved. Some of them were twisting their bodies at the tables as they didn't fit their new clothes.

"Boss, this new pair of deer hide boots aches my foot. Can I take them off? I feel the wooden slippers in our outdoor bathing place was more comfortable!" A guy complained to a tough guy on his side in a low voice.

"F*ck, if you dare take off your boots at this moment, this father would let you have no feet to wear boots. Do you believe that?" The boss swore in a low voice as he threw a glare at his subordinate.

"10 gold coins is really wasteful for two of us. I think 3 gold coins is enough. It's 10 gold coins, boss, you cannot make so much in one month. With so much money, we can even rent a courtyard of girls and play with them for one week, if we don't nitpick!"

"Shut up! Dogs only know to eat sh*t!" The boss raised his eyebrows as he added, "One pile of sh*t for one teeth!"

The other guy hurriedly shut up.

Hearing this funny dialogue, Zhang Tie laughed inside.

"Here, just sit here!" The servant took Zhang Tie to the table on the edge as he pointed at a chair to him. After throwing a sick glance at Zhang Tie, he turned around and left at once.

After throwing himself onto the chair, Zhang Tie started to glance at the other guys at this table. Given the dress, only Zhang Tie's clothes were the most average. Besides, Zhang Tie's "look" was also average.

"Bro, you look a bit strange, do you scrape a living in Youzhou City?"

The moment Zhang Tie took a seat, a 50-year odd guy on his opposite had thrown a glance at him and asked.

"Hmm, almost like that!"

After hearing Zhang Tie's answer, that man frowned as he said frankly, "What do you mean by almost like that? If you're, just say yes; if not, just say no. Whether you're or not?"

Rubbing his face, Zhang Tie replied, "Yes, then. But my job is arranged by my family. It's not stable. Some people even speak ill of me and want to drive me away!"

"Where do you work, bro?"

"Yamun!"

After hearing that Zhang Tie worked in yamun, the other guys at the table revealed a clear look at the same time. In their opinions, Zhang Tie, as one who went on errands in yamun would always be pushed aside if he was dumb, not diligent and didn't have a deep background. As yamun was a profitable place, even though boilersmith and dustman should have a background. Those who could stay long inside were not average.

"Bro, do you know Zhao Long? He's my friend, also a criminal hunter in yamun." The other guy asked in a tentative way.

"No!" Zhang Tie shook his head directly.

After finding that Zhang Tie didn't even know Zhao Long, those guys lost their interest in Zhang Tie at once and continued to chat. Through their chat, Zhang Tie learned that they were in the coal trading industry in Youzhou City. They had trade ties with those smithies and foundries which belonged to Master Jiang. They were the coal suppliers of those smithies and foundries. Therefore they were here to join in the fun today...

Chapter 864: Washing Hands in the Gold Basin

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

Soon after Zhang Tie took a seat, the servants of Jiang Mansion had started to serve dishes.

Generally, on this occasion, after the dishes were served, Master Jiang would wash his hands in the gold basin and say something. After that, he would get off the hathpace and sit in the chief seat of the main table. After toasting each other, this ceremony would come to a successful end.

The moment the dishes were served, Zhang Tie had started to enjoy them with chopsticks, splashing soup and oil everywhere.

"Come on, they're turning cold!" With braised venison in the mouth, he told those on his side while moving his chopsticks across the table.

He was the first one who moved his chopsticks among the over 200 tables.

All the others were gazing at Zhang Tie. They didn't know whether Zhang Tie was an idiot or really didn't know about the rite. On this occasion, Master Jiang should be the first one to move his chopsticks. How could a guest move his chopsticks first and watch Master Jiang to wash his hands on the hathpace? Did he really take it as a performance?

When the two servants wanted to walk towards him, Zhang Tie threw a glance at them. They then stood still at once.

At the sight of this scene, those on the neighboring tables who wanted to stand up and give Zhang Tie a lesson became silent at once. 'Now that people in Jiang Mansion don't care about him, if I steal Master Jiang's thunder, people in Jiang Mansion may think that I'm playing an act with him to destroy the atmosphere here.' Therefore, when Zhang Tie was enjoying his dishes, the others just watched him while forcefully swallowing their saliva by moving their throats.

Especially those who sat at the same table with Zhang Tie. Watching Zhang Tie messing up the entire table of good dishes, they all glared at him while swearing him "b*stard" tens of thousands of times inside.

The dishes tasted really good. Besides the cooks in Jiang Mansion, some cooks from famous boîtes in Youzhou City were also giving a hand in the kitchen of Jiang Mansion. Of course, the dishes were perfect in color, fragrance and taste.

Zhang Tie was really hungry. From the time he left home last night to now, he had not eaten anything. At first, he traveled 2,000 miles; later on, he made an arrangement in the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province and distributed jobs to his subordinates. Now that the dishes had been served, how could he wait until Master Jiang finished washing his hands in the gold basin? Because he knew that Master Jiang could not wash his hands in the gold basin forever.

