The Wang family's old ancestor was a legendary figure on the continent.
When speaking of legend, it wasn't about great deeds or profound cultivation, but simply because this elder was already two hundred and twenty-one years old.
The old man stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze locked onto those grey-white pupils, exuding a faint but palpable presence.
He couldn't help but feel a touch of nostalgia; how long had it been since someone spoke to him like this, ever since the death of the first emperor?
Perhaps… a hundred years?
"As expected of barbarous territory, not only are the palace rules unknown, but basic respect is also absent."
A slightly effeminate voice broke the silence. The grey-white pupils turned towards the sound, and there stood a eunuch, clad in a dark blue robe and a triangular conical hat.
His skin was fair, a vermillion dot adorned his brow, but the corners of his eyes drooped, clearly indicating his advanced age.
"Eunuch Huang, he is a boorish fellow, I beg your forgiveness on his behalf."
Yin Zhongxiu, his expression grave, cupped his hands in apology for Xu Mu.
"Yin Zhongxiu, it's been many years, and you've learned to bow," the eunuch said, forming a delicate orchid-like gesture with his hand, his middle finger touching his chin. His gaze then suddenly turned icy, and he sternly rebuked, "But regrettably, for daring to disrespect the old ancestor Wang, he deserves to die!"
Those friendly with Yin Zhongxiu felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
Although Eunuch Huang was an emasculated man, he was a formidable fourth-stage poison cultivator. If he made a move, trouble would surely ensue.
"Disrespect warrants death?" Yin Zhongxiu shook his head. "Forgive my bluntness, but as a governor of the Domain of Ghostly Night, I am well-versed in the Summer Laws, and I've never heard of such a rule."
"But now you have heard it."
Eunuch Huang's eyes turned cold. With a flick of his orchid-like fingers, several cold projectiles shot towards Xu Mu, all imbued with potent poison.
Clang!
Yin Zhongxiu dared not delay. With a raise of his hand, a lunar essence surged forth, intercepting the incoming attacks.
"Xu Mu is a first-class meritorious official of our Great Summer. How dare a mere eunuch declare he can kill him at will?"
"Outrageous!"
The effeminate eunuch shrieked like a drake, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He couldn't stand being called a eunuch!
"Disrespect is one thing, but murder demands a life. Governor Yin, you must acknowledge that," he waved his left hand to the side, and a poisonous domain of yellowish-green hue unfurled, engulfing everyone. However, it targeted only Xu Mu and Yin Zhongxiu. He did not strike immediately, as someone else had yet to speak.
"Regarding the Wang family's affairs, apart from myself, the City Lord of Buding City, Wu Ye, and the imperial envoy were also present. It was a fair life-and-death battle, and both sides signed a life-and-death pact!"
"But what about the Deputy Commander of the Third Division?" Eunuch Huang gritted his teeth. "Don't tell me that Wang Hua also signed a life-and-death pact, and then was killed by this brat alone!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Zhongxiu fell silent. He had naively thought this matter could be glossed over. The Wang family had been in Ghostly Night for three months and had never investigated this issue. He hadn't expected to run into Xu Mu at this particular moment.
And coincidentally, this brat seemed to be in a bad mood.
"This matter will be concluded by the Demon Extermination Division in due course."
Yin Zhongxiu mumbled vaguely.
"We have been waiting for this conclusion for three months."
A hoarse voice spoke. The Wang family's old ancestor remained unmoved, slowly opening his mouth.
"Lord Yaohuo, murder demands a life, it is only natural and just, and does not violate the Summer Laws, correct?"
"Mm."
A middle-aged man, seated in the center and quietly awaiting some event, replied.
Although Xu Mu was from his Demon Extermination Division, this evening's plan truly could not proceed without this elder.
Yin Zhongxiu's face turned pale. The person speaking was a rank-on-the-list expert from their Demon Extermination Division. Even he had to show respect to the Wang family's old ancestor, so what could Yin Zhongxiu do?
"Zhongxiu, step aside."
"Governor Yin, it's not worth it!"
"No one will help you. Don't lose your life over a moment's anger!"
