Becoming a leader of the immortal path begins with sowing the seeds of inner demons.

Compared to when they first met, Zhou Qianqian hadn't changed much; she still had that lively and adorable baby face.

There's an indescribable change in her demeanor, and she looks fatter... um?

Lu Ming stared blankly as a familiar big face peeked out from behind Zhou Qianqian.

Daikin?

As if it had discovered something, Da Jin raised its head, sniffed around in confusion, looked around, and muttered, "Strange meow."

"Don't be rude." Zhou Qianqian bent down and ruffled Da Jin's hair. Da Jin immediately squinted his eyes comfortably. "I'll take you to eat dried fish later."

"Okay!" Da Jin immediately forgot about the strange sense of familiarity he had just felt, his eyes lit up, and drool unconsciously dripped down his saliva as he affectionately nuzzled Zhou Qianqian.

Seeing this, Lu Ming suddenly had the illusion that his son was too old to stay at home.

These past few days he had been worried that Da Jin was leaving him and was overthinking things, but now it seems she's doing quite well...

Da Jin sneezed for no apparent reason and looked around in confusion again.

It's strange. My father isn't here, so why do I always feel like he's watching me?

"Please excuse my poor appearance." Zhou Qianqian picked up Da Jin and apologized to Lu Ming and the other man, "This cat was left here by my sister's friend. It's been spoiled a lot, so please bear with it, sir."

Before Lu Ming could speak, Chen Zheng stepped forward and asked, "Have you reported it to the government office?"

"Of course," Zhou Qianqian smiled. "We dare not neglect matters personally entrusted to us by the sect leader."

This isn't the place to talk. Please come inside, both of you.

Chen Zheng had no further questions and gave Lu Ming a wink, signaling him to go first.

Zhou Qianqian saw all of this, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes, but she didn't ask anything, and led the way with Dajin in her arms.

Soon, Lu Ming saw the main hall of the Zhou family.

The doorway was filled with members of the Zhou family, all wearing ingratiating smiles and bowing to Lu Ming.

Zhou Yunting stood in the middle, his face tense, as if he were under immense pressure, his smile unusually stiff.

The familiar scene made Lu Ming feel somewhat dazed.

Last time, he was one of these people, standing nervously in the hall.

But this time, the person hasn't changed; he's become the object of everyone's flattery.

"Alright, everyone except the person in charge of the Zhou family, may leave." Chen Zheng said coldly, "Yu Hua Sect's routine matters do not require such formalities."

"Yes, yes!" Zhou Yunting nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead, hurriedly signaled everyone to disperse, and bowed to invite Lu Ming and the other person into the hall.

Lu Ming discovered that, in addition to Zhou Yunting and the two middle-aged cultivators, Zhou Qianqian had also stayed behind.

Is she also in charge of the Zhou family?

How come I didn't hear a single word about it before?

Upon entering the hall, Lu Ming and Chen Zheng sat at the head of the table, while the Zhou family members did not sit either, but stood in front of their respective seats like students being scolded.

Lu Ming was even more puzzled upon seeing this.

The Zhou family and the Yuhua Sect have a close relationship, and now that their daughter has joined the sect, why are they so closely connected... Could it be because of Chai Yan?

So, is this re-registration of cultivators also...?

"You know why we've come, so I won't say more," Chen Zheng said, his voice serious and cold. "The Zhou family harbored an evil cultivator, and we knowingly failed to report it. What is their punishment?!"

Upon hearing this, the two middle-aged cultivators from the Zhou family could no longer hold on and knelt down.

Zhou Yunhai begged for mercy repeatedly, his voice trembling as he said, "Reporting to the Emperor, my brother and I were completely unaware of Chai Yan's entry into the Zhou family."

We two have always been busy at the mine and have never interfered in family affairs. We hope Your Excellency will understand!

Zhou Yunfan nodded in agreement, sweat beading on his forehead as he kept swallowing.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunting seemed to age ten years. His lips trembled slightly, but he said nothing. After a silent sigh, he bowed to Chen Zheng and said, "Sir, the fault in this matter truly lies with me and has nothing to do with others."

Please revise the punishment accordingly; Zhou will have no complaints.

Chen Zheng didn't speak, but picked up the tea on the table. As Lu Ming was puzzled, a voice suddenly rang in his mind.

"It's your turn."

Lu Ming was taken aback, and it took him a moment to realize that he was being asked to play the good cop.