Zhang Tie had made the arrangement well. His forces could have started work one hour ago; however, Zhang Tie felt that it would be more effective when Jiang Mansion became more boisterous.

Why would he choose this moment? Because there were more people in the Jiang Mansion at this moment. If Master Jiang was taken away silently, how could Zhang Tie publicize that Zhang Mushen the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province crackdown Heavens Reaching Church? Additionally, the box on the ears of Gobbling Party would not be loud enough. The greater part of these guests at present were my best witnesses.

Zhang Tie felt that he had grown more and more insidious. So what? There were many insidious people in this world!

After thinking about it carefully, Zhang Tie was actually a bit afraid about that. 'If the Heavens Reaching Church rose in revolt closely after the memorial that Gobbling Party used to impeach me, my crime would be confirmed. If so, not only me, even the entire Huaiyuan Palace and Commander Cheng who was on my side might be involved.'

'The time when Heavens Reaching Church rise in revolt in Youzhou Province really coordinates well with the time when Gobbling Party impeached me.' If having not gotten the evidence, Zhang Tie almost thought that Gobbling Party and Heavens Reaching Church had reached an agreement in advance. However, he could only think about it instead of revealing it to the public. Even though the top three chancellors in Taixia Country dared not blame that Gobbling Party colluded with Heavens Reaching Church. Because this would arouse a big chaos in Taixia Country.

'However, every coin had two sides. Heavens Reaching Church could work as Gobbling Party's dagger towards me and my sharp bolt towards Gobbling Party. The memorial that Gobbling Party used to impeach me could be farsighted words of concerning about the safety of the country and the countrymen and the insidious words for framing me.'

'The property of the memorial could not be determined by the memorial itself, but the result of the wrestle between Heavens Reaching Church and me in Youzhou Province.'

The change in Youzhou Province being hundreds of thousands of miles away could influence the decision-making of Xuanyuan Hill and disturb the public opinions across the country. This was how politics ran! Zhang Tie could not imagine this since he had just come to Taixia Country for a few months. 'Taixia Country was a bigger quagmire than Waii Sub-continent. Now that I've fallen into it, I have to face a lot of uncertainties.'

...

When Zhang Tie was enjoying his food, Master Jiang's old friends and disciples had gone up onto the hathpace and praised the meritorious deeds and achievements that Master Jiang had made these years as the prelude and pavement to this ceremony. Later on, even that official from the Provincial Construction Administration of Tongzhou Province spoke highly of Master Jiang's meritorious deeds and achievements on the hathpace on behalf of the Administration.

'I wonder whether these guys would like to swallow their words when they knew the real status of Master Jiang as the altar head of Heavens Reaching Church.' Zhang Tie thought.

Knights always had a good appetite. Additionally, Zhang Tie ate fast. When Master Jiang went up onto the hathpace under the gaze of so many people at present and prepared to wash his hands in the gold basin, Zhang Tie had almost finished 2/3 of the dishes on the table.

"Erm", Zhang Tie burped as he touched his belly with a satisfied look and watched the others at the table who were glaring at him, "Come on, it's getting cold!"

'F*ck!' Those guys' eyebrows jumped as they even wanted to spring up and cover the remaining dishes onto Zhang Tie's head, 'Since how long has this b*stard been starving? He's definitely here for food...'

...

On the hathpace, Master Jiang bowed towards all directions with a kind look before straightening up his body.

"My fellowmen, thanks to your favor, I was born in a poor family and had been diligent in my work for over 100 years. I'm already very satisfied with my current achievements. After washing my hands in the gold basin today, I will be free and immerse myself in a landscape. Before washing my hands in the gold basin, according to the custom, I have to ask whether there's any resentment between you and me? If there is, in front of so many friends, we can end it now. Otherwise, after I wash my hands in the gold basin, I don't want to mention it anymore!"

Actually, these were just words out of rite. Of course, he had already ended his resentment with others before this ceremony.

However, he had to ask about it.

Finding that nobody responded below, Master Jiang was very satisfied. With a big smile, he then walked towards the gold basin which was filled with fresh water. When he wanted to put his hand in the gold basin, an abrupt and loud voice sounded among the crowd below in a lazy way.

"Master Jiang, wait a minute please, there's a resentment that you've not ended yet!"

After hearing this voice, Master Jiang frowned as he glanced over the guests. With a "buzz", all the guests turned around and threw their eye lights towards the origin of the voice.

On the edge of the banquet, a guy slowly stood up as he touched his belly.

Of course, he was Zhang Tie.

Watching Zhang Tie standing up leisurely, all the people at the table widely opened their mouths like seeing a ghost in the daytime.

'Is...is...this guy...making...making trouble here? How dare he make trouble in the ceremony of Master Jiang?'

