Chapter 985: Seeking Refuge

Although Meng Zhang had come to believe Han Yao's words, he still held some reservations in his heart. As a Primordial Spirit cultivator, he had his own mind, his own understanding of things, and his unique perspectives.

From hundreds of years ago when the major fiend had taken notice of him, regardless of the reasons behind the major fiend's actions, they hadn't made a move. And as Meng Zhang grew in strength, he might not necessarily be concerned about the major fiend anymore.

Meng Zhang was confident in himself.

With Han Yao's warning, he would be more cautious about this matter, gathering more information and seeking solutions. However, he would not succumb to panic and become paralyzed by fear.

If his own willpower wasn't strong enough, even before the major fiend's arrival, his inner demons could destroy him.

Seeing Meng Zhang's color returning to normal and his emotions stabilizing, Han Yao nodded in approval.

This kind of resolve was worth nurturing.

"That's the right attitude. Although you've attracted the attention of the major fiend, the sky hasn't fallen yet."

"Offending the major fiend and being viewed unfavorably by them isn't entirely a bad thing."

"If I hadn't recognized this, I wouldn't have trusted you."

Han Yao's words were straightforward. Naturally, if the major fiend held animosity towards Meng Zhang, it meant that Meng Zhang couldn't possibly be colluding with Han Yao's enemies.

The history of the demonic domain was ancient and intricate with numerous factions. However, regardless of which faction of Demonic Cultivation it was, they wouldn't dare casually offend a major fiend.

Ordinary Demonic Cultivators or monsters might not see through the aura on Meng Zhang's body or realize that he had offended the major fiend.

But the Demonic Cultivator who was Han Yao's enemy was highly skilled, possessed an extensive Divine Ability, and had a profound cultivation base. If they had encountered Meng Zhang, they would definitely see through the aura around him.

While this Demonic Cultivator was audacious and powerful, they wouldn't risk offending the major fiend for the sake of a single Meng Zhang.

In this way, Han Yao could confidently and boldly command Meng Zhang.

His public announcement that Meng Zhang was the Guest Officer of the Five Punishments Division had a significant purpose as well.

When Taiyi Sect was still on the Middle-Earth Continent, the sect was known for its ability to subdue Demon Gods.

As the successor of Taiyi Sect, Meng Zhang had at least learned a bit about it.

The Demonic Cultivator that Han Yao had to deal with held considerable influence and was able to command many cultivators within the Dali Dynasty.Relying solely on Han Yao and the power of the Five Punishments Division would be difficult to completely defeat their opponents.

Meng Zhang, being a helper that had come to them, was certainly not going to be let go easily.

The struggle between Han Yao and his formidable adversary was exceedingly complex. He was unwilling to divulge all the details to Meng Zhang, so he gave him a brief overview.

"Within the court, there are always individuals who don't follow the right path. They are eager for quick success and instant benefits, dabbling in unorthodox methods, even delving into demonic practices."

"My Dali Dynasty is currently in conflict with the Purple Yang Holy Sect, and we're under significant external pressure."

"At this time, some people are taking advantage of the situation to influence the Emperor, attempting to promote their demonic practices."

"As someone who is fundamentally opposed to the demonic path, I naturally cannot stand by idly."

"I exerted all my efforts to persuade the Emperor to change his mind and stop using these demonic methods."

"But these villains persist and continue to meddle behind the scenes."

"Going by my temperament, I would have already dealt with them. However, the Emperor is unwilling to create chaos at this moment, allowing our enemies to take advantage of the situation."

"Thus, I reached a compromise with the Emperor."

Han Yao's tone carried a strong sense of frustration.

Although he hadn't explicitly stated the terms of his agreement with Ba Wudi, it was likely that it imposed a considerable constraint on him.

"These two fellows thought that I would be rendered helpless and couldn't do anything to them. However, they initiated an attack on the Five Punishments Division. Even if they bring this matter before the Emperor, I have the upper hand."

Han Yao glanced at Wang Xibei and Qin Canmou on the ground as he spoke.

No wonder Meng Zhang had previously felt that the actions of the Five Punishments Division were suspicious. It turned out they were setting a trap.

Furthermore, with Han Yao publicly stating that Meng Zhang was a member of the Five Punishments Division, it became clear to Meng Zhang.

Despite being the chief of Dali Dynasty's judicial system, Han Yao wasn't the kind of inflexible traditionalist who clung to outdated practices.

In reality, his approach was flexible, and he excelled at finding loopholes in rules.

Having such a superior, Meng Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his days ahead wouldn't be too difficult.

"These two have pressing matters to attend to and can't remain trapped here for long. So, they've been trying everything to escape the Five Punishments Division, even at the cost of confronting it."

"I've obtained their confessions, and the next step will be a large-scale manhunt."

"To deceive our enemies, I came here alone.""I, alone, have limitations and cannot oversee multiple matters simultaneously. The Cultivation Base of these Five Punishments Division members is too low to be of use."

"However, I'll trouble Sect Master Meng to lend a hand against our enemies."

Han Yao's words were polite, but Meng Zhang knew that this was his way of challenging him. He had no choice but to accept it.

Since he had chosen to join the Five Punishments Division and gain Han Yao's protection, there was a price to pay. Serving the Five Punishments Division was only reasonable.

"Rest assured, Sect Master Meng. The enemies you'll face aren't overly formidable. If you join forces with Sun Sheng, who has earned merit despite guilt, it should be enough to resolve the problem."

"In the future, Sect Master Meng will find that I've always regarded my subordinates as brothers."

"Now that Sect Master Meng is a member of my Five Punishments Division, you will naturally receive my protection. If you encounter any troubles, you can actively seek assistance from me."

"Even if that formidable demonic entity comes after you in the future, I won't turn a blind eye."

Regardless of whether Han Yao was merely speaking empty words or trying to deceive Meng Zhang into pledging his allegiance, his attitude was a positive start.

Meng Zhang needed support from figures like Han Yao in the upper echelons of Dali Dynasty, so he had to temporarily place his trust in him.

Han Yao had spoken to Meng Zhang extensively with the intention of recruiting him, to have him serve him wholeheartedly.

Han Yao and Demonic Cultivation were mortal enemies, with no room for compromise.

His ultimate goal was to completely eradicate all Demonic Cultivation within Dali Dynasty.

Whether those Demonic Cultivation individuals held high positions, possessed influence, or even the protection of Ba Wudi, Han Yao would never compromise.

After Meng Zhang helped Jiuqu Province's Governor Zhang Wei uncover the lineage of secretive demons, he caught Han Yao's attention.

Han Yao knew that to completely eliminate Demonic Cultivation within Dali Dynasty, he needed to continuously strengthen his own power and gain more allies.

Meng Zhang, along with some other cultivators, had long been under Han Yao's observation.

However, Han Yao hadn't had the time to make contact with them.

Having coincidentally bumped into Meng Zhang face to face just now, he detected the aura of being targeted by the demonic entity. He immediately decided to incorporate Meng Zhang into his camp.

This decision was a spur-of-the-moment choice, but it was also built upon past observations.

From their initial interaction, Meng Zhang's intellect and attitude were both satisfactory to Han Yao.

In the days to come, he would harness Meng Zhang's abilities to continuously strike at Dali Dynasty's Demonic Cultivation, binding Meng Zhang firmly to his cause.

If Meng Zhang proved to be truly capable, Han Yao wouldn't hesitate to provide his support.

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