Chapter 983: Establishing the Facts

After apprehending Wang Xibei, Han Yao took him aside for interrogation.

Meng Zhang and Sun Sheng were left where they were, both sitting quietly, ignoring each other.

Sun Sheng occasionally stole glances at Meng Zhang, wanting to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

There were several separate rooms here, and Han Yao chose one. He dismissed the people around and began the interrogation.

After half a day had passed, presumably concluding the questioning, Han Yao walked to the door of the room and looked this way.

Feng Baofeng hurried over to inquire and asked what to do next.

Han Yao casually instructed, "Those captured cultivators have some guts, daring to obstruct the Five Punishments Guard's execution of duty. While they may not be related to Demonic Cultivation, we can't let them off so easily."

"As for how to punish them, we'll discuss that later. Keep an eye on them for now. No matter who pleads on their behalf, don't release them."

After Feng Baofeng went to carry out his orders, Han Yao gestured to Meng Zhang and then walked into the room.

Meng Zhang smartly jogged over and entered the room.

Around the room, Han Yao had already set up simple restrictions that could block any sounds or movements from inside.

As Meng Zhang entered the room, Han Yao was sitting in the center.

In a corner of the room, Qin Canmou and Wang Xibei were lying limp on the ground, clearly unconscious.

The two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs were sprawled like trash on the side, which sent a chill down Meng Zhang's spine.

He didn't dare to be disrespectful, offering a respectful bow to Han Yao, then standing attentively to the side, remaining silent.

He understood that, not knowing the situation, it was best not to speak out of turn. Han Yao had called him over for a reason.

Han Yao remained silent, not speaking a word.

Although the atmosphere was somewhat awkward, Meng Zhang seemed completely oblivious, maintaining his original posture unchanged.

After a considerable while, Han Yao finally began to speak.

"Regarding Taiyi Sect and you as the Sect Master, I've heard a bit about it in the past."

"Many years ago, you assisted Zhang Wei Neng, the Governor of Jiuqu Province, in uncovering the Demonic Cultivation of the secret demonic lineage.""According to Zhang Wei Neng, your Taiyi Sect's heritage includes various methods to identify Demonic Cultivation and some useful techniques for dealing with Demon Gods."

The incident involving You Hongzhi True Monarch of the Four Seas Commercial Firm happened many years ago and had a significant impact in Jiuqu Province at that time.

Because it concerned the secret demonic lineage, Zhang Wei Neng provided detailed reports to the native Dali Dynasty.

Meng Zhang's ability to detect You Hongzhi's anomalies was attributed by Zhang Wei Neng to Taiyi Sect's heritage.

As the Grand Minister of Judicial Affairs, Han Yao naturally knew about Zhang Wei Neng's reports, and thus was acquainted with Meng Zhang.

"During its time on the Middle-Earth Continent, Taiyi Sect was also a prestigious major sect."

"What's even more commendable is that Taiyi Sect, as a righteous sect, had a firm stance against Demonic Cultivation, making it a reliable force in hunting down Demonic Cultivators."

"The unfortunate destruction of Taiyi Sect in the past was a great loss to many. Fortunately, Taiyi Sect possessed exceptional methods and left behind your remnant sect, which can rise again."

Seeing Han Yao talking to himself, Meng Zhang tactfully refrained from interrupting and listened attentively.

Whether it was the past Zhang Wei Neng or the current Han Yao, both highly praised Taiyi Sect's techniques for dealing with demonic forces.

Ironically, Meng Zhang's own Taiyi Sect inheritance did not cover these aspects.

Apart from his keen Spiritual Awareness, he did not possess exceptional abilities in dealing with demonic forces.

In reality, the Divine Ability to deal with Demon Gods wasn't particularly practical for many cultivators.

In the present Cultivation World, righteous forces were dominant, and Demonic Cultivation was treated like a street rat, typically hiding away.

Many cultivators might go their entire lives without encountering a single instance of Demonic Cultivation, let alone using abilities to subdue Demon Gods.

Rather than investing resources and time in mastering techniques to handle Demon Gods, it was often more productive to enhance their Cultivation Base or practice offensive and defensive Divine Abilities.

Of course, Meng Zhang didn't harbor such shallow thoughts.

After Taiyi Sect's reconstruction in the Grand Crossing Mountain Range, it met its demise due to a demonic calamity.

Just for this reason, disciples of the present Taiyi Sect should cultivate techniques for combating demonic forces to be prepared for unexpected situations.

Meng Zhang, hailing from the wilds of the Endless Sea of Sand, naturally encountered hideouts of unsavory characters like ghost cultivators and Demonic Cultivators.

He had engaged in numerous battles against Demonic Cultivation and even infiltrated groups of demonic creatures.

Although he didn't inherit the full array of Taiyi Sect's techniques to subdue Demon Gods during its prime, Meng Zhang himself had acquired various methods for dispelling evil and defeating demons."When I said you were the guest official of the Five Punishments Guard earlier and you remained silent, it seems you're not an ignorant fool."

"Earlier, you were willing to clash with other Primordial Spirit cultivators to protect Feng Baofeng and the others. Regardless of whether you have intentions of affiliating with the Five Punishments Guard, at the very least, you made the right choice."

"Since I've publicly declared you as a guest official of the Five Punishments Guard, from now on, your name will be recorded in the roster. The tokens that verify your identity and the treatment you deserve will not be lacking."

Han Yao's few casual sentences filled Meng Zhang with joy.

Originally, he just wanted to establish a rapport with the Five Punishments Guard, attempting to ingratiate himself with Han Yao. Unexpectedly, Han Yao was so understanding, handling it all at once by directly making him a true member of the Five Punishments Guard.

While the Five Punishments Guard was not exceptionally powerful as a direct force of the Dali Dynasty's judicial affairs, it held significant influence due to Han Yao's support, and it was active in many aspects.

By joining the Five Punishments Guard, Meng Zhang obtained an official identity within the Dali Dynasty, no longer floating outside the dynasty's framework as before.

What's most important is that Han Yao, as the Shangguan of the Five Punishments Guard, is a formidable backing.

Within the Dali Dynasty, there were very few cultivators who could contend with him.

Long ago, Meng Zhang had tried to find a patron within the imperial court, someone to lean on as support for Taiyi Sect.

When he came to the Dali Dynasty this time, he had that intention but didn't know where to start.

Unexpectedly, this problem was resolved so easily by just a single sentence from Han Yao.

With Han Yao's words, his identity in the Five Punishments Guard was firmly established.

With Han Yao's protection, he certainly wouldn't be able to act recklessly from now on.

However, it would be difficult for old foes like the Grand Merchant Alliance to utilize the Dali Dynasty's official power to suppress Taiyi Sect and Meng Zhang.

Even if Meng Zhang offended Zhang Wei Neng, the Grand Minister of Judicial Affairs of Jiuqu Province, Han Yao's reputation might prevent Zhang Wei Neng from openly causing trouble for Meng Zhang.

Despite his inner jubilation, Meng Zhang maintained a composed demeanor, merely bowing and awaiting orders.

"The Dali Dynasty's judicial affairs are overseen by the Grand Judicial Minister, and the Five Punishments Guard is its executor."

"As a member of the Five Punishments Guard, besides upholding the law, you must also safeguard it."

"The greatest taboo when working under me is that you must never collude with Demonic Cultivation."

As Han Yao reached this point, his originally calm and gentle tone suddenly turned stern.

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