Feeling the eye lights from Master Jiang and the guests at over 200 tables, those at the same table with Zhang Tie twisted their bodies like sitting on a piece of red-hot iron. It would be too inauspicious if they were mistaken by Master Jiang as the accomplices of Zhang Tie. If they left there right away, under the gazes of over 200 tables of guests, they would look too timid.

Therefore, they felt extremely embarrassed as their faces turned as dark as coal.

Nobody dared to use chopsticks anymore on this occasion.

"Friend, you look a bit strange. Sorry for my poor vision, I don't remember that I met you before. I wonder about the resentment between you and me?"

As he had experienced many big scenes, only after being silent for a couple of seconds, Master Jiang had opened his mouth in a calm pattern like a king. Given his calm look, many guests at present hailed him.

On this occasion, thousands of guests could only widely open their eyes while pricking up their ears.

"There's no resentment between Master Jiang and me. But at the request of others, I have to make trouble here!" Zhang Tie let out a sigh.

"I wonder who told you to do that, my friend?" Master Jiang asked with a big smile.

"It's 2700 million commoners across Youzhou Province. Now that Master Jiang wants to kill them, I have to kill you as a compensation!"

Soon after Zhang Tie's words, a cold breeze had blown over the entire Jiang Mansion. At the same time, the temperature in Jiang Mansion dropped below zero at once.

Closely after that, with a boom, the courtyard wall in the length of over 300 m outside this banquet venue collapsed at once...

All the elite forces of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province poured inside like a black tide...

Chapter 865: Trampling the Old D**chebag to Death

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

The elite forces in black helmets and armors of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province poured in with shields and battle tools in hands...

In the blink of an eye, some more parts of the courtyard walls of Jiang Mansion had been pushed over while a lot of elites of Provincial Court of Youzhou Province poured in like a black fiery flame and besieged the entire venue.

At the sight of such elites, all the guests felt cold all over as they could only stay still.

"Xiezhi Camp!" Many people at Zhang Tie's table turned pale; some even started to quiver all over.

It was the Xiezhi Camp which pushed over the exterior wall of Jiang Mansion.

Xiezhi was a far-ancient immortal beast worshipped by Hua people. According to the legend, Xiezhi was as large as an adult ox. Besides being covered with black fur, it had a pair of fiery eyes and a horn on its forehead. It was very intelligent and could distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, allegiance and crafty; abhor evils as deadly foes. At the sight of the evil and treacherous ones, it would kill them with its horn before eating them.

The totem of the yamuns in Taixia Country was Xiezhi. As the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province, Zhang Tie's official hat was called Xiezhi Hat, which was similar to the horn of a Xiezhi. As it would take him some time to put it on, Zhang Tie didn't wear it.

The most forcible and deterrent force among the subordinates of Provincial Court of Youzhou Province was Xiezhi Camp.

After Huaiyuan Palace took control of Youzhou Province, the greater part of Breaking Sun Corps and a part of Hurricane Corps had been arranged into Xiezhi Camp and spread over Youzhou Province. They became the most powerful force that Huaiyuan Palace used to rule the province.

In Taixia Country, armies were used to defend enemies from outside while Xiezhi Camp was used to resist enemy from inside.

Based on the standards of Western Continent or Waii Sub-continent, Xiezhi Camp was similar to a super armored police force.

Being composed of the pillar forces of two major corps of Huaiyuan Palace and some local powerhouses in Youzhou Province, although it was called camp, it actually contained 900,000 people, which was equal to the total population of two corps. This was the most powerful force in Zhang Tie's hand. As the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province, of course, Zhang Tie had a good card. Among the judicial agencies in Taixia Country, average criminal hunters were responsible for arresting disperse bandits and criminals while Xiezhi Camp was used to crack down riots.

Over the past 3 months, Xiezhi Camp which was composed of the pillar forces of two major corps of Huaiyuan Palace had already spread over Youzhou Province.

After knowing that Heavens Reaching Church was going to riot in revolt, Zhang Tie directly mobilized the entire Xiezhi Camp.

As the soldiers in Xiezhi Camp had the experience in fighting demons in Waii Sub-continent, undoubtedly, they had a great battle strength; especially the commissioned officers in Xiezhi Camp, most of whom had fought demons. Therefore, their killing qi made people suffocate.

During the period Zhang Tie engulfed the food, the force under the affiliation of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province had already cleaned up the exterior guards of Jiang Mansion. 30,000 elites of Xiezhi Camp had already been in place around Jiang Mansion. The moment Zhang Tie stood up, those elites of Xiezhi Camp had Jiang Mansion under control.

Besides Xiezhi Camp, a lot of powerhouses among the criminal hunters of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province had appeared on the roofs and courtyard walls. With immortal crossbows and heavens tearing nets which could even scare powerhouses, they were glaring at those people in the Mansion.

