Chapter 4073: Hesitation Of The Vault Division

Within the compound, the Vault Division elders were indeed exchanging hurried messages. The revelation that Daoist Bone Ruler had personally accompanied the Wild Peak had changed their understanding of the situation.

They could no longer dismiss the gathering as a reckless disturbance caused by a few aggressive body cultivators. The Law Division Head’s presence meant that the investigation possessed considerable legitimacy.

Furthermore, the rumors concerning Mengli Zhenyu suddenly seemed far more credible. If the Grand Elder and Clarity Peak Head had truly acknowledged his identity, then the ancient body cultivator was someone they could not afford to offend casually.

One elder hurriedly transmitted a message to the other Vault Division branches. Another contacted the senior administrators responsible for the underground facilities.

Several guards were ordered to reinforce the entrances, while others began preparing additional defensive formations. The elders were becoming increasingly cautious. After all, the Wild Peak had brought hundreds of cultivators, including several High Elders.

And the Law Division Head was accompanying them.

Even if the rumors about Zhenyu defeating Daoist Bone Ruler were exaggerated, the man’s presence clearly carried considerable weight. One of the Vault Division elders finally stepped forward.

His earlier arrogance had diminished considerably. "Law Division Head, we apologize for the misunderstanding."

Daoist Bone Ruler gave a curt nod.

The elder then turned toward Zhenyu. "Senior Mengli Zhenyu, if your identity has been formally acknowledged, we naturally respect your seniority."

Zhenyu smiled. "How generous."

The elder’s expression stiffened. "However, bringing so many cultivators to our compound is highly irregular. The Vault Division handles numerous restricted treasures, and we cannot permit unauthorized personnel to enter freely."

Zhenyu stroked his beard. "Who said anything about entering?"

The elder blinked. "Senior?"

"I haven’t even asked to enter yet." Zhenyu chuckled. "You’re getting ahead of yourself."

Several Wild Peak disciples snickered.

The elder took a deep breath. "Then may we ask what Senior intends to do?"

Zhenyu’s expression became more serious. "Good. Finally, someone asks a sensible question."

He slowly stepped forward and the surrounding Immortal Qi trembled as his enormous figure moved through the air. The Vault Division guards instinctively tightened their formation while several elders watched him warily.

Zhenyu stopped a short distance from the compound’s outer defensive barrier.

He looked down at the gathered cultivators.

"Well then, I have one simple demand for now." His voice was calm.

Yet the pressure contained within it caused the hearts of several guards to throb once more. The elders exchanged uneasy glances.

Zhenyu’s smile disappeared. "Give. Me. Taegong."

Silence fell across the compound and for several moments, nobody answered.

Then one of the Vault Division elders frowned. "Senior, Elder Taegong is currently..."

He stopped as another elder glanced toward him sharply.

Lin Mu noticed the exchange immediately. ’Oh?’

Zhenyu’s eyes narrowed. "Currently what?"

The elder hesitated. "We would need to confirm his whereabouts."

Zhenyu stroked his beard. "Then confirm them."

The elder looked toward his companions as several were already transmitting messages.

Another stepped forward. "Senior, perhaps you could explain why you are seeking Elder Taegong. We cannot simply hand over a member of the Vault Division without understanding the accusations against him."

High Elder Shatter Peak snorted. "He’s accused of framing a Wild Peak disciple and sending him into the Mad Demon Depths!"

The Vault Division elder’s expression changed. "That matter?"

Zhenyu immediately caught the wording. "Oh?" He smiled faintly. "So you know about it."

The elder stiffened. "I have heard certain reports."

"Then this should be simple." Zhenyu folded his arms. "Bring him out, and we’ll ask him a few questions."

The elder looked uncomfortable. "Senior, there are procedures that must be followed."

Daoist Bone Ruler stepped forward. "The Law Division will oversee those procedures."

The elder fell silent.

Zhenyu chuckled. "See? Bone boy is already here. Everything is perfectly proper."

Daoist Bone Ruler felt another headache approaching. He had a feeling that Mengli Zhenyu’s definition of perfectly proper differed considerably from his own. The Vault Division elders exchanged uneasy looks.

Some continued sending messages, while others watched the enormous body cultivator with growing apprehension. Zhenyu waited patiently for several breaths.

Then he raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

The elders remained silent.

His smile slowly returned. "Don’t tell me you need an entire council meeting just to find one elder."

High Elder Shatter Peak laughed. "Perhaps Taegong has become so important that even the Vault Division doesn’t know where he is!"

Several Wild Peak disciples joined in and the Vault Division elders looked increasingly uncomfortable.

Zhenyu’s eyes swept across their faces.

He had already noticed their hurried communications, their guarded expressions, and the peculiar reaction of the elder who had almost revealed something about Taegong’s whereabouts.

There was certainly more happening here than they were willing to admit.

And Lin Mu intended to discover exactly what it was.

"Take your time," Zhenyu said with a faint smile. "I’m a patient man."

Daoist Bone Ruler glanced toward him as he had heard that tone before. But it made him deeply uneasy.

Zhenyu continued, "But understand one thing."

His enormous frame straightened and the air around him grew heavy. "If Taegong is hiding here, I expect you to produce him."

The Vault Division elders stared at him.

"And if someone is helping him hide..." Zhenyu’s smile widened. "Well, I suppose we’ll have to investigate that person too."

The silence that followed was considerably more uncomfortable than before.

Lin Mu quietly watched the elders’ reactions. ’Now, let’s see who gets nervous.’

The first stage of his investigation had begun and the elders of the Vault Division now found themselves in a rather difficult position.

They had initially believed that the Wild Peak’s arrival was merely an attempt to intimidate them into handing over Taegong, and they had responded accordingly.

However, the situation had changed considerably after Daoist Bone Ruler revealed himself and confirmed Mengli Zhenyu’s identity. With the Head of the Law Division personally overseeing the matter, the Vault Division could no longer dismiss the demands being made.

Even if they wished to refuse, they would have to provide a satisfactory explanation. After all, Daoist Bone Ruler was one of the highest-ranking authorities responsible for enforcing the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect’s laws.