My senior brother is a really nice person.

He immediately cleared his throat and said with a kind smile, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be nervous."

As Senior Brother Chen just said, this visit is just a routine matter.

"Tell me first, how did Chai Yan come to be here, and how did he gain entry into the Zhou family?"

The two people on the ground turned their gazes to Zhou Yunting, their eyes filled with hope and pleading.

Seeing this, Zhou Yunting sighed silently again and said blankly, "Qibing Shangxiu, it was my mistake in judging people."

I only felt that Chai Yan was a Golden Core cultivator, and that joining the Zhou family might allow him to train more descendants for the family, so I..."

"Hmph!" Chen Zheng put down his teacup without much fuss and said coldly, "Still lying?"

You knew that the monks from other states were to go to the government office for verification.

You all forged his identity, willing to break the laws of Yujiang Prefecture, just to bring him into the Zhou family.

Is it really just for teaching purposes?!

Zhou Yunting's face turned pale, his lips trembled, and he was speechless for a long time.

Lu Ming then added, "Senior brother, don't be anxious. Perhaps the Zhou family has its own unspeakable difficulties."

As far as I know, the Zhou family has always been worried about the mine.

"I wonder if the Zhou family head's introduction of Chai Yan into the Zhou family is related to the mine?"

The two people kneeling on the ground were struck as if by lightning, and their bodies began to tremble uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Lu Ming secretly cast a questioning glance at Chen Zheng.

The reactions of these two people didn't seem normal at all.

Is this visit really for verification and registration?

Chen Zheng gestured for Lu Ming to calm down, then suddenly changed the subject, looking at Zhou Qianqian who hadn't spoken yet, and narrowed his eyes, saying, "It seems you're not on the list of Zhou family cultivators?"

Zhou Qianqian hurriedly handed over a jade slip and said nervously, "Reporting to the Supreme Master, this junior has already joined the Yu Hua Sect and is a disciple of the Golden Core cultivator Yin Xuan Zhenren. Please understand."

"Yu Hua Sect?" After probing with his divine sense, Chen Zheng returned the jade slip and asked, "I noticed you haven't been a disciple for very long. Why are you back so suddenly?"

"My master and senior brother are in seclusion. I was living a hard life on the mountain, so... I secretly ran away and came back." Under pressure, Zhou Qianqian reverted to the familiar demeanor of Lu Ming, scratching her head and blushing slightly.

"Please keep this a secret and don't tell my master or fellow disciples."

Chen Zheng didn't speak, but raised his hand and handed a jade slip to Zhou Yunting. "Call everyone outside the hall. I need to check them one by one."

Out of consideration for the relationship between the Zhou family and the sect leader, the matter of harboring evil cultivators will not be repeated...

Half an hour later.

The Zhou family members, filled with the joy of surviving a disaster, warmly saw Lu Ming and his companion off from the Zhou residence.

Lu Ming, carrying large and small bags, stood blankly behind Chen Zheng, not realizing what had happened until the two returned to Zhilu Peak on clouds.

Isn't it for verification and registration?

Why did you come back after receiving a gift?

With a sullen face, Chen Zheng landed and immediately sent a message to Chen Mo. After exchanging a few words, he flew to the house above.

"Senior brother, where are we going?" Lu Ming couldn't help but ask.

"We've got a big job coming up," Chen Zheng said in a deep voice. "Throw the stuff by the door. It's considered stolen goods, and someone will handle it."

"Stolen goods..."

Lu Ming's words were cut off by the sound of the door opening.

Inside the door, the layout was similar to that of the law enforcement officers below.

In the center of the hall, there was a new scroll floating in the air. It depicted the overall layout of Yujiang Prefecture.

Lu Ming could see it clearly; the drawing was not only detailed but also lifelike.

The figures inside are still moving!

"Junior Brother Chen?" A beautiful female cultivator looked up and smiled, "Is it over?"

Then I'll inform the city defense command to return.

"No." Chen Zheng ignored the astonishment on the female cultivator's face and said seriously, "I have already informed my senior brother."

There's something I need you all to send someone from each department to discuss.

"Weren't you going to the Zhou family to arrest someone?" the female cultivator asked in surprise. "The evidence is conclusive, what else do you need to ask?"

"We've made a new discovery," Chen Zheng said with a solemn expression. "The evil cultivators who have infiltrated Chenzhou are not just Chai Yan."

They may be coming longer and for more time than we expect.