"At the order of our superior, the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province are here to take down the heretics of Heavens Reaching Church. Anyone who dared move would be killed!" Zhang Yuanshan shouted with a solemn look while entering the venue being escorted by a lot of powerhouses.

At the sight of the soldiers of Xiezhi Camp and Zhang Yuanshan, Master Jiang became still on the arch. He just watched Zhang Tie and replied with a calm voice, "Who're you?"

Zhang Tie slowly pulled off his mask and revealed his original look.

"The dean of Provincial Court of Youzhou Province!"

"Zhang Mushen!"

"Lion of Youzhou Province!"

At the sight of the excessive, young face, the guests exclaimed at once.

3 months ago, Zhang Tie's image had deepened into people's heart in the competition for the provincial governor of Youzhou Province. On this occasion, the moment Zhang Tie showed his original look, he had been recognized by many people.

Zhang Tie revealed a smile at Master Jiang in the distance before saying, "All the 900,000 soldiers of Xiezhi Camp across Youzhou Province have swarmed out and cleaned up all the bases and heads of Heavens Reaching Church across Youzhou Province. You will have no time to notice them. Altar Head Jiang, why not fold your hands for capture?'

Master Jiang let out a long sigh of grief before saying, "I've been working so hard in my life so that I could have such properties. I know that wealth could incur disasters. My properties make people jealous. As Huaiyuan Palace has just laid a foundation in Youzhou Province, it needs to expand in all aspects. I planned to wash my hands in the gold basin for the sake of my safety; I've not imagined that I was still one step late. Now that you liked my properties which were made during the past 100 years, you could have just told me about that. I would have directly gifted them to you. Why do you have to kill so many innocent ones and fabricate these crimes for me? I will gift my properties to you only expecting that you could let my old friends and disciples leave safely. From then on, I will be a hermit in deep mountains; pick tea leaves and plant chrysanthemum. How about that?"

After hearing Master Jiang's sigh, the guests were in an uproar.

Zhang Tie had not imagined that this old D**chebag could still make unfounded countercharges at this moment and exonerate himself from the charge while framing Huaiyuan Palace and Zhang Tie at the same time. How incorrigible he was!

Zhang Tie sneered, "No matter how talkative you're, you could not escape today. As for whether you're the heretic of Heavens Reaching Church, we only need to take you down and search around Jiang Mansion. To prevent commoners from being killed by your b*stards, I will chop off the head of anyone who dares to block me. Do you think that I will be scared by your brief words? Come on!"

"It seems that you've determined to embezzle my properties and don't intend to leave me alive!" Master Jiang lowered his voice...

"Take him down!" Zhang Tie shouted.

Zhang Yuanshan and two criminal hunters of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province instantly charged at Master Jiang at the same time.

"Zhang Mushen the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province wants to embezzle the properties of our master and kill all of us. Brothers, let's fight these sons of bitches officials to death!"

The moment Zhang Yuanshan moved, one of the old d**chebag's disciples had shouted of extremely grief as he directly took a weapon and rushed towards those soldiers of Xiezhi Camp.

Many disciples and servants of that old d**chebag moved too as they wanted to cause a bigger chaos here.

However, they were in Taixia Country. Although not all the officials were good-hearted here, the local administration of civil affairs was clean in compliance with the strict laws and complete system. Few officials dared bully commoners or plunder the properties of commoners across Taixia Country.

Those who attended this ceremony were not silly. They would not directly rush towards those soldiers of Xiezhi Camp at the risk of their lives only because of some guys' instigation. Actually, even if Zhang Tie was arresting those guys' parents and brothers, these guys would hurriedly disassociate themselves from them regardless of the so-called righteousness once the latter ones were related to the Heavens Reaching Church, not to mention that Zhang Tie was catching Master Jiang.

Those who wanted to provoke chaos and charge at soldiers of Xiezhi Camp were waiting for the storm-like bolts of the immortal crossbows.

In a split second, some corpses had lain on the ground like hedgehogs. The small turmoil was appeased at once.

...

Suddenly, two longswords appeared in the hands of Master Jiang on the arch.

Nobody could imagine about such a change. With a sword qi, Zhang Yuanshan and two powerhouses were sent flying backward from the arch after uttering a muffled harrumph at the same time...

Even one LV 15 battle spirit and two LV 14 battle demons could not defeat Master Jiang.

Zhang Yuanshan's face turned red while a part of his sleeve had been left on the arch. After landing on the ground, Zhang Yuanshan's fingers were still dropping blood while the two LV 14 powerhouses both moved some steps backward and spat out blood at the same time.

With a cracking sound, the long gown of Master Jiang was broken while a pair of wings and a tail suddenly stretched out of his back. He flew off at once.

Among humans, besides knights, no one else could fly. As for those who could speak human words with wings, they could only be minas, parrots or demons.

"Ahh, shadow demon!"

One guest cried as if his anus was being stabbed by someone.

