Fairy, please don't do this!

Yu Fengzhi lightly jumped onto the horse's back, wrapped her arms around Gu Jinzhao's waist from behind, took the rope, and dragged the two of them out of the courtyard gate.

This time, not only was the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, ranked eighteenth on the Demon List, captured, but Chen Qingfeng's crime of colluding with evil cultivators was also confirmed, and he was caught red-handed.

Previously, in the case of the Zhao family refining the Blood Essence Pill, although Gu Jinzhao had the Blood Spirit Contract as evidence, even if he didn't kill Chen Qiqiao, as long as he brought him back to the Supervisory Office, he could definitely implicate the Zhao family by following the clues.

But he didn't investigate further at the time.

It was only because he had just arrived in Yujing and his foundation was not yet stable.

If we rashly pursue the investigation, we will surely be suppressed by the combined forces of the Zhao and Chen families within the Military Supervisory Office.

Not only will it be difficult to achieve anything, but it may also backfire, making it difficult to even gain a foothold in the government office.

Times have changed. With the Phoenix Token in hand, he now represents the supreme authority bestowed upon him by the Empress Dowager.

Let alone the Zhao and Chen families, even if Emperor Yongxing himself came, he might not give them face.

As their thoughts raced, the two had just stepped out of the alley when they were blocked by two riders.

"Why did Commander Gu capture Centurion Chen?"

All the newcomers rode the Imperial Guard's steeds, wore tiger-striped official robes, had solemn faces, sharp eyes, and exuded the majesty of someone who had long held a high position.

The person who spoke was named Chen Tianheng, a commander of the Demon Suppression Division and a member of the Chen family.

'It's finally here.'

'My deliberate slowing down wasn't in vain.'

Gu Jinzhao's eyes flickered slightly. He cupped his hands in a salute and said in a calm tone, "Chen Qingfeng colluded with Hua Wuyue, the 18th-ranked Thousand-Faced Gentleman on the Demon List. The evidence is conclusive."

Chen Tianheng's gaze swept over Chen Qingfeng, who was bound to the ground and gagged, and his heart sank.

The Chen family was not entirely clear about which evil practitioners the Zhao family had hired.

But once Gu Jinzhao pointed out Hua Wuyue's identity, he immediately understood that this person must be one of them.

Unexpectedly, Chen Qingfeng was foolish enough to get involved with this person and was caught on the spot.

Since things have come to this point, the only thing we can do is try to salvage the situation.

"This case is of great importance. These two will be personally interrogated by me!"

As Chen Tianheng spoke, he stepped forward to take the person away.

Clang—!

The sword rang out clearly, and the Crimson Sky Sword was suddenly drawn from its sheath, lying horizontally in front of him.

Gu Jinzhao stood with his sword in hand, his expression cold and stern: "According to the laws of Cangyue, if the person involved in the case is of the same clan as the presiding judge, the presiding judge must recuse himself and shall not interfere with the detention and interrogation."

"Those who violate this rule will be punished as if they committed the same crime."

Chen Tianheng's face was ashen, and a murderous intent was emanating from him, but he managed to suppress it.

"Chen Qianhu definitely needs to recuse himself."

On the other side, the man who had remained silent rode forward, his gaze sweeping over Gu Jinzhao like a knife, and revealed a tiger-striped jade token, "I am Zhao Qiunan, the commander of the Geng Banner of the Supervisory Office. Am I qualified to inquire about this case?"

The Military Supervisory Office was divided into ten banners according to the order of the Heavenly Stems, each commanded by a commander of a thousand men.

Chen Qingfeng and Gu Jinzhao both belonged to the Geng Banner.

Zhao Qiunan is Gu Jinzhao's boss's boss.

“Commander Zhao is certainly qualified.” Gu Jinchao nodded, but then changed the subject, “However, the Chen and Zhao families have a long-standing relationship, so there is bound to be suspicion of mutual protection.”

"To avoid any appearance of impropriety, I urge you, sir, not to interfere in this case."