Wu Ye, Lin Yan, and others spoke, urging Yin Zhongxiu to retreat quickly. Xu Mu's death was a foregone conclusion. Even his master's intervention couldn't reverse it. Staying would only implicate him unnecessarily!
For although the Wang family's old ancestor, in his arrogance, would not personally attack Xu Mu, it was enough that Eunuch Huang and a crowd of fourth-stage supporters were present. Even if their powers were severely restricted, a mere third-stage individual like him could not possibly withstand them!
"Governor Yin, before I came here, your Yin family's old ancestor specifically invited me for a cup of tea."
Seeing that he was still insistent on not moving, the Wang family's old ancestor spoke again, directly bringing up the Yin family elder.
He actually didn't want to waste any more words and would have directly annihilated Xu Mu. However, the Yin family held too high a status in the imperial city, and he couldn't act as he pleased.
Certain necessary procedures had to be followed.
Yin Zhongxiu fell silent. His words meant for him to be sensible and leave, using someone to suppress him.
But how could he abandon Xu Mu? This was the benefactor who had saved Yin Shuier's life!
"This is because you refused to yield."
Seeing that he remained obstinate, Eunuch Huang could only let out a sinister chuckle. Within his domain, a wave of poison suddenly surged.
Boom!
Poisonous gas swept out like a dust storm, with immense power. Any Espers who were caught in its periphery immediately began to rot, terrifying them into retreating hastily.
"My personal actions have nothing to do with the Demon Extermination Division or the Yin family!"
Yin Zhongxiu wielded his spear, roaring. He would stand before Xu Mu even if it meant his death, and he would not implicate his family!
But facing a Domain Lord, no matter how strong he was, he could not win. Before even touching the wave of poison, the tip of Yin Zhongxiu's spear began to corrode, and the mercury-like lunar essence had already cooled.
"Ah!" Just as the man roared, intending to fight desperately, a change occurred.
In the space, a green lotus suddenly bloomed. On each petal, a vibrant life force flickered, distinctly different from the poisonous mist.
Buzz!
The green lotus collided with the wave of poison, erupting with incredibly sacred radiance. The life force and corrosive power offset each other, until the eunuch's domain was shattered, and the green lotus still floated in the air.
Eunuch Huang's face turned grim, disbelief evident.
"Who is it!"
A hunched old man walked out from behind the crowd. Xu Mu, in the Heavenly Palace, immediately recognized him.
"Elder Shuju!"
The young man's face lit up with surprise. Wasn't this his subordinate? He had actually come to Xishan too!
"It's him."
Apart from Yin Zhongxiu and his group, Espers from other factions also recognized the old man. He was the sole fourth-stage Esper in the Domain of Ghostly Night, unrestricted by rules, and his strength could be considered the strongest among the fourth-stage.
Facing Eunuch Huang, he hadn't even unfurled his domain before effortlessly neutralizing the other's ability.
"It's you."
The Wang family's old ancestor's face suddenly darkened. So that's how it was. Shuju had also been bought off by Xu Mu, no wonder he hadn't asked for the blood coral in these past few months.
"Damn it!"
Eunuch Huang's expression turned ugly. Over the past three months, his strength had been significantly depleted by Ghostly Night, making him far inferior to his past self. Moreover, this man's Dao method was precisely antithetical to his own; he was no match for him!
"Aren't you going to act yet!"
The man roared in exasperated rage. Instantly, three more fourth-stage Espers stepped forward, all clad in eunuch attire.
" Harboring a murderer, then I can only ask you all to die together!"
Eunuch Huang shouted fiercely, and along with the other three, they simultaneously attacked. Elder Shuju and Yin Zhongxiu exchanged a glance, then prepared to fight to the death.
But just then, from the distant mountain forest behind them, a familiar voice rang out:
"Wait!"
Everyone's actions abruptly halted. They sensed the oppressive aura of dozens of powerful individuals of the same rank, all in the fourth realm.
Then, Changsun Wuji and others suddenly appeared. They had just arrived.
"Apologies, I am late."
The man smiled at Xu Mu, then his expression turned cold.
"I am the patriarch of the Changsun family, Changsun Wuji."
"This fellow Daoist has shown me great kindness."
"Whoever wishes to move against him must first pass me!"