Everyone else was shocked by the words "shadow demon" like suffering from a magnitude Richter 10 earthquake.

Zhang Tie was shocked too. Closely after that, he became excited while a great trembling sense flashed by his spine like current. He soon caught a longsword on his side and threw it towards the shadow demon...

With a fiery flame, the longsword hit that shadow demon who was flapping its wings immediately.

After that, they heard a thunder, which shocked almost the entire Youzhou City. At the same time, its bloody flesh and body parts fell into the arch, which included broken and burned wings, a greater part of the tail and a strange body being covered with scales whose chest had been penetrated through with a horn on its head. Besides, its eyes were very terrifying...

"...Hua people...'s doomsday is coming...I'm waiting...for you in the hell...ha...ha..."

Although the voice belonged to Master Jiang, the remaining body where the words came from made people tremble with fear.

The pleasant laughter came to an end at once...while that ugly head was trampled to pieces by Zhang Tie...

Zhang Tie didn't know that his image had become extremely brave and fierce in the eyes of the guests.

After moving his foot away from it, Zhang Tie flicked off the blood stains on his clothes...

"Congratulations, Castle Lord, you got one more fruit of plunder!" Heller, who had not talked with Zhang Tie in a while, uttered a voice in Zhang Tie's mind sea...

'Great...'

Zhang Tie couldn't help raising his mouth corners. He then continued to shout with a dignified look, "Topple over the entire Jiang Mansion..."

Chapter 866: Defeating the Heavens Reaching Church

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

At least by now, Taixia Country was still scared by this heresy's ability to mislead people and the indirect harm that it posed to commoners instead of its direct battle strength.

Last November, after the riot caused by the Heavens Reaching Church in Ganzhou Province was pacified, it was said that the highest level among those insurgents was just LV 13 battle general; even though, the riot in Ganzhou Province still caused a great harm to commoners in Ganzhou Province; even the entire Taixia Country was shocked.

Throughout the past hundreds of years, there were always guys in remote rural areas who liked to play religions; however, those guys were more like spicing up the daily life of provincial courts than being heresies. They used to hide in a small room in a group of ten to dozens. After that, some brain-damaged guys would disguise to be gods or something like "Emperor**", "Heavensman**", "Incarnation of **", etc.. More than 10 cases like this could be found in the archives of each provincial court.

As for such cases, even some bowmen under the leadership of the village constable could clean them up, not to mention those criminal hunters in the provincial courts. Local officials liked these guys the most. Because it would not take them too much time to handle these guys. Additionally, after reporting the cases to the superiors, they could be awarded a lot due to their so-called big achievements. Therefore, those village constables, heads of a group of households and county magistrates would be in an ecstasy of delight like hitting the jackpot.

Whereas, the Heavens Reaching Church was different from the other "heresies" in Ganzhou Province. In only a couple of days, it had heavily inflicted over 10 suburban counties. Even commoners were threatened to join in the riot. Anyone who disobeyed them would be killed together with his family members. In the suburban counties, all the officials and civil servants in Taixia Country would be killed together with their family members in an extremely cruel way once they fell into the hand of Heavens Reaching Church.

Over the past hundreds of years, the Heavens Reaching Church was the first heresy which caused over 1 million casualties. Therefore, it shocked the entire Taixia Country. Even though the supreme court of Taixia Country had to dispatch their right-hand criminal hunters and powerhouses to Ganzhou so as to handle the follow-up events. Additionally, they dispatched documents to the entire country for arresting the leftover evils of the Heavens Reaching Church.

Until today, even the supreme court of Taixia Country had not imagined that the Heavens Reaching Church was supported by demons, not to mention Zhang Tie.

From today on, Zhang Tie knew that the Heavens Reaching Church would shock the entire country once again.

Because it was not simply a civil strife among humans, but with a more complex background. They had sharply different properties.

Clearly, Zhang Tie knew that he had made another great meritorious deed this time. If not him, nobody across Taixia Country would ever know that the Heavens Reaching Church was supported by demons.

All the subordinates of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province were throwing an eager look at Zhang Tie. Because all of them knew that the dean of the Provincial Court had made a great meritorious deed this time; of course, they also benefited from Zhang Tie's halos.

Although having made a great meritorious deed, Zhang Tie didn't become conceited; instead, he was faintly worried about the last words that the "Master Jiang" roared when he trampled its head into sh*t.

'The doomsday of Hua people?'

'Is that the old d**chebag's alarmism at the final moment or the shaper means that demons would use to attack Taixia Country and Hua people?'

Zhang Tie thought.

'Pitifully, as the brain structure of demon is greatly different than that of humans, my "Soul Capture Skill" is ineffective to the shadow demon; otherwise, I could even know what other messages does that shadow demon know. This shadow demon is even more advanced than Master Abyan. It's already a battle-spirit demon, which was close to a knight. Such a guy must know a lot after lurking in humans for so long!