Zhao Qiunan's eyes suddenly turned cold: "Commander Gu, do you know that according to Cangyue's laws, anyone who openly disobeys a superior's orders should be dismissed from their post, investigated, and flogged one hundred times!"

"Lord Zhao, you have quite the airs of an official."

Gu Jinzhao chuckled lightly, showing no intention of backing down.

He did not immediately reveal the Phoenix Token, because he wanted to make a big fuss about it and give his Empress Dowager a "surprise".

"You're asking for it!"

Zhao Qiunan said no more, suddenly drew his sword and slashed through the air!

The sword wind surged, and the energy flowed.

His spiritual energy erupted, revealing that his cultivation level was at the early stage of the fifth rank!

Chapter 129, "I will avenge myself!" (3K)

"The Zhao family has no standing in my eyes!"

Gu Jinzhao showed no fear whatsoever. He thrust out the Crimson Sky Sword, and a crimson sword rainbow suddenly shot into the sky, tearing through the night.

A fifth-rank is indeed very strong.

Even if he were to reach the seventh rank of Divine Path and the eighth rank of Martial Path, his chances of winning in a head-on confrontation would be slim.

But Zhao Qiunan is just a paper tiger with empty promises.

His fifth-grade cultivation was entirely achieved through the reliance on pills, resulting in unstable spiritual power and a weak foundation. His actual combat strength was comparable to that of a late-stage sixth-grade cultivator.

With the semi-divine artifact [Crimson Sky] in hand, coupled with his superb PK skills, Gu Jinzhao is more than capable of defeating him!

Boom—!

A great battle has suddenly broken out!

Gu Jinzhao and Zhao Qiunan were locked in a fierce battle, their swords and spears clashing and exploding with violent energy, causing the high walls of the mansion to crumble and shatter in an instant.

This residence was originally built by Chen Qingfeng for his secret rendezvous with Hua Wuyue. He deliberately chose a secluded location with no other houses nearby, but many trees were planted there.

Therefore, no innocent civilians were involved.

This is precisely why Zhao Qiunan dared to act decisively and wanted to take down Gu Jinzhao with swift and decisive measures.

On the other side, seeing that Zhao Qiunan had already made a move, Chen Tianheng took a step forward and coldly looked at Yu Fengzhi, who was standing in front of Chen Qingfeng: "Hand the person over to me!"

His response was a sharp, incomparably fierce crimson sword light.

Yu Fengzhi didn't care who the other party was; she only listened to her brother.

She was originally at the fifth-grade perfect realm, although the control over her cultivation might be weakened due to the [Reverse Fate Technique].

But it's enough to deal with Chen Tianheng, a mid-stage fifth-rank body cultivator!

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

Chen Tianheng snorted coldly, raised his hand, and his powerful true essence transformed into a solid handprint, grabbing the sword light and attempting to crush it.

However, the next moment, his pupils shrank.

That seemingly powerful handprint was easily sliced ​​apart by the crimson sword light as if cutting through rotten paper!

"Fifth Rank Perfection?!"

"Who...who are you?!"

Chen Tianheng's expression changed drastically. He dared not be careless any longer and activated his true energy to meet the attack head-on.

At the same time, a paper crane carrying a message flew out of his sleeve, swift as a streak of light, heading straight towards the direction of the military command.

Chen Tianheng knew perfectly well that Gu Jinzhao was a formidable fighter, while Zhao Qiunan's cultivation at the early stage of the fifth rank was far from genuine. Even if he could win, it would take a lot of time and effort.

Now he was facing this girl of unknown origin who genuinely possessed the cultivation level of a fifth-grade immortal, and the situation was unpredictable.

The only option is to call for help!

Boom! Boom! Boom—!

The four fought fiercely, their true essence and spiritual power surging forth.

Chen Qingfeng's meticulously arranged private residence was razed to the ground in a matter of moments by the violent force, turning it into ruins.

The violent commotion quickly attracted the attention of many people nearby, who gathered around to watch from a distance.

"Those are... Commander Chen and Commander Zhao from the Military Supervisor's Office?"

Why would you be fighting someone here?