Zhang Tie had made a great achievement today; however, a great sense of crisis woke up Zhang Tie who had immersed in the warm family life for a couple of months once again.

Both demons and Gobbling Party were very terrifying forces.

'In order to respond to the situation in the future, I need to improve my battle strength.'

'Come on!' Zhang Tie encouraged himself.

In such a short while, the elites of Provincial Court of Youzhou Province had started to search the Jiang Mansion one inch after another. Zhang Tie was not concerned about that because the Provincial Court had exclusive professionals in this line.

Zhang Tie knew that some items were still buried underground the Jiang Mansion; however, he didn't want to mention it. As the superior, if he considered everything well for his subordinates, his subordinates would have no chance to make meritorious deeds and play their roles. By pretending to be "blind and deaf", he could trigger the initiative of his subordinates.

All the guests and the servants in Jiang Mansion had been isolated by the soldiers of the Provincial Court.

The moment there was a commotion among the guests, the criminal hunters had charged at them. In a split second, they had arrested some guests who came from Gaozhou Province, Yangzhou Province, Mozhou Province and Tongzhou Province; dislocated their jaws and joints all over; bundled them; dragged them onto the vehicles outside and interrogated them on the spot. These people were all members of the Heavens Reaching Church from the other provinces in the territory of the Northeast Military Region who were preparing to contact the old d**chebag Jiang by this chance.

Standing on the arch, Zhang Tie watched the 200-odd dining tables which remained unchanged. He then shook his head. Who would dare continue to eat at this moment? Therefore, all the dining tables have cooled down.'

Each part of that shadow demon's body had been gathered onto the arch. Right on Zhang Tie's side, Zhang Yuanshan observed two experienced coroners examining the corpse of the shadow demon.

When this shadow demon fought Zhang Yuanshan and the two criminal hunters, it suddenly had two longswords in its hands, which were not silver secret items that could be formed in the elements realm which were usually used by knights; but high-end rune weapons. Now that this shadow demon could have 2 weapons out of the air, it must carry a rare space-teleportation equipment. After finding that those ornaments on the corpse of the shadow demon were just common rune equipment, Zhang Yuanshan fetched two experienced coroners and asked them to examine the inside of this corpse carefully.

As long as the space-teleportation equipment was close to the body of its user, it would be effective whether it was on or in the user's body. Of course, people could barely hide a space-teleportation equipment in their body.

When a coroner cut open the skin of the shadow demon's left carpal, a bead as large as a common pearl with exotic metallic luster appeared.

The bead was still bloody. After taking it out using a pair of tweezers, the coroner cleaned it in alcohol. After wiping up it with a piece of dried cloth, he handed it to Zhang Yuanshan. Without examining it, Zhang Yuanshan directly passed it to Zhang Tie respectfully, "Lord, look!"

After taking it, Zhang Tie looked around it in his hand when he found the exotic runes on the surface of the bead.

Zhang Tie then injected his spirtiual energy into the bead.

As the demon shadow had just been killed, a part of its spiritual energy still remained in the space tunnel in the bead. Nevertheless, how could Zhang Tie care about such a bit foreign spiritual energy? The moment he ran his spiritual energy, it had charged at the remaining spiritual energy of the demon shadow like a ground-breaking tsunami. As a result, the remaining spiritual energy in the bead instantly disappeared like how a sand fortress was destroyed by a flood.

A space appeared in front of Zhang Tie's eyes.

This space was about 5 m in length, width and height respectively, which was nearly 4 times larger than that of the demon general.

Like what he had seen in the space of the portable space-teleportation equipment of demon general, Zhang Tie also saw a pile of gold coins, weapons, food, fresh water, vials, jars and mirrors. Right, mirrors, the same as that in the backroom of Master Abyan. It seemed to be a peculiarity of shadow demons. At the sight of something else, Zhang Tie was so scared that he even felt goosebumps all over his body.

Zhang Tie then moved over 20 naked, well-preserved female human corpses onto the arch out of the space-teleportation equipment, which scared those in the surroundings.

Zhang Tie had people cover those female corpses before letting out a sigh, "Go investigate the cases of missing women in the residence of this old d**chebag. If their information matched those in the cases, contact their family members; as for the unidentified ones, just bury them properly!"

Zhang Tie sighed inside, 'All the shadow demons are abnormal. Just like Master Abyan, this old d**chebag had lost its wife and didn't marry any woman over for many years; although it disguised to be sentimental in the public, it had done so many evil things secretly.'

Those female corpses were soon carried away by the soldiers of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province.

"Lord, we found something over there!"

The moment the female corpses were carried away, an official of the Provincial Court had trotted towards Zhang Tie and invited him to take a look over there.

...

In the basement of Jiang Mansion, there was an extremely hidden dungeon. The moment Zhang Tie entered the dungeon, he had heard a hysterical roar like pigs which were going to be slaughtered.

"B*stard, you old d**chebag. Let me off. Do you know who I am? When this father is out of here, I will kill all your family members and pick off your head and make it a urinal; I will explode your anus with a red-hot iron rode and rape all of your women tens of thousands of times before selling them to the lowest-rank brothels. This father will pay 100 gold coins to anyone who could f*ck them for. You old d**chebag, old dick, let me out of there..."

Along the source of the voice, Zhang Tie saw a disheveled fat roar in the dungeon-like being mad.

It seemed that this guy had suffered a lot of tortures here. However, he still looked energetic. His original clothes were not bad; however, they had become cloth strips. Hanging over his body, they seemed to have been caused by whips, because the blood traces could be seen under those stripes...

"Who's him?"

"He said he was Zhu Dabiao, the grandson of the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province. As I dare not make the decision, I invite Your Lord to deal with him!"

Zhang Tie nodded as he knew what the official meant. 'If this guy is really the grandson of the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province, I'd better save him out of there myself so as to indicate that I paid special attention to him.'

'Yangzhou Province is one of the upper 36 provinces in Taixia Country and the most prosperous part in the Northeast Military Region. Even though the Northeast Military Region Headquarter is located in Yangzhou Province. If this guy is really the grandson of the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province, he must be rich. But why would Zhu Dabiao stay here? Wait...Zhu Dabiao...this name sounds a bit familiar, it seems that I've heard about it before...Ahh...I got it...When I was in the Land Bureau of Youzhou Province, the clerk said that the grandson of the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province had bought a patch of land which covered over 200,000 square miles in Youzhou Province...'

When Zhang Tie walked over there, Zhu Dabiao who was roaring instantly caught sight of him and those subordinates on Zhang Tie's side. When he saw them wearing togas of Provincial Court, Zhu Dabiao instantly stopped roaring as he widely opened his eyes...

"Who're you?" Zhu Dabiao asked Zhang Tie.

Zhu Dabiao was really fat. Even though he opened his eyes, he could only show a narrow gap between his eyelids; when he tried to widely open his eyes, his eyes were just as large as that of normal people, which looked a bit ridiculous.

"Help Childe Zhu open the door!" Zhang Tie waved his hand instead of answering him.

"Humph, humph, whether you were dispatched by that old d**chebag surnamed Jiang? Do you think you could get this father hooked only after changing some sets of clothes to the uniform of Provincial Court?" Zhu Dabiao sneered as he crossed his arms and continued, "Do you really take this father as an idiot? This father had already been fed up with this trick at the age of 8! It might be better if you use honey-trap at this moment."

"Shut up, this is Lord Zhang, Zhang Mushen, the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province!" Zhang Yuanshan scolded him.

The provincial governor of Yanzhou Province might scare him a bit; however, honestly, the grandson of the provincial governor of Yangzhou Province was not qualified to be arrogant in front of Zhang Yuanshan. Even a spirited LV 9 county magistrate in Taixia Country didn't need to be polite to the grandson of a provincial governor. This was a feature of Taixia Country. Although descendants of major clans were rich, they were not qualified to be arrogant in front of the officials of Taixia Country.

With a cracking sound, the door of Zhu Dabiao's cell was opened.

Zhu Dabiao changed his face and attempted to walk out of the gate of the dungeon; after finding that the others were just watching him instead of catching him, he moved his eyes onto Zhang Tie, "Are you...the real...Lion of Youzhou Province?"

Zhang Tie responded with a smile, "When I went to the Land Bureau of Youzhou Province a couple of days ago, I was told that Childe Zhu had purchased over 200,000 square miles' land in Youzhou Province and had just paid it in the bank. How did you get here?"

Zhu Dabiao gazed at Zhang Tie as his eyes gradually turned wet. All of a sudden, he rushed forward and embraced Zhang Tie like a person who was going to be drown suddenly caught a buoy or someone who suddenly embraced his relative after departing with him for decades. Closely after that, he burst out into tears while dropping nasal mucus, "Ahh, my god, thankfully, you came. If you were two days late, I would have been killed or tortured to death by that old d**chebag. I almost collapsed mentally and physically. I've not enjoyed many things. I'm only 27 years old; I'm still a virgin. I don't wanna die. Even though when I was surrounded by 7 beauties in the Heavens Leaning Pavilion last time, I had stuck to my bottom line. I don't wanna die here. I've made appointed with Chunlian that I would be a real man at 30, wuhwuhwuhwuh..."

Childe Zhu's "cries" sounded so miserable that those onlookers even felt like crying for him. When he cried, he kept grumbling. Not knowing how long he had been locked in here and what mistreat had he experienced, Zhang Tie became wordless about how Zhu Dabiao vented his emotions. Zhang Tie could not imagine that a tough guy who had been clamoring and swearing in the cell suddenly turned into a such a tearful person...