"The two people opposite are also wearing tiger-striped official robes. Could they also be from the Military Supervisor's Office?"

Before the discussion had subsided, two muffled thuds exploded almost simultaneously.

Chen Tianheng and Zhao Qiunan were sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground, their faces pale, blood trickling from their mouths, and their breaths weak.

They both lost!

Yu Fengzhi sheathed her sword and stood up, a smug smile on her face: "Feng'er is still a little faster than her brother!"

Gu Jinzhao suppressed the churning blood in his chest and exhaled a long breath: "Feng'er is naturally more capable than her brother, so she's faster."

Just then, a squad of White Tiger Guards from the Military Supervisory Office rushed over, and the leader shouted sternly, "What's going on here? Why are you fighting like this?!"

Just as Gu Jinzhao was about to speak, a thunderous roar suddenly echoed from the sky, making everyone's eardrums ache:

"Gu Jinzhao! How dare you!"

"Colluding with evil cultivators and assassinating a superior, he deserves to die a thousand deaths!"

"You want to kill me?" Gu Jinzhao looked up at the void, grinned, and showed no fear in his eyes. "You're probably not capable."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure standing in the night sky, dressed in a purple tiger-striped official robe, with an imposing and imposing aura.

The visitor was none other than Zhao Xiangcheng, the deputy head of the Military Supervisory Office!

"Even when death is imminent, you still dare to be stubborn!"

Zhao Xiangcheng's eyes flashed with murderous intent. With a cold snort, he made a fist and a gilded spear descended from the clouds, its tip gleaming coldly, aiming straight for Gu Jinchao's heart!

This move is exactly the same as Chen Qingfeng's: first frame someone for a crime, then kill them to silence them!

A cold glint flashed in Yu Fengzhi's eyes, and the Crimson Lotus Sword hummed as if it were about to be drawn.

But Gu Jinzhao waved his hand and calmly took something out of his pocket.

It was a cyan token, on which a phoenix with outstretched wings was depicted, lifelike.

Zhao Xiangcheng's pupils suddenly contracted, his expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stopped his attack. With a grab of his five fingers in the air, the gilded spear that had already pierced in front of Gu Jinchao came to an abrupt halt!

The tip of the spear was only half an inch away from Gu Jinzhao's chest.

Zhao Xiangcheng's figure blurred as he descended from the clouds, bowing deeply before the token, his voice filled with barely concealed panic:

"Your subject Zhao Xiangcheng... pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

【Phoenix Order】!

Seeing this edict is like the Empress Dowager herself being present!

He never expected that Gu Jinzhao would possess such a thing.

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

The White Tiger Guards who rushed over, regardless of their rank, were all awe-inspiring upon seeing this and bowed in unison.

“Vice Prefect Zhao,” Gu Jinchao toyed with the token in his hand, slowly stepped forward, his smile unchanged, “Weren’t you going to kill me just now? Why… aren’t you going to do it?”

The "surprise" he wanted to give Xiao Qingyi was actually very simple.

The matter of the Zhao family's collusion with evil cultivators was thoroughly exposed, and the high-ranking officials of the Zhao and Chen families within the Supervisory Military Office were also dragged into the mess.

Once they show up to stop it, they will no longer be able to absolve themselves of responsibility.

This was undoubtedly handing the Empress Dowager a knife.

If she were to take action at that time, it would not be as simple as killing one or two people, but rather uprooting and completely eliminating the influence of the Zhao and Chen families within the Military Supervisory Office.

This would be tantamount to cutting off one arm of each of the two families!

Zhao Xiangcheng took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with despair and hopelessness: "Chief Gu, you really have some good methods."

He knew that from the moment the Phoenix Token appeared, the foundation that the Zhao and Chen families had built up over many years in the Military Supervisory Office was destined to crumble.

Even he himself is probably doomed.

All of this trouble stemmed from Chen Qingfeng and Zhao Jinbei, two good-for-nothing members of their family.

“By the way,” Gu Jinchao suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, “there is something that Vice Lord Zhao may not know yet.”