"Ahem..ahem..." Zhang Tie cleared his throat as he felt that he would have to change his clothes if he was further embraced by Zhu Dabiao. After comforting Childe Zhu by patting his back, Zhang Tie slowly moved the hands of Childe Zhu away, "Childe Zhu, the old d**chebag that you mentioned has been executed. I suggest you have your doctor examine your health after exiting. As you've stayed here for a few days, you'd better ensure that you're not inflicted by any disease!"

After hearing this, Zhu Dabiao hurriedly stopped crying. After venting his emotions, he looked around before wiping his tears off. Zhu Dabiao then suddenly felt being a bit embarrassed as he watched Zhang Tie and asked with an unconfident voice, "What I said...just now..."

"Have you heard about that?" Zhang Tie asked those on his side.

"Besides hearing that Childe Zhu swore the old d**chebag Jiang heroically in the cell, we heard nothing else!" A guy said wisely after exchanging a glance with all the others while the others nodded.

Zhang Tie then smiled, "Although being in a dilemma, Childe Zhu still defied steadfastly all brutal forces heroically. You're really an admirable posterity of the famous clan! In this world, those merciless are all contemptible; those who drop tears are all heroes; we don't need to care too much about the trivial things such as dropping tears."

After hearing this, Zhu Dabiao was deeply moved as his eyes turned red. While Zhang Tie was worried that he would burst out into tears once again, Zhu Dabiao forcefully patted his thick, big hands onto Zhang Tie's shoulder twice before saying, "From today on, you're my good brother!"

...

The moment he came to the ground, Zhu Dabiao had started to sniff the air while forcefully swallowing his saliva, "This is braised venison...this is bear palm with honey...f*ck, and...and Eight-Treasure mountainous delicacies..."

Before Zhang Tie invited him to eat, Zhu Dabiao had darted towards the banquet like a wild ox...

After exchanging a glance with each other, Zhang Tie and Zhang Yuanshan both wondered inside, 'Is this grandson of the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province a dog or something? How could he have such a sharp smell? He's over 100 m away from the banquet...'

Zhang Tie shook his head...

When Zhang Tie and Zhang Yuanshan arrived there, they found Zhu Dabiao was holding a bear palm with one hand and a roasted chicken with another hand while chewing something; at the same time, he was trampling the corpse of that shadow demon forcefully like a witch on the arch, causing the corpse to badly mutilate. Besides, he kept swearing, "You whip me...whip me..."

At this moment, Zhang Yuanshan whispered to Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie became faintly stunned before asking, "Does this work?"

"If you hunt and kill an evil person, these properties should be confiscated and submitted to the government. However, according to the regulation in the Laws of Taixia Country, now that the old d**chebag Jiang is a demon, all of its properties will become your trophies, Your Lord. As the Laws of Taixia Country are supreme in Taixia Country, we need to handle affairs according to the supreme law. Therefore, everything in the Jiang Mansion, even those under the name of the old d**chebag Jiang belong to you, Your Lord!" Zhang Yuanshan whispered.

Touching that space-teleportation equipment in his hand, Zhang Tie considered about it for a couple of seconds before saying, "You can make a plan to share those trophies with all the subordinates of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province. Just take it as my red packet, which symbolizes a good start!"

After taking a deep breath, Zhang Yuanshan bowed towards Zhang Tie respectfully, "Yes, sir, Your Merciful Lord!"

...

In such a short period, being tortured by the strict means of the Provincial Court, those members of Heavens Reaching Church who had been taken away for interrogation had admitted their background and their target here...

"It's time to notice the Northeast Military Region and the other provincial courts. Celerity is the most important affair in war. Don't let those guys escape in advance..." Zhang Tie issued the order...

...

On January 1st of the 900th year of Black Iron Calendar, namely, the first day of the lunar new year...

In one day, Zhang Mushen the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province had dispatched over 900,000 soldiers of Xiezhi Camp across Youzhou Province and coordinated with elite criminal hunters to arrest and kill over 17,000 believers of Heavens Reaching Church in Youzhou Province and destroy 37 secret bases...

On the same day, after receiving the intelligence from the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province, the powerhouses from all the provincial courts in Northeast Military Region had launched an emergency action on the same evening and captured so many believers of Heavens Reaching Church lurking in the territory of Northeast Military Region. As a result, the forces of Heavens Reaching Church across the Northeast Military Region had almost been destroyed.

After a couple of days, the plot that the Heavens Reaching Church was going to rise in revolt in Youzhou Province, even the entire Northeast Military Region was revealed to the public.

After knowing that the Heavens Reaching Church was going to rise in revolt across Northeast Military Region in the new year festival, many people oozed sweat.

After coming to Taixia Country for a few months, Zhang Tie's name had become well-known even out of the Northeast Military Region. The nickname Lion of Youzhou Province started to spread across Taixia Country for the first time...

On January 4th, Commander Cheng's airship arrived at Youzhou City once again...